Disclaimer: Treasure Planet is © Disney and it always will be. I do not own the main characters; I only meddle in their lives and put them through all hell for my own enjoyment. Please don't try to sue me unless you like to work with negative numbers (hehe, I know I don't!)

Notes and Thanks: I am splitting the Prologue into two chapters. I realize the Prologue was really long and I admire those of you brave enough to read it, but please I beg you either leave a review, find a way to tell me what you think whether or not you continue reading or don't read it at all…I've seen the stats and as impressive as they are, I have gotten so little reviews to the ratio of my readers. PLEASE READ & REVIEW!

"Kitty" Year-Round

Part I: A Very Humble Beginning

By Mia LeighArc

Just before the Legacy docked in the Spaceport Cresentia, Amelia found an old memory she had meant to keep away for as long as possible. It was a letter she had long since meant to send to her father from the time when her and Arrow had set off for their first out-of-this-world adventure. Arrow was gone now, and she didn't feel nearly the same way about it anymore. Seeing it after all this time allowed her thoughts to wander freely as she read it to herself.

Dear Dad,

I know how you've always told me follow my heart and live life to the fullest, but in the Interstellar Academy, it gets harder every passing moment that goes by, especially without you by my side. I miss you daddy, and I can't wait until I can see you again. Although my going to the Academy must be something of great pride to you, I'm afraid I must leave now before I go mad from all the chaos and protocol they put us through...It's driving me crazy daddy...This may all sound a bit daft to you but when I leave the navy I'm planning on taking Arrow with me...after all, you told him to look after me when you're gone. So far so good I suppose, but that's beside the point. You did say that every honorable captain needs an honest and loyal first mate; well daddy, I believe I have the best in a long line of highly qualified spacers out there. I hope to see you soon...I love you.

Your loving daughter,

Amelia

Amelia sighed to herself as she went to step off the ship and down the gangplank, but Delbert stopped her. He insisted on carrying her, an offer she strongly refused, he settling for helping her walk, knowing all too well what had happened back on Treasure Planet. She smiled warmly at him and allowed him to help her, pulling her closer to him as they walked towards the hospital transport that had just arrived. A few paramedics (called by a fearful, over-protective Sarah Hawkins) came up the gangplank to where they were, carrying a gurney. One of the medics looked at Delbert and insisted he let the men carry Amelia the gurney instead, this being something that annoyed Amelia greatly. She had just lost her warm, soft pillow.

"No, gents that won't be necessary, I'll be fine on my own." Amelia said coolly as the medics nearly "shoved" poor Delbert out of the way. This annoyed her even more so than their presence, but when she went to lunge at them, she fell rather short when she lost the grip of her feet beneath her, falling forward. Good thing Delbert was there to catch her. She hated to admit it, but he had such an endearing, gentle way with her and she found herself admiring that quality in a man. She tried to push the newly fond thoughts from her head, but found herself blushing when the fire of Delbert's gaze met hers.

The first man looked at Amelia and the fond look she had in her eye for the nerdy man before her and to the said man in question. He continued this action for a moment or two more until he got back to business.

"Are you a friend or family, sir?" the medic asked.

"I really don't see how that is relevant, we just returned from a dangerous mission and the one way the captain will-" But poor Delbert was interrupted from his previous thought.

"Are you a friend or family, sir?" the medic repeated firmer this time so they could be on their way. Delbert thought for a moment and blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"A friend!" he shouted loud enough that many of the passers-by of the spaceport could hear him

"A-a- a close friend...I s-suppose." Amelia rolled her eyes and let out a small sigh, as the medic "attempted" to pry her from her comfort zone.

"He really is a kind, caring man, but he really must do something about that nervous bumbling!" Amelia thought to herself with a smile. She concluded, "I suppose I should save him from further embarrassment. But I really must do something to get these neophytes away from me! And to think they call themselves medical personnel. "

"He's my husband...and I would prefer to go to the hospital with him." saying the word "prefer" a bit more sternly than usual. After Amelia finally got the medics to back off, with a wink and an air in her voice, she turned back to Delbert with a smile. He hadn't even noticed that she was talking to him, or even about him to anyone. Throwing her arms around his neck, Amelia fully allowing and expecting him to pick her up like she weighed nothing more than a rag doll. A slight moment passed when Delbert snapped out of it and picked her up, all the while seeming to wake from the shock of Amelia's forwardness and blushed when she whispered to him, "Come along dear, I want to go home, however if you insist, I suppose we shall have to make a stop at the nearest hospital."

