AN: Wow, I'm really feeling the love! Thanks for so many reviews, everyone! I enjoy each and every one- please don't stop hitting that "reveiw" button! In this chapter, you'll get to see Cindy loosen up a little bit around Jimmy...I'm really hoping it's not out of character, please warn me if it's leaning that way!

Hobasteritch; Nomia; mily; unfortunateventsgirl13; Dos; jimmyncindy4ever; pokey Thanks! Here ya go!

Hybrid; Brock; blondegirlshavefun (talking to self: Hmm...that's a really good ide- NO! I have to stick to the plot line! STAY, girl, STAY!) You'll have to wait and see!

JCfever: You're welcome! Thanks for droppping by, I hope you continue to read and review. : )

Red: BWA-HA-HA-HA! My desprate cliff-hanger cry for attention is working! Yes!

Indygirl; StarStar16: (Shifty eyes) Why, whatever do you mean? ; )

KellyClarkstonGirl: I know, I know: don't worry, it all turns out okay...well...mostly...HAHA, mini cliffhanger there...sorry. ; )

CindyNeutron3: O.o (looks from side to side in disbelief) Me: Um...I think I have a fan! Random passerby: I have a cream that'll clear that right up. Me: Uh...actually, I think I like it! Passerby: Weirdo. HAHA, j/k...Thanks so much! You did what?

acosta pérez josé ramiro: Your review had me laughing so hard! You're right, Jimmy always thinks of elaborate things, not practical ones...tisk, tisk.

snowboarder9: I don't respond tothreats...okay, maybe I do, DON'T HURT ME! Here, have another chapter! Wah! Just let me liiiiive!

Hobasteritch: Dumb computer...Wow, though, I really apreciate you going around the hard way to reveiw anyway, that really says a lot about how you like my story! Wow...

Disclaimer: I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone. All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity. -Kansas, "Dust In The Wind"

Chapter 10

"Whoa." Libby said, as Jimmy shook his head in disbelief.

"But- But-" Was all he could muster.

Cindy, for once, was speechless. "Fifteen?" The number continued to roll around in her head.

Carl looked amazed, but soon started dancing from foot to foot again. Jimmy, noticing this, cleared his dry throat and nodded toward his friend. "We- uh… we better find Carl a bathroom." He said in hushed tone, still obviously shocked.

They quietly reached the steps, Sheen leading the way. Laying his hand on the doorknob, he thrust a finger in the air. "Let it be heard: I, Sheen Estavez, will be the first to cross the threshold into this new future!" Libby raised an eyebrow at him, and with a flourish, he opened the door and exited the basement, Libby and Carl behind.

"Neutron?" Cindy said, as he reached over and turned out the light.

"Yeah." He muttered, about to follow the others up the stairs.

"You…okay?"

He paused for a moment, surprised by the infinitesimal, but still noticeable, sound of concern in her voice. "…I…don't know. It's kind of a shock. I didn't think I would be a father an fifteen. A Nobel prize winner, or a NASA scientist, maybe, but…"

She nodded, and in the dim light from above, he could see the furrow of her brow. "Maybe it's not as bad as we think. You can still be successful as a dad, you know."

He nodded in reply, and tried on a smile. It was awkward feeling, but he appreciated the espousal. "Thanks, Vor- …eh…Cin-" He paused for a moment. "Uh- after you." He finally finished, reaching for neutral words.

"Thanks." She murmured, and he and Goddard followed her up the steps.

When they reached the lawn, Jimmy breathed in the fresh air along with the others and tried to clear his buzzing mind. "Maybe I shouldn't have come." He wondered to himself. Carl charged ahead to the back door of the home before them, confidence enhanced by the intense call of nature. The others followed behind, looking about them at the familiar yard.

"Huh." Said Sheen, as they entered the kitchen. "It's so….different." They looked in amazement at the changed home, as Carl rushed to the unrecognizable surroundings of the bathroom.

"Yeah." Cindy said, forgetting Jimmy's conundrum for a moment. "But, you'd think things would change over 15 years."

"Yeah." Libby agreed. "I wonder if your parents still live here, Jimmy."

Jimmy stared at a spot on the wall, lost in thought.

Cindy tilted her head at Libby. "Why do you say that?"

"Well, if Jimmy has a kid, does that mean he owns the place? Maybe he bought it from his parents."

"Maybe they bought the farm." Sheen suggested, helpfully.

"Sheen!" Cindy shamed him, "I can't believe you said that!" She threw a glance at Jimmy nervously, hoping he hadn't heard.

"What?" Sheen asked, innocently.

"The mood Jimmy's in is bad enough, you don't need to suggest that his parents died!" She whispered to him.

"Wha-" Jimmy said, finally tuning in to the conversation, just as Carl walked in.

"Jimmy's parents died?" Carl yelled.

Libby slammed her hand to her forehead.

"What?" Jimmy repeated, now fully paying attention.

"Your parents didn't-" Cindy started.

"But he said-" Carl broke in.

"I didn't mean-" Sheen defended.

"ENOUGH!" Libby demanded, drawing the line.

For a moment, none of them dared to break the silence.

"I didn't mean they died. Sheesh!" Sheen said, rolling his eyes.

"You said they 'probably bought the farm'!" Cindy argued.

"The farm! Down the street! The duck farm!" Sheen explained to her, as if to a three year old.

"DUCK FARM?" Cindy asked, angrily. "You had us going on a duck farm?"

"Guys-"

"I never said they actually did, I just thought maybe-"

"Thought? Thought? There isn't a single thought in your ugly head-"

"Hey! I resemble that! Can I help it if the man likes ducks?"

"GUYS?" Jimmy interrupted again.

"WHAT?" Cindy yelled, forgetting herself.

"Can we just do what we came to do?"

Cindy and Sheen gave each other an icy stare, each not willing to give up to the other, until-

"Hey, look! T.V!" Sheen said, beginning to walk toward it.

"Oh, no you don't!" Libby said, grabbing him by the collar. "I want to see what happens to yours truly."

"Yeah. We know how Jimmy turns out...Let's see about the rest of us!" Cindy said, keeping her smile to a minimum. Despite Jimmy's shocker future, she still wanted to see her future self. She shoved down the beginnings of guilt.

"Well," Carl said, "Can we go to the Candy Bar first? I want a snack."

Cindy rolled her eyes. "Fine. There's a phone book there, I'm sure. We can look ourselves up!" She smiled at this ironic suggestion and led the group from the room.

Jimmy, the last to leave, glanced back at the changed surroundings of his past home. With a deep breath, he resigned himself to his fate and decided to put it aside…for now. Hurrying to follow the group, he promised himself to assure a different future.

"After all," He told himself, hopefully, "The future isn't final until you've arrived there!"

He told himself, hopefully,

They headed to the candy bar, imaginations and dreams floating above their fears, within their heads.