"There you are, Jane. All done for the moment. Justwait while I take mine off and we can have a shower." Vanya picked upthe creams and took them to th...e dressing table where she sat andtreated her own face, while my legs and arms tingled slightly where shehad creamed them.She went into the bathroom to turn on the shower then returned to thebed. "Come on, darling. I think the creams have had plenty of time towork now, so let's get showered." She helped me to my feet and into theshower - still in. "I was so sure you were the only thing holding up this wall, thus saving the students of this school with your valiant and selfless effort."Ned hesitated, then gasped in dramatic fashion and planted his hands against the lockers. His arms and legs strained as if holding the weight of a mountain. "Quick, Mr. Seeger, hold up the other end before it's too late! The lives of all the students are at stake!"Seeger folded his arms and glowered.Ned grinned and retreated from the wall. "Heh. Jus'. I also have a business meeting Wednesday," I said, remembering the bug-bear."Why is that a problem?" she asked."It isn't. Only it is in London. Listen, I really really want you to come. Have you got a passport?" In London? Wow. And yes, I have a passport at home, but why is it so important for you that I come with you?" For starters, I don't want to be away from you." The glacier-melting smile returned. "But also, this is a meeting where a big deal is being finalised. Afterwards there's a. ‘For about a year now.’ She took a moment to compose herself before finally raising her eyes to meet with mine. There was no fear there when she looked at me. She knew exactly what it is that I was, though there was still a question in her eye in concerns to the who. Instead, she exuded and air of curiosity and intrigue that surrounded her like a second skin. Why, she even smiled at me, or began to, as she, at long last, pulled herself upright to sit and began on the arduous task of tidying her.