Steph Brown Adventures No. 5

The Further Awesome Adventures of the Unsinkable Stephanie Brown #5

The Healing Hands of Love?



PAGE ONE: Six panels. Panel one is top half of page. Panels two through five are lined up horizontally across the next one sixth of the page like mug shots. Panel six is the bottom third of page.


PANEL ONE: Hospital room. Barbara Gordon is lying in a hospital bed with her head propped up. Stephanie Brown is sitting in a visitor's chair next to her. A police detective is standing on the other side of the bed, looking down at his note pad.

CAPTION: Morning. West Mercy Hospital.

DETECTIVE GAGE: So let me summarize. Barbara, you were trying to change a tire on your van and it fell off the jack, trapping you, but you managed to call Miss Brown, who left her mother in serious condition here to come to your aid.


PANEL TWO: Close-up of Barbara wincing.

BARBARA: I didn't know about Steph's mother.


PANEL THREE: Close-up of Detective Gage appearing annoyed.

DETECTIVE GAGE: But Barbara, you should have called me...


PANEL FOUR: Close-up of Barbara gazing up over her glasses and seemingly biting her tongue a bit.

BARBARA: Nick, we've only been out a couple of times... Steph's a former... friend.


PANEL FIVE: Close-up of Steph shrugging.

STEPH: She needed help so I went.


PANEL SIX: Again the frame contains Gage, Barbara and Steph, all looking annoyed.

DETECTIVE GAGE: I don't doubt that, Miss Brown, but explain Barbara's slash wounds or why either of you didn't simply call 911.

STEPH: I guess we weren't thinking straight. I'm blond. Sue me.

BARBARA: Steph's right. She is blond. And my back is broken! Do we need an attorney?


******


PAGE TWO: Four relatively equal panels.


PANEL ONE: Detective Gage is looking down at Barbara as if exasperated. Barbara and Steph just look tired.

DETECTIVE GAGE: Maybe, Barbara. I don't know whether to believe any part of this story you two have concocted. Miss Brown's mother claims that she was attacked by the Batman.

STEPH: Mom lost a lot of blood. Who knows what really attacked her?


PANEL TWO: Gage and Steph are staring at each with eyes narrowed from opposite sides of Barbara's bed. Barbara appears uncomforable.

DETECTIVE GAGE: I'm guessing you two do, but are hiding it from me for some reason. Forensics is working the crime scene at your house right now, Miss Brown. I'll go by there next.

STEPH: So can I go see my mom now?


PANEL THREE: Gage is handing Steph a card as he shows her to the door.

DETECTIVE GAGE: Yes, go ahead. But if you rethink your story call me.

STEPH: Sure, Detective. When will you be out of my house?

DETECTIVE GAGE: I can't say for sure, but I think we should be out by noon.


PANEL FOUR: Steph stands in the doorway, looking down at the card Gage handed her as Barbara manages to wave a hand.

BARBARA: Go on, Steph. See about your mother. Let me talk to... Detective Gage.

STEPH: Heh, I'm sure that will be most N. Gage-ing... laters, Barbara.


******


PAGE THREE: Four relatively equal panels.


PANEL ONE: Barbara is looking up over her glasses at Detective Gage who is gesticulating with both hands, appearing very animated as he speaks.

BARBARA: Nick, do you think you could maybe...

DETECTIVE GAGE: What? Not do my job? Barbara, your van is parked on the street not far from here. No sign that it fell on anyone or had a tire changed. This isn't my first case!

BARBARA (thinks): But it could be your last if you run into that Zombat thing.


PANEL TWO: Barbara and Gage are looking at each other in an almost sad way.

BARBARA: But you might be a tad too close to it. I wish you would trust me, Nick.

DETECTIVE GAGE: Likewise, Barbara.

BARBARA (thinks): Nick's a good detective but I don't think he's ready to be part of the family just yet.


PANEL THREE: Barbara wears an expression of hurt on her face as Gage heads out the door with a glance over his shoulder.

BARBARA: Nick, please...

DETECTIVE GAGE: I need some coffee. I guess that's all for now, but don't think for a minute this investigation is over. Your father will be back from Metropolis tomorrow. Do you not think he'll smell a Bat too?


PANEL FOUR: Close-up of Barbara having taken off her glasses to rub her eyes.

BARBARA (thinks): No doubt. Why must I have so many detectives in my life?


