Chapter 7

It didn't take much time at all to track down Sportacus. In a place like Lazytown there were only so many places to look, after all. Stephanie finally spotted her bright blue friend near his favorite training spot, the apple tree. Racing over, she sat on the wall beside him as he busily practiced his pushups.

"Hi Sportacus! Is it ok if I practice with you?"

"Sure Stephanie! Just a second, I'm almost finished!" Wrapping up the last of his set, Sportacus vaulted off of the wall, holding out a hand to help Stephanie down. Her heart sped up a pace when he flashed her a fond smile. He stuck his hands on his hips. "Should we do some warm-ups first?"

"Sure!" Stephanie agreed, depositing her satchel on the wall and taking a place beside him. I should probably just ask him. He's Sportacus, and we're really good friends! We should be able to tell each other anything! Clearing her throat as they launched into the calisthenics, she asked, "Sportacus, is it true that Robbie's staying in the airship with you?"

"Well, yes. He didn't want to stay in the hospital with the doctors, and to get him out I had to promise to take care of him. They didn't want him moving around very much, and his house isn't a very healthy place to get better." His smile softened a little, taking on a sorrowful tinge. "Besides, it is sort of my fault he got hurt. I couldn't save him in time."

Finishing their stretches, they started to run laps around the tree. "It wasn't your fault, Sportacus! He was just doing more stuff to try to get you to leave town! If anything, it's his own fault. You shouldn't feel bad and have to take care of him all by yourself! We could probably find a place for him in town and take turns helping out, don't you think?"

Stopping in front of the wall once more, the two started jumping rope. "I'm not just taking care of him because I feel bad, Stephanie. I promised the doctors I would, and I will." He paused as he did an extremely complicated trick Stephanie's eyes couldn't even follow. "It's kind of fun, too. I've never really taken care of anyone before, and I think Robbie's never really had a friend before, either. Maybe if we can become friends he won't be so unhappy and hide in his house all the time."

Stephanie nearly tripped over her rope. It's fun? It's great Sportacus wants to help and be a good friend, but I don't think he really understands… "What makes you think he wants to be friends? I thought he didn't like you at all!"

Dropping their ropes, they began practicing their sit-ups. "I don't think he's as bad as he pretends to be, Stephanie. He hasn't been mean or anything. He's kinda grumpy sometimes, but he's been nicer than usual! He still calls me names, but I can tell he doesn't really mean it. He even let me sleep on the bed when I couldn't sleep in the chair."

Stephanie frowned. "Sportacus, Stingy told me something else too. You know how sometimes adults like some people more than other people? That they start to like kissing and hugging and holding hands a lot?" Sportacus nodded, and they rose to begin doing wall vaults. "Well, Stingy told me he read Robbie's diary. He said that Robbie seems to like you more than anybody else. I don't know how much sense that makes, but Stingy said that's what he read. Do you think…?"

Sportacus stood on top of the wall, barely breaking a sweat. "Stephanie, are you worried about me?" When he saw her anxious brown eyes, he patted her on the shoulder reassuringly. "You're a good friend, Stephanie, but don't worry about me. I'm perfectly safe. Besides, I think if he felt that way, he would tell me when he was ready." Starting to walk over to the tree, Stephanie fretfully trailed along behind him.

"…Sportacus? Are you really ok if he does like you like that? I mean…do you ever like people like that?"

Jumping up and snatching apples for the two of them, he tossed one to Stephanie before biting into one himself, chewing thoughtfully. "Me? I like everyone."

Stephanie sighed, ignoring the tightening feeling in her stomach. I don't think I'm going to get a straight answer out of him. Well, I don't care. He told me not to worry about him, but I want to make sure he's safe. Maybe…

"Sportacus, you said you think Robbie doesn't have any friends. Do you think he gets lonely up there by himself? Maybe I could go visit. That way I could help out and you'd still be keeping your promise!"

Sportacus beamed, sending a warm rush through her. "That's a wonderful idea, Stephanie! Do you think you can climb the ladder all by yourself?"

"Yeah, I think so. Well, I gotta go. Thanks Sportacus!" Waving goodbye, Stephanie ran home to plan. I've never been in the airship before, she thought. I wonder what it's like inside? I always thought I'd get to see it with Sportacus, not Robbie Rotten! Kicking a little bit dejectedly at the dirt, she cheered up once she remembered her purpose for going. I've got to make sure he's not going to hurt Sportacus! I don't care how much time it takes. I'm going to protect him, just like he's protected us all this time. Walking to her room, she sat on her bed and began to think.

Later that afternoon, Robbie had decided to continue writing in the journal that had caused so much trouble. He was going to have to take Sportacus's word that he wouldn't read it, but he seemed honorable enough. As thick as a brick wall, more like it. Stupid elf. How am I supposed to know what he's thinking when he doesn't even act like a normal person? Painstakingly writing in one hand, he froze when he heard the ladder portal opening. He barely managed to tuck the book out of sight before the last person he ever expected popped up through the opening in the floor.

"Hi Robbie!" Stephanie smiled, dropping her backpack on the floor. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Not really. Did Sportakook let you up here?" What is she doing here, anyways?

"I talked it over with him this afternoon, and he thought it'd be a great idea if I came to visit. We thought you might get lonely staying here all day by yourself." Robbie's eyebrow twitched in irritation as she began wandering around, examining the airship and poking through his stuff. "Wow. Is all of this stuff yours?"

"Yes, and don't touch that!" Robbie snapped. She's already giving me a headache. Brat. I can't believe Shortacus would send h-…wait, yes I can. He gave Stephanie his best discouraging glare as she made her way around the room. When she finally stopped at the bedside, her eyes slid past him to the bed itself, taking on a glazed look. He could practically see the wheels in her head turning. Oh great. He probably let slip about that, too.

Taking a seat on the floor, Stephanie stared up at him with a serious expression. Such a look on such a young face was unusually unnerving. After a moment, she asked, "Robbie, can I ask something?"

"I don't see any way of stopping you."

"You'd never really hurt Sportacus, would you?"

Robbie blinked in surprise. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Well, you're always trying to get him to leave Lazytown, and now you're basically left alone all day in his house! You could start all kinds of trouble." She looked down, clasping her hands in her lap. "…and Stingy told me about the diary."

The scowl fading from his face, Robbie sighed. "How much did he tell you?"

"Just…that he had looked through it and…he said it sounded kinda like how Uncle sounds when he's talking about Bessie." She gazed up at him questioningly, but he blushed slightly and looked away. "If you don't want to talk about, we don't have to. Sportacus didn't really tell me anything. I just…I don't want to see him hurt. Whether you mean to or not." She held her hand out, saying, "Sportacus thinks we can be friends. If you promise to be good, I'm willing to give it a try."

Robbie stared at the offered hand before reluctantly grasping it. "Fine." I don't really want to be around this kid any more than necessary, but she's in good with Sportakook…

"Great!" Stephanie smiled, cheery once again. "So, what do you want to do? I brought snacks, some playing cards, some board games… or if you want we could watch a movie if you have some…"

What did I get myself into?

Robbie was forced to admit later, albeit grudgingly, that the afternoon had been enjoyable. Noisy, but enjoyable. Stephanie had turned out to be a mean card shark, and Robbie had entertained her with a few simple tricks using slight of hand. When Sportacus finally returned that evening, the two of them were curled up around a bowl of popcorn watching a movie. Stephanie ran over to give her friend a hug, and when Sportacus smiled warmly at Robbie over her shoulder he felt his heart skip a beat.

Maybe tolerating a little annoyance and noise now and again wasn't as bad as he thought.