Chapter 7. All good and scaly things must come to an end. All Had Returned back to thieves den with heavy bags of stolen goods from ripto’s chateau, most had heard news & had to come congratulating the thieves, most all wanted retribution for ripto's attack on thieves den and the thieves guild. A Late night party was made in honor of the well done heist, the dining hall had been prepped, all sorts of food and drink at the table for thieves to dine on, center of hall table was throne for den leader and, steph cheered with her thieves, holding a mug of beer, she congrat the thieves and made sure all were having good time. Well.. not all were, on side next to den leader dr cortex had a glass of wine in hand, he looked somber then cheerful, yes he should be having a great time at the moment.. But a deep pit of guilt sat on him. Cortex is not good at confronting this feeling, he barely felt guilty about anything he did in his life, ruining lives, his animal experimentation and disfiguring historical monuments.. It was a gain for him for his plans. He swished the glass of wine in his hand and took a sip, his eye drifting over to the dragoness,that guilt pinged again. She took fireball and lightning bolt from ripto in hopes ripto let his guard down so he took that shot to stun him…it was her idea she whispered to him before the heist to let him betray her and get opportunity if things went wrong for him as a distraction, and they did. he could've just betrayed her like he did to most of his allies, cohorts… it would have been so easy to work with ripto again and ripto would keep his promise to make the portal back to wumpa island, he did it before easily in rumble games. He lifted the glass up to his lip and swallowed the wine in one gulp. He started to feel miserable at the thought again…he was an evil scientist, snap out of it.. But he couldn't, he let her get hurt in helping him. A little thief maid came around holding a bottle of beer and wine for the table. She offered to pour him more wine, but he took the whole bottle and poured himself to keep it. The little maid left him with the bottle. Steph was taking chug at her fruity beer. She glanced over to the doctor next to her, she put her drink back on the table watching the human take a large gulp of his wine and then pour another. “Whoa there slow down the wine… didnt think you were a drinker?.” Dr Cortex placed the glass down. He looked up, his eyebrows skewed annoyed and looked away from her gaze, “ I don't… I'm drinking for the wonderful time I'm having.” his tone came more sarcastic The dragoness tilted her head looking at the human, his mood seemed to go down and not up, something was bothering him she felt it from him. “ What's eating you up inside?.” Dr cortex leaned over the table hid his face in palm of his hand,he pulled downwards rub down kept his eye diverted from her… he liked look into those pools of emerald green eyes stared at him so fondly, but he felt he didn't deserve it, didn't deserve her. Dr Cortex took a deep sigh, “ nothing…” he said in a low tone. Steph looked worried at him, why he suddenly gave her the cold shoulder, she picked up on his thoughts but it started to be muffled from the effect of alcohol in his system already, a jumble of anxiety from him. She turned her gaze back out to tables of her thieves, she slumped into her chair feeling rejected he couldn't confine in her his thoughts. *** The party went on into the late night at 3pm, most thieves had headed off to their bunkers to sleep off the drinks they had. By the end of it, Dr Cortex seemed to have another bottle of wine empty, his head had been slumped over the table, picking at plate was some sort of seafood with chips, he had a chip in between his fingers he was swirling it around on his plate. He couldn't confront the dragoness, so she left to help get some of her worse drunk thieves to their bunkers before they hurled over the treasures in the hallway. Dr cortex got up slowly from the table, with a stumble he was full of wine and too much on thoughts… it was guilt making him feel ill, he wanted to go to bed and sleep. He pressed his hand to his head feeling the buzz of wine, he will have a bad hangover the next day. He stumbled to door to leave dining hall, pushing way through gap he stumbled out into corridor and walked heavy footed down hall finding his way to stairs get him back to his room if he did not trip over his feet on partially up stairs, held onto railing till he got back to level he was guest room was on. As he made it to his room door, there was a clicking of claws on tiles behind him, his gaze turned back in hope it wasn't her… but was white dragoness coming down the hall towards him. “There you are, left hall before i return, surprised you going back to your room… I thought you would like to sleep with me back in the royal chambers.” she came up to the human she was so fond of. Dr Cortex sinked his face into the door, rolling his eyes up as he turned to look at her, the guilt he felt was worse.. Swear he felt also an urge coming from his stomach to…‘Hurk’ what dr cortex had said, he held a hand over his mouth, no he had to puke. Cortex did not explain himself then just got inside his room and closed the door behind as he made his way to the bathroom. Steph left there looking at the door, she heard the pucking noise from within, her ears pressed to her head not liking the sound of puking, it would make her too. So she waited for him to finish.. Or at least went quiet