"Now's not the time."

"So when is the time, Robbie? When is the time where you can tell me why Sportacus has been in such a mess lately?"

Robbie sighed heavily. He liked Pixel. He really did. However, the child was a little too clever for his own good. It was scary. Pixel reminded Robbie of himself. Sneaky, conniving…Last thing the world needs is another me running around…Robbie continued to pack things in his box. The pictures were quickly covered. He forgot to, however, place a certain picture back in the box.

"How should I know? Just because I'm the village ass doesn't mean everything's my fault."

"No, but whenever you are even mentioned around him, Sportacus begins to sulk."

"I did forget to eat my monthly grapefruit the other night. Pity."

Pixel sighed, "Robbie, Sportacus has been having some really bad luck lately. It stormed last night, ya know."

"Yeah. So? We got some rain."

Pixel replied flatly, "Sportacus's ship was blown from the sky and crashed-"

"And it's my fault he hasn't figured out yet that big, giant balloons plus strong hurricane winds is a bad combination?"

"Robbie! Sportacus was hurt in the crash!"

"Probably seen as my fault again."

"No, it's not, but I know you care!"

"And I'm a professional body builder."

Pixel stomped his foot, "ROBBIE!"

Robbie sighed in an irritated manner. Any other day, yes, Robbie might have cared a lot about Sportacus's safety at the moment. As soon as Pixel had even said it, a little ache in his stomach flared. But Robbie all so soon remembered what that damn blue elf had done to him. There was no reason to care.

"Listen. It's his own damn fault he lives in an airship. Airships are clinically dangerous by all means. Being a super sports elf, he knows this. But he'll be damned before he gets a normal house to ensure his safety. You wanna know why? Because a regular house on the ground isn't cool. Well, not cool enough for you kids, eh? You never hear any little kid run around and scream 'oh my hero's so cool, he lives in a two-bedroom apartment!' It's all for show. SportaLoser had to learn sometime."

From the corner of his eye, Robbie saw an old picture in a frame at the top of his bookshelf. Instantly, he remembered what it was of and quickly walked over and grabbed it. The dust flew off it, revealing the old, grainy picture of him when he first moved to LazyTown. A small Robbie stood happily by the LazyTown sign. The picture pulled a little string at Robbie's heart, causing him to sit and stare at it. He had been so excited about coming to LazyTown. Now, he nearly damn despised the place he was once happy to call home.

"Robbie?"

Robbie snapped out of his trance, looking up briefly at the wall. He quickly remembered that he was not alone in his lair and briskly walked back to the boxes on the table, his face set in a stone, cold glare.

Robbie tossed the frame into the box and lifted it, "Well, it was nice to see you again, but it seems I am too busy to hear your problems with SportaDork." With that, Robbie made a dart for a near by room.

Pixel's widened and he followed, "What you mean, Robbie? Come on! You're NEVER busy! What's with all the packing?"

"STOP!"

Pixel stopped at the table. Robbie just glared at the boy. He hated yelling at his favorite child of the pack, but god damn it if he would only leave him alone.

"Since WHEN does everybody seem to CARE about MY life?? If you really must know, I am LEAVING! So I'd appreciate it if YOU left right now!"

Robbie slammed the door to his room. The vibrations from the impact sent the table next to Pixel shaking and the single photo on the table's surface floated to the ground. Pixel stared at the door, unsure of what to think or do.

--------------------------

Sportacus sighed as he sat on his chair. Ms. Busybody and the Mayor had demanded that he rest while the others worked on the ship. It was boring. Sportacus wanted to help. Sitting around was horrible. What was he to do? Well, let's think about something really nice. First thing that popped into his mind was Robbie.

Sportacus frowned deeply. If anything right now, he would go back and change everything from day one of this monstrosity, especially the one the night before. Sportacus felt sick at the memory. God knows what happened after he fled the lair. Why did I leave? Robbie needed me! Does a parent leave their wounded child when they need help and are mad at them at the same time??? NO! Then again, Sportacus wasn't sure if he could have stayed. Robbie needed me, but I needed something. Would I have been able to stay there and calm him? Let all my feelings out? Try to make everything better? Chances are he wouldn't have let me, especially how he thinks about me and my hero status.

But Sportacus couldn't bring himself to fully believe that Robbie was wrong about heroes. The more he thought about it, the more Sportacus questioned his standards of being a hero. Were heroes there to make everything right or make things correct according to the hero's standards? Were they there to make people happy or themselves happy? Sportacus pulled his knees up to his chest and sulked in an invisible mist of misery and self-pity.

------------------------------

"Hey, Trixie! Where do you think this one goes??"

