Walter, Gary, and Mary sat at an outside table at the bistro. It was a peaceful evening. Or at least, it should have been. Every so often, Walter would look up from his menu, and see Gary and Mary staring at him. Again, with the same questionable expressions. Walter came to his home town so that he could relax, but it felt like his brother was playing mind games with him. The boy decided to test things out.

"So, uh guys." Walter said, putting his menu down. "I was talking to Zach and Parker, and we had this idea the you guys are...up to something."

Gary and Mary exchanged a look, still smiling.

"What exactly do you think we're up to?" Gary asked, shady like.

Walter rolled his eyes at his older brother. "I know you guys are trying to set me up with Lily. Now, let me save you the trouble by telling you that it's never gonna happen."

"Why is that?" Mary asked, teasingly.

"Yeah," Gary said. "That's probably not how you felt in high school."

"Will you guys stop?" Walter exasperated, feeling infuriated with them. "She lives across the country, anyway. I'm telling you, it's not gonna hap-"

"There she is." Mary said, looking past Walter.

Walter turned around, and saw Lily approaching their table. Considering they hadn't seen each other in so long, she looked different.

But good different, in Walter's eyes.

Once again, Lily also had the form of a humanoid puppet. She had beautiful, long hazel brown hair that had an ombre into a golden blonde. As well as cute side bangs, that fell gently over her beautiful eyes. Her eyes were also a pretty hazel, with black eyelashes that let them pop out. She had pale peach skin and was wearing a navy blue lace dress, with cap sleeves and a black cardigan over it.

Woah. Walter thought to himself. That's new.

As Mary got up from the table to greet Lily, Walter didn't notice how much he was staring. Gary nudged his brother, snapping him out of it.

"Hey, guys!" Lily said happily, sitting next to Walter. Her voice was sweet and crisp, like Walter remembered.

"Walter," she said. "Long time no see, bud."

"Heh, yeah you too." Walter said, still a bit flustered. "You look, great..."

"Aw, thanks." She responded, "so do you. What happened to the brace face kid?"

"He's still here, just with...straighter teeth."

Lily laughed at his humour, her laughter was so beautiful. What was happening? Surely this isn't how Walter felt for her when they were kids. Heck, they've known each other since they were five years old. As for high school, that was a whole other situation. There was probably some sort of feelings going on, but Walter always blamed it on adolescent hormones going on in his head.

Throughout their meal, Walter could not stop listening to Lily. She was also an artist. Lily was extremely talented, funny, and was a beautiful singer. While growing up, it was clear her and Walter both had a knack for performing on stage. Lily was as well fascinated with Walter's stories of being an official Muppet. Of course, she was a fan. She remembers watching old tapes of their shows with Walter, as a kid. The last time the two saw each other, Lily left for college to study musical theatre in New York. Currently, she did a lot of off-broadway plays. As many as her agent could get her, that is.

Halfway through the evening, Gary and Mary stood up from the table.

"Well, we're gonna get going." Gary said.

"Go?" Walter said, "it's so early."

"Well, we've got some wedding stuff to go over. Speaking of, can we see you for a second Walter?" Mary said, the engaged couple already walking away from the table. Walter hesitated, but sighed and went along with it.

"I'll be right back." He told Lily.

"No problem." She responded.

Walter approached Gary and Mary, who were waiting for him by the exit.

"Ok, you guys are leaving for one of two reasons. Either one, you're trying to get out of paying the bill. Or two, you're trying to leave me alone with Lily." The young muppet said, scowling at them.

"Walter, a great girl like Lily is rare. I don't see what the problem is." Gary said, trying to convince his brother.

"The problem is, is that she lives almost 3,000 miles from where I am. That wouldn't work!"

"Well, didn't you hear about her moving plans?" Mary asked, smirking.

Walter arched an eyebrow at his soon to be sister-in-law. "I may have heard something, but not entirely."

"Well guess you'll have to ask her." Gary said, putting his arm around Mary. "And thanks for covering the bill, too." The long-term couple then walked out of the bistro, leaving Walter confused and conflicted.

