"Not in a million years," T. said, and burst into giggles. "But that's the fun part."

"Aah, the kitten returns," S. smirked, shaking her head. "Don't worry -- that's a good thing."

T.'s head was in her lap. He looked up into her face. The sunlight fell across only half of it, so her eyes were not quite the same color. He liked them both.

She ran her fingers through his hair. "You are the sweetest thing. Where did you come from?"

"Where we all did. From the Twelfth Planet. Keep your eyes on Orion's sword!"

"I'll bet you say that to all the girls."

A brief kiss. A lot can happen in a short time. They drove off the road, between two signs, and entered the Outback. The stars glimmered just beyond your reach. A caterpillar stretches to mount the next twig. Leaves and bird sounds and glimmers in the fountain's spray. They turned and turned and turned. Circles: the simplest way to define within and without. But what about No-Thing? (Thanks, Kirk.)

"Will the rain ever stop?"

by RUSS