After their heart to heart Sportacus walked Sophie back home, not realising until they arrived that they had held hands the entire way. They both blushed and grinned at each other. Sportacus leaned down and pecked her on the cheek, he winked and said goodbye, Sophie was sure you could fry and egg on her face.

She walked inside and slid down the door. It had taken alot put of her to tell Blue what really happened, she hadn't told anybody ever. the only ones knowing everything was her Uncle Nilford and Bessie... BESSIE!

She jumped up and raced to the phone,

'Hello? Bessie here'

'Bessie! I need your help! quickly!'

' Sophie? what's wrong my dear are you hurt?!?'

'no, no I'm fine, Blue asked me on a date!' There was silence for all of a minute, and then..

'EEEEKK! I'll be right over Sophie! we must go shopping and get you a brand new outfit!' and with that, Bessie hung up, pointed a thumbs up at Milford across the table and rushed off to find her purse.


Sportacus chuckled qs he watched Bessie hustle Sophie into the Mayor's car, prattling on about who's knows what. He was sat on his platform, thinking about what Sophie had told him. He couldn't bring himself to care that she was practically a mother to Stephanie, all he could think about is that she hasn't really had anybody to take care of her instead of her taking care of others since she was 12 years old! And you want to change that don't you? you want to be able to take care of her, she deserves it'. He thought. He noticed Robbie slinking around the hatch of his lair. he blinked. Not knowing why he was doing this, he called for his ladder and jumped down.

What on earth am I doing! he doesn't own her, why do I feel I have to tell him..'He knocked on Robbies lair and waited. What he was ready for, was for Robbie to shove him away and tell to go, what he wasnt ready for, was for him to have a resigned expression and for him to turn away, clearly indicating he should follow.

'erm I...' Now he was there Sportacus didn't know how to start.

'Shut up Sportacook, I know why your here. Let me give you some friendly advice, Sparkle was the only person ever in my life that I care for ever since we were kids. She's practically my little sister' at this point he grabbed hold of Sportacus's shirt and held it in his fist, Sportacus's knew he was being serious

'You hurt her, and I will not hesitate in killing you. got that?' Shoving him to the floor he started walking to his lounge. Getting his voice back Sportacus said quietly but firmly

' I won't hurt her intentionally, ever, I'm in love with her.'

Robbie stared at him for a moment swung round dramatically and walked to the door, pausing as he got there he whispered.

'I know.'


The next day came and it was full of activity. the children were excited helping the Mayor blow up balloons, hang streamers. Stephanie even baked a cake. Everybody was ready for the grand concert this evening. There would be all sorts of music, from techno to country, zumba to slow dance. Sportacus found himself the busiest he had been in months, with all the preparations everybody was getting into trouble! I hope I will have a chance to get ready myself! I don't exactly want to smell when I collect Sophie!

Eventually things calmed down and by 6pm the residents of Lazy Town were in their homes preparing for the event. sportacus himself went and had a shower, donned a completely new outfit that would most likely shock everybody! ( nobody in Lazy Town had seen him in anything other than his uniform)

he had black slacks with a baby blue shirt rolled to his sleeves, Pixel had invented him a bracelet which allowed him to keep his crystal on him at all times without having to wear the uniform. His brown curly hair looked artfully messy. He sprayed some aftershave checked himself In the mirror, donned his jacket, picked up the small white lily flower he picked and jumped down from his airship.

Landing in Sophies back garden he could hear her singing. He stopped to listen.

'Run,run, lost boy, they say to me, away from all of, reality'it was beautiful, and sorrowful but he could tell she was enjoying herself. he walked to the door, took a deep breath and knocked.


