When Arthur got home that night he was exhausted. His discussion with Dangerboat had given him more than enough focus on his love life (or lack thereof). The Tick and Destiny wanted to have a sleepover, but he really wasn't in the mood. There was so much to think about—going into space—did he even have the guts to do it? He'd never even been on a plane, let alone a spaceship —even if it was Dangerboat he'd be riding on, the thought made his stomach do flip-flops. Yet Superian needed them, and if his conversation with him was any indication, the need was more than urgent—and, in spite of Superian's well—superior—status, it could even quite possibly be a matter of life or death.

It wasn't just Superian Arthur was worried about. He wondered if Dangerboat was even ready for this kind of mission. As they were leaving, Dangerboat had made an astonishing announcement: "I've got a surprise for all of you! I'm going to bring you on a flight tomorrow. Be here at 9am, sharp!"

Arthur wasn't really a morning person. He only had to get up early when he had to. He wasn't sure he was ready for an early morning flight—but the Tick was more than ready, he was excited like a little kid on Christmas, and Arthur couldn't ignore his admiration at Dangerboat for even considering flight as an option, given his history with PTSD.

He had really underestimated the ship's potential. He only hoped he'd underestimated his own, because now he was going to have to trust Dangerboat to take him not only into the atmosphere, but to the moon, and into outer space….Could he really go through with it?

He took out a picture he kept hidden in his dresser drawer. It was one of his dad, with him as a kid, and his family at Christmastime, all smiling and happy. What would you have done? Arthur asked the picture silently. Would his father, who was a military pilot, backed out on going on such an adventure, because he was afraid?

There was a sudden knock at the door, and Arthur quickly placed the picture, gently, back inside the drawer. "Come in," he allowed wearily.

"Hey there Chum!" The Tick announced brightly as he practically bounced in, an electric blue ball of energy, "I thought you were sleeping! We've got a whole line of movies set up for the evening—we've got drama, we've got romance!—but I've gotta tell you—something's missing—because a great evening's not complete without you!"

"...romance?" Arthur grunted. "Ugh." He flopped onto the bed and stared glumly up at the ceiling.

The Tick flopped down on the bed next to him and gave his friend a small and inviting smile. They lay like that for a moment, not speaking.

"Interesting day, huh?" The Tick remarked idly after some time had passed.

Arthur still didn't respond, which gave the Tick pause "Hey Arthur..." The Tick nudged him gently, "Penny for your thoughts?"

"...You really think we can reach Superian, Tick?" Arthur wasn't about to say what he was actually thinking.

"Sure Chum." The Tick smiled wistfully at him. "Turns out: DB's a spaceship! So I think we've actually gotten ourselves into the good graces of Lady Luck."

"Yeah but—" Arthur shifted uneasily. "I just wonder if—I mean—how is this even going to work?" He didn't want to let on how nervous he actually was. "We—we don't even know anything about these aliens that captured Superian….or how hostile they are—"

"Arthur," smiled the Tick, "have you forgotten? I'm on your team! And I'm—

"- 'nigh-invulnerable' ," Arthur finished along with him, nodding slowly with an inward groan. "Yeah, Tick, I know all that! But—this whole 'going into space' thing…" He shivered a little, even as he was in his own bed, in his own room, and completely safe beside the Tick, who was staring intently at him, listening to his every word. "I'm not sure we're ready for something like this…as a team, I mean," he added hastily, knowing his own voice probably belied his true insecurity. "I mean—I still can't believe this is what we're actually planning to do." He wondered if it sounded as crazy to other people as it did to him. He wondered what his own mother would think about his going up into space…he wondered how far they would have to go into the depths of the Universe to retrieve Superian from the depths of Hell and back to Earth again…. "Not all aliens are like Superian, you know," he added grimly. "A lot of them would probably like to see all humans disappear completely from existence."

"Well I can't say that I've ever met an alien," the Tick confessed, "aside from Superian, that is….But Chum, we've got to try! This is a rescue mission, after all. Our friend is in distress. He's reached out to you for help—and he's helped us on more than one occasion—and he's always had our backs!"

