I own nothing, Please review, no bashing of the story. This is a very long chapter, I have gone over it the best I could, I already have the sequel flying around in my head. I know Zemerik acts completely out of character here, but its kinda important.

INTELLIGENT DECISIONS

The month following the diner had been good to the couple. The team accepted the relationship, although they didn't know to what lengths it

had already gone. The only request from Vert was they take it slow and not rush into anything. It was a hard month of fighting, but the team

had always prevailed. Nebula kept trying to decide when to tell Sherman more about her past, it would be difficult for him to understand and

Sage agreed holding it back at this time was the best idea possible.

Nebula laid in her bed, alone, it was cold not having Sherman to curl up with. His arms always around her, protecting her. They had continued

the physical part of their relationship but in secret, that generally meant not spending the night in Shermans room. The knock at her door

startled her. It was late, she stood and walked over, standing behind the door as she opened it. Sherman took a step inside and looked at his

lover. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, short hot pink boxers and a tight gray cami was all she wore. He could tell she didn't have a bra

on, and she was cold. He found himself giving her a smirk.

"I'm loanly, and figured the best company was the kind I could use like a teddy bear." Nebula smiled at his words.

"So I'm now equal to a stuffed animal?" Sherman put his arms around her pulling her close, capturing her lips with his.

" I need you to sleep, my bed is larger, let's take this down the hall." Nebula let herself be led out of her room.

"You need me to sleep, or you need me to do other things with." Her hand reached down to brush against Sherman. He took a quick breath,

and lifted his girlfriend up.

"I need you any way I can have you, sleeping, awake…" Nebula raised her eyebrows at the man carrying her. He rolled his eyes. "That was not

meant to sound like that, I don't care if I just hold you, I just need you with me."

Two months of secretly spending the night together, curled up in Sherman's warm bed led the larger of the Cortez brothers to one decision,

living without Nebula was not an option he was willing to consider. He felt like the drive and walk through the small mall over an hour away

from Handlers Corner had taken forever. Part of him was terrified beyond all measure while the other was excited to the same extent. Crossing

from the linoleum floor onto the sparkling wine colored carpet he stopped for a moment, Zoom ran right into his back nearly falling over.

"So dude, are you ummm, totally sure Spinner shouldn't be here with you for this deal?" Sherman threw a brotherly arm around the much

smaller Asian.

"Naw, he would be like a little kid running around looking at shiny things." Zoom nodded slowly and looked around. Both the men seemed

somewhat lost in the small store full of showcases. Sherman made his way over to one and looked down. They were approached by a sales

women, she looked at the young men carefully.

"Can I help you?" Her voice was overly nice, Zoom glanced up and smiled at her, he pointed at Sherman.

"I'm looking for a ring…" The women's face smiled softly, and she tilted her head.

"You mean THE ring?" Sherman nodded his agreement, and rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn't sure what Nebula would like, or even much

about Drolic marriage traditions, for all he really knew a diamond could be like a break-up gift of some sort.

"Yeah, the ring of all rings…" The women asked a line of questions, Sherman was somewhat shocked when Zoom answered a couple of them.

"Dude, she's like my best friend, I wouldn't want you to screw up. After all that's why you brought me and not one of the others isn't it."

Sherman had no real way to argue with Zoom, he liked the kid and all, but most of his choosing to bring Zoom on this extremely important

'mission' was to have his help in determining what would be best for what he hope would be his future wife. The women pulled out a few rings

but nothing caught his eye, nothing Nebula would be overly excited to see. She wasn't plain by any means, but she wasn't overly fancy. She

was still a princess no matter what world they were in, after all as Spinner had pointed out. Even Leia was a Princess when there was no

Alderaan. Sherman found almost against his will restating his brothers point to Zoom, quietly so the sales women wouldn't hear. Zoom nodded

his understanding and agreement. Nebula at one time was very powerful, most likely rich, from what Sage had told them it sounded like the

Drolic had been used to the finer things in life, and frankly that was what Sherman wanted to give her. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted

the perfect ring, large but not to large. It was big enough to stand out around other rings but not so much so it would scream snob or prissy. It

would fit just fine on Nebulas finger, he pointed it out to Zoom.

"That one right there." Zoom leaned in and looked at it smiling. It was perfect, it was everything Nebula was a little imperfect, standing out

amongst all the other rings it was near. Sherman pointed it out to the sales women who looked at him oddly.

"Are you sure that the one? I mean from what you've told me perhaps one of these solitaires would be better, they are very in style right now."

Sherman shook his head.

"Nope, the big guy is right that one is perfect for our Princess Leia." Sherman shot Zoom a thankful half smile as the sales women relented and

pulled the ring from the case. Sherman held it up, this was it this was everything he had ever dreamed of. A few babies, a house, a Doberman,

all after the war that was. This ring would be perfect…. All till the women asked one major question.

