Near the Palace of Power, VideoLand, Milky Way Galaxy, Original Universe.  Stardate 49 758.90; April 3, 1993.

Wilykat and Wesley's cloaked shuttle entered the Original Universe in visual range of the planet containing the Palace of Power.  "We're near the Palace of Power," Wilykat said.

            "Good," said Wesley.  "Because Ludwig is here.  His cloaked shuttle is near us."

            "Which quadrant is in phase with the rest of the galaxy?"

            "It's the Silver Hawks' quadrant," Wesley told him.

            Wilykat activated the communicator and augmented its range with his powers.  "This is Wilykat calling the Palace of Power in the Q-niverse," he said.  He waited a moment for a response.

            He got it.  "Hi, Wilykat," Wilykit replied.  "How'd it go?"

            "It went great.  We're near Ludwig's cloaked shuttlecraft above the Palace of Power in the Original Universe."

            "All right, brother.  Keep an eye on him, and try to hinder any efforts he makes to destroy the phasing devices."

            "Right.  May we make long-range scans?"

            "Certainly.  Explore all you can.  See you later."

            "Later, sister."  He cut communication.

            Wesley had immediately activated the powerful super-long-range scanners, and immediately he saw something amiss.  "Hey!  What is a Federation craft doing in the Delta Quadrant?"

            "What?" asked Wilykat, confused.

            "That ship is a really long way from home.  I wonder what knocked it out here.  At their current speed, they'll reach the border of this section of space tomorrow morning.  I don't know the ship.  It's the U.S.S. Voyager, Intrepid-class."  He shook his head.  "A newer ship."

            "Are you saying a group of Federation-ites is light-years from home?" asked Wilykat.

            "Exactly.  I wonder how in heck they got here!"

            "We'll find out.  For now, let's spy on our shelled friend."

            "Sure.  Ah, who's the leader here?"

            Wilykat shrugged.  "Whoever's being more sensible at the time, I'd guess."

            "That's rational."  They started working on how to spy on Ludwig.  "You know, your sister is quite a great girl."

            "I know she is, Wes.  I've known her almost forever!"  The two smiled at each other.  "And you're not bad, yourself."

            "Thank you, Wilykat.  You're pretty good, yourself."  They turned back to their work.  "Wilykat, could you fiddle with the frequency?"

            "Sure."  Wilykat did this, and soon the inside of Ludwig's shuttle appeared on their viewer.

            * * *

            Ludwig's Shuttle, near the Palace of Power.

            Ludwig and Larry were blissfully ignorant of Wesley and Wilykat.  The last thing they were expecting, in fact, was interference from the Q-niverse.  "So," Larry asked, "have you directly pinpointed the field generators?"

            Ludwig sighed.  "Not yet.  Don't get impatient, Larry.  This takes time.  The N-Team designed this system well.  There are fake signals, so it takes the computer a while to determine the exact location.  We have all the time we need.  However, the Brain-Team here has to be on their toes, and they don't have time to study this."

            Larry nodded.  "All right.  Could I be tapping into the Palace security cameras?"

            "Good idea."

            * * *

            Wilykat and Wesley were fairly calm, until Larry displayed a video of Wilykit and Michael. . . still clothed, but necking quite passionately.  "Hey!" shouted Wesley.  "What the hell's going on?"

            "This isn't her!" Wilykat reminded him.

            Wesley fought to regain his senses.  "I forgot," he said.  "I guess I'm pretty possessive."  He sighed.  He did not like this.  He had not had nearly enough time with his Wilykit.  "This is terrible.  Who knows what happens if Larry records this and. . ."

            "Oh, damn him!" Wilykat shouted angrily.

            * * *

            Larry watched for a few moments.  "Brother, I have located Michael and Wilykit in the former's bedroom.  They're making out."

            Ludwig was at his side in a moment.  "In the middle of the day?" the older Koopa asked.

            "Looks that way."  He had hit the 'Record' key discreetly when he found this.  He himself may not have been very faithful, but he certainly knew how sex was done.  Wilykit and Michael displayed little restraint in their necking, as if they were going to continue directly to make love.  "These two both value their virginity.  I wonder why they're doing this."

            "Maybe I know.  All Thunderian females have three phases that normally occur within two weeks after puberty.  During each, they are. . ."  Suddenly, he thought again.  Why should he tell Larry this?  It would only be an easy way for him to have sex.  "Well, to avoid them, the female has to have sexual intercourse before the phases.  All Thunderians are sexually receptive from birth, but a female can lose that unless she loses virginity by the end of the third phase.  I don't know how Michael knows, however."

            "I see."  This explained it.  Maybe the phases were embarrassing, but oddly Ludwig did not want to tell him about them.  Maybe. . . the phases made the female have sex?  The loss of receptivity would be terrible by the time she and Michael would be ready to have kids, he knew.  He grinned nastily.  "A twenty-seven-year-old girl and a sixteen-year-old guy."

            "Oh, quit it!  Her body's only about as mature as his is, except that she undergoes sexual maturity later.  From what I've read, there is an accurate outward indication of puberty in males, and twins usually undergo it at the same time.  Males typically have a potent nocturnal emission just before they typically awaken if they have undergone puberty.  Unlike humans or Vulcans, Thunderians don't seem nervous about discussing sex."

            "Well, it is a natural biological function."

            "Even so, that has to take a lot of energy.  And Thunderians, with their monogamous concept of Amore Eternamente, have virtually tossed the rules of genetic survival out the window.  Granted, they have to survive until they're old enough to reproduce, but when they hit that age, there's someone for them.  And even if they don't have an Amore Eternamente, I think that male-female twins are allowed to mate.  As I recall. . . it's under any circumstances.  I have to check, but I think a male can make love with his Amora and with his twin sister.  Likewise, a female can make love with her Amoro and with her twin brother.  Very odd to me.  Making love to one's twin has no legal implications at all, I think.  Strange."

            "So, they're diagamous?"

            "Don't be ridiculous.  Though they're permitted, twins don't usually make love unless both or either of them wishes offspring and either one or both of them haven't found their Amore Eternamente.  Normally, one only makes love with one's Amory Eternamente {ah-mó-rü áy-tehr-nah-máyⁿh-táy}.  Of course, you are incapable of perceiving monogamous fidelity."

