Disclaimer- I don't own WordGirl or her universe, just the plot and supporting characters. The lyrics from last chapter belong to Stevie Wonder.

Feel free to review.

Sally spent the rest of the work day getting ready to present the Florida case and book a flight for the next morning. She couldn't be more upset with the current situation than she was now. She threw files into her suitcase without care to their fragile material. She was beginning to hate this job.

Sally's rampage on the papers did not go unobserved. Claire had returned to Sally's office at the end of the day to check up on her. The state of their last conversation just made her feel obligated to watch out for Sally as much as she could.

"I don't think ruining the files will help you win that case any faster." Claire muttered sarcastically as she entered the office.

"Yeah," Sally continued her actions till she was finished. "But it sure makes me feel good."

"I won't argue you there." Claire came along side her co-worker and handed the flustered attorney two small bits of paper.

"What's this?" Sally took the gift and looked it over.

"They're two tickets to that horse show in town. I figured your daughter and her friend might enjoy those more than my son would."

"This is really nice, but I couldn't . . ."

"Don't worry, I got them for free. Jennifer volunteers there and thought I might want them."

"Thanks, Becky will love these."

Sally placed the tickets into her suitcase with care and then closed the luggage up. She gave her farewells and began the drive home.

Sally pulled into the driveway of her house. She turned the car off. She undid her seatbelt. She sighed as she acknowledged she was coming home late. This process had become so routine to her after years of working for the city.

Sally sat staring at her house wondering how her family would take the news of her leaving in the morning. This was not the fun filled summer she had wanted. She did feel better after her talk with Claire however. Maybe things would get better.

Sally took hold of her suitcase. She exited the car. She approached the door and removed the house key from her purse. She opened the door.

The next thing Sally saw was completely out of her normal routine.

"Give it up WordGirl and FluenceBoy!"

Sally watched as her husband chased her two children around the living room. Both Becky and TJ had towels wrapped around their necks as Tim wore an old top hat he must have found in the attic. Bob was also part of the horseplay, waving his hands about as if he were in trouble.

"What's going on here?" Sally asked as she placed her stuff down by the door.

"We're playing the Adventures of WordGirl," Tim answered in his best announcer voice. "Becky suggested we play after she got home today."

"Best suggestion she's had in a while," TJ laughed. "I'm WordGirl's new sidekick FluenceBoy."

Bob squeaked in disapproval, but was ignored by all, save Becky who only offered him a sympathetic nod.

"Well, well." Sally smiled. It had been too long since she last saw her family like this. She kicked her shoes off at the door and entered the living room. "And who are you dear?"

"I'm the evil Dr. Top-Hat," he smiled. "I couldn't find a mouse brain to attach to my head."

"And I'm very happy for that," Sally sent a few glances around the room. "I don't see a secret hideout anywhere." She was ready to join in the game and enjoy this moment of happiness before her job stole it away.

"Oh yeah!" TJ shouted. "Can we build one?!"

"Go get the sheets off your bed and we'll build a tent in the living room." Sally laughed at her son's enthusiasm.

TJ was up the stairs in a shot while Becky went over to grab Bob.

"Come on Bob; let's get some pillows for the hideout."

Sally watched her daughter head upstairs. She smiled openly as she came alongside her husband.

"Did Becky really start the game?"

"Yep, she said she wanted to spend time with us before we left. I told you she was fine." Tim gave his wife a reassuring kiss on the forehead before walking into the kitchen. "If we're going to build a tent we're going to need string. I think we have some under the sink."

"Tim?" Sally slowly entered the kitchen. "I have to leave in the morning."

"Oh, you have a case in the morning?" Tim asked as he reached the string from under the counter cupboard.

"No. I'm leaving for Florida on the ten o'clock flight."

"What!?" Tim smacked his head on the sink as he tried to rise up in confusion. "Ouch!"

"Are you okay?" Sally rushed to help her husband from under the sink.

"You said we weren't leaving until next Saturday." Tim was clearly angry at the news.

"Things have changed in the case, so they're starting the trial early. Only I have to go."

"That's not what they said . . !"

"I know, I know. . ."

"You're not supposed to go now!"

"Things have changed."

Tim sighed in frustration as he rubbed the small knot on his head.

