Fanfiction: The Fraggle From Outer Space

Chapter 14

The Fraggle From Outer Space
Chapter 14

“Hahahahahahaaaa!”

“Oh no,” Boober groaned as he sat down on a rock that looked like it was drawn with crayon. “Not now.”

Around him on a dark background were various objects that all resembled things Boober had in his room (laundry hanging on clothes lines, a washtub, rocks, etc.), except they all looked like they were drawn with crayon. This was Boober’s dreamscape, and the voice that was laughing, which was nearly identical to his, was a voice he knew all too well.

“Boober, old buddy, old pal!” the voice greeted with a cheerful bounce in his voice as he slowly appeared in front of Boober, “You sly devil, you!”

He looked almost identical to Boober, except his nose and hair were slightly longer, and he wore a large, colorful, and strange-looking pair of pants and an equally large, colorful and strange-looking hat with brightly colored feathers poking out here and there. This happy-go-lucky and strange-looking fraggle was the fun side of Boober that was always kept on the bottom, otherwise known as Sidebottom.

“What do you want, Sidebottom?”

“Oh, come on, Boober. Lighten up! We’re in love! You should be celebrating! You should be RUSHing over to Goldie and SWEEPing her off her feet. Which shouldn’t be too difficult for you, Boober, since you tend to do a LOT of sweeping.”

“I have no intentions of sweeping her off her feet! What’s so great about this love stuff anyway? I’ve heard stories about this sort of thing! The ones in love always get their lives completely rearranged! I like my life just the way it is! I don’t want anything to change!”

“So you’d rather live with the nagging anguish of being in love by yourself? Are you saying you actually LIKE feeling this way?”

“No, I don’t! I hate this feeling!”

“Well, then DO something about it!”

“She doesn’t even like me!”

“How do YOU know?”

“All I seem to be good at is making her mad, which I’ve done twice already! Who would want that?”

To this Sidebottom gave a quick grin.

“Well, then it’s a good thing you have me to take up the reins for you in these times of need.”

“What? I don’t need your help.”

“Sure you do. You just said so yourself that all you do is make her mad. Let me do the talking, and she’ll surely smile for us. She might even love us.”

“She’s going to think I’m insane!”

“She already thinks you’re insane, but I can help her see that there’s more to you than just your annoying quirks.”

“Quirks? What quirks?”

“Oh, let’s see. She only thinks you’re a germaphobic hypochondriac. Nope, you’re right. What quirks?”

“Germaphobic is not a word!”

“It is to Goldie,” he singsonged, “And that’s what she sees of you! I can change that, and you know it! Do you want her to like you or not?”

“Well, I don’t want her to hate me, if that’s what you mean.”

“You know full well what I mean. You want her to like you. You can’t lie to me, Boober, even by omission. I’m you, remember? There’s nothing you can hide from me.”

“Well...”

Sidebottom then leaned closer to his old buddy, grinning a very wide and hopeful grin.

“Does this mean you’ll let me drive?”

He stood there grinning at Boober as Boober sneered at his goofy counterpart. Then he shook his head and let out a growlish sigh.

“Oh, alright. I’ll let you out, but just for a little while.”

“Yippee! Goddygoodygoody! Oh, thankyouthankyou, THANK you! Don’t you worry about a thing, old Boober, old buddy, old pal. I promise you won’t regret this. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Just don’t go overboard, okay?”

“Oh, where’s the fun in that, huh?”

“Sidebottom!”

“Alright, alright. I won’t go overboard.”

“Thank you.”

“But what do you think I should wear? Would this be alright, or do you think I should go as Doctor Fun? That was a really fun costume, wasn’t it? Oh! Maybe I should go disguised as the Old Gypsy Lady and tell her a love fortune.”

“I’d much rather you not make yourself conspicuous.”

“Oh, fine. I’ll go as you. I’ve gotta tell ya, Boober, it’s gonna make it really difficult for me. Your outfit is SO boring.”

“That’s just the way I like it. Are you going or what?”

“You don’t have to tell me twice. See ya later, Boober! WEEEEEE!”

Sidebottom then held his arms out and flew up, up and out of sight. Boober shook his head and groaned, crossing his arms as his fun side disappeared into the void above.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gobo made his way down the usual tunnels, making his weekly rounds to the room at the border of Outer Space.

He ducked under the low-hanging pipe and walked to the hole at the end of the tunnel. He just short of the hole and hid off to the side as he slowly peeked out to Outer Space.

To his surprise, the two creatures were missing again.

“I wonder if Goldie scared them away,” he thought as he walked in.

He walked down to the end of the workbench where the wastebasket was, only to find that the contents hadn’t changed at all since his last visit, including the lack of postcard from Uncle Matt.

“This is really odd,” he whispered to himself.

Any further thoughts were interrupted as he heard the door being unlocked. He quickly hid himself behind the wastebasket as the door opened and a familiar old silly creature walked in.

“Well, I don’t know what to tell you, Sprocket,” Doc said to his dog, who limped through the door behind him. “I guess you’re just not wolf material.”

“Rawrrr...” he whined, “Mmm, mmm-mmm!”

“Well, I tried to tell you, but you just HAD to pick a fight with those porcupines, didn’t you? Now look at you.”

Sprocket looked himself over, noting all the bandages around his legs, shoulders, and even his mouth. He let out another painful whine as he limped over to his doggy bed. Doc shook his head and went to his workbench to sort through the mail that had accumulated throughout the week, including the small pile he’d left behind before leaving.

“You can whine all you want, Sprocket, but you brought this upon yourself. We were lucky that there was a veterinarian hospital nearby.”

“Awrrrr....” Sighed Sprocket as he dropped his head down on his pillow.

“Now, let’s see here. Bills, catalog, bills, junk mail, another postcard to that Gobo Fraggle person...”

Gobo awaited anxiously as the postcard flew down into the wastebasket. He picked it up and began to walk back to the hole.

Sprocket noticed the little orange fraggle walking away and promptly began barking at him through his bandaged mouth, but then he stopped into another fit of whining, holding his mouth with one of his front paws. Gobo paused only a moment to look back at him. After realizing that he wasn’t going to be chased this time, he casually continued walking away.

“Yes, I know, Sprocket,” Doc replied to his dog’s barking, “We really need to do something about these Fraggle people sending their mail over here. Look at this. There’s even a letter for a Goldie Fraggle now.”

Gobo stopped just short of the fraggle hole when he heard that.

“Goldie?”

“This is just ridiculous, Sprocket,” he said as he tossed the envelope into the wastebasket. “Postcards to Gobo Fraggle and now letters to Goldie Fraggle. What next?”