            "I am too!" Larry snapped.  "I just don't choose to practise it.  There is a big difference.  In VideoLand, I am free to make love to any girl sixteen or older who consents.  Of course, I do block my sperm, but do you care?"

            "Of course.  But women might like it better if you were a little more faithful."

            "Haven't you ever made love?"

            "No!"  Actually, he had, but he did not wish to bring it up.  The relationship had ended very tragically, devastating him, so he never even had a girlfriend anymore, much less a sexual partner.  He turned back to his work.  "Well, you can record that if you wish, unless you bring the matter up again, in which case I will reverse my decision promptly.  I have more important matters to get to."

            "Sure."  Larry watched Michael and Wilykit for a few moments.  Ludwig might be right.  Those two appeared to be enjoying each other.  He shook his head.  Fidelity was good, but he was evil.  He kept the recorder set to their room so he could see all the details later, so he could scan the rest of the Palace.  He reported, "Captain N and Princess Lana are out.  Maybe they found a hotel room," he joked.

            Ludwig found his innuendoes annoying.  "Scan the rest of VideoLand until you find them, then," he said.

            Larry proceeded.  He found them in Kevin's car. . . with Kevin's parents!  "Oh, no.  Now, they can't even look at each other.  Kevin's parents are with them."

            Ludwig got up and looked.  "I see.  I'm sure his parents would let them kiss if they wanted to, though.  They're parking at a parking lot.  Where?"

            "MegaLand.  They're in the park in a suburb of Monsteropolis, the suburb closest to Dr. Light's lab."

            "Hm.  I want to know what they're up to, just to satisfy my own curiosity.  Disguise yourself as a human, and stay close to them, brother.  I want to know what's up."

            "Sure."  Larry pulled out his magical sceptre and transformed himself into a (very attractive) human male who appeared to be in his twenties.

            "A bit too attractive, but that's of no consequence," Ludwig said.

            "Oh, lighten up, brother."  He swung his sceptre and transported himself near the position of Kevin and his family.

            * * *

            "Great," Wilykat said.

            "Maybe I should go keep an eye on him," said Wesley.  "Could you keep an eye on Ludwig's doings?"

            "Sure.  Shouldn't you dress inconspicuously?"

            "I'll take care of it."  He snapped his fingers, and instantly he was dressed in middle-class MegaLandian street-clothes.  "What do you think?"

            "Good."

            "Thank you."  He teleported himself to MegaLand.

            * * *

            Park, a Suburb of Monsteropolis, MegaLand, VideoLand.

            Kevin and his companions stopped to have lunch in the park.  Lana had dressed in street-clothes to keep herself inconspicuous, and Kevin left his coat and weaponry - except his wallet - in his car.  They would stay near the car, though, in case an emergency occurred.

            They found a food stand nearby, and they ordered a meal.  They took it to a nearby table with bench-seats to eat where they could still reach the car quickly if it were necessary.  Kevin and Lana sat on one side of the table, Ned and Cheryl on the other.

            "So," Ned asked Kevin and Lana, "have you two been up to anything?"  Kevin and Lana appeared a little embarrassed.

            "Now, Ned," said Cheryl.  "They deserve privacy."

            "I guess you're right, dear.  You two love each other?"

            Lana and Kevin looked in each other's eyes.  "Yes," Kevin said.  "We love each other."

            His parents could tell.  Kevin and Lana truly did love each other.  "That's enough for me," Cheryl said.  She knew they would probably be happy whether they never came in contact again or they had the most potent sexual relationship possible or somewhere in between, just as long as they could spend time together now.  The two were very likely to get married, at least if they stayed alive long enough.

            Kevin and Lana did not take their eyes off each other.  For the first time, it was absolutely certain to them.

            They loved each other quite a lot.

            The two kissed each other for several moments.  Cheryl could see that they not only loved each other, but they were also quite enamoured.  Somehow, she was wondering if she and Ned should leave for a few minutes.  They had finished their food, and they could take their drinks.  She whispered, "Ned, how about we leave them alone?"

            Ned nodded.  "Sure," he replied.  They stood up.  Kevin and Lana stopped kissing to look at them.  "You two take your time," he told them gently.  "We'll come back in a few moments."

            "Where are you going?" Kevin asked.

            "We're going to see some more of this park area."  Ned and Cheryl took their paper plates, to throw them away, and their cups and left.

            Kevin shrugged.  "I don't know," he said to Lana.

            Lana had never done this in public, but now she put her hand along his thigh.  To everyone, they would just appear to be two normal nineteen-year-olds in love.  Which they were.  "Oh, well," she said.

            He smiled.  Wryly, as she rubbed his leg, he asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

            She smiled back.  "Oh, just touching you.  In a sensitive place."

            He felt like doing it to her, too, but he could think of better times and places.  "Let's just not get carried away right now, okay?" he suggested, putting his hand gently on hers just before her hand moved to another area.  Below the waist.

            "Okay," she agreed.  They hugged each other.  "Our friendship is still our best relationship, after all, and we sure wouldn't want to lose that."

            "I agree," he said.  They would have to keep being friends, no matter what else they did.

            "Oh, nuts," whispered Larry.  Their hug was not that of two people madly in love but of two great friends.  Larry had gotten lunch and was inconspicuously watching Kevin and Lana.

            Wesley was nearby, watching Larry.  He, too, had gotten some lunch.  He was also inconspicuously paying attention to Kevin and Lana.  It was interesting to see them acting much as he and Wilykit had acted.

            Kevin finally said, "Well, we'd better finish our lunch."

            "Yeah," Lana agreed.  They continued eating.  "Tell me, Kevin.  Do you feel comfortable with they way our relationship is changing?"

            Kevin nodded.  "It feels natural to me," he said.  "How about you?"

            "Just a little, because it is changing, but not too much, because it feels natural to me, too.  Do you think we'll do something tonight?"

            "Such as what?"

            "Well, you know," she said quietly.  "Loss of virginity."

            Part of him loved the idea, but a more influential part of him was scared.  He tried to compromise.  "We'll see," he said, trying to stay calm.  "I'm having conflicting feelings about going all the way."

            Lana sighed.  She felt similarly.  "Like part of you enjoys the idea, but another, more influential part is horrified about doing it?"