"Please don't tell the kids yet," Sally spoke. "I want to have some fun with them before I tell them I'm leaving."

"Okay," Tim agreed as the sound of the kids' footfalls could be heard. "Let's get out there and build a tent."

o

"Movie Night!"

A shout echoed through the narrow halls, but it was soon followed by the loud hoops-and-hollers of over thirty-seven students at Université des Études Sociologiques or, in English, the University of Sociological Studies. The residents of the men's dorm on the south side of the campus had made it their practice to share their findings on the last Friday of the month. Due to one student's over enthusiasm, the night got its name "Movie Night."

The students rushed to the auditorium on campus holding their footage for the week. One such student was Emmanuel, Em for short. He had been studying how people in groups respond to large events in life such as weddings, funerals, and getting the hiccups, but he wasn't going to present his findings this week. He was bringing his roommate's. The poor guy had worked so hard to get it finished in time for the showing, but then had to leave. Em, wanting to be a good friend, offered to show it in his roommate's stead.

The auditorium was full of the usual observers; the class clowns and low scorers who enjoyed seeing others fail and the few super nerdy guys who leaped at the chance to share their work. Em's roommate was just that, a nerd. He spent way too many hours in the observation towers and too little time anywhere else. But that is why Em had to do this for him. Movie Night was the only time his roommate broke out of work mode and interacted with the 'audience.' He needed this time away and his recent work on following WordGirl's misadventures made him a favorite among the other students. Because she was from Lexicon it gave Em's roommate a chance to speak with his subject without breaking High Law; a perk no one else could risk.

Em took his place in the second row along with the rest of the small group. One of the students rose and went up on stage. The crowd cheered as this student was the host of the films. As he stood before the associated students, the curtain behind him raised to reveal a large projection screen.

"Tonight," the man called over the excitement. "We'll start with a fan favorite, the study of one of Earth's super heroes, WordGirl!"

The audience gave another loud cheer as the man on stage tried again to speak over them.

"After that we'll be watchin' the 'Misfortunes of People Trapped on Elevators' as we look at Kyle's findings on phobias. So get your film ready Kyle."

Em jumped out of his seat with avid hope for his roommate's work. Em made his way to the back of the theatre and up into the booth. He handed the film to the student working the old projection machine.

Back on stage, the host addressed the audience one more time before the show started.

"Now remember guys, what happens here, stays here."

The audience silenced a bit at these words knowing full well what that meant. A true Sociologist never shared findings until it was perfected, which none of this was. Information was still raw and couldn't be proven. These students were gathered in secret. Not to mention, this film involved a fellow student interacting with the test subject.

The film started and the students cheered at the sound of their fellow student and the film's narrator. They loved his work. It was just like watching a movie, only it involved real people in real situations. The narrator had been studying the city's reaction and dependence on their resident heroine. Through countless hours of research he had made ground breaking discoveries in Earthen hero-worship.

But somewhere along the way the narrator found himself intrigued by the object of his subjects' affections. He had watched her for years using the school's otherworldly technology and one day decided to make his presence known to the girl. A bold move, but due to her heritage the narrator's breech of High Law was avoided; though his more resent interaction with WordGirl's enemies might not be, thus the secrecy of Movie Night.

As the film played out, another more sinister plot was performed in the school's main office. The president of the university had received a rather unwelcome visitor in his office.

Mr. Auguste Comte looked up from his paper work to see that Adler had somehow found his way into his office.

"How did you get in here?" Mr. Comte rose from his chair to confront the intruder.

Adler waved a hand for the president to remain seated; an action that went in vain.

"Your security staff was so kind," Adler took a seat in an empty chair in front of the elder's desk. "They willingly showed me the way in." Adler smiled.

If looks could kill, Adler would have died in that moment, but instead he only received a glare from the man before him.

"Please Mr. Comte," Adler cooed in delight. "Why don't you sit with me and we can chat about things. My name is . . ."

"I know who you are and I want nothing to do with you." Mr. Comte came around his desk just as Adler got to his feet to face him. "I want you out of this school, now."

"I'm afraid you can't request that Mr. Comte." Adler's cheery disposition vanished.

"This is my campus and I can have you arrested for coming here without my permission. High Law doesn't allow . . ."

