Astronomy 210

the floor, a fresh joint in her hand. "Looks like she tried to make friends with an unfriendly crowd."

The squirrel ran over to the fallen joint and swallowed it whole.

Abra shook her head in disqust. "Yuck."

Shashani placed her hand on Lucy's forehead to wake her up.

Stirring, Lucy started to mumble. "Oh, come on man, just one puff won't hurt you. It's good stuff too... OW!" She sat up abruptly. "That hurt." She noticed Shashani sitting next to her. "Hi."

"Hello yourself." she replied. "Did you recognize them?"

"Ummm..." Lucy looked a little confused. "I don't think so."

Tygeress and Abra were over at the computer terminal, downloading the data.

Shashani helped Lucy to her feet. Lucy put her hand on the top of her head. "Ow."

"It's okay dear," Shani reassured her.

"The disk's ready," called Abra.
- - - - - - -- - - --

Techno was sitting next to the super computer when Shashani's voice entered his head.

Bing, it's done, came her voice. Techno glanced over beside the mouse and there sat the disk.

She's getting pretty good. Techno thought as he marveled at Shashani's talent.
- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Okay, that's done," Shashani commented.

"Now to track down the culprit," added Tygeress.

"Guys," Patti came running in from her lookout post. "Someone's coming, move your butts."

"We can't," Abra couldn't resist. "The Squirrel ate it." Everyone rolled their eyes as The Squirrel burped in satisfaction.

The observatory had but one door so the girls flew, floated, and or teleported up through tthe open roof dome thingy and out onto the roof. They peered through the hole as a man walked in.

SPP's eyes grew large.

"Doesn't that look like...?" asked Tygeress.

"Yeah," replied Abra. "Strikingly like...."

"Is that him?" Shashani asked Lucy.

"No," she replied. "He was a big blonde guy." Lucy looked at her watch. "Well, it's 2:30. Someone was on the schedule for 2:30."

"What... what was his name?" SPP somehow got the words out, without taking her eyes off the man below them.

"I don't remember."
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"David Bowie? Using the observatory? At Tequila Heights?" Techno replied to the story. He began to chuckle wildly.

Dee narrowed her eyes. "What's so funny about that?"

Techno couldn't respond. He bent over laughing, almost falling out of his chair by the super computer.

"What's a David Bowie?" asked Zarbon innocently not understanding the situation.

"MEN!" yelled Dee as Techno errupted into another fit of laughter.

The girls went to bed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After classes on Thursday Sally walked up the long winding driveway to MacMickle Mansion. Where the dead grey trees turned into lush greenage she saw Daniel. He was kneeling on the ground, shoveling.

"Hey," she called to him. "What are you up to?"

Daniel glanced over in her direction, a smile appearing on his lips. "Hey yourself. Come and take a look."

Sally made her way to where Daniel wa bent over the ground. There between a dead tree and a flourishing tree was a rather large hole.

"I think I've figured out the secret behind this." He stated flatly. "The phenomena of why the vegitation close to the house is lush and green, but the vegitation near the gate never blossoms. Look here." He pointed to the dirt hole. "The soil on the dying side is dry and brittle, but here on the living side, it's moist and rich." Daniel gestured with his hand to the sides of the hole. There was a distict line that ran down the center where the black soil incountered the gray dirt. He stood shaking his head as he glanced into the hole.

"I've collected samples and taken them back to the lab to see if there's anything chemically interesting. Do you think T will mind?"

"I don't think so." Sally replied. "Let me help you with your things." Sally picked up empty containers that once held the dirt as Daniel finished refilling the hole.

"So what do you think causes it?" asked Sally as they started toward the house.

"I can not reveal my finding until I am totally sure," he stated matter of factly.

"Spoken like a true scientist," she smiled at him. "Don't forget about tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" he looked off into the distance. "Oh yeah, that reminds me. Are you doing anything later tonight?"

"Well, I have to work later tonight. What did you have planned?"

"Do you think you can spare ummm... five minutes at midnight?"

"Gee, I don't know Daniel."

"You can't just take a five minute break? I'll come by and steal you for just five minutes." He looked at her with his best puppy dog look. And he knew she couldn't resist that.

"Okay," she gave in, "Meet me here at the front gate at midnight then."

"You don't want me to come by your place of employment?" he asked as if hurt.

