Disclaimer: Lazytown belongs to the company Lazy Town, and was created by Magnus Scheiving. I'm only borrowing the characters for the fanfiction. I did think of the fan character Gretchen, but her name was inspired by characters in Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth, which starts off in an Icelandic volcano. My thanks to KrysSaiyan my first reviewer! You have given me a few ideas for the next chapter after this one. I had to rewrite this at least three times before I felt satisfied with it. Either it came out as Sportacus being TOO obvlivious or too tuned into the way his actions impact others. I hope you like the result! I rewrote this after I read the carrot cake scene because I didn't want to seem like I was stealing your great idea:blush:
Behind the Crystal
Chapter 6
By Trynia Merin
That Saturday afternoon the Lazytown kids were out in full force playing baseball. Pixel raised his hand with the small stitched ball while Trixie crouched behind Pinkie. She punched her catcher's mitt. Out in field was Ziggy on first, and Stingy to the left. Stephanie swung the bat, clipping the end of the ball. It flew towards the side of the park, rolling off the court.
"Where's the ball?" Ziggy asked, rushing into the bushes. "I'll get it!"
"Nice one Pinkie. You just sent it into foul territory. And I'm not talking birds," Trixie taunted.
"We need more players on MY team," Stingy complained.
"Well you should have asked Sportacus to come. But you were so anxious to play," Trixie said.
"Well there's still time to ask him, right Stephanie?" Pixel said.
Stephanie bit her lip and said, "Well, last time I left him he was taking some sports candy to Miss Lidenbrock's house."
"Oh really?" Trixie blinked. "That's very interesting… maybe we shouldn't disturb him?"
"What are you talking about?" Stingy grunted. "Ziggy, have you found my ball yet?"
"Still looking!" came a muffled voice from the bushes.
"I guess we could sent him a message in a little bit," said Stephanie. "I don't have one of the air mail tubes though."
"I might have one," Pixel said. "But I'd have to run back home to get it."
"I can't find it! It's lost!" Ziggy huffed, his cape dragging behind him.
"Oh no, not again! That was my last ball!" Stingy complained.
"Then stop griping and help him look for it," Trixie said.
"Maybe you'll have time to look for that tube after all?" Stephanie said.
"Okay, will do," Pixel nodded, smiling at Stephanie. He marched off in the direction of his house while the kids joined Ziggy in the hunt for the lost baseball.
Meanwhile another game was going in full force back in a certain German science teacher's kitchen. Gretchen laughed as Sportacus grabbed the last piece of fruit, which happened to be a fresh pear from the basket. He had seen her reaching for it, and his hand snaked out to snatch it away. Hefting his hand above his head, he chuckled to see her straining on tiptoes to grab for it. Slightly he angled his arm, feeling her hand grab his shoulder so she could push down and leap again. Then he spun out of the way, twirling around to twist his arm holding the fruit behind his back. To the left she dodged, then the right, trying to catch up with him.
"You are going to get it, Sportlein you crazy elf!!" she panted. Mischievously his blue eyes twinkled. They wrestled with the fruit a bit more, and Gretchen did not stop to think that she was actually enjoying physical activity. It was all a silly innocent game.
"Thought I'd get you moving… hah!" Sportacus laughed glee in his handsome features.
"Come BACK here with that!" she gasped, and then lunged forwards. Slightly turned to the side Sportacus leapt out the way. Then she whirled around to charge him again. Although he sidestepped, she accidentally stepped in his way, tangling her foot around his booted one. A solid muscular leg clad in spandex landed against hers, and she found herself loosing balance.
"Whoops," he said. His arm shot out to grab her around the waist as she shot forwards toward the table. The last thing he wanted was for her to slip and crash into the table or counter. Instead, she felt the hardness of her back against the table, then the solid thud of his body landing against hers. Caught off guard she realized his body was tightly pressed against her front, pinning her to the surface of the kitchen table. For his part Sportacus appeared just as surprised as she, for his hot breath drifted into her face. Bright blue eyes dulled with confusion and the pear he had been holding thumped out of his outstretched hand to the floor.
