They headed out to the hills on the north side of town, near the ice cave they had visited on their first date. It was a clear night, with the black sky full of stars. Luna gazed up at the sky. "The stars are beautiful tonight, aren't they?" Toby nodded, but he wasn't looking at the stars. He was looking at his feet. Luna noticed. "Hey, what's up?" she asked.
Toby blushed. "Uh, well, I was just thinking―there's no telling when that guy might break out of prison again―or if some other maniac like him might show up and have to be stopped." None of this was what he'd been planning to say, but now that it was said, he would either have to go on or risk sounding and looking like an idiot. "What I mean is, we may need your skills again sometime."
"Does that mean you'll let me come?"
Toby's face dropped. "Well see, that's just it. There's still the rumor mill to consider."
Luna sighed. "Tch. Not that again." She considered. "On second thought, you're right. We can't go making a habit of it." She looked at him. "So, any ideas as to how we could pull it off again?"
Toby swallowed. It was now or never. Judgement Day or Doomsday. "As a matter of fact, yes." He nervously cleared his throat. "I think I do know a way it would be acceptable…" he began.
Luna lifted her ears, making no effort to hide her interest. "I'm listening."
"If…oh, man," Toby groaned. This was not coming out right. "Luna, never mind what I said about making it look right. My point is that the next time I go somewhere, I want you to come. But…" He trailed off.
Luna smiled. "But not just as a diplomat?" she suggested, finishing his sentence.
"Yeah," Toby agreed. "Way more than a diplomat."
"Okay, just so I'm clear, are you asking me what I think you're asking me?"
"Well, I'm not asking you to join the police team."
Luna could hardly contain herself. For so long she had waited for this moment. Memories flashed before her eyes as if she were reviewing every key point in their relationship…until one came to mind that changed everything.
"Luna?" Toby's tilted face filled her view. "Are you there? I said it's what you think it is."
She nodded. "I thought so." Steadying herself with an easy breath, she answered, "Well, I guess the answer is…"