Trixie huffed, "I don't KNOW, Ziggy! We're gonna have to wait til' Pixel comes back! He's the only one who knows how to do any of this stuff."

"But…But I wanna help now. That way, we can get back to playing with Sportacus! And see all his new tricks!"

Trixie shook her head. Ziggy was too young to understand the concept of patience. Ziggy began to pick up small pieces from the walls of the airship and try to place them back in correct order, like a puzzle that needed to be completed. Stephanie dropped part of the pilot's chair next to the pile of sporting equipment that had been spilled on impact.

"I just wanna get Sportacus back to his old self. He's been really depressed lately," she remarked as she let her eyes make their way to the sulking Sportacus on the wall.

Ziggy ran up to Stephanie, "Yeah! Poor Sportacus! I don't think he's played any sports in like…forever!"

Trixie shook her head, "His home just got destroyed! Of course he's devastated. As soon as it's rebuilt, I'm sure he'll be back to his flippy self!"

Ziggy smiled wide and began to bounce around. Giggles of happiness escaped his mouth at the idea of Sportacus being happy again. His favorite idol, back from the depths of unhappiness; it was like the comic book stories in which the hero doubted his abilities only to come back full swing. Stephanie sighed and put on a weak smile. She was less optimistic than Ziggy was, but that didn't stop her from being a little excited for the return of her favorite person in the world. She immediately started collecting the rest of the pilot's chair from the scattered debris.

Sportacus lifted his head to watch the happily laughing children. It healed part of him. Everything wasn't as bad as it seemed. He sighed. His entire body ached in every single way. Sportacus may have been an elf, but his healing powers weren't going as fast as they should have been. Might have something to do with my other problems…Sportacus huffed. Things needed to get better, and fast.

"Any progress, Sportacus?"

Sportacus jumped slightly, turning to the voice. Pixel leaned over the wall. His face showed no emotion, not left unnoticed by Sportacus.

"No. Of course not. You know them."

Pixel smiled, "Heh, yeah."

"Sometimes makes you wonder, huh?"

"Hm. Yeah."

Pixel was silent. He stared in the general direction of the other kids. His eyes never moved with any particular object, just fixated on one focal point and one alone. Sportacus grew confused. This was the same boy who earlier had nearly drawn out the truth from Sportacus, but now was staring helplessly into an empty void, crying out for some one to steer him in the right direction.

"Pixel?"

"Hm?"

"You okay?"

"Yeah, fine."

Sportacus frowned, "No, you're not. Sit."

Pixel eyed the open spot next to Sportacus. He was gonna pull what Pixel had tried to pull earlier: coax it out. But Pixel figured the last thing Sportacus needed to know was what Robbie told him or was in the process of doing. After much pondering and preparation of defenses, Pixel finally sat down next to Sportacus. Sportacus eyed him carefully. Pixel still hadn't looked at him.

"So, what's up?"

"Nothing."

Sportacus shook his head, "Don't give me that."

"Why?"

"Because I know something's up and you just won't tell me."

Pixel sighed, "Sportacus."

"What?"

"Does any of this ring a bell to a conversation we had earlier?"

Sportacus looked at Pixel for a moment. He was confused before it finally hit him. Pixel had tried to help that morning, but Sportacus pushed it away. He had been right. Adults don't let kids help, but seem to think they need to help kids in everything. Sportacus looked away. It was kinda embarrassing. He was the teacher, but he was the one being taught at the moment. Not that it was bad, Sportacus just wasn't used to it.

"Let me just ask you one question."

Sportacus turned his eyes back to Pixel, "Sure."

Pixel was quiet for a moment but soon replied, "Could you imagine any one in LazyTown…I don't know…just…leaving?"

Sportacus was taken aback by the question. Of all the questions Pixel could have asked, that was one of the questions at the bottom of the list. It was just confusing. Who would want to or even would leave LazyTown?

"I really don't think I could, Pixel. I don't think anyone's leaving and I don't think anyone ever will," Sportacus laughed with a weak smile.

Pixel didn't say anything. Huh. You're in for a big shocker soon then.

"Why would you ask such a strange question?"

Pixel tapped his fingers aimlessly on the ground, "Why does such a question bother you enough to be called strange?"

"Huh?"

Keep your tongue. "Why can't questions just be asked? Seems like whenever questions are actually asked and it bothers someone, there has to be some logical explanation to the question inquired."

"But there is always a reason for someone to wonder-"

Pixel drew his knees up and rested his arms on them, "But why does it always need to be known? Why is it that people want to know the reason only if the question seemingly sounds absurd or offensive to the person asked, especially to adults?"

