"Oh, hi Jewel."

Jewel was dropping off the girls at Linda's house. She was all beautified for tonight. Jewel's feathers glittered under the moonlight and she had a pink lily on the top side of her head. Her beak was polished and a little darker than usual. Linda smiled at her.

"Wow, Jewel. You look so beautiful. Blu is going to be so shocked when he sees you."

Jewel smiled. She pointed at her girls, implying if the boys were here. Linda smiled.

"Yes. Blu already dropped off the boys."

Jalin and Leoncio flew over and landed on the table near the window. They looked at Jewel.

"Mama," said Jalin, "you look so pretty for Papa."

"Hopefully another bird doesn't attack you," said Leoncio. "Then I'll have a new Papa."

"I'm not even sure if I should take that as a compliment, Leoncio," said Jewel. "Well, I can't keep your father waiting forever."

Jewel smiled at Linda and flew through the window. The chicks watched their mother disappear from their view. They looked at Linda.

"Yeah, treats."

"Um, Elena," said Jalin. "Papa left a note saying no treats. He wrote we had too much already."

"Well, that sucks."

"You birds want candy?" said Linda. "I got some Red Vines you guys can munch on."

Linda started to walk away from the birds. Elena faced Jalin.

"I thought you said Papa left a no-sweets note."

"He did."

"Probably she's like Leoncio," said Aurora. "She doesn't listen."

"Hey, I do too."

Jalin, Aurora, and Elena faced their brother with their eyes half-closed. He uncomfortably smiled.

"Okay, sometimes I do."

The birds flew off, following Linda into the kitchen from her bedroom.

Blu was pacing in front of the entrance to the rooftop restaurant. It was a perfect night under the Rio moonlight. Candles gave more light to the area. He had two pieces of mozzarella cheese in a wing. He looked at the sky, trying to find a blue spec. He didn't see a blue spec. Instead, he saw a beautiful bird heading his way. The blue bird landed next to him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," said Jewel.

"Not at all," said Blu. "I can see why. Jewel, you look so beautiful."

"Aw," blushed Jewel. "Thanks, my very Blu bird."

Blu's feathers also light under the moonlight. They weren't as radiant as Jewel's fathers, but they were cleaner than before. Blu extended his wing towards Jewel. She accepted and cuffed her wing with Blu's wing. He led her to the entrance, where a buff rat in a Barbie tuxedo was standing as a bouncer. Next to him was a normal-sized mouse also in a tuxedo. There was a sign that mentioned the payment was first received by the bouncer before entering. Blu gave him the two chunks of cheese. He gave them to the smaller mouse who was the cashier.

"Names?" asked the buff rat, holding a clipboard.

"Blu and Jewel," replied Blu.

"Hm, not very created, but okay."

The buff mouse moved aside and the two walked into the area.

"That guy was a jerk," Jewel whispered to Blu.

"Honey, don't let him get to you. Let's just enjoy this dinner."

"I guess you're right."

The two lovebirds walked to a table near the center of the area. Blu moved back the crafted Popsicle stick chair Jewel was going to sit in. Jewel smiled and sat down. Blu went around the small, crafted table and sat in his chair. A lit candle was in the center of the table, along with a miniature red flower in a Barbie vase.

"Wow," said Jewel. "I have to admit that Rafael knows the fanciest places."

"Yeah," breathed Blu. "I wonder if he ever took Eva here."

"I'm pretty sure he did. Eva told me for their anniversary, they came here. She said the food was great."

A waiter rat walked up to Jewel and Blu.

"Names?"

"Blu and Jewel," answered Blu.

"Ah, yes. We've received your payment. Here are your menus."

The rat handed the Blu birds a piece of thick paper with all their entrees, appetizers, deserts, and beverages.

"Tonight's special is the Tour de Chef."

"Tour de Chef?" questioned Blu.

"Yes. Our chef makes three random dishes from the menu. I would highly recommend it if you are new to this restaurant."

Blu nodded.

"That's alright with me. How about you, Dear?"

Jewel's eyes were focused on the menu.

"I'll have that, but for an appetizer, can we have some chips and salsa? Can you also bring some water for the both of us?"

"Alright," said the waiter, collecting the menus. "I'll be back."

The waiter left. Blu looked at Jewel.

"Appetizers? But Jewel, we don't know how much the plate is."

"It can't be that bad. Don't these fancy restaurants serve a tiny bit of food?"

Aurora was watching television. Linda had put a DVD on for her. At first, Linda thought she wanted to watch kiddie shows, but when she pointed to the DVD case, she was stunned. She guessed Blu talked to her about mature things, so she guessed it was okay. Aurora popped another piece of popcorn into her mouth as she watched House M.D. She was watching the scene of "The Dig" where Dr. House was waiting for Thirteen to come out of the dressing room of a clothes department store. He happened to be sitting in front of the closed door.

"Junior year high school, you placed fourth in the West Virginia all-county science fair. Your project? Clean combustion."

Thirteen didn't look at him as she puts her darkened shirt on.

"Yeah. I also wore a training bra. Things have changed."

Under his breath, House muttered, "Not that much."

His statement caused Thirteen to give him a cold glance as she finished putting her loose-fitting jacket.

Aurora was intrigued by this character. He was smart and had feelings, but the way he admitted those feelings were childish and filled with sarcastic thoughts. He was loved by three women at different times, but he was no longer with them. He was an outcast. The so-called friends he made were his co-workers. Even they were iffy on hanging around House. They would occasionally, but his life filled with misery was their excuse to hang on with them. He only hanged out with them if he wanted to know something about them, which was more selfish than being a true friend. The sad truth was that House was a miserable man who was always afraid to get emotionally involved with people. House, somewhat, rubbed on Aurora through these feelings of being alone. She knew her siblings envied her. Her mother and father loved her, but how long would it be until she was nothing to them. If her siblings already were annoyed of her, it was only a matter of time before her parents got annoyed with her too.