Later at the hospital, Amelia lay uncomfortably against the hard pillows. She looked over to where Delbert was and smiled, he was fast asleep in the chair beside the bed. Seeing his hand laying uncomfortably across her bed and his head next to her, she couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"He played the part well, I suppose I exhausted him," she said quietly to herself, thinking about what the hospital staff might be thinking.

"A Felinid married to a Canid, honestly, what they must be thinking right now." She finally said aloud, smiled as he rustled, but stayed asleep. Amelia, now amused, was in the mood for a little fun. She licked Delbert's hand while taking it into her own, but was greeted with nothing once more, so she pulled herself closer to him and licked him on the cheek, this continued sensation finally waking poor Delbert from his mental swap of taking a "cat" nap. He saw Amelia's face beat red when he opened his eyes and mutter but one phrase:

"Woof!" He said to her and immediately went back to sleep. Amelia chuckled aloud and decided to take a nap herself.

Awhile later after Delbert had left, a doctor came in to talk to Amelia.

"But there's nothing wrong with my organs, just a minor injury that's all!" She said shouting at the distraught doctor.

"Miss, the records say that you had a compacted lung due to a shattered shoulder blade. We'll have to keep you hospitalized for at least a week."

"A WEEK! I don't have that kind of time! Are you crazy? You can't keep me here that long!"

"Ma'am, there's no reason to raise your voice." He said trying to calm her down.

"There's nothing on this blasted heap that a good cup of tea and perhaps a bit of rest won't fix." Amelia's voice was echoing throughout the room and partially through the hallways as she shouted again.

"You should relax, read a good book and let Mr. Doppler take care of you." Amelia had the grace to blush at the thought of him taking care of her even more; once she recovered from her pleasant thoughts, she spat out a reply.

"I'm fine, I told you already. I didn't even want to come here-- And for your information his correct title is Doctor Doppler."

"I apologize for the misunderstanding ma'am, I'll send a nurse in to see you if you need anything."

Amelia was still venting her frustrations when she got out her sketchpad and began drawing whatever came to mind, objects in the room, what ever she could think of. As modest as Amelia is she is not only a fine space, she also could draw images so deeply that it could make time stand still...though even she would admit that she was far from an artist. It was merely a hobby of hers. This was one of the reasons why she refused to speak about her father, the man who put her through the Interstellar Navy, fencing and weaponry classes, because she was an only child, and her father always wanted a boy. But he loved her with all of his heart, he only wanted her to be the best...and she was. She felt very lonely, like no one cared enough to spend some time with her, though she would never admit it out loud. She hated feeling alone.

Later that day, once he was sure that Amelia was asleep, Delbert finally decided to head home and get some rest as well. He had hardly realized that he had spent the last 24 hours next to Amelia in her hospital bed. Tomorrow he was sure to discuss an alternative care plan for Amelia with her primary doctor. He we confident that the hospital would want to be rid of her after a week and it would be easier to visit her if she was staying with…a friend perhaps. He smiled thinking of the possible reactions he would receive from the Captain for suggesting something as such; he was already anticipating the witty quips she may come up with.

"Just couldn't get enough of my company, Doctor?" He thought with a slight chuckle.

"To be quite honest," he continued,"…no, I can't…" He drew his bath and after removing his silken robe and matching slippers, he slid into the warm bathtub with a long sigh. The day had finally caught up with him, he had realized. He sat there for a short while enjoying the embrace of a good book. The smell of dinner filled his senses, so he found a good place to stop in his book and opened the drain of the bathtub, letting the now luke-warm water disappear down the drain beneath him. This left him with a slightly empty feeling, which he didn't put much thought towards.