Gobo hurried back and reached into the basket again, careful not to let the old silly creature see him. He picked up the letter and carefully made his way back. Sprocket could only watch and whine as the strange little furry creature once again got away without the old man noticing his existence. Sprocket let out a disappointed sigh and looked up at Doc.

“I know it hurts, Sprocket,” he said as he walked over to the dog’s bed and knelt down beside him, petting him on the head.

“Listen, the vet said you have to try not to move too much until your wounds have healed. So if you need anything, you just bark, okay?”

Sprocket nodded in response. Doc gave the dog’s head another quick rub and got back up.

“Good boy. Now you just stay there and try to get better.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wembley bounced along, making a strange little grunty sound with each bounce.

“Mm, mm, mm, mm-mm,” He grunted, “Mm, mm-mm, mm-mm. Oh boy! This is gonna be a fun day. Mm, mm-mm, mm-mm, mm-mm.”

“Wembley!” called a happy-sounding voice as a greenish-blue fraggle with bright red hair appeared out of nowhere with an uncharacteristically wide grin adorned on his face, and wrapped an arm around Wembley’s shoulder, “Wembley, Wembley, Wembley, my good buddy, Wembley!”

“Uh hi, Boober. I thought you were in quarantine again.”

“Yes I was, but now I’m out again. Isn’t it great? And you are JUST the fraggle I wanna see.”

“I am?”

“Yessiree, Wembley. Come ‘ere.”

He brought his confused greenish yellow friend closer and whispered in his ear.

“You wanna what?” Wembley replied as the whispering continued. “Uh-huh..... Right..... No kidding..... Huh........ Well, sure I can.”

“Wonderful! I’ll see you later.”

“You can count on me, Boober.”

“I know I can.”

The happy blue fraggle watched as Wembley trotted away to performed his assigned task. Not long after his friend had gone, he turned around and began on his way back to his cave.

“Now for the preparations.”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait...” a voice said from inside his head.

“What? What’s the matter?”

The image of Boober appeared walking beside Sidebottom so they could talk.

“What in the world are you planning, Sidebottom?”

“You’ll see! It’s gonna be wonderful! She’s going to love us after this.”

“I don’t want her to LOVE me! I just want her to LIKE me! Be mildly AMUSED by me! Or even just TOLERATE me! Not LOVE me!”

“Baaaah! Who’re you trying to kid?”

“I don’t kid!”

“Yeah, that’s sort of my job, isn’t it?”

“Sidebottom, I told you NOT to go overboard!”

“And I’m not. Trust me, Boober. When you see this plan come to full fruition, you’re going to thank me. No more bad times. Only good times.”

“Forgive me if I don’t hold my breath.”

“Just leave everything to me, Boober.” He said as they walked into their room. “I am nothing if not the master of fun and amusement.”

Sidebottom picked up a white long sleeve shirt from seemingly nowhere and put it on.

“Wha—wuh--!” Boober stuttered, “What is this?”

“Getting myself ready. It is said that a lady prefers a guy with class.”

“You? Class? HA! Don’t make me laugh.”

Sidebottom threw a grin in Boober’s direction as he continued dolling himself up.

(Sidebottom)

Come hand me my cuff links.

(Boober)

“I don’t own any cuff links.”

(Sidebottom)

And straighten my tie.

(Boober)

“You’re not WEARING a tie!”

(Sidebottom)

Just drench me in rich cologne,

And don’t ask me why.

(Boober)

“What? No!”

(Sidebottom)

Go on and pluck me a boutonniere.

(Boober)

“Ugh, this is ridiculous...”

(Sidebottom)

We’re moving up and walking on air.

(Boober)

“Would you please stop singing?”

(Sidebottom)

Stepping out with a star and feeling high.

Sidebottom danced around the room as Boober frantically tried to figure out what was going through his head, and also wondering why he knew nothing about it since they shared the same head.

(Sidebottom)

We’ll get her some flowers.

(Boober)

“Flowers?”

(Sidebottom)

Let’s swipe a guitar.

(Boober)

“Uh, let’s not.”

(Sidebottom)

Gonna sweep ‘er right off her feet

Wherever we are.

(Boober)

“I told you, I don’t want that!”

(Sidebottom)

Satin collar and velvet vest.

Never settle for second best.

Stepping out with a star,

Sad times, Bye-bye!

(Boober)

“Ugh!”

(Sidebottom) (“Boober”)

Have I got class? (“Oh, please don’t ask.”)

Have I got taste? (“This is a waste!”)

On someone else, I swear,

This savoir faire

Would be such a waste.

“Savoir faire.....” Boober said with a sneer, “Right.”
“You could have it if you gave it a shot.”
“Yes, but I don’t want to give it a shot! Sidebottom, this is precisely what I mean by going overboard!”
“Oh, lighten up a bit, will you?”

(Sidebottom)

Come toss me my top hat.

(Boober)

“Sidebottom!”

(Sidebottom)

I’m ready to fly.

(Boober)

“Well, I’m not!”

(Sidebottom)

Busting into the upper crust

As easy as pie.

(Boober)

“Upper crust of what?”

(Sidebottom)

Just watch your dreams come true.

(Boober)

“What dreams?”

(Sidebottom)

This is something we were born to do.

(Boober)

“What is?”

(Sidebottom)

Stepping out with a star

That star is you.

“What the--?” Boober yelped as Sidebottom grabbed his hands and began dancing with him, “Sidebottom! Wha--? Stop it!”
“Girls like a guy who can dance, Boober!” he said as he continued dancing, “Now let’s boogie!”
“I don’t want to boogie! Let me go!”

(Sidebottom) (“Boober”)

Have I got style? (“I don’t beguile...”)

Have I got chic? (“She’ll think I’m a freak.”)

To think that you and me

Were nobody

Why, only last week.

“I’m perfectly content with being a nobody.”

(Sidebottom)

Take a walk on the wild side.

(Boober)

“What?”

(Sidebottom)

Get ready to fly.

(Boober)

“No!”

(Sidebottom)

Opportunity knocks but once

Don’t let it go by.

(Boober)

“Ugh, Sidebottom, PLEASE!”

(Sidebottom) (“Boober”)

I’ll make your dreams come true.

This is something I was born to do.

Stepping out with a star, bye bad times. (“Wha—But... Ugh!”)

Stepping out with a star, hey good times. (“Oh, I give up!”)

Stepping out with a star and feeling hiiiiiiiiiiigh.

Sidebottom set himself up in front of a mirror and adjusted his duds. He was wearing a fine sharp suit with a large yellow polka-dot tie.

“So,” he said to Boober, “How do we look?”

