"Right. So, we'll be staying at the cave for a while." Bree couldn't help a little sigh. "Guess I'd better stock up on a few things before we go out there to stay."

"You need not stay," Charlotte said after a moment of quiet. "An egg takes time to hatch. I would not make you stay for the duration." She wanted Bree there, of course, but she understood that humans sometimes didn't take well to extended periods away from other humans. And, grudgingly, she acknowledged that Bree would want to see John.

"Charlotte, even if I didn't want to stay and keep an eye on you--which I do--I am required to stay with you. I can't leave you alone for more than a day or so." Bree shrugged. "So I'll just grab some things and make up a bag to take with us. We'll stop in a town on the way to the cave."

"You shouldn't have to do that," Charlotte said stubbornly. "Have I not been well-behaved until now? Surely they can see I can be left to my own devices for a while. Especially since I will be nesting."

"I don't make the rules," Bree said with a shrug. "Besides, I want to be there. You'll feel better about going out hunting if you know someone else is with the egg, even someone as relatively useless as me."

To be honest, Charlotte hadn't even thought about that. Hunting hadn't even crossed her mind; her only plan was to stay with her egg. She hadn't given any thought at all as to how she was going to find herself food.

Perhaps she could talk Sherlock into hunting for her. But that would require him knowing where her cave was, and she wasn't sure she wanted that. She would have to think about it.

"Very well," she said to Bree, settling down again. She nosed the egg softly, partially to see how hard the shell was getting and partially just because she could.

"And speaking of traveling, Sherlock would like to see you and the egg before we all go," Bree said, stretching out a bit. "He seems rather anxious to."

Charlotte hesitated for a moment.

"Just so long as he does not come into the nest," she finally said. She didn't want him too near the egg; her instincts were clamoring at her that he could potentially be a danger to it.

"I'll let him know in a little while," Bree agreed. For now, she was content to just let Charlotte settle in and relax a little.

"Alright," Charlotte said. She moved the egg a little closer to the fire and settled down, closing her eyes.

The next day, Sherlock decided to try his luck, moving into the cave slowly and giving her plenty of time to evict him if she wanted. And he stayed well outside the nest, just peering in curiously.

Charlotte watched him carefully as he got close enough to see the egg. It was still nestled up against her and she had her tail curled around it protectively. But she didn't chase him away yet.

Sherlock made a gentle noise and lowered his head a bit to get a better look, though he still stayed well outside the nest.

"It is perfect," he murmured.

"It is," Charlotte agreed. "As were the others." She relaxed marginally when he didn't make any move towards the egg.

"I saw them briefly, but only briefly," Sherlock said. "As they were leaving." He settled down a bit, resting but not moving closer. "I am glad for you, that you are able to keep this one."

"This one is smaller than the others," Charlotte said, nosing the egg gently. "But it is strong. The little one will be perfect." She glanced at him. "Once it is strong enough, I will take it back to my cave and continue to nest there."

Sherlock nodded. "A good plan," he agreed. "It will be quieter there, and you will be undisturbed."

Charlotte nodded in agreement.

"Bree says she is required to be there with me," she said. "I understand your John is seriously courting her...?"

Sherlock nodded. "He is," he agreed mildly. "You sound as if you have something in mind already."

Charlotte hesitated a bit.

"I would prefer to stay in the nest with the egg," she said after a moment. "Needing to leave to hunt will be... difficult, even with Bree there to keep an eye on the nest. But, perhaps if I allowed occasional visits...? So Bree might continue to be courted, you understand." She watched him, well-aware of exactly how much trust she would be extending to him if she told him where her cave was. But it really would be easier if he would continue to hunt for her, even under the guise of bringing John to see Bree.

Sherlock's eyes brightened at that. "Indeed," he murmured. "Any cave you chose would certainly be near a good hunting ground, but Bree is not adapted to care for an egg." He rustled his wings a bit. "Perhaps when I bring John to see her, if you do not mind me imposing in your hunting grounds...?" He phrased it very carefully, giving her the final choice.

Charlotte nodded.

"I do not mind," she said. It set her a bit more at ease, reslly. He knew not to come into the nest, and she would not have to leave her egg to hunt.

Sherlock nodded. "Perhaps when you decide to travel back to your cave, we can travel with you? So I will know where to go, and in case you need anything while you are settling in." He knew he wasn't welcome in the nest, or even that close to it, so he was going to do anything else he could get away with.

After a moment's consideration, Charlotte nodded.

"That is acceptable," she said.

Sherlock nodded and settled down, although he didn't leave yet. He figured John and Bree could always use the time to talk, and besides, he was enjoying getting a look at the egg and Charlotte.