That night, Barbie and Ken arrived inside Bonnie's back pack. They'd decided to visit their friends and go back to Sunnyside the next day. Everyone was excited to see them. "Hey, guys! How's it going? How is everyone?" Woody greeted.
"Sweet and A-okay." Ken replied.
"Looks like you two are doing pretty good." Dolly grinned.
"Oh, yes." Barbie gushed, gazing up at her guy. "Things have been wonderful."
"Well, welcome." Buzz said. "It's good to see some friendly faces."
"Glad you guys came over." Slinky wagged his tail.
"What would you like to do?" Trixie asked.
"Well, we'd like to visit with everyone of course." Ken said. "But, I...uh..."
"Ken's been craving some real video game time lately." Barbie said.
"Really?" Rex's eyes lit up. "You can play with us!"
"I'll go get the games." Trixie said happily.
"You gonna be okay, Sweetie Pie?" Ken asked Barbie.
"Oh, sure." Barbie responded. "You go have a good time, Ken. I've been wanting to visit with my family."
"Isn't she great?" Ken quipped, then followed the dinosaurs. Slinky and Dolly decided to join them. Mrs. Potato Head found a secluded place for herself, Barbie, Jessie, and Mitsy. It almost felt like old times, except...no Bo.
"Barbie, you mind if we ask you a personal question?" Jessie asked.
"Of course not." Barbie smiled. "What is it?"
"Well, when you found out that Ken was...was..." Jessie stammered, not wanting to be offensive.
"Was a back-stabber?" Barbie finished. The cowgirl and the princess nodded sheepishly.
"What made you change your mind about him?" Mrs. Potato Head asked. "Well, I mean...we all saw what happened, but...what helped you make the final decision to give him another chance?"
"Yeah, that's what I was trying to say." Jessie said.
Barbie chuckled. "Why do you ask?"
"We need some discernment." Mitsy said. Jessie glanced at her incredulously, shocked at her using such a big word. "Your and Ken's story is one of second chances. How did it happen?"
"Mmm-hmm." Jessie nodded.
"Well," Barbie cocked her head. "When we first met, he was my hero. He was my dream. But when I saw how he treated all of you, and tried to keep it from me, I wanted nothing more to do with him. Many people may assume we're made for each other, but you're not gonna make me a stereotype if my boyfriend's a jerk! I'm so glad I can't describe Ken that way anymore! Anyway, when Woody asked me to help with the escape by wooing Ken into posing clothes for me, Ken agreed to help me out. It made me think that maybe he wasn't quite as bad after all. But he needed to learn a lesson. Then at the dumpster when he tried to save us, I realized that he was turning his back on all the wrong choices he'd made before. But more than that, his gallant answer to Lotso did it. Ken didn't think of me as one of the millions that he could pick and enjoy then find another one after he was tired of me! He wanted me for me! I wasn't just another Barbie to him! We wanted me! And ever since then, he's been the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me!" Jessie and Mitsy smiled at their friend. "I hope I was a help."
"Oh, you were." Mitsy said.
"I suppose." Jessie agreed half-heartedly.
"You gave Ken another chance and got to really know him." Mrs. Potato Head nodded.
"Yes." Barbie grinned.
Of course, the two Mattel toys had to hide during playtime with Bonnie, but Woody and the others were very grateful to think about something else. While Bonnie had dinner, the toys gathered together for games or whatever they chose to do. Jessie pulled Buzz aside. "Buzz, why don't we invite Matt and them over?" She suggested.
"All of them?" Buzz raised his eyebrows.
"Well, maybe not all," Jessie said. Buzz and Slinky snuck over to Bobby's house, and returned with the soldier, the elephant, the lion cub, and the model. Ken and Barbie were glad to meet them. Barbie remembered the soldier and was happy to introduce her husband to him. Katan was everywhere, chasing the smaller toys, searching for party scraps-like toys have a digestive system, right?-, and interrupting Matthew during conversation. For once, he didn't try to steal Woody's hat...yet. Woody and everyone welcomed them, but they were all relieved that Fal hadn't come along. Not to dampen anyone's enthusiasm or frighten them, but Jack made himself scarce and patrolled the house grounds as quickly as he could without being missed or spotted by Bonnie and her parents. He wanted to make sure that absolutely nothing or nobody was lurking around plotting harm.
