Disclaimer: Lazytown belongs to the company Lazy Town, and was created by Magnus Scheving. I'm only borrowing the characters for the fan fiction. 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!

Behind the Crystal

Take Me Higher

Part one of the hero's plan had been initiated. Sportacus figured the safest place for her would be on the airship with the Captain, if he were still there. Chances were, the Captain had already taken the point and gone after whoever had set that charge. Gretchen was not crazy about heights. Granted she liked climbing the mountains, but being so close to a precipitous drop was terrifying. With slightly blue fingers she clung to the pole and let the airship platform take her up into the belly of the ship. Her eyes fell on the glossy wooden floor of the cabin resembling a gymnasium. She wrapped her arms around her body to hold the towel in place, water still dripping on her damp hair.

Feeling a bit guilty about whisking her away without time to change, Sportacus said, "There's a bathroom there if you wish to freshen up. And till you get back again, you can borrow some of my spare clothing to wear from the closet. Wait here."

Sportacus flipped hand over heels towards one of the wall alcoves. A quick kick of a sneakered toe caused a door to slide open in the wall near the rear. Captain Nimrod was gone for now, but a neat pile of belongings sat in one corner of the open space. Grasping a folded shirt and shorts he stacked them with a blue and white towel. Then he presented her the bundle with a smile.

"As if it would fit me," she wanted to say, but did not because she knew he was trying. Instead she threw him a shaky smile and moved off towards the small bathroom area.

"I've got mail!" Excusing himself Sportacus rushed over to grab a mail tube that popped out of the floor. He removed the letter from the message delivery tube and unrolled it. The Captain's fancy script flowed across the page in a light elegant hand. Sportacus nodded, realizing his mentor had indeed spotted his nemesis, and instructed Sportacus to remain and wait until the next thing happened. That attack at the pool had only been an opening salvo in what could be a very difficult time ahead. Sportacus frowned and moved over to the pilot's chair to look out the forward window and down at the playground below. He knew the children had been told to remain indoors under the auspices for working on their project.

Meanwhile in the shower of the small bathroom Gretchen found towels and soap so she could rinse the chlorine off her body. Granted the herbal shampoos were not her normal fare, but at least they did not have an overly heavy masculine scent. Instead, she smelled pine and rosemary, the two scents that she remembered smelling on his clothes. She felt a bit embarrassed seeing herself in the stark white lighting as she emerged from a nice warm shower. Quickly she wrapped herself in light blue towels that had his 10 logo on them. Most of the personal items were blue or white. She then dried off as best she could and reached for the set of spare clothing Sportacus had provided. On her body the blue and white striped pants seemed different and a bit on the long side. The only thing that really worried her was the lack of a support garment for her chest, and felt rather self-conscious.

Hugging her chest, she strode out. The side door was open, so he must be outside on the ledge looking down at the town. To her left she spotted what looked like her bag, and eagerly rushed over to it. Grabbing the underwear from it, she rushed back into the bathroom, cursing the fact that her spare set of other clothes had somehow fallen out. All she had clothing wise were the sweaty workout sweats that she had worn overtopping her swimsuit. The jeans and button up shirt were probably somewhere lying in a bush but the bra, underpants and socks had been neatly folded in the bottom with her hairbrush.

By the time Sportacus returned and the door shut behind him, he saw her sitting cross-legged on the floor with an awkward smile on her face. "Are you ok?" he asked.

"Sure. Thanks. So what's the Captain say?"

"He figured that you'd be up here, and it was safer for you to stay put if I had to go down to the town. He says he's chasing after the Professor and Robbie, and he's going to try and sneak into their headquarters so he can spy on them for a change," said Sportacus.

"But what do you do then?"

"Wait for them to make their next strike. Or wait for someone else to be in trouble. Basically go on as if nothing happened," Sportacus said.

"But I can't stay up here forever. I've got to teach class on Monday," Gretchen said.

"Very true, but I was thinking it might be better for the plan if you called in sick. Make them think the gas worked on you and that you were home sick somewhere?" he suggested.

"Wouldn't they assume I was on the airship?" she asked.

"Possibly. But till tomorrow it would be safer if you stayed here. Till I either get a signal from the Captain, or someone else is in trouble," he said.

"Are you sure?"

"You can take the bed. I'll just spread out a sleeping bag on the floor," he offered. "It's only fair."

"But what to wear?" she asked.

"Well I normally just sleep in my clothes," he admitted.

"I thought when you said you didn't use pajamas you slept in nothing at all," she said with an odd gleam in her eye. Sportacus blinked, not sure of what she meant. Gretchen then chuckled at his innocent confusion.

"I didn't mean THAT," Sportacus blinked.

"I'm just messing with you, relax," Gretchen nudged his shoulder.

"Well I DO change," he snorted. "A hero can't have a dirty uniform."

Feeling a bit awkward she decided to change the topic. "No offense, but it's rather… empty here. I am used to having my books and other things with me. There's no place for me to even sit."

"Unfortunately I didn't plan for that," Sportacus apologized. "But I'm sure I can find you something to work on."

"If I had a few notebooks, pencils and pens I could at least write or think of some lesson plans," she murmured.

"Paper, that's NOT a problem," he laughed.

"Paper!" A quick shout provided several sheets and a pen, which he eagerly handed her.