******


PAGE FOUR: Splash title page. Steph is sitting by her mother's hospital bed and they are clutching hands. Both have wan smiles on their faces.

STEPH: Mom, I'll do whatever it takes to help you recover. I promise you're going to walk!

MRS BROWN: I can live with losing my legs, dear, but I don't know what I'd do if I lost you.

STEPH: Oh mom, don't talk like that! Right now you just need to rest and quit worrying.

MRS BROWN: That's what mothers do. But you, you just... hold my hand...


TITLE: STEPH BROWN IN "THE HEALING HANDS OF LOVE?"

CREDITS


******


PAGE FIVE: Six panels. Panels one thru four are vertical panels of varying widths across the top three fifths of page. Panels five and six are side by side in the bottom two fifths.


PANEL ONE: Steph is coming out of a room into the hospital hallway. The big fellow with the tattoos who went over the edge of the building after tackling the Ninjador in the last issue stands there as if waiting. This is Mojo (Joe) who appeared in issues one and two as well. He towers over Steph. He is wearing boots, jeans, sleeveless vest and baseball hat.

CAPTION: Later.

JOE: How mama?

STEPH: Sleeping.

JOE: Bueno.


PANEL TWO: Steph hugs Joe, her face buried in his chest.

STEPH: Oh Joe! I'm so afraid mom's going to lose her legs.


PANEL THREE: Steph and Joe have separated. Tears are running down Steph's face. Joe is holding up the golden orb that hangs around his neck. The orb is the same size as the red orb in issue three.

STEPH: Thank gawd you only fell two stories onto that next building. Without you...

JOE: Orb heal mama.

STEPH: What?


PANEL FOUR: Steph gapes at Joe.

JOE: Joe went back for the gold.

STEPH: No crap? Are you serious?

JOE: Si, but necesito sku... uh...


PANEL FIVE: Nell Little, a black girl wearing a shirt with a Batgirl logo on the front, and her mother approach Steph and Joe in the hallway. Nell is running forward with her arms reaching out to Steph. Nell and her mother previously appeared in issue two.

NELL: Steph!

MRS LITTLE: When she heard about your mother she insisted I bring her by to see you on the way to school.

STEPH: Thanks, Nell. That means a lot!


PANEL SIX: Mrs. Little smiles as a kneeling Steph hugs Nell in front of her.

NELL: I hope your mommy is going to be okay.

STEPH: Me too, sweetie, me too!


******


PAGE SIX: Six relatively equal panels.


PANEL ONE: Steph, still kneeling, holds Nell at arms length. The Batgirl logo on the front of Nell's shirt is prominently displayed. Nell's mother stands beyond them.

MRS LITTLE: If there's anything you need, Miss Brown...

STEPH: I appreciate that, Mrs. Little.

MRS LITTLE: It's the least I can do after you saved our lives. * (See issue two)


PANEL TWO: Steph holds Nell's hand with her left as she gestures to Joe with her right.

STEPH: Nell, how would you like to meet another Batgirl fan?

NELL: You bet!


PANEL THREE: Nell looks up at the towering Native American with eyes wide.

STEPH: This is my friend, Joe. He's the "biggest" Batgirl fan of all!

NELL: You're a Batgirl fan? Wow!

JOE: Err... si?


PANEL FOUR: Steph is blushing as Joe kisses her cheek and the on-looking Nell and her mother smirk.

STEPH: Eep... he means yes. So, Nell, tell Joe why you like Batgirl?

NELL: Because she helps people of course!


PANEL FIVE: Mrs. Little has taken Nell's hand and is dragging her away.

MRS LITTLE: Come on, can't have you being late for school.

NELL: Aw, mom. I wanna hang with Steph!

STEPH: Go on, Nell. Study hard so you don't become a flunky like me!


PANEL SIX: For the first time Steph is smiling at Joe as he winces at her in return. Nell and her mother are walking away down the hallway beyond them.

JOE: Joe biggest fan?

STEPH: Well you ARE pretty darn big! What? Maybe six eight, two hundred sixty pounds?

JOE: Steph so funny. Joe necesito coffee.

STEPH: Sounds good! Get us some donuts too and join me in Barbara's room.


******


PAGE SEVEN: Six relatively equal panels.