before she tapped on the door and let herself in. “Doc?... you ok.” she walked into the room, she headed over to the bathroom tapped the door.. But it was quiet too, she opened slowly to peek inside. Dr Cortex had made it least to the sink, he puked up what he had drunk and ate in the late evening. She sympathizes with the man. She came into the bathroom to help him. “Here come on, let me help you to bed.” Dr Cortex was not one to have someone help him when he felt vulnerable. But he couldn't say no to her.. He gave a sad look back at his state, it was a silent approval. The dragoness came over to his side, she guided him sit on the toilet while she took toilet paper to help wipe around his lip and chin of any yucky mess from his beard. She helped loosen him out of his silk tunic. “I'm sorry..” Dr Cortex muttered under his breath. Steph looked at him quizzically, “ it's fine, should have seen my college days in wizard peak.. Druids could drink heartily while wizards couldn't ..” “That's not it.. I'm sorry i.. Put you through with ripto., you got hurt!” he said soberly, his gaze still not met hers. “Wha? That.. It's fine.” she said softly she helped uncuff his shirt till it was open for him to remove. “No.. No!, It's Not Fine..You Should be mad.. Angry.. Hate me!.” he said his tone came at a higher pitch. Steph took a time process of what he said, she brought hand under his chin, lifted it up to see, tears started to form in the man's eyes. “Oh doc.. This is what you were sorry about earlier?, don't need to feel guilty, I'm a big girl who can handle things like Ripto.” Dr Cortex took hold of her hand and pulled it away from his chin. “BUT I DO..” he yelped back. “ I'M A EVIL SCIENTIST!.. I.. Shouldn't feel guilty at all for my actions…betraying and hurting people is what I do to get my way! And it would be so easy!, i could let Ripto do it and be done here..” drunk emotions spilling out now, tears had started to fall over his cheek it had been eating at him all late evening. Dragoness remains silent watching the pitiful site become him, she sighs heavily he is becoming undone. Dr Cortex felt worse now, guilt but felt embarrassed he could not stop the tears, the words of ‘cry baby’ echoing in his head he let his emotions out in public.. And in front of her. Steph shook her head, taking new toilet paper to wipe the man's cheeks of tears, she bent down low for him to be at level as she spoke softly. “you didn't and took the shot at ripto…doesn't change how i feel about you doc. “ leans into man's cheek to nuzzle and comfort him. “Just don't turn away from me with your burdening feelings.. That's what hurts me the most, you can confide in me.” Cortex looked up and his lips quivered like he was about to say something but he was scooped off the toilet and was now being carried bridal style in dragoness arms. She helped him back to the bedroom and sat him down onto the bed. Cortex couldn't protest, he was at her mercy now, she helped remove his boots off and got his shirt off and placed them on the side. “You'll feel better in the morning, so sleep on it, tomorrow i don't usually serve it but Coffee is recommended for your hangover conditions.” Steph what she could do in a moment to make sure he got to sleep comfortably. The doctor gave a groan as he went lay back on the bed. She spoke to him as she helped fluff his pillows. “You know I could've just disarmed Ripto with ease but he is very good at attack spells and quick with his reflex on spells.. You're in the room so I didn't want to put you in harm's way if I did have to resort to fighting back, but his one weakness is his arrogant ego..so that is why you are so able to get that shot at him. Letting him hit me with a lightning bolt was on purpose, my robe is enchanted to shield me from heavy blows. So it's not your fault what happened.” She hoped to ease his mind with her answer. Once she finished the pillows, she went to the other side of the bed as she hauled off her thief garment and slipped into the other side, she scooted over closer to him, pulled the covers up for him and tucked him in. “there, all cozy.. Get some rest my Evil scientist.. You're gonna have a nasty hangover tomorrow.” Cortex gave ‘pff’ as his head slumped deep into a silk pillow. “Why are you so sweet and nice to me.. I don't deserve it, I never deserve this kind of loving treatment from anyone.” his drunk emotions still let out all his anxieties there. He felt karma never was on his side of things in life. Steph made herself sink into the bed, she leaned on an arm on a pillow, she looked at him with a serious look. “Shut up, I will do as I please and feel whatever I like for you… that would be love for my new friend,companion and lover.” she said sternly. Cortex eyes wandered over to her.. She said ‘love’ about him, a flutter feeling in his chest when he heard it. “I still don't think I deserve it, deserve.. You… after what happened.” She leaned in close to him and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek “We all don't deserve a lot of things.. But love, an evil scientist or a dragoness sorceress still deserve to feel love and joy in life... Everyone does and I don't plan to stop giving it and dote all over you… so shut up and get some sleep. And that's an order from the queen of thieves.” She scooted closer to the doctor and brought him into a snuggle, she let her fingers comb through his hair and let her head lay behind him. It was soothing for him how her claw hand combed over his