A/N: Ah...the things a girl must do to get her chapter online. My poor old computer has gotten so slow...finally I was able to get on the school's computer and fix it up right...anywho...

A great big shout-out to northernlight33. Yay! I only hope you'll still like it because in this chapter, it actually develops a plot! (O.O)

Also, thanks to SpongeFan SquareFiction for reviewing. Yay! You need to update! Okay...

The note below was in my notebook, so I just figured I'd type it too. The story picks up just a little bit in this chapter (I know it's been incredibly boring so far). So...here we go. Also, this chapter isa little longer than the other one's...which is a good thing, I guess...

Part Cinco

Author's Note: I think it is important to now go back to Mindy, during the time between her mustachio ploy and the execution. One reason is Mindy is vital to this story. Another is that I'm not sure what I want to happen when Dennis reaches the Krusty Krab.

"Mindy! MINDY!" Neptune called up the stairs. She pretended she didn't hear. She hadn't talked to him since the death threat.

"Mindy! I demand you open this door!" Mindy sighed, got up, and unlocked the door.

"What do you want?" she said icily.

"Mindy," he began, "I wish you would understand…"

"Understand WHAT? That just because you can, you have a right to execute people daily?"

"Now, Mindy…"

"DON'T! Who kills someone over a crown? Who?"

Neptune sighed. He had to uphold the law. He didn't want to be thought of as a weak king. Stealing the royal crown was a capital offense. He couldn't let him get away.

"I've never seen you so…interested in an execution anyway, daughter," he said slyly. "What makes this one any different?"

"Daaad…" she moaned, but she was smiling now too. "It's because at last someone other than me has defended the innocent. Someone cared enough to quest for your crown, took enormous risks of life and limb, just to save a stingy old tightwad who was at the wrong place and time. That's epic heroism if I've ever seen it. Plus, if they make it back in time, it shows that you CAN be lenient."

"If they make it back in time."

"See? Why are you like that? Does it not matter that lives are at stake?"

"Mindy, sometimes we are forced to do things we don't want…"

"That's just it! No one's forcing you! You've been that way since Mom died!"

He started, and his gaze cold. "Go to your room."

"I'm already in my room!"

"Well, stay there! Think about proper respect for your father!"

The door slammed.

"In case you were wondering," she whispered, "they're already halfway there…"

FLASHback

The trips to the mall became a regular thing. Paul or John would always pick everyone up. Addie and Mindy always sat in the back, talking and whispering like best friends. Dennis quickly got over his stereotypes, and soon found himself going into goth stores unafraid.

One day, he slid into the seat, and was startled to see that Mark wasn't there. Paul said he was sick that day, and so was Zeke. It would just be him, John, Addie, Mindy, and Dennis.

His heart still nearly burst out of his chest when they pulled into Mindy's driveway. Today she was scowling fiercely as she marched into the van. She didn't even bother getting into the back.

"What's wrong?" Addie asked her, propping her head on the seat.

"It's Father. He wants to execute someone just because they were late to his beck and call. We got in a fight."

The car was silent. Addie stared out the window. Paul bit his fingernail. None could imagine anyone getting in a fight with the king.

Dennis thought it would be a great scene to draw. Mindy, hot-headed, determined, outdebating the King of the Sea. He could get started when they returned home.

Their first store of the day was Pitch, a semi-gothic store. Paul and John headed for a rack of discount albums. Dennis followed Mindy and Addie into the clothing section. He needed something new. He was outgrowing all his old tee shirts.

Addie wanted a black tee with a green guitar on it, but she didn't have enough cash. Paul got a CD for 5. Dennis got a plain black tee shirt a few sizes too big, just in case he grew more. As they walked out the door, however, a low buzzing noise sounded behind him. He turned. Two employees came rushing toward them. The next thing he knew his arms were pinned to his sides. Mall security surrounded them. Mindy protested loudly. Addie's eyes grew small. John and Paul struggled.

"What's the meaning of this?" Mindy sputtered.

The officers didn't say a word. They searched through all of their bags. They came to Dennis's and pulled out the black shirt with the neon lime electric guitar on it, the same one Addie had wanted in the store.

"This item has not been paid for," said the employee.

"What's your name?"

"D-Dennis…" he struggled to say.

"Well, Dennis, you are being accused of shoplifting. You have the right to remain silent…"

The room was spinning. Mindy was open mouthed, her brow creasing in speculation. John and Paul swallowed. Addie stared at him with wide eyes.

The next thing he knew he was in the squad car, pulling into the station.

"Did you buy this shirt?"

"No…sir."

"Then why was it in your bag?"

"I don't know."

"Did you steal it?"

"I did not."

"Then how did it get in your bag?"

"I-don't-know."