"All the comforts of home… at least a superhero home?" she laughed awkwardly.

"And there is the bed you could sit on. I'm sorry, I'm not used to having company," he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"That's all right. At least you're trying," she said, reaching up with one hand. Sportacus pulled her up and led her over to where she could at least sit down on the bed that had swung down from the wall. Sitting on the end of it, she set the sheets of paper down, and the pencils. Nervously she glanced around the white expanse of the airship as if looking for some other distraction.

"I usually exercise all day. That's something you could try to pass the time. It's only for one night, and hopefully we can get you back tomorrow where I can keep an eye on you along with the kids," he said.

"Exercising all day just wears me out," she groaned.

"I am sorry," he said, putting his hand in front of his face. He rubbed his chin and started to pace anxiously. If only he or the captain had brought some books up here she would be more likely to stay.

"Well, this place does make me think of a racquetball court," she said.

"You play?" he asked, his face lightening up.

"I suppose I COULD try your methods of entertainment. But I'm starving," she said nervously.

"Well that's not a problem. Why didn't you say so?" he laughed. She chuckled back, drawing her legs up on the bed to sit Indian style as he sat down next to her.

"SO you cook me dinner as well as breakfast then?" she laughed.

"Just wait here," he said. However he saw her rise and stride over towards the front window where the pilot's seat was, and peer out with great interest.

"What a WONDERFUL view you have up here!" Gretchen suddenly exclaimed.

"You like it?"

"It's beautiful," she said, then rushed back to grab the sheets of paper she had gotten. Sitting cross-legged near the pilot's seat she started to scribble something on it.

"I'll go make us some dinner then," he laughed. Sportacus flipped over onto his hands and stood on them. He walked on them towards the food alcove and shouted, "Table!"

Rapidly he selected the best fruits and started to cut them into pieces. Two bowls sat out on the table, into which he dropped slices of banana, watermelon, pineapple, passion fruit and kiwi. Next he made a fresh garden salad made of spinach leaves, with small pieces of mandarin orange and slices of almond. Pieces of chicken grilled were next to composing a killer chicken salad. The fruit cocktail would make a good desert. Then he sliced several pieces of whole grain bread with jam and soy butter to spread on them.

By the time he was finished he glanced over at what Gretchen was doing so intently. Flipping up onto his hands again he walked towards her. Strangely by doing so he was almost on eye level with her sitting there sketching the landscape of Lazytown. "So you DID find something to do that you like?" Sportacus asked, glancing over her shoulder.

Gretchen dropped the pencil with a yelp. Whirling her head to the side she saw herself nose to chin with an amused Sportacus. Having him look upside down at her was unnerving but endearing. She put her hand over what she was writing, and glared up at him in annoyance.

"No peeking! You have your fun and I have mine!" she pouted.

"Dinner's ready! Would you like to eat it over here?"

"Great," she laughed, rubbing her hands together and getting up.

"No, stay there, I'll bring it over," he laughed, walking back towards the table on his hands again. Gretchen contented herself with admiring the rear view and the contours of his athletic body under the uniform.

Soon he returned carrying a tray laden with food. Setting it down between them he showed her the salads and appetizers. She was surprised that Sportacus actually sat still long enough to eat sitting across the tray from her. Already the sun was close to the horizon and the buildings cast long shadows. How romantic it seemed to be eating with such an aerial view even if it wasn't a fancy restaurant, Gretchen reflected. Two glasses of water washed down the remains of their repast. Sportacus kept a careful eye on the town but neither of them saw any activity.

"Thank you for protecting me, Sportacus. I just hope the children are all right," she said.

"Well since my crystal hasn't gone off, we can assume everything's all right. But it's strange not to have anyone else in trouble," Sportacus mumbled, standing up and resting his hands on his hips. He paced nervously around, then back to her.

"I know it will be all right with Captain Nimrod, and you watching them," she smiled.

Standing up she rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned up with her face turned to the side. Sportacus guessed she was going to kiss him, so he wound his arms around her waist gladly. He liked getting hugs and giving them, and especially enjoyed the closeness with her lately. Somehow giving her an embrace felt like another way of protecting her. He eagerly met her lips with his own and hoped he would not disappoint her. Gretchen's hands slid up and locked behind his neck while her body pressed tightly to his. Sportacus bent his knees slightly so he could be more level with her. Gently he rubbed her back with his strong hands and relaxed into the motion of the kiss.

Then they disengaged and he pulled her so she could rest her head against his chest and enjoy the comfort of his body. Warmth seemed to pour from him along with a strange energy that soothed her nerves. If she closed her eyes she could swear she saw turquoise behind her lids. Popping them open she saw the same glow for a moment off his body. Then it was gone and she thought perhaps it had been an overactive imagination. As if on cue his crystal flashed and they jumped apart.

"Someone IS in trouble!" he gasped. She nodded and he didn't even have to say anything else as she stepped back and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Nodding he flipped over onto his hands, and then spun towards the center pole leading down. Wrapping her arms around herself she watched him disappear through the floor by sliding down the pole like a fireman.

"Gretchen! Here!" he shouted.

Something shot up through the hole and she barely caught it. To her surprise it was his blue and white telescope. She ran towards the forward window and brought the instrument to her eyes in the hopes of seeing her hero in action. A rapid burst of air told her that he had taken his sky chaser towards the source of the problem.