Disclaimer, you know.

At school the next day alex found himself sitting in the school library, staring out a window. He didn't feel whole without dorothy around.

"alex, ace told me you've been sitting there for most of the day." Mr. Alistair said walking up behind him.

"Yes, can't I sulk in peace?" alex asked.

"no." he replied.

"Uncle, it's just too quiet without her around." Alex said

"well, I can't deny that, it's odd, she's only been gone a day and it seems the entire town is feeling her absence." Mr. Alistair said.

"I just wish there were a way for me to be there with her." Alex said.

"Well, there is, but your father and mother would probably kill me." Mr. Alistair said suddenly cursing under his breath.

"okay you have my attention." Alex said with genuine interest.

Mr. Alistair cursed under his breath once again. he sighed and took out his handkerchief, wiping his brow.

"I have a friend up that way that sends me tickets to a carnival that happens around the spring and summer, because he's trying to get our old band back together, oh don't look at me like that, yes I had a band, I was the guitarist." Mr. Alistair said.

"so if I get a band suddenly formed together, you can get me tickets, we can play there, and I can see her." Alex said.

"yes, but my question becomes, how would you form a band?, and how would you stop your mother from killing me as a result?" Mr. Alistair asked

"I'll use Madeline's manipulative abilities, then I can use Jack, Her, maybe Morris or Wendell." Alex said.

"Alex, this is the most irresponsible plan I've heard in a long time." Aislynn said suddenly looking up from her book.

"Ace, why are you listening in?" Alex asked.

"because with dorothy not around, I'm the one who has to keep you in line." She said.

"and who told you that?" alex asked.

"me." She replied.

"Ace, thanks but I can take care of myself." Alex said.

"Alex, I hate to say it but she's right, not only is it bad for me to even be putting the idea in your head, but it would be bad if you went." Mr. Alistair replied.

"Uncle, please." Alex begged.

"Wow…he's actually begging." Aislynn said.

"Ace, please be quiet, alex I'll see if I can manage it, but if you're going to do it, you have to get your own equipment." Mr. Alistair said.

Alex beamed with delight, instead of having to wait for dorothy to come home in a couple months, he'd hopefully be seeing her.

"I'll see what Madeline and I can manage to pull together, oh, and can you tell my folks about this?" alex asked.

At that point Mr. Alistair walked away, white as a sheet, he was continuing to curse himself under his breath.

Meanwhile on the train.

When dorothy awoke she was feeling rather stiff. Folding up her coat she stretched and walked to the buffet car where she grabbed an apple and a small carton of juice before heading back to her compartment. When she got there, she found Madeline waiting for her, with a cup of tea.

"Maddie, you shouldn't be here." dorothy said.

"and you shouldn't have left without saying goodbye to everyone." Madeline said.

"Maddie, if someone see's you, if you get caught without a ticket." Dorothy said.

"I can vanish faster than the lock on the compartment can click." Madeline said smiling.

"Hey, she's here to keep you company." Toto said.

"thanks for taking her side." Dorothy said pulling down the shade on the compartment.

"Dorothy, I know you're lonely." Madeline said.

"that doesn't me, turn up uninvited." Dorothy argued.

"yes it does." Madeline replied.

Dorothy growled and Madeline smiled.

"you know I wouldn't be as upset if you didn't wear the same ridiculous outfit all the time." Dorothy said.

"Hey, I have it in red, blue, and forest green, as well as chess themed." Madeline said.

Dorothy rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Maddie, do me a favor, check on alex at some point." Dorothy said.

"I have, and no points for guessing what he's been up to all morning." Madeline said.

"sulking?" dorothy asked

"uh-huh." Madeline replied.

Dorothy sighed and rolled her eyes before opening the carton of juice and downing the entire drink in a few seconds.

"Maddie can you please go?" dorothy asked.

"seeing as you'd rather be on your lonesome with your pets, I'll leave you be, but remember, I'm always listening." Madeline said smiling.

"I know." Dorothy replied.

Madeline chuckled then took out her wand. Waving it, she immediately vanished. Dorothy sighed and put the shade back up before starting on her apple. After she finished it she gave toto and pockets some treats. She had about a day left in her little journey, and it was beginning to get boring.

Later back in Kansas.

"I don't see why he can't." Came the voice of Mr. Foreman from the kitchen of the teak residence.

"Jon it's the second most irresponsible thing my brother has ever suggested to anyone." Mrs. Teak replied.

"well, from an education standpoint no, not practical at all, but his grades are well standing are they not?" Jon asked curiously.

"yes, but…" and that was as far as Mrs. Teak got.

Jon Replied.

"well, I guess… but you have to go too, besides, you used to be amazing with the guitar and the keyboard, and you're the only normal adult available." Mrs. Teak said.

"deal." Jon said.

"Fine, in a couple months, in time for the fair, you guys will all be in California, I went to that fair once with my brother, wonderful time." She said getting up and walking out of the kitchen.

"where are, you going? It's your house." Jon asked.

"I need to get some air, head down to the shop, tell my husband." Mrs. Teak said.

"And I'll wait for little Annabella I assume?" Jon asked.

"if you could." Mrs. Teak said walking out.