Boober shook his head and walked up beside him to look in the mirror. He was shocked to find that he was somehow wearing the same outfit. He looked back and forth between the two in the reflection.

“Which one are you?”

“The one on the right, I think.”

“Remove the tie.”

“You don’t like it?”

“It’s just not me. None of this is. And it’s not you, either. In fact, you don’t look like either of us. That’s a very scary thought, that there’s a look that doesn’t look like either of us.”

“You know what? You’re right.”

He reached down and literally tore off his suit, leaving on Boober’s trademark hat and scarf. Boober sneered at his alter ego’s antics.

“You only did all that to irk me, didn’t you?”

“I just love messing with your head, Boober. You make it so easy.”

“So what’s your REAL plan?”

“You’ll see.”

“Sidebottom...”

“Don’t worry, Boober! I promised you I wouldn’t go overboard, and I always keep my promises.”

“And that whole business with Wembley?”

“All part of the plan. Trust me.”

“Alright...” Boober said with reluctance, “I’ll trust you.”

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Song Credits:
- Steppin’ Out With A Star—From “The Great Muppet Caper”, Lyrics slightly altered

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Oh God, that was so unfair ...I'm having bad allergy problems ... I just can't laugh this hard ... erk!


...

*dies*

...

*speaks from beyond the grave* That had to be the FUNNIEST version of Kermit's song...

Oh, how could you not love anything where Sidebottom is involved? He and Boober just work so well together, as well they should, living inside each others' heads and all. I love the way SB keeps referring to Boober as "us". Sort of works to enforce the bond between them. Did he ever do that in the show?
I'd also like to take this moment to partially describe my schedule to you. Don't know why I didn't say this sooner, as the term is almost over, but anyway. On Monday evenings, which is when you post most of your chapters, I have Spanish class. It isn't an especially hard or unpleasant class for me, but I'm still glad when it's over. I love the fact that I can always count on the treat of a nice long and fun chapter when I get home!

But I know that sometimes you decide to post intermitant chapters,
so in the hopes of that...

More please!

I think I might be in trouble. At least for the time being.
I've managed to hit a writer's wall, so the chapter will not be finished in time to upload this week.

Because of this writer's block, I'll be taking a break this week and take the opportunity to finish up some art I've had sitting in the back burner. And I will hope that somewhere in that time my muse will smack me hard enough for me to be able to continue writing.

Muse: "Hey!" *smacks me with an I-beam* "Keep writing!" D=<
Me: "Owie! Ok! Ok!" ><

I know! I know I know I know! I JUST knocked the writer's wall down and I think I've got my groove back.
Hopefully I'll have the chapter up by this coming Monday. DX

This Fraggle fic is awesome and well-written. Kudos GD.

Finaly, an update... =P

The Fraggle From Outer Space
Chapter 15

“Thank you SO much for agreeing to pose for me, Goldie. I’ve just been so inspired today, I just have to get this out.”

Goldie was lying on Red’s hammock with her legs crossed and her hands behind her head. Mokey stood a few feet away with a canvas in front of her and a paintbrush in her hand. On this canvas she painted Goldie on the hammock. Behind her was another canvas that she was painting on using her tail as a brush, on which was appearing a picture of her plant, Lanford.

“No problem, Mokey. I didn’t really have anything better to do. Doesn’t help that I’m still really full from all those doozer constructions I knocked down today.”

“Oh, I know. I still can’t believe you ate so many. I’ll bet the doozers were pretty pleased, though.”

“I wouldn’t know. I didn’t see any. How are you able to do two paintings at the same time?"

“It’s simple. I have so many ideas in my head, I couldn’t possibly do them all one at a time.”

Goldie didn’t respond to that. In a way it made sense, but at the same time it didn’t. She looked off to the side at Lanford, who seemed to be glaring holes into her from its pot at the other side of the room, which was strange because it didn’t have any eyes to glare with.

“And what’s YOUR problem?"

Lanford growled at her.

“Yeah, same to you!"

“Lanford!"

The plant’s nasty stare disappeared at the sound of its name as it looked over to its owner, letting out an inquisitive purr.

“You be nice!"

It lowered its head to the rock its pot was sitting on, purring sadly. When Mokey took her gaze back to her painting, Lanford looked back at Goldie and quickly stuck its tongue out at her. And Goldie replied by sticking her tongue out at him, which somehow seemed to satisfy the both of them for the moment.

“Sorry about that, Goldie. I don’t know why Lanford’s so uncomfortable around you. He’s usually so friendly. Well... Red doesn’t get along with Lanford that well, either.”

“It’s alright, Mokey. Maybe he just doesn’t like yellow fraggles.”

“Well, that’s a silly reason to not like someone.”

“Tell that to some of the humans in Outer Space.”

“They don’t get along because of what color they are?"

“A lot of them. And that’s just one of the reasons they don’t get along with each other.”

“Well, why don’t they? I mean it’s so easy to just accept a person for what they are and move on.”

“Apparently, it’s not that simple for them. One of a lot of things that makes me glad I’m not one of them.”

“It’s so strange. When Gobo’s Uncle Traveling Matt writes about the silly creatures in Outer Space, it’s always something nice and silly.”

“That’s because he’s blessed with the inability to see any of the awful things in Outer Space. He doesn’t know it like I do, so all he sees is the wonder and the excitement.”

“Oh... I see.”

“Don’t get me wrong, though. Not all humans are like that. My grandparents, for example. They love me for who I am, and they don’t really care WHAT I am. They always supported me in anything I wanted to do, even after I made my decision to leave home and come here.”

“It must’ve been so hard for you to leave such a caring family behind.”

“Yeah...”

Goldie’s mind trailed off to her grandparents, to their nice comfy house. She wondered what they were doing at this very moment.

Mokey noted the distant look on Goldie’s face.

“Goldie?"

“Hm?"

“Do you like it here in Fraggle Rock?"

“Yeah, I love it here. I’ve made so many wonderful new friends; I can’t even count them all. And I’ve even learned a lot about myself and why I am the way I am. I think coming here was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

“Well, that’s good at least.”

Mokey continued her paintings for a moment until another question crossed her mind.

“Say, Goldie.”

“Yeah?"

“What do you think of Boober?"

“What?" Goldie replied in confusion at the sudden change of topic.

“You know, Boober. What do you think of him?"

“I think he’s a weirdo.”

“Oh? What makes you say that?"

“I dunno. One minute he seems like a really nice guy, and the next he’s all crazy. Like today, he was hiding in his room again, babbling about how he was dying of some horrible disease.”

