21st July 2013 Sunday

Day 202

One-shot is needed here for a little break, and luckily I came up with an idea. This one takes place before the Janex wedding, actually I think it's an "extra" scene from the episode "Could this be love?"

Don't forget the image comp (keep it on TrueLoveIsReal's because I don't know how to work mine) and if you have reviewed to every single chapter in my year saga – that's right, it's a saga – then I'll dedicate a separate DHAE story to you once the year is out.

Disclaimer: Believe it or not, but I don't own the show.

"Mmm, this is delicious," Tung admired, burying his face further in to the bowl. The soup inside bubbled green and released a foul odour, causing the clone and the pilot to exchange disgusted looks at the sight of the tracker. "I feel like I've tasted it before, but where?"

"It tastes like feet," Zap said simply, handing his bowl over to the eager Tung.

"Yes, that's it!" he exclaimed, downing his second serving. Dex whispered in to the darkness, talking in a hushed tone to Zap.

"Zap, please be polite to…uh, where did Jane go?" the leader looked around, noticing that their host was nowhere to be seen. The rest of the team shrugged before returning to their conversation; whether or not the green sludge was repulsive or the best meal ever.

"Excuse me a sec," Dex mumbled, placing down his bowl and walking away. His team were oblivious to his act.

He trudged along a narrow path to the side, thick with dense shrub. Parting some branches, he spied the other entomologist standing on a cliff, overlooking the valley of crickets. In the full moonlit sky, Dex could see her bright smile.

"Hey," he whispered as he emerged, careful not to sneak up on her. She turned her head slightly at the noise, then turned back as he stood beside her.

"We're missing you at dinner. Is everything all right?"

"This is the best spot to see the stars, especially on a cloudless night," Dex turned his attention to the sky, his jaw opening at the sight. Billions of small, shining bright flecks scattered about in front of them; some clustered together and others shining alone.

"Wow," the leader whispered, his head still tilted upwards. He turned to the woman with a smile on his face, but it dropped however when he realised she was no longer staring at the sky. Her eyes were gazing over the crickets in the valley below them.

"I can't be apart from these crickets," she began, eyes scanning the orchestra in front of her. "They've never been in such serious danger as they were today, and it just makes me realise how precious and meaningful they are in my life."

Dex chuckled a little at her words, understanding completely the mind of the entomologist. His eyes softened, however, when he thought back to what Tung had been saying earlier and wondering whether or not this could be his only chance.

"Come back with us," he said bluntly, turning to meet her shocked gaze. "We can bring the crickets if you want, but, you're one of the best entomologists I've seen."

"That's sweet, but I can't pull them away from their natural habitat," her gaze mimicked his sad face. "Besides, this is the only life I've known, and if I came with you guys that means I'll be around the frog all the time."

He chuckled again, trying to cover the awkward tension he could feel filling the air. "So you're just going to stay here? You don't see any other life in your future?"

"Maybe," she shrugged, her head tilting back up to the sky. "They say sometimes, whatever you can see in the stars is your future."

Dex looked up too, eyes skimming the constellations. "What do you see?"

There was a long, comfortable silence as both kept their eyes on the sky, as though eagerly searching for something.

"I see, uh," she turned to her conversationalist, face burning at their proximity. "A family."

Dex felt his heavy breath, his heart quickening in his rib cage. He stuttered out a sentence. "That's good."

In the darkness, Jane felt herself moving closer to the leader, their eyes both closing in synchronisation as they readied themselves for the sensation.

"Hello?" Tung called out in the darkness. As quick as lightning, the entomologists sprang apart, confused and flustered at the situation. "Am I interrupting something?"

"What is it, Tung?" the leader questioned, annoyance strongly evident in his voice. There was a little muttering heard behind the trees before the frog boy retreated in embarrassment, leaving Dex and Jane alone once again. The moment had passed, yet the two were still smiling at each other in the moonlight.

"Next time, leave the frog at home."

Ok, maybe it was an alternate ending. Either way, I liked it, and I hope you guys did too. Fun fact for today, and hopefully you all know this; Jane Goodchild's character is modelled off real life Jane Goodall, the woman who lived among the chimps. R&R!