"Guys! Bonnie's coming!" Slinky barked loudly. The toys all gasped. Ken swooped Barbie up into his arms and rushed with her under the bed. Katan dashed and curled up under Bonnie's bed pillows.
"Hit for cover!" Matthew called. Alice and Iris ran off, with Matthew urgently shoving them quickly into the closet. They made it just in time! Bonnie's own toys froze as she entered.
"M mm-mmm. That was so good." She stated, licking her lips from her delicious dinner. "So, what have you all been up to?" She asked with her fists on her hips. She stooped down to pick up Rex, Chuckles, Hamm, Mrs. Potato Head, and Bullseye. She set them on her bed then looked around for her hero. "There you are, Sheriff." She smiled, grabbing Woody along with Buzz and Jessie in the process. "Hey, guess what?" She sat down. "Daddy's going on a trip for work in a couple days. And Mommy and I get to go along! We get to stay in a hotel for two days and maybe I can bring a new toy home. Oh, who am I going to take with me?" She scoured around looking at her playthings. "Oh, I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but Mommy says I can't bring all of you." Bonnie shrugged and played with her toys while the visitors remained hidden.
"She's a sweet child." Alice whispered from inside the closet.
"What a lucky kid she would be, to have a special doll like me." Iris sighed dramatically. Alice looked at her and sighed. Bobby their owner didn't have a sister, but Iris was kept around the house for when they had little girls come over and visit.
"That was a close call." Matthew said, trying to ignore Iris's remark. "We stay here until Bonnie leaves the room." Katan was poking his head from behind the pillows.
"Ooo, it would be so much fun to get out there and be played with," He said to himself, watching Bonnie pretend that Dolly was kidnapping the Potato Heads and that Woody, Buzz, and Jessie had to save them. Katan watched, thinking, "Oh, I could've done that...No, no, no! You're supposed to keep low, not sneak above them...No, not Rex! He's bigger than me! I could take care of that old witch with both paws tied behind me...why doesn't Buzz just toss her out of space?" Katan groaned. "Ugh, pretending is never as fun as really doing it. I want adventure. I want to be important. I wanna do something big, but Matt will never let me. 'Sometime when you're ready' he says; 'you're too small for that' he says; 'Not this time', he says. Ugh." Katan snarled. "He may be my boss, but I'm gonna make him proud one day and prove to him that I can take care of myself! If I was big like Mufasa, I could do anything! I bet then Matt wouldn't say no to me all the time!"
"Hey there, you two!" Jessie burst in on Ken and Barbie underneath the bed when Bonnie left to finish a few night chores. "What are you doing? If we're gonna have some fun, you'd better come out."
"Sorry." Ken and Barbie giggled.
"Sure you are." Buzz teased.
"You know, I was going to ask...could Barbie and I sleep under here tonight since we are staying here for the night?" Ken asked.
"Please?" Barbie begged.
"If we can join you." Jessie grinned, holding her husband's hand.
"Sure! It'll be like a double date!" Barbie clapped. "You know, it's hard for Ken and I to get any uninterrupted alone time lately, so this is perfect. He's so thoughtful."
"It's not hard." Ken said flirtatiously.
"I'll have to check in with Woody first. I am on guard duty, you know." Buzz said.
"Aw yeah." Jessie frowned.
"Guard duty?" Ken and Barbie raised their eyebrows. "For what?"
"We'll explain later." Buzz said then he and Jessie walked away from the bed, but before they ventured out into the open, Buzz tightly gripped Jessie's wrist.
"Come here, you." He said.
"Wha..." Jessie began to ask. Buzz twirled her around till he had her in a dip with his arms around her waist, then he gave her a very sweet kiss. "Why, Buzz Lightyear!" Jessie sputtered.
"What?" Buzz asked innocently.
"What's gotten into you?" Jessie pretended to scold.
"Can't a guy kiss his own wife?" Buzz pouted.
"Well, sure. But..." Jessie stumbled over her words. Buzz stood her up erect. "I'm looking forward to our date tonight."
"So am I, if I can get a liberty pass." Buzz agreed. "But come on now. Let's go spend some time with our guests."
