A/N: Nothing new to say here today; just wanna get the next chapter out there.

ENJOY!

When the credits started rolling, nearly everyone got up and left. Anne on the other hand insisted in staying through to catch everyone's names to see if maybe anybody she knew was behind the scenes. And it turned out they were. Anchali and Sakda, two cousins on her mother's side were productions assistants on the film.

Anne was fascinated that this cool little movie was connected to her family tree. It didn't matter that it wasn't a huge hit or won any awards. It was something creative that will now live forever in digital form. Her uncle had a real presence in the movie and kept up with his kung-fu co-star despite not being heavily involved in the action scenes.

He didn't act before this movie or since. It wasn't uncommon for a person in those days to make a movie and not have a career afterwards. In the end, it was just a fun thing to do. Her uncle kind of reminded Anne of Hop Pop; a down to earth guy who while never making it big as an actor, proved that he had the chops.

When the vintage PG-rating came up at the end of the credits, the screen went dark and the last of the patrons finally dispersed.

"Gotta hand it to ya, Anna Banana" Sasha said as she stretched her legs from sitting for so long. "That was a pretty cool movie."

The Thai girl blushed. She hadn't heard that nickname in a long time. Normally it annoyed her but not when Sash said it.

"Yeah I had a blast!"

The pair stood in the lobby for a moment, feeling awkward.

"So," Sasha started.

"So," Anne mirrored.

"Anything you want to do next?" asked Sasha.

She was almost put off by the question.

"Oh, wow" she chuckled. "Didn't think that far ahead."

Truth be told, she wasn't too used to Sasha passing the baton to her like that. It was usually a matter of "here's the plan!" and she just went along with it. Now Sasha drove miles to this little theatre to see an obscure movie from Thailand because it meant this much to her. And now she asked her what to do next.

Anne was beside herself.

"You really have changed for the better, Waybright."

"Well let's see..."

Anne pulled out her phone and turned the sound back up now that the movie was over. Sasha did the same mostly to check the time.

"Hey! We're not far from Warner Bros! Let's do a studio tour!"

Sasha looked at her friend and smirked.

"Dang, Boonchuy. You see your uncle in one movie and suddenly you got the acting bug?"

Anne rolled her eyes.

"Don't be silly! It just looks like fun," she shrugged. "Maybe we might catch the filming of a movie!"

"Okay now I'm convinced this runs in the family," Sasha said, shaking her head. "Let's go!"

They exit the theater and the blonde began scanning the lot.

"Where'd you park, Anne?"

"Uh, I didn't...actually...drive here..."

Sasha did a double take.

"Say what?"

"I was gonna drive," Anne admitted. "But then I thought how awkward it would be if we took separate cars. We'd have to split up half the time and who knows the parking situation..."

Sash pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Then how did you get here?"

"Bus?" Anne replied.

Her eyes widened. "The bus?"

Anne chuckled nervously, "Several buses actually. Had to leave like eight in the morning."

"Hold up, hold up. What if I didn't show? How would you have gotten home?"

"I could've taken the bus back," she answered matter-of-fact. "But I wasn't worried. I knew you'd show up. At least I hoped you would."

Sasha's face softened at that last thing Anne said.

"Guess it would've made more sense if I just picked you up."

Now Sasha was the one blushing.

Anne actually did consider going to Sasha's place to get her but quickly worried about what that would imply. At least meeting at a place would still feel like two people hanging out as friends.

Yeah, just friends.

Words were failing Sasha at this point, like her brain was vapor locked.

It's been too long, Waybright! Say something to her; don't just stare at her like a Magic Eye poster!

"Oh!" Sasha jumped at the familiar warble. She inadvertently pressed the button on her keys that made the car chirp to help you find it better.

They both turn to see the red convertible.

"Found it!" exclaimed Anne.

"I'll get it!" Sasha said as she brushed past Anne to get the passenger door for her.

Suddenly Anne felt like running her hands through her hair as if to check that everything is in order still. She sat down and Sasha shut the door.

What are you doing? You DID NOT just get the door for her...

Shut up, brain! Mind your own business!

Sasha buckled up, started the car and drove off.

"Got the directions, ready?" she asked.

"Yup!" replied Anne. "Turn right at the first light."

They drove through the border leading to the studio tour parking. Sasha found a spot that was a bit of a walk to the main gate but they could see the iconic water tower from all the way over here.

"Ah! So cool!" exclaimed Anne upon seeing the tower. "You think Yakko, Wakko and Dot are in there right now?"

"What?"

"Nevermind," Anne said.

"Is Sasha okay? She seems distracted."

Sasha was a bloody mess inside right now. Here she was with Anne all to herself and she cannot function. She thought she was gonna die when their hands touched back at the movies. Sasha thought for sure that Anne would feel awkward at best or spooked at worst.

But the things she said when they were leaving, she couldn't put her finger on it; somehow made Sasha feel more bold than she was this morning. Maybe Anne sees this as just friends hanging out but Sasha would be kicking herself for the longest time wondering "what if?" Sasha felt some of that old confidence coming back for the first time in ages. The kind of hutzpah that made her single-mindedly pursue what she wanted no matter what.

Obviously, she let some down in her wake as a result.

But she wasn't that person anymore.

She didn't see Anne as a sidekick but her equal. They have fought in a fantastic battle against fantastical creatures together and came out of it alive. Sasha had finally come to grips with what she almost lost and refused to take anyone for granted ever again.

She really wouldn't know what to do if she had ever lost Anne.

Having a friendship is better than nothing at all. But for how much affection Sasha cultivated for the wide-eyed girl, just being friends wasn't enough. Not anymore.

And those things she told her convinced Sasha that there might be a glimmer of something. At least she would love it if that turned out to be true.

The tram left the depot and the backlot tour was underway.

The vehicle was packed to the gills, forcing Anne and Sasha to sit rather closely to one another. Not uncomfortably but enough so one could really take the other in.

"What's that smell?" asked Sasha. "Is that your shampoo?"

"Oh yeah," blushed Anne. "Started using it this morning. Summer Getaway. Is it okay?"

The blonde looked away, trying to not make it look like she was smelling her hair.

"No, no, it's great. I...I Like it."

Anne stared at the floor, hands on her knees.

"OMG! SHE LIKES IT! SHE LIKES IT! SHE LIKES IT!"

A few yards away, one of the flatbeds carrying a spaceship turned sharply, almost losing its cargo. This made the tram turn swiftly to avoid the truck, causing the passengers to lean toward the right of the car.

Anne leaned back, unable to see what was going on. She panicked for a second but arms wrapped around her and pulled her in tightly until the tram was more stable and resumed its normal trajectory and speed.

"Sorry for that folks!" the driver said over the speaker. "That's life of one of the biggest studios in the world; stuff happens."

People chuckled and began taking pictures of the studios and mockups of buildings that decorated the huge lot.

"You okay?" asked Sasha.

The blonde released her from her grip.

"Yeah, sure" Anne said, unable to make eye contact. "Thanks."

"Anytime," Sasha quipped.