Pip3— Interesting airship talk. The news is ugly but can Sportacus break it to Stephanie without too much damage?

SportaStephanie—I'm trying to continue as fast as I can. I appreciate the wonderful comments I keep getting from you.

MeowMix2— Nasty thoughts about the airship. I don't know about MarySue but I'll try not to kill you.

Katherine212— It seems I've created quite the hullabaloo over the airship stuff. I promise to take my time.

Chapter 9

About fifteen minutes later the couple was climbing the ladder up to Sportacus' airship. Sportacus still had no idea how he was going to break the news to Stephanie but he had to do it now. He grabbed a couple of apples and the two sat down to talk.

"Stephanie, I've got some bad news." Sportacus told her.

"Ok, well I guess there's no point in putting it off any longer. Lay it on me." Stephanie replied trying to smile.

"Uh, well you see tomorrow the LazyTown parole board has set a meeting to give their findings about Robbie's parole. I argued with them and tried to speak for you while you were away but I…" Sportacus trailed off as he noticed the look of shock that had crossed Stephanie's face. He put his arms around her and pulled her close.

"How is that possible?" Stephanie finally spewed out a few minutes later.

"According to the Warden, Robbie has been a model prisoner and after two years he thought that Robbie deserves to be released. I tried to explain that he really isn't as nice as he pretends to be but I don't know if they listened. Robbie is the only person in LazyTown actually ever convicted of attempted murder. They don't know how to handle him." Sportacus tried to explain. He watched as Stephanie's expression changed. It was hard to tell what she was feeling. Finally she just squeezed Sportacus as hard as she could.

Mayor Meanswell and his wife, Bessie, sat in the living room watching the ten o'clock news. Stephanie hadn't returned yet but they weren't worried. Milford knew that Sportacus had to break the news to Stephanie and he didn't know how she would react. Personally, he was glad he didn't have to tell Stephanie. Milford was never good at telling people bad news. It was hard for him to make other people upset, without upsetting himself. Bessie turned to see him lost in thought and kissed his cheek.

"Don't worry, dear. I'm sure that Sportacus found the best way to tell Stephanie." She tried to reassure him. Milford put his arm around her and said, "I hope so, my dear. I hope so."

Stephanie was a jumble of emotions. Sportacus could seem to sense her pain and wished he could make it all go away. Then Stephanie opened her mouth and tried to say something but nothing came out.

"Shh, shh, it's going to be all right. We can take this together. Besides there is still a chance that Robbie won't be released. We have to look at the positives." Sportacus said trying to cheer her up. Stephanie said nothing and just held on to him. Kissing the top of head, Sportacus just kept his arms around her.

Neither one of them said anything for the next half an hour. Finally the silence was broken as a letter shot up into the airship. Reluctantly Sportacus released his grip on Stephanie, caught it, and read it. Mayor Meanswell was worried and he had sent the letter to see if everything was all right.

Stephanie looked up at him. Sportacus looked deeply into her brown eyes and kissed her gently on the lips. She however grabbed him and pulled him within inches of her face. Surprised, Sportacus didn't know how to react. Stephanie had no qualms as she kissed him hard. She wanted his kiss to make everything go away like it had so many times before. Sportacus didn't stop her as he kissed her right back.

Ten minutes later the two were still kissing when another letter conked Sportacus on the head. He pulled away from Stephanie and read it. It was once again from the Mayor. Something inside of Sportacus screamed at the interruption but he knew that things had to stop before they got too out of hand. Quickly, he scooped Stephanie up and kissed her one last time.

The two climbed down the ladder and walked to the Mayor's house. Uncle Milford let them in and Stephanie gave him a hug. Then she went upstairs. Sportacus explained to the Mayor that Stephanie was taking things pretty hard. Mayor Meanswell said that tomorrow might get pretty ugly but Sportacus said there was nothing to do but deal with it when the time came. Then Sportacus went upstairs to say goodnight to Stephanie.

When he got upstairs, Sportacus saw the light was on in Stephanie's room. She was staring out the window when he entered the room. She turned to him and smiled weakly. He came over to her and gave her a big hug.

"Stephanie, I love you. I'm sorry I had to tell you that but hopefully tomorrow will be better. We…" She cut him off.

"I don't want to be alone tonight. I need you here with me. Please stay." Sportacus just nodded.

To Be Continued…