Sportacus wanted to bite his tongue a long time ago. Pixel was getting way too smart. Sure, he had thought of it as an odd question. Naturally, it'd possibly mean Pixel was concerned about someone leaving and making the adjustment. Sportacus supposed Pixel was trying to probe back to his previous argument of how pushy adults are with kid issues.

"I'm sorry, Pixel. I just figured you were wondering how to cope with the loss of someone leaving. You can always come and talk to me if you need help. You're a smart kid, you can adjust easily."

Pixel continued to stare at some random spot. I know I can adjust. It's you who I think can't adjust.

-----------------------------------

Robbie stood at one of his many tables. He had gone outside to calm himself from his episode with Pixel and found a bunch of wildflowers. They fascinated him, causing him to bring a bunch home. Now, he stood arranging them all in a brilliant dark purple crystal vase. The large, bright blue flowers offset against the dark red ones perfectly.

He smiled as he took in the amazing mixture of different floral scents. It was heaven. It reminded him of the days Robbie was actually invited to go with to visit the large trees and woods with Sportacus and the kids. Stephanie and Trixie running about and picking wild flowers, Pixel sleeping on a low tree branch near a small stream, Stingy and Ziggy climbing trees and Sportacus having to get them down only to have them climb up another tree…Robbie had spent his time mostly sitting on the side of the hill watching the ducks on the water. He remembered when the girls snuck up on him, tackled him and yet still managed to tie flowers in his hair and clothing and Sportacus laughing as he tried to untangle the stems from his mess of tangled black strands.

Robbie stared into the deep purple glass as he remembered that day. It was maybe one of the better days he had gotten to actually talk with Sportacus man to man. Nothing special, just talk.

"Robbie!"

The hair on the back of Robbie's neck bristled slightly, "Yes?"

Sportacus smiled down at him, "What you doin' by yourself over here?"

"It's peaceful on this hill. The grass is soft and perfectly green, the river's water is pretty, and it's full of neat things to look at."

Sportacus glanced at the river and chuckled, "There are a bunch of ducks sitting on the water, Robbie. That's it."

Robbie snorted, "So? Ducks are fun to watch."

Sportacus cringed. Robbie sounded slightly offended at Sportacus's little smirk about the ducks. He didn't want Robbie getting angry on the first fun day he attended with the kids. The grass slightly swayed in the calm breeze and Sportacus sat down next to Robbie, drawing in a deep breath.

"You like ducks?"

Robbie shot his eyes to Sportacus, but didn't turn his head, "You like egging on a subject, don't you?"

Sportacus smiled at Robbie, but said nothing. Robbie scrunched his face before finally letting out a frustrated sigh and returning his sight on the water. The ducks were playing, diving and quacking happily in the water. Occasionally, more ducks would arrive or leave.

"There's something about nature, I don't know what, that always seems to enlighten the spirit, Robbie. Nothing can explain it and nothing can compare to its power. There's something in nature for all of us." Sportacus turned his head and grinned widely at Robbie, "Wanna know a secret?"

Robbie didn't say anything.

"This was the forest I was born in. After I was born, my parents raised me to the point where I could take care of myself. Then they went back to their home forest. Neat, huh?"

Robbie still didn't say anything.

"You know what that means? That means I'm an elf, just like you always call me! The blue elf! Ha! I bet you didn't know how right you were when you said it!"

Sportacus closed his eyes, taking in the warmth of the sun. Robbie was the first person he told about his origins, and of course, the last. The kids didn't need to know about Sportacus's true ethnicity. It was awkward even thinking about telling the Mayor or any other adult. Sportacus felt cleansed now, like someone could finally appreciate Sportacus fully for who he was.

"I raised ducks with my father when I was young."

Sportacus popped his eyes open.

"Well, that was before we came to LazyTown. We owned a little farm out basically in the middle of no where. The ducks had a little shed to sleep in near a natural pond. It was peaceful. I loved to sit and watch them play, occasionally even hopping in the pond and playing with them."

Sportacus smiled.

Robbie wasn't sure how long he had told Sportacus about his ducks, but he knew he had stopped when it came to the part about moving to LazyTown. It seemed as if Sportacus was actually interested in what Robbie was talking about. Robbie didn't even realize that his vast knowledge of such a simple thing as a duck returned to him.

Robbie shook his head. Now wasn't the time to be resentful. This was just a new chapter in his boring book of life. Leaving LazyTown was going to be for the better. He fingered a red flower softly. The deep redness of each petal reminded him of blood and how it could trickle down ones arm so smoothly. A faint scent other than the flowers' tickled Robbie's nose, and the redness then reminded him of someone else…

The lone CD player in the room started to pour out the upbeat sounds of a disco-like calypso.