"That's true," Arthur had to admit. "I know we have to try…but…if we fail…" He swallowed hard. "I'll never forgive myself—"

"Who said anything about 'failing'?" The Tick sat upright with sudden determination. "Chum, you've got to shoot for the moon! The sky's the limit! This is 'no holds barred'-we'll go to the ends of the Earth and beyond to save our friend when he's in the nebulous confines of Evil's deathly grip! We won't give up until we've found him—as he would have if we were in his place—" The Tick took Arthur by the hand, yanked him upwards into a sitting position, and looked intently into his eyes. "Are you with me Chum!? Say it now and say it loud, and say it proud!: This is our 'Battle Cry'! Let's Save Superian and Save Our Race: Let's go into Outer Space!"

The next morning found Arthur surprisingly fully rested, as the talk with Tick had given him much-needed relief. He was grateful for a good night's sleep, especially when he noticed Dot was calling his cell phone. He quickly picked up.

"ARTHUR!" Her tone was far too loud for so early in the morning. "What is this I hear about you going into outer fucking SPACE?"

"So you've heard the news," Arthur replied, reaching eagerly for his coffee.

"This isn't funny, Arthur!" He could tell by the sound of her voice that his sister was more than just a little upset. "I should hear about it from YOU that you're doing something so drastic as going into ORBIT," Dot's voice rose, "Not from you of course-but from Overkill of all people!—who by the way is not exactly thrilled about the idea—and I for once, I actually agree with him! What are you even thinking!? You've never even FLOWN before—how are you going to go into outer SPACE!?" Dot began to pace with the phone to her ear, "and did you even ONCE think about letting Mom know about this!?"

Arthur bit his lip, pained by the sudden realization that he hadn't actually given it any thought. "Actually…." he winced. "No…"

"Well I'm coming with you," Dot barked into the phone, "and I'm telling Mom! And you better believe Walter's gonna know about this too–"

"Walter can't know!" Arthur was suddenly sweating even though his AC was turned on. "He's friends with AEGIS, Dot! We've got to keep this low-key as possible. We've got to do this undercover!"

"You're joking right?" Dot was completely exasperated. "You really think this can get by AEGIS? They're a government security system, Arthur! How in the world do you expect—"

"Look…I'll handle it, alright? I'll talk to Mom and Walter." Arthur groaned silently to himself (why was he always willing to submit to others' whims so easily without a fight?)

"TONIGHT, Arthur." Dot, he could tell, was not pleased by this turn of events. "Not tomorrow! Not next week. TONIGHT."

"We don't have longer than next week, Dot." Arthur knew his voice was grim, but this was serious, and she needed to understand that. "Superian might not make it til next week."

There was a long and seemingly endless pause, during which Arthur could actually hear his own heart beating in his ears.

"..Dot?" Arthur dared to speak up. "Are—are you still there—?"

"I'll see you at the docks."

The line cut short suddenly to silence.

Arthur sat alone in the kitchen, listening to the Tick snore, all the while trying to ignore the ever-building and overwhelming feeling of dread, as the unyielding pressure between his temples expanded, and continued to grow.

"This is so exciting!" Destiny was all aflutter. She had practically skipped hand-in-hand with Arthur and Tick down to the docks. "Where do you think he's going to take us?"

"Hopefully not too far." Arthur held his aching stomach, already regretting that full morning meal of eggs the Tick had made him.

He noticed the Tick was staring quizzically at him. "You're looking a little green around the gills there, Chum!"

"Thanks," Arthur mumbled as they arrived at Dangerboat's entrance, where Overkill was waiting for them.

"Your sister's in there having a conniption fit," Overkill greeted Arthur with what appeared to be an already sour disposition. "You might want to go inside and give her a sedative."

"Shit!" Arthur burst indoors, where he was greeted by a furiously pacing and completely flustered Dorothy. "Dot—what's wrong?"

