Thank you.” “You’re welcome. If you need anything, I’m right next door. Don’t hesitate to ask.” “Thanks, Mr. Willard.” “Rick. We’r... neighbors.” “Rick,” she repeated, her smile a little wider. He gave her a nod and returned her smile, feeling good as he walked back to the house. ** Concern for his neighbor kept Rick’s eyes and ears open throughout the day. Fortunately, Billy had either sobered up and had a flash of reason, or one of his friends had, because someone else came to clean his. Virginia stayed ever by my side, but ‘Magnus’ and Sally did sometimes take excursions upon themselves, to investigate bars and taverns and other places that would slow us down. By the time the evening began to settle around the city, I was feeling better about my grasp of its dimensions – though it was grand, it was far from the same size and stature of Tarant. Virginia, though, looked increasingly wary as the day passed on into dusk, and when we took a moment to rest our feet at a coffee shop,. "So, Glee, is Nina coming out to play?" asked Darcy, almost daring meto accept.I sighed while I gave Glee a mental OK. "You owe me one," I told mysister, as the familiar wave of dizziness washed over me.------------------Mom found us in the living room, watching a Sailor Moon marathon. I wasgiggling in a silly way while Darcy was telling me of this boy sheliked at school and painting my toenails. We hushed up as soon as shewalked in, giving us a puzzled look."Looks like you're adjusting pretty. My zapper had been unused since taking her home that night as my lust for sexual decadence had been squashed by a feeling of guilt. It was only logical that anything that messes with the levels of arousal in such a dramatic way could lead to damaging consequences, but I wanted to rectify the trouble I had caused. But to do that, I needed to find her."I don't," I promised as she bit her lip; my heart sank a little further."You do. You all do. And I can't get another job," she cried. "I got fired.