"Well, It'll be my lunch break anyway. I'll have half and hour to do as I please."

"Where do you work anyway? I don't believe you've ever told me."

"Well, it's umm... an internship... with a top secret research project. I could tell you, but then I would have to sacrifice your bodily organs to science."

Daniel shook his head. They headed towards his car and placed his things in the trunk.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Daniel, errr... tonight I mean. I've got to go take a nap before I head to work." Daniel leaned over and kissed her cheek.

"Alright," he replied. "I'll see you then."

Sally walked into the quiet mansion, no doubt the rest of the household was already fast asleep as to be alert for the night ahead. She climbed the steps, then went to her room to have her own little nap.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

At eleven forty-five, Sally was up and ready to leave the house. She quickly ran to the front gate. As she was turning to walk away she heard her name.

"Sally," Daniel called again.

She turned around to see Daniel coming towards her.

"You're early," he said catching his breath. "I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"No. I actually just arrived," she smiled. "But you're early too."

"Yeah, well," she could see him blush by the light of the sliver of moon. "I couldn't wait any longer." He took her hand in his. "I've got to show you something." His grey eyes seemed to flash with excitement.

"Well, I only have a few... "

"Then we'd better hurry," he interupted and began to run down the sidewalk along the stone wall, pullng Sally behind him.

After a fairly good jog he stopped right after the high wall surrounding the MacMickle Mansion ended and the sidewalk ran for a few more feet out into the open prairie. He pointed up into the sky. Sally looked up at the dark sky. The stars were shining very brightly and the small sliver of moon was barely visible.

"See that star?" Daniel pointed up toward the moon. "It's almost just slightly visible at the dark edge of the moon."

Sally looked toward the moon. On one side was the slightest glimmer of a small star trying to peek around the large satellite.

"Yeah, I see it."

"Tomorrow night, during the new moon, the light of that star will cause the bud of the Galactus Lunas Estrellas to bloom."

"Really? Have you seen one before?"

"No, it happens only once every fifty years or so."

"Wow!"

"Exactly, and you know what the best part is?" he looked at her, his eyes ablaze with excitement

"What?" Sally couldn't contain her excitement.

"The MacMickle garden is full of them." Sally's eyes grew large with his words. He took her hand in his and looked deep into her eyes. "Tomorrow, I'll come over and we can spend the whole afternoon together. Then when the sun goes down we'll head to the garden, I know the perfect spot. When the star shines without the interference of the moon, the Lunar Stars will bloom all around us." He leaned in and kissed her. Pulling slowly away he whispered. "It will be so beautiful."

Sally smiled shyly. She loved the way Daniel could be so romantic.

Daniel gazed back up at the star. "Well, I suppose you have to be getting back now?"

"Yeah," she replied half-heartedly.

"Do you want me to walk you back?"

Sally was about the reply yes, when she remembered she was suppose to be at 'work'.

"No, that's okay. I don't want you loosing any vital organs on account of me." Sally smiled playfully. "You best just leave the way you came."

"Alright," he replied, giving her a last quick kiss. "See you tomorrow then, Good night." He turned and walked along the great fence towards the city.

Sally watched him fro a minute then headed off in another direction. A few minutes later she returned to the Mansion. She went directly to the cave.

"'Bout time," called Lucy Diamond. "Hurry up and get dressed. Techno wants us over at the observatory in ten."

"So early?"

"It's already 12:50, dearheart," came Tygeress' voice. "I guess you kind of lost track of time on your midnight rendezvous with Daniel."

"Oh, shut up, nerd!" Sally exclaimed as she put on her boots. "I don't make fun of you and Zarbon."

"Yeah, you do."

A large smile spread across her face. "Oh, yeah." As she laced up her shirt she told them about the flowers.

"Groovy," commented Lucy. "I bet they'll be gorgeous."

"That's what Daniel said." She tied her bandana mask behind her head, then attached her sword to her belt.

"Ready?" Asked Tygeress.

"Let's go."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Others peered into the observatory from the open roof.

"Once we see him enter Abra, Lucy, and Patti will sneak down to the door," Sahshani directed. "When you're in position send Squirrel up to us." Patti nodded.

"Then we'll drop in for the surprise. If he tries to escape through the door, you'll stop him. Any questions?"

