"It's good to have things settled down again," said Marianna. Immediately, UPChuck looked over with a laughing glare.

"You know that in some cultures that is considered foreshadowing."

"Please tell me we're not in one of those cultures." There were strict rules at Club Calypso regarding foreshadowing. For as long as Marianna could remember, though, she was usually the one breaking them.

"I hope not. I like things settled." He moved his arm from around Dream's shoulders to around her waist. "That's better; my arm was falling asleep."

Dream finished swallowing a mouthful of herbal tea before responding. "I'm sure it was. Marianna, do you know why Zachariah didn't come with Ellie?" Ellie was currently seated at Mari's bar-top computer, chatting online with Zachariah.

"Beats me. It's probably got something to do with his fear of heights. And then he was in that god-awful plane crash... I wouldn't want to take a plane back here, either."

"But you're in your third trimester, so you aren't going anywhere on a plane," said Alan, coming over with a fresh pot of tea for Marianna and Dream.

"I know, I'm just saying..." she protested. "Be careful with that pot, love, I don't much feel like being scalded today."

"Pot? Marianna, didn't I tell you that's bad for the babies?" Alan quipped, prompting a dirty look from Mari. "Ohhh-kay... Any news on how Dava's hearing is going?" Alan asked as he poured the tea.

"Nothing," said UPChuck, who had been hanging around the courthouse (as opposed to hanging around the Club), trying to gather knowledge of the legal system. He was pondering a career in politics, since he was already into the civil service aspect through his Charity for the Beach Grubs. "It's closed doors, soundproofed room, and everyone is under oath to keep quiet about it outside. I'm surprised everyone hasn't been sequestered."

There was a quick, general glance in Ellie's direction. She had been stubbornly silent about the hearing, wherein she was a crucial witness.

"Y'know," said Marianna, "I thought we had some sort of Freedom of Information Act in this city." She was absolutely right. The Layla:)n Freedom of Information Act (LFOIA) allowed any community member to sit in on any hearing, trial, meeting, or such assembly. But...

"It doesn't provide for Federal or International hearings held within city limits," explained Alan.

"Well, that's just unfair! I mean, here we are, trying to set an example of freedom for the entire freakin' world, and they have to go ruin it with this one hearing. Besides which, it's driving me crazy not to know what my sister is up to!"

Daniela was also involved in the mystery surrounding Dava. Surprisingly, she had not said a word to anyone about the hearing, which goes to show that the only thing stronger than Dani's need to gossip was her stubborn ability to follow through on an oath. To avoid temptation (and the drinks that create loose lips), Daniela hadn't even been coming to the Club for the past few days, instead staying at home and watching hours on end of MTV. Marianna had heard rumors that Daniela was learning to cook, too, since Coli had left on a search for Teff. Daniela cooking was highly unlikely, but Mari was always up for a good laugh.

Just then, completely unexpectedly, Dava entered Club Calypso. The quiet, blue-haired Wizard, now extremely busy as a freshman City Councilman as well as being on trial, had not been in the Club all week, nor indeed much time before that in the past two months. Alan hurried back to the bar as Dava approached it. Sure, he had to serve Dava the patron-- but he also wanted to see what information he could get out of Dava the man on trial.

Of course, he couldn't get any information. Dava asked for a rum and Coke, then took it to a table against the back wall, where he sat watching the dancers and sipping at his drink. There was simply not enough time in the encounter for Alan to strike up a conversation and bring it around to the hearing.

Marianna and Dream were privy to a bit more information than that. Almost immediately after Dava sat down, they felt the psychic impulse from him. The women's eyes met across the coffee table, but they made no other physical indication of the conversation in their heads.

Mari, Dream. I'm sure you want to know what is going on.

You've got that right! thought Marianna.

I can't talk, but I wasn't told I couldn't use telepathy. It's going rather well, Ellie's been a great help. I can't thank you enough for helping find her, Marianna.

No problem. You're both my friends. And Daniela's my sister... I need to keep an eye on her.

She's been great. She mostly keeps quiet, but when she's absolutely sure of something, she's sure to vocalize it. Daniela has a way with words that confuses, impresses... she can persuade anyone to agree with her.

We already knew that, put in Dream. It's good to know that things are working out alright, Dava.

You can tell Ulysses and Alan, if you like. Just keep it quiet.

No problem, sweetie. Good luck with the rest of this thing. Marianna had to snap back into reality quickly when UPChuck started to wave his hands in front of her and Dream's faces in an effort to bring them back from their 'daydream.' "Okay, quit it, I'm awake again!" She made a snarling face and attempted to bite his hand.