"THIS!" Dot waved her arms about wildly. "This whole crazy stupid THING, Arthur—you can't keep putting yourself into danger for the sake of others—you just can't!"

Arthur gaped at her, as he'd never seen Dot quite so on the verge of tears.

"Dot." Dangerboat suddenly spoke up before he could react. "Arthur is a part of a team. He is not alone in his quest."

"My brother can speak for himself!" snapped Dot, shooting a dangerous glare at the ceiling.

"He's right, Dot." Arthur shuffled a little where he stood, trying to ignore her flashing eyes of anger boring down on him. "I'll be safe. We've got the Tick, okay? And Overkill. And–" He suddenly realized they needed recruitments. "We're going to have the power of the Five," he added boldly. "And you, too," he added hastily, "that is…if you'll give us a chance."

"It's more than taking chances, Arthur." Dot's voice was grim and filled with trepidation. "It's putting your entire life in harm's way!" She began to pace again. "We don't even know what these aliens are capable of doing!"

"DOT!" He grabbed her arm, gently yet firmly, and forced her to look him in the eye. "I'm not doing anything I don't want to be doing," he said. "I'm following the path that's been set before me, okay? I'm answering the Call."

"The 'Call'?" Dot responded doubtfully, trying (and subsequently failing) to hide her disbelief.

"Exactly!" Arthur exclaimed, with a sudden excitement beginning to brew inside of him, "the CALL, Dot! Don't you see!? It's The Call of DESTINY!"

"You rang?"

And there she was: Lady Destiny was standing in the doorway, as though he'd summoned her like a genie from the bottle.

He was about to introduce her to Dot properly (he couldn't recall if they'd met, he hadn't been coherent in the hospital), but before he had a chance, Dot was hot on her heels as she strode straight over to Destiny, and from her urgency, Arthur could tell she was furious. "YOU," snapped Dot, "you're the reason for all of this, aren't you? Who are you, huh? A witch? You've clearly got my brother under some rotten spell," Dot hissed, intimidatingly close as she stood with her nose inches from Destiny's face.

"DOT!" Arthur hissed, horrified, but Destiny held her hand up to silence him.

"I'm not a witch," Destiny replied, still smiling and just as calm as could be. "Actually," she confessed, "I'm a Category….just like you."

"JESUS Arthur!" Dot whirled around, incensed, "you actually told her I was a Category?!"

Arthur blushed. "Well actually, I—"

"What else did you tell her!?" Dot fumed. "Huh? Did you tell her about Walter, too?" she huffed, glaring at him.

"Actually–" Arthur was glancing between them, seemingly a little shocked as well as confused. "I didn't tell her about any of that." He turned towards his unusual guest. "Destiny," Arthur stammered, "how did—how did you know—"

"It's easy," smiled Destiny, "when you've got The Gift."

" 'The Gift'?" Dot muttered, narrowing her eyes. "Arthur, what is she talking about?"

"She's psychic, I think," Arthur suggested, glancing at Destiny for confirmation, "Right, Destiny? You get…Visions? or…something like that?"

"Let's just say I know certain things," Destiny smiled back, nodding, and Arthur nodded back, as a silent knowing passed evidently between them.

" 'Things'?" Dot countered, still not buying it. "Arthur—this woman just came out of nowhere—"

"She's not just some woman," the Tick interjected as he suddenly entered the room, "she's Lady Destiny, Dot! She's the One who knows the One and Only True Path for us all!"

"Oh yeah?" Dot snorted. "Does she know if I'm paying the right amount for car insurance?"

"Definitely overpaid," Overkill grunted from behind. "Insurance is a racket. Thankfully my mode of transportation doesn't need any."

"You're welcome," piped up Dangerboat, and Overkill grunted again in response.

"So…" Arthur was grateful that the tension seemed to diffuse, at least somewhat, even though Dot was still silently seething. "Where are we going today, DB?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"It's a surprise," Dangerboat announced. "First, we'll get familiar with transportation protocol. Please stand against the far wall and prepare to be amazed."