"Is Chewbacca the only living Wookie?" asked Abra.

"Of course not," she replied sarcastically. "They just evolved into Ewoks."

Tygeress giggled, while Lucy and Patti rolled their eyes.

"Do you think that guy will come again?" Patti wondered. "He looked so much like David Bowie. I wonder if they're related."

"Who knows," stated Tygeress. "If he does appear, maybe he can sing us a song."

"Shhh." hushed Shashani. "Someone's coming."

The Others peered throught hte hole to see the door creek open. In walked a young man, with blonde hair and a tan, and his muscles were worth a mention.

Abra glanced over at Lucy. She was pointing down at him and shaking her head 'yes'.

"Wow," mouthed Patti. "He's a big fella."

Shashani gave the signal for the girls to head out. Abra, Lucy, and Patti snuck across the roof, then silently made their way down the fire escape. Once on the ground they stealthly entered the building. As the super girls neared the door, Patti released Squirrel.

Tygeress and Shashani were watching the trespasser working with the control of the telescope when Squirrel came up to them.

All right, Tygeress heard in her head. Let's move out.

As Tygeress jumped down, Shashani dissapeared. The man turned in time to see the feline superhero land gracefully on the white floor tiles.

"Hello there, big boy," she purred.

He turned toward the door, but Shashani had materialized between him and the door. He rushed at her, pushing her aside. Tygeress lept upon his broad back; but he carried her toward the door. In a swift turn he thrust his back against the door, slamming Tygeress agaisnt it, creating a loud metalic ring. Ty reached tighter around the man's throat, holding on as best she could. The man again hit Tygeress against the door, this time Ty's boot hit the latch and the doors swung open. The man lost his balance and fell backward into the hall, crushing Tygeress beneath him.

Abra swung down her sword and held it at the assailant's throat.

"That's enough!" she yelled at him. He tried to sit up fast enough to catch her off gaurd, but her blade remained fixed on his jugular. He sighed and fell back in submission.

"Mmmph mmm!"

"Get up," Abra commanded. "Slowly!"

The man stood up slowly, releasing Tygeress from her pinned state.

"Thank God I have bones stronger than steel," she stated as she rose and dusted herself off.

"Well I have steel muscles," retorted the man in a deep voice. "And I'd bend that blasted sword if I wouldn't cut myself."

"Oh, shut up!" Dee commanded him.

"Well, it's true," he held out his flexed bicep. "See for yourself."

The girls looked at each other.

"Just tell us what you are doing with the telescope," stated Shashani.

"I'm a star gazer," he replied sarcastically. "Duh!"

"Well, gee." Tygeress retorted in a valley-girl accent. "Like thanks for clearing that up. I was like so confused."

"We have other ways of find out what we want to know," Lucy commented.

Ummm... guys... the girls heard in their heads. I can't seem to read his mind.

"Maybe he doesn't have one," said Patti.

The man looked at them confused.

"Please state your name, at least," Abra tried to convince him.

"Bond, James Bond."

"Well, James," came Patti's smooth sexy voice. "Can you just tell me one, itsy... bitsy... thing." She looked at him innocently and batted her eyelids.

'James' blinked back. His eyes wandered up and down the length of Patti's body. He swallowed hard. SPP walked up to him, swinging her hips seductively. Abra drew her sword back to give Patti some room to work. She pouted out her lips and stared to tease his hair with her fingers.

"All I want to know is..." she paused and ran her finger down his cheek. "Your name and why you were messing around with the telescope."

"Well," his deep voice came in almost a whisper as he placed his hands on Patti's shoulders. Then in one swift movement he positioned his foot behind Patti's and pushed her away. As she fell into her companions her sharp nails caught the flesh of the man's cheek. But instead of revealing blood, the four parallel scratches revealed a paler shade of skin.

"Damn it!" cursed the man as his hand assesed the damage to his face. Then he smirked and his eyes flashed a bright blue.

"Face," Abra whispered to herself. As he turned to run she sprang at him with her sword ready.

"Halt!" she cried after him.

Tygeress also took chase while Lucy and Shashani helped a stunned SPP to her feet.

"I HATE MEN!" was her only reply when asked if she was alright.

