Taking it in turns to help support Stephanie, the friends made their way awkwardly through the deserted streets, illuminated only by the eerie orange glow of the streetlights. Stephanie took a gulp of water from the bottle she held precariously in one hand. 'Hey Pixel you've got to try this!' she exclaimed suddenly, unpredictably tipping the bottle over his head and showering him with water. Muttering obscenities under his breath, Pixel yanked the headset from his head as it fizzled and gave off small electrical sparks. 'What did you have to do that for?' he demanded crossly, snatching the bottle off her, but his question went unanswered. Paying him no heed, Stephanie burst into a rendition of singing in the rain, her voice bouncing loudly off the walls bordering either side of the road. Terrified that the noise might attract unwanted attention, Trixie hastily clapped a hand over her mouth.

'Shh, Stephie' she hissed. 'Stop it or we'll get caught out, you wouldn't want Sportacus to -' Trixie's words caught in her throat as the very man in question seemingly appeared out of nowhere in front of her eyes. Looking up she noticed a large black patch void of stars and realised his airship must have been hanging right overhead. For a split second she contemplated dumping Stephanie and making a run for it but realised she would probably have more hope of outrunning a cheetah.

'You wouldn't want Sportacus to what?' Sportacus asked with a wry smile.

'Errr… nothing' Trixie replied evasively.

'Hey who invited him?' Stephanie asked glaring.

'It looks like you could use some help' Sportacus remarked at her inebriated state.

'Not from you' Stephanie said coldly.

'Is there anything you might want to tell me?' he asked casually.

'Nope' Stephanie replied curtly.

'Stingy?' Sporactus asked, folding his arms.

'We…we didn't mean any harm' Stingy stammered. 'We just wanted to go out for a few drinks and a dance, but then she had to go and get blind drunk' he said scathingly, pointing a finger at Stephanie. 'You won't tell our parents, will you?' he asked hopefully.

'No, I won't tell your parents…' replied Sportacus flatly '…but you will, I think it's about time you all learnt something about consequences.'

Stingy's face fell. Accepting that things could be a lot worse, Trixie gave a downhearted nod before nudging Stephanie forwards.

'It's ok, I'll take Stephanie home' Sportacus offered.

With the aide of a bright yellow wall Stephanie managed to maintain her balance as Trixie and Pixel, muttering quick goodbyes, left with Stingy in tow. She stood watching blankly as her friends gradually disappeared around a street corner then suddenly made a wild dash after them, only managing a couple of steps before she tripped up and went flying.

Foreseeing the danger, Sportacus had already dived forwards. Catching her deftly in his arms, he landed on one knee. However, far from being grateful, Stephanie cursed, clawing at his arms with her nails as she fought viciously to break free from his grasp.

'Gerroff me' she cried angrily.

Sportaus set her down gently at once, keeping hold of one shoulder to help her balance.

She gave him a look full of loathing.

'Stephanie, why are you behaving like this?' Sportacus asked, his voice strained, 'can't you see how much it upsets your uncle…and me, when you do these things?' Peering into his ocean blue eyes, the hurt and sadness she glimpsed there only served to infuriate her further.

'Just leave me alone. You don't understand!' she shouted breathlessly. She gave him a sharp shove that didn't even so much as cause him to budge

'We don't make up these rules just to annoy you, it's because we care' he tried to reason, perplexed by her aggressiveness.

'Get away from me!' she shouted, no longer caring whether she woke up the whole town. 'I hate you, I'll never be good enough; there's no point in even trying!'

Though her words stung deeply, Sportacus looked more worried than pained. It was starkly obvious to himnow that her behaviour couldn't merely be attributed to plain recklessness, there was unquestionably more to it than that. He hoped that she finally might be willing to open up and talk about it.

'Good enough for what?' Sportacus probed.

'For you!' Stephanie yelled abruptly, her voice wavering. Twisting, she finally managed to wrench free of his grasp.

Sportacus looked bewildered.

'Because I love you!' The words came tumbling out before she knew what she was saying.

Stephanie flinched as her stomach bunched up into a tight knot. Exhaling a shaky breath, she staggered sideways, reaching out to steady herself against the wall. Her anger drained away and instead hot tears of shock and frustration welled at the corners of her eyes as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Blinking hard, she tried to keep the tears back, not wanting Sportacus to see her so vulnerable. Had she really been so totally blinded by denial? Had it taken her to get this drunk to finally let her true feelings out? Frantically she tried to refute it, but it was no use, despite all her best efforts, she couldn't deny it any longer; she loved him. Leaning against the wall, her body trembled as she wept silently, tormented by the jarring truth.

There was a long silence before Sportacus spoke. 'Come on, you've had too much to drink, I'll take you home,' he said softly.

She didn't try to resist as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, she felt emotionally exhausted. The tears continued to fall as she buried her face into his shoulder and wished with all her battered and confused heart that she could disappear to a place where no one would ever be able find her.

Back in his airship after returning Stephanie home, Sportacus sat on his bed grasping his blue waistcoat in his hands, staring at the salty patch where her tears had fallen earlier. If only she knew how it was nearly more than he could bear to see her cry. Her words had made his heart soar and he had wanted nothing more than to say them back to her, to soothe her with gentle caresses and assure her that she was perfect just the way she was, no matter what crazy things she did. However, as her mentor and counsellor, he hadn't let himself; he couldn't betray the trust and responsibility invested in him by the people of Lazytown - especially the Mayor. He gazed melancholy at the red scratches marking his upper arm. He felt as if he were caught in some merciless tug of war with no hope of escape. Being a hero, the feelings of helplessness and powerlessness were new and frustrating. 'Lights' he commanded downheartedly, laying the shirt carefully to one side. Stretching out on his bed he closed his eyes to try and get some sleep before dawn.