Mokey bit her lip so she wouldn’t tell Goldie the truth about Boober’s so-called illness. She remembered she’d promised Boober she wouldn’t tell her and that she’d let Boober do it. It was apparent that he hadn’t done so yet.

“I could tell there was something else going on with him, but he wouldn’t tell me what. It made me so mad, I had to go and vent my anger before something regrettable happened.”

“Oh, so THAT’S why you were tearing at those doozer constructions.”

“Yeah... Hey, are you done with that painting yet?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hey, has anyone seen Goldie?" called Gobo as he entered the Great Hall.

His question was followed by a series of no’s and head shakes from most of the other fraggles in the room. Gobo then walked over to the pond, where Red was getting ready to make her jump from high on one of the taller rocks.

“Hey, Red. Ya got a minute?"

“Can’t talk now, Gobo," she said plainly as she started her stretches, “I’m way too busy right now.”

“Tryin’ to break the splash record again, eh?"

“You betcha.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little silly to try and beat a record you already beat?"

“What, and let my guard down while somebody else tries and take it? I think not!"

“Suit yerself.”

“Alright, you ready, Lou?" Red called to the lavender fraggle taking notes below.

“Yup!" she called back “Ready to go, Red!"

“Okay, here I go!" she called and made a back flip off the rock, “WOOHOO!"

She curled into a tight cannonball and spun wildly as she hit the water, creating a huge splash that sent water through most of the Great Hall. Fortunately, Gobo had the letter and postcard safely put away in his vest pocket before the splash hit him. He shook himself dry as Red came swimming up to the edge of the pond.

“Did you see that, Gobo? I’ll bet that was the record-breaker! What was the score on that one, Lou?"

“You made a perfect barrel-roll cannonball, Red.”

“I already know the technique I used. What was the score on the splash? Did I beat the record or what?"

“Nope, you were just two inches short of the record. Sorry, Red.”

“No problem. All I gotta do is try again.”

“Uh, this was your tenth attempt, Red," Lou pointed out, “I think maybe you should take a break before making your next one.”

“Good idea," Red replied as she climbed out of the pond and dried herself with a towel Lou handed to her. “I need to be perfectly focused if I’m gonna beat that record. I’ll see you in a few minutes, Lou.”

“Roger," she replied with a salute as she set her notes down and walked away.

“So what was it you wanted to talk to me about, Gobo?" Red said as she finished toweling herself.

“I went to Outer Space to pick up my postcard today.”

“Well, that’s nothing new. You go EVERY week.”

“Yeah, but this week I also found a letter for Goldie. I didn’t see her in her room, so I was wondering if you’ve seen her around.”

“Nope. Sorry, Gobo. Haven’t seen her all day.”

“Haven’t seen who all day?" Mokey asked as she walked in.

“Hey, Mokey," Gobo greeted, “I’ve got a letter here for Goldie. Have you seen her?"

“She was just in my room with me a few minutes ago.”

“Any idea where she is now?"

“Sorry, Gobo. I haven’t a clue.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just leave this in her room for her to find later then," he said as he started walking past the girls and out of the Great Hall, “Thanks anyway. I’ll catch ya later, eh. Hey, maybe I’ll come back and break yer record for you, Red.”

“Ha! Not if I beat it first! Come on, Mokey, pick up Lou’s notes real quick.”

“Okay, Red.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So where are you taking me, Wembley?"

“Oh, you’re really gonna love it, Goldie. It’s real pretty there. Lotsa pretty lights. And the acoustics aren’t too bad, either.”

Wembley was taking Goldie to Firefly Cavern, a place which served as an alternative gathering place for the fraggles for when they decide not to gather in the Great Hall. Sidebottom, posing as Boober, had sent Wembley on a series of errands, the last of which was to bring Goldie to the cavern.

“So I guess it’s a good place to make music, huh?"

“Oh yeah, definitely. Just wait and see. You’ll love it. Oh boy, there it is! Come on!"

Wembley broke into a run as they arrived at the cavern, and Goldie followed close behind. To Goldie’s surprise, the cavern was actually quite dark. She stopped for a moment as Wembley kept running to the far end of the room. Confused, Goldie looked around the room trying to figure out why the place was called Firefly Cavern if there weren’t any lights. And then she realized that Wembley had disappeared into the darkness.

“Wembley?" She called. “Hello?"

“Hit it!" Wembley yelled and then began a beat on the bongo drums he had laid in front of him.

Then a spotlight appeared ahead, shining on a fraggle that Goldie thought resembled Boober, only he was wearing a poofy white shirt with frills at the sleeves and neck, and he had a pair of maracas in his hands and a wide smile on his face.

“Ugh, how did I let you talk me into this?" the image of Boober asked as Sidebottom flaunted his newest costume. “This isn’t going to work.”

“Trust me, Boober," Sidebottom replied to him in thought, “You’ll thank me for this.”

“Hahh," Boober sighed and covered his eyes, “I can’t bear to watch.”

Then the sound of bongo drums and trumpets began to play as Sidebottom began to dance with his maracas. Goldie couldn’t help but laugh at this as the fraggle she assumed to be Boober began to sing.

(Sidebottom)

They call me Cuban Pete.

I’m the king of the rumba beat.

When I play the maracas I go

Chick Chicky-boom, Chick Chicky-boom.

As he continued singing and dancing, he slowly made his way towards Goldie, who just chuckled at him as she crossed her arms and watched him perform.

Yes sir, I’m Cuban Pete.

I’m the craze of my native street.

When I start to dance everything goes

Chich chicky-boom, Chick Chicky-boom.

The senoritas, they sing and how they swing with this rumbero
It's very nice, so full of spice
And when they're dancin they bring a happy ring the maraquero
Singin a song, all the day long

So if you like the beat
Take a lesson from Cuban Pete,
And I'll teach you to Chick Chicky-boom,

Chick Chicky-boom, Chick Chicky-boom

Sidebottom tossed his maracas aside, took Goldie by the hand, and swung her around to start dancing with her.

“Woah, Boober!" she laughed as she was caught in the dance, “What’s all this?"

“What, you don’t like to dance?"

“No, I love to dance.”

“Perfect.”

(Sidebottom)
Si, señorita, I know that you will like the chicky boom chick
It’s very nice, so full of spice.
I'll place my hand on your hip and if you will just give me your hand

Then we shall try, just you and I.

So if you like the beat

Take a lesson from Cuban Pete

And I'll teach you to Chick chicky boom,

Chick Chicky-boom, Chick Chicky-boom

As Sidebottom continued their dance to the beat of the music, Goldie watched him carefully. She knew that he had to be Boober, but she could feel there was something else going on.

