Frank had just cleaned out Flopsy's cage and the lift doors opened with a hiss and Stella walked into HQ.

"Good news, Frank," she said. "I've got an invitation for you."

Stella handed Frank a sealed envelope, stamped with the words "Top Secret: For the intended recipient only". With mounting curiosity, Frank opened the envelope to find an invitation to the League of Matahari, what he knew to be a highly exclusive, top secret social club for spies.

Stella observed Frank's reaction with amusement. Confusion and curiosity quickly turned into pure delight. It was usually only the highest ranking agents that were invited to join.

"You have to pass three tests," Stella explained, laughing slightly at Frank's ecstatic smile. "The test of silence, the test of complete disclosure, and an oath. The details for the first test are at the bottom."

"You have authority to invite me?" Frank asked incredulously., tearing his eyes from the invitation to look at Stella.

"I'm the president, but don't tell anyone," Stella said, still smiling. Frank had always marveled at the beauty of Stella's smile. It was a pity that Stella didn't have much to smile about on a day-to-day basis.

"Really? You have time for a social club?" Frank raised his eyebrows in exaggerated surprise. "I thought all you did was paperwork and assessments!"

"Careful, Frank! Don't insult me - I'm the one conducting your entrance tests," Stella replied in mock seriousness, though her playful smile gave her away.

"So I'm guaranteed entry then?" Frank said, pocketing his invitation. "If you're conducting the tests."

"Don't be so confident," Stella answered, her smile growing wider as she teased him. Frank decided he would try to give Stella something to smile about every day. "But yes, as long as you don't do anything ridiculous, you'll get in for sure. We'll be able to spend time together without having to fight some world-threatening criminal organisation."

Frank's eyes lit up at the thought of spending more time with Stella. "Yes, that would be nice. Speaking of world-threatening criminal organisations though, KORPS had been quiet of late. They're not up to anything we know of? The agents are getting bored."

Stella shook her head, her smile disappearing. "Knowing KORPS, they're definitely up to something, but we don't know what it is. This could be dangerous, actually, now that you mention it. Whenever KORPS go quiet, they're preparing for something big. Like a long-range missile set to hit London."

"But we'll be ready for it this time," Frank said, trying to sound confident and reassuring. Apparently he didn't manage to achieved the desired tone of voice, because Stella stepped forward and hugged him. Instinctively, Frank hugged back.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up." Stella's voice was so soft that she was almost whispering.

"It's okay," Frank murmured.

"We're not going to be ready," Stella continued. "But we will win in the end. It's like Tom would say: Good will prevail."

"Just as long as the losses aren't so great," Frank said bitterly. As clearly as if it were yesterday, he could hear Hyperia's voice saying it was his choice as he felt his hand shaking as it hovered over the button that controlled the blast doors. In his mind's eye, he could see Hyperia's salute as his hand pressed down on the buttom, hearing Stella's voice screaming through his earpiece.

Stella pulled back from Frank's embrace to look up into his glistening brown eyes. "Frank, it's not your fault."

Frank felt like she as repeating his own words back to him. How many times had he told her not to blame herself for everything? Now she was giving his own advice back to him.

"I'm so sorry, Frank," Stella said. "I shouldn't have blamed you. I can't imagine how much I hurt you."

Frank nodded. "I forgave you long ago."

"I can't promise people won't be hurt, Frank," Stella continued. "But this time, we are stronger, smarter, and we know KORPS better than ever before."

"I know," Frank said with a weak smile. "You're amazing, Stella."

After Stella had returned to HQ, Frank sat down at the computer, pulling out his invitation to the LMH and staring it at. A social club where he could spend time with Stella. He couldn't wait.

"What do you think, Flopsy?" Frank asked. The rabbit continued to sleep. "It should be good fun. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?"