Abra had almost caught up with the fugitive when Tygeress lept over her and again landed on his back. Face reered back and Ty almost tipped him over. As he faltered Ty lept off, not wanting to be squished again. She landed lightly in front of him and bared the claws on her right hand. Face wheeled around to find Abra holdng the point of her sword to his throat. He put up his large hands in surrender.

"I thought you were going to change your ways," Abra said sternly.

"You thought wrong." His deep voice retorted harshly, while his lips held a sly grin.

"So what's your plan this time?" Abra asked. "Tell us now and the punishment will be swift."

"There is no crime to punish me for," he replied.

"Breaking and entereing, resisting arrest," came Tygeress' voice from behind him. "Just to name a few."

"A mere slap on the hand for someone who doesn't exist."

"Taunt us a little more," Tygeress replied. "And we'll make sure you never exist."

Patti came running down the hall with rope in her hands.

"Guys," she said out of breath, "Techno called," she gasped. "Shashani punched some buttons in the computer." She held up a hand as she caught her breath. "It's a satelite, he's been trying to position it, in order to intercept top secret government information."

"Slap on the rist, huh?" Ty asked him. Abra shook her head disbelievingly.

"Lucy's called the Police already," SPP added. "They'll be here soon." She handed Ty an end of the rope.

As Patti and Tygeress wound the rope around Face he stood perfectly still, his eyes focused on Abra. Abra stared at the ground for awhile.

"Come on Abra," called Ty. "We don't want to be here when Humphrey arrives. You know how he is at two in the morning." Ty and Patti ran out the door. As Abra turned to leave Face stopped her.

"Abra," he called pleadingly.

"No!" She turned to face him. "I made a mistake of letting you go once. I won't do it again." She turned quickly and vanished out the door.
- - - - - -- - - - -

"What kind of nonsence is this?!" bellowed Humphrey. As he kicked the pile of rope on the floor. "I knew we could never trust those so called 'Super Heroes'!"
- - - - - - - - - -

When Sally awoke the first thought that crossed her mind was how betrayed she felt. But she knew she would have to put it aside. After all, today would be very special.

She showered, dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Sally!" called Poopsie hysterically as the blonde entered the small dining room. "Look at the paper!" She pointed to a small article. The heading read 'Heros prank Humphrey.' Reading the article, Sally's eyes grew wide.

"He escaped?"

"I was just as surprised as you," replied Zarbon, who sat at the table eating a bowl of Cheerios. "Tonya told me she tied him up. And there's no escaping her bonds." Zarbon shook his head, then met the gaze of the shocked faces around him. "What?"

Sally shivered in disgust. This would mean another outing tonight. But what about her plans with Daniel? The sound of the doorbell brought her mind back to reality.

"She's in the kitchen dining room," came Techno's voice from the foyer. Zarbon pushed a button on his watch and instantly his skin turned to an earthly tan and his hair went black. Then he stuffed another spoonful of cheerios into his mouth as if nothing had happend.

Daniel walked into the kitchen and said distraughtly, "Good morning, everyone." He smiled slightly at Sally.

"What's wrong?" replied Sally.

"I came to talk to you about tonight." Everyone in the small dining room looked up to see Sally's expression drop.

"Maybe we should talk outside," Daniel said eyeing all the people in the room. He followed her out onto the patio. In the warm morning air they stood for a couple moments in silence.

"Come with me for a walk through the garden?" Daniel asked. Sally followed him down the path. "I won't be able to meet you after classes today." He looked sadly at her as they strode down the path.

"How come?" Sally asked back in a whisper.

"Well, Peter, my roomate, he's been working on this project at the observatory. But he couldn't finish it last night because the cops were there and they wouldn't let anyone go in. So he's behind and he asked if I'd help him do all the recordings manually. And I told him I would without even thinking of our plans. I'm sorry."

"Don't feel too guilty," Sally replied. "I have some bad news too. The project that I'm working on had some set backs, and they might call me in to help catch up."

"Here it is," Daniel spread his arms wide, gesturing to the fauna in front of them.

Sally looked around. They were in the middle of the dead forest on the outskirts of the grounds.

"What?" Sally said perplexed.

"I will try my best to meet you here in this spot at midnight."

"You mean the flowers will bloom in the dead woods?"

