Silence reigned on the Lookout as Booker DeWitt paused for breath, nearing the end of his tale. The young woman had come to stand by his side, meeting everyone's gaze with her own. "She still hasn't filled me in on why exactly we went traipsing 'cross the stars instead of finishing the damn thing where it started, but the way I see it, we got nothing but time on our side now. And the more of that time I spend making up for all those years I been away, the better."
Elizabeth smiled at him fondly. "There's another you out there, and another me, from a much brighter lighthouse. They're the ones who'll take care of it. 'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.'"
"And if that means we sit back on our asses while the rest of the job gets done, I guess I can live with that." Booker said as he tried to return the smile. "Whew. Think that's the most talkin' I've done in years. Anyone here got some water?"
Dende stepped forward. "After the ordeal you've both suffered, that's the least we could give you. Mr Popo!" A small round black-skinned man appeared, wearing a large and somewhat eerie smile. "Please bring food and water for our guests." The man nodded and walked off without a word.
Goku was the next to speak. "Wow. I wish I had something better to say." Krillin and Piccolo nodded vigorously in agreement. "Hey, wait a second; I think you two deserve a wish on the Dragon Balls for all you've been through!"
"Kakarot, have you lost what little brains you had left while you were in the afterlife? We don't even know if they're telling the truth!"
"Aw come on Vegeta, I bet old Shenron would love the company! Besides, they'd have to be almost as crazy as you are to make up a story like that!" Krillin said. Vegeta scowled, but offered no further protest. "I'll be back before you know it!" Goku said excitedly and leapt into the air. "It's just a quick trip over to South City for the Dragon Radar..." He dove down, narrowly missing Booker's head. "Then maybe a stop by my house to see how Chi-Chi and Gohan are doing. But after that, it's on to the Dragon Balls!" With a cheery wave, he flew off into the distance.
"He's very enthusiastic for a dead man." Elizabeth commented.
"Most dead men we knew were too busy bleeding out their noses to even give us the time of day, let alone offer up a magic wish on some 'Dragon Balls'." Booker agreed.
Just then the strange man Dende had referred to as Mr Popo returned, bearing three large trays of food and a jug of water on his head. "It's such a pity we can't find that pitcher that never runs dry." he said as he placed the dishes down. He looked at Booker, and just for a moment, Booker thought he heard a different voice quite unlike anyone else's, a sly, wicked voice. "Why you could just about drown yourself in it." He looked about in confusion, but no one else seemed to have heard it as they were far too busy digging into the food before them, except Elizabeth. "What is it Booker?" she asked.
"It's nothin'. Just felt like someone walked over my grave." He shrugged off his jacket and laid it on the ground for her. "There y'go, don't want you gettin' that dress all dirty now." She smiled at him as she sat down on it. "This dress is covered in blood, soot and some other things I'm not even sure I want to think about. A little dirt's not going to hurt it." They continued to banter as they began eating, the other four watching with various blends of amusement, concern, mild curiosity and disdain.