Walter let out a breath, and made his way back to the table. He sat next to Lily, who smiled at him.

"So uh, Lily..." Walter began, looking at his friend. "I heard that you're planning on moving. Where are you going...?"

Lily's eyes widened, and she slapped her hand against her forehead. "Oh my gosh, I'm so stupid! Walter, I've got the greatest news that I forgot to tell you." Lily took Walter's hands into hers, taking him by surprise. Walter's heart pounded, feeling her soft touch on him.

"What is it...?" Walter asked, trying not to blush from her hands on his.

Lily gave an award winning smile. "I'm moving to L.A.!" Walter felt his heart become faster, shocked by her news. Moving to L.A.? Did Gary and Mary know about this?

"Y-you're moving to L.A.?" Walter asked, astonished. "What happened to your Broadway plans?"

"Well, I was recently casted for a commercial, and after that, my agent told me that there is some television opportunities down in L.A. Walter, this could change my whole career around! As much as I love being on stage, I think this could be really good for me. I'll still sing, of course. I have some plans for that, too. Oh, also! I don't really know anyone around town, so maybe you can show me around...?"

Walter looked at Lily, her eyes glimmered with suspension, waiting for him to say something. Walter thought it was a great opportunity for Lily, he just didn't know how to put it into words.

"Lily, do you wanna take a walk to Smalltown Falls?" Walter awkwardly asked. Lily's smile faded, slightly. Her eyes now filled with less hope, and more confusion.

"Oh, uh...yeah sure." She responded.

After paying for the bill, the two began to make their way to Smalltown Falls. Also known as the most beautiful sight in the town. Usually, it was "the spot" to go on a romantic outing. But, that wasn't really Walter's intentions. He just needed to clear his head, and continue talking with Lily.

The two walked the entire way, in uncomfortable silence. The sun began to set, just as they made their way to the pathway on the greenery lot, that lead the the waterfall. Lily decided to break the tension.

"Walter?" She asked, her tone worried. "Does it...bother you, that I'm moving to L.A.?"

Walter turned to look at his friend, realizing that he's been coming off with a bad impression.

"No," he began. "No, no, no. Lily, I'm so excited for you to move to Los Angeles. It just...took me by surprise. Sorry, I haven't really slept for the past few days."

"Ha, yeah I can understand why." Lily said, her mood shifting. "I saw what happened to you and the Muppets in London, on the news. It looked dangerous, I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks." Walter said, happy that she was concerned for his safety. They made their way to the falls, and sat down on the wet grass. The sunset reflected against the flowing waterfall, giving it a gorgeous glow. Walter turned his gaze to look at Lily, whose eyes were glued to the scenery.

"It's beautiful..." she said, the sunlight reflecting in her eyes.

"Yeah, it is..." he said, still looking at Lily. He turned his head, before she could notice.

"By the way," she said. "I thought your performance on the Muppet Telethon was amazing. It seems like only yesterday you were whistling on your skateboard, on your way to school."

He looked back at Lily, smiling with flattery. "Thank you. I hope no one noticed that I was shaking like a leaf the entire time."

Lily laughed, not breaking her gaze with Walter. "If I didn't notice, I don't think anyone did. You know me, I have eyes like a hawk."

"Yeah, nothing gets by you." Walter chuckled. "It's funny, you always seemed to know when I was feeling insecure. You, and my brother. I think I've always had a...self-conscious problem."

Lily put her hand on Walter's shoulder. His heart began to beat faster, again.

"You're pretty amazing, Walter. I don't see why you're self-conscious. Anyone would be lucky to be you. Or even better, be with..." Lily drifted off. Walter looked at her with confusion, not sure if she was finished.

"What was that last part?" He asked.

"Um, it was noting." She responded.

It was quiet between the two, again. Lily took her hand off Walter's shoulder, now a bit uncomfortable.

"What day do you go back?" She asked, twiddling her thumbs, staring at them.