scalp, delicate and not to scratch him like he was precious to her, that bubbly feeling in his chest rose he felt emotion relaxing him to sleep. “I love you” he mumbled, letting himself drift off to sleep. Steph closed her eyes, a soft smile grew on her lips, happy to hear him say it back to her those words. “Yeah.. love you too doc.” she said she could hear him start to snore softly, she let herself slip into nod land. The two drift off into slumberland for the night, it was a long night afterwall. *** The Next day into past midday Dr Cortex had been sleeping most of the time, it had past morning and evening when he finally awoke from his slumber, the headache lingering there as he removed his head from the pillow. Found himself drooling over the pillow he laid on and foul taste after vomit and dry mouth, with a groan he leans himself up and sits up on the bed. He pinched between his nasal eyes wipes away any gunk of sleep to clear his vision, he looked around him… yes he was still in thieves den, he look to side of bed next to him but no one was there, he swore he had the dragoness sorceress steph last night sleep next to him.”uhh.. What time is it?...ooohhh.” he groans softly. He scratched his scalp, he turned to look around him, he noticed on the bedside table next him was a tray, it had items of cold glass of ice coffee and sweet Egg Tarts there and a paper note. Cortex didn't need to question where it came from, he gathered it was from steph who left it there. as he grabbed the glass, brought it to his lips with heavy gulps of the bitter liquid, it was sweetened iced coffee. With a gasp of air after finishing drinking the glass, he smacked his lips together to bring back any moisture to his lips. He placed the glass back on the table… he is not a coffee person but he still drinks it now and then. He leaned over to take the note, he unfolded and read what was there, it was from the dragoness sorceress. It said ‘hey sleepy head!, you seem a bit over-dopey this morning so i left early to let you have your beauty sleep, made you some coffee and fresh made egg tarts for your brunch. Sorry not be there when you awoke i had got started on early on working that portals power crystals.. Enjoy the treats and relax. Yours truly, love Steph.’ Dr Cortex folded the note, placed it next to him, he slumped down into bed,so nice get breakfast in bed the sweet gesture made his cheeks warm and just generally nice feeling being thought of. Course N.gin has brought him breakfast to his bedchambers but N.gin cooking was questionable when he made an omelet with engine oil in it..so he never let N.gin make breakfast for him again. He looked over to the egg tarts. There he took one of the pastries and took a bite into it, the pastry flaked over the bed, he swapped his hand over covers to remove crumbs off. What a mess he was, as a memory of last night's flashback he grimaced to his emotional breakdown.. He drank too much. “Mmmm” he moaned to himself, the egg tart was not too sweet and was soft like an eggy custard…getting treats made by your sweetheart was extra tasty. His mood was boosted up by the thought she went and made these for him. He finished eating up his treat and started to shuffle out of bed and head to bathroom to do his business, after he went to balcony and open up curtains to dark room, bright stung his eyes he winced but the fresh air would help he open it and walked out into warm sun of his balcony. Leaning over the balcony railing he looked out to the scene. He looked out at the scene of the desert town below the palace, this place so strange yet so mystica and no one knew him.. While not knowing them too well, only a few feelings were kinda freeing in the way, his appearance didn't bother locals. All the experience he had here was a pretty fun adventure with finding something he hadn't felt. He felt warmly welcomed and loved, especially around that dragoness that he himself now grew fondly of, appearance was like a fresh breath of air in this little piece of paradise. With an escaped sigh from his lips, soft smile spread over his muzzle curling his mustache, the thought of steph came flooding his mind, he didn't think he would be so attracted to anthro dragoness..guess that thing Nina calls him as a ‘closted furry’ was more true. She made him feel so much in the week they had together, blossomed friendship to becoming lovers..dr cortex only thought how smooth he was, didn't think all his charming up to her would lead to these feelings and the sex was fun, she didn't even make fun of him anything on his body, she made him feel always handsome, made him comfortable and relaxed around her without being judged. He honestly couldn't stop thinking about her now how much wants to be close to her, holding close to him and all romantic intentions that come with these feelings and soon maybe he will return home to earth. To think the week has already gone by and so much has happened.. Or think he was actually falling in love. In somewhere back of his mind.. The thought of not wanting to return to Wumpa islands to go back to the monotony of villain vs hero routine was a dreaded feeling. “Hey sleepyhead!” A Voice called out behind him he leaned up alert he turned around to gaze back inside..steph voice behind him, he walked back into his guest room but she was not there. “I could've sworn I heard??” Dr Cortex questioned if was losing it looking around. “Hey.. over here!” the voice came over from the mirror in his room. Dr Cortex looked