A/N: MUAHAHA! You didn't think I'd be back, didja? Well, shame for letting your faith waiver! For here I am, red hot and ready! ... Yeah, pretend I didn't say that. Anyways, so THANKS! For not giving up on the story, on me... check my profile for a fun little poll thingy... Ponytail30527, as always, my love goes out to her. Kowalskiluva11, sorry for making you wait so long :P, and knockknocktimerico, thanks for lifting my spirits! This chapter's for the readers! ENJOYETH!

Chapter Seven: It Remains Unseen

Elli, Lilly, Nellie – Fashion Show

The four girls signed up so easily, like they had planned this ever before any of them had even heard of the show. "So what are we gonna do?" Eggy asked his two best friends. Marshal looked around him. The girls were doing a fashion show. Buttons was doing a juggling act.

"I have an idea." Roz popped up behind them, a smart smirk on her face.

Peanut found it quite easy that he loved his sister, even though it seemed so fast. Heck, he loved both of his siblings. But watching his sister and best friend fight... Moreover, the way they were fighting, it was really scary. He didn't know what happened when they went to the headquarters, and when his mom came back, it was only her and Skipper. He had to ask if that was a good thing to do...

If he never saw the pair fight again, it would be too soon. "Why not, for a change, prank each other?" Her smile was just as mischievous as Marshal's. "I know the audience will love it." Peanut was about to argue with her, when Marshal spoke and surprised him.

"That's it! We totally CAN prank each other!" While Marshal explained his seemingly crazy idea, Athena and Cube started walking home together.

The little girl almost sighed out loud, but held it in. Cube was amazing; there was no other word for him. Smart, strong willed, and... his eyes were his new favorite color. "So, are you doing anything for the talent show, then?" She shook her head, both to clear it and to answer his question. No way was she going to make a fool of herself in front of everyone. Especially not Cube. "I know what you mean. Even though I have no talent." Athena knew this wasn't true. But she smiled anyway.

They got closer to the penguin habitat really soon, and Cube wished they had somewhere else to go. Oh wait... Did they? Idea! "Athena?" She looked up at him, and he instantly felt like he had to throw up. In a strangely satisfying and good way. "Yeah, I was wondering if... Maybe if you... Because, you know, the... the thing is... thing." Maybe he should try screaming like a mad man, he thought. That would make more sense than the gibberish he was speaking. "Sorry, usually I'm more--"

"Articulate?" Athena offered.

Good word. "Yes. That. I just..." Do it, man, do it! "Wanna help me with the extra credit tonight?" The question only shocked Athena a little. She had, of course, heard about it, but... was Cube just asking her out? Some voice from nowhere spoke, and whatever it said must have made Cube happy, because he smiled before he left. For a minute, Athena wasn't sure what happened.

Until she remember herself saying "Sure" in response to his question.

Roz walked back by herself. The boys decided to go with a comedy act, which was, seriously, what she was getting at. Cube was just heading in, probably to do homework. Buttons was with his father, learning to juggle, and Marshal and Peanut were with the ducks, same as Elli. And she had promised Maurisa she'd be over later. Why, though, did our little otter friend know the whereabouts of the little zoo animals?

She slid down the ladder of the penguin habitat, not her own, and looked around. No one there. Good. No one needed to see this. She climbed up to Skipper's bunk, and found the him-scented pillow, burying her face into it.

Rozalin wasn't sure when, or even how it started. Just that after a little while she was crying, all of her frustrations from that day, plus any screaming she had to get done, all going into that one little pillow. Something must have been wrong with her, she decided, after a final pillow muffled scream.

She hadn't cried this much since her dad died. After that... had she cried again after that? Probably not. She was Rozalin. Strong, independent Rozalin, no matter what happened, she never cried. Not even during her and Marshal's little argument.

Marshal was annoying and aggravating, but he was also really caring and nice. And he had a talent for making her laugh, since he got in trouble more often than not. Just the thought of him getting yelled at made her giggle... then chuckle.... then burst out laughing. Before she knew it, she was laughing so hard, tears were falling again, which then reminded her how sad she was... and she started crying yet again.

It was a bit of a pitiful sight, her sniveling into Skipper's pillow like that. And when she finally pulled away, it was soaked almost all the way through. When Roz felt as though she could cry no more, she hopped down and wiped her eyes, checking them in the mirror before she left. They were a little red and puffy, but not too bad.

