''Hey Kara,'' Ivy asked, ''We want to make an annoucement about cake and presents and stuff. May we use the mic?''

''Sure,'' Kara replied, ''Who am I to say 'no' to the birthday girl anyway?''

Carmen smiled and she and Ivy hopped on the stage. Ivy took the mic and tapped it. ''Testing, 1..2...3...could I have everyone's attention?''

The crowd turned their attention towards the ladies on stage.

''Hi folks, uh, we were just discussing things here, and thought it would be a good time to move on to the cake and ice cream, what do you say?'' Ivy asked the crowd.

The crowd was nodding and saying in unison things like, ''Yeah, good idea,'' ''Sure!''

''Ok then,'' Ivy said, ''Seeing we're agreed, let's do that then.'' She then turned to Carmen, ''Where do we go for this?''

Carmen put her hand out and Ivy handed her the microphone. Carmen then annouced, ''Everyone can go meet in the grand dining room. There's sure to be enough seats there for everyone.''

As Lio moved with the rest of the crowd she tried to stay as far away from Kara who was still visibly steamed.

She hurried up to join Zack and Scott.

''Y'Know I think we've discovered a more powerful force of nature than El Nino,'' she told them indicating Kara ''and personally I'd face El Nino's worst any day!''

''Like I've been saying, next time we have to bring dates so we won't be tempted to try to start an uprising.'' Zack remarked.

''I don't know about that....most of the guys I know I could coherce into coming to something like this would probably get bored faster than I did!''

''Y'know it wouldn't of hurt if they played something we could Air guitar to...'' started Zack.

''...Yeah but I don't think any of us want to try to tell Kara that! I think I speak for all of us when I say I like all my body parts where they are. Man...I still can't get over it! Martha Stewart AND Barney would be down for the count in a couple of seconds....''

''I just wanted to do something other than dance with my sister! Is that so much to ask?'' Zack protested.

Lio glanced over to where Erin and his date were talking were talking again to the just-desending Ivy. ''I think that's being arranged...I wonder if Erin will let us try out that Anti-gravaty twister game after Carmen opens up her stuff.....''

During the mass exodus to the dining room, Laurie, Jaci, and Meg waltzed their way over to the bandstand to see how the maestro was holding up after the mini-catastrophe. They found her and her band surrounded by some of Carmen's nameless henchmen.

''What on Earth are you up to, Kara?'' Laurie asked.

''I'm setting up a defense perimeter around the stage. Sara Bellum loaned me a forcefield and it's guranteed to keep away any would-be revolutionaries.'' Kara tossed her baton and watched the forcefield glow blue upon impact. Jaci, Laurie, and Meg were all astonished as they saw it rebound like a basketball. ''Neat huh?'' Kara turned to a few nameless henchmen. ''Keep your position here. I want to be notified at the first sign of trouble. And don't fall for any of Zack's Three Stooges routine if he shows up!''

''Yes ma'am,'' they answered in unison.

''Good. I should be back by 21 hundred hours.''

''DEFENSE PERIMETER? Kara, isn't that a little extreme? I mean, it's a stage, not an army bunker.'' Laurie said as they exited the ballroom.

''Yeah, maybe somebody's developing 'I am the conductor, therefore I am God'' syndrome....''' Meg teased and poked Kara in the arm.

''I'm not taking any more chances with Scott, Zack and Lio around. I leave the stage for a few minutes and look what happens! Total chaos!'' Kara exclaimed.

''By the way, I thought you were supposed to dance with Scott as a method of removing him from the stage. What happened to our original plan?'' Jaci asked suspiciously.

''Me, dance with Scott? He's going to be lucky if I decide to talk to him again! So, I went for plan B instead. Remove them as quickly as possible. I'm still a little shaky, though I've basically calmed down the guys as much as can be expected.'' Kara sighed.

''You know, Scott's really scared of you, now. I hope you don't have any hard feelings,'' Laurie said sympathetically.

''Me? Not really. The guys are another story. I seriously had to talk them out of 'accidently' putting his luggage on a plane to Siberia.....''

''That would NOT have been pretty...'' Meg laughed.

''Indeed. Maybe I should give them a few doughnut demerits?'' Jaci smiled.

''You are getting far too liberal with those, Jaci. Anyway, I'm willing to put that little skirmish behind us. At least they've learned their lesson....I hope.'' Kara prayed.

''I'm sure your defense perimeter will take care of it if they haven't,'' Laurie chuckled as the quartet entered the Grand Dining Room. The proceeded along to the front of the spacious room where they were seated close to the guest of honor.