"Hey, that's mine!" cried Dream, snatching UPChuck's hand and playfully biting a finger. Mari and UPChuck went wide-eyed in surprise. Dream blushed. "What? I can't do stuff like that?"

"Go ahead!" said UPChuck, "but it is sort of out of character for you."

"I'd have to agree... I've known you longer than he has, and you've never been... weird like that. I mean, that's more my style, at least my style with Alan. My style with Mac was more like, oh, running away." Marianna laughed at herself, and soon Dream and UPChuck joined in.

"Well, I want to do different things sometimes," Dream said by way of explanation. UPChuck replaced his arm around her. "Uly sometimes makes me want to do different things," she teased him.

"And you always end up having fun, don't you?"

"I wouldn't say always..."

"Name one time you didn't have fun!"

"That patio chair was uncomfortable."

"Actually, there I'd have to agree."

"Okay, I've heard enough!" Marianna interrupted loudly. "We can talk about something else now!" And something else walked in the door.

The Security Council, a mean-looking group of Federal Agents, sat at a long table in a windowless room at the Courthouse. At a smaller table, Dava sat under the fluorescent lights, attempting to free himself. Daniela on his left, and before them, a pile of papers with very technical drawing and writing on them. Not less than a few were bar napkins from Club Calypso. Josie Martin stood by the door, preventing anyone from coming or leaving. Outside the door, unknown to Josie, stood Emma English and UPChuck, conversing in hushed voices and trying to hear something from the soundproofed room behind the door.

"Now we've heard Mr. Jini's version of the events," said a man in a bad toupee, switching off a cassette player. "Ms. DeSka's version will be played when we come back from a short recess. Since Ms. Zabul couldn't be here today, she will be allowed to tell her version in person tomorrow morning." He looked at a bald man at the center of the long table, obviously the one in charge.

"Alright," said the bald man. "We'll go to recess now."

Everyone stood up, chairs scraping against the tile floors. Daniela cat-stretched and yawned. Dava tried to shake the cramps out of his limbs. "Why does due process have to be so damn slow?" asked Daniela.

"Try to watch your language," Dava replied in a low voice. "I wish Ellie was here, then it would be over with faster."

"Where is she, anyway? I'm sorry I got here late today, I couldn't open the garage door."

Dava winced, remembering the damage she'd done the last time she couldn't open the garage door. "Ellie had a doctor's appointment. She's been having headaches and strange dreams lately."

"Maybe it's PMS. That happens to Marianna sometimes when she's got PMS. Or when she's pregnant. Maybe Ellie's pregnant."

"I doubt that. I suggest you use the ladies' room, maybe grab a bite to eat. I'm guessing your version of what happened is pretty lengthy, judging by the pile of tapes on the table."

"Accurate," Daniela said absently, heading out the door and nearly tripping on her own feet. "Not used to flats..." she mumbled as she walked toward the ladies' room.

"Dava, how's it going in there?" asked Emma softly as he came into the lobby down the hall.

He shook his head, indicating with his eyes that Josie and a few of the other agents were standing nearby. "I need a hug." He folded her in his arms, and continued their conversation in his head. It's not too bad. Just tedious. Once Ellie gets back, tomorrow I hope, we'll get this thing wrapped up.

I wish I could help you.

You're running my office. You believe I haven't broken any laws. And you're always there for me... in whatever way I need you...

Emma didn't respond verbally, but she stepped closer into their embrace. Only UPChuck noticed when a flashbulb went off from a balcony. He wasn't sure it was necessary, but he covertly watched the photographer walk along the balcony, casually blocking any more shots at the couple. Considering their business relationship, this personal relationship could be harmful if exposed in the wrong way. And when the photographer walked down the main staircase and out the front doors, UPChuck followed.

The something else that had walked into the Club two days ago was still going strong as Marianna tried to get the Club ready to open on Thursday. For the fifth time that week (and the third time that day), Marianna was arguing with Pandora. It really wasn't so much an argument as a persuasive effort. Pandora was trying to persuade Mari to let her have a comedy show at the Club. Mari was trying to persuade Pandora to give it up. She had little faith that such an enterprise would work.

"Mari, it'll be just like the Sonny and Cher Show, 'cepting I'm the short one. George can't sing, so he's a lot like Sonny, and I can sing really good like Cher." Pandora suddenly burst into song: o/They say we're young and we don't know/ Won't find out unti-hi-hill we're grown--o/ She was cut off by Mari's hand clamping over her mouth.

"I know you can sing. But 'Dora, you know people come here to dance and talk. If there's a show going on, you can't talk. It'd be impolite."

