Title: Heat (Collection 2)
Author: Cereal-Killa
Rating:K+
Pairing: Duncan/Courtney
Summary of chapter: Courtney shouldn't just assume things...

Beta: ChloeRhiannonX

13. SPACESHIP

It probably all started when she stole his toy spaceship.

They were only four. Who knew why both sets of parents had believed it would be good for them to have a play date; they came from different worlds. Even a set of toddlers could see that.

All they did was fight. While both sets of parents enjoyed each other's company, it was obvious to all of them by the fifth play date that the two would never get along.

"You stoled my Barbie!" Courtney yelled, kicking the ABC blocks over in anger. "Give 'er back!" She was wearing her pink sun dress with the white ballet shoes, and had a small butterfly clip in her short brown hair. No, she didn't approve of her mother's choice in child's clothing, but it had only been more embarrassing when Duncan had told her she looked like a girl.

Well, maybe she was a girl, but he had said it all mean-like! So she didn't take it as a compliment.

"Did not!" Duncan said. His short black hair was a mess, his blue shorts and baby blue t-shirt matching his eyes. "Why's would I wanna play with a stupid Barbie anyways?" He was making perfect sense, really. Duncan only played with Transformers and Hot Wheels; things of that nature. What would he want with a summertime beach babe Barbie doll?"

Courtney's mother came over. "You two, quit fighting! That's all you ever seem to do..." She picked up her daughter, who was still scrambling and yelling about her Barbie doll. She turned to Duncan's mother with a small smile. "Sorry about her, Lillian... Maybe next time will go better?"

Duncan's mom walked over, giving the other woman a smirk which had obviously been passed down to her son. "Oh, its fine, Stephanie! Duncan is just a little trouble maker here." She shot Duncan a look and he pouted at her. "Definitely. Next Saturday sound good?"

Courtney's mother smiled. "Of course."

So Courtney and her mother left, Courtney with her revenge hidden underneath her car seat.

She had stolen Duncan's prized possession-His spaceship. He played with that thing night and day. His dad, an astronaut, had given it to him and he looked up to the older man the way only a son could.

It was her greatest idea yet. An eye for an eye! He stole her Barbie; therefore, she stole his spaceship. All is fair.

But then, Saturday came, and Courtney's father came home with a large smile on his face as he came into Courtney's room. "Hey, darling, guess what I found?" Courtney turned and smiled widely when she saw what her dad had in his hands-Her beloved Barbie! She ran up to him, grasping the same doll in her hands and pushing it up against her cheek.

"You found her!" She said, eyes aglow with happiness. "Where did you found her, daddy?"

He ruffled her hair. "At my office, sweetie. You must have left her there the other day."

Courtney smiled, but then it hit her.

Oh no! She had left the doll at her daddy's office. Meaning Duncan hadn't stolen her Barbie. Meaning she had... she had stolen his spaceship. For no reason, either!

"Daddy! We gots ta go see Duncan!" She yelled. He looked to her in surprise.

"Lillian and Alex's son?"

"Yeah, Li-li-ban n' Alexis son! We hafta see him now!" He looked to his watch and sighed. It was almost time for her play date with the kid anyway. He nodded and she squealed. "Thanks, daddy. We gots ta take mommy's car, though..."

As they rode toward the house, Courtney reached under her car seat, pulling out the rocket. She felt her stomach churn. Would Duncan hate her? She had taken away his most prized toy and accused him of stealing her own. She had wronged him twice.

When they got there, she ran up to the door, ringing to door bell with eagerness. Duncan's father answered the door, his usual scowl turning into a small smile. "Ay, little pumpkin, what are you doing here so early?"

She looked at him with desperation. "Plea' open up da door, Duncan's daddy, I gots ta see Duncan, thank you!" She ran past the older man, into the house and into the living room where she found Duncan.

"Duncan, I'm sorry!" She said, breaking down into tears. She wiped them onto her pink dress, holding out the spaceship to him. "I stoled your spaceship 'cause I thought you stoled my Barbie, but ya didn't... I'm sorry!"

Duncan blinked, picking up his spaceship from her hands. "Oh, thanks! I thought I losted it!"

She wiped her eyes and looked at him. "You aren't-" hiccup "-mad at me…?"

"No way!" He said, smiling even though he was missing one of his front teeth. "Yer my play date! I love you!"

Courtney felt her lower lip tremble. "I love you too, Duncan!" She threw herself into a hug with him, sobbing into his shoulder.

Both fathers looked at each other in shock. This had better just be a phase... "I'm starting to think I liked it better when they hated each other..."

But Duncan and Courtney weren't listening. They were too busy laughing and smiling, just like play dates should.

And to think such a beautiful relationship was born from a spaceship.

A/N: Definitely my cutest one yet. :3 By the way, everyone please throw love muffins to my lovely beta, ChloeRhiannonX! Thank you gurl~