So, it was kind of sad that the first "review" (if you can even call it that), was so negative, but I do realise now that I didn't clarify Scarlett's age. For everybody who was a little unsure of it, she's eighteen. Just coming into adulthood, still in high school, trying to make sense of the world. You can all thank Pactaseisfan for drawing my attention this detail.

Thank you to Larka-chan, WinxClub63, TriagonalSign and Iwanthiscake for your feedback and reviews- it certainly made my day and I will take it onboard.

Anyway, the updates might be sporadic for a bit. I didn't think I had enough for another chapter, but I figured that I needed to post something so that I could clarify some stuff and thank my lovely reviewers :)

Alright, on with the story!

~O~O~O~

She stood up and motioned to the road with a sweep of her hand. "We should keep walking- I'm sure that Uncle Milford will be wondering where we've gone."

Sportacus got up and offered Scarlett his arm. She placed a hand on his bicep as they both made their way down the street to the Mayor's house.

~O~O~O~

"You're back! That took longer than I thought!" Stephanie exclaimed, rushing to Scarlett with excitement evident on her face. She noticed Sportacus behind her older sister and smirked. She was incredibly perceptive for somebody her age, and everyone underestimated her.

"We got talking," Scarlett replied nonchalantly, glancing back at the above-average hero who was behind her.

"Well, come on, or you'll miss the party!" Stephanie said, and Trixie rushed in to grasp hold of Scarlett's hands and drag her out to the backyard.

Scarlett shot a look to Sportacus, who was chuckling behind his hand as she mouthed 'help me' while Stephanie and Trixie dragged her away from him. He smiled and pointed at the crystal at the centre of his suit, as if to say 'it's not glowing, therefore you don't need to be rescued just yet'. He received a glare in return.

"You have got to be kidding me," Scarlett said in disbelief, looking at the banner, the cake and the buffet that Bessie had prepared earlier that day. What startled her most was the small amount of people she was yet to meet.

"Scarlett, meet Officer Goodman and Dr Hart," Mayor Meanswell said, pointing to two men standing by the buffet chatting. They both grinned at Scarlett, and waved. She smiled, waving back.

"Scarlett!" the kids cheered as she moved over to the buffet, where they were all stuffing their faces.

"Would you like some sports candy?" Pixel offered, grabbing the basket off Stingy- who had moved protectively around the basket murmuring 'it's mine' over and over.

Scarlett arched an eyebrow, and glanced into the basket to see apples and pears.

"Sports candy?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah!" Stephanie beamed. "Sports candy is great! Sportacus says it makes us strong and happy, and it's really good for our bodies!"

Scarlett exchanged a look with the Nordic man in question who shrugged and blushed from over Pixel's shoulder.

"Sure. I would love some sports candy," Scarlett said, specifically emphasising 'sports candy' for Sportacus's benefit.

She took an apple and left the kids to continue eating the fruit with a vengeance, walking over to where Sportacus stood, half in the shadows.

"Sports candy?" she hissed, taking a bite of her apple and chewing loudly. "You honestly could not have thought of a better name for fruit?"

"They were part of a town obsessed with sugar. It was the only way I could make them eat it," he replied, snatching the apple out of her hand and taking a bite himself. He smirked at the look of outrage on her face.

"Hey, give that back!" she growled in mock annoyance.

He stuck his tongue out at her, to reveal chewed up food in his mouth.

"Want it now?" he teased. She leapt up and grabbed the apple out of his hand, taking another bite and glaring at him. He laughed at her before hugging her. In the dim light of the late afternoon, he didn't see her blush, nor did she see his.

~O~O~O~

"Look at them, Milford," Bessie crooned from where she was watching the pair. "They are so adorable."

"Yes, they are," Milford said, looking down at his wife's face tenderly. She smiled at him.

"I may have to do a little matchmaking. They need to become an item, or else I will not be happy."

Milford gulped. Experience told him that until she got what she wanted, Bessie was not to be trifled with. Ever. Which meant that Sportacus and Scarlett may not have a choice in the matter.

~O~O~O~

"Look at them," Stephanie murmured, watching the two people she knew would play with them with happiness written all over her face. Ziggy grinned, knowing her all too well.

"What's the plan, Stephanie?"

~O~O~O~

The party had ended, and Sportacus had offered to help put everything away, the music Scarlett had left on the table soft from where she had been doing the dishes with him, but had been dragged away by her sister to read a bedtime story and tuck Stephanie into bed.

He could hear her low voice reading the words and the occasional squeal from Stephanie before Scarlett emerged from the room, switching off the light and closing the door behind her.

"Scarlett!" Bessie exclaimed, earphones still in from her run with Mayor Meanswell. "I set up your bed in the basement, but you'll need to put some sheets on your bed. Sportacus, could you help her? I would, but I need to go and see Officer Do-Gooder."

"Certainly, Bessie," Sportacus said, waving as she left.

He smiled softly at Scarlett, who had grabbed her phone and the pile of sheets and blankets that sat in the living room before inclining her head in the direction of the basement. The walls were alternatively wood and carpet. Sportacus looked at it in amazement. Scarlett noticed him looking.

"It used to be Stephanie's dance practice room, but Uncle Milford converted it into a bedroom for me. The carpet is soundproofing- Steph made a lot of noise."

He spotted a tea station in the corner, complete with a small tap that came in from the outside water tank as well as a fridge with milk in it already. Needless to say, Scarlett had multiple choices of mugs and tea. The bookshelf and the desk were completely bare, and the lights gave the impression of sunlight even though there was none coming through the windows at the top of the room.

The bed that was at the back of the room was a king sized bed- her uncle really had splurged on her. With an excited squeal, she ran and jumped on the bed, feeling the softness of the mattress and laughing as she lay across it.

Sportacus grinned and copied what she did. She ducked out of the way as he came crashing down on the spot she had been lying in just moments before.

"Watch it, Sportacus! That could have been me you landed on!" she yelped, throwing a pillow at him. He caught it with ease and laughed. The pair fixed up the basics of the room- the bed and the desk in the corner- and surprisingly finished in under five minutes, which for Scarlett was a personal record due to her inability to coordinate tasks well.

Sportacus was placing all of Scarlett's book collection on the wall long shelf her uncle had installed for her, while Scarlett was placing all of her clothes in the small cupboard in the corner.

Upstairs, Sportacus heard the noise of Bessie and Milford entering the house before he heard the door slam shut and the lock click.

~O~O~O~

Let me know what you guys think! Remember- constructive criticism, not destructive criticism!