Katz secured the newly made keys to his person as Mole transformed back into his flashlight disguise. Susan patted down her disguise as the trio waited for the hour to turn. 8 pm.

"At this point," Katz said as he looked out into the night, "security should be slim. So we go in, get the Poppyfields, commander a mode of transportation, and leave before anyone notices. Leave nothing of importance here."

Susan continued to pat herself as she struggled to find what she needed. "Just a minute," she said as she dashed back into the cave.

Out of sight from her companions, she ruffled through her bag. None of the clothes inside mattered to her. All that mattered was her camcorder and her hidden item within it.

She felt a small yet sad smile cross her face as she pulled out the only thing of value from her bag.

"I'm ready," she said as she pocketed the item.

Zero walked awkwardly through the fairgrounds as Xero held onto his hand, guiding him through the crowd. While everyone was minding their own business, unaware of the duo walking through the usually crowded social event, Zero couldn't help but feel as though all eyes were on him.

"You're fine," Xero said as she could sense his tenseness. "Let's have a seat," she said as she guided him to an empty picnic bench and table.

She looked at her partner in his new disguise. His brown contacts, the first box they had opened in their room, concealed his yellow and red eyes. His gray-blue skin had temporarily been dyed with foul-looking mix back at the base, which he had to drink, its effects lasting up to 3 hours. Zero also now wore durable gloves with securing buckles to cover his claw-like hands. While he could have chosen to wear a black wig, he decided not to, instead letting his dark blue hair be the only part of him that looked visually different than he had days ago. She didn't mind any of this. Her only hope was that he would be able to bounce back from whatever despair he was feeling. "Now, if only he could relax," she thought to herself. She watched as he kept his head on a swivel, as though he were afraid that the crowds around him would know he was not one of them.

"You know," she said casually, "before morph-boots, that was how agents use to disguise themselves. Or so I've been told."

"I have to leave," Zero said as he tried to rise from his seat, only to be gently pulled back down by Xero.

"What if someone finds out about me?" he said, his voice sounding on edge. "I'm a monster. And if people find out, they throw me down underground."

"You are not a monster," Xero said sternly. "I will keep reminding of this fact until you believe what I know to be true." Xero's face then softened as she looked at him, "I won't allow anything to happen to you. Besides, I'm sure Niki will be able to help you. Now, I brought you here so we can relax. Can't we have some fun together," she asked as she reached across the table and placed her hand in his glove hand.

He looked at her and felt a sigh of relief come over him.

"What will it be sugars," a busser asked as she approached their table.

Zero looked at the busser and then back at Xero with hopeful eyes. "I will have a burger and fries," he said, his warm smile returning to his face.

"Make that a double, please," Xero said as she kept her eyes on her partner, her own smile returning to her face.

Katz and Susan walked in unison to the base, only stopping to show their stollen IDs to guard at the front gate.

The guard scanned them without any questions. "So much about that promotion, John," the guard said as he pressed the button to open the gate.

Katz just shrugged, "hopefully, that will be the only disappointment tonight."

"I hear that," the guard said as he gestured for the duo to enter.

Despite the constant noise of the fair, Xero could hear Zero's genuine laughter, something she was after, as he attempted yet again to win anything at a hoop toss.

"I can build a flamethrower, a cold gun, and a belt that can make me look like anyone, yet for some unknown reason, I can't get these cursed hoops to land properly."

"Don't hate the game, hate the player," Xero said as she pretended to count her long line of tickets and walked behind him. "Do you want me to show you hows it's done?" she finally asked.

She blushed a deep red as his head turned to her, a glimmer of hope in his eyes catching her off guard. "Yes," he said excitedly.

"Ok, but you are going to have to bear with me. This is going to feel weird," Xero said as she placed his hands over his from behind.

Zero could feel his face burning up at both her closeness and the touch of her hands; the only thing running through his mind was, "so close, so close, so close."

"The key," Xero said, breaking Zero from his thoughts, "is to throw the ring as straight as you can. It may look like a bigger ring compared to the neck of the bottle, but looks can be deceiving."

She then placed her hand gently around his wrist, moving it slowly in an ark-like motion, "the key is to direct with your wrist. "Dont overthink it either," she said with a ping of sadness creeping over her voice. Their hands continued to move in unison, the ring yet to leave Zero's fingers.

Suddenly she stopped swaying, as did he. He turned to look at her. Her head was low, and when she finally turned to look at him, he could see her eyes on the brink of tears.

"And never be afraid to try," she said. The irony of what she was saying was not lost on her. What she wanted, was afraid, and unable to do, kept running through her head. She knew what she wanted, to confess to him. But not here, not now, not yet. "But then when?" she thought to top herself.

She suddenly stepped away from Zero in a panic. "I'm sorry, I need a minute alone," she said as she turned and ran.

"Xero, wait," Zero yelled as he threw the hoop.