The plane landed safely and people started filing off in the usual hoarde that they were. Betty tried glancing over the tall and past the thick, trying to spot the one figure she had been missing ever since he left.

"Simon!" she called out over the noise.

"Betty?" a familiar voice called back. With her hopes raised, her searching becamferal most frantic. She let out a yelp when somebody grabbed onto her from behind. He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her up, spinning her around. She laughed until she was put down. She turned around and hugged Simon tightly, giving him a kiss on the lips while doing so.

"I missed you so much princess." he said, letting go to pick the crown that he wrapped up in a spare jacket he carried on the plane with him. For safety reasons, of course. He didn't want anybody to cut themselves on the edges. Especially Betty.

"I missed you too Simon." Betty said, putting a hand to his warm cheek. "Gunther missed you, too."

"Oh Gunther." Simon laughed. His pet was smart, and not like most animals. Gunther could show just what emotion he was feeling no matter what. He was a very special creature.

He was pulled from his thoughts of Gunther as Betty held his hand and began leading him to where the baggage was being unloaded. The engaged couple looked over all of the bags, scanning them and looking for the dark blue duffel bag that belonged to Simon.

"I think I see it. Next to the green pack." Betty said, pointing to the duffel. Simon smiled and gave her the bundled up crown and went to grab the bag. Somebody stepped in front of him, blocking his reach for the bag.

"Excuse me please." he said politely, trying to pass the hulking man, who was looking for his own bag.

"Pardon me." Simon spoke up, trying to squeeze between the man and a lady holding a baby. The child started screaming once it saw Simon.

"I'm sorry but-" Simon started, to be cut off by screams and shoves. He covered his ears, a screeching sound coming through his skull.

"I COMMAND YOU TO LET ME THROUGH NOW!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. As soon as the words left his mouth, All fell silent, staring in shock at the small man who produced the sound. Simon covered his mouth with both of his hands. A shade of red started to cover his face.

"I'm, I'm so sorry. I... I don't know what came over me." he said apologetically, looking down at the ground. Betty walked over to his side, and put a hand on his shoulder. He looked down at her. She was smiling.

It was no ordinary smile. It was the sugar smile that always made Simon's heart melt. It was so sweet and comforting to him. The two embraced as people slowly began talking once more.

"I am so sorry Betty." he said

"It's quite alright Simon." she said, pulling away and looking up at him. "It was a long flight. You're pretty tired, huh?"

"Yeah. I'm just, I never do that." he said

"Don't worry about it." Betty said firmly, turning around and lifting his bag over her shoulder.

"Lets go home sweetheart." she said, taking his hand.


Other than the outburst at the airport, Simon was perfectly fine as they drove home. Betty kept one eye on him and the other on the road. He was still saddened by his yell though. She did notice him wince when they passed by the church. He did miss the sunday service to pick up the crown, and he always does his best to make it to every service. Was it worth it? He didn't show her the crown yet.

As soon as they arrived at their building, they exited the car and went up to their apartment. Simon was the first to enter and turn on the light.

"Gunther, where are you?" he called out. He heard a scamper of feet and his face lit up. Simon knelt down and held his hands out for the plastic ball that rolled to him.

"Gunther!" he said, lifting the ball up and looking inside, "How's my wittle hedgehog doin'?"

"I'll take care of dinner." Betty said

Although hedgehog's were not as smart as Gunther, not all of them were past experiments like Gunther was. Betty's team watched over him as he grew smarter. The plan was to increase an animal's intelligence to the point of the creature being able to communicate. After three years, they've only ever heard the typical hedgehog squeaks.

He can understand humans though, a step in the right direction.

"Go on scamp, I've got to unpack my things." Simon said, putting the ball back down. He picked up his bag and went to the bedroom. He stopped when he noticed a new picture on the wall.

"Betty, is this the picture that was taken on our trip to Everest?" he asked

"Yes honey, I think it was one of our greatest adventures." she called from the kitchen

"You do have a point." Simon nodded, looking at the yeti that had managed to sneak in on their photograph. Made the front page of all the newspapers, it did. Simon continued on into the room and started unpacking, with Gunther watching him from his ball.