"Can you think of any other reason that it might have come to be in YOUR bag?"

"I…no, sir."

"So you say you are innocent?"

"Yes."

"Did you buy this?"

"No."

"Yet it is in your bag."

"I didn't steal it."

"Sir," said a deputy, coming into the room. "He has no previous criminal records. The chemical analysis found none of his DNA on the shirt."

"Maybe he wore gloves," the interrogator barked.

"I'd say someone slipped it in his bag," said the deputy coolly.

"What do you think, son? Can you think of anyone who might have stolen this shirt?" His thoughts turned to Addie.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"…Yes."

The deputy's walkie-talkie buzzed. He listened for a moment, then whispered something in the warden's ear.

"Well, Dennis," said the warden. "I guess you're off the hook. Your little friend Addie confessed."

The key turned. Inside the dark house, all was still. He tiredly flipped on the light. Mother and Chad stood, like icy statues, their arms crossed.

"Were you gonna wait to tell us after you went to court?" growled his mother.

"Or pretend it never happened?" Chad said.

He said nothing. Better to find out exactly how they knew first.

"I got a phone call today," Mother began. "Officer O'Malley said they'd taken MY boy downtown because he'd been caught shoplifting." Her calm exterior cracked. She quivered, "Do you know what it feels like to know I raised a criminal?"

"Mom! I didn't!"

"Didn't WHAT?" she cried.

"I didn't steal anything! They said I was innocent!"

She narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you," she said, her words dripping venom.

"But, Mom!"

"I don't know what to believe anymore."

She walked out of the kitchen. Chad looked at him steadily.

"It doesn't matter if you are guilty or not. You've caused your mother so much grief…think about that." The light clicked out. Dennis slowly backed out the door and into the chilling cold.

The wedding announcement was in the paper the next day. Of course. Mother and Chad would be so much happier without him.

He sat on the park bench, watching the trees blow in the wind. His mother had never loved him anyway. Of course she would be the first to cast him aside.

But if he was never coming back, he figured he'd better let someone know.

Mark.

He wrapped his coat tighter around him and headed to Mark's house. He was in his room.

"Hey, man!" Mark said, coughing. "Did you ask her?"

Dennis sighed and shook his head. He then relayed everything that had happened. At the end, Mark whistled slowly.

"Why do you reckon Addie put it in your bag?"

"How should I know? But I can't stay. I can't live with a mother who hates me and her boyfriend."

Mark regarded him quietly.

"You're…where will you go?"

"I don't know…somewhere. Chad is tearing us apart…I have to go. It's best for everyone."

"No," Mark whispered. "No, it's not. What about Mindy? What about ME!"

"I figure you'll get along fine."

He closed the door and disappeared outside.

The park was where he would spend the night again. He had his backpack with him and anything he'd ever need. He'd snuck back inside the house and grabbed food, blankets, a flashlight, and his life savings. Just go, his mind thought. Don't linger. Just run.

In the morning he awoke, damp and chilled…and hungry. He took a pack of crackers out of his pack and chewed slowly. He didn't want to think about his so-called "friends" or Mindy or Mark or Mother.

He figured he'd better head out. Couldn't stay in the same place long. He rolled his jacket up and slung his bookbag on his shoulder.

He started walking along the road. He was careful to listening when boats passed, ducking out of the way in time to avoid someone seeing him. He picked a clearing in a grove of trees to camp.

The next day he awoke to wild laughter. He opened his eyes and pinpointed it somewhere outside the orchard. He ate, packed up, and stepped out into the sunshine.

There was a gas station across the road. Two attendants laughed, sitting on a porch in rocking chairs. A carriage sat next to it…he would recognize those two seahorses anywhere.

What was Mindy doing out here so far? Didn't she know that a few feet in front of her stood no man's land, the abyss across the county line?

What if she saw him?

He froze, not sure where to run. It was too late. She stepped away from the guffawing attendants and walked around the carriage. She saw him, standing across the road, dirty and disheveled. She gaped, then smiled widely. She ran to him and hugged him as hard as she could, kissing him on the cheek. His eyes grew wide and he blushed, but he felt an utter sense of contentment…

"Omigod," Mindy said, standing back. "Where…why?" Her face fell. Then she turned and called, "Mark!"

Mark jumped out and ran to them, grinning broadly. Dennis smiled wryly. "You told?"

"I couldn't just let you go, man. You wouldn't last ten seconds across that line!" Mark laughed. Dennis knew it was true.

"Well…we've been looking everywhere for you," Mindy said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"What about Mom?" Dennis asked. Something inside him hoped that maybe she'd realized she cared. Maybe she had dumped Chad and everything was back to normal.

Now Mark's face fell and Mindy turned away.

"We better go, man," Mark said.