"What size does the lucky lady wear?" Sherman and Zoom both slapped themselves for that question, they had no idea. They estimated and

hoped they were correct, the saleswomen told them that it was common for the man to not know what size his lady wears in rings. They could

have it resized after he proposed, but Sherman knew that wouldn't do, once that ring was in place the entire multi verse would have to implode

for him to let it off Nebulas hand. She was beautiful and could have any man that she wanted, hell anything that she wanted. He wanted the

entire multi verse to know he had her, he loved her, and she loved him.

As the men headed out of the store Sherman tightly grasped the velvet box in his large hand, this was it. He hoped Nebula was happy, she

should be, they hadn't actually talked about getting married. But he knew family was important to Drolics, he knew they didn't take things such

as romantic relationship lightly. He had never asked about their first night, if he had been Nebulas first but he felt the chances were that he

was. At least that was what he felt, if nothing else he was the first human she had been with because logic would dictate should would return

to being a virgin after ever transformation from human and back. Yet while she was the tightest he'd ever had, she wasn't a virgin every time

they made love. Spinner would be shocked, but that was fine his older brother didn't get it and wasn't mature enough to get it hell. Hell it took

getting kidnapped by Zemerik to realize he needed to study the Busters systems. Getting into the Buster under the bright desert sun

everything seemed perfect. He still had no idea how exactly he would do it but it would be wonderful.

That night at the diner Sherman couldn't stop smiling at Nebula, the entire team watched him and only Zoom had a knowing smirk. Nebula

danced with Stanford, Shermans eyes following her every move. She was going to be his wife, there was a box next to his bed that would

make that happen. He wanted to ask her right when they got back, he wanted to ask her here at the diner, or in bed tonight. But he resisted

the feeling. She deserved the perfect proposal, he was only going to do this once and it had to be epic.

"Whats up with you lil' bro?" Spinners voice threw Sherman from his day dreaming, the larger of the Cortezs looked at the smaller.

"That's going to be your sister-in-law" It was stated as a matter of fact, it was simple, it was ture. Spinner looked at his younger brother, he

wondered for a moment if somebody had drugged him. Vert looked at the largest of them and smiled, reaching across the table he offered

Sherman his hand.

"So you to are going to get married?" Sherman grasped Verts hand and smiled at him.

"I haven't asked her yet, but" Zooms voice broke into the conversation.

"We went and bought the ring today." Zoom looked up at Shermans face, and shrugged.

"Sorry, I'm excited." Sherman patted Zoom on the back and stood up from the booth, stretching slightly.

"Nobody can tell Nebula about this… hell Stanford shouldn't know he'll tell." The team raised there milkshakes in agreement as Sherman walked

to the dancing pair. The music changed slow and Stanford knew that was his motion to leave the beauty to her man.

"Your in a really good mood tonight" Nebulas voice was like music to Shermans ears, her body felt amazing pressed up against him. Nothing

would ruin this, this was perfect, this was what everything was supposed to be. He held her tightly and nuzzled her neck, war or no war, this

was what life was going to be.

"Yea, got some really important stuff that I'd been really meaning to do out of the way today. Just, ya know takes a lot of stress off my

shoulders." Nebula turned to face her boyfriend, her eyes were bright and happy. She leaned her head on his chest.

"The Buster must be very thankful for whatever work Zoom and you did on her today, you were going a long time." Sherman rubbed up and

down her arms and smiled laying his head on hers, yep perfect.

Laying in bed that night Sherman watched Nebula, her features where amazing, they were so relaxed when she slept. You couldn't tell of the

things she had gone threw in her life, of the current fight the Battle Force 5 were in. She wasn't official a team member, but nobody would ever

say Nebula wasn't fighting with them, as one of them. She had her own vehicle that had come with her when she arrived, Sage hadn't touched

it and it seemed to update itself. She fought as hard as the rest of them, she knew things that had on more than one occasion made her

indispensible to the team. His hand grazed her check and she rolled slightly.

"Marry Me? Be my wife? I love you." The words were said as a quiet whisper, but there meaning was clear he never wanted to be without the

Drolic next to him. Would they have children, he didn't even know if they could. If they could then he wanted to have them with Nebula, if they

didn't have kids his mother would be heartbroken. Sherman was pretty sure she had little if any hope that Spinner would have a family, at least

not anytime soon. Nebula turned slightly and snuggled in closer.

"Hmmm…."was his response. Sherman smiled and told himself that it was a yes, his eyes glanced at the box next to his bed. His arms tightened

around his lover, everything was great, not even a direct Vandel attack on Earth could ruin how he felt right then. His body began to respond

as Nebulas lips began to kiss along his neck, her arms coming up to massage his side. Yep, this was heaven, and nothing could change it.