curious but sketchy why the voice came from the mirror, he stepped slowly over towards it, as he neared he started to see a face not his.. It was sorceress dragoness there instead. “Hey sleeping beauty awakes from her slumber?.” She spoke to him on the other side of the mirror, she was in her study talking to him. Dr Cortex examined the mirror and looked at her “ is this one of your many tricks? “ he questioned this.. He forgets he was in a magic world with this stuff happening to him. Steph chuckles and shrugs. “Yes, something to use to keep a watch around using mirrors or reflecting surfaces…its way past noon at least 1 clock evening, you doing ok?” she spoke from other side “Huh.. So like a two way communication observer, I'm fine, just a headache.” he scratched the scruff under his chin “.. Wait what do you mean watch, have you been spying on me.?” Dr Cortex squinted, he folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Aahhhh” is what steph could only say she was getting caught in the moment. “kind of” she said in a whimsical way like she was caught stealing cookies. “Ok maybe on the first night, please don't be mad i did.” She brought her hand up in prayer for him not to get angry at her. “It was just to check you were not up to mischief..” Dr Cortex felt pit violation from finding out that.. All tho curious question to ask. “Wait so.. I wasn't going crazy when I saw a face in the mirror!.. It was you.” There were visually red colors beginning to flash across her face, “Ummm well.. Well you see I have to keep checking on my new guest.” Dr Cortex didn't hear the rest she was explaining as he smirked. Thinking how cheeky she was..”i don't suppose you check me out on me on other nights?” curious to hear she didn't spied when he was… well blowing his horn as one would say. “No,” she said quickly from the other side of the mirror. “ Just the first night and today.” Dr Cortex gave a sigh of relief she didn't see him do that he looked up at the ceiling. “I'm really sorry..” There was a pitiful smile across her face. “I know I shouldn't be snooping and I'm finishing up here… I'll come up the stairs to talk. I actually got some great news, tell you doc.” Dr Cortex let it slide for now being spied on and he looked back over to her. Good news? Before he could speak the mirror seemed to change back to his reflection as it was cut off..he rubbed his temple he went back to the bathroom.. He went to make himself prepared for his appearance and get himself cleaned up. He didn't want her to see him like this after a hangover. After 10 mins in the bathroom, dr cortex had groomed himself out, he wiped a finger over his eyebrows and straightened them up when he heard the door knock. “coming..” He straightened up his shirt and went back out and tucked his feet back into boots before coming to the door and opening it up slowly. Though he was not greeted with the face of dragonness but the human form of her again, in her black onesie suit her blonde hair swayed as she did a small jig."Hey doc.. Look, I'm human again.” she put on her best smile for show pointing to herself. “Are you mad at me? Can I come in?”. Dr Cortex takes him a good moment to soak it in... Change of face feeling familiar he opened up the door like a gentleman and let her in. “So I see.. Come in.” his mood perked up glad to see her in person. Steph took her steps into the room, she turned her back to him, she never got his answer if he was mad at her from peeping. “Are you mad?” she started to worry her voice came out small and timed she looked over her shoulder to him. Dr Cortex raised an eyebrow as he closed the door, he chuckled softly and waved to dismiss it. “no no.. well i just didn't think you were peeping tom type.?” he gave a smug smile tease her. Steph's human face seems to turn pink with his tease as she turns around to face him, placing her arms out in protest. “ im.. I'm not like that, I promise.. It's purely for.. Security.” she was getting flustered now. Dr Cortex got a rile out of her, certainly too fun to tease her in this state. “So my dear.. What is this good news you have for me? Hmm.” changing back to subject. Steph looks up at him under her dirty blonde hair as she straightens herself, “ ah yes.. Well there are several things..one! my human form is perfected and wont glitch in changing form.. I tweaked it to be 90% human.” Dr Cortex tilted his head. “90% human?” He stepped closer to her to understand what she was talking about. Steph went and held up her hand, her human hands with claws, she then opened her mouth. She had some fangs not human teeth and her tongue had its green hue and then she lifted her hair up to reveal her ears were shaped like an elf ear. “It's the best I could leave in form.. Even still some lil part my dragon self shows, so hope disguise works. Dr Cortex examined her, he still very much liked what he saw anyway, his eyes scanned over her face, her lips, her bosoms and back up her neck.. The Thought of wanting to kiss that delicate neck and trail down, find out more under and get to know her human body properly this time, hold her in close to his… he was losing his mind to other thoughts there, he shook his head. “Very lovely my dear..” he looked at the elf ears she had.. How cute. “Yes, one thing off my list and second." She smirked and started acting like it was a show now. “Your bag of supplies is ready to take home in a very suitable space saving bag..just remember to sign the release for our contract.” she pulled