Skye Prower

"Huh? I never left the car," said Zet, before returning to his phone. "No, sorry I need to go. We'll figure something out I promise ok... Ok? Hello? Darn!" "I'll go and see if I can find them," said Melody, running back into the shop. "Mom? Ziona? It's time for the beach!"

"Name my price eh?" Skye laughing fit disappeared and was replaced by a wicked grin. "I'll have one ready once we reach the beach."

"But, heh heh, then how do you get you're ball," Skye started to giggle, "back? It's no fun if you just," Skye's giggles became more intense and he struggled to keep talking, "teleport to where the ball landed." Skye gave up talking and broke down in a laughing fit with the image of Shadow wearing an infaltible ring. In Skye's mind, it had a smiling duck head. Melody walked over, shaking her head at her brother. "Yeah, we're read to go Dylan. Like the new look!"

"The ring or the beachball?" Skye asked Shadow as he came back with his new beach toys.

Skye continued to mutter for a bit. "Anyway I don't think I;d managed immortally. Extended life yes, but... What was that? Oh, yes, beach! Hold on one second!" Skye rushed off to buy a bucket and spade.

Skye had remained quiet during the exchange between Shadow and Locke about the losses they would feel when people around them died. "And this is why I'm doing it," he whispered to himself.

"No Dad, it's nothing to do with immortality," said Skye, as his ears gave a slight twitch.

"Well, yes. But I thought we wanted to keep that secret!"

"I think he thinks I'm actually my mother and is wanting an autograph, and isn't taking 'I just look a bit like her' as an answer."

"Actually I think he's younger than me." "Very true. And by the sound of things the beach is calling."

"Ok, I hope there's enough space in the car for everything." ---------------------------- "At least I've got an assignment here. And if we're going to be taking lots of trips like this I'm going to see a lot of this Zone."

"I hope so. He's really creeping me out." Melody was fighting hard to keep her hand as far away from her knife as possible. At least she was wearing it inconspicuously, which was a change from normal. ----------------------------- "We should probably see how the others are getting on." Skye said, still grinning. ----------------------------- "Well, yes. I could leave the Cops. But then I'd be stuck in No-Zone in the middle of a war."

"That guy there. Hiding behind the rack of jeans." Melody pointed him out. ---------------------- "Yeah. Not an option. You can't leave No-Zone unless you're on Zone Cop business."

Skye grinned and tried to hug both of them at once. "Thanks Uncle and Auntie. I'll try to keep it as safe as possible!" (ooc: I wonder what would happen if Sonic saw this scene right here! :P )

"Thank's Auntie Rouge. I hope he says yes," said Skye with a smile.

"Thank you very much Rouge." said Rouge as the two left Shadow. Skye had a quick look round to see if they were alone. "Umm, uh, ok. Two things. First. Sorta about your reaction to Mom... er, Red at breakfast. I was thinking, erm, well, there must be some records at GUN somewhere about Project Shadow, and if, uh, you were able to find them I might, might you understand, be able to help with that 'youthful looks forever' thing." Skye took a deep breath and then continued. "And, well," Skye shuffled his feet a bit, "as you are kinda, depending on how you look at it, like a sister to Red, is it ok if I call you 'Auntie Rouge'?"

"Me? No one at the moment. I just don't want to be tied down this early in life. There's so much more to do... If I could leave No-Zone permanently." Melody wandered over to Locke, her mountain of clothes seemingly twice the size it was earlier. "Okay Dad, I think these are all I want. I also got a hat so people would she me and think I was Mother. Though, there is this one creepy guy following me who doesn't believe I'm not her. I'm guessing I'm not allowed to threaten to stab him?" Meanwhile Skye, wearing a new suit and a fez, walked over to Shadow and Rouge. "Uh, Rouge. Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" he asked.

"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find it. And given what happened in your Zone it might be best to lie low here for a while before heading back." Ziona sighed. "I'd hate to see his phone bill. He was talking to her almost the whole night, that's why he slept in this morning."

"Erm, I didn't. At least you don't need to worry about it's preventative effect anymore, so it's not a panic situation."

"Ok Dylan, there should be a printout from the machine ahead of you. It has directions to the shop we're at, and if you miss us, it'll tell you how to get from the shop to the beach." Melody was rushing in and out of the changing rooms, trying on her mountain of outfits. Ziona looked around to make sure no one was listening, and lowered her voice. "Confidentially, no we're not. Zet actually has a fiancée back home. But I just find it so much fun to embarrass him."

Happy Birthday Locke. Hope it's a good one. And you still retain the win, the post does not count!

"Phew, you are alive. Yeah, it's me. We're all out shopping, then heading to the beach. I can send you a map if you want to join us. It'll be good to celebrate saving your Zone."

A device on the radio on Skye's wrist started to beep. "Hey, Dylan must have woken up. Or he's just has a fatal heart attack." Skye opened a link to the internal haven speakers. "Hello, Dylan. Can you hear me?"

"No, that's a little too gaudy. You want something a bit more elegant. Maybe this one?" Meanwhile, Skye was stuck on hats... "Hmm, cowboy, baseball, fez? I just can't decide."