Chapter Two: Staying I don't own Lazy Town.

It was the beginning of September when he saw a familiar pink-haired girl sitting on the bench in the middle of town. Sportacus was surprised to see her; Stephanie had said goodbye to the town a few weeks ago, when her parents wanted her back home to start school. What was she doing back? Even though his crystal hadn't gone off he jumped off the door and into the quiet town.

"Hello Stephanie, is everything ok?" he wasn't expecting her to shake her head and wipe her eyes before giving him a plastered on smile.

"Oh, hi Sportacus. Everything's fine. Is someone in trouble?" She was surprised that he sat down beside her. He rarely sat down; he was always in motion.

"My crystal didn't go off but I think you're the one in trouble. Your eyes are red, have you been crying?" Stephanie didn't answer right away. Instead she started crying. It wasn't loud but there were tears starting to stream down her face and she was sniffling, trying to keep it in.

"Whatever it is, don't hold it in. It will be ok Stephanie." His words, soft and quiet where the final straw in her resolve and she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his stomach and burying her face just below the crystal's plate. He wrapped his arms around her and just held her, soothing her and trying to calm her down but letting her release the pent-up emotions that plagued her. The hero was just barely able to make out the words 'parents', 'car crash' and 'dead' before she pulled away and wiped her eyes.

"I'm sorry Sportacus, I didn't...I shouldn't have…" Choppy words spilled from her mouth as she wrapped her arms around herself. Sportacus pulled her into another hug and they sat like that before he finally spoke.

"It...it will take time. I'm sorry you lost your parents Stephanie and I...I can't take away the pain. But everyone here in town, we're here for you. If you want us we'll come. If you want left alone...we'll understand. But we're here for you, no matter what." It was the stillest either of them had sat for. The hero didn't move and the girl clung to him. When she finally pulled away she looked up at him with a small, sad smile.

"Thank you Sportacus. I... I think I want to be alone now, but I'll come out when everyone is done with school. I'll see you later." She didn't wait for him to answer, just gave him a quick hug and took off, running toward her uncle's house. Once she was got from his sight he frowned. He would never claim to have favorites but Stephanie was the one who called him into town; she held a special place in his heart. Sportacus didn't want to see her in pain, but there wasn't much he could do except be there for her if she wanted company. With a heavy heart he went back to his airship. The only thing he could do was to watch and be ready to help the kids he had grown to love.

Author's Note: I feel bad that I killed off Stephanie's parents. But she needed to stay in Lazy Town somehow and I didn't know how to do that without killing them off. I have the next chapter already written and I'll try and post it tomorrow (12/29/16). Yes, she is the favorite child of Sportacus.