The PJ Masks, Greg, Connor, Amaya, Catboy, Gekko, Owlette, PJ Robot, Luna Girl, Night Ninja, Romeo, etc are all © to their respective owners, presumably Romuald and Disney Junior. The only part of this work that I claim ownership of is the story itself. Again, none of these characters are mine.

Disclaimer: This story is roughly 4200 words long, so get comfy before you start reading!

It's worth noting that I typically like to denote short breaks in the story with a series of 3 asterisks. This site doesn't seem to like that, so I'm having to resort to using horizontal lines. After the first horizontal line in this chapter, all the rest denote short breaks in the story.

Later on the same day, Monday, late at night, Romeo kicks a a small rock in a park, sending it sailing through the air. He is dressed up in his full supervillain outfit: gray boots, gray pants, teal gloves, goggles with a small antenna, and his special Howie-type lab coat. He shouts, "Dang it! We missed her again, Robot! Agh!"

Romeo's Robot is standing next to the mobile lab, which is several feet from Romeo. It dispassionately walks over to the boy. "Our auxiliary computer is not adequately fast to provide us with data from the sensors in a timely manner, Master."

Romeo huffs angrily and says, "I know! I'm still working on getting the primary computer back up and going." He rubs his temples for a moment and, in a less angry tone, says, "Alright, I want you to comb the area. Luna Girl may still be nearby. Search protocol gamma."

Robot replies, "Yes, Master." His legs extend until he's a dozen feet tall, and Robot begins to walk around and survey the area. Romeo walks back over to the mobile lab and sits down on the steps. He considers ways to fix this situation as he waits for Robot to return. After a few minutes, Robot returns, and reports: "No trace of Luna Girl or her moths were located within 250 meters, Master. However, I observed a frog vocalizing cricket chirps."

Romeo sighs. "That would be consistent with the power signal we detected. It was definitely the Voice Box." He sighs. "Any ideas on how to proceed with catching her, Robot? She has the Go-Slow ray, the Voice Box, the Radical Romeo Remote, and the Animal-Metamorpho Ray. It will be at least a three more days of work before I can fully rebuild our main computer, so our sensors are practically useless for helping us catch her until then."

Robot says, "Analyzing." After thirty seconds, Robot says, "Ask the PJ Masks for help. They have demonstrated an ability to track power signatures, similar to our own. With minor modifications, their systems could work to detect Luna Girl."

Romeo sighs. "I'm friends with them, but I don't think I'm close enough to ask for favors yet… Good idea, though." Pause. "Alternatives?"

Robot replies, "Alternative: their PJ Robot is better equipped to repair the main computer than am I or Robette. You could request that they lend us the PJ Robot's services?"

Romeo shakes his head. "No, no! Confine suggestions to ideas which do not involve the PJ Masks."

Robot says, "Understood, Master. Computing…" There is a long pause. "The only solution found by my standard algorithm within your stated parameters is to complete repairs of the main computer at the main lab."

Romeo quietly mutters an oath, and then says, "So, I guess we're stuck where we are for a few days."

As Romeo stands up to go back into the mobile lab, Robot says, "Query, Master."

Romeo turns to look at Robot. Impatiently, he says, "Proceed, Robot."

Robot asks, "Why do you not wish to seek help from the PJ Masks? Are they not your friends? Friends are allies and allies help each other."

Romeo is both impressed and amused by Robot's logic, and lets a small smile reach his lips. "Your logic is sound, Robot… Well, it would be, if I were better friends with the PJ Masks. Your understanding of friendship is limited… Much like my own knowledge of that topic..." He laughs. "They don't trust me yet. Nor do I trust them. Trust will build between us slowly, though." He sighs, and adds, "Besides, for now, the situation is not particularly out of control; Luna Girl hasn't wreaked any havoc with the stolen equipment, and if she does, it will probably only be as a nuisance. She rarely does anything that actually seriously endangers the city. At least, like we do…. Err... Like we did." It's been hard adjusting to not being a villain anymore.

Robot says, "I understand, Master."

After moment of silence, Romeo says, "Come on, let's go back to the lab. We can work on restoring the main computer." Romeo turns and keys a code in to enter the mobile lab and Robot steps to the back and climbs aboard.

The next afternoon, Tuesday, Greg and Amaya are seated together on the bus. It's one of the last hot days of the summer, and they're both dressed in shorts and short-sleeved shirts. Amaya says, "So, your Dad isn't going to get you today?"