"Friday. When do you move?"

"I'm going back to New York, tomorrow. But, I'll be in L.A. around next Wednesday."

Walter shot his gaze back to Lily. "Wow, you're moving right away? I thought it would maybe take a few months, or so."

Lily looked back at Walter. "Yeah, I know it's insane. They want to get me started, right away. So, this works best..."

Walter's face softened a bit, he could hear the stress in her voice. He understood. After becoming a muppet, he dropped everything in Smalltown just to get to L.A. right away. It was the biggest change in his life.

He patted her back, comforting her.

"I know it's a crazy change, but I'm really excited. After everything that happened with our world tour, I think having you around will be refreshing."

Lily arched an eyebrow. "Refreshing?"

Walter blushed, but Lily couldn't see it. The sun had set, and now the moonlight was the only light source that surrounded them. He covered it up with an awkward laugh.

"You're amazing too, Lil. I have a feeling that L.A. is gonna be the town of your big break."

Lily smiled, and got up. Walter did the same.

"Thanks." She said. "Goodnight, Walter."

As she turned to walk away, her hair whipped against Walter's face. He flinched as it did so, but the aroma of her hair filled him with warmth, on the inside. He smiled, watching her walk away out of sight. He wasn't sure what he was feeling. He couldn't channel it. He just let it sit there, inside him.

"Night, Lily..." Walter whispered into the dark night. The boy then began to walk home.

Kermit sat in the living room of his mansion, looking down at his notes. He was gonna take Walter's advice, and hire part-time security. And he knew just the person, to do it. Even better, a muppet. He picked up his phone, to call Electric Mayhem.

"Dr. Teeth?" Kermit said, talking on the phone. "If it's okay, I'd like to give Animal an extra job. Nothing too big."

"Well, that's fine frog. As long as it doesn't involve trying to eat a drum set. That almost ended badly, last time..." Dr. Teeth responded on the other end.

"Eat drums!?" A raspy voice said, in the background.

"No, Animal! Heal!" Floyd's voice also spoke.

"Uh, don't worry. It's nothing like that, but something we definitely need his good senses, for." Kermit said, overwhelmed by the noises that were coming out of the phone.

"What is it?" Dr. Teeth asked.

"Well, because of everything that happened with Dominic and Constantine, I think we need some sort of security to scope out new people we hire. Besides Walter, Animal also knew. So, I think he's right for it."

"Well I'm fine for it, frog." Teeth said. "But don't ya think Walter should work with him, also? That boy has an epic eye for this stuff."

Kermit hesitated. This was something he already thought of, and decided not to. He had a good reason, but couldn't say why. It's still something the frog had a lot of planning, and thinking to do about.

"Well, I would..." Kermit said. "But, I can't. I may need Walter for something else, that I might want him to take. But, I don't plan on brining it up to him, or anyone for a while. Not until I've thought it all through, and have gotten some other opinions about it. So, if you could please not bring that up with anyone else, that would be really great."

"Uh, yeah. No problem, Kermit." Dr. Teeth said, now intrigued as to what Kermit was up to.

"Thanks, Teeth. If Animal has any problems with this, let me know."

"Yeah, for sure chief."

They ended the phone call, and Kermit tossed his notes on the coffee table. At least their security problem was thought of, and out of the way. But now, he had some other things to think about.

Walter walked up the pathway of Gary and Mary's house, still thinking about his conversation with Lily. He couldn't believe she was moving to L.A. It's great. But, he can't figure out why a part of him feels weird about it.

Before he entered the house, he stood on the porch. He needed to clear his head, before Gary and Mary crowded him with questions about the rest of his night. Walter looked up at the suburban night. Stars crowded the dark blue sky, twinkling. Perfect scenery, and a perfect moment for Walter to get things straight.

Getting things straight about what he was feeling, for Lily.

He didn't have a crush for her. No, there was no way. Was there? Maybe he was just overwhelmed by her stunning, matured beauty. Or maybe her talent, or humour, or maybe her personality. Oh wait...that is a crush.

