*We begin back in the boys' apartment. Every one sits in the living room, except for Sach, who is in the kitchen, cooking...or what he thinks is cooking.*

Blinky: (Sniffs) What in the heck is that? Or do I want to know?

Sach: It'll be ready in a minute!

Myron: Ready for what, though?

Danny: Are we going out again tonight?

Duke: Yes, we are.

Danny: *Groans* Great.

Sach: No, we aren't! I haven't set the smoke alarm off yet, have I?

Danny: Not what I meant, Sach, although it's be a great improvement over that smell. *groans*

Duke: *Sighs* Sach, enough with that pot. Take it off the heat and leave it. Dan's nose can't handle that stench.

Sach: Aw, it's just about done, anyway. (He takes it off the burner) Come and get it!

Chuck: Looks like we don't have much choice, now.

Duke: Fine. Everyone get some of...whatever it is.

Danny: I’ll pass.

Blinky: (He makes a face and turns to Sach as the others start loading up their plates) Sach, where in Lower Manhattan did you find octopus?

Sach: How did you know I made seafood soup?

Blinky: I read your mind. (Raises an eyebrow) WHAT kind of fish is in there?

Sach: Oh, all kinds!

Myron: *Considers, then shrugs* Well, it couldn't be worse than my father's cooking. *eats*

Duke: *Shakes his head* I think I'd almost rather have the cream of root beer soup from the other night.

Sach: There wasn't nuthin' wrong with that soup!

Blinky: Cream of root beer? (Turns to Duke) Do we make enough money to hire a cook?

Duke: I wish we did.

Sach: Come on, guys! Eat hearty! (He pulls out a loaf of bread and some butter) How about this for you, Danny?

Danny: That's better.

Duke: You'd better eat something before we go out later.

Danny: *makes a face* Do I have to?

Duke: Yes. We're all in this together.

Sach: I have some plain flounder in the fridge too, Danny, if you want some. No seasoning.

Danny: *Shakes his head* No, thanks, Sach. I don't really have much of an appetite right now.

Duke: You're still coming with us.

Sach: Yeah! It wouldn't be any fun without you! Besides, we might run into Kathy again.

Danny: In the midst of trouble? No way!

Duke: Dammit, Danny, we need your strength! Our fists can only go so far.

Sach: Yeah! And I can only electrocute people so long before I either really hurt them or start burnin' things.

Blinky: And I am not a fists person at all.

Sach: Come on, Danny. Just one more night with us. We're gonna try to reverse this tomorrow, anyway.

Danny: All right, I'll go. But we HAVE to try reversing this tomorrow! If we have to go again tomorrow, I'm not going!

Sach: (He throws his arms around Danny) Thanks! You're a real pal!

Danny: Ooohhh, Sach, you smell like fish!

Sach: Sorry! (Pulls away quickly)

(Fade out as Danny jumps very far away from Sach. Fade in on a small store in Lower Manhattan. It says "McKenna's Jeweler's" on a sign just over the shop. Despite it being late, the lights are still on. Kathy and Rachel head into a large room. The counter in front of them is filled with various small and large necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. A tall man with thinning red-gold hair wearing shirtsleeves and a pair of slouchy pants comes out.)

Man: Hello? And who would be there at this time of... (He smiles when he sees the girls) Kathleen! (He hugs Kathy) How's me little darlin'?

Kathy: Oh, I'm just fine, Uncle Patrick. My friend Rachel and I were in the neighborhood and thought we'd come in to say "hi."

Rachel: *Nods, smiling* Hello, sir.

Uncle Patrick: Aye, it's nice to see both of you. (He grins at Kathy) How's you and that young man of yours? Plannin' any wee babes yet?

Kathy: (Makes a face) We broke up.

*Rachel frowns.*

Uncle Patrick: (Frowns) I'm sorry for that. He seemed like such a nice young fellow.

Kathy: He and two of his pals went overseas and he fell for another girl. A princess.

Rachel: It's a long story.

Uncle Patrick: Well, there are lots of other lads in the sea. (Turns to Rachel) What about you, lass? Do you have yourself a fine laddie?

Rachel: I do.

Uncle Patrick: Is he your husband now, or are you still in the courtin' stage?

Kathy: Uncle, you always did get too personal.

Rachel: Oh, it's okay! We're still dating. *Sighs* I have to admit it's a sad thing between Kathy and Danny. *smiles at her friend* I thought they were a great pair.

Kathy: (Makes a face) So did I. I guess I wasn't royal enough for him.

Rachel: Kath!

Uncle Patrick: You'll find another fine lad. You're a good, strong lassie, and you have many birthin' years ahead of you.

Kathy: I want to make it in show business before I go chasin' a bunch of kids. Don't get me wrong, I like kids, but I want to sing, too.

Uncle Patrick: Your brothers and sister already have eight children between them!