"Puh-leeeeeze? Just let me try!" Pandora was starting to sound a lot younger than her 23 years. "What's your slowest night? In two weeks, I'll have turned it into your most profitable night!"

"You will not, but just to shut you up, you can have from 8 till 10 on Thursday. I get absolutely no business on Thursdays after the new television season starts." Mari reached under the bar for her schedule of acts. It was painfully empty, most of the hours filled with amateur DJs. No band had played more than once in the past months, which made Marianna cringe. The patrons didn't mind-- much-- but Mari had standards to keep up. She penciled in 'Pandora and George Show.' "You've got a week to prepare your show. You can rehearse in the mornings when we're closed. Good luck, kid."

UPChuck had been following the photographer for three days. Today, Friday, seemed to be her day off. She was short and thin with red hair and freckles. She dressed neatly in khakis and scoop-necked long-sleeved t-shirts. Her camera seemed to weigh more than she did. She was definitely stalking Dava and Emma, she lived in Calypso Beach about a mile down the road from UPChuck, and she worked for the International Inquisitor, a tabloid. What bothered UPChuck was that she was very, very familiar.

She hadn't left her house yet today, and it was nearly noon. UPChuck was taking advantage of the gorgeous weather, reading a copy of the Inquisitor on a bench in the park across from the photographer's house. Sometimes he would watch the squirrels instead, and had even brought some peanuts to feed them. But always he kept an eye on her front door. Suddenly, a movement at one of the gable windows on the second story caught his attention. She was leaning out of the window, and he could just see the gray jacket she was wearing. She was waving and calling to someone in her driveway, and as his eyes moved to that direction, UPChuck saw Natan Beirut. His mind made a connection.

"I'll be down in a minute! I can't find my rifle," she called.

Natan saluted her in return. He was dressed in a Civil War Union uniform, blue wool, and he was obviously itching. The uniforms, Natan's presence... that cinched it. The photographer was Reba Beirut. And UPChuck wouldn't be following her anymore. He left the park before Natan could see him there.

Marianna was trying to concentrate, really she was, Saturday morning when UPChuck told her about the photographer, Natan's sister. At the same time, she was trying to balance the books, place an order for coconuts, write out a contract for a new band, and coordinate five waitresses getting the Club ready to open. But every ten minutes or so, a pain would hit her abdomen. She tried to ignore it, hoping it was only indigestion. But when the pains came more frequently...

"Priscilla, could you please take charge of the Club tonight? I think Alan and I will be busy tonight. UPChuck and Dream can help you if you need it, but with Lisa, Marie, May, and April helping, you should be okay."

"Why are you and Alan going to be busy tonight?" asked Priscilla. "Are you okay?!" she cried as Marianna doubled over in pain. UPChuck stopped his running narration and grabbed Mari by the elbow.

"Sit down, Marianna. Do you want me to call Alan?"

"Uh-huh!" she gasped. "And tell him to call the doctor to meet us at the hospital!"

"Mari, I thought it wasn't due for another month or two?" asked Priscilla, concerned but not knowing what to do.

"Yesterday marked eight months... Pris, tell Polly I won't be able to take her trick-or-treating tonight. Maybe Dream could take her, if you don't need her to help here." The contraction had passed, and UPChuck had returned from the phone.

"Alan will be here in ten minutes. He was at the farm. How are you doing?"

"Fine, that one's over with. Uly, I forgot it was Halloween! I told Polly I'd take her trick-or-treating!"

"Polly will understand," said Priscilla. "I'll call her now and tell her, okay?"

"Tell her to come to the Club, so someone can keep an eye on her. Maybe she'll re-open the juice bar for a while." Marianna paused. Another contraction was coming. "Uly, hon, maybe I should go to the hospital now. Alan's got his cell phone; we can call him on our way."

"I don't have my car, Mari, do you want me to call a taxi?"

"A taxi, an ambulance, just get me to Layla:) and Memorial quick!"

In moments, they were in a taxi and en route to L&M Hospital.

"I don't see why they had to drug me up like that," Marianna said, pouting as Alan drove her home Sunday night.

"The doctor doesn't want them to be born until Amanda is pointed the right way. You don't want to have a Caesarian, do you?"

"These kids want to be born, one way or another, and I'm ready to have them born." She was propped up against pillows in the back seat, a thick quilt covering her. Her voice was muffled by the quilt, and Alan could barely make out her face in the rearview mirror of the Volvo. "I think I know what's right for my kids."

"Just put up with the doctors for a little while longer, please?" Alan said, turning onto Calypso Avenue.