"Just for the record old man," Adler brought himself within inches of Comte's face. "I am the High Law."

"No, you're not." Comte spoke.

Comte wasn't intimidated by Adler in the least, and, even though he was old, he had no fear in his abilities to handle someone as reckless as the man before him.

"Now you listen to me Adler," Comte locked eyes. "This school has no prejudice with either Britannica or Lexicon. We're a neutral state and we accept students from anywhere as agreed upon by the Queen of your planet."

"Ex-Queen," Adler spat. "And I'm not here to pick a fight with you over your school's diversity policies. I don't care if this whole half-witted institution was run by Lexiconian monkeys. I'm here for information."

"No," Comte didn't even need to think about the words he just heard. "You're getting nothing from us."

"Need I remind you . . ."

"You have nothing to remind. Get out of my school."

Comte watched as Adler paused a moment to breath deep and straighten his jacket. The Britannican made his way to the door, but stopped when his hand was atop the handle.

"I'll get my information," Adler locked the door. "And you are going to give it to me."

Mr. Comte was taken aback by this action. Comte was trapped for the time being. If he tried to retaliate it would take too long for someone to get inside the room; best to play along for the sake of his students.

Comte had known about this man due to Adler's elevated position on Britannia. From what Comte could remember, Adler served as one of the King's chief advisers and would have done so for about twelve years now. . .

That must be it!

With the king of Britannica nearing his end and no heir to the throne, all his advisers would be out trying to find a way to please the king. Adler was planning to rule Britannica, but there was no way Comte was going to let that happen through means of his school. If this neutral university helped either planet's rulers, it would almost be a declaration of their loyalty.

"There's no way for you to achieve your goal here Adler." Comte said still holding his ground.

"I think you're mistaken." Adler grinned helping himself to the chair behind Mr. Comte's desk. "WordGirl."

"What about her?" Comte asked not seeing any connection.

"I think you're aware of Lexicon's current civil dispute."

"Adler I don't see what you're aiming at. If you want Britannica I suggest you go back and suck up to your superior." Comte came around the desk and glared down at his visitor. "WordGirl maybe from Lexicon, but she has nothing to do with its civil war or its war against your planet."

"Oh, but she does,"

Adler's smirk was nowhere to be found as he reached into his jacket's inner pocket. He placed a small circular contraption on the desk that opened up to reveal a holographic image of legal documents.

"I'm sure you know that it is illegal to have contact with members of this planet Mr. Comte, and WordGirl happens to be in direct violation of this law."

"She's a child and doesn't know anything about High Law. . ."

"Ah, but you do Mr. Comte," Adler rose and advanced on his target causing the elder gentleman to step back. "And if I'm not mistaken, so do some of your students."

"Leave them out of this."

"I have no choice but to have you arrested and have your institution shut down for harboring alien presences on Mother Earth."

Panic struck Comte at the mention of his school being closed. For even though he wasn't in connection with Britannica or Lexicon, he was still subject to High Law.

"We're a neutral state. It is not our fault that a Lexiconian crash landed in our study field."

"But it is your fault that the war torn planet of Lexicon didn't receive word that she was here."

"We didn't even know she was here until she became a superhero, and even then we weren't sure. Lexiconians don't usually fly around. And I still don't see how she will help you be king." Comte spat.

"It's fine Mr. Comte," Adler placed a 'concerned' hand on Comte's shoulder. "I don't want to get your school closed, I just want some information."

"No, you plan on forcing me to give you information to keep my school. That's blackmail." Comte moved away from Adler's touch.

"I know," Adler went back to the device on the desk and waved his hand through the image. His motion flipped the pages of the document until it landed on the page he desired it to stop on. There was the picture Adler had earlier along with some other information. "It's my wish that you would allow me to speak with the student who studies this child."

Comte examined the picture before speaking.

"I've never seen this child in my student's research. And what does that even have to do with WordGirl."

"I think you have seen him. He's around WordGirl, so who studies her?" Adler's patience was wearing thin.

Doing this was against everything that Comte had established his school to do. The information they gathered was to be anonymous and used only to better humanity. Adler was only going to use it to better himself and who knew what would become of this boy. But if Adler were to tell that his school never did anything about WordGirl's presences then . . . Comte had to find a way out of this.

