Trixie smiled as she sat down on Ziggy's couch. His house was big, but not gigantic. It was also clean, but not pristine. It had pictures on the walls of family members over the years, and not paintings done by people he didn't know. It was a home...one that she imagined had seen a lot of diapers, christmas presents, and laughter. It made her feel warm inside. It wasn't anything at all like Stingy's cold, superficial mansion or her lifeless, dreary trailer. It had so much potential to be the setting of happy memories. She wondered if she would have ever been capable of being as kind and gentle as Ziggy if she'd grown up in a place like this.

Trixie returned her gaze to the blond who was removing his jacket, and putting it up in the closet near the doorway. Ziggy wearing just a plain white t-shirt underneath that was loose, but snug enough to show off his firm form. The years of exercising and idolizing Sportacus had obviously come to hold it's rewards. "Do you want to take off your coat?" He asked, turning to face her. A smile gracing his face when he saw hers. She hadn't even known that she was smiling as wide as that until then.

Trixie paused, looking down for a moment. "Oh! Uh, no. I'm fine." She awkwardly tugged on the red beanie he'd given her, pulling it down further as if it could conceal the embarressment she suddenly felt. "Just go make me my coco now, 'kay? It is rude to make a guest wait!" The words were intended to be demanding like she use to be, but her tone gave her away. She couldn't be mean to him sincerely. Not tonight. Ziggy chuckled at her attempt, offering a small sweeping bow.

"Of course, my lady." He headed for the kitchen door, pausing momentarily. Ziggy looked over his shoulder as she sat there with her back facing him. He watched as her fingers slid through her long black hair, and her legs crossed. Smiling, Ziggy shook his head and disappeared into the kitchen.

He had always known that inside she was a truly good person, but now it was easier to see. It made him happy. He'd been so lonely lately that he couldn't help hoping that they'd be close friends again. It was a stupid thought, Ziggy reminded himself. He shouldn't think that Trixie meant anything so long-term by this night, alone. Sighing, Ziggy started on his task. The kitchen was suddenly quiet like all the nights before, and the frown was evident on his face again. He lost himself in horrible memories.

"Z?" Trixie called quietly from the doorway. "Do you need any help?"

Ziggy looked over his shoulder at her. "No, I'm ok." He said with a tone that was a little numb and empty. From her perspective, it almost sounded cold.

"Oh... alright, well..." She turned to leave with disappointment written on her features, but before she could go Ziggy had taken her hand from behind. He smiled slightly when he found that her hands were so warm. His hands always seemed to be cold.

"How have you been?" Ziggy asked smoothly. He didn't want to be alone. Not tonight. He needed her voice to block out the silence. Trixie turned with her eyes sparkling with delight, as she masked his hand inbetween both of hers. Her smile was like an explosion of warmth - even with it's hint of fangs and the snake's tounge which slipped over her teeth. There was something magical about her when she was so honest with herself... when she was so honest infront of him. He'd never seen her smile like that since they were young, young kids. It was almost like being born again. He wondered if she knew that she could effect people like that. He wondered what she would say if he told her so.

"I still haven't managed to rule the world. Yet." Trixie suddenly said after a moment of hesitation, dropping his hands to stuff her own in her coat pockets with a pitiable expression of misery, and Ziggy burst out laughing in surprise.

"Really? I figured you would with Stingy on your side." He immediately regretted saying that. Once the name had slipped out of his lips, Trixie's expression turned sour. "Uh...sorry, Trixie. I..." Trixie offered him a smile, but it wasn't geniune. Ziggy sighed as he returned to the coco, and poured two coffee cups of it for them. Trixie taking a place at his table without a word in reply. The asian sitting with her hand pressed to her cheek when he set the cup infront of her.

He sat down infront of her, and tried not to stare at her too much. "So," She broke the silence. "What have you been up to? You still play soccer?"

Ziggy looked slightly relieved. "Not so much lately."

"Maybe we could play soccer together some time." Trixie smiled. "I'd bet that I would whip your ass."

"Ha, ha! I'm the captain of the varsity team. You can't intiminate me." Ziggy said with his best boastful voice, and Trixie chuckled as she sipped from her cup. Ziggy looked down at the steam billowing upwards, and released a sigh. It was impossible to keep up the act of happiness, and small talk wasn't 'his thing'. So, he decided to speak from the heart. He was too tired to bother with half-hearted false pretenses. "I really miss him on days like this. Winter seems so empty without everyone together as friends. I know he wouldn't have wanted it this way."

Trixie pouted a bit. "Yeah, I know what you mean... but... I have a feeling that he'll return some day." She smiled. "I think you'd make Sportacus really proud, Z."