Just When We Were Good

Chapter Seven

        Carlos, Jay, and for some reason, Lonnie, emerged from the limo.

"I'll get the swords," Jay offered. Mal looked extremely peeved when she saw Lonnie.

"I made them bring me," she tried to explain, running into Evie's embrace.

"Hi. Welcome to the Isle. It's good to see you." Carlos and Jay opened the trunk of the limo and pulled the swords out.

"And Dude." I furrowed my eyebrows. Why was Carlos' dog here? Curious, I wandered over and saw the scruffy dog wrapped in a blanket.

"I told you to stay," Carlos sighed.

"I flunked obedience class." I nearly screamed.

Did... Did Dude just talk? What is happening?

"Great, and he can still talk."

"Carlos your dog is talking. Forget the fact that he can still do it! What is going on?" I got really close to his face and he looked slightly scared.

"I'll... I'll explain later." He focused back on the dog. "You're lucky I love you. Come on." He picked up Dude and cradled him under his arm. He pulled the replica wand from his pocket and held it out to Mal, who suddenly looked extremely greedy.

"Ooh. Here, let me see." He handed it to her and she smiled. "Wow, what a beauty."

"It's noon."

"All right. Are we ready?"

"Yeah." Evie held up the bag of smoke bombs.

"Let's do this." Everyone entered the pipe, and I was about to follow, when I felt compelled to do something. I turned around and blocked Carlos from going through.

"Hey, Hera," Carlos greeted. "Are you... are you doing okay?" I sighed and looked down at my shoes.

"I just... I don't want to have to face Harry again today," I admitted. "I know he's going to want something from me before he lets Ben go." I felt a warmth on my hand and looked over to see Carlos' resting on it. Surprised, I looked up at him. "Carlos... I saw Jane flirting with you."

"Is that what this is about? This leaving and ignoring me?" I nodded, feeling extremely childish. "Hera, she doesn't mean anything to me. I got so annoyed when she was flirting, so I told her I-" He stopped, but I knew what he meant.

"You mean that? There's nothing between you and Jane?" His fingers brushed away some of the stray hairs in my face.

"Of course I mean it. I mean, it's you we're talking about. You're... well, you're indescribable." I chuckled.

"Thank you, Carlos."

"Oh, and Hera? I won't let Harry do anything to you. I promise."

"I'm glad you're here, Carlos." He looked down at Dude.

"Stay," he commanded, pointing the wand at the dog. "I mean it." He turned back to me.

"Let's go." We all emerged from the pipe and looked around until we spotted the largest ship.

"That's Uma's ship. Remember to stand your ground and be ready to run." Mal looked at me, then to Carlos. "Make sure Harry doesn't come anywhere near her." He nodded and placed a hand on my arm. "Let's get Ben back." We all walked into view, and Gil noticed us.