“So what’s going on here, Boober?"

“I just wanted to make up for how I acted earlier. Is that so wrong?"

“No I guess not," she chuckled and then paused for a moment. “But I can’t help but feel like there’s more to it than that.”

At that instant, time seemed to slow to a crawl as the image of Sidebottom stepped out of Boober’s body and walked around behind Boober’s image.

“That’s your cue, Boober. Break a leg.”

“Wait! Wha--?" Boober protested as Sidebottom pushed him to his body “Sidebottom, wait! Stop! No!"

Boober shook off the rush of being shoved back into his own body. Goldie tilted her head in confusion as the dance suddenly stopped, though the music still kept playing. Then Boober realized the position he was in and quickly took a couple steps back away from Goldie.

“I’m sorry," he said, “This was all too weird. I... This wasn’t...”

“Boober, what’s going on with you?"

“It’s just that.... Well....”

“Tell her you wanted to make up for being a jerk earlier!" Sidebottom whispered from behind him.

“Oh, you be quiet!"

“Who are you telling to be quiet?" Goldie

“What! No! Not you! Somebody else! It’s uh.... The music. Yeah! Stop the music, Wembley! Be quiet!"

The cave creatures that were playing the trumpets quickly ended their music while Wembley stopped beating on his drums.

“Uh, okay, Boober," Wembley replied nervously as he picked up his bongos and left. “I guess I’ll just be going then.”

After Wembley and the cave creatures were gone, Boober looked at Goldie, who had the most perplexed look on her face he’d ever seen. He let out a sigh and shook his head.

“Look, Goldie, I... I don’t like making you mad. I... I know I can be a little... eccentric at times, and I can’t help the things I’m afraid of, but.......... the truth is...... I like you. I don’t want you to hate me.”

This caught Goldie completely off guard. She didn’t know what to say to that.

“All of this...” he continued, looking around the room and pointing to the firefly lights, “Was mostly to make up for what happened earlier. I just wanted you to see something of me besides a.... a germaphobic hypochondriac.”

Goldie smiled as he finished speaking. She stepped up to him and took his hand, clasping it with both her hands.

“I don’t hate you, Boober.”

“You don’t?"

She shook her head.

“You didn’t have to do all this just to apologize. I’d already forgiven you long before I was brought here.”

“You had?"

She nodded.

“You’re a really nice fraggle, Boober.... in spite of your little eccentricities.”

“Eh heh-heh.”

“And for the record, I like you, too.”

Boober let out a gasp as his face suddenly turned as red as his hair. His heart began racing and his knees grew weak. It was right then that Boober finally figured out what Mokey was talking about. But then he wildly shook his head to snap himself out of it.

“No! Nonononono!" he sputtered and started to run away.

“Oh, no you don’t!" Goldie yelled and grabbed his tail so he couldn’t go anywhere.

“I can’t do this, Goldie!" he yelled back, “I’m not ready for it!"

“Ready for what?"

“When two fraggles fall in love with each other, they sing the Song of the Forever Promise, and then their lives get completely turned around! I’m not ready for that yet!"

Goldie blinked at Boober for a moment, trying to figure out what he meant. Then something clicked in her head, and she knew exactly what the problem was.

“So you’re afraid of getting married," she smiled.

“Getting what?"

“When two humans are in love with each other--”

“Humans?"

“Er, Silly Creatures. When they love each other enough, they get married. They promise to live together and stay together forever.”

“Yes, that’s exactly it. I don’t want that yet.”

“But you do like me, right?"

Boober hung his head, not really wanting to answer the question.

“Yes. Very much so.”

Goldie smiled and released her grip on his tail.

“When two humans fall in love, they first do this thing called ‘going steady’.”

“Going steady?"

“Humans don’t get married right when they fall in love. They go steady first. Spend some time to really get to know each other before they make the promise and move in together.”

This idea sparked Boober’s interest. He was wide-eyed with amazement at the sheer brilliance of the idea.

“So nothing has to change?"

“Nope, nothing," Goldie answered, “I don’t want to get married yet, either. So maybe you would like to go steady with me instead?"

Boober hopped closer to Goldie and took her hands in his.

“Are you kidding? I’d love to! That is the most ingenious concept I’ve ever heard! And it was invented by Silly Creatures!"

Goldie giggled. This was the happiest she’d seen Boober since she arrived, and she found it absolutely charming.

“Hey, let’s go back to my cave," Boober suggested as the two started walking, “I’ll whip up my famous Radish Soufflé.”

“You can cook?"

“Cooking happens to be my expertise. That and laundry.”

“Of course," she laughed.

“What’s so funny?"

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“I’m serious. Cooking and laundry are my areas of expertise.”

Goldie decided to leave that topic where it was. She looked to Boober, who couldn’t keep his eyes off her. The instant their eyes met, he blushed and looked away. She grinned as a thought suddenly occurred to her.

“So all that talk of you thinking you were dying," she said, “It was actually these feelings, wasn’t it? You just didn’t know what it was.”

“Ngh!"

Goldie laughed at his sudden tenseness.

“You know what, Boober? You’re a dork.”

“Is... Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Goldie just busted up laughing, realizing that Boober didn’t know what a dork was. She placed an arm over his shoulder.

“Never mind, Boober. Let’s just get to your place.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Song Credits:
- Cuban Pete—by Desi Arnaz, shortened version

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Hm, didn't know Desi wrote that song....

*bows* I humbly bow before the most inspired moment of my life. That's the song Loki/Mask played in the Mask movie at the club, if I recall. Now that I think about it, Sidebottom IS like the Mask!

Just without a mask, of course.

At the risk of exposing my sheer dorkiness, the Mask sang it to avoid getting arrested. =P
He got surrounded by cops and then sang this and got all the cops to dance, and then he got away. =P
But it was originally performed by Desi Arnaz in an episode of I Love Lucy. =)
It was a really funny episode, too. You can find it on YouTube if you care enough to look. ^_^

Heck, you could probably find The Mask on youtube as well.

Grr... you're right. *slithers away* Never mind.

Exposing inner dorkness is fun, though!

Late post, sorry! =P

The Fraggle From Outer Space
Chapter 16

The following morning, Boober was on Cloud Nine. He walked along the tunnels with an air of absolute bliss. The smaller cave creatures could sense this from their cracks and crevices in the rock and joined in his jubilation.

(Cave Creatures)

La-da-da-dum. Gachung. Gachung. Gachung.

La-da-da-dum. Gachung. Gachung. Gachung.

(Boober)

I care for you.

It’s kinda magical. It just takes two.

(Cave Creatures)

Gachung-Gachung, Chung.