Aurora continued to watch House M.D. as her siblings whispered to each other. They were in the kitchen, pecking at Red Vines. Linda had retired for the night after putting the DVD in for Aurora. They pretended like they were sleeping, but they snuck out of their sleeping spot and headed for the kitchen. Leoncio had seen where Linda kept the Red Vines. Using his brain, Jalin opened the cabinet where the candy was. Elena fetched it and set it down on the counter. They didn't even offer any to Aurora.

"We have to something about Aurora," said Leoncio.

"What do you suggest?" questioned Elena. "Hogtie her and throw her in the river?"

"You know, that's not a bad idea."

Elena slapped her brother's beak.

"Ouch! Hey, why-"

"Elena's right," said Jalin. "Mama and Papa would ask a lot of questions."

"If Mama and Papa are involved, we can't get rid of her. We'll be grounded forever, and last time I checked, birds need to fly."

"Then we're stuck with her?" wondered Leoncio. "That's just great."

"Not precisely. I hatched a plan. Get it? Hatched?"

Jalin chuckled. His siblings looked at him with dull expressions.

"No time for corny jokes, Jalin," said Leoncio. "We need a plan."

"One step ahead of you. She's eating popcorn. She must have a very dry throat. You can always give her some water."

"How would water help?"

"Only if I add something that dissolves in water."

"Like what?" wondered Elena.

"Remember that time the scientist didn't sleep for three days straight? He got this medicine called flunitrazepam from one of these cabinets."

The two birds looked at him weirdly.

"In English," said Leoncio.

"Roofies."

Blu looked at his three-inch radius plate. It was still full of food. This was the first time he ever had authentic Brazilian food. He looked at Jewel, who was politely pecking at it. She noticed she was the only one eating. She looked at her date.

"Aren't you going to dig in?"

Blu looked up at her.

"Um, it's just that I haven't tried it."

"Then just try it. You've never tasted it so how do you know you don't like it if you never tasted it before?"

Blu swayed his head back and forth. He figured Jewel was right. He looked at his food one more time and pecked at the corn-based food. It looked like thick puddle. He swallowed it and smiled.

"What is it?"

"I think it's called masa."

"It's like sweet corn."

"I'm glad you liked it."

Jewel looked down at her plate.

"I wonder if Linda can handle the kids tonight."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember when we had a night to ourselves after Aurora was born? We came back to find her beak tied because Leoncio said she wouldn't let him sleep."

"Don't worry. They're matured now…for the most part. Let's just enjoy the night. Our kids will be fine. They should be asleep by now."

"Thanks for the water," said Aurora.

"You're welcome," said Jalin. "Usually popcorn makes the throat a little dry."

"Oh."

Aurora faced the television and continued watching House M.D. Jalin walked back to his siblings at the other end of the couch.

"When is it suppose to work?" asked Leoncio.

"Well, since she's a bird and we served her a couple of micrograms in twenty milliliters of water, she should be knocked-out in a few minutes."

"Make it sooner," said Elena, looking over Jalin's wing.

He looked back and noticed that Aurora was getting woozy. He faced his siblings and smiled.

"It was sooner than expected."

Aurora fell on her face against the beige cushion of the couch. The three chicks walked up to her.

"Well, that did it," said Leoncio.

"What's next, Jalin?" asked Elena.

"Well, I don't really know."

"Typical," said Leoncio. "Leave it to the professional."

"Then what do you think?"

Leoncio sinisterly grinned. He flew to the window and saw a truck outside. The pickup truck was on, but it was parked. Boxes were being loaded on this red vehicle. Leoncio pointed at the pickup. The two birds saw the truck and looked back at their brother.

"We can put her in that truck."

"But what if it goes away forever?" asked Jalin.

"Isn't that the whole point?" questioned Leoncio. "You better not pussy out now, Jalin. Remember, she's the new Einstein of the family. You're not the smart one if she's around."

Jalin looked at Aurora and narrowed his eyes.

"Leoncio, open the window."

Leoncio smiled and began to open a window a few feet behind the television. Jalin and Elena walked over to Aurora and picked her up.

"Is this a good idea?" asked Elena.

"Oh, you can't chicken out too? Don't you don't like her?"

"I do, but-"

"But nothing. Remember, she's Papa's favorite princess."

Elena narrowed her eyes.

"You're right."

Elena and Jalin picked her up with their talons and flew through the opened window. Leoncio was hovering outside, waiting for them. They flew down towards the truck. The guy had already loaded the boxes into the truck. He was getting into the pickup. Jalin and Elena placed Aurora down gently. The three birds looked at Aurora.

"Where do you think this truck is going?" asked Elena.

"Who cares," said Leoncio.

"Wait. How are we going to convince our parents?" asked Jalin.

"Elena, can you forge her handwriting?"

"Yes," said Elena.

"Then you know what to do."

"Um… And what is that?"

Jalin sighed.

"Leoncio wants you to forge a runaway note from Elena."

"Oh, okay. I can do that."

The truck moved slightly. The three birds flew out of the truck and watched the truck go away.

"There goes the annoying chick," said Leoncio. "Good ridden. C'mon, Elena. Let's write that runaway note."

She nodded. Leoncio and Elena flew back into the house. Jalin noticed that the pick-up truck was reappearing near the beach. It looked like it was going out of town. Jalin looked one more time at the crime they committed and flew back into the house.