"I feel like I'm lining up for execution," Dot whispered to Overkill as they did as they were told.

"He's got something fishy up his sleeve," Overkill muttered in response, "I can feel it…"

Before they knew what was happening, the Dangertable in the center of the room had begun to lower, until it sank below the floor. Suddenly, in its place, rose five state-of-the-art reclining seats, which took center stage just as the table had been. They appeared to be one-size-fits all, and Arthur marveled at the quality of craftsmanship that had gone into their creation. "These are your seats for the maiden voyage," replied Dangerboat, "which should not take more than an hour at most. We will first make our debut exit at the end of the bay where the water is deepest."

"Oh no," Arthur moaned, "don't tell me that you're a submarine too!"

"I can travel underwater actually," replied Dangerboat, "but you can relax, Arthur, for that is not on the agenda for today."

Arthur breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

"Now please choose your seats and prepare for a ride," ordered Dangerboat.

Everyone immediately found their favorite spot, including the Tick, who was surprised to find his seat was luxuriously comfortable. "KEEN!" he exclaimed, "DB, you sure know how to travel in style!"

"Alright." Dangerboat was transfiguring something on a screen. "Let's do this!"

And suddenly, as if on cue, the hull was filled with the motion of multiple colorful lights, the sparkling glow of a disco ball. And accompanying it began the encouraging and motivational lyrics of Chumbawamba's song "Tubthumping": "I get knocked down, but I get up again/ You are never gonna keep me down!" The rest of the ship's lights turned on, and suddenly they were moving, slowly at first and then at a relative speed down the canal, heading diligently and steadily towards the opening of the bay.

Dot glanced over at Overkill, and found herself amused to find he was already dancing in his seat along with the music—it was like he couldn't help himself—and she couldn't help but join him, suddenly finding herself caught up in the magic of the moment.

They sped along at an even speed, as the lyrics continued to blare and blast into their ears: "I get knocked down, but I get up again/You are never gonna keep me down!" and even Arthur found himself singing along.

Once they were out further into the open ocean, Dangerboat slowed down his speed and the music stopped. "Now," he addressed his crew, "this is a little technique I learned that's called a 'Trust Exercise'. You will find in the pocket of your seats, a handkerchief—please locate this item now." He waited patiently as each passenger located their handkerchiefs. "Now, I am going to take you on a little joyride," Dangerboat announced, "but where we are going is in fact a surprise! So I would prefer that you remain blindfolded until we arrive at our destination."

"Oh, FUCK no!" Overkill leapt out of his seat in a fury. "Jesus DB!" he bellowed, "Are you out of your fucking MIND!?" The boat remained silent as Overkill began to pace back and forth in a fury. "This is the first time you're taking me in the air," he hollered, "and you want me to be fucking blindfolded!? What IS this, a goddamned HOSTAGE SITUATION?"

"Of COURSE not!" Dangerboat sounded amused rather than offended. "I simply want to surprise you by—"

"FUCK YOU!" Overkill growled and, before Dangerboat could protest, he had hurled the handkerchief clear across the room.

"Overkill…" Destiny had also gotten out of her seat and was now carefully approaching the silently seething vigilante. "I think we ought to give Dangerboat a chance." She nodded at Dangerboat, who remained surprisingly silent as if urging her to go on. "He's clearly come a long way if he's willing to do this."

"Do you even know what happened to him?" Overkill whipped around, snarling practically in her face. "Do you know why he wasn't able to fly for years before I knew him?"

"Overkill." Arthur spoke up. "I think Dangerboat's more than ready to—"

Overkill whirled around with a death glare. "Who asked you!?"

"Thank you, Arthur." To his amazement, Dangerboat had responded for him. "Arthur's right, Overkill," the boat confirmed to his still quietly stewing partner, "I am in fact most definitely ready to proceed."

Arthur was pleasantly surprised by Dangerboat's response. However, it was Dot that surprised him the most, as she approached Overkill cautiously from behind. "Come on," she encouraged him, smiling brightly, "this is Dangerboat…he's never let you down before, right?"