Greg, who has the window seat, sighs. "Yeah, he said Mom is still feeling a bit weird from the medicines she's on and nobody thinks it's a good idea for her to see me today. Plus, Dad gets to see Finn today, so he's busy with that." Greg pouts downheartedly.

Amaya pats his shoulder, and says, "Well, that stinks, buddy. I know you miss your mom." She waits to see if Greg has anything to say… After several seconds of silence, she says, "I guess that works out. We won't have to explain to your parents who Romeo is before we go swimming with him."

Greg leans his head over on the window and groans. "Oh man, I forgot that was today."

Amaya says, "It's all gonna be okay, Greg." He grunts in reply, and Amaya sees their stop coming up. She looks to the back of the bus and sees Connor there. He's talking to a group of older students holding instrument cases. They're likely fifth and sixth graders. Amaya smiles; she knows Connor is excited to be old enough to join their school's wind band in a couple years.

Connor looks toward the front of the bus and catches Amaya's eye; she pointedly looks outside and Connor nods, understanding her meaning. The bus begins to slow, and Amaya, Greg, and Connor stand, along with a few other kids of various ages. After a few seconds, the bus stops and they all file off. Once they're off the bus, Connor says, "Dude, the band sounds like so much fun!"

Connor's cheer spreads: Greg smiles slightly, and says, "Hey, today is the day Romeo is coming over to swim! Remember?"

Connor nods. "Yep!" He checks to make sure nobody is close to them. When he's sure nobody is nearby, Connor pulls his communicator from his pocket. "Ready to contact PJ Robot?"

Amaya nods. "Yeah, it's like 3:15, and Romeo should be here at 4. It'll be great to have PJ Robot at Greg's house just in case Romeo does something nefarious."

Greg nods. "Yeah, for sure."

Connor presses a few buttons, and after a second, PJ Robot appears on screen. The robot chirps happily. Connor says, "Hey, PJ Robot! You ready to make your way over to Greg's house?"

PJ Robot makes an excited face and then gives them a thumbs-up, chirping the affirmative. Connor replies, "Awesome. We'll see you there."

Greg waves. "Hey PJ Robot!"

Amaya says, "Heya!"

The little robot waves back excitedly, and then taps a button. The communicator goes blank, and Connor stows it in his pocket just as they stop at his driveway. "Alright. Now, Amaya, you go put on your swimsuit and meet us at Greg's house. We're going to go inside and tell my mom where we'll be. Gotta grab my swimsuit, too."

Amaya says, "Alright, see you in a little while." She trots off excitedly.

Connor motions for Greg to follow him, and they quickly move towards Connor's house.

Half an hour later, there is a green flash and Romeo suddenly materializes in front of Greg's house, on the lawn. He's wearing what appears to be a school uniform: black shorts, a collared white button-up shirt with a black tie, a black and red long-sleeved sweater on top of the shirt and tie, and, finally, short black dress shorts with white crew socks to round out the whole ridiculous outfit. He also has a nice backpack on his back.

Romeo looks at the device in his hand and then shakes himself around a bit. "That transporter makes me feel weird," he mumbles to himself. Romeo glances at his watch and sees the time is 3:55. He smiles and mumbles, "It's nice to be early…" He walks up to the porch and rings the doorbell. He puts a friendly smile on his face.

A few moments later, the door opens and it's Connor, wearing only a pair of blue shorts. "Oh, hey Romeo. You're early." Connor looks around outside and asks, "How'd you get here?"

Romeo holds up the device in his hand. "Remember this?"

Connor nods. "The Transporter." Romeo grins and Connor gestures for him to come inside. "Take your shoes off at the door. Greg's parents have new carpet."

Romeo does as asked, and sits down the Teleporter next to his shoes once he steps inside... He says, "Alright, where can I change at? Uh, obviously, I didn't put my swimsuit on before I came over here."

Amaya, already dressed in her shorty wetsuit, walks into the room from the direction of the backdoor, and whistles. "Wow, you're dressed for success today, aren't you?"

Romeo's face flushes slightly at the compliment. "Uh, not really." He scratches his head awkwardly. "This is just my school uniform."

Connor says, "Alright, well, let's get you upstairs so you can change, Romeo. Follow me." The boys walk up the stairs.

Amaya shouts, "Alright, seeya out there!" She trots back from the direction she came as the boys reach the top of the stairs.

Just as they turn towards the side of the hall with Greg's room and bathroom, they hear a yelp and see a pale-skinned blur with blonde hair as a person disappears into Greg's room. "Ack!" The door shuts suddenly behind him.