Kathy: And I have enough trouble handlin' their kids when I babysit!

Rachel: Yet you handled Danny well.

Kathy: You just need to know how to talk to him.

Rachel: So why don't you?

Kathy: (Shakes her head) I'm givin' him time to think. Does he want me, or does he want a princess?

Uncle Patrick: If you asked me, he already had a princess.

Rachel: And he came back. He could have stayed there.

Kathy: He has the guys here, and that library job he loves. And he says they found the real king, so there weren't any reason for him to stay.

Rachel: I suppose not. *sighs*

Kathy: (She nods at some of the odder-shaped stones) Those new rocks you have are kind of nifty-lookin', Uncle Patrick. They almost look like they're glowin'.

Uncle Patrick: Aye, that the do, Kathleen darlin'.

Rachel: Oh, wow, they really do!

Kathy: Do you know where they came from?

Uncle Patrick: Now, I ain't too sure. Some fellow came in here, wantin' to sell them to me. Said they were rare and would fetch a nice price from a collector. I'm thinkin' they might be too pretty to break up and set in a ring. Perhaps I'll sell them to a museum.

Kathy: (Nods) That might work. I bet they'd like somethin' that glows like that.

Rachel: *Nods* I'm sure they would!

Uncle Patrick: I really need to get a better security system than hopin' Officer Murphy is down the street. I don't usually sell really fancy gems, but these are unusual. I don't think there's anythin' like them anywhere.

Kathy: I sure ain't seen nuthin' like them.

Rachel: Yeah, they're really gorgeous!

Uncle Patrick: Aye, I wouldn't be surprised if someone took a likin' to them and tried to snatch them.

Man #1: (Three men in non-descript suits walk in) Hiya, bub. We wanna see some rocks.

Uncle Patrick: Aye, good sirs, I have lots of rocks. Would you like to see some genuine cut-quartz, or amethyst rings, or...

Man #1: We wanna see those glowin' rocks over there.

Uncle Patrick: I'm sorry, sir, but there's a sale pending on those. I really can't remove them from the counters...

Man #1: (He and his buddies pull out guns) Ok, pal. You're gonna give us those rocks, or you and these girls are gonna find yourselves fulla lead.

Kathy: (Groans) Not again! What are we, bad-guy magnets or somethin'?

Rachel: This is ridiculous!

(That's when a heavy wind blows the door in and knocks everyone off their feet! A blue light removes the gun from the man's hand and into Duke's hand as the group, now in their uniforms, hurry into the room.)

Duke: Why weren't we invited to the party?

Chuck: We love parties.

Kathy: It's you guys again!

Blinky: (Turns to Uncle Patrick) Sir, we'd appreciate it if you'd call the police.

Uncle Patrick: Aye, laddie. I'll do it right now. (He hurries into the back room)

Man #2: Who are you guys?

Sach: We're (strikes what he thinks looks like a manly pose) the Elemental Men!

Myron: *Grins* More like your worst nightmare.

Danny: *Holds out a hand* Now hand over your guns and no one gets hurt.

Man #2: Nuthin' doin'. (He shoots his gun at Danny; Kathy screams)

*Danny takes the hit, not having time to react. He hits the floor, groaning and still very much alive.*

Chuck: *Growls* That's not nice. *shoots a flame at the man who shot at Danny*

Sach: Da...uh, Strong Man! (He runs to Danny) Are you ok? Speak to me!

Kathy: Oh my god! (She runs to him, too)

Danny: *his eyes are open; winces* Owww. I think that's gonna leave a bruise. I... *sucks in a breath when he notices Kathy hovering over him*

Kathy: A bruise? But...but...he shot you!

Sach: Yeah, hard!

Man #2: (His eyes widen) How...how...

Danny: My strength deflected the bullet. *winces* Ooohh, but it's still sore.

Kathy: You should go home and have someone rub you down really well.

*Danny emits a really weird sound from the back of his throat.*

(Duke blows the three men into a corner. Blinky's blue light yanks them to their feet. Sach ties them with flower garlands.)

Kathy: What? How hard did that guy hit you?

Danny: *Whimpers* Not hard enough.

Sach: (Turns to Danny) The cops are gonna show up any minute. We've gotta get outta here, before people start askin' questions!

Danny: Help me up.

Kathy: (She grins at Danny) I can do that. (She does, with the help of Sach)

Danny: *Ignores Sach; to Kathy* I... heard you... last night.

Kathy: Heard me?

Danny: One of my powers. I can hear...all sorts of things any normal person would have to be on top of to hear, I can hear from blocks away. I heard you...whispering what you were writing...in your diary. I...didn't mean to listen, really. I just...I can't...stop it. I'm sorry.

Kathy: (Shrugs) As long as you don't tell nobody what I wrote.

Danny: *shakes his head; softly* I won't.

Sach: (Whispers to Danny) What DID she write?

