Chapter 11

Sportacus explained everything to the Mayor. He left out the part about Stephanie's nightmare. The Mayor was relieved that Stephanie would be ok and that she was getting some sleep. Mayor Meanswell saw Sportacus' eyelids droop and he suggested that Sportacus spend the night. Sportacus didn't argue. The Mayor said he could sleep in the guest room.

Then the two men said good night and went to bed. Sportacus curled up under the covers in the guest room. He, too, was drained form the past few days. It seemed as though he had just fallen asleep when a scream shook the house.

Jumping out of bed Sportacus ran upstairs. The screaming was once again coming from Stephanie's room. He flung open her door and was at her side immediately. She wasn't awake from what he could tell but she was screaming and throwing punches in the air. Sportacus grabbed her arms and pulled them down. Then he put his arms around her and she calmed down. Sportacus could see tears streaming down her face.

"Shh, shh, it's ok Stephanie. I'm here." She calmed down a little but she continued to cry. Sportacus tried something else to calm her down. Softly he began to sing to her.

"Let me be your hero
would you dance
If I asked you to dance?
Would you run
And never look back?
Would you cry
If you saw me crying?
And would you save my soul, tonight?

…I can be your hero, baby.
I can kiss away the pain.
I will stand by you forever.
You can take my breath away.

Would you swear
That you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
I don't care...
You're here tonight. … Oh, I just want to hold you.
I just want to hold you.
Am I in too deep?
Have I lost my mind?
Well I don't care...
You're here tonight…"

When he finished Stephanie had stopped crying. She had even snuggled up to Sportacus' chest. He held on to her and promised to never let anything hurt her, ever.

Stephanie spent the rest of the night in Sportacus' arms. When the sun came up, Stephanie woke up and found Sportacus holding onto her. She didn't remember what had happened last night or how she ended up in Sportacus' arms but she didn't care. She kissed his cheek and Sportacus' eyes opened up.

"Good morning, Sportacus. Care to explain something to me?" Stephanie asked him.

"Of course, anything for you. What needs explaining?" Sportacus asked, cautiously.

"First, how did we end up like this? Second, are we still friends? And third, if so where do we stand?" Stephanie asked.

"Well, first after bringing you home and explaining everything to your Uncle, he let me stay in the guest room. I heard you screaming and came upstairs. I calmed you down and we ended up sleeping this way. We were both exhausted from the last few days so I imagine it wasn't that hard to fall asleep. Second, yes of course we are still friends. Third, I have no idea where we stand." Sportacus smiled.

"What I said to you a couple of days ago, I didn't mean. I never want you to leave me alone ever. I'm sorry if I hurt you." Stephanie said.

"It's all right Stephanie. I know you didn't mean it. I'm sorry for landing on top of you. How does your side feel anyway?" Sportacus asked.

"Well it still hurts but I think I'll live besides I have you to help me get better. As far as where we stand, I want to be with you all the time. I don't ever want to be apart. I love you, no matter what." Stephanie spilled. Sportacus looked into her eyes and saw that she really meant it.

"I love you, too, and that's why you have to tell me what's going on. Why was I the one in the dinosaur costume?" Sportacus asked her.

To Be Continued…