(Boober)

To share with you.

I’d like to show you by the little things I do.

(Cave Creatures)

Ca-ching!

(Boober)

It warms my heart

(Waaaaaaaaa...)

To think

(Aaaaaa.....)

That you might feel like sharing too.

(......aaaaaa, feel like sharing too.)

That’s what it’s all about,

Because I care for you.

(Cave Creatures)

Gachung. Gachung. Gachung.

La-da-da-dum. Gachung. Gachung. Gachung.

Chung-Gachung.

(Boober)

It isn’t so hard.

All you have to do is try.

(Cave Creatures)

Gachung-Gachung, Waaaaa...

(Boober)

When you make the first move,

(Aaaaaaaaaaa...)

You’ll see...

(Boober and Cave Creatures)

Good things usually multiply.

(Cave Creatures)

Waaaaa...

(Boober)

Somehow it all works.

(Aaaaaaa-aaaa...)

No, it’s really not so rare.

(Boober and Cave Creatures)

Give a little here.

Give a little there.

No, it doesn’t take much,

To show you care.

I care for you.

It’s kinda magical. It just takes two.

(Cave Creatures)

Gachung-Gachung, Chung.

(Boober and Cave Creatures)

To share with you.

I’d like to show you by the little things I do.

(Cave Creatures)

Ca-ching!

(Boober and Cave Creatures)

It warms my heart

To think

That you might feel like sharing too. (Woo-oo)

That’s what it’s all about,

Because I care for you.

(Cave Creatures)

Gachung. Gachung. Gachung.

La-da-da-dum. Gachung. Gachung. Gachung.

La la la Waaaaaaaaaaa....

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goldie was busy brushing her hair after having just woken up. As she brushed, she recollected the events of the night before.
She was still having trouble believing that it actually happened.

“I wonder what he’s doing right now,” she wondered in thought and then laughed. “Probably still cleaning up the mess from that soufflé. Boy, was that a messy explosion. At least it still tasted good.”

When she finished brushing her hair and put her brush down, she noticed something new on the table beside the suitcase.

“What’s this?” she asked as she picked up the envelope that Gobo had placed there the day before.

“A letter?”

She opened the envelope and pulled out the folded piece of paper enclosed. She began to read it, and as she did, slowly she started to feel as if her heart had lodged itself in her throat.

“Oh no... Oh no no no... Oh no... Oh, what do I do? What am I gonna do?”

Clutching the letter in her hand, she sprinted out the doorway towards the one place she knew she could go to look for answers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Mokey!”

“AH!”

Mokey sprang up in her bed as she was suddenly awakened by Boober yelling in her ear.

“Mokey! Wake up!”

Once the adrenaline rush finally ended, she turned to Boober as calmly as she could while trying her hardest not to appear upset by the rude awakening.

“Yes, Boober. What is it?”

“Mokey, you were right! I confessed my feelings to Goldie, and she feels the same way! Now I feel wonderful! For once in my life, I feel nothing but absolute joy!”

“You see? I told you you would.”

“I have you to thank for this, Mokey, so I figured you should be the first to know about it.”

“Well, thank you, Boober. And congratulations.”

“Thank you, Mokey. Oh, I have to go. I’m gonna make a special lunch for Goldie, and I need my kitchen in tip top shape if I’m gonna do it. I’ll see you later, Mokey!”

And with that he left just as suddenly as he entered. Red, who had been awake for the entire conversation, turned her drowsy head towards Mokey.

“So it’s Goldie, huh?”

“Yes, it is. Oh, Red, isn’t it wonderful? Boober has finally found something to be happy about.”

“Did he sing the Song of the Forever Promise yet?”

“Oh, he left so quickly, I didn’t get the chance to ask.”

“That would really be something if out of all of us, Boober winds up singing that song first.”

“Aren’t you happy for him?”

“Sure I am, Mokey. I couldn’t be happier that he’s found something to distract himself from his thoughts of impending doom. It’s really funny, if you think about it. I mean this is Mr. ‘Fun Leads To Catastrophe’ we’re talking about here. Don’t you find it a little ironic that HE’D be the one to sing the Song of the Forever Promise first?”

“True love comes from strange places, Red. And it comes when you least expect it.”

“Tell me about it.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Goldie stood by the gap in the stone wall, staring out to the garden and the castle beyond it. She swallowed hard as she debated to herself whether or not she was going to cross. The letter in her hand was beginning to wrinkle as she kept a firm grip on it with both hands.

The gorgs were nowhere to be seen at the moment, but she knew that at any moment, one could walk out of the castle and spot her. She knew she had to be cautious if she was going to make it to the Trash Heap.

“I can do this...” she said to herself. “I can do this. One... Two...”

She took a deep breath and made a mad dash across the garden, past the oversized radishes all the way to the other side, where the Trash Heap and her companions were waiting.

“Well, hello, little Fraggle,” the Trash Heap greeted as Goldie ran up. “My goodness, child! You look as if you were running from a poison cackler.”

“I might as well have been,” Goldie panted, “Whatever a poison cackler is. But I had to come here. I need your advice.”

“That’s what I’m here for, child. What seems to be the problem?”

“Well, I got a letter from my grandpa back home,” she said as she pulled out the folded letter, “And he says that my grandma fell down the stairs and now she’s in the hospital.”

“Oh my,” said the Trash Heap.

“Psst! What’s a hospital?” Gunge whispered behind Marjory to Philo, who replied by shrugging his shoulders.

“Beats the heck outta me.” he whispered back.

“She’s in bad shape, too,” Goldie continued, hanging her head. “Grandpa doesn’t make a lot of money, so I know he can’t afford to take time off work to take care of her.”

“I see,” the Trash Heap replied.

“Psst! What’s a money?” Philo whispered to Gunge.

“Who knows?” Gunge whispered back.

“They don’t have any friends or relatives nearby,” Goldie continued, “So if Grandpa can’t get off work, there’s nobody to take care of Grandma.”

“Quite the dilemma indeed. And what do you intend to do about it?”

“Well, that’s just it. I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I know I should probably go back home and help take care of Grandma, but...”

“But you do not wish to leave all the new friends you’ve made here,” The Trash Heap finished the sentence that Goldie had paused.

Goldie hung her head.

“Yes...” she replied sadly.

“And what does your heart say, child?” asked the Trash Heap.

“It's saying way too much right now,” said Goldie with a sigh. “Part of it is saying I should go back and help Grandma and Grandpa, but the other part is saying to stay here at Fraggle Rock... but how can I just pick between the two...?”