After Delbert had gotten out of the bathtub, he was staring long and hard into the mirror, he hadn't just stood there in a long time. His mind began to wander freely while his soul stay confined to the bloodless frame staring back at him. Pleased with the visions of Amelia and the time he spent with her erupted into the room and hurdled over his head. He thought about that loving embrace back on the Legacy and the effects of its splendor. Doppler knew that he had enjoyed that fine moment and the mere chance to capture her in his arms for even a brief moment was a pure miracle. Mixed emotions began stirring inside of him. He leaned back in recollection of that magical moment, the way she clung to him as if her own shadow were tracking her down; though he liked the thought of her finally depending on him, but then he realized that there was something missing, something just wasn't there. In his heart, he knew that he would have to find out why he was feeling this way before he could continue living, but oh how brave she made him feel while he was holding her close; like he was ready and willing to take on the world--no matter the consequences.

"But how could she ever understand that?" He thought as he went into the hallway while he walked downstairs all alone.

"Delbert, are you coming down?" Sarah called from downstairs. "Your food is getting cold."

"I'll be right there." Delbert replied exhausted. While Delbert came down the main staircase that spirals and circles around, he had a lonely, dismal look on his face. When he reached the dining room, he sat staring blankly at his plate for the longest time.

The next day, Delbert, Sarah and Jim went the hospital, in hopes to visit Amelia, but when he arrived she was in a deep sleep again. The doctor walked by as Delbert walked in the direction of her room.

"Mr--Doctor Doppler? So nice to see you again." The man spoke kindly.

"Oh yes, it's good to see you too I suppose. Tell me, how is she doing?"

"Not to worry, your wife has been doing considerably better today. We are considering sending her home if that's okay with you. We believe it will be a better experience for her to heal in the comfort of her own home, although if something should go wrong, she is more than welcome back here."

"I was just thinking that last night, how ironic!" he blurted without thinking. Delbert looked back to where Jim and Sarah were standing and motioned over to a quaint seating area close by while he continued to converse with the doctor. The two men looked through the window of her room and saw that she had waken up again finally. He motioned to Delbert.

"Well it looks like your wife just woke up again, you may enter if you wish. Once this was announced Sarah and Jim stood and were following toward the door, but he suggested that they go find some warm drinks for everyone, insisting on the wonderful gesture, and refusing to take "No" as an answer. This ensured that they cleverly left the Doctor and the Captain alone together. He opened the door slowly, so as not to startle the Captain and stepped inside.

"Doctor, so good to see your face today, I had feared you wouldn't be stopping by today after caring for me so much these past few days." Amelia said with a sly smile. "The staff has positively been driving me mad!" She said with a soft huff as he pulled out a small bouquet of flowers he was hiding the whole time in his jacket.

Amelia sat simply staring at him in delight.

"Why…thank you Doctor…no man has ever given me flowers before."

Delbert didn't know what to say, his mind was riddled with worry about the poor bloke assigned as Amelia's doctor for the time being. He looked deeply into her eyes and suddenly forgot he was supposed to say anything at all. Words became an unnecessary thing in the presence of Captain Amelia. Maybe it the fact that though she looked tired from the injury and all this time cooped up in a cold hospital, Amelia was holding his hand tightly. He enjoyed the feeling and couldn't get enough of it. Amelia noticed the jittery look in his eyes and thought to ask him about it. In a groggy voice she asked,

"Doctor, is there something on your mind?" Delbert was a bit surprised by her question, but thought carefully about just how much he wanted to say, how much he wanted to share with her about what he was feeling.

"You captain, I-I I've been thinking about you lately. Are you feeling any better?" Amelia smiled at him as he lay his head down next to hers and smiled at her shyly but strangely confident.

"I'm much better now that you're here. It gets so lonely sitting in a hospital bed by yourself." He had to mere courtesy to blush.

