As Lt. Vega (I had a hard time always thinking of him as Derek) drove us to the restaurant, I said, "I hope I'm not taking you away from anything."

"Not really. I didn't have any plans for this evening and I've enjoyed the time I've already spent with you. Especially in front of Black Jack's place." He grinned.

I smiled back at him. "I often say the first thing that comes into my mind before I have a chance to consider it. Besides, I was feeling a whole bunch of things at that moment."

"I'll bet you were. It just amazes me that you were able to get out of there without resistance from anyone."

I chuckled. "I guess Black Jack just didn't know what to do with someone like me and felt I would be of no use to him. He just let me go."

"What did you say to him?

"Ah, well, I guess I gave him the impression I was Mona's friend. I think I came across as a bit naive to him and it may have bothered him. I don't know. Anyway, it worked."

"It sure did. Well, here we are. Oh, brother. The others are already here. How does Ace do that?"

"Having had a sample of his driving this afternoon, I could probably hazard a guess."

"Well, I'm glad I didn't see him driving." He stopped the car and a valet opened my door and helped me out.

"Hey, Vega, what took you so long? We're hungry," Cosmo called out.

"I had very precious cargo. I don't drive like Ace Cooper."

(Ouch) I looked over at Ace to see how he took that dig. The look on his face told me he'd heard comments like that before.

"Shall we go in?"

"Welcome again to Planet Electric, Mr. Cooper. Your table is waiting." The maitre d' led the way to a circular table in the center of the dining room. He held out a chair and Mona sat in it. Lt. - I mean Derek - held out mine and Cosmo and Victor followed suit for Ulene and Angie. We were seated in this order: myself, then clockwise around, Derek, Ulene, Cosmo, Angie, Victor, Mona and Ace.

"I've got to thank you all for this," I indicated the restaurant and my clothes. "It seems just too much for someone you've known for less than twelve hours. By the way, how did you know what size to get to have these clothes fit so well?"

Ace looked kind of sheepish. "Well, while you and I were heading back to the Express, I took the opportunity to see if either Angie or I could read your mind and get the information we needed. One of us was successful - I'm not saying which one."

"Sneaky, Ace. I like that, as long as it isn't malicious."

"You've proven to be a good friend to have. We may not know how long you'll be here, but we want to make your time here as special as we can. We want this to be a perfect evening."

Just then, I spotted two people coming our way. I glanced over at them. "Well, almost perfect, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"The village idiot approaches."

Cosmo was about to take a sip of water when I said that. He choked, and sprayed the table. Fortunately he had only taken a sip, or some of us would be damp. "I love the way you talk about Sikes."

"How did you know it was Sikes I was talking about?" I replied with a look of innocence on my face (I hoped).

Cosmo reddened as everyone laughed. Sikes and a woman came up to our table.

"Well, well, if it isn't the same group of people I saw earlier. I hope you have been having a good time together (Sure you do. Not with that tone of voice.). Miss Corliss, here they all are, still." said Sikes.

(So that is Victoria Corliss)

The woman walked around to where I was sitting. "I heard all about your little encounter with my reporter this afternoon. I hope you didn't think that would be the end of it."

"Well, sometimes even optimists can be disappointed," I replied, "But please don't let me keep you. I'm sure you must have something important you need to do elsewhere."

Victoria looked at Sikes, who immediately hurried around and dragged a chair away from another table for her to sit in. She sat down between Derek and me and leaned toward me. "I want to know who you are and what you're doing here. And I want to know, now." she hissed at me.

"I'm here to have dinner with my friends, of which you aren't one."

"Don't mess with me you..."

"Careful, Miss Vicky. I wouldn't want you to burst a blood vessel and stain the lovely linen in this place."

"How dare you. Do you think I'm stupid?"

"I would have to bow to your superior knowledge on that subject, Miss Vicky. Now, you are here uninvited. I suggest you leave now, or you will be escorted out." I turned away from her and whispered to Ace, "What color is her face now?"

He choked slightly and glanced behind me, where she was still spluttering. He whispered back, "I didn't think anyone could get that red without having a heart attack. She looks like she wants to pick up a fork and stab you. Please be careful."

At that moment, the maitre d' and two waiters came hurrying up in response to Derek's signal. He said to them, "Please escort Miss Corliss and Mr Sikes out of here. I believe Miss Corliss is unwell."

The maitre d' nodded to the waiters, who took her by the arms and helped her up. She shook herself out of their hold and turned to me. "You haven't heard the end of this," she shouted. "I'll get even with you for these insults. Make no mistake about it."