            "Exactly, Lana."

            "Kevin," she said as he finished his food, "I love you."

            Kevin swallowed his food.  "I love you, too."  They kissed each other.

            Ned and Cheryl reappeared just after Kevin and Lana stopped kissing.  "Howdy," Ned said.  "Did we give you enough time?"

            "Yeah," said Kevin seriously, patting Lana's shoulder gently.  He stood.  "I'll take the plates to the recycle can."

            "All right," Lana said.  Kevin took their empty plates and walked over to the can near the food stand.

            Ned and Cheryl sat back down across from her.  "Everything okay?" Cheryl asked Lana.

            Lana nodded.  "Yeah.  Kevin's a very nice guy."

            "Has he ever made you uncomfortable or anything like that?"

            "Well, I was a bit uneasy when he logically rejected helping VideoLand at first, and a few of his ideas about how to deal with certain problems made me uncomfortable at first.  However, he's always been very kind to me.  He's never tried to do anything to me or with me that I didn't want him to do."

            "That's good.  Never mean or ill-tempered?"

            "No!  He's never been mean or ill-tempered to anyone.  Just competitive at times, and obviously he dislikes our enemies."

            "I'm just making sure, Lana.  I will not tolerate any abusive behaviour from any offspring of mine."

            "I understand."

            Kevin returned and sat back down next to Lana.  "Why don't we walk around on foot?" he suggested.  "That way, we don't waste energy."

            "All right," agreed Ned.  "Can we take our drinks along?"

            "Of course.  There are recycle cans everywhere."  They stood and started to leave.

            "Wait," Lana said.  "What about your weapons?"

            Kevin shrugged.  "I don't think I'll need them."

            "What if something happens that we don't expect?  I know you don't want to be mobbed by a bunch of reporters or kids, Kevin, and I understand that, but I think it's more important to be prepared in case someone like Wily comes along."

            He shrugged in an easygoing manner.  "Okay, Lana."  They went over to his car, where he withdrew his Power Pad and Zapper.  In the meantime, Larry and Wesley each took their plates to the trash can.  Larry was going to follow Kevin and the others, while Wesley was going to follow the evil Koopa who was disguised as a human.

            It did not take Kevin, his parents, and Lana long to reach the residential area of the suburb.  This suburb was the smallest of all Monsteropolis's suburbs, he was explaining, and it consisted mostly of residences, food places, and shopping.  From the information they were hearing, Larry and Wesley each concluded that Kevin's parents must have been deciding whether to move to VideoLand; and considering what Ned and Cheryl Keene did for a living, MegaLand was quite a viable choice for work opportunities among all of VideoLand's worlds.  Also, it was very close to the Palace of Power.

            Ned and Cheryl liked the look of the residential areas.  The houses appeared to be well kept.  Kevin explained that the crime rate was very, very low among normal MegaLandians.  Most adult MegaLandians thought logically, and crimes were not usually committed by such logical people.  The only really dangerous criminal in the land was Dr. Wily, who was probably the least rational man in all MegaLand.

            A police robot came up to them.  He said to Kevin, "May I see your identification?"

            "Certainly," said Kevin, extracting his driver's licence from his wallet and handing it to the android.  The android analysed it.

            "Thank you," the robot said.  "I apologise for the inconvenience, Captain N."

            "No trouble," replied Kevin.  "Good day."

            "Good day."  The robot resumed patrolling the area.

            Ned asked, "What was that about?"

            "Most citizens aren't allowed to carry energy or projectile guns," said Kevin.  "However, people with the seal of the VideoLand police department on their identification are permitted to do so.  I.D. can't be faked easily because the robots have access to the VideoLand identification database."

            Ned nodded with approval.  "I see," he said.  "May I see that?"

            "Sure," said Kevin.  He handed his licence to his father.

            "Everything's in metric," Ned noted.

            "Yes."

            "At least the picture's decent."  He handed the licence back to his son, who put it back in his wallet.  "If we move out here, how'll we know what measurements to give?"

            "Mr. Mason or Mr. Drake will take care of that," Kevin said.  "They don't have quite as much lawyerly and detective work here as they did in California, so they've diversified a little.  How will you determine whether to move?"

            "Whether we can get a job and a home reasonably here."

            "Not much of a problem," said Lana.  "You saw all the empty countryside.  There's plenty of room for expansion without endangering the environment.  Housing costs are fairly low, including the normal taxes that go with houses.  Why don't we find a convenience store and pick up a newspaper?"

            Ned smiled.  "You have a brilliant friend, Kevin.  That's a good idea."

            "There are several convenience stores in the area," Lana continued.  "Shouldn't be too hard. . . ah, there's one!"

            Larry held back as the four entered the store.  His task was done.  He knew now that Kevin's parents were hoping to move here.  Considering the comparative costs, they most likely would.  He looked around to make sure he was not being watched.  He saw just one person in the area near him, other than the Keenes, and. . .  Hey, he thought to himself.  To make it seem as though he had not noticed the identity of the other person, he walked instead around the corner in front of the store.  What's Wesley Crusher doing here?  You don't suppose. . . oh, nuts!  He's reading me!  He must have been here to spy on me!  He took his sceptre, looked around, and transported himself back to Ludwig's shuttle.

            Wesley did not pursue because he had telepathy.  He read Larry's mind and discovered that Larry had discovered him.  "Nuts," he said to himself.  "Nice going, Cadet Klutz!"  He walked towards the convenience store just to get a snack to take back with him, then stopped short.  His thirty-first-century money was no good here.  Sighing, he decided not to, after all.  Instead, he just found a secluded area and transported himself to his and Wilykat's shuttle.

            In the store, Lana found the MegaLand Times, the national paper.  "Here we are," she said.  "Twenty-five pence."

            "That paper's bulky to only cost a quarter," said Ned quietly.  "Heck, it'd be bulky for a dollar."

            "What kind of economic system do you have?" Lana asked wryly.

            "I have to wonder sometimes," Cheryl replied.

            "I'll pay for it," said Kevin.

            "You've paid for everything we've gotten so far, Kev," Lana said.  "I'll get this."

            Kevin thought for a moment.  "Okay," he agreed somewhat reluctantly.  Lana took the paper to the cashier.

