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Later that night inside the compound kitchen Athena was busy putting lamb, peppers, onions, and corn on kabob sticks and seasoning them when she heard footsteps behind her. "Carol...need something?" Athena asked without bothering to look up from the food. "You still know my footsteps?" Carol asked. "Of course I do, you always walk lighter when you have something on your mind." Athena replied. "You're still too good at reading people." Carol said. "Well? What's on your mind?" Athena asked looking up at Carol for the first time.

"Are you happy with Lucy?" Carol asked bluntly. "If by happy...you mean she doesn't annoy me, or she hasn't decided to disappear into space right when I was falling in love with her? Then yes I'm happy." Athena said. Those words hit Carol hard right in the chest. "That's— that's good." Carol said softly. "Indeed, now if there isn't anything else then you can go. I don't need help in the kitchen." Athena said dryly. Carol nodded and left the kitchen.

Athena put the cast iron pan on the counter and then placed the kabobs inside and put it into the oven, before starting with the lobster macaroni and cheese, salads, and rolls. She was finishing up cleaning the kitchen when again she heard footsteps behind her. "Hey mama." Athena greeted as she turned her head. "Hey sweetheart, it smells good in here." Natasha said with a smile. "Kabobs, macaroni and cheese, salads and rolls. Nothing special." Athena said with a shrug. "Nothing special? Sweetheart everything you make is special. Now tell me how you're feeling now that Carol is back." Natasha said as she leaned against the counter.  Athena let out a sigh. "It's strange. She's back, and Lucy's here...and well part of me wants to yell at Carol and tell her how bad she hurt me when she disappeared...but instead I make polite conversation, and act like everything is normal again."