“And therein lies the curse of having a heart,” said the Trash Heap kindly. “During our lives we experience joys beyond our imagination, but in order to appreciate that joy, we must also experience sorrows as well. How we move in regard to these events define who we are...”

“Well.... Do you have any suggestions?”

“You’ve already heard what the voices in your heart are telling you. What you need to do is listen for which voice is speaking the loudest.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean, young fraggle, is that you have to decide which solution is most prominent in your heart’s perspective,” explained the Trash Heap. “Listen closely to what your heart is telling you and allow yourself to act on whichever sounds loudest.”

“Yeah, like how sometimes Gunge's stomach takes charge of his body more than his brain,” said Philo with a sneer.

“Hey!” said Gunge, flailing his arms in the air. “You're a fine one to talk!”

“Boys, that’s enough,” said the Trash Heap, silencing the two rodents. “Goldie, close your eyes. Think about your friends and your family.”

Goldie did as the Trash Heap said. She could hear her heart crying out in somber beats. She thought of her friends and of her grandparents. She thought of how her grandparents had taken care of her until the day she left for Fraggle Rock. She thought of how her new friends had shown her around her new home. And then she thought about everything that happened between her and Boober. It was impossible to choose.

“They sound the same...” Goldie whispered.

“Listen closer,” she heard the Trash Heap say.

Goldie thought back to her words from before in regard to her grandparents. There would be no one to take care of Grandma if Grandpa couldn't get off work. What if she fell again...? What if she...?

Goldie then thought to what her friends would be losing. They would lose Goldie, but she could always write to them. They could always have fun without her and tell her all about it when she got back... if she got back... and Boober, he would lose being able to see Goldie's smile everyday. Tears started streaming down her saffron colored cheeks.

“Thank you, Madame Trash Heap,” said Goldie in between sniffles.

“You've decided then...?” asked the Trash Heap. Goldie nodded.

“Yes,” said Goldie. “I'm going back to my grandparents. They need me, and despite how much it hurts to leave, I can't be selfish. They took such good care of me, I have to return the favor.”

“Very well...” said the Trash Heap. “If that is what you think if best. I look forward to the days we can speak again, dear.”

“Thank you,” said Goldie. “Madame Trash Heap, Philo, Gunge, thanks for everything... Goodbye for now...!”

“Have a safe journey, young one, and don’t forget everything you’ve learned here.”

“The Trash Heap has spoken,” Philo and Gunge said softly.

Goldie gave a quick nod as she turned and ran off. The three of them watched.

“She ain’t actually gonna leave,” Philo said after Goldie was gone, “Is she, Marjory?”

“It was her own decision. She’ll see for herself if the path she chose was the correct one.”

“And which one WAS the correct one, Marjory?” Gunge asked.

“There wasn’t one. It’s just one of those things where you have to pick which one will make you suffer the least. It’s a real shame.”

“Yeah, no kiddin’,” Philo agreed, “Say, you think we shoulda told her dat the Gorgs weren’t home today?”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Song Credits:
- I Care For You—from “Care Bears: The Movie II”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Poor Goldie. Welcome to Rock and Hard Place Town. Population = you.

...

Boober should go with her. Maybe Fraggle recipies/medicines would work well on Silly Creatures....

Worry not, citizens, for I am not dead!
Nor is this fic!
I am still writing it! Don't you worry your impatient little heads about it!
It's just coming along a lot slower than it started at. >.>
But I WILL finish this fic! There WILL be an ending to it!
I can promise you that!
*flees to continue writing*

Chapter 17

The Fraggle From Outer Space
Chapter 17

It was late afternoon in Fraggle Rock, and Goldie was waiting impatiently in Boober's room, suitcase in hand. She really wasn't looking forward to what she was going to have to tell him when he finally returned from wherever it was he went.

“What am I going to tell him?” she asked herself with a sigh, “What CAN I tell him? There's just no easy way to say it.”

“I'm sorry I'm so late, Goldie,” Boober said as he entered the room, carrying a large stack of plates, all filled with different sorts of foods. “You would not believe the sorts of things one has to go through to get the ingredients they're looking for.”

One by one, he placed the plates neatly on the table between them. He didn't even seem to notice the suitcase in Goldie's hands as he carefully set each dish in its place.

“Take this Cucumber-Minkleberry Paté, for example,” he began, picking up the plate of paté and pointing to it with his free hand.

“Boober...”

“It's incredibly difficult to find cucumber-minkleberries this time of year.”

“Boober.”

“And once you do find them, I have to make sure not to pick Bonkleberries by mistake. Wembley's horribly allergic to Bonkleberries, so I try to avoid them in my cooking as much as possible. And also--”

“BOOBER!”

He nearly dropped his plate as Goldie's bellow halted his train of thought.

“What?” he asked innocently, “What is it?”

Goldie glared at him for a good long moment, her expression slowly morphing to one of sadness.

“Goldie?” Boober said as he put the plate down and stepped around the table to her, “What's wr--?”

His question was halted when he finally noticed the suitcase. He looked up at Goldie, then back down to the suitcase, and then up at Goldie again.

“What's going on?”

“Boober,” she started, looking away from him for the moment, “I have to leave.”

“You're...” he stammered, “You're leaving? But... Buh-b-b-but why? Why are you leaving? Did I do something wrong? Can I fix it?”

“No, you didn't do anything wrong. I'm needed back home. I'm leaving tonight.”

“Home? No! Fraggle Rock is your home! Outer Space is for Silly Creatures! You are not a Silly Creature!”

“Boober, please! My family needs me!”

“I need you!”

They were yelling at each other nose to nose at this point. There was a long and smoldering pause in between them after that. Goldie couldn't think of anything else she could say to him, and Boober was still trying to figure out what was happening. He felt like someone had taken a wrench to his heart and twisted it tight.

Slowly, they separated noses and stepped away from each other.

“Boober...”

“No,” he said with a dull and oddly calm tone, “If you want to go, then go. There's the door.”

“Boober, it's not--”

“It's obvious that you'd be happier with your family in Outer Space than you would be here w.... here in Fraggle Rock....”

“Boober, I--”

“Just go.”

Boober watched Goldie as she lifted her suitcase back up, walked past the short greenish-blue fraggle, and paused at the doorway to look back at him. He turned his head away.

“Would you just go? I hate long goodbyes.”

With a long and heavy sigh, Goldie turned back around and disappeared through the doorway.

After a minute or two, Boober peaked out the doorway and looked down the tunnel both ways. As he feared, she wasn't anywhere to be seen.

He hung his head and stepped back inside. He looked around the table and at the feast that he had so painstakingly prepared for the lunch they were to share.