Sophie and Bessie had an amazing time shopping the day before, she had missed spending time with the older woman immensely and resolved she would make more of an effort to go out with her. They shopped for hours, not only buying an outfit for tonight but practically a new wardrobe, make up and whatever else they saw that they liked the look of. Bessie then came over at lunch time today and helped her to get ready before going home to ready herself. Sophie was wearing a gorgeous white summer dress that had buttons from the top to the bottom. it had a slight Sparkle to it (making her think Robbie would approve) and made her look sophisticated, she had brown cowgirl boots and had donned her hair into a high ponytail with trails hanging either side of her face, her make up was done to perfection. Although Bessie enjoyed quite outlandish make up on herself she had added minimal to Sophie saying she had natural beauty. Her eyes were a soft bronze with a slight shimmer, pale brown lip gloss and a little bit of mascara worked wonders for her eyes. Her little brown jacket completed the ensemble. Butterflies in her stomach, looking into the mirror, she smiled. She was ready.


When Sophie opened the door Sportacus's heartstopped, she looked breathtaking, he could see her high cheekbones, the curve of her neck against the modest cut of her dress. and her gorgeous long legs that seemed to go on forever. They stood staring at each other until Sportacus finally coughed, took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

'you look beautiful' the way the blush covered her cheeks endeared her even more to him.

'Thank you,you look amazing yourself, I don't think I've ever seen you in anything other than your uniform. at least I can still call you Blue' she chuckled, tweaking his shirt collar. Sportacus placed the white lily into her hair and took her hand.

' Shall we?' They walked down the road and towards the theatre talking about inconsequential things.They could hear the music going strong already, lots of chatter and happy voices filtering out into the cool air.

After finding Stephanie and her friends, who were chilling out by the punch bowl, Sportacus asked Sophie to dance. He could see on her face she was nervous and laughed when she tried to drag her hand away. He led her to the dance floor, placed his hands on her hips and gently swayed her to the barcelonian music.

'like this' She got into a rhythm and soon enough they were laughing and enjoying themselves. spinning, twisting, dipping. A few hours that felt like minutes later, Sportacus went to check on the children and Sophie went to fetch a drink. While at the table she felt a presence behind her that made the hair on her neck stick up. Spinning round she smacked right into Rick from the estate agents.

'oh! I'm sorry! are you alright?'

'never better Sophie, must I say you look stunning this evening.'

'erm thanks, you look good too.' Sophie looked around anxiously, he still made her feel uncomfortable the way he looked at her. She saw Sportacus heading towards them and smiled as he placed his arm round her waist.

Rick frowned, but put on a tight smile 'Sportacus, looking sharp'

'Nice to see you too. how are sales going?' Sportacus's grip was a little too tight on Sophies hip, but she didn't dare say anything.

'not bad thankyou, let me introduce my date, Rebecca, Rebecca this is Sophie and Sportacus.' it was then the couple noticed a young woman standing behind him. She had brown curly hair, way too much make up on, a tight crop top and the shortest shorts Sophie had ever seen. She did look pretty, in a supermodel kind of way, and suddenly Sophie felt extremely underdressed and self conscious. But she put on a smile nonetheless and said

' Nice to meet you Rebecca, Welcome to Lazy Town. have you been here long?'

The woman ignored the hand she had held out to shake and didn't take her eyes of Blue. back off, he's with me! how could you stand next to your own date and ogle at another man!'

'Nice to meet you Sportacus and.. Sophie was it? I arrived today and hoped maybe somebody could show me round the neighborhood.' She batted her eyelashes at Sportacus and both he and Sophie felt uncomfortable. Sportacus put on a smile and answered,

'ah I'm sure Rick will be the best person for that, he is the estate agent after all! now if you'll excuse me I'd like to take my date back to the dance floor.' He wrapped his arm tighter round her waist and pulled her along. She burst out laughing and he grinned a cheeky grin back at her.

' you realise you just totally blew her off right?'

' of course, but the only woman I see tonight is you.'

Sophie blushed and reached up to clasp her hands behind his neck, a slow song had started. His hands never left her waist and he pulled her tighter to him, her head resting against his shoulder. they danced slowly, lost in their own little bubble, not noticing the two pairs of angry narrowed eyes following them as they swayed to the music.