As Mitsy watched the romantic, deep exchange between two of the friends she loved most, a strange sensation of longing filled her stomach and she felt a strong odd way she couldn't remember having very often. Was it sympathy for Woody and wishing Bo Peep was here? What was it? She suddenly felt slightly sad, but didn't understand why. What could it possibly be? It was almost as if she was lonely! Lonely?! How could that be? She had all her friends and Bonnie, so what was this? It was almost as if she wished for someone, a male someone to be here who was meant to be with her! She quickly shook it off.
Half an hour later, Mrs. Anderson called Bonnie to come take her bath. Bonnie reluctantly agreed, and grabbed the aliens to play with in the tub. The visitors emerged from their hiding places and joined the group. Matthew, Woody, and Hamm were telling Pricklepants about old times. He laughed, he cringed, he shook his head at the memories they shared. Mrs. Potato Head thought for sure that Iris and Barbie would get along great, but though they did talk together about fashion, Iris didn't seem very interested in becoming friends with her. Barbie shrugged off her uninterested manner and went to talk with Rex and Slinky. Iris was watching another blonde in the room with her eyes narrowed.
Mitsy didn't realize how many glimpses she stole in the direction of Sgt. Matthew. She kept watching him curiously. She observed the way he treated Katan firmly but fairly, and affectionately. He was kind to everyone, and good-humored, but also sober-minded. "He'd make a good leader for someone." Mitsy whispered to herself. She found herself wanting to get a better view of his handsome face, his dark brown eyes. Every time he glanced in her direction, Mitsy's stuffing did flip-flops. She wanted to look at him, but felt like she should keep her eyes averted from his. But how much she wanted to gaze at those eyes. A tap on the shoulder making her jump in the air brought her back to reality.
"What you jumping for, Princess?" Buttercup asked.
"Oh. Oh, uh...you just startled me." Mitsy gulped.
"Come on. I'm not that scary looking am I?" The unicorn joked. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Maybe." Mitsy said.
"Would you tell this pesky little grasshopper to leave me be?" Buttercup groaned. Katan stood up on top of his head. "I was in the middle of a good game, and if I don't get back, Ken and Dolly will beat me!" Mitsy chuckled.
"Come on, Katan." She said. "Leave him alone."
"You can't tell me what to do." Katan said. "You're not my mom." Mitsy sighed and squinted at him.
"Hey, what would Matthew think if he heard you talking like that?" She asked. The cub lowered his ears and growled. He hopped off Buttercup's back. Buttercup nodded gratefully and departed. Katan blushed with his head down.
"I'm sorry." He mumbled.
"Huh? What was that?" Mitsy asked, leaning closer.
"I said I'm sorry." Katan said louder.
"Sorry for what?"
"For being rude." Katan moaned.
"Thank you for telling me that." Mitsy smiled. She picked him up in her arms and ruffled his plastic mound of hair.
"Hey, put me down, will ya?" He groaned annoyed.
Iris watched and gritted her teeth. Her normally glittering violet eyes were dark. She quickly sprang to Matthew's side and grabbed his arm. "Matthew," She said slowly, "will you please show me around? You know that I never feel safe anywhere...without you." She batted her eyes.
"Sure." Matthew nodded.
"Hamm, would you mind showing them around?" Woody asked. "Please excuse me."
"No problem." Hamm cocked his head. "Step this way, folks."
Iris clasped her arms around Mathew's, then as they turned she gave a triumphant glance straight at Mitsy. Mitsy watched after them very sadly and felt her face growing hot. She watched until they were out of sight, then wagged her head back and forth to get her bearings. But Jessie had witnessed the whole exchange and crossed her arms. She glared after the model. "Uh, you know? I haven't seen Jack at all." Mitsy told Katan. "Would you like to help me find him?"
"If you'll put me down." Katan rolled his eyes. "I'm not a baby."
"No, but you're a pet." Mitsy grinned.
"No, I'm not. I'm a pal." Katan said importantly.
"Oh, I see." Mitsy chuckled slightly but she looked back again to see if Matthew had returned. She saw Woody looking out the window and rushed to the wall. "Woody!" She called up to him.
"Hey, Little Bit." Woody looked down at her. "What's up?"
"Have you seen Jack?"
"No, actually I haven't." Woody said. "I'm sure he's around."
"Yeah, okay." Mitsy said and walked away with the cub.
Woody watched after them then looked back out the window. He saw a figure crouching around below his feet! "Reach for the sky!" Woody ordered. The creature looked up at him incredulously.