She smiled slyly in return and touched her small knuckles to his cheek, half dazed he flinched and then opened his eyes to find the same feeling, as before coming back to him, except this time, the glint in her eyes was even more noticeable than ever before. Delbert brought her hand to his lips, leaving a simple kiss to be a gentleman by. She gave him a flirtatious look, encouraging him to give her a real kiss. This stopped him dead in his tracks. Delbert seemed nervous; he hadn't been on too many dates before and even those hadn't involved "making out" as the kids were saying today, so he figured the only thing to do was follow her lead. As it come closer and closer to their lips meeting, Sarah and Jim had finally returned with the coffee, startled they sat back embarrassed. Delbert again tried to remain calm as he went to sit and fell on the floor. Everyone laughed, but he tried so hard to act like nothing happened.

"Dammit!" He thought to himself, unaware that Amelia was thinking the exact same thing at that very moment.

"What took so long? If-if I might ask." Delbert said with a false confidence albeit irritated by the intrusion.

"We got lost, sorry." Sarah said with a small smile, snickering to herself.

"So how did everything go?" She added with a twinge of unneeded curiosity.

"Just fine, thanks" Amelia said first looked at Sarah and Jim, noticing their skeptical expression and then Delbert, looking frightened that they might figure out what was going on; how dreadful, although they both probably already knew. Several moments of silence went by before anyone spoke.

"Well anyway, here's your tea Captain, and Delbert," Sarah said with a wink, "here's your coffee." Sarah said calmly. She sat in a comfortable chair and spoke kindly to Amelia.

"So Captain, when do you get to go home?

"Well, earlier I was told I am to stay here at least a week. Not something I am likely to take well, wouldn't you say Doctor?" Delbert merely smiled as a familiar shade of red touched lightly on his cheeks. Some moments passed without so much as a sound.

"Yes, well on that note, I spoke to the doctor earlier and he had mentioned that you appear to be well enough to be sent home. I was going to speak to you about staying with me in my home for the time being. I'm sure it would be very helpful to you to have someone to care for you." Delbert stated matter-of-factly.

"You shouldn't fuss over me doctor; you've done so much for me already. I'm sure you're growing tired of me already."

"Now captain, what kind of a doctor would I be if I left you here to fend for yourself against the hospital staff?" He quipped with a warm smile. Amelia had the grace to chuckle.

"The kind with a doctorate in Astrophysics." She said with an eyebrow raised.

"Well…er…true, but Captain, you said yourself how lonely you've been." Amelia stopped dead in her tracks.

"Well doctor, if you insist that you can handle the likes of me, I suppose I should have no choice. Now all we have to do is wait until the blasted doctor allows me to leave."

Sarah looked in Amelia's direction. "How would you like to have dinner with us, say when you get out of this dump?" Amelia smiled at the woman's forwardness and generosity.

"Why, I would love to." Amelia said acting prepared for anything. Jim leaned towards Delbert with a snickering look on his face.

"Did you hear that? She said she'd love to." Jim whispered in Delbert's ear.

"Yes, right then I guess that means I'll have to get some sleep." Delbert said with revelry in his eyes though he tried to hide it. He stood there next to Amelia, not lifting his eyes from her gaze.

"Why don't you go home?." He said addressing Sarah and Jim, but not turning in their direction. Amelia wasn't sure whom he was talking to, so she replied angrily.

"Well, I'd like to, but I can't, at least not until they clear me to leave. You should know that by now, doctor." She glared at him after that. He began to get slightly frightened.

"But- I wasn't talking to you."

"Oh, I'm sorry, do go on."

"I was finished, actually." Ignoring Amelia's the previous sentiment, but still giving Sarah the look that he wanted them to leave. Sarah noticed and quickly started to try shuffling out of the room.

"Oh, that reminds me, don't you have to pack for the academy or something, son?" Sarah said again in a tone that wasn't meant to be a question.

"Whoa? What are you talking about? School isn't starting 'til September; it's the middle of July." Jim said confused.

"Well, if you start now, maybe you'll have everything ready in two months."

"But mom-" Jim said with a teenage sigh. "Let's go son, you should get some rest young man." Sarah was desperately trying to get her son to go back home with her, but he didn't understand why until she pulled him by the ear and towards the door.

"It was lovely meeting you captain."

"You can call me Amelia," she said politely.