PANEL ONE: Steph is entering Barbara's room. Steph has a surprised look on her face. A young woman with short dark hair in a wheelchair is sitting next to Barbara's bed. Barbara is sitting up with glasses on and has the morning paper on her lap. The woman in the wheelchair is glaring at Steph.

STEPH: So did Gage finally leave? Cause I need to ask... oh, hi there.


PANEL TWO: Steph is biting her tongue and nodding to the glaring woman in the wheelchair. Barbara shrugs and gives Steph the eyes-over-the-glasses gaze and gestures to the woman in the wheelchair.

BARBARA: Steph Brown, meet another former student of mine, Wendy Harris.

STEPH: Wendy. No offense, but I need to talk to Barbara. Alone.

BARBARA: It's okay, Steph. Wendy knows who I am... or was...


PANEL THREE: Wendy appears ready to come out of her chair in a rage. Steph simply has a pained expression. Barbara is frowning.

WENDY: This is your fault! You shouldn't have moved Barbara to take the costume off. You probably ruined any chance of her walking again!

STEPH: It was her request. But you're right. It was my decision and I can't change it.


PANEL FOUR: Barbara is gesturing for both girls to tone it down. Steph scowls. Wendy has her eyes closed and is gripping the arms of her wheelchair with white knuckles.

BARBARA: Wendy, please, Steph may have saved my life!

WENDY: More like her incompetence almost got you killed and did put you back in...


PANEL FIVE: Steph gives Wendy an imploring glance.

STEPH: A wheelchair? Don't you think I know that? But there's still a monster out there. And I need help to stop him!


PANEL SIX: Barbara is pushing her glasses up her nose.

BARBARA: Steph has a point about that Ninjador of the Night nut still being out there. I should contact Batman but...

STEPH: Not when Batgirl can still take care of it, right!?


******


PAGE EIGHT: Seven panels. One thru three are mug shots across the top of page. Four through seven are two by two below that.


PANEL ONE: Wendy is glaring at Steph.

WENDY: You mean to play Batgirl yourself don't you?


PANEL TWO: Steph with an earnest sincere expression.

STEPH: It's about the legacy of Batgirl stopping that thing... but I can't do it alone.


PANEL THREE: Barbara with a questioning look.

BARBARA: What are you thinking, Steph? After all he does intend to kill you!


PANEL FOUR: Barbara is giving the gesturing Wendy a stern glance over her glasses.

WENDY: Little Miss Manipulative is thinking with you out of the way, Barbara, the path to her being Batgirl is free and clear.

BARBARA: Please stop, Wendy. I want to hear her out.


PANEL FIVE: Barbara is removing her glasses as a nodding Steph speaks.

STEPH: Joe has the energy orb that animated that Ninjador thingie in the first place. With that orb I think I can stop it, but I need one of the crystal skulls to make it work.

BARBARA: So have you contacted Professor Paine?

STEPH: Yes, but since Paine-in-the-you-know-what fired me she won't even talk to me.


PANEL SIX: Barbara is thoughtful. Steph is shaking her head. Wendy is gaping.

BARBARA: So you want me to talk to her then?

STEPH: No, that's hopeless. I want you to help me... err... borrow one of the skulls.

WENDY: Hell! Now she wants you to help her steal from the University!


PANEL SEVEN: Barbara has a deadpan expression on her face as she turns to Wendy.

BARBARA: You have your computer don't you, Wendy?

WENDY: Yes, but surely YOU don't intend to...


******


PAGE NINE: Six panels.  One and two are side by side across the top third of page. Three thru five are a bit smaller and side by side below that. Six is the bottom third or more of the page.


PANEL ONE: Barbara has raised a brow. Wendy is incredulous. Steph is earnest.

BARBARA: No, not me. But I thought YOU might like a challenge.

WENDY: You actually want ME to help HER!?

STEPH: I know Professor Paine keeps the crystal skulls in a vault with some other artifacts.


PANEL TWO: Barbara is smirking now as Wendy already has head down working on her laptop computer.

BARBARA: I'll bet Wendy can get you in there, Steph!

WENDY: You might lose that bet! Security cameras. Reinforced concrete. Fingerprint recognition. Retinal scanner. Without Paine you're not getting in there unless you're Supergirl.


PANEL THREE: Barbara is holding up a "be quiet" finger to Steph who appears to be biting her tongue.

STEPH: Actually I...

BARBARA: Alternatives, Wendy?


PANEL FOUR: Wendy still has her head down, fingers keying on the laptop.

