When Vinnie returned to his crew mates and the Thunderbawks, he brought his changed goddess mother in tow. Everyone marveled and some flinched at her bright white pants suit and halo of electricity.

"Gadzooks!" Ramone shouted, hiding behind Chloe (as much as a grown satyr could hide behind a twelve year old. "The Goddess Electra returns in an even tackier garb than usual. Those halos are so last year."

With thunder crackling in her emerald eyes, Electra howled. "Why I should sentence you goatboy to a thousand years of..."

Vinnie looked at her sternly.

"...kindness and gentle rains. All to make the flowers grow!"

"Wow," Chloe remarked. "I guess you can teach an old god new tricks!"

Electra placed both of his arms proudly on his hips. "I was so used to zapping first and asking questions later, that I forgot, sometimes words can strike you harder than a 1000 volts!"

Electra's emerald green eyes swiveled to Vinnie. "I am so thankful to have a son who has forgiven what a truly awful, abusive god I was."

"Ey, don't mention it," Vinnie exclaimed. "I'm all about forgiveness...unless it's dat freakish monster Fienmond. I'm really gonna toast his grass."

Everyone else nodded. Chloe bashed her lily-white fists together. "And that's why you're one of my best mates on this crew."

All of the Thunderbawks including the burnt one that smelled like fried chicken approached the visitors. King Featherbutt shouted. "How can we repay you, o' great travelers!"

Featherbutt looked to his cohorts. "I know. We shall have a great party in your honor! For redeeming our god, we will be joyous and full of merriment.

"Except for me," the charred Thunderbawks whined. "Me will probably be the roast feast."

Vinnie looked at Electra. Electra raised her hands to the sky. "O' healing rain," she bellowed in her deep voice. "Sooth this cretins pain!"

A pink rain cloud hovered over the Thunderbawk and miraculously, his burnt black feathers turned bright fluffy orange. "Me alive again!" he screamed and ran to Electra. "You saved me life. Me is truly grateful!"

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"You're welcome," Electra said, turning bright crimson.

The Thunderbawk started running madly around Electra's feet. "You saved me life. Me is truly grateful."

Electra rolled her eyes. "Don't push your luck, kid!"

"Huzzah!" King Featherbutt squawked, hopping up and down. "You truly are worthy of being our goddess again! Now let's party!"

***

All night long, everyone partied, drank and danced around the campfire. So much had happened that only when Vinnie woke up the next morning, did he realize what he had been doing. Lying in a hut of yellow grass, in a canopy of vines, Vinnie and Monica were both suspended in the hammock. Much to his surprise, she had her hand placed on his broad chest. And though they were still wearing their clothes, he truly had a feeling they were very comfy that night.

Vinnie peered at that beautiful chocolate skinned girl who lay against him. He grinned a happy grin, not one of braggartness, but of contentment. Aside from Koko, she was the only girl of any worth to him.

"Ey...gorgeous..." he said softly, causing Monica to open her coal black eyes.

"Hey..." she said in an equal murmur, and a gentle smile. "I...uh..."

Suddenly, the grass door flung open. "Rise and shine mateys!" Chloe examined, a big boisterous grin on her face. "Oh wow," Chloe exclaimed, a catlike smirk on her face. Seems Ramone and coconut vodka wasn't the only ship sailing tonight!"

Vinnie was so startled he let out a yelp and the hammock spilled over, dumping Monica and Vinnie in a heap on the ground.

"Chica!" Monica screamed irately, shoving a stunned Vinnie off of her. "You are such an annoying little hermana!"

"You guys love me!" Chloe said with a laugh. "And more importantly, now we can call my ship the love boat!"

With a playful smirk, she closed the door. "Better get ready. We're parting soon! Though I don't think you guys will be with the way you were kissing last night!"

"Aye..." Vinnie remarked, turning bright red. "We were kissing?"

Monica immediately stood up, refusing to face in his direction. Vinnie knew that the proud swordswoman was a master of hiding behind her pride. "Maybe..." she said. "It was only after you admitted what you did at the campfire. Your campfire confession..."

Vinnie scratched his head. His jumbled up brain was so hungover from coconut rum, that the only thing he could think of was Monica's hidden face...and alka seltzer.

"Wut did I say..." he muttered.

"Estupido..." Monica muttered back. "And I even said maybe...but only once I finish my mission. I need to kill Django and avenge mi familia "

"Wut did I say..." Vinnie demanded and he started smacking his head, trying to rattle his brain to find the answer.

"Idiot." Monica turned around. Her dark black eyes were shimmering. "You said you wanted to give up the bachelor life and settle down with mi..."

"Well..." Vinnie said, looking into his former foe's eyes. "I will say that again if I have to. After all dis Fienmond and Django business is done, we're gonna find a private cabana island and live there. Just you and me."

Monica was silent, but the smile on her face and the tears flowing from her eyes told Vinnie everything he needed to know...and more. They could start the day with a promise of a future together.