            "What's with the reluctance?" asked Cheryl softly.

            "I don't know," he said.  He honestly did not.  He should have just agreed and left it at that.  After all, her words were logical.  Why did he have trouble accepting her decision just to pay?

            "I think it's a guy-thing," Ned said.  "Guys usually like to be the ones who pay and who drive.  I think it has to do with some conception of dominance."

            "I don't want either of us to be dominant in our relationship," Kevin argued.

            "Consciously, that is true.  However, you may have subconscious needs or desires to be in control.  Do you feel loved?"

            "Sure.  I have you guys.  I have Lana and Michael.  I don't have a hard time making friends."

            "Maybe it's just mild and you'll get over it.  I went through the same thing.  Have you been her only boyfriend?"

            "Yeah, I guess.  Simon liked her, but though she liked him as a friend, I don't think she really wanted him as a boyfriend.  Of course, I don't need to worry about that."

            Lana returned to them.  "Shall we go?" she suggested.

            Cheryl said, "Oh.  I need a restroom."

            "Me, too," Ned said.

            "Sure," said Kevin.  "You go.  We'll wait outside for you."  Ned and Cheryl went to the back as Kevin and Lana went outside and stood aside.  "Lana. . . do you find me domineering or anything?"

            She seemed perplexed.  "No, I don't," she replied.  "Why, should I?"

            Kevin shrugged.  He really found this weird.  He never felt as if he should be in control instead of her before.  "I. . . I guess I really don't know," he said after several seconds.  They looked in each other's eyes.  "Gosh, you're sure beautiful."

            "Thank you," said Lana, smiling.  "You're very handsome, yourself."  The two hugged each other.  "I wonder why we haven't made love yet," she said very quietly.

            "Maybe because we're both too sensible to jump into things," Kevin replied just as quietly.

            "That's pretty good," she told him.

            Kevin said, "Cheetara warned me that the first mating between Wilykit and Michael will send telepathic shock waves to the parents and siblings of both.  My parents and I will thus suffer something, but I don't know what it'll be like.  You may suffer it, too."

            "Why haven't you told your parents, then?"

            "I will," he promised.  "At least you and I are free to take our time."

            "Yeah.  Your parents are both still pretty young-looking."

            Kevin smiled.  "Yeah.  Hard to believe they're forty-six, eh?"

            "Sure is.  They take care of themselves."

            "Yeah.  What's in the paper?"

            The two released each other, and Lana took the paper.  They both shook their heads and sighed at the main heading.

            Evil Dr. Wily Has New Castle Outside Monsteropolis!

            "Can't these guys stop talking about Wily?" demanded Lana.  She read, " 'When will MegaMan put this menace behind bars?  The world may never know.'  -Sigh!-  MegaMan only does as much as he can do!"

            "Sh, easy," said Kevin soothingly.  "The people can't help it.  They're terrified of Wily."

            "I guess," she admitted.  She really appreciated his ability to calm her.  He was always so kind to her.

            Kevin gently took the large paper from her so he could read the article, since she was not interested.  He shook his head.  "But still, it's typical journalism," he quipped.  "All these assumptions.  And get this:  'Everyone is still wondering about the mysterious ProtoMan.  Is he good, or is he evil?'  I wish they could take MegaMan at his word that BreakMan is good."  He sighed quietly.  "Oh, well.  At least the comics should be better.  They're definitely less outrageous."  Lana had to laugh.

            Ned and Cheryl came out.  "Hey, there," Ned said.  "You need to go?"

            "No," said Kevin.  "We have small devices that take care of our bathroom inconveniences for us.  We forgot to offer them to you.  Sorry."

            "It's okay.  What's the headline?"

            "The usual in a MegaLand paper.  Half-fact-half-speculation about Dr. Wily, MegaMan, and BreakMan.  I find it inexcusable from such a rational people."  He handed the paper to his father.  "For the record, BreakMan's on the level, and MegaMan does his best against Wily."

            Ned and Cheryl read the article.  "Hm," said Ned.

            "Of course, people are probably scared out of their wits about Dr. Wily."

            "Probably," Cheryl agreed.  "Is this new castle the one we were just in?"

            "Yeah," said Kevin.

            Ned and Cheryl finished reading.  "Well, where to now?" Ned asked.

            Kevin shrugged.  "I guess we could go back to the car and drive around," he said.

            "All right."  They went back to the car.

            * * *

            Aboard Ludwig's shuttle, Larry arrived.  "Hello, Larry," said Ludwig.

            "Hello, Ludwig," Larry said.  "It seems that Mr. and Mrs. Keene desire to move to MegaLand to be close to their boys."

            "I see."

            "Something else has happened, however.  Wesley Crusher was down there, spying on me!"

            "What!?  How do you know?"

            "I turned and saw only him as I was getting ready to leave.  He was in street clothes, but I recognised him."

            "-Sigh.-  Wonderful development.  They must have detected us when we returned to the Q-niverse.  What if the N-Team found a way to spy on our meeting on Metroid?"

            "Drat," said Larry.  "If so, then Wesley must be here to stop us from taking out those transmitters."

            "Just great.  Curse them!"

            * * *

            Wesley arrived on his and Wilykat's shuttle just in time to catch most of the evil ones' conversation.  "Well, nice going," Wilykat said sarcastically.  "Haven't you been taught stealth?"

            "I didn't expect Larry to see me!" pleaded Wesley.

            "That's the first thing you should expect.  Use this as a learning experience.  I'm better at being sneaky, so I guess I should've gone.  Well, at least we've thrown a wrench in their gears, until they find another way.  What'd you do after Larry left?"

            "I wanted to get a snack at the convenience store, but I realised my thirty-first-century pounds were no good."

            "I see."

            "However, lunch was free.  I guess a municipal service in the park."

            "All right.  Do you think Kevin's parents would move to VideoLand?"

            "They sure spoke as if they might."

            "Okay."  The two returned to working.  Conversationally, Wilykat asked, "When we get back, Wes, would you like to spend some time alone with Wilykit?  I think you're longing for her."

            "If it's possible, Wilykat."

            "Well, I'll leave you two alone.  You need some catching-up time with her, and I need some with Jayna."

