Pai could hardly comprehend his surroundings. he was aware of lettuce taking his arm and leading him away, but he didn't know where to. Then again, he didn't really care, either. at all. He could only think of what a fool he had been. To actually believe the lies Deep Blue had fed him! That was inexcusable. His father was right. Pai was a failure. He couldn't believe himself! those stories he had lapped up, those excuses that had been so rough Pai had nearly suspected, he had been so blind! His comrades had been right not to work! Pai felt sorry for thinking them so low in comparison to him. He saw now that they were wiser than he, and he had been a fool not to recognize their wisdom. They had come closer to discovering the truth than he would have if they hadn't poisoned him!

Meanwhile, Lettuce was deeply concerned. Pai looked a mess. He just let her lead him. His eyes had the most vacant, empty, sad look that Lettuce had ever seen! He looked like a little boy who's favorite possession had been stolen from him after bullies had mocked him at school all day. Lettuce didn't know why, but she had the strangest desire to lean over and hug him and assure him everything would be fine.

She led him towards the House, talking about anything and everything. She knew he wasn't hearing her, but it was for her benefit as well. It gave her something to think about other than Pai's empty eyes. when they finally reached Lettuce's house, Lettuce sat Pai on the sofa and offered to fetch him some soup, scurrying away before Pai could answer.

Pai, meanwhile, grasped the concept of sitting on a couch. Lettuce had offered to fetch him soup and had left without waiting for an answer. what Pai really wanted was to sleep. to sleep, and wake up and discover this was just a nightmare. That, of course, was impossible. Pai's food poisoning seemed to have lost its hold on him. he was still a bit queasy, but it was nothing major. Although Pai wished it was. Anything to prevent the images from coming to him. Though he had never killed anyone, he thought of the havoc he wrought. He now looked foolish and empty, attacking for a worthless cause.

He saw his mother, shaking her head at him and looking disappointed.

But most of all, he saw his father, telling Pai he was worthless, useless, hopeless.Always telling his son unless he got his nose out of his books, he'd never amount to anything. Pai realized his father was right. Tears burned the back of his eyes. he wasn't supposed to cry, but who cared? he'd already screwed up everything else worth ruining.

When Lettuce came in, she was shocked to find Pai had tears in his eyes.

'Poor Pai!' she thought. 'He really must have been through a lot.' Lettuce sat down by the purple haired Cyniclon. "there, there," she soothed. Pai looked at her with eyes overflowing with tears. "I'm a failure," he croaked. "No, your not!" said Lettuce. "yes I am," said Pai. I was just a pawn of Deep Blue's he could keep his hands clean. I mindlessly attacked people, acting like I was right and they were all wrong. I should have seen it! I should have seen it!" "No Pai," said Lettuce in a gentle but firm tone. "You couldn't have. Deep Blue had us all fooled." Pai shook his head. "My father told me if I never got my head out of my books I'd never amount to anything," Pai sniffed. "and look how this turned out!"

Lettuce was shocked. "Pai, Your father was wrong! You're intentions were pure and you're heart was in the right place. Your people are lucky you were willing to give your life to save them. You never failed!" she cried. Pai looked at her. "do you really think so?" asked Pai in disbelief.

"of course!" said Lettuce. "Pai, Your kind and smart and generous and strong and loyal! And that's why, that's why I love you, Pai." Lettuce stared at the floor.

Pai was stunned. He did the only thing he could think of. he said, "I love you too, Lettuce." And it was true. He had been denying it for so long, he thought he'd never confess.

Lettuce looked up. "you-you do?" she said. Pai nodded. and then, Lettuce leaned forwards a little and Pai leaned forwards and their lips met.

and the rain poured down, oblivious of the two lovers together at last.

aww, that was fluffy! Please review and thanks for reading.