Walter shook his head. This is ridiculous, he only saw her for a night. That doesn't mean anything. She was a friend. Just a friend. She was going to move to L.A., and Walter is going to show her around as a friend. That's it.

Walter let out a breath, exhausted. That was his final decision, and he needed to sleep. This weird feeling would go away in the morning.

Or, so he thought.

Walter entered the house, awaiting Gary and Mary's eagerness. He turned the corner from the entrance hall, to the living room. The two sat there, and perked up when Walter came in.

"Hey there, Mr. lucky!" Mary chanted. Walter rolled his eyes.

"How did the rest of the night go?" Gary asked, hope in his voice.

"Pretty good." Walter said, trying not to be too blunt. Walter crossed his arms and gave the couple a smirk. "You guys could have told me sooner that Lily is moving to L.A."

"Isn't it exciting?" Mary chirped, happily. "She'll be in the same town as you! Maybe you guys can double date to our wedding and-"

"Mary." Walter said, interrupting her. "We're just friends. She's moving to L.A., and I'm gonna show her around, as a friend."

Gary and Mary chuckled a bit, amused by Walter's defence against it all. Walter set out a sigh of impatience.

"Oh, by the way." Walter all of a sudden remembered something. "Gary, what happened to dad's window washing truck? Did it break down, again?"

Gary and Mary's moods all of a sudden shifted. They exchanged an uncomfortable look, and looked back at Walter with discomfort. Walter noticed this, and knew something had happened.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Well Walter, I...I kind of sold the truck..." Gary said, scratching the back of his head. Walter felt his stomach drop a bit. That was more than just a truck.

"Gary..." Walter said. "Dad gave us that truck before he..." Walter drifted off. It wasn't something he liked to talk about. He was very close to his father, and was devastated when he died in the army, when Walter was still 18. After college, Walter went into the window washing business with Gary, using their father's old truck that he left for them. Walter was still in his early twenties, so he couldn't believe it had happen only a few years, ago.

"I know buddy, but I had to. You see...I got a new job." Gary said, trying to get his brother on board.

"You did?" Walter said, surprised. "Where?"

"I'm an auto mechanic, down at the shop. They offered me a job, with better pay, and better working facilities. It's really good for everything Mary and I have coming up."

"Gary, that's...great!" Walter said, trying to show that he was happy for his brother.

Gary took Walter's reaction by surprise. "Really? You're okay?"

"Well, come on. You couldn't keep that car, forever. This is you're career, we're talking about! If it's better for you, it's better for you."

Gary smiled in return. "Thanks, buddy."

"Thanks, Walter." Mary also said, gratefully.

"I'm gonna get some sleep. I'm still pretty sleep deprived." Walter said, turning and beginning to walk away.

"Walter?" Gary called out. Walter turned to look at him.

"Yeah?"

Gary smiled at his brother. "I forgot to tell you this at the Muppet Telethon, but...dad would be really proud of you. He always has been."

Walter looked towards a picture of his father on the mantle. It was a picture of him in his U.S. Marines Corps lieutenant suit. He stood proudly, holding his helmet. Walter had the same picture of him, back in L.A.

"Yeah, I know he would...thanks Gary." Walter said, still looking at the photo. "Night, guys." Walter then walked down to the guest bedroom. When he got there, he shut the door behind him, and leaned against it. What a day. He didn't really have the energy to think it all through, though, All he knew, was that he need to sleep it off.

Walter took his black blazer off, and through it onto his suitcase. He knows it should be hung up, but he was too tired to really care. Before Walter could continue getting ready, he got a text from Lily.

It read:

I'll see you in L.A., buddy. :)

Walter all of a sudden felt his heart beat, again. That same feeling washing over him.

He texted back:

For sure. Excited for you to come. :)

Walter put his phone down, and fell onto his bed. He looked at the ceiling, his heart still fluttering.

"Great. Just when I thought I got rid of that feeling..."