"Yes, I found out that the soil was so depleted because the plant obsorbs large quantities of all the nutrients in the soil, killing everything else. See these?" Daniel pointed to the back of one of the dead trees. Seeing Sally's confusion he picked up a piece of the bark that was a small vine shape.

"The Lunar Stars grow on bark covered vines like these. They're all over the dead woods."

"Wow," Sally smiled up at him. "I hope we'll both be here to see it together."

"Me too."
- -- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The last rays of the May sun were dissapearing when...

GUYS! Shashani's voice rang through The Others' minds. Shashani had been on a stakeout at the observatory all afternoon. He's here. You were right about him not waiting around for us to catch him, Techno. Everyone to Jareth Hall, NOW!

Everyone hustled to the cave and were on their way in no time.

The girls ambushed the observatory just as they had the night before. Face hadn't bothered getting a disguise for this evening. His black hair was slicked back like the first time The Others had met him. His eyes seemed to flicker brighter than ever.

"Haven't you learned your lesson?" his sly voice stated as they sprang in on him.

"Haven't you?" retorted Tygeress.

"Yes, It is my opinon that cats should be declawed and spayed." Tygeress' claws extended at the words and she stood ready to pounce. Lucy stood poised in a martial arts stance. Abra and Shashani both drew their blades simotaneoulsy. Abra stared at him determinedly, knowing she would do whatever it took to capture him this time.

Face was surrounded, but his flashing eyes and sly grin gave no sign of defeat. He stood next to the computer console in the center of the room. Casually he reached to the disk drive and removed a floppy. He held it out in front of him.

"Is this what you've come to stop me from knowing?" His bright eyes flashed again. "Come and get it." At these words he secured it in his pocket and ducked just as Tygeress pounced. She missed by inches, landed gracefully then pounced again, this time catching Faces' ankle. He tripped slightly. While shaking his foot free, his boot knocked Tygeress along sid the head. She let go at once and he leapt over her to avoid a charging Lucy Diamond. Lucy tripped on Tygeress and fell into Patti, both tumbling on the floor.

Shashani and Abra both charged with their blades raised. Face managed to side step behind Shashani, and grab the dagger from her grasp in one suave movement. He stood behind the elf witht he blade to her throat.

"Drop your sword, Abra," Face stated as if there was no alternative. Shashani's eyes were wide.

Her voice popped into Abra's head. I can't read his mind. I don't know if he'll do it or not.

Abra glanced around the room. Tygeress was still out. Lucy and Patti were tangled in a mess of Lucy's numerous beads. Her eyes returened to Face's. Then her face grew determined as a trash can struck the back of Face's head. In shock he dropped the dagger, freeing Shashani. She grabbed his arm and flung him over her shoulder. He landed with a thud on his back. As Abra threathend him with her blade, Shashani retreaved the disk. And Face gasped in terror and anger as it disappeared from her hand.

"Now it's somewhere you'll never get it."

Tygeress started to stir then clumbsily stood up, holding the side of her head and whimpering. Shani went to help Patti and Lucy untangle themselves, right after she dialed the police.

Face's eyes bored into Abra.

"Don't worry," she told him. "We aren't leaving until the police get here this time." But a sly smile played on his lips anyway.

After the girls tied him, they watched from the roof, while Tygeress stayed inside the room. As the police entered the scene she flew through the roof opening.

"Oh my gosh!" Abra exclaimed as she looked at the time. "It's almost 11:30."

"Time sure flies when we're having fun, huh," stated Lucy.

"Or when you're unconcious," added Tygeress touching the side of her face again.

Abra waited until Face was in the police car before heading back.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The girls walked into the dead woods. It was almost midnight.

"Are you sure this is where it is?" Asked Jed. "It's awefully dark."

"That's what Daniel said, now if you'll excuse me I told him I'd meet him in a certain spot." Sally started off to where they had planned to meet.

Zarbon took Tonya's hand and they also headed off to be by themselves for the spectacular event.

Techno started setting up video cameras.

"You and your gadgets," Dee commented. "You probably can't even truely grasp the sentamental value of actually seeing his happen with out the aid of a lens."

"It only happens every fifty years. Might as well have some way to remember if forever."

"Awww," Dee replied sarcastically. "You're just a big softy at heart." Then she turned and walked over the Poopsie and Jed in the middle of the sparce wooded area.

