A/N: Sorry, it's been awhile. I've been swamped with things lately. But I do want to continue this collection. I really appreciate all of the reviews I get, each and every one of them means so much to me. Thank you all so much. I've taken on one request I've gotten from Narwhale1 to do a story on Toby. I really like this one, and I hope you do, too! Thank you so much!

Toby

He was not unused to being called spacey, and he definitely knew that most people thought he wasn't entirely in his right mind, but Toby didn't mind.

He was a wanderer, and a wonderer. He had a colorful imagination that many took for insanity. He was okay with the way they'd look at him, the way they'd talk about him, the way they'd go out of their way to avoid being near him. He simply did not care.

He was sat on the edge of the tiny dock in the pond near the farmer's house. He was talking and laughing with his girlfriend Melba.

"Do you remember how we met?" She asked, smiling, her dark hair framing her pale face and making her large dark eyes appear even larger.

"How could I forget?" Toby smiled gently, and placed his hand on hers.

If anyone could see the couple, they would be able to tell that they were completely, head-over-heels in love.

"We were on the docks of Gifu and I was fishing. You asked me if I could help you bait your hook."

"Remember what you said?" She smiled, excitedly, bouncing a little in her seat, as if her favorite part of her favorite story was coming up next.

Toby let out a breezy laugh, "Of course. You won't let me forget this one." He looked tenderly into her eager eyes, "You said your name was Melba. And I said 'Melba? Like the toast?' And you thought it was the most amusing thing you've ever heard. You laughed for ten minutes straight, and that's when I realized I was in love with you."

Her petite mouth popped into a perfect 'o'. "You knew you loved me that soon?"

He nodded, "I knew I would love you for the rest of my life."

"No matter what?" She asked timidly.

"No matter what." He assured her.

They sat silently for a while, enjoying the atmosphere and each other.

Toby kicked his legs contentedly and looked up at the sky.

He looked over at his precious Melba and her delicate frame, and how she was so fragile, so breakable. How had he been so lucky? She was his true love.

They stood and began walking down the path towards the beach. Toby held her hand tightly so as to assure her safety. Though he loved the water, he knew it could be dangerous.

The couple passed Chase on the way there, and he regarded Toby with a strange expression.

Toby was used to this.

"Why does everyone always give you weird looks?" Melba looked concerned as she turned to him. "Is it… Is it because of me?" She looked up into his eyes.

"No, love. Of course not, if anything they look at me with jealousy for they have seen what I have been blessed with. I have been given the most beautiful creature in the world."

She smiled, "I love you, Toby."

"I love you, too, Melba."

"No matter what?"

"No matter what." He assured her, kissing her pale forehead.

They continued their walk to the beach and sat on the sand, taking in the summer sun and the love flowing between them. The waves crashed reminded Toby of something, but he couldn't recall what. They seemed to form shapes in the froth they made. He didn't linger on it long before turning to Melba, who was running up the beach giggling.

She was clutching his hat and smiling at him.

Her laugh was so airy, so free.

He grinned back and chased her up the beach and towards Harmonica town.

She giggled madly as she ran, and Toby couldn't help but laugh at how cute she was.

"Get back here, you!" He shouted happily.

He was so content to be chasing his most perfect dream.

"Try and catch me!" She laughed, crossing the bridge.

"I'll get you!" He laughed.

He chased his lover through the town, disregarding the strange looks the other villagers gave him.

Why should he care what they thought when this angel was in his presence? He had been graced with a love so pure and real, their sour thoughts would never faze him.

She ran down the docks and slid a little bit on the water. "Melba you be careful!" He screamed, coming to a halt. Her large eyes were so afraid.

She was so close to the water, she almost fell in. He was now running to her. It was no longer for amusement, it was for her protection. But once she regained balance, and stepped away from the edge she ran off again. Toby smiled gently. How could he worry so much? She was too genuine and fun-loving. He couldn't be so serious all the time. He started to chase her again, smiling.

She ran past the fishery and onto the beach behind it where she tripped and fell.

"I got you!" Toby shouted, picking her up in his arms and spinning her around. She laughed and he joined in.

"I'll never let you go." He whispered into her hair after they had settled down.

Ozzie looked out the window of the fishery at the young man on the beach. Pascal sat across from him.

Ozzie sighed loudly as he watched Toby twirl.

"It's a shame." He sighed, a heavy feeling of pain settling in his chest.

"How long has it been?" Pascal asked gently, knowing Toby was like a son to Ozzie.

"It's been two years…" He looked off into the distance. Ozzie had changed in those two years, so had Toby.

"Well, you gotta give him credit. If anyone can handle death well, it's him." Pascal said, trying to ease Ozzie's despair. He turned his gaze away from the distraught fisherman, to the denial-stricken one.

"He isn't dealing with it, dammit! He's pretending it never happened!" Ozzie burst, watching Toby stand on the edge of the water talking to himself, and smiling contentedly at the empty space next to him.

A/N: Let me know what you thought of this one, thanks again so much!