WENDY: Shush. I'm working on it! Interesting. Paine has a package arriving by AirEx from Egypt tonight. Size and weight match skull dimensions.


PANEL FIVE: Barbara winks to a now grinning Steph.


PANEL SIX: Wendy looking up with a smirk to Steph who is pumping a fist.

WENDY: I'll pull the tracking numbers. If you were to intercept the package at the airport there'd be no need to break into the vault.

STEPH: Wendy, you're a genius!


******


PAGE TEN: Six panels. One thru three are side by side across the top of page. Four and five are side by side beneath that. And six is the bottom half of page.


PANEL ONE: The view is from over Wendy's shoulder as she points at Steph. The fingers of a mutant hand are creeping over Steph's shoulder. Steph is turning her head with a puzzled expression.

WENDY: Whathe...?

STEPH: Joe?


PANEL TWO: Steph is backhanding the mutant hand with the zipper wrist from her shoulder and screaming at it as it goes flying.

STEPH: Ohmygawd!


PANEL THREE: Steph is bent over at the waist, chasing after and reaching for the mutant hand on the floor. An eyeball and an ear each ride in little leather harnesses atop the hand as it scuttles across the floor toward the door like a five-legged freak.

STEPH: Come back here!


PANEL FOUR: Steph has crashed face first into Joe's crotch where he stands in the doorway. Joe looks stunned as he tries to balance the various breakfast sacks and drinks he's carrying, dropping one Styrofoam drink cup which is falling.

JOE: Desayungh...

STEPH: Hrrmph!


PANEL FIVE: Steph still on her knees before Joe, catching the drink cup that has fallen from his grasp.

JOE: De nada...?

STEPH: Got it! But the hand of the Ninjador escaped!


PANEL SIX: Steph standing in front of Joe holding the drink she caught. The big tattooed man is wearing his usual jeans, sleeveless vest and a baseball cap. He is shrugging and holds sacks of donuts and drinks for everyone in his arms.

STEPH: So guess who I can count on to be waiting for me at the airport tonight?

JOE: Airport?


******


PAGE ELEVEN: Three horizontal panels stacked one over another.


PANEL ONE: A familiar yellow cab has parked in front of a building that has a sign that reads "AirEx Pick-up and Delivery." A second sign reads, "Expanding soon!" To the reader's right of the façade is a construction site behind a chain link fence. On the fence is a warning sign that reads "Construction zone." There is an AirEx jet plane on the ground behind all this or possibly one in the air in the distance.

CAPTION: That night. Gotham Airport.

STEPH (from cab): Stay here and keep the cab running, Joe.

JOE (from cab): Si, Joe keep engine running.


PANEL TWO: Steph is wearing a Batgirl costume, identifiable as Barbara's because it still has the vented cuts on it. She is running into the building as two men in AirEx uniforms run out as if in terror.

WORKER ONE: Did you see that?

WORKER TWO: Please god let me unsee it!

STEPH: Crap, the Ninjador's already here!


PANEL THREE: Steph is vaulting over a counter top inside the office.

STEPH: According to Wendy that package should be in the back for pick-up now or delivery tomorrow.


******


PAGE TWELVE: Four panels. Panels one and three are each horizontal half pagers. Panels two and four are smaller insets in the lower right corner of each larger panel.


PANEL ONE: Steph is standing in a room full of boxes, looking down in gaping surprise. A mutant hand is scuttling past her boots, dragging an AirEx box just large enough to hold a crystal skull.

STEPH: Unhand that skull you fast-fingered fiend!


PANEL TWO: The hand pulling the box heads under a gap in the construction fence at the end of a corridor.


PANEL THREE: Steph gives chase around the corner of a big machine that reads, "Pallet wrap" on the side with her grapple gun in hand. "POOT" is lettered over the gun.


PANEL FOUR: "KERLUNK" is written across the panel as a grapple hook catches the box.


******


PAGE THIRTEEN: Three panels. Panel one is top three-fifths of page. Panels two and three are side by side below that.

PANEL ONE: The view is from behind Steph at an angle so she can be seen holding a crystal skull she has taken out of an open box with a mutant hand still dangling from it. In front of her the masked Ninjador stands with sword in hand. He does not appear to be missing any hands or eyes or ears. There is a large cone shaped concrete pouring container hanging from a crane in the background behind him.

