"hey Rachel," john called from the kitchen.

She looked towards it: "yeah?"

"we need to talk to you."

"oh ok be right there."

Rachel got up Ariel helping her.

"thanks," Rachel told her.

"uh huh."

She went into the kitchen.

"so?" she asked.

"its about what happened," Aaron said.

"I understand you wanted to help your friend. And we appreciate that honey," john told her.

"right."

"but…..that's now how we raised you. After all you're still our baby. And we don't want you getting hurt. We realise we cant always protect you esp. now as you're getting older. But that doesn't stop us from feeling that way."

"oh. Is that it? I'm not in trouble or anything?"

"yes that's it. And oh baby no."

"ok."

Rachel went back into the living room.

"sorry I, couldn't help overhearing," Ariel said.

"oh that's alrite. The kitchen isn't that far from the living room."

"maybe someday you could be mine," Ariel ventured shyly.

Rachel looked down to her side and at Ariel all at the same time. She peered up through her dark hair: "your what?"

"my baby. I mean if you're cool w/ that that is."

Rachel was touched but also taken aback. She swallowed.