When he stepped off the platform as he re-entered the airship Sportacus noticed Lily walking around aimlessly with a look of impatience on her slender, pretty face. Not seeming at all impressed with what was his home as she made a loose circuit around it. So far she'd chosen not to acknowledge his return. He was well aware that there was nothing unusual to this behaviour of his sister's. She was doing as she always had done, even though it had been years since they'd last encountered one another he remembered it well. If anything it allowed him a chance to study her while her piercing, judging eyes were occupied on things other than him.

Her hair was longer than he remembered and was styled in such a way that it framed her face without obscuring it. Her body seemed slightly different, as though recently she had gained weight when before she had been thinner. The change was not drastic, nor did it seem at odds with her lesser height. At her tallest she had always stood five inches less than him, making her his little sister in more ways than one. From what he remembered that had not in any way diminished the amount of strength she had or her unwavering ability to make even those much larger than herself feel intimidated.

But when it came to doing the same to children…

Remembering how she had made Stephanie feel, and was sure to have made the boys feel, irked him. Not one quick to anger he pushed the feeling aside but struggled to forget that his sister was the one person that had always given rise to his dormant temper. Now out of the presence of the girl who looked up to him he allowed his emotions to show on his face. Lily had ignored him long enough

Lily looked up from where she had been watching her fingers follow the trickles of the water dispenser when she heard a small cough and crossed her arms as she faced Sportacus. She raised an eyebrow waiting for him to speak.

Reluctantly he did so, with a question. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd already answered that question." Came the impertinent return.

Sportacus nodded, momentarily sucking in his lower lip. "You did, I know. But I'm not sure I'm satisfied. It's been three years since I last saw you, since anyone last saw you. Why are you here now?"

Lily turned, opening her arms as she shrugged slightly. "I was in the area and heard a Sportacus had once again come to Lazytown. I thought perhaps it was our father but it turns out it was you, my big brother. A proper hero now."

Not missing the quick look up and down Lily gave him, Sportacus moved on, needing more information. "Now you've seen I'm here, what do you plan to do?"

"Oh, I'm not sure." Lily shrugged whimsically, as she traced a lazy circle with her footsteps. "I thought we could reminisce a little. After all, it's been three years since we last saw each other. A lot can happen in that time."

"Where have you been?"

"Since I left home?" Lily cocked her head, her lips spreading into a slow smile she shrugged. "With my friends."

Sportacus frowned slightly, "What kind of 'friends'?"

"Friends that enjoy certain elements of my company. As much as I enjoy elements of theirs."

There was something in this statement that Sportacus didn't like. He shifted uncomfortably, well aware of the reaction this was likely to prompt. Indeed, the low chuckle soon followed and he looked away as he heard her step towards him. He unconsciously took a step back.

Sportacus forced himself to look at his sister, not willing to allow her any more satisfaction from his inability to face her. "Do our parents know you're here? Who you left us to spend your time with?"

Another soft smile. "I wouldn't imagine so. I'm sure you're aware that when me and our darling father parted it wasn't on good terms. Tell me, did they miss me?"

"Of course. They loved you despite…everything."

Sportacus broke off, beginning to feel perturbed by the course of his and Lily's reminiscence, the darkness of feelings she was producing within him as painful memories eked out of the carefully constructed barriers he had built a long time ago.

Clearing noticing the shift in Sportacus' emotions, Lily smiled again and sauntered towards him. This time he remained where he was, the only movement he made was with his eyes as they carefully observed her. He had to keep still. He knew he had to. She was testing him, seeing if he remembered as clearly what had been in the past as she did. His breath caught in his throat as she came to a stop in front of him, leaning in as she stood on tip-toe and whispered into his ear.

"Are you still scared of me, brother?"

Making neither movement nor answer, he stood firm. He watched as his sister, still on tip-toe slowly raised a hand to his face. Despite himself he flinched visibly and raised his hands as he took an instinctive step back.

Lowering herself with a laugh, her question answered, Lily turned and took a step away before quickly turning back and rewarding her brother for his weakness.