STEPH: Oh crap!


PANEL TWO: A close-up of Steph's puzzled expression.

STEPH: Three hands? But how?


PANEL THREE: Close-up of the bat-masked mutant face of the wickedly smiling ninjador.

NINJADOR: I can regen a half dozen hands an hour. Meet my right-hand... that is to say... my henchhands!


******


PAGE FOURTEEN: Splash page. The silhouette of the Ninjador's mask frames this page on the right side edge. Beyond that the bulk of the page is Steph finding herself swarmed by a horde of mutant Ninjador hands, crawling all over her like five legged freaks. Her face is contorted in terror. The attacking hands are everywhere on her body. Two are strangling her. One is even crawling over the cowl. They are on her arms and legs, perhaps even gripping at other contours. The artist and/or reader's imagination should have fun with this image. This should make a good horror movie poster.

STEPH: Ohmygawd! Keep your filthy hands to yo...urk!

NINJADOR: Pallet wrap her, boys!


******


PAGE FIFTEEN: Four panels. Panels one and three are each horizontal half pagers. Panels two and four are smaller insets in the lower right corner of each larger panel.


PANEL ONE: Steph is wrapped tightly in heavy clear plastic from ankles to neck, pinning her arms to her sides and legs together. The horde of hands is carrying her before the evil smirking ninjador who now holds the skull in one hand and his sword in the other. The cone shaped concrete pouring container still looms behind him and a hooded girl is watching from a perch on it.

NINJADOR: This is what I call a win win. I have the skull and you helpless before me. I'm going to enjoy poking holes in you.


PANEL TWO: Joe's face is distraught as he climbs over the chain link fence.

JOE: Steph!


PANEL THREE: The Ninjador has turned his head to look, holding his sword out in front of him. Steph's legs are up and pulling away from the sword, plastic cut open as she has just freed her legs on the blade.

STEPH: Joe? Stay back!

NINJADOR: Not you again... you're one dead injun!


PANEL FOUR: The Ninjador has an annoyed/confused expression as a batgirl glove takes the crystal skull from his hand. "POOT" appears across the bottom of the frame.


******


PAGE SIXTEEN: Four relatively equal panels.


PANEL ONE: Steph is zipping along a line up to the crane holding the concrete pouring cone. A couple of stray henchhands are falling from her, but the Ninjador himself has hold of her trailing wrist, seemingly putting quite the strain on her.

NINJADOR: You're not getting away from me this time, tricky bitch!

STEPH: You're not the only one...


PANEL TWO: The Ninjador is seen from above Steph who is looking down from a perch on the concrete pouring contraption. Steph is holding the crystal skull in a gloved hand and is missing the glove off of the wrist on to which the Ninjador was holding. The missing glove is in the hand of the now writhing Ninjador who finds himself impaled on several rods of steel rebar poking up through his body where he lies on a pile on construction site trash on the ground below Steph. The hench hands are swarming and working in an effort to free the Ninjador.

STEPH: ...with a removable hand... or in this case... glove.

NINJADOR: Bitch, when I get my hands on you...


PANEL THREE: Steph is pulling a lever on the cone contraption and concrete is pouring on the Ninjador. He looks like a writhing mudman as the concrete begins to cover him.

STEPH: I have a more concrete threat for you, Zombat!


PANEL FOUR: Steph and Joe walking away from a mound of concrete.

STEPH: You can't kill the undead since they're already dead, but you can still give them a proper burial.

JOE: Plan bueno.

STEPH: Plan? Oh yeah right, so totally my plan.


******


PAGE SEVENTEEN: Five panels. Panel one is square and takes up the majority of the page. Panel two is a small inset in the upper left of panel one. Panels three thru five are side by side across the bottom.


PANEL ONE: Joe stands by Barbara's bed holding out the crystal skull toward Barbara. The gold orb hanging from around his neck is glowing. A beam of golden energy is shooting from the orb into the skull and out the skull's eyes into Barbara. Joe's animal tattoos and Barbara are glowing. The ghosted images of spirit animals surround the bed. The eagle is perched on the headboard. The bear stands across from Joe. The deer stands at the foot of the bed. And the cougar is crouched in front of Joe. A glowing bat is flying over Barbara's head. The entire panel has a gold glow around the edges.

CAPTION (Above panel two inside panel one): Soon. West Mercy Hospital.



