Stephen and Di stand together holding hands, looking up at Phil and the JLR who are already in the ute. Jaclyn is in the front passenger seat. Donal, David
*Atichoo* and Jason are in the back. King Registered Member #552 and Brian are in the back tray. Brian is sitting cross-legged with his back facing the others.
Jaclyn: Are you two sure you’re OK to walk home?
Stephen: Certainly. It’s a gorgeous evening. And besides I have to walk off those profiteroles.
Di: She is right. She has to be careful, or she won’t fit in her suit for the wedding…
Stephen: He… Hey!
Di: Oh yes. He. Hee hee.
Jaclyn: Well be careful you two…
Stephen: Thanks Jaclyn, but I think Britannica and Di Bat Pho can take care of themselves…
Phil: I don’t think Jackie was talking about super villain attacks, bro!
Stephen and Di turn red, as the others laugh at Phil’s inane joke. Except…
Brian: …
Phil: OK then. Hold on everyone. [Phil reves the engine] Call me on the mobile if you need picking up on the way OK, Steve?
Stephen: Will do.
Di and Stephen wave goodbye as the others start to drive off and watch as they leave the parking lot.
JLR: The RIGHT!!!
Phil: Oh yeah…
Skreeeech
Phil: Sorry.
The couple watch as their friends disappear into the distance. They turn to each other and kiss. They look into each other’s eyes and smile.
Stephen: You know Di. All joking aside I just want you to know that I consider myself to be one very lucky man.
Di: No. I am a lucky woman.
The couple kiss again.
Stephen: Love you.
Di: Love you too.
Stephen: Love you four.
Di: tee hee. Love you eight.
Stephen: Love you sixteen.
Di: Love you thirty-two.
Stephen: Love you forty-two.
Di: 
That is not right? Thirty-two times two is not forty-two?
Stephen: Ah, that’s because you are my meaning of life, the universe and everything.
They kiss once again.
Di: I still do not understand.
Stephen: It’s a Hitchhiker’s reference. Let me explain…
Stephen offers Di his arm and the two love-birds start to walk back to The Estate of Justice.
-------------------------------------------
An hour later, we find the couple communicating via their telepathic link…
Di: Steve…?
Stephen: Yes my dearest?
Di: I was speaking with Jaclyn while we were shopping earlier today…
Stephen: I’m sure you were…
Di: Why did you not give me an engagement ring?
Stephen: ah… well, the whole engagement thing was a bit rushed wasn’t it? Sorry about that… I meant to make a dash to the jewellery store, but CJ gave birth to a bomb you see…
Di: Speaking of the engagement, my parents are not happy that we did not do the engagement traditional. You are supposed to ask my parents if you can marry me and present them with gifts. My parents are very traditional you know.
Stephen: I’m sure we can still do that. We’ll pop over once we get back to Australia.
Di: But my parents live in Vietnam.
Stephen: I’ll just practice my time/space teleportation ability a bit.
Di: Would you do that for me?
Stephen: You know I’d do anything for you… [an ohnosecond later…]
Di: Sooo…..
Stephen: Ah yes. The engagement ring…
… well…um… times are tough you know…
Di: Why is that?
Stephen: Well, Mr. Misinformation got that library job I applied for when we first arrived in this reality…
Di: and…?
Stephen: and the JLR butter scheme failed because CJ refused to be our “butter-girl” mascot…
Di: and…?
Stephen: and the JLR doesn’t pay very well….
Di:
Stephen: OK. OK. It doesn’t pay at all. But we’ve saved the world… a few times… I think?
Di: It will not look right if I earn more money than my future husband. My parents are very traditional…
Stephen: [under his breath] So I noticed…
Di: I heard that!
Stephen: No. No. You’re right. I should be bringing in some money... I know, perhaps I’ll set up a business called “Phone-a-friend”? I could help out contestants on Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Di: Would it not be better to enter Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Stephen: I tried. They have a “no mutant” policy. Damn discriminatory if you ask me…
Di: Then you will get me a ring?
Stephen: Of course… my precious.
End of Chapter 1…
Coming next week: Chapter 2 - The One Ring
