Robbie could sense that there was something wrong with Sportacus. He had known Sportacus long enough now to be able to tell when something was up. The most obvious sign was that Sportacus would sit still, Sportacus never sat still unless there was something very wrong. When it came to sharing problems Sportacus was much like himself apart from one major difference; Robbie didn't share his problems because he didn't like letting people in too close and Sportacus didn't share his problems because he didn't want to burden people and was meant to be a hero, heroes don't burden people. Robbie had been gradually been opening up over the years, his sessions with Doctor Cranium had done that. There were still things Robbie would never share, things that were too horrible to share and were locked away deep inside. These things hurt the most and he knew that by sharing them the pain would go away but he couldn't speak of them to anyone.

"A problem shared is a problem halved," Robbie thought out loud.

Sportacus looked up at Robbie again, "I don't have any problems. What makes you think I do?"

"For one thing you're sitting still and if your face gets any longer it'll be making its way out of the front door to go to visit Pixel,"

Sportacus smiled and decided to tell Robbie what his problem was, "I got a letter from Doctor Cranium this morning; it said that Lily died a couple of days ago and I don't know how to feel or what to do. Doctor Cranium also said that Lily was being buried at noon tomorrow, should I go?"

Robbie didn't know what to say. He was extremely surprised at the news and even though Robbie's feelings about Lily were clear he knew what the right thing that Sportacus should do was, "She's your sister. Go and say goodbye tomorrow before they put her in the ground. If you don't and try to ignore what's happened you'll only regret it for the rest of your life and you'll never go to see her. This is one of those one time things, you can only say goodbye once. Take the chance while it's there before it goes and feel what you want to feel. If you feel happy you have good reason and no one would blame you. If you feel sad people will understand that as well because you were her brother."

Sportacus was gob smacked; he'd never expected Robbie to say anything like that. It was very unlike Robbie to be so 'on the fence' about something like this. "I know how I feel and after what you said I don't regret it," Sportacus said.

"How do you feel?"

"Relieved." Was the answer. Robbie nodded, he felt the same way. Lily could harm him no longer and he could rest easy now he didn't have to look over his shoulder at every unfamiliar sound.

"What will you tell Robyn?" Sportacus asked after a short silence.

Robbie shook his head, "I haven't told her anything about Lily. I wouldn't have known what to say if I had and I guessed that telling her the truth would be a no go zone. When the day comes that she asks I'll think of something then."

"Does she ask how you found her?"

Robbie nodded, "all the time. It's her favourite bed time story. The stork delivering the baby thing worked very well and I tell her how I told her I'd eat her if she didn't go away. She giggles and always says, 'why didn't you eat me?' I always say she didn't have enough meat on her and I was waiting until she was bigger. She giggles again and says, 'am I big enough now?' The answer is always yes and I pretend to eat her. It's a good game."

Sportacus chuckled. He could picture it in his mind. On the odd occasion Robyn would stay the night with him in his airship but would never go to sleep unless uncle Sportacus showed her lots and lots of tricks. He liked doing the tricks for her and after three or four would always pretend he was tired and fall asleep. Robyn would always try to wake Sportacus up and the game was one of their favourites. The game would always work the same way and eventually after Sportacus pretending to fall asleep and waking up and then falling asleep again Robyn would fall asleep.

Robyn came home at four in the afternoon; she'd had her lunch and afternoon nap round the Mayor's house. She wanted to see how Robbie was and also refused dinner at the Mayor's house because 'daddy hated dining alone' and would miss her. She and the Mayor had come to an agreement that if Robbie was still unwell she'd go back to his house and have dinner and would spend the night so Robbie could get plenty of rest. Stephanie went with her and was looking forward to the possibility of Robyn staying the night. Despite the fact that Stephanie was now twelve and Robyn only four they were good friends. Robyn was a very nice and lively little girl and was also extremely cute. She was like the little sister that Stephanie never had and would often play with her.

Stephanie had also accompanied Robyn home for her own reasons, one of which was Sportacus. The Mayor had explained that Robyn was having lunch with them because Robbie had gotten hurt and that Sportacus was looking after him. As Stephanie had gotten older her crush on Sportacus had lessened but Pixel was starting to become more popular in the contest for her affections. Pixel was closer to her age and was one of her best friends, he could also relate to Stephanie better. Sportacus was still really cool but was becoming more of a big brother figure than a 'boyfriend' figure.

Robyn opened the front door quietly, not wanting to disturb the occupants inside her house. Sticking her head round the door she saw a pair of rather familiar looking blue legs with white stripes running down the sides. Looking up the legs and then the body Robyn saw Sportacus with an index finger pressed to his lips. He was indicating to Robyn and Stephanie that they should be quiet as Robbie had fallen asleep. "Daddy still isn't feeling very well. I know the Mayor invited you to stay the night if this was the case and I took the liberty of packing you a night bag. I put in Bruno for you to cuddle when you go to bed." Sportacus whispered.

Robyn pouted, "I don't want to cuddle Bruno tonight I want Mr Brown,"

Sportacus felt as if he could hit his head against a wall, he was being tested on the toys again. "I'll go get him for you," Sportacus offered and went to Robyn's bedroom.

Turning on the light Sportacus surveyed Robyn's brightly coloured bedroom. Inspecting each toy Sportacus tried to remember which one was which as Robbie had explained them. Eventually he remembered which one was Mr Brown and brought him out to Robyn who accepted him gratefully and gave her uncle a great big kiss on the cheek for getting the right toy. After a wave goodbye the two girls left. Sportacus was glad that Robyn was satisfied.