Do you remember…The 21st night of September?

Love was changing the minds of Pretenders while chasing the clouds away.

Robbie smiled widely and closed his eyes, "So, you finally decided the air ship could wait, huh?"

Svartacus's arms slipped around Robbie's waist and started moving him slowly to the beat, "Of course. My air ship could have waited a hundred years, but I do believe you wanted some time alone, am I right?"

Robbie purred, "Maybe. I did a little, but then I got a kinda cold without you around."

Svartacus propped his head on top of Robbie's, "I can fix that you know."

Our hearts were ringing, in the key that our souls were singing,

As we danced in the night. Remember how the stars stole the night away?

Robbie snickered, twirling himself around quickly. He snapped to a complete stop when he finally faced Svartacus and hooked a leg around Svartacus's waist in the style of a female salsa dancer. His eyebrows scrunched in a determined, flirtatious manner. Svartacus smirked widely, grabbing Robbie's leg.

Ba de ya – Say do you remember

Ba de ya - Dancing in September

Ba de ya – never was a cloudy day

"Oh…I know."

Svartacus moved Robbie away from the table, "Huh. Aren't you the frisky, little feline today, kitten?" He pulled away from Robbie only to twirl him back in, "You can't forget though…" When close to his body, the red elf dipped Robbie sharply back and pressed the tip of his nose to Robbie's and smirked, "I lead."

Robbie giggled, "If I led, we'd be toppled over furniture and breaking things."

"You just need practice. We'll work on that on our way home."

My thoughts are with you, holding hands with your heart to see you,

Only blue talk and love. Remember how we knew love was here to stay?

Svartacus pulled Robbie back up, and when both situated, they began to do the same fast paced dance Svartacus had tried to teach Robbie before. With each step, Robbie watched their feet. He was determined to get this right, and in his mind, he was putting his mental images with the ones before him together. Svartacus watched Robbie's face. So eager…so determined. He almost has it right. A few more steps was all it took for a wide smile of triumph to spread over the pale man's mouth.

"Svartacus…I think I got it!"

Svartacus twirled Robbie, "Yes. Yes you do, Robbie."

Now December found the love that we shared in September.
Only blue talk and love,
Remember the true love we share today?

Robbie felt more than triumphant inside. He was damn well proud. He couldn't remember a single time where he had gotten something right and it not go to shits on him. The two dancers started dancing faster, and when at full speed, Robbie still didn't falter.

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

Svartacus pulled Robbie in tightly, pressing his body against Robbie's. Robbie smirked, pressing back, but harder. Robbie leaned over and licked Svartacus's cheek playfully. Svartacus's smile went wide. Damn little thing. Svartacus let his arms lay limp as his sides, swaying by themselves as the two pressed and danced against each other. Robbie had rested his hands on Svartacus's shoulders.

Ba de ya - say do you remember
Ba de ya - dancing in september
Ba de ya - never was a cloudy day

Svartacus started leaning and pressing towards Robbie, causing Robbie to slowly descend backwards. His hands gripped Svartacus's shoulders as they went farther down. Robbie knew what was going on. He knew what was going to happen.

"Hey, hey, hey now."

Svartacus kept pressing him down, "You are mighty frisky today."

Robbie laughed, "You know I got more packing to do! If we do that, I'll never get it done."

Svartacus grinned mischievously, "You were the one who was doing all the flirting, weren't you? Curious to see if I'd actually notice what you wanted, eh Kitten?"

Robbie laughed more, "Yeah, but you know curiosity killed the cat."

"True." The two fell to the floor softly. Svartacus leaned down and gave Robbie's earlobe a quick lick, "But satisfaction brought it back."

Ba de ya de ya de ya

Ba de ya de ya de ya

Ba de ya de ya de ya

De ya

AN
OH! See? What'd I tell ya at Warm Fuzzies? Eh? I told you this was almost ready for an update! SQUEE

Pixel, my favorite kid of the entire show, gets a bigger part than the last chapter...and I read...and reread...and reread some more...the part where he talks to Sportacus, and I finally shook my head and my brain literally screamed "IT MAKES SENSE! THEY'RE WAITING! POST IT!" I thought it did. But then it was one of those times you know what you want to say, ya just don't know exactly how to say it. If it confuses some, I apologize. And I am gonna say that Robbie's flashback wasn't supposed to be that long. XD But it ended up being so. Oh wells.

I love Earth, Wind and Fire's "September." If I could have a little machine hooked to my brain so that I could mentally create little movies on the computer for you all to see, I'd be doing the end scene of this chapter. And then...ONLY then...would you see the full extent of that scene's awesomeness. Lawl.

Lots of love! Reviews, please!