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“I’m not sure,” Heather said.

She watched as Loka stood to the side. A spider cyborg scuttled around the corner, a plastic rose in one limb. He was the one trumpeting.

“Why’s the cyborg doing that?” Nell asked. “It’s not another virus?”

“No, it is doing as instructed. It’s the closest sound I could get to a bellow,” Loka said.

Heather stared at the cyborg. “Wait! Is that... Ernie?” The cyborg had an identical dent in his back, just like Ernie. “That’s impossible. He was torn apart.”

Loka’s grin widened. “I restored your pet for you. I know you miss him.”

Heather knelt on the ground, tears in her eyes. “Ernie. Is that you?”

Ernie scuttled over and presented her with the rose. “For my Princess.”

Heather clapped her hands together. She scooped Ernie up and kissed him. “I thought you were dead.”

“I am here to serve, Princess.” Ernie trumpeted again.

She laughed and kissed him repeatedly. “We’ll have to work on your bellow, but other than that, you’re perfect.” Heather stood and flung herself into Loka’s arms before kissing him, as well.

He lifted her off her feet, and she used his horn to keep upright as the kiss deepened.

“It’s the weirdest little family I’ve ever seen, but it seems to work,” Vegas said.

“You two need to get a room.” Ivy stalked along the corridor, shaking her head as she saw Heather and Loka together.

Heather turned and presented Ernie to Ivy. “He fixed Ernie.”

Ivy’s nose wrinkled. “It’s weird how you like that cyborg. Anyone would think you had a problem making real friends.”

Heather shook her head and turned back to Loka. “Are you still on for our date mapping Quadrant W?”

Loka nodded and kissed her cheek. “I wouldn’t miss it. There is a cluster of stars you must see.”

“I can’t wait.” Heather dropped her hold on his horn as he lowered her to the ground. Loka was her perfect alien, and he’d fixed her best cyborg friend. It must have taken him hours. Ernie looked as good as new. And he could trumpet!

“You sure have some geeky dates,” Ivy said as she watched Loka walk away.

“They might sound geeky to you, but they are lots of fun.” Heather’s gaze ran over Ivy. “Is everything okay?” Ivy’s usually pristine demeanor was off. Her hair looked messy, and her dark eye make-up was smudged. Ivy’s make-up was never smudged.

She shrugged. “I’m fine. Any interesting matches today?”

“The usual,” Heather said. “Come take a look if you like.” She walked back into the office, proudly presenting Ernie for the others to see.

Nell stroked Ernie’s head. “It’s good to have you back.”

“Hello, Nell,” Ernie said. “You look nice today.”

“That so is Ernie. He was always such a sweetie. He looks as good as new.”

“That’s because my alien is a genius,” Heather said.

Ivy snorted, not having moved far from the doorway.

“What can we do for you?” Vegas said to Ivy. “I sent you a dozen couples to take photos of. Weren’t they suitable?”

Ivy looked around the room, running her hands through her hair as she did so. “They were fine. I’ve got two photo shoots lined up tomorrow.”