"Ach I'm so clumsy," she whispered, her hands pinned between his muscular chest and hers. The other hand was clutched in his wrist, pressed hard beside her head. She half reclined on the table and could not budge an inch with several hundred pounds of muscular solid superhero there. Part of her was waiting to see if he even noticed how close they were together, or if he even understood what was the natural progression of a man accidentally having a woman in his arms so close to him.
"I'm very sorry about that! You sure you are okay, Gretchen?" he asked her. Worry crossed his face, wrinkling his brows over the crystalline blue eyes she could not tear her gaze from. For a moment he felt the sensation of a soft female body under his and realized it had been a long time since he had been so close to a woman unintentionally. Other then rescuing one of course.
"Don't be," she found herself saying. Mentally she slapped herself for that obvious line when she saw the blue eyes widening in surprise. That half frown on his face coupled with the slow movement of his breath rasping. He was so warm there pinning her down and she wondered what would happen next. Gently she pushed up on his chest with her hand flat against it, and Sportacus shoved himself up off her with his other hand. Her other hand remained clasped in his so he could pull her up to a standing position. The momentum brought her forwards and she landed against his body once more. He was not that much taller then she, perhaps a bit more then average height for a human male. Every muscle was economized and solidly built, for his frame and stature.
"We can't be too careful with a fall like that, considering you're not used to such a workout," he murmured absently, trying to steady the pulse that suddenly was racing. Being so close to a woman, a human woman gave him small shivers that were much like the rush he got from working out. Not to mention his pulse rate and breathing were matching when he loved to move. Nevertheless, how could he get such symptoms of a hard workout from standing still?
"I did get carried away but you were having so much fun I didn't want to spoil it. I'm sorry," he said letting go of her hand. She looked away with a slight pink flush coming over her slightly olive skin. He had seen her up close, staring into light brown eyes that gleamed like copper in the light of the sun behind her glasses. That dark hair was different to one accustomed to those of fairer features, but such dark markings were considered rare beauty in the northern lands.
"Ilthrottaalfurinn?" she asked, reaching up her hand to softly take his that hung at his side. Slightly turned away from her, the hero inhaled deep breaths to center himself once more, then stood up straight.
"Er I'm glad you liked the sports candy!" he suddenly blurted out, still giving her that curious confused look that she found cute.
Shivering she grabbed another pear and bit into it just to distract herself and him from what had happened. She said, "Yes! It's very sweet!"
"Good I'm glad you like them. I only pick the best you know," he said quickly.
"You er… have good taste. Are you sure… you don't want some of this pastry that Stephanie brought over," she said. Sportacus watched her grab a plate from the nearby table and cut into the cake. Nervously he watched her carry the piece toward him and hold it out.
"If it's cake I can't eat it," he held up his hand. "Sugar, remember?"
"Well it does have apples in it, but how minute an amount of sugar is hazardous?" she challenged him. "And there ARE raisins in it. Nature's sweets."
"Apples? In a cake?" he blinked. "Carrots were strange enough, but I don't know!"
"Maybe if I scrape the icing off it would be all right?" she said, using the fork to push icing off the top. His nose twitched a bit at the smell of the spices, overriding the sickeningly sweet refined smell.
"I don't know," he bit his lip at the scent of large pieces of apple he could almost taste in his mouth.
"Just a bit. You can spit it out if you can't take it," she said. "Or if you'd rather not risk it."
"Maybe just one bite," Sportacus relented, reaching for the plate she held out. He took a clean fork she handed him, and tentatively used the side to cut off a morsel. Very slowly he raised the bite to his mouth and placed it in. She watched him carefully as he meticulously chewed. His face took on a look of intense concentration as if trying to see if the sugar that might be in the cake was enough to make him sick.
"You all right?" she asked.
"I… it is not that bad," he muttered through the food. "I think I can stand it. Hmm… the apples and raisins are actually good. I hardly taste any sugar. At least I'm not melting down… not yet."
