Jin said, "I can't believe it's still light at nine o'clock at night! It's like summer!" Captain Dokka Tkarro said,"It's because we're twenty miles up in the tallest mountain range in the world. It's pitch black at sea-level. I think we can wait for them at the elevator down into the interior of Shalmiraine. Ahh, young love... and all that." Jin laughed. "I take it, he has your blessing,'Dad'?" He rolled his eyes. "God. Don't get me started on that! By the way, honey...WHY are you wearing that HAT? It's...so different." Jin said, "To be impulsive and spontaneous! You need to be more spontaneous!" Dokka stared at the ugly hat and bit back a retort. Jaeko sat down on a stone bench at the end of the rainwater canal, and pulled Toxic to him. She chortled. He looked up at her large purple eyes and sighed. She cocked her head at him. He whispered, "There's something I want to tell you. I hope you don't freak out." "You're gay? It's alright if you are." Toxic smiled and nodded. "NO, I AM NOT GAY!" Jaeko looked indignant. He heard Jin and Dokka laugh. He turned as red as the sunset. He took a breath, and whispered tersely,"I have FEELINGS for you!" She blinked blankly. "Feelings is good! Means you aren't a robot. I feel happy that you bought me CHICKEN! Thank you. You are always so nice to me!" "Toxic,I'm always nice to you, because I'm in love with you. I have been since I met you all those years ago. I wanted you and I was too shy to say anything, and I must sound like an idiot, now." He caught his breath and stared at her. She smiled,"That isn't a big secret, you know. I figured it out from how you give me the big eyes all the time. Jin said,'he's got it bad', and Neon was all like 'UH-HUNH! you got THAT right!' I was all like 'WHAT? He got what?' They finally told me what I already figured out. You have pretty jade eyes, Jaeko." He took a breath and asked, "You... want to get married?" She laughed. "Sure. Someday. We haven't even kissed yet. On a first date? Jin would sock you! I'm not sure how I feel about you. It sort of scares me! I see how happy Jin and the Captain are, and I get afraid of how I'd feel if you died. That REALLY scares me." He hugged her to him and murmured in her breasts, "We can take it one day at a time. One thing at a time. Let me kiss you." She took a breath and sighed, "Alright." A bright light seemed to spot-light them as they kissed. Dokka's phone rang. He pulled it out as he saw a shuttle heading towards them. He asked,"What's up?" "What? NOW? At least THAT'S good news. Hates the Asurans? What about the Scourge? I see. They know the Kohl-Tahnnu? They have Blight? AND ANTI-MATTER MISSILES? Holy crap! One per ship? At least they aren't crazy. They're early and Lime is alright? She's AFRAID OF BUGS? Oh, lordy!" He paused and looked shocked, "SUNSHINE FOUND WHO?" He looked intently over at Toxic, who was looking up in the sky at the light of a TSMD hole into hyperspace nearby. She looked over him. She didn't like the look. She was moving around Jaeko when he said,"Toxic! Sunshine found COODLE!" Toxic shouted,"WHAT?" and leaped the thirty feet to Dokka's side, knocking poor Jaeko into the canal with a loud splash. She whipped around and shouted at Jaeko,"WHY ARE YOU SWIMMING? We need to get to SUNNY!" Jin exclaimed,"YOU knocked him in, YOU GOOFBALL!" She shrieked in surprise and jumped in after him, to help him out. Dokka said, "Oh, that? Toxic was a bit excited is all. See you in a few minutes." He put up his phone and remarked,"Well, THAT was impulsive and spontaneous." He watched Toxic and Jaeko laughing and splashing around in the clear water. He looked over at Jin and got a look. She snarled, "You do and I'll punch you." He shrugged and threw her hat into the canal. "THAT was impulsive! Be careful what you ask for!" The shuttle landed next to them. --TO BE CONTINUED!--