Hey hey, no reviews, but here's the second chapter. Slayn finally erased Monika's phobia, so what'll happen now?

Note: My story doesn't follow the script completely, but I do have scenes from it (with alternations) and I sequence things to my liking.

Hugh walked up to Slayn. The silver haired man seemed to be lost in thought, and surprisingly happy about something. Hugh snuck up on Slayn and yelled.

"Hey Chief!"

"AAAAHHH!" Slayn screamed. "God, don't do that!"

"Don't use the Lord's name in vain. Anyway, you wanna get something to eat?" Hugh asked.

"Oh, sure why not?"

They entered Voltone's Cafe and sat down to eat. Slayn still seemed triumphant. Hugh just can't help but scratch that curious itch.

"What you smiling about, Chief?"

"Oh, nothing in particular. Why do you ask?" Slayn questioned.

"You're just smiling way too much. Er...not that it's a bad thing! It's just...unusual of you, that's all," Hugh said.

"Oh."

"Say, Chief. Just between you and me, who's your favorite girl?"

"Well, I'd have to say...(if you can't get this, you're stupid no offense) Monika."

"What? Well, sure, I mean she's pretty and all, but isn't she a bit too young for you to be lusting for?"

"What...lust! Why would you think that just because Monika's my favorite would mean I'm lusting after her?" Slayn asked.

"Well..." Hugh said slowly and thoughtfully. "Monika told me you took her to the lake that day. She's real grateful, you know."

"Really," Slayn asked half-heartedly.

"Yup. And guess what, Chief? She said that you were real nervous about the whole thing. She can't understand why. But I do. And the first word that comes to mind? Fetish," Hugh said with a large grin.

"Fetish! Hugh, you sick son of a...grrr. I was only helping a friend with one of her many problems, that's all!" Slayn replied angrily.

"I don't see you helping Annette."

"What? Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it didn't happen!"

That, by the way, was true. Slayn actually did help Annette with her problems. Only, Annette wouldn't tell ol' Huey about it. But Monika did, and Slayn wondered why.

"Hugh, why did Monika tell you about that day?"

"Well, she was probably too shy to come to you," Hugh answered, this time with a wink. "That's good, Slayn! She's getting used to you around her!"

That caused Slayn to lose some of his cool. He looked down at his food, looking as red as the tomatoes in his salad.

"Er...okay, so I might like her a little bit..."

"A little bit! Chief, you seem like you're obsessed with her! I say go for it!"

"Obsessed is a little too strong, don't you think? And anyway, weren't you the one who commented on our age difference?"

"Well, if you really like her, then it won't matter! Besides, a few years from now, she'll be a real looker!"

"Really, you think so?"

"Definitely! Come on, Slayn! Go win her heart!"

"I'm working on it..." Slayn muttered.

"All right Chief, talk to me when things get better!"

Slayn just mumbled something inaudible and left. Hugh just laughed.

"Okay, kid, you can come out now."

Monika crawled out from under the table looking pretty much just as red as Slayn. Jeez, how can Slayn not notice that! Talk about oblivious.

"See? I told you he likes you!"

"Umm...I'm sure he won't feel that way for long. I'm not the type of girl he'd like," Monika stammered a bit.

"Now that's where you're wrong! That man's practically in love with you!" Hugh exclaimed.

"You think?"

"I know!"

"Thanks, Hugh. I guess I should keep searching for my father in the Detective Agency now." Monika said softly.

"Sure, I'll let you know if I find anything."

Monika nodded in thanks and left. Hugh laughed again.

"Pity there's no one else under that table!"