out from between her bosom the contract. “you left this in my bedroom after our night together.. She handed the contract to the doctor's gloved hands, he took the contract as he felt the paper over. He started to feel guilty he had to take money from her now… man is this what it's like being in love with someone you feel guilty over this kind of thing, guess he had got used to it. “ I.. I.. “ “I know what you are going to say doc and please do sign or all the effort put into here, it would put the whole deal null void.” she came over to him and folded his fingers over onto paper. “This is the only way that.. We could see each other from our worlds apart, as you recollect i said i'm just figurehead run this place, the guild masters are ones keep the den organized. So a contract is important and I want you to have the gold you need to rebuild life back on earth, I have my reasons to come and visit to see you." She smiles softly at the doctor. “I also tweaked the contract that the treasure lended to you was from my stash so you just owe me some supplies I can resell back here to my realm and not to guild leaders.” she gave him a wink. Dr Cortex had the weight of guilt lifted when she put it that way. “But you still need to sign it in blood.” she said afterwards quickly. Dr Cortex grimaces at that part. “yes i’ll.. Do it in a while.” “and that comes to my last piece of good news.. The portal is finished!, all the power crystals are working. I don't know what ripto did to those scepters but it gave plenty of juice to it and the portal is active to return location, even the portal said ‘Wumpa Islands’ on its location sign.” Dr Cortex hardly believed it but he had his ticket way home, there was joy there but then that sinking feeling meant he had to leave sooner than he thought.. He thought at least get another day or 2 before things were done. “So you can get Home this evening.” She clearfly it and she walked over to his bed and sat down on the crumpled sheets.” you can get everyone prompt and ready to take home with you.” “Hmm yes i suppose i should get myself ready then to return..” Dr Cortex said softly.. The voice lowered and his eyes drifted to the tiled floor. Steph tilted her head and she looked at him to figure out why he didn't sound excited to return home. “Is it me or don't you sound excited to go home after making a tantrum at the start you needed to go home as an emergency.” Dr Cortex lifted his gaze up to her, so much going through his head. “ ah yes i am.. Im eagerly want to return home and make sure nothing has blown up in my lab while I was away..” he put as warmly as he could. “Well things done, you should start making any calculations and list what you need to do…but let's get this contract settled and I'll get your item bag.” Steph presents the table over to him to do so. “Because without a contract.. I can't guarantee your way home, business is business.” Dr Cortex gave a firm look at her, in a way she was right after what she did for him, all work she had done it would look bad on him to back out, now more reason he wanted to stay close to her now. Cortex held up the paper in his hand, sigh left his lips, he went over to the table, he placed it on table, steph got off the bed and joined him, she tapped her neck choker crystal which changed her back into dragon again. “Your hand doctor…” she said as she formed a small ice needle from her magic and wanted him to give his hand, but the doctor didn't want her to do it. “Oh no.. I will do it this time.“ He took his glove off, he took the needle from her and pricked his finger. ”ouch!” Steph shrugs and she guides him to the next steps. “Just put your finger on the side here as a signature and then I'll put my side in.” Dr Cortex then pressed his finger onto paper, his name magically appeared to his full title signed. “Periwinkle? That's your middle name?” She asked if she saw his full name was Dr. Neo. Periwinkle. Cortex. on the paper. “Yes it is..” he looked annoyed at her. He did not like people knowing the middle part of his name.. Too many made fun of it. Steph kept her mouth shut seeing he became sensitive to it. She took the needle from him as she had to fine down her ice needle a bit more to be able to pierce her scales on her finger, she pressed onto paper and her full name appeared on, the papr glittered and shined as it was completed.. And then it turned into two copies of itself. “All done.. One copy of the deal for you and one for me.“ she went and licked her finger of blood, she placed her hand out for him to give him his. “Here let me heal you, my new ally.” Dr Cortex gave his hand to her as she used that healing magic to heal his finger ache. “I didn't expect ‘boneclaw’ to be your last name?” Steph looked over to him and smirked. “It's a family name from my father's side.” She finished healing his finger. ” they're all better.” Dr Cortex thanked her as he put his gloves back on, he went and took the copy of contract and slipped it into his pocket, he realized he still had all the items he was given to him. “ um.. Do you want all things you gave me.. The silk shirt and rings?. The dragoness shook her head. “Keep them, they're yours as my gifts to you…you start to pack up anything you want and I'll go grab your item bag.” she took her copy paper and slipped it into her outfit, then turned to go but.. Her hand got grabbed and tugged back. She looked back to see the doctor had held her claw hand. “What's the matter?” he obviously wanted her attention. Dr