Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Magnus Schieving's or LT's.
A/N: Hello again. I realize I have neglected this story. I have ideas for it but it's kind of dying. I think I might kill it and throw it in the trash so I can move on to more interesting LT fics. Lemme know if you mind or not. I won't if the fans crave more. but I have a nice big crossover with LT and two very good stories.
Three
The small party was progressing greatly. Stephanie had socialized with Robbie for a little bit, and was glad he mentioned nothing about jail time or the past years. Sportacus was mingling with the Mayor and Ziggy when he remembered telling Steph that he would have a man to man talk with Mr. Rotten.
"S'cuse me," Sportacus approached Robbie and Steph, "Would you mind if I talked to you for a few minutes, Robbie?"
Only nodding, Robbie agreed and followed Sportacus to the side of the Mayor's house.
"What's on your mind, Blue Man?" Robbie asked jokingly.
Sportacus folded his arms, "I need to talk to you about Stephanie. I don't know what you are thinking now that you have returned, but I want you to know a few things. First of all, Stephanie and I are getting married soon. If we see so much as a toe from your foot, I will kick you out of Lazytown. I do not want you there. Secondly, if you try anything mischievous, I will see that you are personally escorted to the nearest police station. There is no way we are going to re-live the trouble you put us through within the last few years. Other than that, have fun and behave."
"Please," Robbie slapped his knee and laughed, "Why would I fool around anymore? I may be named Rotten, but that doesn't mean I have to always be rotten." Seeing how serious Sportacus was, Robbie stopped laughing. He added, "And for your information, Stephanie already invited me to the wedding."
"Well, I respect her decision to invite you, but we cannot have a criminal anywhere near us on such a special day. Sorry, Robbie, but you lose this time." Sport folded his arms and made sure no one was around before adding, "You are better off staying underground all day and night. We're all better off."
Stomping his foot, Robbie shouted, "I will not stay in my home locked up every night and day!" He walked away from Sportacus and journeyed back to the party.
Sport knew it would take more than words to convince Robbie to separate himself from the group. He never wanted Robbie to come back to Lazytown, for Sportacus knew it would create more chaos where there once was peace. Lazytown, with or without Robbie, would always have commotion. But some people didn't want to realize it.
"Stephanie," Sportacus approached his distracted beauty, "Did you invite Robbie to our wedding?"
Turning around, Steph blushed as she replied. "Yeah," Her face was emotionless, "I did. Is that a problem, Sport?"
He nodded, "I don't want him there. He'll cause nothing but trouble."
"At a wedding? C'mon Sportacus! He's not that cruel."
The stress portrayed in his eyes made Steph step back a few inches. Sport folded his arms, "How can you be so sure? What about when you almost drowned or when he sexually harassed you? That's not cruel?"
"He payed his time. Took his consequences. He's coming to the wedding." Anger grew, but Steph faught back the urge to shout.
Although Steph didn't shout, Sportacus raised his voice to emphasize his last words, "Robbie is not coming to our wedding and that's final!"
Frustrated and distraught, Stephanie ran away from the party aimlessly. She had heard anough from her soon-to-be-husband. He wasn't considerate to her feelings. She still wanted to be Robbie's friend. After all, there was always a way to forgive your best friends, not matter the crime. And somewhere deep in her heart, Stephanie held a place for Robbie Rotten, most imaginitive villain she had ever dreamed of meeting.
0o0o0o0o
"So where did she run to?" Trixie asked Sportacus, obviously concerned about her friend.
"Probably the normal spot," Sportacus responded quietly, "but she needs time alone."
Robbie walked over and firmly stated, "What she needs is someone to be by her side, not to be left alone. Seems you don't know her very well, do you Sportacus?"
"I know her more than you," Sport pushed past Robbie and called for his ladder. As he grabbed onto it, he glared at Robbie and said, "Stephanie is stronger than you think. She can handle anything."
Ziggy tapped Robbie on the shoulder to catch his attention. When Robbie turned to face him, Ziggy frowned, "Steph is strong, but there's always something wrong when she takes off on her own. And just to let you know, she's been doing it for awhile now."
"Really? Where does she go?" Robbie questioned Ziggy as he picked up a lollipop.
"Usually," Ziggy licked his candy, "near your billboard."
Shocked, Robbie's eyebrows raised and he scratched his head. Robbie sideglanced to the right and left before childishly smiling, "Well, must be on my way. I have a lot of unpacking to do. See you all soon. Thank you for the party." Robbie power-walked away, hoping Sportacus wouldn't show up again.
"What have you done?" Stingy scolded Ziggy as the rest of the group congregated.
Pixel added, "You've just ignited a stick of dynamite. That's what you've done, Ziggy."
"Please," Trixie sighed and softly said, "He did what all of us needed to do but wouldn't. Ziggy opened the door...It was the right thing."
0o0o0o0o
The green grass swayed in the wind as Stephanie strolled through a field. A few feet in front of her stood a bilboard, and next to that was Robbie's old house. Sitting under the bilboard, Steph secretly hoped it would fall on her and end her confusing and overwhelming life. But she wouldn't want to die. Maybe just go into a coma for a few hours to scare everyone. That wouldn't be good either.
Staring up at the blue sky was calming, but it didn't help Stephanie unravel the mysteries of her mind and heart. More importantly, it didn't relieve her from Sportacus' bossy side.
"Hello, Pinky." Robbie loomed over Steph as she lowered her head.
A moment of silence passed before Robbie spoke again, "What's wrong, Pinky?"
"Can you stop calling me that, Robbie?" She finally spoke up. "Nothing's wrong."
"Then why are you all alone? Don't you want company? Or do you want to be by yourself?"
Annoyed by the interrogation, Steph remained silent.
Robbie wasn't going to give up, "Are you becoming a mute?"
"No..."
"Well, will you answer me?" Robbie was a little upset over the silence Steph gave him. He stood up and slowly walked towards his house, "Then you don't want company after all."
Quickly, Steph stood up, grunted, and shouted, "Why does everyone leave me? I want to be cared for! I want company! I want...to be listened to."
"That's what I was waiting to hear," Robbie approached Steph and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I care, Stephanie. And you can always count on me to listen. I know we've had a rough time due to my immaturity and stupidity, but in the end...I'm not so bad. Now, will you talk to me?"
"Sportacus won't let you go to the wedding." Steph continued, "In fact, he's been taking over most of the preparations. It's as if he doesn't want me to interfere. Sure, I have done a few things, but something just doesn't feel right."
Robbie lowered his arm and asked gently, "What doesn't feel right?"
"I...I don't know."
"Are you happy with Sportacus?" Robbie asked the inevitable.
Steph took a deep breath and nodded. A smile popped onto her face, but disappeared soon as a feeling of uncertainty ate it away. "I'm very happy with him."
"I'm glad." Robbie swiftly took Steph in for a hug and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Stephanie closed her eyes and lowered her head onto Robbie's chest. She felt secure from the world of pain. How ironic to feel safe with a villain. There was also a feeling of concern. Stephanie never wanted Robbie to go to jail. She wanted everything from the past to disappear as though it never happened. She knew Robbie was sorry for what he did, but was that enough to convince anyone that he was no longer terribly cruel?
"Robbie," Steph mumbled, still in his arms, "don't let go yet. I need a long hug today."
He simply answered with an unseen smile, "As you wish, Pinky."