I examined the glasses carefully. Frank had been wearing them when he fell asleep, and Tellka had mentioned that I should take them off of him before they break. I held them up to my eyes as I had seen Frank wear them, and pulled them away again.

How can Frank see when he wears these? They just make everything blurry. I rubbed my watering eyes and glanced around. Tellka was no where to be seen. She had reverted herself back to spirit form to keep from getting fatigue. I sighed loudly. The room seemed so small and quiet.

"Hey, what's this?"

I nearly jumped out of my fur. "Tellka?!?! When did you change back?"

Tellka glanced up from something she had just picked up and looked over at me. "Aw, gee.. Did I startle you?"

"You scared me half to death! I wasn't expecting anyone to say anything..." A large grin broke across Tellka's face as I sat back down. I grumbled. Tellka stepped over to me and motioned to what she was holding.

"This fell out of Frank's coat pocket." I looked over at what she was talking about. It was a photo of Frank with a bunch of other people.

"Think those are his friends that he is always talking about?" Tellka sat beside me and handed me the picture. I set down the glasses and looked at it. I shrugged.

"I would think so.." I turned it over. "Hey, there's writing on this." I glanced over some of it. Most of it was just scribbles of names. I turned it back around and examined the picture some more.

"..... Philemon...... you were..... -stined cycle..... zzzz" Tellka and I glanced over to where Frank was laying. Tellka snickered.

"I guess he talks in his sleep."

I shrugged. "I wonder what he is dreaming about.."

Tellka looked thoughtfull for a moment. "I don't know.. Frankly... I don't care.. Dreams are boring. I don't see why people have them anyway."

I shrugged again. "I dunno.. I've had some pretty funny dreams.. and some pretty weird ones." I looked back down at the picture.

"What is with you and that picture?" Tellka gave me an odd look. "You've been staring at it for almost 10 minutes."

"I was just thinking.. about these people in the photo. Just, kinda wondering what their lives are like, or what there world is like." I glanced back up at Tellka. "Don't you think it would be kind of neat to visit a different world sometime? Just to see what it is like?"

Tellka sighed. "Kate, I've seen enough things in this world alone. I don't think there is really any place else I would rather go." I thought about that for a moment.

"... who..... Nina...."

Tellka sighed. "Well.. atleast he doesn't talk loud..."

I nudged her with my elbow. "Quiet, don't wake him."

Tellka looked at me again. "He's been asleep for long enough. Kate, we really have to get going! Think of how long we have been gone."

I sighed and nodded slowly. I suppose we have been gone long enough. I began to wonder about Carrie again, how was she right now? We had to get back.. I picked up the glasses from beside me, stood up and walked over to where Frank was laying asleep. I sat down on the cot beside him. I really didn't want to wake him, he had seemed so tired.

"Kate..." I turned to look at Tellka. "If you don't wake him, I will, and I don't think he'll really appreciate my wake-up call."

Alright, alright. I'll wake him.. I nudged Frank lightly. "Frank? Frank.. come on, you need to wake up.. Frank..."

Frank's eyes slowly opened, and I saw a look of alarm cross his face.

Oh yea.. the glasses. "Here. You forgot to take off your glasses before you went to sleep. So I..." I slipped time onto Frank's face.

Frank looked up at me. "Thanks... I would die if I broke them."

I smiled and got off of the cot, giving him room to sit up. I watched as he stretched and put his stuff back on. "Here. I found this." I said, handing him the picture. "It fell out of your jacket, and Tellka and I decided to look at it while you were asleep."

"Are those your friends?" Tellka stepped up behind me.

"Yeah. They left me the picture, and all of them signed it."

"We noticed. I guess they are worried about you." I said quietly.

"Yep. And I'm worried about them as well."

"Well... then.. Frank. Are you feeling better?" Tellka asked.

"Yea, I am Tellka. That nap did me wonders. How long was I out this time?"

"About an hour. Did you know that you talk in your sleep?" Tellka asked him.

"I do??? What did I say?"

"Nothing important." Tellka shoke her head. "So, are you ready?" Frank attached his rapier to his belt.

"Almost. Give me a second." Franks said and reached inside his jacket. He pulled out some little shells. I watched curiously as he loaded the shells into the bottom of his shotgun. Frank then walked over to me. "Here... Let me help you put those on." He said, motioning over to the set of claws.

"Ok, Frank." Frank picked up one of the claws and helped me slip it over my hand. He adjusted the glove part so that it wouldn't slip off. He did the same with the other glove to my other hand, and I could tell he was being carefull with the ring. I moved my fingers around, testing the feeling. It felt odd, but at the same time, natural.

"Okay. Let's get this done quickly. I want to get Kate home safely." Frank said as he turned to look at us. Tellka nodded. I smiled at Frank, as if to say thanks. He returned the smile with his own.

"You're the leader, Frank. What are we going to do?" Tellka asked. I looked over at Tellka.

You mean you're ACTUALLY going to let him lead?

"I.... guess so..." I could feel Tellka grumbling. I nodded at her, and turned back to Frank. I began to think of what we were about to do. It made me feel uneasy, and scared.

"Get over it.. You'll be fine, Kate. I'll make sure nothing happens to you." Tellka twirled her new staff around, testing it lightly. How could she always sound so confident? Ah, well, I suppose I shouldn't worry.

"Ok. Here's what we do. If we get into any fights, all of us will be careful. Kate..." I glanced up. "I want you in the center of your battle form, since you have the lease amount of range. I'll flank off to your left, and Tellka, I want you to flank off to her right. All of us should stay in the front row, unless we become seriously injured. Ok?"

"Got it, commander." Tellka snickered. "I wonder if I should salute..."

I looked over at Tellka. "We've got it, Frank." I poked her lightly in the side.

"Ow, hey, those are sharp." I grinned at Tellka.

Frank approached me. "Be careful. We know that oyu ahve trouble trying to fight. So we'll protect you." Frank gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. It took me off guard, and I could feel myself begin to blush.

"Alright. I'll watch myself." I poked him lightly on the nose.

Tellka sighed. "Alright you to lovebirds, let's get this show on the road!" Tellka tapped her foot impatiently. Frank and I glared at her.

"Right. First, let me change my Persona. I need to charge the new one up..." Frank raised his hand and said, "Persona change... CHUAN!!!!!" Three images of Frank split from him and circled his body before one settled on him with the other two in tow.

Tellka and I just stood there staring at him.

"Did he say... what I think he said...." "Did you just say... Chuan... as in Katt Chuan?" Tellka asked in shock.

Frank nodded.

"We suspected that it might be... but..." I shook my head. This was not going to be good. I could feel it. Atleast... atleast Tellka was controlling herself.

"Okay then. Are you ready?" Frank asked. Tellka and I exchanged glances.

Can you live with that, Tellka? Her only answer was a long growl that rumbled through my mind. I'll take that as a yes...

I turned back to Frank and nodded.

"Okay, then. Let's be careful." Frank opened the door, and walked out. I followed behind him, and Tellka behind me.

"I hate worens.." Tellka grumbled, and closed the door behind us.

e-mail author, talonr@hotmail.com