"Easy, Sheriff. It's just me!" The voice barked.
"Jack?!" Woody's jaw dropped. "What are you doing down there? Boy, you scared me!"
"I'm doing my job." Jack retorted. "I was just checking the premises."
"Oh," Woody sighed, a little calmer. "Well...so how are we looking?"
"So far so good." Jack said confidently.
"That's good to hear. Hopefully we have only a few more days of conducting this surveillance."
"Tell me about it." Jack agreed.
"Well, come on up, partner. I think you'd better get back in here before Bonnie comes to bed." Woody offered his hand out to help him up but Jack took a huge bound upwards and hopped right over the sill. Woody gaped at him. Jack plopped onto the floor only to be nudged by Bullseye who wanted to play ball with him and Katan. Woody grinned. "Well, I'm glad he's on our side." He chuckled.
The rest of the night went smoothly. Ken and Barbie settled comfortably underneath the bed before Bonnie returned, while Matthew, Iris, Katan, and Alice said good-night and thanked their hostesses for a good time. "Matt? Can I spend the night? Can I, please?" Katan begged, pawing at the soldier's legs.
Matthew chuckled, shaking his head. "Not tonight, Squirt." Katan cringed at that name. "You spent a lot of time here earlier today, remember? And I think you've caused enough excitement for one day." Katan puffed out his lip. "Besides, it's bedtime for you." Katan curled his lip. Woody bit his lip to refrain from showing the relief he felt. Sure, they liked Katan, but he was very excitable and Woody was a bit fatigued from all the excitement from the prank today and the party. "Woody, Buzz? Thanks, guys for having us over."
"Sure." Buzz nodded. "Good to have you."
"I hope we can return the favor sometime." Alice said.
"That might be nice." Pricklepants said. Iris loudly cleared her throat in protest and didn't leave Matthew's side. She made sure she stayed near him, and she made sure that a certain other doll saw it.
Not a chance, she thought. And certainly not her!
"Bye, guys. It was nice seeing you." Mitsy smiled.
"Thank you." Alice smiled back.
"It was nice seeing you too." Matthew said, staring at her. Mitsy got that feeling again: she wanted to stare right back into his eyes, but felt timid and lowered her eyes to his uniform.
"Well, it's getting late so we really need to be going," Iris spoke up not too politely and actually started shoving Matthew forward with her shoulder. Mitsy bit her lip. Jessie squinted at them.
"Hey," she said impatiently, "you all come back and have fun, okay?"
"I'm sure we will." Alice said. "Especially Katan." The wise elephant smiled down at the cub in a motherly way. "Thank you again."
"Any time." Jessie said smugly, keeping her eyes on Iris.
"But, we...we were..." Katan yawned. "Having...so much...fun." Alice smiled and gathered him up in her trunk. They departed and Bonnie's toys froze just as she came in to read a book before bedtime.
Bonnie was tucked in but couldn't sleep, excitedly thinking about the trip to the hotel. She talked to her toys all about it. Eventually, she drifted off to sleep with Bullseye and Totoro in her arms. However, not all her toys were asleep. Buzz and Jessie, with permission from Woody who told Buzz he'd been very diligent and needed a break, had snuck off to join Ken and Barbie under the bed; Jack and the other guards kept up their vigil; Woody kept sharp watch over his family, but the wear was beginning to show as he strained to stay awake in case something happened; Mitsy couldn't sleep, her mind full of new emotions and questions that she didn't understand, plus hoping that no thugs from the Spikes Toy Gang would show up and hurt them!
The next morning, Ken and Barbie requested a song from Woody on the guitar while Bonnie ate breakfast. He gladly complied and everybody listened contentedly. Barbie hugged all her girlfriends plus Slinky and Rex before Ken pulled her into Bonnie's backpack. It had been refreshing to see them again. Soon Bonnie came in for it then headed to Sunnyside with her mom. The toys all began to go about their day. Many of them were debating about who Bonnie would bring on her trip, and the what if's about a possible new toy. Woody clumsily clambered up the bedspread, dragging his guitar then slumped against the pillows, strumming his instrument. Dolly, Jessie, Buzz, Bullseye, Slinky, and Mitsy approached him. "What's this? A convention?" Woody feebly chuckled.
"Woody, we're a bit concerned about you." Jessie responded quietly.
"Me? Why?" Woody furrowed his brows.
