~:~

Part III

"Oh, where oh where is Gusto. Oh, where or where is Gusto. Oh where oh where is Gusto. Where can Gusto be?" sang Artie as he flew over the landscape where he last left his gummi friend. The entire gypsy camp had moved out and his gummi friend was nowhere to be found. The toucan knew Gusto well. Once he gets a mind to do something he won't quit until he gets it done. He is probably still with the female gummi that he saw the night before. Soon, Artie spotted the gypsy caravan. He decided his best bet would be to stick with them until Gusto resurfaced. Flying low he landed on the back of the last wagon. There he would roost until the wagons came to a halt again.

The wagons came to a halt early in the afternoon when they came to a rather large village. They made camp on the outskirts of the village so as not to make the villagers nervous. The band members tuned their instruments and began to practice for an audience. In the meantime Vanier was hollering at Shelli to get ready to perform.

Shelli quickly came out of the wagon so that Vanier would not go in looking for her. She wanted to make sure that Gusto was safe.

Curious villagers had begun to assemble near the camp. They were listening to Vanier as he convinced them to watch the show for a small fee. Those that could were pulling coins out of small purses while others walked away grumpily. The paying customers were brought to a tent that the gypsies had erected so that they could see Shelli perform. Fast-paced music rose from the tent as well as gasps when the customers saw Shelli. As the music ended the people clapped and cheered loudly, demanding for an encore. Vanier reminded them that it was a paying show and Shelli would only dance again for those who paid. This did not set well with the people and many left. A few richer villagers stayed to watch one more dance.

Artie had taken the opportunity while everyone was in the tent to fly from wagon to wagon until he found the one Gusto was in. He tapped on a window and whispered Gusto's name. Quickly, Gusto let him in before they were noticed.

"You've gotten yourself into trouble again," accused Artie.

"I know. I couldn't help it. I knew I wanted to find something new but I never expected to find her. I can't bring myself to leave unless she comes with me," replied Gusto.

"Great. Just what I need," grumbled Artie. "Couldn't you fall in love closer to home?"

"Fall in...what?" asked the surprised bear.

"In love." replied the Toucan. "You know: Gusto and Shelli sitting in a tree. K - i - s - s - i - n - g."

Gusto threw a pillow at the bird.

"Knock it off birdbrain. I jut met her. I don't even know her that well, yet. All I know is that she would is the perfect model for my artwork."

"Really, now? When was the last time you left me? You didn't even leave me when Tummi and Gruffi helped you get off the island."

"I didn't leave you. You left me, remember? Something about wanting a warm place to nest."

"And when I returned the gypsy camp was gone," reminded the toucan.

"Well that doesn't mean... I left you. I'm so sorry, Artie. I didn't mean to. I just wasn't thinking." apologized the blue bear.

"I know. It's hard to think when you are in lo - ve," chortled the toucan.

Gusto just shook his head and laughed. He wasn't going to win this argument with Artie. The bird may be a birdbrain but some birds were much smarter than others. He found some fruit to feed to Artie and cautioned him to hide when the show ended. Gusto didn't mind getting himself into trouble but was worried about getting his best friend in trouble.

The show finished and Vanier was heard shouting orders to Shelli.

"Hurry up and make my dinner before then next show starts," he demanded. "I don't want to have a grumbling stomach in front of those villagers. And make sure you make something good this time or you'll go without dinner!"

Shelli stormed through the wagon door cursing Vanier under her breath.

"Can you feel the love tonight...?" sang Artie.

Shelli startled and looked at the Toucan roosting on Gusto's shoulder.

"Your caring benefactor seems to be in a better mood today," said the artist sarcastically.

"Don't start with me, I'm not in the mood. Where did the talking ball of feathers come from?" asked the perturbed Shelli.

"This is Artie Deco the Toucan and my best friend," answered Gusto. "We've been together for years. He followed the gypsies and found me since I accidentally left him last night."

"Great. Another mouth to feed." responded Shelli. Her mood had changed drastically since this morning. Now she seemed angry and resentful. "I'll be lucky if I get done in time to make some dinner for myself before I have to dance again."

"I can help, Shellers," offered Gusto. "I'm not much of a cook but I can prepare things for you."

Shelli's eyes softened and the anger faded from them. She hadn't meant to take out her frustration on Gusto and his friend, but she did.

"I'm sorry you two. I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm just angry at Vanier and I can't say anything to him."

"Because you are afraid he'll actually beat you?" asked Gusto.

Shelli paused before answering and when she did it was in a small whisper.

"Yes."

"Come with me, Shell Shell. We can leave after he's passed out from the wine. We can go to gummi glen were people will care for you whether you dance for them or not."