            Wesley smiled wryly.  "Oh, I get it.  You want an excuse to be with Jayna, don't you?"

            Wilykat grinned.  "I need no excuse, Wes.  However, if I did, this would be a pretty good one.  I haven't spent much time with her since we returned from the X-iverse."  He sighed a bit sadly.  "And I really, really like her."

            "It's okay," Wesley reassured him.  "Love can hurt, but it is a risk worth taking.  Sometimes, though, I kind of think you and Wilykit take your relationship with each other for granted."

            "What?" Wilykat demanded hotly.

            "Think about it.  When was the last time you told her that you love her?"

            "I. . . don't. . . have to," Wilykat replied hesitantly.

            "See?  You're taking it for granted right now."

            Wilykat sighed.  He knew Wesley was right, but. . . well, there were no valid but's about it.  He just did not want to believe that he had been so inconsiderate.  "What do you think should I do?"

            "Tell her how you feel about her, whatever feelings you have for her."

            "I really do love her."

            "Then tell her.  She finds you trustworthy enough to take you at your word, right?"

            "Yeah.  What if I irritate her by bringing this up?"

            "She'll probably be happy to hear it from you, Wilykat."

            "You think so?"

            "Everyone likes to feel loved, especially by family.  You're the person most closely related to her.  I think she'll enjoy hearing it from you, and she might even return it.  'I love you' is a clause that can never be overused by family.  I don't think so, at least."  He smiled.  "Johanna and Johannes both said it to me today, and it made me feel wonderful."

            "Okay.  We've rarely been ones to be really sentimental about each other, but I guess it wouldn't hurt.  How close are you to Jean-Léonard?"

            "Not as close as I'd like to be," Wesley admitted.  "I'd like to amend that.  I wonder what his Silver Hawk name will be."

            Wilykat shrugged.  "I've no idea," he said.  "Kevin and his brother sure don't seem to have a dysfunctional relationship."

            "Far from it.  They obviously love each other.  In fact, the pairs in both universes definitely seem to love one another.  Well, it seems that Ludwig is a bit far from finding the field generator."  He smiled.  "This gives me an idea on how to stop him for now, or at least delay his progress."

            * * *

            Bridge, U.S.S. Voyager @ warp 6, Delta Quadrant.

            The Starship Voyager soared through the Delta Quadrant to reach the Federation, which lay in the Alpha Quadrant.  For a couple of years now, since the Caretaker had brought Captain Janeway's crew of Starfleet officers and Chakotay's group of Maquis fighters from the space near Deep Space Nine to the Delta Quadrant, they had been trying to get back home to the distant Alpha Quadrant.  They had assistance from the Talaxian Neelix, who had provided some valuable information about the various species in the Delta Quadrant, and the Ocampa Kes, whose assistance in Sickbay and success with the hydroponics bay were very helpful to the crew of the Voyager.  Neelix had also appointed himself the morale officer of the ship and the cook, and while not all his recipes were exactly pleasing to the human palate, Captain Janeway appreciated his efforts.

            The Captain sat reading reports in her ready room.  Luckily, they had been able to pick up some very valuable supplies recently, including enough energy to make replicators fully functional for quite a while.  All systems were at top capacity for now, something rare indeed.  Out in the Delta Quadrant, unlike in the Federation, no starbases were available for replenishing supplies or repairing a badly damaged system.  Plus, the Federation had speculated that the Borg homeworld was somewhere out here.

            If only the Treaty of Algeron with the Romulans permitted the Federation to develop cloaking technology, the Voyager could remain almost invisible to the aggressive Kazon.  Thanks to Seska's help, Kazon-Nystrom leader Mage Cullah had recently been able to commandeer the Voyager.  Thankfully, Paris had been able to escape in a shuttle and bring reinforcements, and the Doctor and Ensign Suitor on board had been a great asset to getting the ship back.  That they could get their ship back against such hopeless-seeming odds really boosted the crew's morale, something Neelix approved of.  Of course, if the ship had had a cloaking device, the Kazon would most likely have been unable to find Voyager in the first place.  That, though, was nothing that could have been prevented.

            Commander Chakotay, a Federation officer-turned-Maquis-turned-Federation officer, spoke to the captain via a comm-line.  "Captain," he said, "please report to the bridge.  There's something out there."

            Janeway was always looking for a valid excuse to procrastinate reading reports, and this provided as good a one as any.  "On my way," she said as she stood from her desk.  She exited the ready-room onto the main bridge, where Chakotay was waiting at Lieutenant Tuvok's station.  Tuvok, the security chief, was a dark-skinned and highly logical Vulcan, contrasting Chakotay's American Indian heritage, but they worked together very well.  "Report," she said to Chakotay and Tuvok.

            Tuvok said, "Captain, in about eighteen hours, we will arrive at a large gate.  It was very easy for our scanners to detect."

            "Is there any way around it?"

            "I have scanned the area, and it stretches for several light-years."

            "Could this be the Q at work?"

            "I doubt it.  This gate is not as the Enterprise officers described it to be.  However, we should not rule out the possibility.  Another possibility is that the races beyond the gate wish to keep to themselves."

            "Can we go below or above it?"

            "Also negative.  It stretches up and down for many light-years as well.  To go around it would consume several years.  Perhaps, if the people behind the gate are willing to grant us passage, we can make better time than trying to go around it."

            "We're not sure whether that's a viable option," Janeway said.  "Commander?"

            "It's worth a shot, Captain," said Chakotay.  "So, I suggest we do try."

            "Since we do not even know where to stop," Tuvok said, "I suggest we stop at the gate and await a response."

            "All right," said Janeway.  "Let's do it.  Commander, call a senior staff meeting for sixteen hundred hours."

            "Aye, Captain," Chakotay said.

            * * *

            Dr. Light's Lab, MegaLand, VideoLand.

            Kevin, Lana, Ned, and Cheryl got back to the lab around three that afternoon.  Dr. Light opened the large warp to the palace garage, and Kevin drove straight through.

            Kevin had just turned off the car and activated the parking brake when an overpowering wave hit him and his parents.  "Ah!" he and his parents cried simultaneously.

            Lana did not feel it.  "What's happened?" she asked.

            "I. . . I think they're doing it," Kevin managed.  After the shock was over, he and his parents were breathing heavily.