"Who's that coming out of UPChuck's house?"

"Well, Dream's waving goodbye to her, and she looks pretty friendly towards the girl. Can't be anyone that'll cause trouble." He pulled into Mari's driveway as the woman pulled out of UPChuck's. As Alan helped Marianna out of the blue Volvo, Dream walked over. Mari noticed she was barefoot and wearing cutoff jeans and one of UPChuck's shirts.

"Who was that?" Marianna asked Dream.

"Reba Beirut. What did the doctor say?"

"He's going to keep drugging me up until Amanda turns head down. Pain in my... well, everything. I want these kids to be born!"

"Amanda? Kids? Mari... are you..."

"Aw, damn, I slipped. I wanted everyone to be surprised! Yeah, twins. Don't tell Uly!"

"No, I won't." Dream smiled. "Amanda?"

"Yes..."

"Mari should get into the house now," Alan said, ushering the women toward the house.

"Dream, let's chat awhile, okay? I need some girl talk. Alan's starting to drive me crazy again!"

"You got it, girl."

On Tuesday, Ellie and Daniela sat, flanking Dava, and facing the Security Council. Agent Josie Martin stood to one side, glaring as Ellie finished her narrative.

"... so you see, we've been working on this for months. It's not a dropped comm. badge from the Infinity, it's Earth technology."

"Then why the same shape as the... comm. badge?" asked a balding man with rimless bifocals.

Ellie and Dava glanced at Daniela, who gave a sheepish smile for the first time in her life. "That was me. I figured it would be good for marketing for people to recognize the shape and capabilities of the communications device." Wow, she thought. Did all those big words come out of my mouth? "Y'know, like, everyone knows about Star Trek." There, that's more like me.

"We weren't aware at the time that the technology we were working on was reality in another universe, not a television show," said Ellie. "We weren't even aware of the existence of other universes."

A woman spoke this time. Her hair was pulled back severely, and she wore no makeup or jewelry. (Daniela disapproved, but said nothing.) "Then why the broadcasts from the Frogwar?"

"I believe it is because radio waves have been bouncing around just outside Earth's atmosphere since the Frogwar-- there is still a lot of debris up there-- and we happened to hit upon the right frequency to pick up the signals.

"So why did you destroy your device?" The bald man was addressing Dava.

"Why, sheer annoyance, sir." The man raised an eyebrow. "Well, I couldn't get the thing to shut up, so I had to pound it with a sledge hammer. I hadn't developed a way of turning it off, and it was starting to drive me crazy!"

The Council was quiet for a moment. Then the woman indicated to Josie that she should escort Dava, Daniela, and Ellie out of the room. Outside, Josie continued glaring at them, while they pointedly ignored her. Dava immediately made for the men's room.

"Argh!" cried Daniela once the door closed behind them. "I had my beeper on vibrate, and it kept going off, and now my hip is numb!"

"What message was so important that it was sent that many times?" asked Ellie.

"There are three messages. I couldn't turn off the last one until just now. First... Marianna's gone into labor."

"What time?!" cried Ellie.

"Ten-ish this morning." A quick glance at her watch told Ellie it was now four. "Second... it's a boy, 6-12. I guess that's six pounds, twelve ounces. Sorta light. That was at 3:26."

"What's third, then?"

"It's a girl," Dani said, a frown crossing her face. "How can it be..."

"Twins." A huge grin of realization crossed Ellie's face. "She had twins. That dream I had in the jungle was right."

"Dream? Well, anyway, a girl, 6-6, at 3:33. I should call the hospital, or Alan's cell phone or something. Except I don't have my cell phone. Dammit, my sister just gave birth to twins and I'm not there with her!"

"Calm down," Ellie said, although she herself was nearly jumping with excitement. Josie's face lost the glare as she tried to figure out what all the joy was about.

Dava returned from the men's room just as Josie ushered them back into the conference room. The balding man almost motioned for them to be seated, but changed his mind. "This will take but a minute," he said. "We've decided to drop all charges, since Ellie explained everything--"

Dava hit his head. Why couldn't they have listened to him? Oh, yeah, he'd lied in the first place.

"-- and," continued the man, "we have no evidence that the device ever existed anyway. You're free to go. And no more advanced technologies, please."

"Yeah, yeah," said Daniela. "I gotta go see my sister and her babies!" She flew out of the room, barely stopping to open the door.

"Babies-- plural?" asked Dava.

Ellie just smiled and shook her head. "Come on, Dava, I've got to get to my tropical cruise. Do you want a ride anywhere?"