She prepared herself to leave, just as inconspicuously as she came when she heard thumping down the stairs. She braced herself for a fight, but when the door swung open to reveal Cube, she only stared. "Roz? What are you doing HERE?" Truth? Not gonna happen. She was just about to tell an elaborate lie when he waved his hand at her. Never mind, you'll probably just tell me some elaborate lie." What could she say, her brother KNEW her. "Listen, I need your help, Roz. It's important, please?" Roz picked up on his sense of urgency, and, with one last look at Skipper's pillow (She hoped she put it back right where it was supposed to be), left with her brother.

The whole story was just long enough to last them to getting to their own habitat, with a quick wave at their mother in between, who was lounging in the pool in the soft glow of the sunset. How long have I been gone, Roz wondered. By the time they got inside, Cube was near freak out level, and nothing she was saying (Not that she was saying much) could console him. "And I don't know what to do; I mean... what SHOULD I do? Should I do anything at all? Should I try to play it cool and NOT do anything? And if I don't do something and she's expecting me to do something, what'll happen NEXT time I try to ask her out-- Oh man, NEXT time!? Is there SUPPOSED to be a ne--"

Roz knew she had to act fast, or he was going to have a total breakdown! She tackled him to the ground and covered his mouth with her small paw. "CUBERT! PLEASE! Calm down, okay? You are freaking out over nothing! I mean, geeze doumani, this girl is already practically in love with you, you don't have to do too much more. "

Cube chuckled at her. "Geeze doumani, what...?" She got off of him and helped him up, thinking of a way to explain this further.

"Listen, Athena isn't the type of girl to like complicated things. It'd be nice if you got a few apples, a blanket, and a telescope. That's a nice date. Then, do your homework assignment, which is, may I add, the weirdest date I've ever heard of. I mean, I wouldn't want to go do homework for MY first date, but... to each his own and whatever. Whatever. Point is, you're making this way harder than it needs to be. Just relax, be yourself, and for the love of all things good, don't make a fool of yourself and think before you speak, okay!?" He sighed. Roz, no matter how dim she was with her school work, was wise. She understood people really well, and knew exactly what to say to make him feel better.

Then again, they had been living together for his whole life, and couldn't see that changing ANY time soon. He thanked her, and set out on a scavenger hunt for the items he would need.

Half an hour later, Athena darted out of the penguin habitat. She was going to be SO late! And this date was one in a million! There may not be another chance like this! She had to hurry, she had to make it, and she had-- Crashed! Right into Buttons, who was practicing his juggling. "Oh my gosh! I'm SO sorry Buttons, are you okay?" He stared at her for a second before realizing she was talking to him! Buttons nodded, and let her help him pick up his stuff, while trying to tell him about her current situation. Though... he couldn't really hear her.

Deep in his subconscious, he was having a day dream... about her. Athena was pretty and smart... one of the few at the zoo he could talk to and not feel awkward or forced to talk. And sometimes, if she just wanted to talk, she could, and he would listen. He blushed as the rest of the stuff he was juggling was placed carefully into his arms. "There you go, Buttons! And... I'm really sorry." They hadn't been this close in a while… It wasn't strange though. On the contrary, it was like being with an old friend whom he hadn't talked to in a while.

Maybe he could show her what he was learning, just so they could spend some time together. "Do you--" He didn't manage to get past that, however, as Athena was looking up toward the clock tower, obviously not paying any attention to him at all. Instead, she was waving... at Cube.

Sure, he was nice enough, but it was like he came out of nowhere! "Listen Buttons, I'll see you later, okay?" Her flipper brushed his shoulder, and a strong tingle rose up his spine. He nodded and watched her go... then sighed, and got back to practicing.

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Next Time, on Geeze Doumani!

I wasn't in dis chapter! What is dat!?
J.J., Not every chapter can have you in it.
Well, you could TRY…
Yes, but I didn't.
You should be banished! I should banish you! I shall banish you, I--
You can't banish me, I'm the author. Maybe I should just take over--
Nooo! I can do it! Look, in de next chapter, I shall be in it. Riiiight? Yes. I shall be in dis next chapter. And dere shall be fun happenings, and dere is a very lame date, which ends in DISASTER!
J.J., that's—
Stay tuned in for de next chapter! Which I am in!
I don't know if--
YOUR PRINCE COMMANDS YOU TO READ AND REVIEW!
Well… that I can live with. Do as your prince commands!

A/N: I'm back, baby! And with a vengeance! I will finish this story! In fact, it's completely back up and running. I've got all my chapters saved on this computer, and I'm working on the chapters once again. Look! Buttons and Athena interaction! That deserves reviews, true? Also, your review decides the next chapter narrator.

What, I don't get to do dis every time? What a gyp! I demand dat I do dis EVERY time!
No. Review!