A/N Thanks to MorpheusDreamer for sending me a review.

Larry and Penfold had finished their fishing and were on their way in Dart's monobile to see Professor Haggarty. The pair were laughing and talking like they had been friends for ages.

To pass the time Larry was telling Penfold about the time he and the rest of the Galasphere crew were trapped in a mine shaft on Pluto (A/N from the episode 'The Buried Spaceship'). "I knew I had to do something" related Dart. Penfold was listening intently to Dart's story. He and Danger Mouse had been on many exciting adventures but the one he was hearing now seemed to beat the lot.

"There was no way out" continued Larry. "The Galasphere was on it's side and I soon knew that electricity supplies would be failing and on top of that we were low on space rations".

The suspense was too much for Penfold. "What did you do, please tell me" squealed the young hamster excitedly. Larry smiled warmly at his new friend. "I decided that the best thing to do was to get out and inspect the damage. I decided to go alone in case there was any danger, that way at least Slim and Husky could be safe".

"How brave of you" gasped Penfold. "When I got out I saw that we were in a cavern at the bottom of the shaft. There was no real damage to the Galasphere. I then decided to explore the cavern to see if there was anything I could find to help us. All I found was a lump of carbon. It was a strange discovery as it meant that their must have been plant life on Pluto millions of years ago".

"I decided to head back to the Galasphere but when I got their I had a shock…"

"What happened" squeaked Penfold the suspense was too much for him.

"The Galasphere had sunk even deeper into the ground" said Dart. Penfold gasped in horror. "Oh, no" he said.

Larry continued his story "I made contact with Slim and Husky. They were both fine but quite shocked at what had happened, anyone would have been. I decided to explore the cavern and find help. It felt like I had been walking for miles. Then I saw light but my legs were so stiff that I couldn't walk anymore. I tried to contact Commander Brog, head of the Pluto mining industry on my transmitter but before I could explain to him the situation I passed out from the cold".

"How terrible" gasped Penfold again. "How did you get out" asked the intrigued Hamster. "Commander Brog found me" said Dart. "When I awoke I was in the Pluto HQ medical bay. Brog told me how I got there and together we both struggled to find a solution as to how we could rescue Husky and Slim".

"Then whilst I was talking to Slim and Husky over what had happened to me an idea hit me. On Pluto they use heat that are beamed by a transmitter on Mercury to give them heat and power, there is another one on Pluto too in order to beam the heat waves back to the transmitter on Mercury. That way the cycle can continue. Anyway I decided to climb up the transmitter and tilt the transmitter dish towards the mine shaft".

"Did it work" asked an excited Penfold. "It sure did" replied Larry. "The ice around the shaft began to melt and slowly but surely the Galasphere began to rise on the ice that had been melted by the rays into water".

"Cor, that sure was a great adventure Larry" chimed Penfold. "One of many" said a smiling Dart. "We're nearing the Professor's laboratory now. How about on the way back you tell me one of your adventures with DM" suggested Larry.

"Um, ok" said Penfold "I just hope DM is alright when we get home". "Oh, don't worry Penfold I expect he'll be fine" assured Larry but even he wasn't to certain how DM was going to behave when they got back. 'I suppose he's just a bit upset about letting Greenback get away with the time machine, yeah I bet that's it' thought Larry.

'I guess the sooner we get him and Penfold back to their time he'll be ok' he continued to think 'But I can't help but feeling that I'll miss Penfold when he goes. Oh, don't be silly Dart you know full well that DM and Penfold have to return to their time, the world depends on them, or rather Danger Mouse. That's just the thing though, Penfold doesn't seem too happy being with DM. Perhaps he could stay and Danger Mouse can leave that way I can have Penfold as a son. No wait that can never be Dart, your in Space Patrol and will never get a chance to father him. Could I quit? No, I'm a key member of Space Patrol Colonel Raeburn depends on me. Or maybe he will understand'.

The monobile was just approaching Professor Haggarty's lab. Larry glanced at Penfold who was staring dreamily out the window. 'I'll see how he and DM get along when we return' thought Larry 'That's the best thing to do'.

Danger Mouse was in the lounge of Larry's flat, pacing up and down nervously. It was five minutes past one. 'Where can she be, she is coming isn't she, I do hope she does' he thought frantically to himself.

Suddenly the doorbell rang. DM gave a little jump but then steadied his nerves "Show time DM old boy" he said to himself just before he opened the door to greet Marla.

The door opened and there was Marla dressed in her uniform. Danger Mouse was lost for words, the soot looked so tight fitting and… and… and

"Good afternoon Danger Mouse" said Marla. "Ahhhhh, yes hello" said DM coming to his senses. He was trying his best to distract himself from Marla's distracting uniform. "Please do come in" he said warmly.

Marla entered the flat and Danger Mouse took her into the kitchen where he had prepared to salads and on the table there was a bottle of wine vintage 2006, the centrepiece was a large bowl of flowers Danger Mouse had picked from the small rose garden outside the apartment.

Marla looked astounded 'Why has Larry gone through all the trouble preparing this for me' she thought 'He knows that I…'

"Care to sit down" Danger Mouse said interrupting Marla's thoughts. Marla and DM took a seat at opposite sides of the table. 'Its all going to plan' thought Danger Mouse.

Finally Marla spoke "Er, Danger Mouse where is Captain Dart". DM had been waiting for her to ask him that. "He and my assistant went out to do some last minute shopping for supper this evening, he told me to give you his most sincere apologies" said Danger Mouse.

"Oh, um ok" said Marla nervously. 'I'm sure something is going on here' thought Marla.

There was a long awkward silence between the two. Then DM spoke up "Wine" he asked. "No thank you" replied Marla "I am due back on duty in half an hour". "Just a spot" said Danger Mouse. "Well, ok" accepted Marla. DM poured Marla out a glass of wine and the pair began to eat their salads.

While he ate DM mentally kicked himself 'Say something, anything' he forced himself. "So, how long have you known Captain Dart for" asked Danger Mouse.

Marla looked up from her plate "For at least three months" said Marla. 'Good grief they've hit it off quickly' thought DM. "Are you both good friends" asked Danger Mouse. Marla felt confused 'Why is he asking all these questions' she thought. Then she answered "He has saved my life a few times" she replied before going back to her salad.

'She's covering up' thought DM who then proceeded to change the subject. "Read any good books lately" he asked. 'Great going DM' he thought sarcastically to himself 'How original, marry Victoria Wood why don't you'.

Marla looked up from her plate and timidly took a sip of wine "I read the biography of Venusian Professor, Chuck Javalon". 'You fool Marla he doesn't who the man is. Remember your not in the company of…'

"Who" asked DM slightly confuse. "Oh, I'm sorry I forgot you're not from this time. Professor Javalon is a famous Venusian scientist. He helped in the construction of the first laser beam, made on Venus in 2092" said Marla.

"Oh, really tell me more" said Danger Mouse.

"Well, Professor Javalon was also one of the first Venusians to ever visit the Earth. He also invented the first prototype monobile in 2095. Presently he and scientists from Mars and Earth are working on a space ship that can miniaturise and grow itself at the touch of a button" said Marla.

"Amen to that" said Danger Mouse raising his glass. Marla gave a small giggle. "By the way" began Danger Mouse. "Has this Professor ever chucked any javelins" joked DM.

Marla giggled even harder at this joke and took a sip of her wine.

'Excellent' thought DM 'Its all going well'.

A/N So there is someone in Marla's life; but who? Find out next time. Please review.