A/N: This is just a really short interlude to give you Howard's reaction to Lilly's bombshell. I'll get writing on the calming down portion tonight, never fear.

Disclaimer: I own Lilly and she's becoming more like me every day. Otherwise, they're fair game. But I cheat when I fight.


There wasn't anything in Howard's mouth. He hadn't taken a drink of his water. He hadn't taken a bite of his food. He choked anyway.

Between coughs, he managed to squeeze out one word in a distressed manner, "Who?"

Lilly looked horribly concerned and offered Howard her napkin, as his had fallen from his lap, "Do you know of him? He never told me where he was from, exactly. He did say once that he owned a zoo but that the zoo had gone under in –"

"Bainbridge?!" It was as though the thought had just occurred to Howard, "But – what – how?!"

Other restaurant patrons were starting to stare as Howard's voice gradually rose in volume and pitch. Lilly tried to calm him down, "Howard, be quiet! You're making a scene."

"I don't care!" Howard jumped out of his chair, knocking it over. In his haste to get up, he pulled the table cloth towards him, sending water and pasta flying.

Lilly threw her arms out, trying to catch things, but to no avail. The people at the tables directly next to them were now standing, grumbling, and calling for a manager.

"Howard, please!" Lilly stood as well, although gingerly. They didn't need more messes on their hands. As it was, they would probably get kicked out.

Howard's large figure seemed to shrink as the idea of Lilly with Bainbridge sunk in. The look on his face got more and more desperate as he tried to process the information. Lilly, knowing she needed to do something fast, threw some bills on the table and put her hand on Howard's arm.

"Come on, let's get you home. We'll get you a nice cup of tea and I'll tell you everything there." She gently tugged him out of the restaurant, followed by the glares of at least fifteen angry patrons. Howard just groaned and let her pull him along.

It wasn't a long walk from the restaurant to the flat but it seemed longer than usual to Howard as all he could think about was the angry face of Dixon Bainbridge. His vainglorious nature and great arcing mustache that seemed to mock him all the time. Howard absolutely hated Bainbridge. In his opinion, Bainbridge had always taken his glory and no matter how hard he tried, he could never beat him. Howard missed a lot of things about the Zooniverse. Bainbridge was not one of them.