He gritted his teeth and then let out a series of shrieks and screams as he slammed his fists down on the table, flipping plates and food all over the place. He swung his arms until nearly all the dishes were thrown from the table.

He stopped his rampage when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. From the edge of the table, he picked up a familiar-looking bag made of rough brown paper.

He stared at this seemingly simple item for what seemed like an eternity. After a long moment, he let out a weeping sigh as he pressed the bag to his face, sobbing as he leaned down on the table.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

It seemed to Goldie that every step she took felt heavier and heavier. Even as she stepped into the busy bustle of the Great Hall and tried her best to just shuffle past on her way to the exit. She was almost across when a voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Yo Goldie!” Red called as she climbed out of the pond and walked over to her. “Hey, we need a fourth swimmer to race. You game?”

“Uh... Not today, Red.”

“Hey, what's wrong? You look like you just went through something awful.”

“I did... I still am.”

“Well, what do you mean, you still are?”

“I'm leaving.”

“Leaving?”

“Say what? You're leaving?” Wembley added as he jumped in.
Gobo and Mokey walked up behind him.

“There was some bad news in that letter, wasn't there?” Gobo asked.

“Yeah,” Goldie nodded, “Really bad. And I need to go back so I can help.”

“But... But you're coming back, right?” Wembley asked. “We'll see you again soon, right?”

“...I don't know.”

“Oh, Goldie,” Mokey said as she placed her hands on Goldie's shoulders, “We understand completely. There are times when one must do what is necessary for the sake of their loved ones.”

“Yeah, but what about Boober?” Red asked, “What's he say about all this?”

“I don't wanna talk about it,” Goldie replied, “I just need to get going.”

“Hey, come on, Goldie,” Gobo said, “Surely you have time for one more song before you go.”

“Yeah, that's a great idea, Gobo,” Wembley agreed, “A goodbye song.”

“I'm not really in the mood for singing,” said Goldie.

“Well, you can't stay sad forever, Goldie,” said Mokey.

“Yeah,” said Red, “Cheer up. Everything's gonna be alright. You'll see.”

(Goldie)
I can't help but feel so sad.
Why did things turn out so bad?
Was it just a dream,
Everything we did,
Everything we had?

(Gobo)
Goldie, give me one more dance...
While the music still goes on.
Don't think about tomorrow.

(Gobo, Mokey)
Dance...
And forget out time is gone.
Tonight's the night we borrow.

(Gobo, Wembley, Mokey, Red)
Let's make it a memory, a night of our own.
A thing to remember when we're all alone.
So dance...
It's our way to say goodbye.
Yes, all we have to do is...

(Every Fraggle in the Grat Hall)
Dance...
While the music still goes on.
This is no time for crying.

Dance...
Don't you hear them play our song?
You know that we've been trying

Don't think you weren't welcome.
We're glad that you came.
We hope you come back.
We can play some more games.

So dance...
While the music still goes on.
Don't let it be our last goodbye.

(Goldie)
Yet it seems to make me sad.
Why did things turn out so bad?
Whas it just a dream,
Everything we did,
Everything we had?

(Gobo, Wembley)
Goldie, give me one more...

(Everyone)
Dance...
While the music still goes on.
Just like the day we met you.

Dance...
And believe us, when you're gone,
You know we won't forget you.

Now you're like a snowbird.
You're flying away.
You're leaving for home now.
What more can we say?

So dance...
While the music still goes on.
Don't let it be our last goodbye.

Dance...
While the music still goes on.
This is no time for crying.

Dance...
Don't you hear them play our song?
You know that we've been trying.

Dance...

------------------------------------------------------------------------

A few hours passed before the dancing had finally finished and Goldie could get on her way. The others offered to accompany her to the doorway to Outer Space, but she made it clear that she'd had enough saying goodbye for one night. As Goldie made her trek up the tunnel, she could hear that last song playing slowly in her mind again and again. She really and truly did not want to leave.

“But I have to,” she thought to herself.

She ducked the large pipe and stepped up to the opening to Outer Space. It was dark already, and the room was really quiet.

Goldie took one last look back to the tunnel to her heritage, and then she finally resigned to her decision. With a sigh and a turn, she took the first step through the fraggle hole.

“Goldie!” called a voice from behind her, though it seemed almost whispering.

She stopped and turned back, recognizing immediately who the voice was.

“Boober...”

He stepped out of the shadows of the tunnel, almost like a puppy being punished. Goldie put her suitcase down on the ground so she could meet up with him.

He trembled as she approached, not quite sure what she was going to do. All he knew was that he needed to say something quickly.

“Goldie....” he paused before finally deciding to make his final plea, “Don't go..... Please?”

She looked at the poor heartbroken fraggle in front of her.

“I'm sorry, Boober,” she answered and took his hands in hers, “I can't.”

“No, it's alright..... I'm the one who should be sorry. It was selfish of me to think I could ever be more important to you than the ones who raised you. They need you..... Much more than I do.”

“Boober...”

(Boober)
When we first met, I never knew.
That I would feel this way for you.
But I do, and now I wish we had more time.
I know there's nothing I can say
To make you change your mind and stay.
So instead I'd like to ask of you, that is if you don't mind.

"Ask of me what?"

(Boober)
Don't forget me.
If it's not too much to ask, it means the world to me.
Don't forget me.
It'll be enough to know you'll sometimes think of me.
Don't forget me.
Though you're going far away, your memory will stay.
Don't forget me.
Because I... will always remember you.

"Oh, Boober."

(Goldie)
You know, I can tell by how
You are looking at me now,
That my visit here was not a waste of time.
But we both know I can't stay.
I wish there was another way.
But since there isn't one, there's something I want you to do for me.

"And what's that?"

(Goldie)
Don't forget me.
It's the only thing I ask. Please promise this to me.
Don't forget me.
It's a simple thing on which I think we'll both agree.
Don't forget me.
Though I'm going far away, my heart will always stay.
So don't forget me.
Because I... will always remember you.

(Both)
Don't forget me.
Because I... will always remember you.

“Well, I...” Boober stuttered, “I guess you'd better go now.”

“Yeah...” Goldie replied as she started to step away, though not before quickly leaning over and giving Boober a peck on the nose, causing his face to turn nearly as red as his hair.

She picked her suitcase back up again and finally walked out the fraggle hole. Boober watched nervously from the opening as she walked across the workshop, around the workbench and out the door. All without disturbing the hairy monster sleeping soundly in his doggy bed.

When there was no longer any sign of her presence, he turned away from the opening and sulked all the way back home.

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Song Credits:
- Dance (While The Music Still Goes On)—by Abba, mildly altered
- Don't Forget Me—by Gold Demona

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