Finally! A very big thank you to Bandalero & Swisstony & Kissmedarling for reviews!!

4. Expert Advice

Jackie sat near the railing, tears in his eyes. He watched the people below him all pass by.

There were some children laughing about a secret that only they would ever know. There was that red faced man who would always shout at Jackie not to loiter near the cargo bays. And there was the man who ran the tailor shop. Jackie thought that he was scary.

Two older boys appeared at Jackie's side. He knew them both. It was Nog and Jake.

This spot on the Promenade corner was Nog and Jake's spot. Everyone knew that. "Sorry," mumbled Jackie, and slid back just far enough that he could stand up and leave.

"Hey, Jackie. It's alright," said Jake. "You can stay here with us."

Nog glared at Jake from across the railing, and Jake glared right back. Jackie sniffed and hastily wiped his tears away.

"What's in your hand, Jackie?" asked Jake.

"It's a jumja stick," said Jackie. "I was going to give it to… a girl."

Nog and Jake exchanged a knowing glance.

"Aren't you going to give it to her any more?" asked Jake.

Jackie Peterson shook his head.

"Why not?" asked Nog.

"I can't," sniffed Jackie. "It's got carpet fluff all over it."

He told them about the old man on the Promenade, and about the alien with the bag, and Constable Odo.

Nog and Jake exchanged another knowing glance.

"Well," said Nog. "You've come to just the right place, if it's girls you're having trouble with. Allow me to give you some expert advice."

Jackie watched, and listened. Expert advice was exactly what he needed.

"You see," Nog continued slowly. "It's all about going through the right channels. Have you spoken to her father yet?"

"No," said Jackie.

"Have you arranged a contract?"

"No," said Jackie.

"Have you even offered a bridal price?"

"No," said Jackie.

Nog grinned. "Well then. No wonder you're having trouble."

But at his other side, Jake had covered his eyes with one hand.

Jackie looked at the dusty jumja stick. He thought about Nog's expert advice. And then he was happy, and decided that would be the very next thing he had to do.

5. A Little Bit of Latinum

It was shiny, and golden, and abandoned in the very darkest corner of the habitat ring. It was solid in Jackie's hand as he picked it up and rubbed away the dust and lint. He looked around. Nobody had seen it but him.

Two whole strips of Latinum.

He would take it to Molly's dad. Just like Nog had said.

They were sitting in a corner of the Replimat. Mister O'Brien was eating potatoes and peas, and his friend the Doctor was eating plomeek soup. Jackie walked up to their table.

"Hullo, Jackie," said Molly's dad. "What can I do for you?"

Jackie showed him the two strips of Latinum.

"What's that for?" asked Mister O'Brien's friend the Doctor.

"It's a bridal price," said Jackie. "Nog says I should give it to you, because I want to marry Molly."

Mister O'Brien choked on his peas and potatoes.

6. An Ideal Prescription

After he had thumped Molly's dad several times upon the back, his friend the Doctor turned to Jackie Peterson.

"Why do you want to marry Molly, Jackie?"

"Because," said Jackie. "She's a girl, but she's not yuck like most girls are."

The Doctor laughed, and suddenly there was a scowl on Jackie's face. "It's not funny."

"No, of course it isn't," said Molly's dad's friend the Doctor. He looked at Mister O'Brien. And then he looked back at Jackie.

"Does Molly know you want to marry her?" he asked.

Molly's dad coughed slightly, glaring at his friend the Doctor. And Jackie shook his head.

"It seems to me, then," the Doctor continued. "If you like a girl, the first thing you should do is let her know. Isn't that right?"

But Mister O'Brien just continued to glare. It was making Jackie feel all squirmy on the inside. He didn't understand why two whole strips of Latinum could have made Molly's dad so angry.

7. Jackie's Allergy

Jackie's mother was allergic to the flowers on the Promenade. They made her sneeze, and then her nose would go all red and runny. His brother was allergic to the neighbour's cat. Jadzia Dax the lady with the spots was allergic to icoberries. Jackie had heard her telling it to Missus O'Brien.

Allergies were what made people sneeze, or itch, or feel all icky inside like that time when Jackie had swallowed one of his own crayons to see what it was like.

Jackie supposed if that was true, then he must be allergic to Molly.