"Well, good-bye Amelia," Sarah said shaking her hand. She walked over and placed a hand on Delbert's shoulder and spoke again. "We'll wait for you outside Delbert."

"Wha, Whe- Oh great, not again." Delbert mumbled to himself. He couldn't believe it they had left him to his own shaky romantic defenses…again. Especially leaving him alone with Captain Amelia, twice in

"Let's give them a moment." Sarah mused as her and Jim finally got out the door.

"Why are we leaving so quickly, is something going on between them that he doesn't want us to know about?"

"Delbert is falling the Captain no doubt...I can see the way he looks at her." Sarah thought as tried to cover her amusement. "You'll see son, I'm sure it's going to be interesting if she is staying with us at Delbert's place."

"Fine with me." Sarah and Jim said at the same time, followed by a short outburst of chuckling and jokingly pushing each other back and forth. Delbert already knew they would be coming; they have to live with him until the Benbow is up and running again. What he really wanted to know was if Amelia was up to having their first "date" with the people in the house that had set them up together in the first place. Would that still be a date then? He wasn't sure what she was going to say. He gave her a slightly worried look, which she disregarded by accepting his offer.

"Well, this has been interesting, hasn't it?" Amelia said with a mischievous grin as she sipped her tea. Delbert was very annoyed, but he still acknowledged the feelings of the remaining inhabitant of the small room, the most important person to him right now, even though he didn't fully realize why at the time.

"Yes, it has." He said thinking hard whether he should stay and risk the possibility of something happening between them or leave and lay awake thinking about her the entire night. It was so hard to choose, but finally he came to the conclusion that he should go home and come back the next morning.

"I guess this means I should be going." Delbert said with reluctance in his free spirit.

"Oh, and we were having so much fun." Amelia remarked sarcastically, biting her bottom lip mischievously, knowing all too well what things of that nature do to the opposite sex. Delbert tried to get up and leave, but she pulled him back to her to give him a loving embrace that would warm his heart more than anything he had ever known. She clung to him like Velcro for a minute, but after she realized that he had to leave, she let go reluctantly, but caring in the way she said goodbye.

"I'll miss you, Doctor." She said with surprising disarray in her voice. It truly seemed that she was disappointed and hoped he would stay...or maybe still delirious from the pain. This was all very new to her, but it would be something she would have to get used to feeling. Delbert was stunned beyond words when she said it that he was caught of guard and he stumbled while walking closer to the door. He turned to her once more.

"Feel free to call me Delbert." He insisted.

"Goodnight, Captain." He said with a heavy heart.

"Please doctor, call me Amelia." He briefly heard the Captain say with a big smile.

Finally with the real truth ringing in his ears, he turned toward the door.

"Goodnight--Amelia." He said slowly as he walked through the doorway in a tired way, but managing to see the depression in her face as she began to try to say goodbye again. As the last drop of the warm, bitter sensation of the tea left her lips, Delbert was gone. Though Amelia hoped that he would come back and stay with her, nothing could stop him from making the difficult decision he already made. He stopped dead outside the door, possible second thoughts residing in him. He quickly turned back and saw Amelia again all alone though the glass window. Was he mad? Here he was in the company of a beautiful woman and he was acting like a shy 15–year-old! Many things scurried through his head as he spotted Jim and Sarah waiting for him causing a long journey home in silence. His heart was aching, what was happening to him? As he walked down the long corridor and even when he entered the carriage, he felt a deep resentment building up inside of him because of his decision, regardless if he thought it was the right one or not. He almost thought about going all the way back and staying by her side, at least until she fell asleep, but he knew it would just make the situation even more strange.

Sometime later that evening Sarah bombarded Delbert with questions of what exactly went on between him and the Captain at the hospital that day.

"So…what happened?" Sarah said with a suspecting grin as the three weary travelers entered the door. Delbert didn't say much, but he was honest and truthful with his dear old friend.

"Well?." She said still curious.