Three weeks after buying the ring Sherman still hadn't found the exact right moment to propose to Nebula. The couple acted married, they did

everything together, planned everything together, and were rarely apart, they argued about stupid things but they never let those arguments

last long or mean much. When Sage called the team to tell them she found an approaching Storm Shock they showed up to the command

center together, Sherman walking right behind Nebula. The team smiled knowing smiles, they couldn't wait to actually find out how Sherman

ask the big question, they all assumed it would be a yes. They jumped into their cars and took off, having no idea what was ahead.

The battle zone was full of holes leading to different dimensions, different times. The team raced through it searching for the battle key which

kept moving. Zoom nearly flew into a hole, saved by Aguras quick thinking. It was only a matter of moments before the Sark showed up.

Swinging around Nebula flew towards where Sherman calculated the key would be, she went flying from her car as a new hole was created,

the ground of the battle zone flying everyplace. She hung onto the side, feeling the pull of the portal beneath her. Sherman saw what

happened and sped the Buster towards where she landed. Spinner was the first to notice a not so good thing.

"Hey, Little Bro… Zemerik is about to throw Nebula in" Spinners high pitched scream was loud and clear to his brother. Sherman slammed on

the gas trying to reach Nebula, his heart pounding. It was then that he caught sight of one of the oddest things he had ever seen in a battle

zone. Zemerik used his engery whip, but rather than sending Nebula flying to her doom, it wrapped around her waist, a flash and she was back

to her pure Drolic form, deep purple energy flew across the portal and back to safe ground. She landed on her side and the robot leaned down

to check on her. Sherman froze, the Buster came to a abrupt halt, throwing Spinner forward into his brothers chair, he glanced around it eyes

wide. Sherman thought his eyes had to be deceiving him, Spinner was even silent. They watched as Zemerik helped Nebula to stand, his arms

around her, lifting her, then stabilizing her. The two were speaking to each other, Nebula leaned on the Sark leader, her hand touching his

chest. Sherman wanted to vomit, something had to be wrong, the battle zone had to be playing a trick. He watched as his lover laughed, and

playfully hit one of their deadliest enemies, at least he had thought it was theirs, could it not be Nebulas. The robot seemed to take whatever

was said back as a joke. He watched as Nebula shape shifted into a hawk and flew off to her car, changing back into her human form. He

watched as Zemerik raised his hand in a final goodbye and turned to walk away once he saw Nebula was safely in her car. The Buster stayed

still, it watched as Nebula took off in another direction. When she requested new coordinates Sherman was unsure if he should give them to

her. He just sat there, Spinner staring at his brother, silent, not willing to be the one who got the backlash from this.

The last thing Nebula remembered thinking was 'fuck' as she flew through the air, her forearms trying to grab at the side of the hole. Her eyes

scanned the area, she was dead, this wasn't good. She heard the crunch of metal on the ground, she froze. It was then that she realized it

was Zemerik, she felt the cold harsh feeling of the whip around her mid section, she instinctively transformed to her pure form. The landing was

harder then she expected, but actions of the figure at her side surprised her even more. Zemerik leaned down, kneeing beside her, concern on

his metal face.

"Allow me to assist you, are you injured?" Zemeriks robotic voice asked softly. Nebula leaned into him, allowing his arms around her as she

fought to stand. She used Zemerik as a brace standing slowly.

"I'm pretty well banged up, but I don't know if it's from the fall or that damn whip." Zemerik laughed, Nebula had not changed in all the

thousands of years he had known her.

"Would you of rather I allow you to fall to your demise in that organic form?" She turned her head swatting his chest. Same old Zemerik that

was for sure.

"Why do you not like the form I have taken?" The robot cocked his head in response, moving to make sure Nebula was able to stand on her

own, prepared to catch her if she began to faultier.

"Your pure form is the most gorgeous I have ever seen, the organic form is pleasing, but not nearly as when you are in the form you belong in."

Nebula shook her head beginning to walk away from the Sark commander. Turning her head she smiled.

"I feel Organic happens to be very good for me" Zemerik rolled his eyes, "Well then, back to being enemies, hell bent on each other's

destruction." Her words were joking but serious, there would be no favor to call in from his actions. Zemerik watched as she shifted into a hawk

flying back across the hole. When she landed she changed back into the human form. Zemerik raised his hand in a farewell, he wished they had

more time to speak. He knew rescuing the Drolic was highly logical, should Krytus ever escape she would necessary to defeating him. Had she

not been there to help the first time around his rebellion would never have worked. Her company had been a pleasing change from the drab

Sark drones and Zugs well stupidity in general. She was everything one could want in a companion and at one time he would have called her a

friend rather than an ally. He knew she helped the Organics because of Sage, the blue sentient was after all her closest thing to family.