"Well fruits contain sugar. I mean carbohydrates, so it must be refined sugar that gives you a problem," said Gretchen, tapping her chin. She licked some of the icing off the fork she had, and Sportacus tried another mouthful of the cake piece she had offered him.
"You have any milk?"
"Fat free okay?" she asked.
"Mmm perfect," he said through the next morsel. Quickly she grabbed down a glass and snatched the milk bottle out of the fridge. Pouring him a bit she passed him the glass. He set down the plate and eagerly took the milk, swigging half of it down. He nodded, giving her the thumbs up when he saw the concern on her face.
"It's good, it's actually good. I cannot believe I am actually eating cake! This is just so weird… I'd run at the sight of it but to think there's one I can eat without melting down."
"You don't have to eat any more. I don't want you harmed on account of me pushing any hospitality on you," she said, grasping the plate.
"The least I could do was try it, if it has some 'sports candy' in it. And I didn't want to be rude since you offered me so nicely," he held up his hand. He drained the rest of the milk to wash down the last mouthful, and then set the glass and plate neatly down on the table.
"Well you could eat pie as well, as long as it was a meat pie," she said thoughtfully. "But don't scare me like that again."
"You did say Stephanie made it," he said.
"Yes. Which you were saying that she was acting strange. I have to confess that there is a good reason for it. But I 'm not sure if I should be the one to tell you," she said quietly.
"Which is what?"
"Something's happened to her parents I'm sure of it. She has come to live here permanently as far as I know. Her school records were transferred."
"What did you say?" Sportacus blinked, straightening up. He leaned closer, a frown on his handsome face.
"She won't tell me more, but she goes from periods of sadness to hiding it with cheer. But I know children well enough to know when someone is holding back," she nodded. Sportacus' hip almost brushed her as he listened closer to her soft voice. Although there were none to hear them, he instinctively knew why she was so quiet.
"We've got to keep an eye on her then. Make sure she knows she's got support whenever she needs it," Sportacus agreed. Gretchen nodded.
"I figured since you and she were close, you should know," she said.
"I'm very glad you told me, Gretchen. Thank you. Stephanie is lucky to have a teacher such as you who is so worried about her. I think if we work together, she should be okay. But I'm certain she's in for a tough time."
"It can be lonely without family around. I mean she does have friends here, but I wish she or her uncle would tell me exactly WHAT happened," whispered Gretchen.
"Mm perhaps if she trusts me enough to tell me, she might," said Sportacus. "But only when she's ready to talk."
"I can't ask you to break her trust if she tells you and begs you to keep it a secret. If that turns out to be the case, you don't have to tell me, Sportacus."
"I trust you," Sportacus said, folding his arms just under his badge.
"That's rather… unexpected," she said, stepping backwards. Her light brown eyes blurred to the shade of light chocolate, and she fiddled with pushing her glasses on the bridge of her nose.
"Why?" Sportacus asked, staring hard at her.
"Well, you hardly know me. I mean I only just MOVED here," Gretchen said, eyes widening in surprise. She felt strangely touched and wondered what she had done to earn such trust.
"You're Stephanie's school teacher. In addition, you care about her. I need nothing more to make up my mind. And if you WERE dishonest, I would find out soon enough. However, since you carry the secrets you do about the Association, that is another point in your favor. I don't give my trust so easily," he told her.
"That's sweet of you," she smiled. Sportacus had to agree that she looked ten years younger when she smiled naturally. Despite what many humans might say, he thought she looked gorgeous at the second her face beamed with surprised delight. Then it faded away under a mask of schoolteacher regulated emotion.
