"Lana, have you met Dominick?" I asked.

"Yes, here and there. Dr. Bits wanted to keep him close, to try to get some magic out of him, I guess," she said.

"Dominick, Dr. Bits is gone now," I said. "You can come out now."

I made a 'hmmrph' noise in protest. I crawled out from under the bed and walked over to David. I made sure to keep a good distance away from Lana.

(yeah)


" Somehow..."

Lana gave me a confusing look.

"I'm sorry," I said. "Uh..."

Lana looked at Dominick. "Should I leave?" she asked, kindly, "because I think I'm the reason that's making you uncomfortable."

"Yeah," I said. "Maybe it was those Greasy Bits and Pieces that help."

" I hates those."

I shook my head. "You're fine." I told her. Was it becauseof her? Yes. Was it because I was in a new place that I was unsure of at least partway? Also yes.

"Ha, yeah, me too," I said. "Don't ask me how those became popular. I honestly don't know. Definitely wasn't Lana's fault."

I walked over to Dominick. "Do you want a tour of my place?" I asked. Lana looked a bit dejected, like she knew that Dominick didn't like her.

I knew Lana always tried her best to help the test subjects. After all, I think I have her to thank for my life. So seeing her down stabbed my heart a little.

But, it would be worse to see a person I married hurt because of me. I was a little afraid that would happen.

But that didn't stop me from having a small crush on Dominick. Like Lana always said, "Let happiness, not me, keep you going." And always with tears.

I wonder if she was ever hurt by Dr. Bits...

"Sure." I said to David. "I'll warm up to you Lana. It'll take a bit of time though." I told her woth a small smile.