Overkill grunted something unintelligible and looked away.

"He took us out into the ocean, Overkill." Dot motioned towards the open space that surrounded him. "Didn't you tell me that he hasn't left the bay?"

Overkill remained silent.

"Come on, man," the Tick urged, "DB's good people! Give him a chance!"

"He's a boat , you moron," Overkill snapped back with a glare in the Tick's direction. Even so, it seemed his anger had been spent and the urge to argue had finally subsided. "Fine…." he muttered, and everyone let out a collective sigh of relief (including Dangerboat), "let's do this thing! But I'm telling you right now: I'm just going to keep my eyes closed," he huffed, "no blindfold."

"You are my loyal partner." Dangerboat was beaming down at him with pride. "It is okay with me. I trust you."

Dot couldn't help but grin with her own swelling pride as Overkill quickly got back into his seat and re-buckled. He ignored her smile, but she continued to grin to herself in silence even as she put on the blindfold. "We will begin with a countdown," declared Dangerboat. "Is that alright with everyone? Feel free to count with me if you like," he added with palpable excitement, "I like to begin with countdowns."

Everyone responded with unanimous agreement, and after a moment of silence, Dangerboat began:

"T minus 10…9….8…7…6…5…4…"

As they were counting, Arthur could feel something about their environment shift, but he didn't remove the blindfold. Suddenly the entire ship began to rumble, and the entire floor began to shake beneath his feet—and suddenly, they were beginning to lift off the water, and rise upwards, steadily upwards, slow at first, and then faster and faster, steadily gaining speed as they shot farther and farther up into the atmosphere.

"CHUM!?" The Tick managed to shout over the din through chattering teeth, " ARTHUR ! Talk to me: What's HAPPENING!? "

"I DON'T KNOW!" Arthur shouted back as he tried to ignore the beating of his quickening heart, "but I'M STARTING TO REALLY LIKE IT!"

"SHIT," Overkill shouted over the rumbling noise that was beginning to build, "SOMETHING'S NOT RIGHT!" and Arthur had to agree—because the momentum of the ship's speed was pressing him full-force back into his seat.

"WHAT IS IT!?" Arthur yelled, gripping his seat.

"HE'S GOING TOO FAST," Overkill yelled back. "DB—SLOW DOWN! This isn't—" Suddenly they felt a large POP, that seemed to shake the ship to its very core—and a loud bang, as something shifted beneath them. In spite of himself, Overkill jumped in his seat. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!?"

"Booster rockets," Dangerboat responded calmly from overhead. "It is normal. Not to worry."

"Booster—WHAT?" Overkill stared in horror as he looked out the window, only to watch Earth getting smaller and smaller, and the Earth's atmosphere falling away from them at warp speed. "Holy SHIT! DB—WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!?"

"The surprise." Dangerboat was clearly enjoying this. "SURPRISE!"

"What is happening!?" Dot cried over the almost deafening sounds that had engulfed us.

"He's taking us into outer space," Overkill muttered, unable to peel his eyes from the window, as well as believe himself.

Dot ripped off her handkerchief, finding herself staring at the same view and at a complete loss for words, as Dangerboat left the atmosphere and continued to climb, nearing close to 2000 km above Earth. "Holy SHIT!" exclaimed Dot. "ARTHUR!" She tore off Arthur's handkerchief. "LOOK…Just LOOK where he's brought us…!"

Arthur stared in a daze, watching as the ship began, to his amazement, to slow down and, even more shocking, began to hover, in mid-space flight, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Dangerboat…" Arthur croaked. "You…you took us into outer space…?" He could hardly speak. "Dot…." he managed to squeak out a choked whisper, "Are we…really…actually…in outer SPACE?"