After a few moments of processing what he saw, Romeo says, "Was he… naked?"

Connor nods, and places a hand across his face, stifling laughter. He yells, "Greg, by the way, Romeo is here…"

From his room, Greg indignantly replies, "I figured that out! Thanks for the warning!"

It's silent for a few moments and Romeo says, "Uhm… Hi Greg…" Connor's face is turning red from having to suppress his laughter.

"…Hi, Romeo."

Connor coughs and says, "Uh, Greg, Romeo is going to change in your bathroom."

"…Okay."

Connor leads Romeo down the hall to the bathroom and gestures inside. "There you go."

Romeo steps into the bathroom and says, "Thanks!" The door shuts behind him.

Connor practically jumps over to Greg's bedroom. He knocks. "Greg!"

The door opens, and Greg is clothed this time; well, barely. He has his green square-cut swim briefs on, now. "What? Jeez, a kid can't even be naked for like a minute in his own house." He is visibly blushing.

Connor quietly, but intently, asks, "Since when do you run around your house naked when Amaya's here?"

Greg's blush intensifies. "She always… Well, usually she yells before she comes upstairs! Besides, I had to go to the bathroom… So, I took off my clothes in there to change… Forgot to bring my swim briefs with me, but I figured I'd be safe to jog back to my room real quick because I didn't expect Romeo for a few more minutes… I wasn't expecting you to bring Romeo up here all of a sudden!" His face achieves new heights of embarrassment as it reaches a cherry-red color.

Connor laughs at the whole situation. "You're crazy. The first time you two see each other in person during daylight hours, and you were naked. Doubt either of you will forget that."

Greg's blush holds, although he is amused at that description of the situation. "Well, if it means anything, Romeo is probably less traumatized than me." He cracks a smile. "I look good." He flexes his muscled arms and giggles profusely.

Connor laughs harder. "That's the first time I've seen you smile and make a joke since yesterday morning." He places a hand on Greg's shoulder. "Let's try to have fun, huh? Stop worrying about everything. Your dad has your mom and Finn handled. Everything is gonna be fine."

Greg nods, and says, "I'll try."

A robotic beep behind Greg reveals PJ Robot is in the boy's room. Connor makes a shush gesture. "Hey, PJ Robot. Welcome to the party." PJ Robot waves in return and beeps excitedly, but Connor shushes him again. "Gotta stay quiet! Romeo can't know you're here." PJ Robot gives a thumbs-up gesture and a smile, and then floats over towards Lionel's terrarium.

Connor raises an eyebrow at the sight, but Greg quickly says, "He's been playing with Lionel."

Connor nods contentedly. A few moments later, they hear the bathroom door open. Romeo hops out, exclaiming, "Tada!"

Greg steps out of his room and Connor turns around to find Romeo wearing a pair of swim briefs and a short-sleeve rash guard shirt. The rash guard has a pattern of letters and numbers on it that Greg recognizes, but can't quite place it. The swim briefs show slightly more leg than Greg's square cut suit; they're sea-blue with a pattern in dark blue that looks like some sort of crude hieroglyphics with a series of three vertical gold stripes on each hip. Romeo says, "Well, is this cool enough, Greg?"

Greg snaps his fingers when he recognizes the pattern on the rash guard. He excitedly says, "The swim briefs are cool! But is that the periodic table on your shirt?!"

Romeo grins. His navy blue rash guard shirt is covered with the periodic table drawn in shiny strips of white boxes and lettering. "Yep. Dad and I found the rash guard in Russia earlier this year. We got it near the town where Mendeleev was born. He's the guy that created the periodic table." Romeo smiles proudly.

Greg nods, and then Connor says, "I like the swim briefs. Cool pattern." Connor pulls down his shorts partially and reveals he is wearing his own lightning-printed blue jammers beneath, which have similar blue patterns on the hips before the lightning-bolt pattern starts. Romeo smiles.

Greg laughs a bit, and replies, "I think we're gonna have a fun time, Romeo." They all start down the stairs and Greg asks, "One thing though: why are you wearing a rash guard, Romeo?"

Romeo says, "Oh, I get nervous without a shirt on around new people…" Pause. "Uh, especially girls."

Greg laughs. "Why are you nervous? Have a bit of baby fat you don't want to show off?"

Romeo laughs and shrugs. "Not that. I don't know why I get nervous like that, actually."