Carmen, now dressed in a stylish red gown, turned to Kara and smiled, ''I hear you had a little chaos to deal with while I was out.''

''Oui, but it's been taken care of thanks to 'fearless leader'' and her her band,'' Kara gave a pointed look in Scott, Lio and Zack's direction. ''Now, let's get this on it's way!'' she shouted to a waiter triumphantly.

The waiter said, ''We have three flavors of ice cream: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. And part of our cake is chocolate, part of it is vanilla. The birthday girl gets first choice of ice cream and cake, afterwards, I'll go with the guest sitting to her right, and so on down to the one to person sitting on her left.''

Carmen said, ''Okay, I'll have strawberry ice cream, and a piece of chocolate cake.''

''Ok, one order of strawberry ice cream and one order of chocolate cake. Now, who's this on your right?''

''Kara French,'' said Kara. ''I'll have chocolate ice cream, and a piece of chocolate cake.''

''Ok, one order of chocolate ice cream and another order of chocolate cake. Next?''

''My name is Jaci Su Harris,'' said Jaci, ''and I'll have vanilla ice cream, and a piece of vanilla cake.''

''Ok, one order of vanilla ice cream and an order of vanilla cake. Next?''

As Meg (who happened to be sitting next to Jaci), placed her order, Kara whispered to Jaci, ''You don't like chocolate?''

''No,'' said Jaci. ''I never liked chocolate, though my Mom loves it. She especially loves fudge. I think I was born with a resistance to chocolate.''

Scott reached into the lapel of his jacket and pulled out the seating chart for the head table of the party. He read at the top the little note with Jaci's official signature (a donut following her name). Carmen and Suhara sat at the head of the extremely large table. He looked at the lengthy guest list. To Carmen's right, Kara, Jaci, Meg, Carli, Seldavia, Anita, Megan, and Kiyone sat in order down the elegant table. On the opposite end, the Chief, in his digital form, hovered level with the table. To Suhara's left, Kevin, Laurie, Scott, Lio, Zack, Ivy, and Erin sat down the line.

Thus, he read:

       The Grand Dining Hall of the VILE Headquarters (Head Table):
       Compliments of Jaci Su Harris (o)

                                    Carmen   
                  Kara                              Suhara
                  Jaci                              Kevin
                  Meg                               Laurie
                  Carli                             Scott
                  Seldavia                          Lio
                  Anita                             Zack
                  Megan                             Ivy
                  Kiyone                            Erin
                                  The Chief
       

But first, the cake! Apologizes always run better on a full stomach.

Scott excused himself from the head table to find his friend, Manny. Manny was sitting at a table wiht Professor Sara Bellum, Darak Riska, Paige Turner, and Al Loy as well as a few other henchmen. ''Manny,'' Scott began, ''could I talk to you for a minute?''

''Well, Scott, Professor Bellum was just discussing the importance of quantum physics and the uncertainty principle. Speaking of uncertainty, I'm not really sure what she was talking about.''

''Well, I want to get something, and you might be able to help me. You see...I would like to get a bouquet of flowers.''

''Simple. Just take one from the vases in the ballroom.'' he started to walk away.

''No, you don't understand, Manny. I am in Paris, the city of lights and love. I need a bouquet of flowers...for one of the most beautiful women in the world,'' he stated.

''Thinking your gift to the guest of honor is a little lacking, hmm?'' Manny said.

''Not exactly,'' Scott replied.

''Well, you are in luck. The arboretum in the east wing has perhaps the most beautiful flowers in the world. Exceptional selection. I'll show you,'' Manny beckoned.

Scott and Manny left the grand dining room and proceeded across the ballroom into the main foyer. They travelled up the main staircase and passed down the hall corridor. Manny opened a door which lead to a large greenhouse. There were flowers everywhere. Roses, tulips, sunflowers, lilies, and other beautiful flowers decorated the room. Off in a corner in the arboretum sat aside on the table, many gorgeous bouquets of roses were fully in bloom and looked exactly what Scott was searching for.

''You must be in luck, Scott,'' Manny said as he examined one bouquet, ''This is absolutely perfect. It looks just like the floral arrangement I think you are looking for. I was going to stock these in the vases downstairs, but I must have passed them over when I was setting up the ballroom. Help yourself.''

After examining each of the bouquets, Scott picked up the most beautiful bouquet in the room. ''Well, I hope she likes it.''