            This time, Lana was sitting up front with Kevin, and she hugged him.  "Are you okay?" she asked.

            "I think so," said Kevin.  "Cheetara was right to warn me."  He put his arms around her.  "Are you okay back there?" he asked his parents.

            "Just a little shaken, not stirred," Ned responded.  "God.  That's strong.  Well, I guess we can. . . wait.  We gave them two whole days, didn't we?"

            "Yup," Kevin said.

            Cheryl asked wryly, "VideoLandian women don't have strange mating urges, do they?"

            Lana laughed.  "No, I'm just human like the rest of you."

            "Well, we're not going to stop you two if you feel like doing what Michael and Wilykit just did," said Cheryl.  "I'd prefer that you wait, but since you know how to protect yourselves, I won't yell or scream, and I really can't do anything else, because you're an adult now."

            Kevin smiled reassuringly.  "Thank you, Mom, but I don't think you need to worry.  We don't plan on doing it very soon.  Of course, I will keep myself protected just in case our feelings take over.  Not like I'm going to give up my self-control without a fight, though."  He rubbed Lana's back very gently.

            "All right, Kevin," said Cheryl.  "Just make sure she approves of what you do, okay?"

            "Always," Kevin promised, looking to Lana as if promising to her.  Then, he and Lana hugged each other and kissed each other's lips.

            * * *

            Michael and Wilykit held each other after they finished their lovemaking.  They were still breathing rather heavily.  "Michael. . . it was great," she said.

            They kissed each other.  After that, he said, "It was great for me, too."

            She rubbed his smooth left cheek with her right hand.  "Sounds wonderful."  She kissed him again.  "What say I watch you do another video game?"

            "Sure!"  Michael gave her a lingering kiss on her lips, and then they both got up.  He went to his dresser to get a pair of undershorts.  Wilykit closed her reproductive cover so she would be borderline decent like him.  They sat down in front of the television.  "What would you like to see now?"

            Wilykit looked in his collection.  "What's Super Mario RPG?" she asked.

            "Really long," he said.  "About thirty hours long, if played in one session."

            "Ooh!  Okay.  Maybe a bit later.  How about Super Mario Brothers 3?"

            "That's a bit more reasonable."  Wilykit took the Super Mario 3 game cartridge from his cartridge holder and put it into the machine as he had told her to before.  She turned on the TV and then the NES unit.  "Thank you.  Now, you'll witness the clobbering of Koopa and his brats."  Wilykit smiled in amusement.

            "Hey, can I play?"

            "Sure."  They moved their chairs so they could each easily use the joystick and see the screen.  "The A button has Mario jump," Michael said.  "The B button makes Mario run faster.  When he's collected a Fire Flower, he shoots fireballs.  When he has a Super Leaf or a Tanooki Suit, he twirls and defeats certain enemies next to him with his tail.  When he had on a Hammer Suit, he shoots hammers in an arc.  He can jump on most enemies to defeat them.  All fireballs are to be avoided, and you cannot stomp on plants or on creatures with spiky backs.  When you land on Koopa-Troopas or Buzzy Beetles, they go back into their shells, and you can kick them.  If you hold the B button, you can carry them for a limited time, until the Troopa or the Beetle comes back out.  If you hold the shell over a wall or a block and release the B button, you can get rid of the enemy.  Otherwise, when you release the button, you kick the enemy along the ground.  If you're one block away and the shell rebounds off a block, Mario isn't harmed, but he downgrades if he's any farther and the shell rebounds.

            "Mario first upgrades from small Mario to Super Mario.  Then, he can upgrade either to Fire Mario with the Fire Flower or to Racoon Mario with the Super Leaf.  As Racoon Mario or Tanooki Mario, if you run long enough with the B button pressed, then the P-meter at the bottom of the screen fills, and Mario can fly by rapidly pressing the A button.  I usually press the Turbo button, which rapidly closes and opens the button's circuit so it's like rapidly pressing the button while you just hold the button down.  On the map screen, the A button enters a stage, while the B button opens the item select window.  You can return to the normal window with B or select an item with A.  If you touch a Starman, you become invulnerable to enemies for a limited time, and you can defeat many of them by touching them.  If you touch any enemy or spikes and are not invincible or flashing, you downgrade one level.  That is, if you're Fire Mario, Racoon Mario, or any suited Mario, you downgrade to Super Mario.  Super Mario downgrades to small Mario.  You lose a life if you're hit as small Mario.

            "When you're hit and just after you've downgraded, Mario flashes for a short time.  During this time, he is not vulnerable to enemies, but he cannot harm them simply by touching them, either.  Pressing down causes Mario to duck if he is anything above a small Mario, unless he's Frog Mario.  If he's ducking as Tanooki Mario, you can press the B button, and he'll turn into a statue.  He can't move, but nothing can hurt him, and you can stomp certain enemies only as Tanooki Mario.  Right makes Mario go right, while left makes him go left.  If he's standing on a vine, up makes him ascend the vine, and down makes him descend.  Also, press down while on a slope, and Mario will slide down.

            "On the map screen, up sends Mario north, right sends him east, down sends him south, and left sends him west.  When he's in the water, press the A button repeatedly to swim, unless you have the Frog Suit on.  Then, you can swim just by pointing him the correct way with the stick.  Pointing up sends him up, and so forth.  Frog Mario cannot duck or slide downhill, though.  Hammer Mario can duck, but he can't slide downhill, either."

            Wilykit thought of something.  "Hold on a moment," she said softly.  "This isn't Mario-related, but. . . Michael, you heard Amore Eternamente sound through your mind when we made love, didn't you?"

            "Yes," he responded.  "You?"

            "Oh, yes."  They hugged each other.

            "I love you, Wilykit," he said without hesitation.

            "I love you, too, Michael."  They stayed like this for several moments, then released each other.  "Well, then, what else should I know about the game?"

            "The longer you hold the A button, the higher Mario will jump.  Frog Mario doesn't need to use the A button to swim, but holding it down causes him to swim more quickly."  When the player select screen came up, he selected two players.  The World 1 map screen appeared.  "All the numbered panels are stages.  In the Mushroom House panels, here and here,. . ."  He pointed them out.  ". . .Mario can obtain items.  Defeating the boss in the Fortress will get rid of that locked door.  Your game is over when you lose all your lives, but you may choose to continue.  Oh, and falling into bottomless pits is always lethal.  I guess I can tell you more as we continue."