Cortex gritted his teeth there but wanted to say something. ”does.. This means we.. um…” he tried to say what was on his mind about ‘them’ dating all this.. What would happen now he was going back. Steph gave a sigh she didn't want to confront the notion that he wanted to say, she broke her hand away from him. “Let's get your stuff and we.. can talk on the way to the portal…ok." She made a fast walk towards the doorway to his room to leave. Dr Cortex left standing there, a heavy sigh left his lips feeling sorrow creep up on him. “I guess it's time to go back.” he muttered to himself, he best changed back into his labgear gear before she returned to get him. *** After some time Dr Cortex had redressed back into his lab clothes and was given the item bag that was promised to him. It was a satchel, he questioned if it had what he asked for as it was just a small bag, he was shown it was enchanted to hold many items, even the gold he asked was in there and power crystals he asked. The sorceress guided him around to the old ruins part of the palace that held the portal, she stayed quiet even if the doctor wanted to talk as they reached the portal entrance. Dr Cortex slung the bag over his shoulder, he looked at the portal archway, all fixed now like ones he's been using around dragon realms. The gold letters across the portal ‘Wumpa islands’ were adorned to it. “So let's walk through and see if all is fine on the other side?.“ she asked her human to take the first steps through. “You are coming along with me.” his voice perked up to hear her come along. “Just to see if we got you back to the right place, can’t just shove you through and leave you at it now.. What kind of allie i be.” she smiles down at him. “Right right..i suppose you make a point.” he looked back behind him. “I don't suppose I could come back when I need a break?.” “Hmm well we have a closed portal when i return back, but you can come back to visit when i open the portal.” she pressed her ears to her head. “It's best to check to make sure both portals work and are well maintained. It's safe to not let strange creatures into the realm.. Or have unexpected ones again.” she winked to the doctor that last bit. “hehe.” he looked down at his feet and shuffled them and then looked up at the portal doorway, hesitant to leave and step through the portal.. Part of him wanted to stay longer, stay a bit more time here.. With her. “The dragon realms never fail to impress when people see them.. Tho rest this world has many wonderful things to see, so next time come over i’ll show you more fun places where we can just snuggle." She hoped to brighten his mood as he started to look glum. He chuckles as his face brightens up, he rolls his eyes up giving a toothy grin. “I'll keep that in mind.” He looked at the portal taking a breath in, he started to walk through to the other side. When Dr Cortex walked through the other side, he came upon stone floor ruins in an open area,he saw an old temple ruins archway, a jungle surrounded all sides of old ruins. He looked around to get a better observation of where he was, he saw it in the far distance like something out of an old horror movie..A dark gloomy castle.. His Castle, the Cortex castle was there peaking over the canopy. “Im home!” he shouted, he looked to the other side of the temple ruins.. It had a large monkey theme temple, stone carved monkey holding platform level over its head. “ hmm i know this place.. The mojo temple. Uka uka said one old ruins around here..this place he mutter about its powers of mojo, guess i should pay attention more his ramblings” Behind him the dragoness steph came through the portal, she looked over to where doctor cortex standing, he seem have cheery disposition about him so must be in right place, she went checked over this sides of the portal archway, the portal archway was more stable this side and well persevered despite the overgrown vines in the place, look like it didn't need much maintenance, she went to side the arch looked for it secret panel, it had one too like in dragon realms.. Seems more to this as the earth and dragon realms were once connected, she has to look more into this later. She walked up beside him to join him. “So are we in the right place?.” Dr Cortex only grin wider, he gave triumph fist in there air. “ indeed! I am home, to be honest I have actually started to miss the islands… that reminds me.” Dr Cortex tapped a finger onto the hilt of his belt, he needed to call N.gin to pick him up, he didn't have enough power to fly home with hover boots. When he tapped the button on his belt buckle a small hologram device came out and it went to call connect to the recent home lair of the iceberg lab. “Ngin!.. NGIN!.. ARE YOU THERE!.. ANSWER ME.!” he shouted into hologram. There was a brief moment no one answered but noise buzzed from the com and then the green face in hologram of another human appeared with a rocket stuck into his head. “Master?