Penny found herself standing at the top of a hill, in the grounds of an English country mansion. It was surrounded by beautiful grounds – tall trees, rose gardens, a little bridge that ran over a stream. The sun was setting, bathing the whole landscape in pink and purple and gold.
Sitting on a tree stump nearby was Talon, in his Good Boy gear but with his hair still in spikes... halfway between good and evil. Penny supposed that would have to do... for now.
She went and put her hands on his shoulders. He got up, turned and embraced her.
Hand-in-hand, they walked down the hill and through the gardens. On the bridge, Talon stopped.
"OK. You can throw me in the stream if you don't agree."
Penny giggled. "Agree to what?"
Talon took both her hands.
"Marry me, Penn. I knew you were the one, first time I saw you. You're the only one who's my equal – and the only one who can keep me out of trouble. I'm not going back to MAD. We're sixteen now. Marry me, and let's be the spy couple we should always have been."
Penny's eyes were wide.
"Talon..." She stopped. "What about the AI?"
"Ah, we'll leave that to HQ from now on. That's the Professor's job."
"And naughty Talon? Evil Talon?"
"He's gone."
Penny held his hands.
"We'll need permission, at our ages. What's my uncle gonna say? What's your uncle gonna say?"
Talon looked at their surroundings.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Penny hesitated.
Then she stepped nearer to him.
"OK."
Talon looked stunned. "What?"
"OK. I accept. I'll be your wife. You're right. We need each other."
Talon stared back at her.
Then he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her.
On his wrist, in silent mode, his communicator came on.
A call from Dr Claw stood waiting.
To be continued...