Chapter 40. This truly is a masterpiece. Enjoy! ;)

For the first time in two weeks, Diego woke up without any disturbing nightmares or worrying about Flora's safety. He looked down at the still sleeping Flora and gently nuzzled her head with his nose. He did the same thing with Shira and ruffled Cash and Bobby's heads lightly before stepping quietly outside, but was surprised at who he saw.

"Up already?" Diego asked Sam.

"I was up for 30 minutes now."

"I've never heard of a teenager that gets up so early."

"Well considering that Soto always expected me to wake up at the crack of dawn, I got used to it."

"Ah I remember those days. Waking up even if you only slept for a minute, getting beat up for it if you didn't. Good times." Diego and Sam chuckled slightly. "So I take it Flora told you about how Soto and friends were like back in the olden days?"

"Yep. And to be quite honest, they hadn't changed at all."

"I just knew that they're still going to hold that grudge against me ever since I helped save a sloth, mammoth and a human baby."

"That must have been very hard for you. To just turn against your own species to save your friends."

"It really was, but I'm gonna tell you now that it was totally worth it. I got a better offer out of pack life and I don't regret it for a second."

"You're really brave for that sir."

"Just call me Diego.(first name basis!) And I'm not the only one. I've just heard of another hero in the village."

"Who?"

"It's a boy named Sam."

"Me? Really? Or is there someone else with the same name?"

"It's you. Flora told me every single detail of when she was imprisoned. The particular ones she told me were when you were giving her food, trying your best to comfort her, still treating her with kindness even though she was a bit sour to you and standing up to Soto when both you and her were being verbally abused by him."

Sam nearly blushed. He didn't know what to say.

"I forgot to thank you yesterday."

"For what?"

"For looking out for Flora back there so... Thank you."

"It's nothing. I just did what was right."

"You know, you're the first real friend that Flora ever made?" Sam relaxed a bit when Diego changed the subject.

"I am?"

"And a good one too. I've never seen my little girl have so much confidence in herself. Shira and I were always worried that she's never going to except herself for who she is, but look at her now. In fact, I thought you were a little too good so..."

"Yeah I see where you're going with that."

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay, you're her father, who could blame you?"

Diego smiled at Sam in appreciation at his understanding. He just felt it in his gut that he was starting to warm up to the boy.

As Flora woke up, she saw the morning sun beating down on a shadow that kept walking around. As she took a closer look, she saw that it was Cash who looked like he was fretting about something."

"Are you okay?" asked Flora.

"Okay? Yeah, I'm okay. What made you think I'm not okay?" asked Cash.

"Well for one thing, you're pacing. And you've got a worried look on your face."

"Really?"

"What's wrong?"

"I confessed my feelings for Sandy last night when we were both hanging on a cliff and she hasn't talked to me ever since. I'm worried that I might have ruined my friendship with her. What if she never wants to talk to me again?"

"Sandy is a good friend to you. She would never ignore you, she's always had your back. Maybe this is all a sign."

"Of what?"

"Of better things to come in the past."

"What can possibly be better than Sandy?"

"I just said better. Maybe Sandy has mutual feelings for you too but she's also been nervous to confess? Or maybe it just means that you and Sandy were only destined to be friends?"

"Yeah, I liked the first thing you said there better."

"Either way, it will all work out okay."

"Good morning Cash, Flora." Sandy greeted her friends cheerfully.

"Hi Sandy." Flora replied before whispering to Cash, "I'll leave you two alone." Flora then walked off to look for Sam.

"So..." Sandy started.

"Sandy, I really do mean it when I say that I've always been in love with you. If you don't feel the same way about it, then it's fine. I always respect your feelings and I hope that-" Cash was cut off by Sandy who gave him a lick on the mouth. A rather passionate one.

"I'm glad that you feel that way about me Cash, I've always felt the same way about you."

"Really?"

"Yes, now kiss me you fool."

Sandy and Cash had a slight second of tongue to tongue action until caught by Shira.

"Hey, no French kissing you too." she said firmly yet playfully giving Cash a wink before leaving as a way of saying "congratulations".

"What's 'French'?" asked Sandy.

"I don't know." shrugged Cash. But he did know one thing. Flora was so right about this turning out to be better.

So Cash and Sandy are now a couple and Diego moved Sam up from "guy who's trying to steal away my daughter" to "I like you and I know that you're a nice kid and not actually evil" Big steps, big steps! Stay tuned to find out more! ;)