… MASTER! YOUR ALIVE!! We thought all was lost when you were sucked through that wormhole and then we couldn't connect with you on call and then…” N.gin started to trail on in weeping motion of the tragedy of losing his master. The steph watched this with fascination, so this was N.gin, Dr Cortex seems to still have tricks up his sleeve, he had a communication device on him that could project holograms… it was pretty cool to see more of the doctor's scientific work. Dr Cortex took a deep breath to not lose his temper. “N.gin!.. Shut up. Just come and get me, I have a lot to tell and things need to be done, so HURRY!.. I'm at these ruined temples of Wumpa islands so pick up the coordinates of my location quickly now and Bring my airship here!.” he stomped his foot and folded his arm in a demanding stance. Steph watched on the side, her cheeks flustering at this take charge Doctor, rather making her hot under collar seeing this affirmative side to him in his statue. “Right master, Ngin be there soon.. Um.. be there in rocket speed..” the com then finished and the hologram device folded itself small away, dr cortex grabbed the device out the air and placed it back in belt buckle. With that he took deep breath in, he returned his gaze to steph next him, she had soft pink hue on her white scales, he wondered what she got so flustered about. “Hmm?”. as he questioned. Steph looked away to control her thoughts, guess it showed on her face too much she was getting hot. “It's nice and warm here.. An island huh?, I see it is tropical.” Dr Cortex smirked lil but played along. “ Yes, subtropical conditions here make it prime for all kinds of weather to the islands. It's typically warm in the archipelagos here.” He walked over to some stones of the ruins and went to sit down. “be awhile for N.gin to come with the airship… I suppose it would be a good time to chat before saying.. Goodbye my dear.” She did not want to hear it, but there it was.. Goodbye. “ Well I don't like to think of it as goodbye.. See you later.” She walked over to him to join him and sat down on a stone near him. “Sooo… what are some first things going to do once you're back. Be pretty busy for awhile get things settle in, find someone convert gold into your currency and such. Be ideal next time i visit you have everything in order and room for me to join you.” “hmm yes, so much i need to calculate “ he tried process all needed to be done, take a week for him settle down all in lab, then convince Uka Uka on ideas he got to work on, then find someone from blackmarkets to process all the gold and then rebuild new lair..make one like chateau, he like what Ripto had. Can't go back to cortex castle as it was too damaged to live in but it could get some repairs now he had money to help refix it... so he got it started soon. He used his finger to count the time, weeks then turned to months in his head. “ Hmm, with what needed to be done.. Take several months at least, 3 get things started and another 3 to be finished for repairs… make it at least.. 6 months.” he said the last part sorrowly, his hair drooped.. It would take time to do a lot. She knew it would take some time to get him back on a roll with things. “6 months to recover..that's a bit of time to wait.” Dr Cortex bit his lip, he leaned down on his knees and rested on his haunches. He tapped his foot on the stone floor. “ so.. This means we.. um.. Are we ending .. this?.” he felt a pit drop in his chest knowing sometimes things don’t last long. She looked over to him. “You mean dating?”. Dr Cortex didn't say anything back, he was not good at this kind of thing, usually relationships he had were broken up in arguments and fights he had with people.. Or just being ghosted. “Well.. 6 months isn't long for us dragons… we are long life creatures, i can wait.” She said she leaned back on the stone, looked up into the canopy of trees and started to build up emotional tears she did not want him to see. “Besides, I expect those chocolates to be waiting for me when I get here and get my tour of the islands.” Dr cortex looked over to her, was she willing to wait that long for just him, his hair perked up high his mood came joyous hear her say it. “well… I'll be sure to have choccy treats stocked up plenty, when you come over.” Steph's ears flicked, she took a hard sniff to hold any emotional outburst down as she looked back at him fondly she scooted closer to the doctor, too close the distance between them.. “Would you wait for me too?” Cortex looked up as she scooted in closer, he couldn't help the smile brighten on his face, seeing her stare down at him with a loving gaze,tingle of joy seeing those green emerald eyes look at with anticipation his answer, she bit her lip, she looked so cute there to him. “Well.. I wouldn't have it any other way, I'll be waiting for my lady of luck to return. I’ll show all around the islands and I even know some best places for a very private rendezvous..” try to put his charm again. Next thing that happened, he was taken into a hug by her, she pulled him in close as she had started to sob, she held him close to her why the poor scientist struggled not to be suffocated into the bosoms of the dragoness.. ”I promised myself I wouldn't get upset…i Will miss you!.“ Dr Cortex pulled her arms away so he could get a breath of air, overwhelming affection there for him, as much he enjoyed the idea of being smothered into her breasts... It was a bit much for him. She loosened her hug around him as she started to get control of her emotions..”sorry..” she let go of him and went to rub her face with tears. “I'm not good at these moments..” Cortex smiles softly, he was grateful to know she will miss him so much, she gave him such kindness, loving affection he hasn't had in years. He took her hand into gloves. “I'm sure the time will go by quickly. You have been the sweetest and the most beautiful host I ever had the pleasure... I do mean pleasure.” he raised eyebrows in an up and down motion. “ to meet. “ She bit her lip she let out a giggle at his whimsy charm, she going miss the banter and his charm. “ i think you been the strangest guest i had.. Not the worst that goes to riptocs. I think in way you changed bit while in dragon realm.” “You think?” he questioned this, she didn't know him that well but she thought he changed?. “Yes” she chirped up and she leaned in to nuzzle him, she saw him melt with goofy smile on the touch of nuzzling him on the neck. “ if you were to put it.you were like A bag of cats. Very high strung and ready for any disaster to happen to you when you came to my first days at my home, you have since relaxed out now.. I was able to get you to have that vacation.”