"Nothing happened, Sarah." He said heading to his bedroom. He turned around and gave her a reassuring look that it was true. She glanced at him surprised. He never acted this way, especially when it came to women. She didn't understand. He opened his bedroom door and closed it right behind him. Sarah had tried to say something, but he closed the door in her face. She tried to open it herself, but it seemed to be locked, so she couldn't get in. Her despair was filling up the hallway and she began to feel shunned away from a dear friend.

"Good night Delbert." She said with concern and remorse for his feelings.

"Good night Sarah." He returned for behind the door. "This is going to be a long night' he thought as he attempted to go to sleep. While he slept, he had an odd dream:

Delbert and Amelia where alone in B.E.N.'s hideout and Delbert had just gotten the captain to go to sleep. As he was very tired, he fell asleep himself. In and hour or so he woke up to find Silver holding a flintlock to Amelia's head, and threatening to kill her if he didn't find out were Jim was. Delbert appeared to be a very proud man. He wouldn't budge, but when Silver stated it was time to keep his end of the bargain, so he twisted Amelia's bad shoulder a bit. Delbert got very angry, he offered himself in her place, but Silver declined the offer. Silver set the last laser bullet into place, preparing for the inevitable. Delbert lunged at Silver; (a fact that surprised both Amelia and himself) but the last sound that he heard was the bullet going strait into Amelia's brain, killing her instantly. Heartbroken and stark craving mad for vengeance, he removed a dagger he wore around his ankle and killed Silver with his bare hands. He rushes over to his companion's side. Blood covered everything that was left of her, along with the dead bodies of four newborn children; three kittens and one puppy that looked exactly like him and Amelia.

Delbert couldn't believe the dream he just had, and the trauma hadn't yet invested in his head; but he wasn't sure what it was suppose to mean. He sat up taking deep breaths as beads of sweat roll down his face. What was happening to him? He knew it would be a long night before the morning came, if only he lasts that long.

Back at the hospital, Amelia grew restless for someone to talk to, so she got out her book "Space Wars" By Giorgio Trinidad. Sitting up her head collided with the pillow and she nodded off discovering the truth of her subconscious, she had developed feelings for Delbert a great deal. That indeed was the night when she would finally get to sleep through the night, her every thought focused on an eccentric scientist with whom she had a date. The coincidence of the matter was that the next day was her 33rd birthday, and the truth is she hadn't had a good birthday since the year she left for the academy. Every year after that seemed like a dull cupcake with a candle on top given to her by Arrow, who always had scrounged to afford a small but thoughtful gift for her. But now that she was a friend of Delbert, Jim and his mother, she felt incapable of opening up herself…again.

As the morning sung over the horizon, the beams of light cascaded through the window of Delbert's room. He winced at the thought of sunrise, but he remembered he had some business to attend to this morn. As he rummaged through his clothing for something to wear, he thought to himself,

"Delbert, you can do this, you can be calm and reserved today. Then again it is your first date...well, EVER! Just act natural, you'll be fine." Delbert still felt uneasy about the whole situation and the dream he had. It must have been a sign of things to come. For a moment he simply forgot what he was doing. He snuck out of his room and to the stable where he excitedly harnessed up Delilah, and headed for the hospital. When he reached the room, he stopped momentarily when he heard voices coming in his direction.

"Well hello handsome, you must the 'male-friend' my niece was talking about in her letter," Said the older woman who saw him going to Amelia's door. Her husband gave her an embarrassed look as Delbert turned to face her not knowing what to say.

"Who me? I think you have me mistaken for someone else ma'am." Delbert said politely but confused.

"Oh, and a gentleman too dear." She whispered to her husband though he didn't really care. Amelia strode slowly through the doorway to the restroom, still in pain and hooked up to her I.V (which dripped painkillers into her body). Delbert lost his breath for a second at the sight of her causing him to look incredibly nervous, although he felt a deep sensation in his heart to see her in pain still.

"Aunt Mildred, for the last time, would you stop flirting with my friends!" Amelia blushed slightly under her obvious fatigue.

"Good morning Doctor...Delbert, sorry." Amelia finally got out pleasantly while Delbert remained silent the whole time.

"Hello Ames, it's not every day that my only niece finds male friends. But this one seems to be a keeper." said the chipper voice of Aunt Mildred.

