Characters/Pairings: Penny/Seaweed Stubbs, Family

Word Count: 599

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At the age of five Gwendolyn, or Gwenny as they normally just called her, had quite the inquisitive mind. Everything was made to be explored, and there was no such thing as a boring object. Seaweed and Penny, and to some extent her eight year old brother Nathaniel, always indulged in her curiosity; answering questions and helping her learn about the world around her.

So really, it was no surprise that during one period of her well-known explorations, she would come across a few choice objects that would simply beg to be explained. Walking up to her father as he sat in front of the television, she placed a small box in front of him, eyes filled with questions. Seaweed looked down, surprised first at her find, before he gave a small sigh.

"You, young lady," he began with a tiny smile, "are far too nosy for your own good." She beamed in return, knowing that meant he would tell her the story behind the item she had found. Opening the box he heard his son walk out of the kitchen and pause, interest peaked by his sisters surprised gasp.

"Natty," the five year old turned to grin at him, "come look at what Papa's showing me!"

"My name isn't Natty," the eight year old scolded, "so stop calling me that." Either way he walked towards his father and sister, crouching down next to them to examine the contents inside the box.

"But look Natty," she brushed off his reprimand, as she normally did, "they're so many of them – and they're all dirty!" Seaweed smiled at the young girl, enjoying the way her eyes lit up as she reached in to pull out one of many Zippo lighters that were in the box.

"Papa, I didn't know you smoked," Nathaniel turned to look at his father, surprised. Seaweed's smile saddened a bit, before he warmed as he gave his son a light hug.

"I don't. These weren't mine, but I did have one." He looked at Gwendolyn as she examined the carvings.

"What does it say?" She brought the one she held higher so he could read her the inscription.

"Please," Seaweed began, "don't tell me about Vietnam because I have been there." Her eyes widened, surprised, and he heard Nathaniel take in a surprised breath of air.

"These are from the war?" His voice was tinged with excitement, inquisitiveness fully engaged as he looked inside the box with renewed interest.

"Yup. Though, they're more like… souvenirs, now." His voice was peaceful, even if his eyes seemed a bit haunted. No – more like badges of honor, his mind corrected in the silence.

"Why do you have so many?" Gwenny asked, large eyes brimming with a naïve curiosity that warmed his heart. "Did you visit lots of places?"

"These are from the people who died, right?" Nathaniel interrupted his reply, suddenly serious as he held up a particularly dirty lighter. Seaweed remained silent, allowing his son to inspect the dented metal.

"Yes," he answered after a moment, watching as a dawning respect washed into the young boy's eyes.

"They didn't come back," Gwenny murmured, her small hands tracing the carvings of another lighter. She placed the one she held gently in the box, taking the one her brother held from him and laying it to rest with its brothers. She smiled at the older two, a smile that revealed more wisdom than a five year old should have and said, "Better put them back to sleep then, papa. They fought long and hard, and it's time for their goodnight."

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A/N: Unbeta'd. There's a book that is simply titled "Zippos" – and it inspired this Moment. It's on my Wish List to buy. Hee hee.

The title of this Moment is also inspired by one of my favorite songs from Billy Joel.

Also – a huge thank you to all those who voted for Moments, and anything else me-related. I'm truly honored!

Much love!