"Miss Corliss," the maitre d' interrupted. "Please. You're making a scene and, if this goes on any longer, the management will have you thrown out and you will no longer be allowed to return to this establishment. Please leave immediately."

She threw me a look of pure hate, straightened her jacket and walked away. Sikes looked at me. "You've made a bad enemy. By the way, I didn't catch your name."

"I didn't throw it. Good evening, Mr. Sikes."

He reddened, turned and walked away.

I turned to Derek. "Is there any such thing as a good enemy?"

He chuckled, then turned serious. "You have made an enemy here. Be careful. You don't know what she may do."

I got very thoughtful. I said quietly, "Do you think she might make serious trouble for Ace or any of the others? I wish I had thought about that before I spoke. Sometimes my mouth starts in motion before my brain is in gear."

He looked at me. "I don't think she could do anything worse to them than she has already tried in the past. It's what she could do to you that I'm worried about."

"Don't worry. I'll probably be returned to my own world later tonight, assuming Shirley brings this story to an end tonight. At least, I believe so. But I sure wish I knew what force put all this in motion."

I felt Ace's hand on my right arm. "Don't worry, Liz. You're welcome to stay at the Magic Express as long as you're here."

"Or you can stay with me," Mona added. "We can teach each other more songs." She added, as Ace looked at her questioningly, "That's what we did this afternoon while you and Derek were out of the room."

"Really. When do I get to hear them?"

"Well, when I'm ready to sing them, of course. Now don't ask any more questions. Be patient. You'll hear them. But one of them is for Christmas time. It's an adorable song."

"A Christmas song?" He turned back to me. "Liz, you haven't been trying to corrupt Mona, have you?"

"Oh, I hope so," I replied, winking at Mona and grinning.

"Are you ready to order now?" The waiter was standing respectfully near Ace.

We all placed our order and had a wonderful meal. They have good wine in their world, too. At the end of the meal, Ace picked up his glass and stood up. "I'd like to make a little toast. To Liz, who showed me that you really can talk your way out of potentially dangerous situations with Black Jack. And who cares enough to help anyone who needs it," he glanced at Angie. "We have found a new friend, and may it last a long, long time." He took a sip, along with all the others.

I stood up. "Thank you. I have seldom met anyone that I instantly liked, but that's what happened when I met each of you here. You've accepted me so quickly, and done a lot for me, too. So my toast is: To Friendship." I picked up my glass and took a swallow. Everyone stood up, raised their glasses and repeated, "To Friendship."

(Thank you, Shirley. I feel like I've made some really good friends. I wonder what the future holds for our relationship? But I think this story should end soon. I need to get home.)

When we finally left the restaurant, we all were reluctant to part company, so we went back to the Magic Express. We sat and chatted for a couple of hours, when I felt something. "I think that the story is being ended. I may be going back, soon. I'd better change back into my own clothes. Excuse me."

I went to Angie's room and changed my clothes. When I came out of the bathroom, Angie was there, sitting on her bed. She looked up at me. "I don't want you to go."

I went over and sat down on the bed next to her. I said, "I understand. Part of me doesn't want to leave. But I have responsibilities and commitments in my own world. I chose to take them on, and I can't just drop them."

She turned and put her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I returned the hug. "Come on, let's go back into the living room."

Everyone was still there, waiting for us. Ace said, "Liz, you said earlier that you had responsibilities. Do you mind telling us what they are?"

I smiled. "Well, I have cats. They need to be fed and loved. I have a home to take care of, errands to run - same as you have. And on Sundays, I volunteer at a wildlife park called Out of Africa, along with another woman. We always let each other know beforehand when we can't be there. I wouldn't want to leave her in the lurch."

"All good reasons. But, you know, we'll always be part of you from now on."

"That's true. And a part of me will always be with you all. It's been an incredible experience and, who knows, it could be repeated. After all, we still don't know what brought me here."

Angie perked up. "That's right!" she exclaimed. "And maybe I can contact you the same way I contact Shirley."

"Or if not, you can contact her and ask her to pass a message to me," I replied. "Either way, I don't want to stop hearing from, and about you all."

Cosmo stood up and came over to me, giving me a hug. "The feeling's mutual, dudette."

I started laughing. "No one's ever called me that before, Cosmo. I like it."

"Then that's what I'll call you, dudette."

This time, I did feel something. "It looks like I'm heading home, now. Thank you, all of you for a wonderful adventure. Somehow, we'll keep in touch."

"Wait a minute, Liz." Ace said. "You never told us your last name."

I smiled at him. "I know." The last thing I saw was the look on his face. Then, I was back at my computer again.

(Thanks, Shirley. We'll have to do this again, sometime.)