PANEL TWO (Inset): Steph in Batgirl costume stands nervously outside door.

CAPTION: Steph watches the hall outside Barbara's room.


PANEL THREE: Joe passing Steph outside the doorway to the room.

JOE: Joe keep watch now.


PANEL FOUR: Steph in Batgirl cowl peeking her head around a door.

STEPH: Barbara?


PANEL FIVE: Barbara smiling.

BARBARA: Come in, Steph.


******


PAGE EIGHTEEN: Six panels.


PANEL ONE: Barbara is sitting up on the side of the bed dressed in blouse and slacks as Steph removes the Batgirl cowl.

BARBARA: Joe told me the orb was good for only one healing and you chose me.

STEPH: It was the right thing to do.


PANEL TWO: Barbara standing as Steph strips off the Batgirl costume.

BARBARA: You've certainly proven you have the mettle to be Batgirl.

STEPH: I simply borrowed the suit from the real Batgirl one last time.


PANEL THREE: Barbara blinking as Steph, dressed in only plain white undergarments hands the Batgirl costume to her.

BARBARA: Are you sure?

STEPH: Never more sure. I'm Stephanie Brown. And I need to stop pretending to be anyone else.


PANEL FOUR: Barbara looks back as she packs the costume away in a suitcase on the bed.

BARBARA: So this is the real reason you needed a crystal skull?


PANEL FIVE: Steph is pulling a big purple sweater out of her duffle as Barbara closes the suitcase.

STEPH: Yes.

BARBARA: If you deliver the skull to Professor Paine you might get unfired.

STEPH: Yeah, maybe.


PANEL SIX: Steph is belting the sweater like a dress as she faces Barbara. Steph has a smirk on her lips as she winks at Barbara. Barbara is smiling.

BARBARA: Steph, you've never let being fired stop you before.

STEPH: And it won't now. So are you good?


******


PAGE NINETEEN: Five panels. Panels one and two are each two-thirds of the page tall side by side at the top. Panels three thru five are relatively equal panels side by side across the remaining third of page below that.


PANEL ONE: Barbara and Steph hug warmly, their respective luggage at their feet.

BARBARA: Never felt better! Thanks. However I think I'll take a quick trip to South Africa and claim I got another treatment to throw off our friend, Detective Gage.

STEPH: As Joe says... plan bueno. But hurry back, Batgirl. And don't ever let Bruce tell you what Batgirl can or can't do. Batgirl belongs to you!


PANEL TWO: Steph and Joe are meeting in a hospital hallway. Steph appears unusually feminine in her short purple sweater dress and leather ankle boots. Joe seems to be examining her contours closely as he takes the purple duffle from her.

STEPH: Barbara can check herself out and mom is asleep so let's not wake her.

JOE: How long since Steph sleep?


PANEL THREE: Steph stares at Joe in a zombie-like stupor as if trying to figure it out.

STEPH: I'm not sure. I guess... geesh, it's been like forty-eight hours!

JOE: Biggest fan take Steph home now.


PANEL FOUR: Steph is getting in the passenger side of Joe's cab as he tosses the duffle in the back seat.

STEPH: Wow, it's cold. So where are you staying, Joe?

JOE: Joe sleep in cab.

STEPH: That's silly. You can sleep at my house...


PANEL FIVE: Joe has a hand on the wheel, driving his cab. He is taking a sideways glance however at Steph who has put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

JOE: Plan buen... oh, asleep already?

STEPH: Zzzzzz...


******


PAGE TWENTY: Four horizontal panels one above the other.


PANEL ONE: A view of the Brown home with the sun coming up over it.

CAPTION: Brown House. Next Morning.


PANEL TWO: A blinking Steph is waking up in the arms of Joe in a twin-sized bed. They are covered for the most part by the sheets and covers, but there is no sign of clothing to be seen on their exposed arms and shoulders.

JOE: Mañana. Steph warm?

STEPH: Mmhhmm... toasty even... Joe? Whathe... Joe! Ohmygawd, did we?


PANEL THREE: Joe is smiling and stroking a lock of golden hair back from Steph's smiling face as a shaft of sunlight coming through a window finds it.

JOE: No.

STEPH: You know I could so use some breakfast Joe.

JOE: How Steph like coffee?

STEPH: Hot like Joe.


PANEL FOUR: Steph has embraced Joe passionately, her eyes closed, his wide in surprise.


******