"You're just plain bushed, cowboy." Dolly said with her hands on her hips.
"I'm tight as a kite." Woody protested cooly. His fingers slipped and let out a very loud twang on the guitar string.
"So we see." Buzz said skeptically.
"Woody, you look exhausted." Slinky remarked.
"I'm fine." Woody shook his head.
"I agree with them, Woody." Mitsy said. "You need some rest."
"Look, guys. I appreciate your concern, but I'm all right. Okay?" Woody argued.
"You really need to get some sleep." Jessie retorted.
"They're right, Woody. You look strained. I strongly urge you to take a break this morning and get some rest." Buzz said firmly.
"Ooo. Tough guy, huh?" Woody joked. Bullseye nudged his shoulder and put on his best sad puppy dog face. "Oh, not you too." Woody grumbled. "Okay, fine. I give up. I'll take it easy...just for a little while. I promise!" He exclaimed.
"Just see that you do." Buzz glared a warning. They all left, except Bullseye and Mitsy. Bullseye curled up next to the cowboy, making him too comfortable. Mitsy lingered on the middle of the bed, watching her friends on the floor. She kept looking from the Potato Heads plus Buzz and Jessie down below, then back to Woody. Her face was full of longing as he feebly strummed the guitar. She wondered if he was feeling the same way.
"Something wrong, Mitsy?" Woody asked sleepily.
"I don't know." Mitsy almost whispered.
"You okay?" Woody sat up a little straighter, gazing thoughtfully at his 'daughter'.
"Have a lot of things on my mind." She answered in a low tone.
"You want to talk about it?" Woody offered.
"I'd like to, but..." Mitsy furrowed her brows. "It's so hard to explain...especially to a guy."
"Oh." Woody nodded. "Sorry. Well, if there's anything I can do, let me know."
"There is one thing." Mitsy bit her lip sheepishly.
"What's that?" Woody asked curiously.
"A hug?" Mitsy asked. Woody smiled and outstretched his free arm. Mitsy walked over to him and leaned down to return the embrace. Ah, it felt so good.
"Is that better?" Woody looked up at her after they pulled away.
"Yes, thank you." Mitsy answered. "Well, you need to get some sleep." She said and walked away. Woody watched her but his smile faded as she disappeared from sight. A tightness formed in his throat and his padding inside was wiggling around uncomfortably like sardines in a can. He gazed up at the ceiling and tried with all his might to picture in his mind that sweet, gentle face he'd adored but hadn't seen since her last moments with him. Within minutes, he was out.
The day went on peacefully, or rather normally. Or at least pretty normal. Woody was fast asleep and Buzz had strongly instructed the other toys not to disturb him, especially the 'kids'. Throughout the day though, Mitsy was lost in her thoughts and didn't do much activity. She had so many questions she wanted to ask but wasn't sure how. Some many new feelings opening up that she'd never felt so strongly before. Mitsy was trying figure them out but they were all in a jangle. She wanted to talk to Woody about them, after all he was like her 'father', but yet it seemed like this was something he couldn't really help her with, or Jack either. She was trying to analyze her feelings: was she paranoid about the criminals, or was it something else? Or both? She could ask Mrs. Potato Head, or Jessie, but the one toy, the one person she longed to talk with about this was...Bo Peep. But, she wasn't here.
At noon time, Woody was still resting and the toys were going about their business. Jack was never far from the princess, sharply watching her and the house. He told Buzz where he'd be and actually decided to stay outside for a while to make sure everything was safe. "Hey," a lovable voice spoke. Mitsy turned and smiled.
"Hi, Slink." She said softly. Slinky plopped down beside her.
"Ya all right? You haven't been yourself. Anything I can do?"
"I don't know." Mitsy shook her head. "Guess I'm just a bit edgy right now, you know. With seeing the Falcon again and all."
"Right." Slinky rolled his eyes. "Dumb of me not to think of that. But, we'll be all right."
"Mmm-hmm." Mitsy nodded. "I sure will be glad when we can all relax again and not need all this surveillance."
"Yes!" Slinky agreed heartily. The two friends sat there together for a while, lost in their own thoughts. "Look, uh...I'm gonna shimmy along. 'Kay?"