"You should smile more often," Sportacus said. This earned him a surprised blink from Gretchen. Swallowing hard she leaned over and pecked a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you," she murmured, hugging him tightly. Sportacus was a bit surprised at the sudden gesture but a hug was something he understood. After all, he hugged Stephanie all the time and she was his best friend. So when he slid his arms around her and returned the hug, she laid her head against his shoulder. It felt good to be held by the sports elf, even if he was doing it out of a need of platonic comfort. He quite liked the way her hand slid around and stroked his shoulders and her hot breath fanned his sensitive earlobe. As good as it felt when Stephanie hugged him; having a full-grown woman hold him in her arms was extremely pleasant.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Robbie Rotten winced. Something shot past his foot again and he yelped in a high pitched tone. He pitched to the side, crashing into the unpruned bushes under her kitchen window.
"Uh oh, someone's in trouble?" Sportacus muttered, as his crystal flashed with inner energy. They both jumped apart. He let go of her waist and whirled about.
"Where? Can you tell?" she said.
"Yes… someplace just outside I'm sure I sensed something. That thump sounds like something fell down, and it was far heavier then a cat," Sportacus said. He marched over toward the window. "Stay here."
"Hollenhunde. Who would be outside my window in the middle of the afternoon?" she mumbled, following him as he crossed the glossy tiled floor of the kitchen. "I didn't hire a gardener!"
"Shh, it's just outside. You might be the one in danger here," Sportacus held his finger to his lips for silence. Another muffled crackle and rustle was followed by a muffled yelp. Then he heard the sound of footsteps running away. Sportacus glanced down at his crystal, which suddenly fell silent.
"Whatever or whoever it was it has gone," she said, glancing over his shoulder as he pushed up the window sash and peered around.
"True. But keep a sharp lookout. If anything happens, I will be here in a flash. I'd best get back to the airship," he said with a small smile, turning to look at her. "Thank you for inviting me in."
"Have a good rest of the day. Hope to see you again soon… rather then later. Thanks for the 'sports sweets'," she said equally shy. Sportacus walked out of the house with her close behind and only turned to look her directly in the eye when he was about to walk out the door.
"I er… am glad," he finally blurted out, then gave her his best grin. "Enjoy… and don't um… forget to stretch since you're not used to that level of physical exercise…."
"Will do, Sportlein... I mean Sportakus," she said, waving to him as he pirouetted down the front steps and into the road. A few more flips and he was gone. Gretchen felt herself grow warm and laughed a bit.
"That was… different," she murmured, feeling the warmth of him still against her. The whooshing sound of some air vehicle caught her attention, and she rushed to the door to see Sportacus behind the controls of a hovering small plane. It shot like a silver arrow towards the distant hovering form of the blue airship standing watch above the town hall.
Sportacus was nothing but a small blue blur to Robbie's gray eyes shaded by a hand. He saw the rapid swoosh of a hovering air vehicle almost strafe the leaves overhead. Squeaking he grabbed the trunk and covered his hair with his hands.
"Took Sportakook long enough to clear out! Is he blind, innocent, or stupid? That woman was practically on top of him and he acts like a monk! I don't know whether to be scared, insulted or sorry for him!" Robbie laughed.
Once he was sure the cost was clear, Robbie Rotten dropped down out of the tree he had scrambled up into when he saw Sportacus shove open the window. That damn cat had almost given him away again. "Crazy Teutonic school marm and her cats! I swear the little beasts know EXACTLY when I'm around," he spat, brushing his salt and pepper pinstripe suit off. Quickly he shuffled across the lawn towards the schoolhouse building. While he was tempted to knock on the German schoolteacher's door, he suddenly remembered it was Saturday. What Superintendent in his right mind stopped to inspect a school or bother visiting a schoolteacher on a weekend?
"Drat," he cursed. "I've got to stop turning night into day. Stupid alarm clock. I knew I shouldn't have used those leftover toaster parts to put into it!"
Grumbling he marched across the lawn towards the playground. Maybe the day was not a total wash because he spotted the bright pink figure poking through the bushes that surrounded the baseball diamond. A brightly colored garish cape dragged on the ground as a chubby kid in a superhero costume bent over and shoved his face so far into another bush he tipped forwards.
"OUCH!"