"I'm afraid the student's research is not for public use Adler."

"I don't car-"

"And being that boy is a native of Earth, Adler, I'm sure a future king such as yourself wouldn't dare break two laws at once." Comte was quite proud of himself. "As I've said before, there is nothing you can do here to help boost your standings with the king. Not with WordGirl and not with this boy. So I suggest you leave."

Adler continued to look smug as he waved his hand through the images. Adler knew he needed to take a different approach. Mr. Comte was a stubborn old fool, but one who had obviously studied the law. Playing the WordGirl card was still his best hand.

"Don't you think it's funny," Adler smiled stopping the image on Lexicon. "That a whole civil war can start right in the middle of an existing war?"

"Université des Études Sociologiques has nothing to do with the war between Lexicon and Britannica, you know that."

"Yes, yes we've established that, but think about it."

Comte couldn't see what Adler was trying to get at.

"So what Adler? Their fighting over the loss of the royal family, an event I think they can thank your planet for. I really don't see what that boy has to do with this. Can't you see I can't give you what you want?"

Comte's anger was beginning to rise, but Adler kept his cool.

"That civil war started about, what, ten years ago?"

Comte did not answer, but defiantly stared at Adler.

"How old do you think WordGirl is?"

Comte raised an eye brow.

"What are you talking about?"

Adler grinned as the image in the holographic device began to replay a small piece of Lexicon's history.

"Lexicon had been fighting a losing battle against my planet for decades, but our king saw a quick remedy to that,"

Images of ships swamping Lexicon's asteroid belt and colliding with defense ships could be seen. Countless ships were lost as were the lives inside. The Britannican ships broke through Lexicon's forces and made their way to the planet. Once inside the planet's atmosphere, the Britannicans destroyed all they could and allowed small groups to enter into the planet's strongholds.

"One such group was sent to kill the king and his heirs so that Lexicon would be thrown into complete anarchy,"

The palace was invaded and over taken by Britannican forces. The King and Queen were slaughtered along with their three sons and royal aids. The kingdom was thrown into pandemonium. The Lexiconians didn't surrender, but images of citizens fighting for their livelihood flooded the holographic screen.

"But the people understood that any government was better than no government. They fought together to save their kingdom and then, tuned to fight each other over leadership,"

Lexiconians split and took armies fighting against any ideas that differed from their own. Families were pitted against each other and whole countries destroyed. But images of the divided groups working together appeared every time the Britannicans came to conquer them. A deadly affair that seemed to have no end.

"Rumors spread through their kingdom that the betrothed daughter, and would be princess, of the king's advisor was still alive. Lexiconians would end their dispute if she were brought back to their planet. Thus giving Lexicon the unity to possibly fight Britannica."

Adler stood from his chair and returned the holographic image back to the boy's picture.

"Tell me Mr. Comte," Adler spoke with a leer. "How old do you think WordGirl is?"

Comte froze as realization sunk in. Adler continued.

"Old enough to be that lost princess," Adler walked past Comte and around the office. "A fact you neglected when she started that 'superhero' business? A fact that could have ended Lexicon's civil war earlier?" Adler stopped his pacing and watched Comte. "You see, sir. This war isn't going to stay on the other side of the galaxy for long. It's coming here and I'm willing to wager it will be here shortly after the king's death. Your school is going to have to pick sides, but when Lexicon finds out what you've done, they'll pin you with treason."

Mr. Comte sighed and raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"I guess you're giving me a choice?"

"You help me track this boy and when I'm king, I'll guarantee you, and your school, safety."

"And if I don't."

Pause.

"Then I can't promise you protection when Lexicon finds out about this. And trust me, they will find out."

Mr. Comte's heart sank. Adler was right. If Lexicon found out that one of the neutral states had been hiding one of their own, and the princess no less, there would be no telling what they would do. Not to mention it would put all other neutral states up for questioning by both Britannican and Lexiconian militaries. There would be no planets of peace left if the High Law wasn't honored . . .

What could he do?

"Join Britannica's finest Mr. Comte. As you can see, I'm already several steps ahead of any other suitors to the throne."

"And, what about WordGirl?"