*Danny doesn't answer Sach.*

Blinky: (He goes to Danny's other side) Ok Strong Man, we have to get outta here. The cops will arrive any minute, and we don't want to answer questions.

Kathy: Do you have to leave now?

Duke: *Joins them* Yes, we need to go now. *looks pointedly at Danny*

Danny: Kathy...

Duke: NOW! *Pulls Danny away and out of the building*

Kathy: (Makes a face) What was the matter with that guy? I just wanted to talk to Strong Man! (Turns to Rachel) And how about the fire guy? Did he kiss ya again?

*Rachel has a dazed grin. She nods.*

Uncle Patrick: (He comes out of the back room) And sure as day, the police are comin'... (Smiles on seeing the girls' dreamy expression) Well, perhaps there are some lads that catch me Kathleen's eye after all.

Kathy: Uh-huh. That Strong Man. He's so...bullet-proof.

Uncle Patrick: Sure, and it's a good thing, too. Otherwise there'd be nothin' left of the lad. :P

Rachel: *faintly* He has a point...

Kathy: I think he's wonderful. (Raises an eyebrow) Those guys have really familiar voices.

Rachel: They do, don't they?

Kathy: Yeah. Strong Man has familiar legs, too - skinny.

Uncle Patrick: I know I've heard the voices of the tall one an' the smallest one before.

Rachel: There's definitely something odd going on...

Kathy: I wish it wasn't so late. We could try followin' those guys.

Rachel: So it's a little late...

Kathy: Yeah, but the streets of New York ain't the best place for two ladies to be wanderin' around in at midnight.

Uncle Patrick: I was goin' to close up and take you home meself.

Rachel: *Sighs* Well, it was an idea.

*We fade out on the store as the cops arrive. We fade in on the boys' apartment again. Danny is sprawled on the couch, minus his shirt. There's a purple bruise the size of a silver dollar in the middle of his chest.*

Sach: (He's leaning over Danny with a bottle) Aw, come on, Dan! Let me use my new formula on ya! It'll make that bruise go away in no time!

Danny: *Puts a hand out* No! No way, Sach! I don't want anything you've made!

Duke: *Walks over with ice wrapped in a face cloth* Here's some ice for that, Dan. *shakes his head* That bullet sure put a dent in you. I'm glad that's all it did.

Sach: Aw, come on! It'll work a lot faster than ice!

Danny: No! *Gently places the ice on the bruise; gasps loudly* OWWW!!!

Blinky: (Winces) That really doesn't feel very good at all. That gun hit you VERY hard, didn't it?

Danny: *Moves the ice away* Yeah... *Duke pushes the ice back on the bruise, causing Danny to yelp loudly*

Blinky: Danny, do you need pillows to put your chest in an elevated position?

Duke: You might have some bruised ribs. How's your breathing?

Danny: *Tentatively* Okay.

Duke: *Turns to Blinky* What are you getting from him?

Blinky: He's hurting. He's having trouble breathing. (Sighs) But his heart is hurt more than his ribs. He really wanted to talk to Kathy tonight.

Sach: (Makes a face) Those dumb ol' guys with the guns had to get in the way!

*Danny just frowns, turning his face towards the back of the couch.*

Sach: You'll be able to talk to her next time!

Danny: But she won't talk to ME!

Blinky: What if you set up a time to meet her...and Chuck got Rachel to talk her into going?

Sach: Or even brought Rachel to make sure she didn't back down.

Danny: She won't agree to it.

Chuck: What if she doesn't know you'll be there?

Danny: *Turns to them again; he has a deep frown on his face* That might work.

Sach: Yeah! We'll tell her we're havin' a group date or somethin'.

Blinky: Or that there's something going on at Ma's.

Danny: I'll try anything.

Sach: It'll be worth it to see you two happy and together again!

Danny: I hope so.

Blinky: Come on, Romeo. I think we'd all better head off to bed, or at least rest. Chuck's already working on tonight's story.

Chuck: I'm trying to!

Sach: Ok, everyone, off to bed! After all, we need to be wide-awake to get Dan and Kathy back together tomorrow!

Duke: *Pulls the blanket over Danny again* You stay put.

Danny: *Grins* Okay, Dad.

Sach: (Grins on Duke) I kind of like that on you.

Duke: All right, all right.

Blinky: (Stretches and yawns) Night, guys! (He heads for his and Sach's bedroom)

*Myron waves and heads into his and Chuck's room.*

Sach: (Pats Danny on the shoulder) Night, Dan. Sweet dreams!

Danny: Thanks, Sach.

Duke: See you in the morning, Dan. *starts to head out*

Danny: Duke?

Duke: *Turns* All right. I'll stay out here again, but this chair isn't doing my back any favors. Tomorrow night I sleep in my bed, you got me?

Danny: Thank you.

*Duke sighs and turns out the light. We fade out on the darkened room.*