"Ziggy are you okay?" Stephanie asked.
"Dang it you just HAD to hit it to Timbuktu, Pinkie," came Trixie's voice from somewhere nearby. Robbie Rotten ducked behind a tall tree, then stood as straight as a rail to hide his lean body behind its trunk. He peered around it slightly to see Stephanie's search path bring her closer to his hiding place. Further out in the field Stingy and Trixie continued to rush past the other bushes in search of whatever it was.
Robbie Rotten guessed that they were not playing hide and seek. Although he did not play games much, he knew they were hunting for a lost ball. Seeing Stephanie so close, he realized luck was on his side. He tipped his head down and saw the very object in question lying in the roots of the tree.
"Well what are the odds," he snickered. Stephanie's head and shoulders pushed through the bush, and she pointed eagerly to the white sphere.
"I've found it!"
"Looking for this young lady?" Robbie asked, pushing the horn rimmed glasses over his eyes. They were so thick they blurred his vision. His hair was slicked into a very different style; his temples gray as if with age. A small beard and moustache covered his distinctive chin, and he walked stooped over a bit as if he were arthritic.
"Oh… thank you mister!" Stephanie said brightly. He handed her the ball with a saccharine smile.
"Tell me young lady, is this Lazytown School district?"
"Yes, are you looking for someone?"
"I'm a… a lawyer, actually. The name's Habi S. Corpus," he said quickly. "Looking for a Miss Stephanie. Do you know where I might find her? I was told she had transferred to school here!"
"I'm Stephanie. But what do you want with me? Are you sure you don't want my uncle?"
"Oh you're Stephanie? I have come from the Caveat Emptor Insurance agency, life insurance…"
"Life insurance?" Stephanie asked, taking a step back. He pulled a card out of his pocket, and put it in her face. Such a disguise served two purposes Robbie chuckled to himself. She tentatively took the card in her hand that did not hold the ball and glove. Sure enough, his name was there next to the letters ESQ.
"Yes. My condolences on your recent loss my dear. Such a young woman like you must be brave to be handling herself so well in the wake of your recent…unfortunate event. Nobody could have seen such a thing coming. And over the North Sea too on what was a routine business trip?"
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"Oh I am so sorry, I forgot to explain myself. I am here to deliver the papers for your parent's life insurance policy. You were named as the beneficiary."
"But my uncle is my legal guardian… maybe you should be talking to him about this. I'm only nine years old," she stammered.
"Well that's all right then. You should give him this letter and my card immediately so he can contact me and sign the papers. Apparently, your parents also made sure that you would be well taken care of...in case of such a tragic emergency. To think that they were lost in that plane crash, only a half-hour from the nearest island. Your parents did travel a lot with your father's work as a VP of a company. Well since I've caught you, such a brave young lady… I am sure you can take this to your uncle."
"Um… maybe you should just come home with me and talk to him yourself," Stephanie said, voice trembling. The ugly reality suddenly came rushing back. Slowly she backed away as he thrust the letter he pulled out of his pocket into her face.
"Oh I'm sorry but I've got another case I'm working on. But you can tell your uncle to call me and set up an appointment for tomorrow or Monday. However, do make sure he gets these. A lovely girl such as you should be well taken care of by your parent's… life insurance policy. I can tell they were very sure you would be taken care of in light of what unforeseen crash had happened. Airplane disasters are the cruelest takers of life."
"I… uh thank you, I'll just go take this to him now, goodbye!" she stammered grabbing the papers and rushing away.
"Brave heart my dear! Be strong!" he waved with a mock look of pity. Fighting back tears Stephanie clutched the papers and raced off towards the field. As her friends rushed after her, Robbie Rotten cackled gleefully.
"That's one down, one to go. With Pinkie so distraught I can focus on Miss Hard-wig, and Sportakook will be putty in my hands. He just can't resist flying to the side of a girl or a woman in distress," he laughed as he slinked off. By reminding Stephanie of what had happened so unexpectedly to her parents, he had reduced her to tears.