Dot, who was unable to speak, managed to nod as best she could before Arthur grabbed her and drew her into a loving embrace. "I can't believe this…" Arthur looked for the Tick, who was already gazing out his own window—and he was floating! "TICK…!" Arthur pointed with astonishment, "You're—you're—you're—"

"EGAD!" Tick glanced down at himself in shock. "I'm actually FLYING!" he let out a booming laugh of delight, "and guess what ARTHUR? SO are YOU!" Arthur didn't realize it until after he'd unbuckled his seatbelt-but the Tick was right! He was, indeed, flying-and he realized he was experiencing that much sought-after all-encompassing weightlessness that one can only experience when they are truly in space! He felt as light as feather. The feeling was unlike any he'd ever experienced before, and he began to laugh, laughing so hard he almost cried. "TICK!" he exclaimed, "I'm actually FLYING…WITHOUT the suit!"

"Arthur,"The Tick cried with joy, laughing along with him, I'm actually FLYING!" Laughing some more, they began to twirl and flip in the air, enjoying their newfound freedom.

"Dangerboat!" Arthur laughed with giddiness overwhelming him, "you're amazing!"

"I know," Dangerboat beamed back with pride.

"You know what?" The Tick boomed, "I think this calls for a CELEBRATION!"

"Indeed!" Destiny agreed, beaming back at him as she twirled along with the others, "Why don't you turn that Disco ball back on—LET'S DANCE!"

Dot loosened her seatbelt and let herself float, wondering how it could feel like the most natural thing in the world—it felt like coming home. "Overkill?" She looked to Overkill, only to find he wasn't there.

Dot was surprised how easily she found air-swimming as she went in search of him down a short corridor. Sure enough, he was at the end of the hall, staring out a far window. He was floating in mid-air, but he did not seem to be enjoying the experience as much as she was. As she drew closer, she was surprised to find he was hugging himself in a rigid and tight upright position, and the closer she drew, she was surprised to find that he was actually….trembling….which was not like him. At all.

"Overkill?" Dot began to approach him slowly.

He didn't seem to hear her approaching, which was odd, because he wasn't wearing his helmet and there wouldn't be any distractions. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder, and he jumped—which was even stranger, because Overkill wasn't one to scare easy—least of all a gentle finger tap, but that alone had seemed to make him ill-at-ease—but it was more the silence which, if she was being honest with herself, almost frightened her. It wasn't like him to ignore her like this.

"Hey—" Dot managed to maneuver herself to where she could see his face—his eyes were closed, his breath uneven. "What is it?" Dot urged, with increasing concern. "What's wrong?"

Still, he didn't respond.

"Overkill!" Without thinking she grabbed his side.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" He practically snarled as he jerked his arm away.

"What's the matter?" Dot persisted, trying to ignore her growing dread.

No answer.

"Are—" she turned her face away, embarrassed. "Are you—sick?"

"NO!" he growled, "I'm FINE!"

"Then what's the matter with you?"

His eyes shot open then. "I SAID I'm FINE!" he snapped, and he was glaring at her now almost dangerously. He was acting like she was a stranger, and his tone was a heavy warning, but Dot wasn't backing down.

"You're NOT 'fine'," she shot back, "you're acting weird! Even for you," she added hotly.

Instead of arguing the point, he abruptly turned away, muttering something unintelligible under his breath.

"Overkill!" she insisted, "Please…" She tried not to sound desperate. "Please talk to me?" She knew she sounded pathetic, but she didn't care. She just wanted him to like her again.

"Overkill…" She moved towards him and was going to attempt to touch his arm again when suddenly his fist shot out and struck the wall, and Dot swerved out of the way with surprise, narrowly missing his fist just in time.

"DAMMIT!" Overkill snapped, as he pounded the wall a second time. "He should have been here FIRST!"

"What?" Dot blinked in confusion. "...Who?"

Overkill placed both hands against the wall as the rest of his body free floated. She could tell he was trying to calm his own nerves but struggling. "HE should have gotten here FIRST," he spat at the floor. "NOT me….it should have been HIM."

