"About what?" Gabby asked softly, sitting close to him.
Tony sighed and looked a bit guilty. "I feel like… this is all my fault."
Gabby shook her head. "No, don't start. Things happened the way they were meant to. Don't blame yourself."
She picked up a piece of food and tried handing it to him.
But Tony grinned. "Actually… I was hoping you'd feed me."
Gabby blinked. "What?"
"Yeah," he said, laying back a little, acting weak. "I'm hurt. My hands can't work right now. Might even faint if I try."
Gabby gave him a look. "You're so dramatic."
"I'm serious," he said, giving her a playful smile. "It'll help me feel better. Come on, nurse Gabby."
She laughed, but her cheeks turned a little red. "You're lucky you're cute," she mumbled, then picked up a small piece of bread and meat.
She held it out and fed him.
Tony looked right at her while chewing. "All this… for me?"
Gabby looked away, embarrassed. "Yes. Now stop talking and eat."
He kept looking at her, a bit softer now. "But why are you being so nice?"
She avoided his eyes. "Because you're sick. That's all."
"Mmm-hmm," Tony said with a teasing look.
She pushed another piece at him. "Eat this before I regret being nice."
Tony laughed and took the bite. "You're the best, you know."
Gabby rolled her eyes, stood up quickly. "I'm going to do something before you make me blush harder."
She walked away. Tony kept smiling to himself.
"Yep… definitely feeling better now."
A spark danced in Tony's eyes.
He remembered the kiss—the one Gabby gave him while he pretended to be asleep. It lingered in his mind, soft and unexpected. His first kiss… in a different timeline, no less. And it wasn't just the kiss—it was the way she did it. Gentle. Honest.
"Is she starting to feel the same as I do?" he wondered quietly. "Or… was that just a normal thing? A moment?"
He lay back on his bed, the Neet Candies still slowly working on his wounds. The pain hadn't gone completely, but it was manageable now. Healing was happening. Just slower than he'd like.
Back on the other side of the cave, the two friends sat in a quiet moment before Elsie broke the silence.
"Do you care to explain something to me?" she asked casually.
"Explain what?" Skyler turned to her.
"That strip—the special one that came with the original Neet Candies," Elsie said. "Why was it different?"
Skyler nodded slowly, like she'd been waiting for that question.
"Yeah, I care to explain. That one's a mystery, honestly. It's designed in a way that stops the candies from subliming too fast… like a barrier. The normal cloth doesn't have that ability. And yet…"
She paused and looked thoughtful.
"The question is, why didn't ours sublime the whole time?"
Elsie's eyes narrowed slightly, the pieces fitting together.
"I see. So, the strip itself… protected it?"
Skyler gave a half-smile. "Exactly. That one strip might be the reason we even had a chance. It was thicker, with faint glowing threads—nothing like the rest."
Elsie nodded, deep in thought. "Yeah… I get it now."
They both sat still for a moment, the flicker of the cave's light reflecting off the walls—mystery unfolding, one piece at a time.
"About you… how are they ; you're stll treating them?" the General asked as soon as Z-12 reached the base.
"They're fine. The wounds are healing up well," Z-12 replied.
"I knew you'd see to that," the General said with a nod of approval—just as a messenger guard stepped in.
"The council needs you, sir. They're holding a meeting in the Judgment Hall," the guard announced, handed over a scroll, then turned and left.
"Well," the General said, rising from his seat, "congrats on your findings. I'll head to the council and brief them."
"Thank you," Z-12 responded with a short bow before turning to leave.
"But remember," the General called after him, "don't hesitate to call for the rescue team if things get out of hand."
Z-12 nodded and walked away.
Back at Tony's quarters, Gabby had stepped out. She couldn't bear the quiet tension she felt around him—not after all that had happened. It was a strange kind of shy, the kind you can't explain.
Just then, Elsie walked in, carrying a calm smile. "Hey, you okay? I'm guessing you're hungry," she said gently.
Tony looked up at her. "I'm fine," he whispered… then added with a teasing glare, "but I'm mad at you, girl."
Elsie froze. "Mad at me? Why?" Her eyes widened, a bit of panic on her face. "Wait… what did I even do? Tony, seriously, tell me!"
He held the serious look for just a second longer—then burst into a grin. "I'm messing with you. Come on, girl."
Elsie groaned and laughed. "Ugh, you scared me!" She moved in and wrapped him in a warm hug. He hugged back, grinning.
"Look at this emotional reunion," Skyler said from the doorway, smirking. "Don't leave me out." She stepped forward and joined the group hug.
It really was a moment—a simple, embracing moment.
"We should get you something to eat," Skyler said, glancing at Elsie.
"It's fine, girls," Tony said with a soft smile. "I'll manage."
"Nah, we're not buying that," Skyler shot back. "We're getting you something, whether you like it or not."
She winked at Elsie, and they both chuckled as they moved toward the exit.
Tony leaned back with a thoughtful look.
Is this mission really happening? Or is there more to it I still don't see?
Maybe the next chapter holds the answers.