A/N: I'm sick. So this is short and the title doesn't make a lot of sense. Also I have a question to ask at the end.

Chapter 26: Interlude

The grand hall was clean. Or at least clean enough, they decided. They were all getting tired. Tapper had been the first to leave. He'd stayed only to clean up his kitchen equipment and get out. Taking a whole train to himself for all the things he had to pack. The DDR gang had left after that, after getting up all the instruments and dismantling the stage, they'd also helped clear the floor of all the miscellaneous junk and trash. So only Ralph, Felix, and Calhoun were left out of place.

Ralph was more than ready to leave. He was exhausted. Given the time, he guessed that he'd probably have time for a snooze before Vanellope would wake him up in some rude fashion (she was still sneaking in somehow, even though he'd installed locks on the windows too).

"I'm gonna find Vanellope and tell her we're leaving." Ralph said. He had an idea he could find Vanellope faster than the other two. Felix and Calhoun started heading out of the castle.

It only took a few doors until Ralph finally found her. And Taffyta apparently. The two were giggling like mad over something. The room was clean anyhow, that was something.

"What are you two doing?" Ralph asked. Vanellope looked up and put her hands over her mouth. She was pretty red in the face.

"We were just talking." Vanellope answered after a moment, her voice was squeaky like she was trying not to laugh. Ralph's raised eyebrow caused her to start giggling again.

Ralph just shook his head in disbelief.

"Uh-huh." He said. Taffyta got up suddenly.

"Y'know, I think I'm gonna go Vanny. I got some stuff to do before I pass out from exhaustion. I'll see you at the Roster Race, kay?" Taffyta asked.

"What?" Vanellope asked. "Oh. No, yeah that's fine. I'll see you later Taffyta." She said.

"Bye Vanny, bye Ralph!" Taffyta said with a little wave as she went out the door.

Once they were alone Vanellope smiled widely.

"I was just coming to tell you that we're leaving." Ralph said.

"You can stay a little longer though... can't you?" Vanellope asked, biting her lip and looking up at him.

"Oh, I don't think so. I'm kinda tired..." Ralph answered, trying to not look directly at her face.

"Please?" Vanellope asked, getting closer and leaning up against his chest. Ralph didn't respond right away, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

Vanellope grinned at him, seeing she was wearing him down.

"Just for a little while longer?" Vanellope asked.

"No, I -" Ralph stopped as he caught Vanellope. She'd jumped into his arms and wrapped her own arms around his neck. "Umm..." Ralph tried to think of what to say to this.

"C'mon, please? I have a bed too y'know..." Vanellope pointed out. Thinking of his love of sleep. Ralph turned red and cleared his throat.

"Really I should-"

"Please please please please please..." Vanellope whispered into his ear. Her nose and mouth brushing against his earlobe as she spoke. Ralph tilted his head slowly and she could feel his grip on her tightening just a little.

"Jackpot." Vanellope thought with satisfaction. She grinned and nibbled on the bit of neck that was under her head. She felt the skin under her lips vibrate as Ralph groaned.

Just outside the door, where neither of them could see, Taffyta was grinning and biting her lip to keep from giggling. She clapped her hands softly and bounced a little before tip-toeing off. She felt a little bad for eaves dropping... but not very. Especially since she was giving them privacy now. That counted, right?

Taffyta made her way out of the castle with a whistle and a spring in her step. She paused as she saw the Fix-It guy and his soldier wife mulling about near the entrance.

"Oh hey guys, why are you still here?" Taffyta asked. She ignored the weird look the soldier lady gave her. She always sort of looked like that.

"We're waiting for Ralph. We thought he'd be coming home with us." Felix responded.

Taffyta burst into giggles at that.

"Oh... no. I think you better go on without him." Taffyta insisted.

"Why?" Calhoun asked.

"Well... let's just say Vanellope has him a bit preoccupied." Taffyta said with a grin. "Anyway. I gotta go. See ya guys some other time." Taffyta said as she left with a wave.

She hoped those two didn't stand around being bored all night.

A/N: Yes what you think is going to happen is about to happen. No, you probably won't see it. I don't want to post a sex scene on ffnet. I'm debating writing it out and posting it on my livejournal maybe. What are your thoughts on that? I've never actually written anything like that so it might not really be very good. You want me to write it out? Or... leave it to your imagination?
Note: When I say 'sex scene' I don't want you to think they're actually... I mean, it's too soon for them to... But there would be actual action. Of the adult kind. In a bed.

Review Response:

Umm... I'm too sick and tired. I love you all and as always, thank you for all the positive feedback.