"Who…" Dot dared to speak again, but she was careful this time to keep her distance. "Who are you talking about?" she forced herself to ask as gently as possible. He still wouldn't look at her, but his eyes were open this time as they stared blankly at the floor.

"...My father." He spoke so softly she had to strain to hear him, but she could just barely make them out as he continued. "It was his dream to go to outer space….It was the reason he was an astronaut in training working for NASA but…he was killed before he had a chance to make it to Cape Canaveral."

"Shit." Dot swallowed hard, trying to rid the lump in her throat. "...How…" She wasn't sure she should continue. "...How old were you," she asked softly, "when it happened?"

"...Wasn't even born." He kept his eyes glued rigidly to the floor. "Never got a chance to meet him."

The words were like an arrow to her heart, and Dot winced painfully. "Shit." She had suddenly remembered Overkill's mention of the orphanage, and being taken in by Uncle Samson, the late former leader of the original Flag Five. Her eyes welled unexpectedly with tears. "Overkill I'm sorry–" she began, but then he looked up sharply, and she sucked in her breath, startled to find his eyes were shimmering as though reflecting her own.

"I'm not asking for your sympathy." His voice was cold and almost dangerous, and Dot shrank back abruptly with stunned surprise.

"I–" she choked out, "I-I didn't mean—"

"Don't you dare feel sorry for me!"

"I'm not—!" she stammered, "I-I don't—" She tried to avoid his sharp glare, unable to look him in the eye. "I just mean—I get it," she muttered, "...you know?" She looked away. "I lost my Dad too," she murmured, softly, and lowered her gaze to the floor.

"At least you got to know him." His bitterness was palpable, but there was something else that caused her to glance up. When she did, she was stunned for a moment into silence, as he was clearly shaken and visibly struggling to maintain his composure.

"Hey…" She started to reach her hand out to him, but stopped mere seconds from physical contact. "It's okay to cry, you know," she said instead, never breaking her gaze.

"I'm NOT crying!" His body was shaking even as he spoke in protest. "I don't cry." He turned his face sharply away from her view. "Crying's for sissies."

Dot winced at the words; then, in the awkward silence that followed, she suddenly remembered something. "You wanna know something?" she moved slightly closer in his vicinity, even as he looked away, " I cried when my Dad died." She shut her eyes, trying to ignore the painful memory, but she couldn't help but remember the pain of that moment. "Sometimes," she confessed, "I still cry…in private…when nobody's watching." She forced herself to face him then, even as he continued to look away. "Does that make me a sissy?"

"You're no sissy." He looked straight at her then, for the first time since their conversation had begun. His eyes were unusually bright with unshed tears, but they were more beautiful than any pair of eyes she'd ever seen. "You might be the strongest and most courageous woman I've ever known." He spoke the words with such intense purity and admiration that the impact of them made her feel weak in the knees.

"Thanks…" She looked away with embarrassment. "I don't feel too strong lately," she admitted halfheartedly.

"You're definitely stronger than you give yourself credit for." He was staring at her intently then, more intently than ever before.

"Thanks." She blushed, smiling at him. "You're stronger too though." Suddenly feeling braver, she gave him an affectionate pat on the back, and she was relieved when this time he didn't jump. Instead, he continued to maintain his focus on her.

Dot was suddenly very aware that they were alone. "Maybe we should go rejoin the party?" She glanced towards the hull, where down the hall the dance party continued. "Looks like they're having fun out there."

He still wasn't removing his gaze, and Dot was beginning to feel her face flush bright crimson.

"Hey Dot…" Suddenly he spoke, but before she could respond, his lips had collided with her own, and suddenly they were kissing, passionately, as she wrapped her legs around his frame, and he pulled her into a strong embrace, burying his face in her hair as he breathed in her familiar scent. They maintained the kiss for almost more than a minute, which was perhaps the most blissfully eternal moment of all her life. All of Time had seemed to stop and the world was, in fact, so very far away.

When the kiss was over, they remained within their embrace, holding each other as though they would never let go. They stayed like that for a few more moments, until the song had ended.