Chapter Four

Sharkboy reached the sub in a matter of minutes. It was on top of his old one. He forced open the door. There was Lavagirl, limp over a control panel. Sharkboy gently picked her up and swam to shore. Max and the others took Lavagirl from him as he got out of the water. They laid her down on the ground. Sharkboy knelt over her. The kids backed up to give him some room.

"Why don't we go inside and you'll join us when you're ready?" Danny suggested.

Sharkboy nodded mutely and they left. Sharkboy reached out a hand and tenderly stroked the hot pink hair off the girl's face. Tears fell down his cheeks as he leaned forward and kissed her forehead. He sat back on his heels and stared at her for a long time. He heard a whirring sound and looked up. It was Tucker. Sharkboy was about to say something when he noticed the younger boy was not looking at him but at Lavagirl.

"Who's she?" Tucker asked.

"She was my best friend." Sharkboy answered forlornly.

Tucker struggled out of his wheelchair and knelt, with some difficultly, beside Sharkboy.

"What happened?" He asked.

"She's dead."

"Why?"

"She's made of lava. If she get's in water, she fizzles out. She got in water."

"Normally I wouldn't believe you. No one can be made from lava. But for some reason I do believe you."

"It's true."

Tucker hesitantly reached out a hand and touched Lavagirl's limp one.

"She's very pretty," he said softly.

"I know it."

They were silent for a while.

"You know," Tucker said, "there's a volcano not far from here."

"Really?" There was no mistaking the hope in Sharkboy's voice.

"Yeah, right over there, see it?" He pointed to a far off mountain. "No on lives near it because it's still active."

Sharkboy helped Tucker to his feet then picked up Lavagirl. He took a deep breath then took off, leaving Tucker standing in a cloud of dust.

Sharkboy soon came to the volcano. Giving Lavagirl one last peck on the cheek, he threw her in. Lava spurted out everywhere, and Sharkboy scrambled to get out of the way. A hand appeared on the rim of the volcano as Lavagirl pulled herself up. She stood there smiling brightly, and Sharkboy fought back tears of relief. Lavagirl jumped down and threw her arms around him. Sharkboy jerked away from her hot skin. She giggled.

"Oh Sharkboy! Thank you, I'm so glad you're all right."

She took a few deep breaths then, very carefully, pressed her lips to Sharkboy's cheek. Sharkboy did not pull away. It was not burning him, it felt warm and wonderful. Lavagirl finished the kiss, and Sharkboy took her hand.

"Come on L.G.," he said, leading her down the volcano. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

000000

Tucker was waiting for them, having not moved since Sharkboy left. He was in his wheelchair again, and he clapped his hands joyfully as they came near.

"She's all right! I knew she would be."

Sharkboy turned to Lavagirl. "Lavagirl, this Tucker." He turned to Tucker. "Tucker, this is Lavagirl."

"Hello Tucker," Lavagirl said, holding out her hand. "It's very nice to meet you."

Tucker shook her hand, blushing slightly and adverting his eyes from the pretty girl's face.

"The others are inside, waiting for you." Tucker said to Sharkboy. "They don't know about her yet."

Sharkboy let the way up to the house. He pushed open the door and walked inside with Lavagirl on one side and Tucker on the other. They were greeted with shouts of joy and laughter. Sharkboy was happy. Surrounded by his friends, he no longer felt an urgency to find his father. Right now, this was where he belonged.