However after watching for several weeks, Zemerik could not help but notice how the annoying one called Spinner and his brother where never

far from her side. Something was going on, but he couldn't quite figure it out, Nebula was a loaner for the most part, but like everything that to

could change. Nebula nodded to Zemerik and climbed back into her vehicle, she didn't notice the Buster. Calling out to Sherman for new

coordinates and not receiving a response she grew worried and hurried to find her team.

Sherman turned to Spinner, his eyes were full of pain and anger. His mind was going so fast he could barely think. Spinner leaned back in his

chair, what he had just witnessed didn't make sense, he watched his brother start scanning the area.

"Tell nobody, I will do the telling I caused this issue got it big bro" Spinner thought for a moment, the team had to know after all one of the

members of their team had just had what looked like a very caring moment with the enemy, and not just any enemy Zemerik. Zemerik had no

feelings, he was all logic, but then again when he was held by Zemerik the Sark overlord hadn't killed him, and really wasn't that bad to be

around. Finally Spinner nodded to Sherman, whatever his brother felt was best, that's what they would do.

"I have a track on the key, Zoom I am sending you the coordinates." Spinner watched as Nebulas vehicle came flying around the corner behind

Zoom. Sherman turned the Buster and went after her.

"Lock onto Nebula just in case." Spinner knew what they had seen, but he couldn't fire on Nebula, what if it was a misunderstanding.

"NO" Sherman flung around and looked at his older brother, what was he doing. "We'll stay behind her but I am not locking onto her, when SHE

WILL KNOW THAT I DID." The shorter brother was sure Sherman mumbled something about Nebula not caring, but Spinner was not up to taking

the chance. The brothers then watched as Nebula took out four Sark before helping Zoom to grab the key. Vert ordered everybody home.

Sherman continued to ignore Nebula as she asked what was wrong, this could not turn out well.

Back at the Hub things were tense, Sherman got out of the Buster and marched away. Nebula raced after him only to be stopped by Spinner.

"He doesn't want to be around you right now robot lover" He was trying to be tough, to protect Sherman, he knew picking a fight with Nebula

wouldn't end in his favor. Spinner was expecting her to yell at him, to push him, but instead she nodded her eyes flashing something, was it

perhaps understanding. Spinner wasn't sure what was going on but he had a feeling his brother was about to make the biggest mistake of his

life. The tough act fell, Spinner had no idea what to do. His head was always a mess and right now it was the worst it had been in awhile. His

eyes followed the women who was suposed to be his sister as she walked away head down, she ignored the rest of the team. Vert quickly

approached Spinner, his eyes on the team leader. He knew he had promised his brother he wouldn't tell the team, but the face Vert was giving

him quickly made him realize keeping it from the team could hurt them worse.

"We all should go talk to Sherm." Spinner voice was squeaky and he wished his brother was there for him to hid behind. Vert looked at him, the

older Cortez seemed out of sorts. He looked down the hall where Sherman had all but run when they got back, then glanced where Nebula had

gone to most likely find Sage. He wondered what had happend, something wasn't right, one second the Buster was giving Nebula coordinates

the next they were acting like she didn't even exsist. His instincts told him something major had happend, what he wasn't sure. He looked at

Spinner and motioned to lead the way.

"Lead the way then Spin, lets find out whats bothering the big lug." The team walked down the hall, non of them sure what was going to

happen.

Nebula meanwhile walked over to Sage and motioned the blue Sentient out of the area, she wanted to get her friends advice before the team

was told what had happend. She knew why Zemerik had saved her life, she understood fully, infact there was a large part of her that would've

done exactly the same thing. It was logical they both survive, it was needed, it was like needing Sage. Zemerik didn't want to kill her but to

have her to control. It was hard to explain, they were all needed should HE ever come back.

"I was rescued by Zemerik, I fear the Buster saw everything. Zemerik was kind to me and I think that might have frightened the team. I feel I

would like you too explain why this occurred to Vert and the others. I will handle Sherman, although I fear it will not matter at this point." Sage

watched her friend, she looked upset but yet did not show it. Zemerik had at one time been close to the Drolic, it was required to defeat the

reds. To say they were friends was not at all a stretch, they were not more then friends, but they had been close. Fighting in mortal combat

against an ever more powerful enemy did that to creatures. Even Sage had at one time been thankful to Zemerik for her life. She didn't want to

think what the Battle Force 5 could be thinking right now if any one of them had seen Zemerik rescue Nebula. She would need to speak to the

team soon, the last thing they needed was the team turning on Nebula.