Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: This chapter is a bit on the short side, simply because I just couldn't really think of anything to write for this episode. But I promise the next chapter will be longer. Enjoy!

Carpe Diem, Dude

Claudia tried to keep her mouth shut. She really did. She'd already caused Artie enough trouble for one day. But halfway down the chalkboard, her curiosity had refused to die down. Finally she set down the chalk and slowly turned around to face the piano.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked carefully. Artie's fingers stilled, but he didn't look up from the piano.

"As long as you're not asking for the keys to the cherry picker," he said drily. Claudia decided to ignore that particular barb.

"What happened between you and your father?" she asked.

"It's a long story," Artie said evasively.

"I have time," Claudia assured him. Artie sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"We had a... disagreement," he said finally.

"About what?" Claudia asked. She pulled up one of the desk chairs and sat down backwards so her arms and chin rested on the back.

"It doesn't matter," Artie told her. "The point is that we haven't spoken since then."

"On a scale of yesterday to the birth of dinosaurs," Claudia asked curiously, "how long ago was 'then'?"

"Longer than you've been alive," Artie said irritably.

"That's a long time," Claudia said, impressed. Artie grunted in agreement. "So... How is a piece of music going to help you find each other?"

"Isn't there something you should be doing?" Artie asked, having clearly reached the end of his rope.

"I've already filled up the board once," Claudia whined

"Then go to Leena's and bug her," Artie ordered.

"Seriously?" Claudia asked, immediately perking up. "I can go?"

"Maybe then I can finally get some peace and quiet," Artie grouched.

"Thank-you so much," Claudia gushed. She leaped to her feet and quickly returned the desk chair to each proper place. Artie never rescinded a punishment. She wasn't about to give him time to change his mind.

"You're welcome," Artie said drily.

Claudia headed over to the chair where she had dropped her messenger bag that morning and pulled the strap over her head. Then she stepped over to the door. There she suddenly paused.

"Artie?" she said, her hand on the door knob.

"What?!" he asked in exasperation. Claudia hesitated, suddenly finding the toe of her Converse incredibly fascinating.

"You should try to fix things with your dad," she said seriously. "While you still have the chance."

With that, she opened the door and stepped out into the umbilicus. Artie looked up in time to see the door swing shut behind her. Suddenly the office was completely silent save for the almost inaudible whirring of the computer hard drives. Artie looked back down at the sheet music on the piano, a deep sadness in his eyes.

"You're a smart kid," he said quietly.

His fingers found their places on the keyboard and began to play the piece again. Maybe someday he would find the courage to reach out to his father. Until then, he would just have to make do with playing the piano.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Claudia walked through the front door of the B&B just as Pete came down the stairs.

"Hey!" he said, his adorable twelve-year-old grin on his face. "Me and Leena are going out for ice-cream. You in?"

"Absolutely!" Claudia said. "Five minutes?"

"Not a second more," Pete warned. Claudia chuckled and hurried up the stairs.

She dropped her bag just inside her bedroom and opened her closet. It only took her a moment to pick out a snappier outfit and change into it. Going out for ice-cream seemed to be the closest thing Podunk Dakota had to a night on the town, which meant it was her only chance to wear what would have normally been the perfect outfit for the latter. When you lived in the middle of nowhere, you made do.

Claudia headed back down the stairs, reaching the bottom just as Pete was heading out the door.

"Whoa," he said appreciatively. "All this for ice-cream?"

"Carpe diem, dude," Claudia said. "We good to go?"

"After you, my lady," Pete said, opening the door and giving a dramatic bow. Claudia laughed and headed outside.

Leena was already waiting beside Pete's car.

"You look nice," she told Claudia.

"Why thank-you," Claudia said in her best sophisticated voice.

"Hey, wait up," Myka's voice called as the front door opened and shut once more.

"I thought you were staying in tonight," Pete told his partner. Myka shrugged.

"I changed my mind," she said. Pete smiled knowingly.

"I call shotgun!" Claudia yelled as she dove into the passenger seat. She quickly locked the car door behind her.

"Hey!" Myka protested. "As a senior Warehouse agent, I think I should be entitled to the passenger seat."

"Sorry, Mykes," Pete said apologetically. "The rules of shotgun clearly state that the first caller gets the seat."

"Whose side are you on?" Myka asked as she punched his shoulder.

"Don't worry," Leena said with a chuckle. "There's plenty of room back here."

Myka walked around the vehicle and climbed into the back seat. Claudia turned around to grin triumphantly at her.

"You better watch it, missy," Myka warned her as she buckled her seatbelt.

"I ain't afraid of no Myka," Claudia said with a grin. Myka chuckled at the reference.

"Alright, ladies," Pete said, sticking his key into the ignition. "Sugary goodness awaits."

I've gotten much farther ahead on this story that anticipated, so I'm going to try to start updating every other day. In return, please, please, please be kind enough to leave a review. As much as I love writing, it's nice to get some feedback so I know I'm not just writing to a wall. Thanks again to those of you who actually take the time to do so. You're awesome.