. Dr Cortex raised eyebrows to think of that. “, If you say so.. still my luck is the worst that got me there..” “bad luck, good luck.. Its still luck. And it brought you to me. That's the best kind of luck I got to meet you doc.” she laid a soft kiss onto his lips. Dr Cortex felt heat rise his face and flutter in his stomach, he went and clutched his chest. ”If you keep saying things like that, my cold dark heart will burst and I don't think I can go home. I just want to stay with you.” Steph chuckles low “oh do i need to tie you to a tree keep you here? I don't want strays to follow me home now.” she joked to him. Dr cortex gave saucy snarky smile at that. “I don't think I mind for that kind of fun, you can tie me up anyday..” flirts back that idea. She saw he got a cheeky look there. “oooh so that's what you're into huh!.” She grins. “guess that's a date in 6 months time then.. I'll bring my best outfit with a leather corset, cuffs and lacy garments then.” Dr Cortex looked at her in shock .”You have that kind of stuff?” the redness rose over face to the idea she had BDSM items. Steph merely placed a finger up to her lip to shush. “That's my lil secret..” Cortex wondered what else she was like and got him to question what she was into for fun, yet he only started to get to know her a bit more about her.. He really wanted to know more but their time together was short already. They both chuckled there.. There was a low hum in the air, noise started to get louder till a blob of purple and metal came into view over the temple.. Dr Cortex’s airship was arriving. “Looks like my ride's here, time to go.” Dr Cortex gave a heavy sigh as he looked up at the temple. He got up from his seat as he patted down his lab coat. He turned back to her, saying goodbye wouldn't die for him.... He had to leave his best impression on her before he went. He took her hand and brought it up, gave it a kiss, immediately made her scales flush go red of him doing that. “cheek! “ she muttered she knew he did on purpose make her blush. Dr Cortex only gives his best evil grin at her, seeing her visibly shiver at that response, the fluster of her face was going brighter. Not a moment sooner he came over to her as he took her into his arms and pulled her back into swoon from her seat with a lip smacking kiss to her snout. His way to say goodbye like in all the romantic movies he watched.. Got to give the best kind of kiss in these scenes. Steph was left there in a daze, her head turning bright pink up to her ears. “ wowie..” don't think anyone has given her such a kiss like that, he was so debonair. Dr Cortex took something out from the buckle of his belt as he placed it into her hand. “This is my communicator, when you return here it will help find you in a location and to contact me.” Dr Cortex picked up his bag, he stepped back away from her, he clicked his heels to start his hover boots he started to lift into air..” ta taa for now my dear.. It was a wonderful time we had and hopefully have more again..” he didn't want to go, he did want to stay, he knew the swelling in his chest he was going to cry baby out soon and he didn't want her to see him like that again. Steph looked at her hand of the device she was given to her, She got up from her set as she put it in her pocket. “ hey.. Does this make us girlfriend and boyfriend when we meet again?” she called out to him. Dr Cortex nearly faltered in his take off in the air when he heard what she said.. “boyfriend! “ he hovered there looking back stunned, he didn't mind the leap in relationship.. He.. didn't think she wanted him as her boyfriend, he hovered there on the thought but she did say it. ”i .. guess so.” fluttering in his chest kind turned into joyful bursts from him he couldn't stop smiling gitty in the air. She smiled up at him. “I guess so… " She agreed with him, started heading back to the portal, before she entered she turned around to him. She blew a kiss to him. ”I'll return in 6 months my love.” Dr Cortex imagined it was a cupid arrow that just struck him right there, he clutched his chest and pretended he had got shot by her. It sure felt like it. Steph shook her head and giggled at him.. He could still make her smile even at the last moment together before she went back. Dr Cortex watched her enter the portal and soon after it closed off. He furrowed his brow and the sorrow took over him.. She was gone.. For now. Only thing he could do for now was to focus on what to do ahead, keep himself busy away from these sweet sorrowing feelings.. And make sure everything is prepared when she returns. He clicked his heels to go up higher into the air and made his way up to top the temple where N.gin waited his airship at. 6 months…That was going to be a long wait. Stay tune for chapter 8 Absence makes the heart grow fonder and Mojo flowing.