            "Sounds fine to me," said Wilykit.

            "And player two is Luigi.  In this game, he has the same abilities as Mario.  Which do you want to be?"

            "I'll be player two," she said.

            "Okay."  He moved Mario over the panel for Stage 1 and pressed A.  Wilykit watched his efficient movements as he went through the stage.  His movements here seemed almost programmed, so Wilykit concluded he must have played this stage a hundred or so times.

            He reached the end without incident.  "Questions?" he asked.

            "How often have you played that stage?" asked Wilykit wryly.

            "Every time I've played the game," he said.  "Quite a bit."  He switched the player number switch on the controller to player two.  "Now, you try Stage 2.  Don't linger too long in the stage, or the timer will go to zero, and you'll lose a life."

            "Okay."  She pressed the A button when she had positioned Luigi over the Stage 2 panel.  She proceeded through the stage and got the Super Mushroom in the first question block she saw.  She usually avoided the enemies unless they blocked her way.  She stopped at the blocks that were one unit off the ground in the middle of the stage.  "How do I get underneath?"

            "Go back a little, walk back, and duck to slide underneath."  Wilykit did so and knocked the first block, which revealed a P-switch.  "Jump on it," he instructed.  She did so, and the coins changed to blocks.  She went up the blocks and jumped onto the pipe above when the plant had gone in.

            "Will the plant come out?"

            "No.  If you're next to a pipe or on a pipe, the plant won't come out."

            Wilykit ducked into the pipe and discovered coinage.  She collected the coins and left.  This time, she continued past the blocks up the hill.  "What are these new blocks?"

            "Note blocks.  Some contain power-ups, including the second, and they all bounce Mario away."

            Wilykit jumped down cautiously and dispatched the Para-Goomba.  She collected a Super Leaf from the second note block and slid down the next hill, eliminating the Goombas.  She remained ducked so the fire of the plant in the pipe at the bottom of the hill would miss her.  Then, she used the next three note blocks to get across the pit.  The third revealed a Starman!  She collected this and went to the end.

            "Run fast with B," Michael instructed at one point.  She did, and she gained a star card from the goal.  "All right!  Not bad for a first-timer."  She held up her hand, and he smiled.  They did a high-five.

            "Thank you," she said.

            "The fourth stage is probably a bit harder than the third," he said.  "Mind if I take it?"

            "No."

            "Kevin's and my rules are that the last player has to flip the player number switch."

            "Okay.  Sounds fair."  She flipped the switch to player one.  Michael took the controller and played the fourth stage.  He collected all the coins, so a White Mushroom House appeared at Stage 1's former position.  "What's that?" Wilykit asked.

            "Oh, it's the White Mushroom House.  In each world, there is a certain stage that gives you one if you collect almost all the coins."

            "I see."

            "In odd-numbered worlds, you get a P-wing.  It's like a Super Leaf, except that the P-meter is always full - at least until you get hit - so you can fly throughout the stage."  He operated the player number switch.  "You can get it if you want."

            "You earned it," Wilykit argued.

            "I'm not selfish, and besides, I don't need it.  This isn't the only one.  So, if you want it, take it.  I highly recommend it, especially for beginners."

            Wilykit was uneasy about stealing something, but he told her she could get it, so she got it.  Then, she entered Stage 3.  She avoided contact with all enemies, except for bopping them on the head.  At her friend's suggestion, she used the Troopa to clear the blocks in a structure a short way from the beginning and uncovered a Magic Note Block.  She needed no prompting.  Readily, she jumped on it and up into the clouds.  There, she collected all the coins, soon recognising the pattern.

            Michael told her, "After you go down the pipe, bear left and use the A button to slow your descent."

            Wilykit nodded.  This she did, narrowly avoiding a Para-Goomba.  She landed on a block and hit it on the head twice:  first to remove its flight, second to eliminate it.

            "Continue to the left, and knock the Troopa off that white platform.  When those Goombas are gone, duck on that platform and stay until something happens."  She knew he was not going to mislead her, so she did what he said.  After a couple of seconds, her character slipped through the block and fell to the ground!  "Now, go back to the right.  Run if you wish, but there's a Troopa in the way, so be ready to jump."  Wilykit did this, and she soon found herself in a secret room, like the inside of the White Mushroom House!  Toad offered a whistle, which she took.  (The game gave little choice, but she was not about to complain.)  In a moment, Luigi was back outside on the map screen.  Wilykit switched the controller back to player one.

            "All right!" Michael exclaimed.  "Pretty good.  Just a moment."  He got up and went to a closet of shelves.  Within, several issues of Nintendo Power were on the shelves.  Michael withdrew issue number thirteen, the Super Mario Brothers 3 strategy guide.  He brought it back over to where he was sitting and handed it to Wilykit.  "Here.  There's a bit of stuff in this magazine."  He sat back down as she flipped through it.

            "Maps," she noted.

            "That's not all."

            "So I see.  Interesting."

            "Well, I'm going on to the Fortress," said Michael, moving Mario down to the Fortress.

            After Michael squashed Boom-Boom, Wilykit took care of Stage 5.  She had looked over the map to the stage and knew where the Magic Note Block was.  After returning, she wisely dispatched the Koopa-Troopa and got the Fire Flower, which she used against the carnivorous flora guarding the exit.  She scored another star card.

            "Yes!" Michael exclaimed.  She was catching on really fast.  They worked their way through the rest of the game.  Wilykit slipped up in a few places, but she was still rather inexperienced with video games in general.  However, she was clearly enjoying herself.

            After some time, they reached World 8, the Castle of Koopa.  Michael made it through the Airship stage without a P-wing, though he did have a few close calls.  He just felt like trying to impress Wilykit with his reflexes, and he actually succeeded in that.

            Before long, they reached the Castle of Koopa, and it was Wilykit's turn.  "Well," she asked, "what do I do now?  The book doesn't map this stage."