Adler frowned at the sensitive tone the old man gave.

"She's nothing more than an object of war. It's nothing personal I have against her, it's just how wars are won."

Comte lowered his head. There was no gimmick he could think up to save his school or WordGirl's life. Inevitably the war would come to Earth, but he had always wished it would never be during his time.

"Why do you want this boy?" Comte laid his sad eyes on the picture. "What does he have to do with all of thi-"

"Nothing," Adler made his way back in front of the desk. "There's just an old debt I owed his father, so I thought I'd pay it back to the son."

"The boy's from Earth Adler. Why were you even associated with his father?"

"Just get a camera on him."

"Can. . . can do." Comte stood and went to the door. "The student that studies WordGirl," Comte swallowed hard. "He's not here, but. . . I can take you to his, work station and you can. . . use the equipment." Comte opened the door cautiously and left.

"Thank you." Adler reached for the imaging device and stared hard at the image. "Don't worry Theodore," Adler spoke to the picture. "You're son will pay back that debt quite nicely."

o

Laughter echoed through the halls of the Botsford home. The evil Dr. Top-Hat had been stopped and the super duo was able to relax in the safety of their hideout, of course after returning the hostage to his home.

"Mom this tent is great!" TJ shouted as he sat back on one of the pillows his sister brought down. "How did you learn to do this?"

"Well," Sally crawled through the opening. "I use to make tents like these when I was a little girl. I always set them up in my bedroom though."

"I think it looks better in the living room." Becky sat beside her mother as she looked around. The sheets of the tent were held up by ropes tied to various items in the room. This caused the tent to have a rather original shape and interior. There were small niches to hide in and crawl around. "This really is nice."

"Not as nice as the family inside," Tim's voice came from outside the tent along with a few squeaks from Bob. "Have enough room for two more?"

"Sure dad."

Mr. Botsford and the family pet joined the three in the tent. The family maneuvered around each other until they were comfortable with five inhabits under the sheet.

"Whoa," Tim spoke up. "It's pretty hot under here."

"It's just because there's so many of us under here." Becky noted as she pulled Bob up onto her lap to make room.

The family enjoyed light conversation for a while before TJ made the offhand comment about WordGirl.

"WordGirl's hideout is a thousand times better than anything we could create."

Tim mused over the comment before he responded.

"WordGirl might have cooler things than we do, but I doubt she has funner family than we do."

Becky felt a ping of some anonymous emotion. She wasn't sure why her father's words made her feel that way, but they seemed to have some effect on her. Maybe it was the usage of the word "funner" . . . whatever it was, Becky decided this would be the best time to alleviate her parents of their fears.

"Mom, dad?" Becky's soft speech caught her parents' attention and even silenced TJ. "I love you guys very much. Thanks for being the best parents."

Tim could feel the tears fillings his eye.

"Oh, Becky," the father leaned over and hugged his daughter tightly. "We love you too."

"Uh, thanks dad."

Sally smiled as she realized that Claire was right. Becky was grateful, but there were going to be times she wondered about her real parents. Those people are a part of Becky, but they couldn't replace who she and Tim were in their daughter's eyes. They were her parents. Becky just needed more time in the city to see that.

"I love you so much Becky." Sally restored the embrace on Becky as Tim let go.

TJ only sighed.

"Can we stop with the sappy hugs now? Gross."

"Not quite yet son." Mr. Botsford reached over and took his son into an embrace to which TJ stuck out his tongue.

As the family finished their moment of bonding Sally spoke up again. This seemed like the best time to inform her kids that she would be leaving. It was going on ten o'clock and if she hesitated any longer the kids would be asleep.

Unfortunately, the news wasn't received as well as she would have hoped.

"What do you mean you're leaving tomorrow?!" Becky almost knocked Bob out of her lap.

"Yeah!" TJ got up on his knees to get eye level with his mom. "You said we were going together. Does that mean I get out of school sooner?"

"No TJ, it means you'll have to spend the week without me."

"What!?" both children shouted at the same time.

"Don't worry kids," Tim piped in. "The week'll fly by so fast you won't even notice the time apart. And you'll be having fun with Violet, Becky." Tim's smile wasn't contagious as the kids only continued to whine.