Hello, everyone, today is the day I leave. I have a few hours of school left, then I am out of here! I'll miss you all!

Alicia—I was never a big fan of Tweety, either. I always liked Wile E. Coyote more.

PrincessLaLaBlue—I'm guessing you're a fan of Mystery Science Theater, too? It's like my obsession, ha hah. I was the one who introduced Alicia to it, and I am so glad I did. It sucks that this site doesn't have a section for MST3K.

KaylaKissesKangaroos—I don't mind random reviews, lol. That's cool about getting your tongue pierced! I am going on a swamp retreat with the members of a club that I'm in. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon, but I won't be around during the evening, because I'll be at the symphony with my parents.

Guest—Yes, there is a Roger Rabbit story called The Fleischer Files. Be sure to check it out, and don't forget to review!

Chapter Twenty-One

Originally Lulu had resolved to begin the rehabilitation with Deb by gradually convincing her that her sister did not exist. But when she woke up, she found the majority of the fish puzzling over the Aqua Scum, including Deb and Flo. She decided to spend some time by herself, and she swam off to a corner behind the plastic volcano, reflecting on this strange feeling in her gut. She felt like she was expecting something to happen, but she didn't know what it was. She kept thinking that Gill would know, but she was too shy to ask him about it. She was relieved when Deb finally pulled herself away from the rest of the gang and approached her for a small pep talk.

"Hey, Lulu," Deb called out softly. "You know, when it's that time of the year, you can always talk to me—"

"Or Flo," she interrupted.

"No, Flo can't keep her mouth shut about these things. She was the one who saw you looking at Gill with big dreamy eyes!"

"Was I really?" She blushed. Deb laughed.

"It's not hard to see," she teased. "And Gill is such a sweetie, but if he won't admit anything, don't worry about it. He rarely tells us how he really feels about everything."

"Or it could be that he doesn't feel the same about me," Lulu pointed out glumly, deciding that there was no point in trying to hide her feelings now.

"If love blinds you completely, then I'm not sure that I want to find Mr. Right," Deb chuckled. Lulu gazed at her questioningly. "Gill is nuts about you, Lulu. I can totally tell. Do you know what he was thinking when he asked for us to 'think dirty thoughts'?" The blush on Lulu's cheeks darkened.

"So what should I do?" She wondered, and Deb bit her lip as she thought.

"In this case, I wouldn't try anything until we get back in the ocean. That's what he wants, and there will be more room for raising children." She paused for a moment, letting Lulu think about whether or not Gill even wanted to become a father, and if he did, what kind of father he would be. "Hey, can you keep a secret?" She didn't wait for Lulu to answer. "Flo doesn't want to go back to the ocean. She wants to stay here in the tank."

"Are you going to let her?" Lulu asked with surprise. "Why does she want to stay here?"

"I think that she's scared of going away from here," Deb confessed. "She's used to the humans by now." She sighed sadly. "I think I'll let her stay. I love her to death, and I don't want to make her sad at all. So if this will make her happy, then she can stay."

"Bubbles, the bubbles, I need to get my bubbles!" Bubbles' voice echoed, and the girls gave a start and turned to see that he had been hiding in some plants, along with Bloat. Gurgle, and Jacques.

"You're all creeps!" Deb shrieked, glaring at the Peeping Toms. "How long have you been watching us?"

"Don't you have anything better to do?" Lulu demanded.

"Nope," Bloat grinned, and Lulu rolled her eyes.

"Go help Gill with the Aqua Scum," she suggested. "Watch the dentist. Count ladybugs. Just leave us alone!" There was such wrath in her voice that they didn't hesitate to obey, but as they swam away, Gurgle asked, "What's a ladybug?"

"Hey, Deb, you said that you could talk to me during 'that time of the year'? What time of the year are you talking about?" Lulu wondered.

Deb looked surprised. "You mean, you haven't…this is the…oh, never mind, it's not my business. But I thought that you'd know by now. I've known that this was coming for weeks now."

"What are you talking about?" Lulu demanded. And the pieces fell into place when she received her answer…but that didn't stop the gasp of surprise and slight embarrassment that escaped her mouth.

"Mating season, of course…"

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