"Hey, T!" Techno removed his eye from the video recorder to see Daniel coming toward him with another man behind him.

"Daniel," Techno acknowledged the young man.

"T, this is my roomate, Peter. Is it all right if he watches the flowers from here?"

"Sure. The other girls are just a few yards in that direction. But Peter, I've got to warn you, you enter at your own risk."

"Is Sally with them?" asked Daniel.

"No, she went to some 'special place' where you said you'd meet her."

Daniel nodded and walked Peter to the other girls. Dee's eyes grew wide the minute she saw him.

"Peter, this is Poopsie, Jessica, and Dee. Girls this is Peter, my roomate. Take care of him while I find Sally." Daniel took off leaving Peter behind with the three girls.

"Has anyone ever told you..." Dee started wide eyed and trying not to drool.

"Yes.." Peter's thick British accent was revealed in his words as he stated, "Dance Magic Dance."

The girls started giggling.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sally looked up at the dark night sky through the bare branches of the grey trees. Suddenly, as the shadow of the Earth fully concealed the moon, the single star began to shine brilliantly. She watched in wonder as the once lifeless trees became alive as small buds inched from the concealed vines.

"Sally." She heard her name and whirled around to see Daniel standing there. Behind him the blossoms began to unfold from their pods.

He took her hand and brushed the hair away from her face with his other. Lost in his eyes she forgot all about the flowers.

He turned to look around them, she turned also. All around them white blossoms covered the trees. They moved closer to one of the trees. Sally looked at the Lunar Star blossoms closely. Each sweetly fragranced flower was the purest of white and had five pointed petals. Daniel gently picked one and placed it in Sally's hair. Sally blushed.

"Happy Birthday Daniel," she whispered and kissed him gently on the lips.

As they parted Daniel smiled sweetly at her then a look of realization crossed his face. "Gosh, that's right. I'm twenty today." He returned his glance back to her. "But there's noone else I'd rather spend my birthday with. With the most beautiful girl, in the most beautiful place, at the most beautiful time on earth." Sally blushed again as he kissed her deeply.

As she turned her gaze from the birthday boy to look once more at the flowers she thought it had started to snow. But soon she realized that the flowers were loosing their petals. She glanced at Daniel. He saw her concern and explained.

"Already the earth has changed enough in position to let enough of the moon from it's shadow to outshine the star."

"But I can't even see the moon."

"No, but it's always there."

Sally watched as the white petals fell to blanket the dirt beneath their feet. The couple stayed and watched until the last of the petals fell to the ground.

"You're covered in petals Daniel," she said marveling at the white coat on him.

"So are you." He smiled back, brushing them off her shoulders. She grabbed his hand.

"I've got something to show you now." His face showed his intrigued emotion.

They walked hand and hand into the house and Sally led him to the Dining Hall. When she turned the light on Daniel was surprised to see the lavish decoration and the large banner.

"Surprise!" said Sally enthusiastically.

"Wow!" Daniel looked around. "All this for me?"

"Happy Birthday Daniel." She gave him another kiss. "I was going to make you dinner, but it's a little late for that now."

"No, this is..." he looked deep into her eyes. "Perfect." He gave her a deep kiss. When he pulled away he removed another pure white petal from her hair. Then he turned again to look at the beautifully decorated room.

As he turned his head, Sally noticed a small scratch on his lower cheek.

"Daniel," she asked placing her finger over it. "What happend here?"

"Oh," he shrugged. "That's nothing, I just nicked myself shaving his morning." Then he turned to face her again. "It actually happens more often then I'd like. Maybe I'll ask Zarbon the secret to his flawless shave."

"Yeah, he's very smooth," Sally commented. Daniel shot a curious look at her. Sally just smiled.

"I'll go round everyone up and we'll have cake and sing." She winked coyly as she left.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Across town the police searched frantically. Not even Houdini could escape from the back seat of a moving police car; but somehow when they had arrived at the station, there was no sign of their convict.

Humphrey stood at the door to the station and watched the frantic officers. It had been an hour since the dissapearance had been noticed. He stomped his foot in frustration.

"The Others and their fugitives. I think they just want to give me an ulser." He turned and returned inside.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --

Daniel tried to hide his blushing smile as everyone marched in singing. Then he blew out the candles and everyone ooed as he gave his girlfriend a gentle kiss.