"I don't know, Gusto." Shelli said with tears in her eyes. "I just feel so torn. I don't know what to do."

"At least think about it. Please?" pleaded Gusto.

"I'll think about it, but I have to get started on dinner."

"Well, finally!" squawked Artie. "I'm wasting away to nothing here."

Gusto shoved the obnoxious bird off his shoulder and watched him flap his wings to get his balance. Shelli laughed at the antics of the two and turned to making her dinner. She felt much better with Gusto around. She hadn't had someone to turn to since Sasha died. Yet, he presence brought up conflicting emotions. Gummi glen sounded absolutely wonderful and she knew she would love it. But then there was that nagging feeling that she should stay with Vanier. She didn't know why she still felt that way. Lately she had grown to hate the man. Still, she stayed.

~:~

Vanier took Shelli's dinner and deemed it adequate. The female gummi had time for a quick bite before she had to perform again. This time the crowd came prepared. The villagers from earlier had spread the word of the gypsy show and many more came this time. Shelli was forced to dance for hours until all the villagers finally ran out of money. Wearily she stood before Vanier after the last show.

"I can't dance like that again, Vanier. I'm going to be so sore tomorrow that I won't be able to dance at all." she told him.

"Don't threaten me you insolent, bear!" roared Vanier. He decided to celebrate early tonight and was already drunk.

"I'm not threatening, I'm just telling you. I'll be no good to you if I'm always sore."

"You're no good already!" slurred the fat gypsy. He took off his belt and raised his arm. "I'll give you a reason to be good and to remember who runs this show!" His arm came down and the belt came down across Shelli's shoulder. He hit her one more time before he suddenly blacked out.

Gusto had been watching from the wagon window and knew that there was going to be trouble. He snuck out and waited in the shadows just in case Vanier tried to harm Shelli. The blue gummi drank his only bottle of gummi berry juice and used it to bounce off of Vanier's head knocking him into the tent pole. His plan worked and Vanier collapsed to the ground.

"Shelli, are you okay?" asked the worried artist and he went to Shelli's side. She was balled up on the ground sobbing. He received no other answer except a whimper from her. "That's it. We're leaving. I know you're hurt but you don't want to be around when fat boy wakes up."

Slowly Shelli got to her feet with Gusto's help. She didn't fight him at all as he led her out of the camp. They paused only briefly for Shelli to make sure she wasn't bleeding although she had angry welts growing. Artie caught up to them and they headed for the quick car entrance.

"You'll like it at gummi glen." assured Gusto. Shelli didn't respond. She just walked on silently, crying occasionally.

~:~

Late the next day they finally reached the quick car tunnel that would lead them back to gummi glen. Shelli still had not said one word and was walking in a dream-like state. Until now Gusto had put up with it but it was going too far.

"Snap out of it, Shell! You don't want to meet the other gummies with drool running down your face do you?" he asked her.

Shelli wiped at her face but found no drool there.

"You liar!" she snapped.

"Sorry, my mistake." Gusto apologized, trying not to smile. "It's nice to hear your voice again, though."

"I can't believe I trusted that man. I can't believe that he would hurt me after all that I've done for him. Well, I can believe it, but it still makes me mad!" she almost shouted.

All the emotions she had been holding in suddenly poured out has she cursed out the man between tears. She alternated from pacing while yelling and being held but Gusto while sobbing. She eventually wore herself out and fell asleep.

Gusto covered her with a blanket from his knapsack and curled up next to her. Artie nested in a nearby tree. They could easily begin the quick car trip in the morning.

~:~

The night passed with Shelli sleeping sound and Gusto sleeping fitfully. The artist was glad when Shelli finally awoke and they could begin their trip by quick car.

The car was still there and Shelli marveled at it. She hadn't seen one in so many years that she forgot what they were like. The speed scared her at first but she soon grew accustomed to it and enjoyed the ride. The trip took two days before they finally reached gummi glen.

~:~

"Gusto! Where have you been?!" demanded a worried Grammi gummi.

"I was out making a new friend," he replied and led Shelli into the Great Hall. The usual surprised gasps went around the dining table where all the gummies were gathered for dinner. "May I present Shelli Gummi of the gypsies and formally of New Gumbrea."

"Hello everyone," greeted Shelli shyly.

Gusto had predicted accurately. Grammi and Sunni seemed pleased to have another female gummi in their midst while the rest of the gummies were starry-eyed over her beauty.

Shelli told her story over dinner which for once she didn't have to cook. Everyone sympathized with her and told her not to worry, she was home now.

"So when are you going to tell her that you love her?" Artie asked Gusto. The artist just sighed.

"Give me time, birdbrain."