Connor laughs, "Yeah, I bet… As if Amaya won't like that shirt…"

Romeo smiles nonchalantly. Once they reach the bottom of the stairs, Romeo sits down his backpack next to his shoes and he looks around. "Is your mom or dad here Greg? I figured I would get to meet one of them, too."

Greg and Connor eye each other and then Greg scratches his head. "Gee, I guess you've been slipping on your surveillance, huh?" He looks away from Romeo. "Uh, my little brother was born yesterday. Mom is in the ICU for a few days, and Dad is trying to keep her and Finn both taken care of… I think Dad has been getting to have skin-to-skin time with Finn in the NICU today."

Romeo is dumbfounded; he hasn't been maintaining his surveillance lately, and it feels odd for him not to know about this. "Oh. I haven't been really watching you guys any more… Haven't in a few weeks, actually… I didn't know." Pause. "Uh, congrats, though..." Greg nods his acknowledgement and his eyes show a hint of distress at the topic. Romeo starts to ask a question, but Romeo notices Connor making a face at him that seems to suggest that's unwise. Instead, Romeo says, "So, uh, let's go see the pool. I bet at least one of you is a good swimmer."

Greg's demeanor shifts back towards happy, and he leads the way down the hall next to the stairs. "Okay! We have a heater for the pool, so it's awesome and warm. Oh, hey? Did you put on sunscreen before you came over?"

The idle chatter between the boys continued until they got outside and climbed onto the pool deck. Romeo sees Amaya in her special spring wetsuit, already floating in the pool. Amaya laughs, "Ha! That's a cool periodic table shirt!"

Romeo grins. "I thought you'd like it." Connor giggles at that statement.

Greg says, "Yeah, plus, look Amaya! He wears swim briefs, too! Like me!"

Amaya laughs, and says, "Yeah, he's the only person I know that's bold enough to do it other than you, Greg. But with all that blue on them, that swimsuit looks like something Connor would wear." Romeo grins at the comment.

Connor laughs. "I guess he's got good taste." Connor pulls his shorts off and tosses them onto one of the deck railings, leaving him standing proudly in his jammer. "Alright, gentlemen. It's time." He smirks.

Confused, Amaya starts to ask, "For wha–"

Greg shouts, "CANNONBALL!" The three boys all shout war cries and charge toward the pool.

Two hours later, Romeo stands near the door, once again dressed in his school uniform. Greg and Amaya are nearby. Amaya is also back in her normal clothes, and her glasses are on, too. Greg is the oddball; he's still in his swimsuit, with a towel on his shoulders. Romeo laughs at a joke that was just make, and looks at his watch. "Alright, well thanks again for inviting me, it was fun. I have to get home before my parents do, so I'm going to go ahead and teleport home."

Greg pats the boy on the shoulder, and says, "Hey, no problem. It was a blast having you over. We still on to meet Thursday night like normal?"

Romeo smiles at the contact and nods. "Yeah." He turns to Amaya. "Cool swimsuit, by the way, Amaya."

Amaya smiles. "Thanks! It's fun to wear; everyone always asks why I have a wetsuit."

Greg says, "Yeah, because they can never get a straight answer." Romeo laughs and Greg joins in as Amaya shrugs; she seems happy to leave the exact reasons a mystery.

Romeo sighs. "I wish I could say bye to Connor, too." He glances up the nearby stairway.

Amaya says, "We'll tell him for you. If you need to leave right now, he'll understand."

Greg nods. "Yeah, he always takes long showers after he swims, though. I really don't know where he picked that habit up from." He scratches his chin thoughtfully and then shrugs. "He's always took long showers, I guess."

Romeo laughs, and picks up his backpack and the Teleporter. "Alright, well, in that case, tell him I said sorry I missed him and that it was fun swimming with him." He types a few commands into the teleporter, and smiles. "Seeya!" He presses a button and sticks out his tongue playfully as he fades away. Amaya and Greg wave.

Once Romeo is gone, Amaya says, "See? You had a great time, right?"

Greg scratches his head. "Yeah, I guess I did." He grins. "Wanna go play with Lionel and PJ Robot while we wait on Connor?"

Amaya grins. "Yeah! Let's do it!" Greg grins back and runs towards the stairway with Amaya following closely as he goes.

Later that night, Romeo is in his main lab, working on the computer. He tosses a burnt circuit board out from a structure resembling a server mainframe. "Alright, Robot, I think that should do it. The remainder of the fried RAM is out." He yawns and continues, "It's a good thing Luna Girl only managed to fry the computer's RAM. Putting in new storage would be a major hassle."