Scott and Manny left the arboretum and returned to the party. Scott hid the bouquet in the ballroom near the infamous corner of the hall as they went to return to the dining hall, where, hopefully, few witnessed their absence for a long time. He would have to make sure to retrieve the flowers when the time was just right. Scott returned to his seat and starting talking to Lio.

''Where were you, Scott?'' Lio asked him.

''Well, I was getting some flowers...for a friend.'' Scott replied.

''Thought your gift was a little stingy, huh. Don't worry about it,'' Lio smiled.

''This doesn't have to do with the guest of honor,'' he said evasively.

Lio smirked, ''I see. Well, I hope whoever she is likes it.''

Scott despondently answered her, ''I hope so too. Otherwise, I don't know what I'm gonna do.''

Seldavia's head appeared in the dining hall doorway, and she trotted quickly in with Suhara behind her.

''We were wondering where everybody went!'' she said with a laugh. They both consulted Scott about the seating arrangement and sat down.

''Where were you?'' Carli asked.

''We stepped out for a moment,'' Seldavia answered. ''It was getting weird in there.''

Anie laughed. ''You really are new around here, aren't you?''

''Let me guess,'' Seldavia said with a smile. ''Things are always like this. Well, I can handle that.''

''Any so-called Ice Queen would look like a summer in Jamacia in this room,'' thought Lio ''Even my burning bridges aren't enough to start any warmth going...''

At least the Jaci's list had given her the Grace of being sandwiched between the only two people who would talk to her at the moment. She never could eat anything when she was tense.

Augh! What had possessed her to jump right up on stage? Hadn't her Dad always told her 'Don't eat anything bigger than your head'? Well, she was eating something now, and it strangly tasted of foot.

''What flavor Ice Queen Miss?'' the waiter's voice brought her back to reality.

''Huh?''

''Your Ice cream and cake Miss. What flavors?''

''Um, Vanilla Ice cream and Chocolate cake.''

''Thank you ma'am. You sir?''

Lio sighed. If they were celebrating in Cleveland, in The Flats they wouldn't have a problem.

*Yeah you would Lio!* Chirped a voice in her head.

*Kara definatly would hate the music and somehow find the cast of 'Rent', 'Beauty and the Beast' and the entire Cleveland Orchestra and drag them down to the pier!*

*No she wouldn't!*

*What, you think she couldn't pull it off? Don't make me laugh! And what about Carmen? She'd be totally out of her Element!*

*What, water?*

*Don't go pulling that Astrology stuff on me! This was an almost perfect evening! Just because YOU don't like the music don't go singing 'Do you hear the people sing?' and try to lead a revolution!*

Lio didn't know what was worse. That she was talking to herself or that the Voice she was talking to had a point.

Augh! She hated appologies. She always feared that they would make things worse somehow .....

But Kara had been a good friend before all this had happened, and she and the guys had pretty much been in the wrong...

A thousand excuses crept into her mind, a thousand alternatives, a thousand appology speachs....

A plate was set down in front of her and she snapped out of it. She'd appologise after Carmen opened up her gifts. That way she could beat a hasty retreat if things went sour.

A fork met a glass at the head of the table and everyone became quiet.

''Mmmmmm, I just love chocolate cake. Jaci, how can you be born immune to not only DDS but chocolate as well? They are two of the better, though slightly addictive, things in life?'' Kara asked Jaci to her left.''

''I really don't know. But, you just earned a doughnut demerit for calling DDS one of the better things in life.'' Jaci laughed.

''What is a 'doughnut demerit' exactly? And just what is DDS?'' Carmen turned and looked at the girls.

''Long story, Carmen. Let's just say it involves the crazy behavior of a certain absent-minded professor.'' Kara and Jaci started cracking up.

''Understood.'' Carmen smiled.

Just then a clinking of glass was heard. Kevin was trying to get everyone's attention. ''Attention please, attention everyone.'' The room quieted down. ''Thanks. I believe we're going to start with the opening of gifts now. Uh, Kara why don't you go first?'' Kevin suggested.

*Why do I always have to go first?* Kara thought. *Somebody has to blaze the trail* ''Alright then''. She took out a golden envelope that was tied with a bright red ribbon and handed it to Carmen.

''Hmmmm, what could this be? A gift certificate, Kara? You're losing your creative edge.'' Carmen said as she opened the present. A theater ticket tumbled out of the envelope and onto Carmen's lap. ''A ticket to ''Chicago'', Kara? You shouldn't have.'' Then she smiled. ''What's the catch?''

