A/N: HAHA CLIFFHANGER!! I don't know how I'll do it, but I'm going to make another LT fic and juggle the three I have lol. Stephie and the Beast is harder to write, so that one will take awhile. This is halfway over, so why not start another? It will be up in a week or so. Or sooner. by the way-this chap kinda sux. It's a lil slow. Don't mind me. I know this one's shorter, but don't you fret. More coming soon.

Five

"Ouch!"

Both male heads turned towards Steph. She was bent over in pain. The group stood up, not caring that the orange balls hit Sport and Robbie at the same time due to their distraction.

"What's wrong, Pinky?" Robbie asked immediately.

She looked up, surprised at Robbie's concern. She said, "Stomach pain. I'd better go lie down."

"I'll take you home," Said Sportacus, helping her up with a supporting arm.

"Hope you feel better," Ziggy voiced hopefully.

Trixie laughed under her breath. "Sportacus is leaving the game. Robbie, Stingy, and I win!"

Normally, Robbie would have chuckle and make fun of Sportacus. However, something about the day forced his mind to focus on Steph's health. It was as if he knew something no one else did.

Within moments Steph was back in her house, curled up on a couch downstairs. Sportacus turned the television on for her and switched the channel until he reached a movie about dancing. He knelt over to peck Steph on the forhead. After he wished her well and left the house, Sporacus returned to his own home.

0o0o0o0o

Daylight faded into the night. Stephanie had relaxed all day, watching daytime tv shows and movies. She didn't feel at all sick anymore, but her stomach was a little sore. The Mayor made her some soup and delivered it with upmost care. She sat up and took a bite. It wasn't the best soup, as it was plain tomato. But it settled in her stomach without disturbance.

"Feeling any better?" Milford asked his niece.

Steph smirked and said, "A little bit. Thanks for the soup."

"No problem. I'm going to visit Bessie for awhile. Will you be alright?"

"Yes, Uncle," Steph placed the spoon in her bowl, "I'll be fine."

Now alone, Steph wandered into the kitchen for a drink. She downed a small bottle of water, grateful for the refreshing feeling it gave to her worn out body. When she finished her soup, a knock on the door was heard. Grinning widely, Steph went to answer it. A visit from her fiance was desperately needed.

"My favorite man in the whole-" Steph stopped. "Robbie!?"

In front of Stephanie stood Robbie Rotten with a smiling face and a bouquet of tiny white flowers.

Bewildered, Steph could only say, "Why are you here? I'm sorry . . . Come in."

Robbie stepped in the house as Steph shut the front door. He handed her the flowers and kept smiling.

"For me?" A pink shade of blush swept over Steph's face.

"They're a get well present. But it seems like you're well now." His grin faded.

"Thank you," Eyes met. "I thought you were Sportacus when you knocked. I appologize for that."

Robbie looked over Stephanie. "It's quite alright. I get that a lot. I guess we're both devilishly handsome. But seriously, I wanted you to know that I am a better man. I just hope it accounts for something as time goes by. I'd also like you to know that I'll always be here for you. The past . . . We weren't very organized with our feelings towards one another. Now that you're to be married, it's obvious where I stand in your life. And friendship, no matter what it brings, is a very powerful thing."

A silence fell between the two. Steph was speechless and Robbie was waiting for a reply. He was being completely honest not only with his pink-haired friend, but with himself. He knew he needed friends. Steph knew he needed one as well. But that didn't explain why the sudden villain made such wonderful comments.

"I'm shocked," Steph said, lowering her head. "You have just possibly made the nicest speech ever. I know that the past should stay in the past, but I can't help but wonder something. If you hadn't gone to jail, would you have tried to end up with me?"

"If I answer, it may change things. Even if it wouldn't, I still can't respond to that question. I would never cause you confusion or regret."

Steph realized Robbie told her the truth indirectly. He would have fought to be with her. She wondered if he still felt anything towards her now, but knew not to ask. Not this time, at least. Some questions were better left unasked and unanswered. And some skeletons were better left in the closet.

"I'm so glad you're back to the old you." Steph gazed into his eyes for a brief second.

Taking a step closer, Robbie placed his hand on Steph's shoulder. He wanted to kiss her. But those feelings were no longer allowed to exist. Maybe someday, somehow, somewhere, he and Steph could be together. As for the present, he could cope well enough to support her and Sportacus' marriage.

Steph parted her lips, about to speak. The doorbell rang. Robbie pulled his hand away as the door slowly swung open.

"Honey!" Steph smiled at her fiance.

Sportacus raised an eyebrow to silently question Robbie's presence.

"Well," Robbie said while clapping his hands together, "I'm off. Have a lot of things to do; Unpack, clean the house, polish the furniture-"

"Are you feeling alright?" Sportacus asked Steph.

Trailing off, Robbie continued, "pay the bills, feed the birds, find buried treasure-"

"I'm better." Steph walked into the kitchen to put the flowers in a vase. Sport followed her.

Still near the door, Robbie finished his unrealistic list, "swallow a sword, put out all of the fires in Alabama, drink liquid nitrogen, comb my nose hair, eat a thousand pounds of cow fat, make soup out of my own blood . . . and stay out of Sportacus' way."

"Where did you get the flowers?" Sportacus knew, but wanted to hear it from Stephanie.

She said, "Robbie. It was a get well present."

"Baby's Breath flowers are a get well gift?" Jealousy overtook Sportacus. "You'd think a simple card would do. Did he get you some pearls to go with them? Or how about a diamond ring?"

"Why are you being difficult? Can't I accept a little gift from other people once in awhile? Don't let this get to you. Robbie's not the same."

"You're right. He's worse."

"How is he worse?" Steph's temper was rising.

Trying not to fight, Sportacus took a deep, calming breath. "I didn't mean that. But he shouldn't overwhelm you with kindness. I just think he's trying too hard, that's all. Besides, he knows who you love."

"That's right," Steph took Sport's hands in hers. "He knows exactly who I love. And so do you."

A genuine smile crept on Sportacus' handsome face. He pulled Stephanie in for a sweet kiss. No flowers could show the amount of peace, care, or love he felt for his Stephanie.

"My kind, wife-to-be. You are magnificent."