"Sure, you go ahead." Mitsy nodded and Slinky slowly left. He joined Jack, his big buddy outside. He and Jack watched from a distance. He smiled weakly but stood his ground, keeping watch over his assigned area of Bonnie's house. He was grateful his canine companionship though.
"There you are." Jessie spoke up cheerily as she appeared behind Mitsy. The princess turned her head as Jessie sat down cross-legged beside her. "What's up with you, huh? You've seemed very preoccupied, especially since last night."
"My mind is full." Mitsy chuckled.
"Yes, I can see that." Jessie rolled her eyes. "It's not like you to just sulk around like this? What's got your eggs in a scramble?"
"I'm not sure." Mitsy answered. "So many things to think about right now. I...I've got to talk to someone about them."
"Well, I'm here." Jessie said. "That's what friends are for. What's the matter?"
"I miss Bo Peep." Mitsy hung her head.
"Aw. So do I." Jessie smiled sympathetically, wrapping her arm around her friend. "I miss her a lot."
"I feel like I really need her...right now!" Mitsy whimpered. "I really miss her."
"So do I!" Jessie agreed. "So do I." Mitsy desperately wanted to feel Bo Peep's presence at this moment, but she wasn't here. Mitsy didn't really have anyone else to turn to!
"I feel so weird." She groaned.
"Weird?" Jessie arched her eyebrow.
"It's hard to explain."
"Hey, I didn't take too kindly to that Miss Super Model and the way she looked at you last night." Jessie said. Mitsy looked at her.
"Maybe we read her wrong, although I sure don't feel like we did." Mitsy said.
"We read her just right!" Jessie interjected. "She's got an agenda, and I don't think we need to hang around it."
"Maybe she'll calm down." Mitsy said.
"I wouldn't bet my saddle on it." Jessie shook her head. "She may have big, fancy, purple eyes, but last night they sure weren't sweet and purple. Last night, they were lime green as far as I'm concerned."
"Jessie? These weird feelings...will they go away? Are they supposed to make sense?" Mitsy asked. Jessie cocked her head and smirked.
"When they time is right." She said smugly. Mitsy sighed then tried to change the subject.
"So, how was your date last night?" She asked.
"Great!" Jessie replied.
The rest of the evening into the night and next day were pretty routine. The next day Bonnie and her parents would be leaving for their trip, and when she came home from Sunnyside, she excitedly chose her toys she planned to bring and her clothes before playtime. That night, her mom helped her pack everything except her toys. She'd pack them in the morning. It took her a while to go to sleep as she was excited. But when she finally slumbered, her toys all gathered inside the basket at the foot of her bed for a staff meeting. "So, Sheriff? How are things looking?" Dolly asked.
"Well, pretty good." Woody rubbed the back of his head. "Look, everyone. I know we were all shook up when Matthew first showed up here with the Falcon."
"More like ticked off!" Potato Head spat.
"And peeved. Very peeved." Hamm added.
"I know, I know," Woody tried to calm them, "but we've been trying to use every possible precaution in case there was any foul play. And, I'm happy to report that aside from a very uncomfortable reunion, none of us have found any signs of trouble."
"So, you still trust the fancy pants gunman and think we should do the same?" Potato Head groaned.
"Matthew we can trust." Buzz spoke up. "The Falcon? Well, we're still being cautious. So far, he hasn't indicated any signs that he means us harm, however we are still not about to let down our guard around him, nor are we ready to welcome him into this house as a guest."
"Look, tomorrow will have marked a week since he showed up." Woody said. "I'm no genius, but I think we can all start relaxing again from here on out. If anything suspicious happens, Buzz and I will deal with it."
"So, you don't believe we're in any real danger?" Mrs. Potato Head asked.
"I know, it's still chancy, but I think we're gonna be all right!" Woody smiled.
"Good. Maybe we'll get some sleep tonight!" Buttercup exclaimed.
"Well, at least we won't have to worry about Spike!" Trixie announced. The giant dog was gone and done for.
"Uh-huh!" Slinky agreed.
What kind of developments are these? What do you think? What are these new feelings Mitsy is experiencing? Any theories? What do you guys think of Katan? Will they ever see Bo Peep again? Is everything what it appears to be? I really wanted to get this chapter posted, because though I don't want to give out any spoilers, the next chapter is where the action begins! And to be honest, it is the original first chapter I ever did of this story, when it was a rough draft and I debated whether I'd ever publish it! So, please stay tuned!