Robot hands Romeo a new circuit board that resembles the one he just threw away. His other arm is stretched out and holding onto a metal post embedded in the ground several feet away. "Yes, Master. However, you have still not verified that the CPU unit is functioning. It could have also been rendered inoperative."

Romeo cautiously takes the component from Robot and says, "Well, that's a fair point. But, I'm going to stop at only working on the RAM tonight." He glances at a clock on a nearby wall; it reads 11:45PM. "Usually I'd stay up later, but all that swimming has me tired."

Robot replies, "I cannot perform checks on the CPU unit. My hands are too large to fit inside that space properly."

Romeo laughs, and says, "Yeah, plus you generate enough static electricity when you move that I'm afraid you could accidentally harm the CPU chip; the RAM shouldn't be too bad off, considering you're currently grounded." Thunder booms and the lab shakes slightly as Romeo inserts the new RAM chip into its slot. "Huh, I see you aren't the only one generating electric fields tonight…"

Robot says, "Thunderstorms are forecasted tonight. The weather service has issued Severe Thunderstorm Watch number sixty-two, in effect until 2AM."

Romeo makes a few adjustments to the chip and then locks it into place. "Thank you, mister weatherman…" He looks to Robot. After a quick yawn, he says, "Hand me the next replacement RAM module…"

About fifteen minutes later, the thunderstorm has been making noise for the PJ Masks trio, too. At Connor's house, in particular, Connor is awoken with a start as his kitten, Juliet, sprints across the bed after a particularly loud bang of thunder. "Huh?" Lightning flashes and Connor rubs his eyes; after a few seconds, a loud crash of thunder shakes the house. Connor becomes aware of the sound of rain pelting the nearby window hard, and he can tell strong spurts of wind make the house creak and groan.

After a few seconds, Connor feels something in the bed wiggle slightly and he hears a quiet sob. He is confused and turns over to find Greg laying in the bed next to him, illuminated only by the hallway light coming in under Connor's door. He forgot that Greg was in the bed with him, too. The boy is crying; not very excitedly, as if he's scared, but just a low, sad cry. Connor rubs his eyes and says, "Greg?"

Greg didn't notice Connor moving and when he hears the older boy speak, he says, "Oh, man." He pauses to sob and lightning illuminates the room. "I-I was hoping you w-w-wouldn't see me like this." Thunder booms around them.

Connor scratches his head tiredly, and lays back down on his pillow, facing Greg. "Why are you crying? Is it the storm?" He puts an arm over the other boy protectively.

Greg wipes his eyes, and rolls onto his side facing Connor. He enjoys the feeling of the other boy's arm on his side for several moments. After a few seconds, his tears have subsided slightly, and he says, "I miss my mom." He sniffles.

"Oh." Connor pats the boy's shoulder a few times as his crying ebbs. "I didn't know you missed her that bad." More thunder rumbles the house.

Greg takes a few breaths and coughs into his pillow. Meekly, he says, "Yeah… The storm isn't helping."

Connor sits up. They look at each other in the low light. Connor says, "I know you've been worried about your mom and Finn." Pause. "You've been under a lot of stress, huh?"

After a few moments, Greg sits up and looks at the window behind Connor. "…Yeah."

After several moments where the only noise is the rumbling of thunder and the rain on the window, Connor says, "Wanna play the video game for a little while? Maybe that'll calm your nerves and we can go back to sleep."

Greg laughs and nods, wiping a few final tears from his eyes. "Okay." As they stand up, Greg says, "I want to see mom and I want to meet Finn." Pause. "And I want to go home and sleep in my bed."

Connor pats him on the shoulder as thunder rumbles faintly. "I know." As Connor grabs two controllers, he says, "Maybe we can convince my mom to let us go sleepover at your house tomorrow?"

Greg nods his head slowly. "Yeah, maybe we can make that happen." He sniffles and accepts the controller as Connor hands it to him.

Connor turns the console on and says, "Greg?" Thunder rumbles.

"Yeah?"

Connor scratches his head. Shyly, he says, "Uhm…When we go back to bed, I guess, you can, that is, uh, if you want to… I guess you can snuggle me… and I won't make fun of you… As long as you don't make fun of me…" He rubs his eyes tiredly, trying not to reveal his embarrassment at the offer.

Greg laughs. "Uhhhh… Thanks."

Connor yawns as he turns on his television and says, "No problem. Now, pick a game so we can go back to bed…"