            "You don't need it," he said.  "How many P-wings do you have?"  Wilykit pressed the B button and scrolled through her item box.  "Two.  Okay, now's a pretty good time to use one."  Wilykit highlighted a P-wing and hit the A button, activating it.  She entered the stage.  "Turn on the A button turbo and hold the button as you fly through.  But go slowly, and watch where you're going."  Wilykit complied.  She soon saw why he had suggested this.  There were three Koopa statues, and they each could have hit Luigi with diagonal lasers from their mouths to the floor.  She flew up the tunnel and continued.

            "What about this donut block?"

            "Stand on it and take it down to the lower floor.  Jump off at the right point, or you're gone."  Wilykit did this.  At the stairs with the Rotodiscs, she turned off the turbo and ascended carefully.  When Wilykit reached the top of the stairs, Michael said, "Okay, now.  Duck on that ledge there, turn on the A button turbo.  Fly while still ducking - that's it - and move to the left.  Now, get on top of that block, and land."  Wilykit wondered what would happen.  Luigi slid through the wall to the other side, and she hit the A button once he was there.  "Fly across the room."  Wilykit did so.  "Okay.  Now, go to the ledge below the top one."  Wilykit did so and proceeded cautiously.  She stood on a block.  There was another donut lift ahead, but there was also a Thwomp.  "Duck and fly again, like before.  He'll zip horizontally, and you can land on the lift and ride it down again.  Be careful, though."

            Nodding, Wilykit followed his directions.  She took a ride downwards and got off on the next floor.  She used flight again to get over the lava pit.  In the next room, she avoided getting scorched by the Koopa statues' lasers.  Then, she flew across the lava pit; Bowser was spitting flames, but they were all even with the platforms and none came close to hitting Luigi.  She stopped at the door and paused the game for a moment to rest.

            "Anything wrong?" Michael asked.

            "Just resting for a moment," she replied.  The castle seemed so threatening.  Without Michael's tips, she may never have made it through, unless she found out the hard way.  And she only had two P-wings. . . well, actually, one now.  After a moment, she resumed and entered the door.

            "Before you continue," Michael said, "fly up that wall to the left."  Wilykit did so.  "When you start moving left again, stop flying, and walk until you see the other side of the wall, then return the way you came."  Wilykit did as he had instructed, dropping back to the floor after a few seconds.  "Now, move to the centre."  Wilykit did so.  Bowser came down as if from nowhere.  He appeared to be intending to spit fireballs, but nothing came out of his mouth.  "Stay on the ground," Michael instructed.  "His body won't harm you if you're small."

            Of course, this meant that Luigi lost his P-wing power and his super size, but as small Luigi, he was unharmed by King Koopa, and there were no endangering fireballs.  "What do I do?" Wilykit asked.

            "Let the brute bash his way through the floor," said Michael.  "That's the only thing to do.  But make sure you're not standing where Bowser will break through the last portion of the floor."

            Wilykit moved Luigi out of the way when Bowser bashed through the final section of the flooring.  "Yes!" they both exclaimed simultaneously.  Wilykit moved Luigi to the doorway and entered when it opened.

            They watched the end of the game.  "Well," Wilykit said, "we did it!"

            "Yup," said Michael.  They gave each other another high-five.

            "So, tell me.  Do you always play video games almost naked?"

            Michael shrugged.  "Kevin and I often did, in the mornings and in the evenings when we didn't have anything to do with ourselves.  No one objected."

            "Okay.  Thank you for letting me play, Michael.  I'd love to do it again."

            "Sure."  They kissed each other again.  They found themselves touching each other again. . . except this time it was more that the feeling was right than before.  They returned to Michael's bed and made love again, except it was better for both of them this time.

            * * *

            Kevin found Lana alone in the throne room.  "Hey," he greeted.

            Lana looked up at him.  "Hey, Kevin."  He sat down next to her.

            "What are you up to?"

            "Thinking."  She stared into his eyes with a very sweet, alluring smile.

            Kevin sighed.  "Lana, please."  She kissed him; he gently pushed her back.  "No!"

            "What's wrong?"

            He stood up, his thumbs in his pockets.  "I don't know," he said, shrugging.

            She got up, faced him, and put her hands on his shoulders.  "Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.

            "I think so."  He put his arms gently around her.  "Did I hurt your feelings?"

            "No, you just perplexed me.  I thought you enjoyed my kissing you."

            "I do.  For some reason, it was very awkward."  They kissed each other.  She gently rubbed his shoulders.  A gentle sound from him told her she was helping him relax.

            It showed in his face when they stopped kissing and looked at each other.  "Oh, thank you," he said in a soft voice.

            Lana smiled.  "Sure, Kev."  She tried the same alluring smile, and this time, he responded readily and passionately pressed his lips against hers while bracing her head with his left hand.  When it was over, she was a bit dazed, but she had enjoyed receiving it as much as he enjoyed giving it.

            He gave her an excited grin.  "Well, how'd I do?"

            It took her a moment to boot up her voice box.  "I. . . it was exhilarating!" she exclaimed.  Before he had a chance to respond, she completely returned his passionate kiss.  But when she was almost done, he got over his initial surprise.

            When they let go, Lana playfully pushed him away.  They were both excited now.  Their blood pressures were elevated, and they were breathing heavily.  "You're wonderful," Kevin breathed.

            "You started it," she told him.  "What say we go to my room and finish it?"

            The passion had awakened their feelings and sent them flooding, but Kevin still had some control over himself.  "Do you genuinely want to?" he asked.  "Or is it just your hormones?"

            "I do," she said, summoning enough control that she felt would make him believe her.  She truly did not know, but she knew part of her had always wanted her to make love with him.

            Unfortunately, Kevin remained sceptical.  "Are you sure?  You don't seem that way."

            Lana thought very hard.  "Yes!" she cried.  "I want to, Kevin.  Please believe me!  Don't you want to do it?"

            He wanted to.  He would probably hate himself for doing this, but. . .  "Okay," he said.  "C'mon."  They went down to her room.  Some of the passion was gone by then, but they brought it all back with reinforcements.  Kevin managed to be gentle enough, despite his strong feelings.  Their climaxes unbelievably came at about the same time.  More importantly, they both completely enjoyed the entire experience.  And Lana thanked Kevin with great gratitude for doing this with her.

            They decided that they would definitely stay together tonight, but they had to eat first.