"How many times have I told you not to ever call me that in earshot. He can hear you."

"That's the point. So…Is this your boyfriend dear?" Amelia got so angry that she looked like she was about to blow up like a volcano.

"AUNT MILLE! He is not my boyfriend!" Her aunt gave her a shocked, sly glance.

"Calm down honey, you don't have to be so defensive, he can hear you." Amelia let out an angry cry as she fumed her aunt's mischievousness with embarrassed beads of perspiration on her brow. She was edgy because it was her birthday and Arrow was not around to celebrate it with.

"I am NOT defensive!" Amelia fumed as Delbert tried to understand what was going on, but he had a tendency to get things confused. The day got a little better after that when her Aunt finally went home and left her and Delbert to their coffee and tea discussions about, work, love, embarrassing experiences spirituality and politics, the usual "no-no's" of conversation educate.

"So Doctor, are you saying that you went to your college finals without even realizing you hadn't any breeches on!" Amelia said as she coyly sipped her tea. Delbert covered his face with his hands, let out a long sigh and tried not to let the bright scarlet color of his cheeks be shown. Amelia pried his hands from his face and smiled slyly at him.

"How bad could it be Delbert?" Amelia said saying his name especially breathy.

"Yes, yes, unfortunately it is true! It was after a crazy college party the Astronomy department at the University was holding. My friend Bartholomew made me drink at least half a bottle of Qutaren Vodka before I could go back to our dorm and study for my finals the next day! Luckily I retain information like a sponge, so I passed my classes, I just didn't do as well on my final tests as I could've sober. It was the worst experience I can think of; I had a massive headache the morning of my senior finals and my class-mates were telling me I did and said some interesting things after I had gotten a few drinks in me." Amelia smiled warmly. She was having more fun taking to him about past events and things in general than she had talking to anyone else in a long time, including Arrow. She had already known everything about Arrow, but this feeling of getting to know someone new, even after she had lost her dear friend was a welcoming thought.

After meeting Amelia's Aunt and Uncle at the hospital, Delbert packed Amelia's things for her to take to his house for the time being. He helped her into the carriage and headed in the direction of his home. He let out a slight sigh which Amelia noticed in the silence between them.

"Are you alright Doc-Delbert?" Amelia asked softly. Delbert was interrupted in the middle of his thoughts.

"Yes, I'm just thinking of what a fun time it was meeting your Aunt and Uncle today…"

"Oh don't mind her, she's very nosy as I'm sure you noticed." Amelia stated with a chuckle. Delbert smiled slightly and briefly looked in Amelia's direction, not realizing she was meeting his gaze. He quickly looked away and couldn't help blushing as he continued in the direction of his house.

Later that night, after spending the day with Amelia; Delbert was prepared for a good diner. Once he and Amelia got into the carriage, he knew that the night would end well. Upon arriving at his house, Delbert kindly showed Amelia around. She was astonished at all the amazing artifacts that he possessed. The two of them, Sarah and Jim sat down to eat and started chatting with one another.

The foursome chatted for hours about the trip to Treasure Planet, stories of Jim's childhood and how Dr. Delbert Doppler became not only a family friend but also somewhat of a godfather to the boy and just as Amelia was getting lost in her thoughts, Sarah Hawkins, Jim's mother interrupted her pleasant memories...

"So Amelia, tell us about yourself…something that we haven't learn about you yet." Sarah proceeded curiously. Amelia looked at everyone around the table and slowly began her "brief" memoirs.

"See it all started one cold winter morning..."

Before she knew it, Amelia was being carried to a warm resting place where Delbert tucked her in to sleep. She woke up in one of the "guest rooms" staying for a hearty Montressain breakfast. When she finally got home again, Amelia found a threatening note written in blood was sheathed on the door with a dagger very similar to a letter opener. Unfortunately she didn't know it's a set up...but both Amelia and Delbert wanted her to be out of harm's way, so she went to stay with Delbert for a spell until she could find time to recover and get back on her feet again.

Cliffhanger, YAY! R&R you know what to do!