''Oh, you see I have the other ticket,'' Kara laughed. ''So, you're going to have to put up with me for a whole day in New York. I've only been trying to get tickets for the past five months!''

''I see. And what starving actor friend are we going to have to take out to dinner when we get there?'' Carmen shot Kara an amused glance.

''The bartender. He's the one who got me the tickets.''

''Oh, him.'' Carmen and Kara shared a knowing look.

''I hope you like your present, Carmen.'' Kara said with a carefree grin.

''This party was present enough. Thank you, Kara. This was so sweet of you. I know we'll have a good time.'' Carmen carefully put the ticket back in the envelope.

''So?'' Kara glanced down the table. ''Who's next?''

Jaci raised her hand. She wanted to be polite.

''I see Jaci's hand,'' said Carmen. ''Looks like you're next.''

Jaci smiled, and pulled out a big book-like box wrapped in red and tied with a green ribbon, and handed it to Carmen. ''Here's your gift, Carmen.''

Carmen unwrapped the gift carefully to find a heavy book. It had a picture of William Shakespeare on the front, along with pictures of scenes from Hamlet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Merchant of Venice. Underneath the pictures was a title: The Complete Works of William Shakepseare.

''A book on all of William Shakespeare's plays!'' said Carmen in delight. ''Of course, you're the resident Shakespeare nut among my associates. And at least I don't have to steal any books on Shakespeare's plays now. Where did you get this?''

''From Walden Books Bookstore in Pottstown,' said Jaci. 'When Laurie told me about the planned surprise party, my Mom and I went to the bookstore and I asked for the newest version of all of William Shakespeare's books. Luckily, they had just gotten this book, and told me where it was. Since Mom and I are preferred readers, we didn't pay as much for the book as we might otherwise have.''

''Thank you, Jaci. I know I'll love this gift.'' Carmen carefully put the book back in its box.

''Who's next?'' said Jaci.

Seldavia raised her hand this time.

Seldavia winked at Jaci. ''Waldenbooks, huh? I happen to work there.''

''My turn, Bright Eyes,'' Seldavia announced, hand up. She handed Carmen the brightly-wrapped gift.

Carmen opened it, and lifted up an African dress that was very similar to Seldavia's, with the same intricate embroidery around the collar--except that the dress was red, of course, not green.

''Aicha told me that they don't normally make 'em in pure red,'' Seldavia said with a smile, ''But I asked her to make an exception for a rather extraordinary friend of mine.''

''It's beautiful, Seldavia,'' Carmen told her, running her hands over the white embroidery.

''There's a bit more in the box too,'' Seldavia said. Carmen brought out two necklaces, and Seldavia told her, ''The beaded one is from Kenya. The one with green beads and sculpted metal is from India.'' Carmen thanked Seldavia again, and put the beaded one on for her benefit.

''Who's next?'' someone asked.

''Pick someone, Seldavia,'' Carmen told her.

''All right.'' Seldavia squinted. ''I....pick.....Suhara.''

Suhara handed Carmen a package wrapped in gold foil. As she opened it, her eyes went wide, for inside the box was the most beautiful kimono she'd ever seen.

The background color was red, of course, but it melted into oranges and yellows to create the image of a setting sun. The motif was of a waterfall, intertwined with silver thread, bordered by mountains. Cranes stood and flapped their wings in the silver frothy water.

''It has been in the family for many years,'' Suhara told her gravely.

''It's too much,'' Carmen told him softly, caressing the soft silk.

''Not for an old friend,'' Suhara told her. ''For you, it is perfect.'' Carmen thanked him wholeheartedly, folding the kimono carefully and placing it back in the box.

Seeing Carmen fold away Suhara's present, Scott decided to raise his hand to let Carmen open his gift. Carmen nodded to him as he grabbed his considerably large gift off of the adjacent present table. The present was in a yellow box with a large red ribbon on it.

Carmen delighted in this gift. ''Well, let's see what this might be!'' Carmen delicately opened the package...and removed a large world globe. On the globe's bottom was a series of dials and a big red button marked GPS.

''Well, Carmen, most people are always wondering where you are. I thought this might come in handy if you are not quite so sure of the answer yourself,'' Scott smiled, ''And when you turn the dials, it turns the nations of the world back to that time.''

He demonstrated, ''See, in 1990, the Soviet Union still exists.'' The Commonwealth of Independent Nation suddenly became a part of the Soviet Union again. ''This globe goes back to 1900. It's a nice way to remember history. Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it.''

''George Santayana said it all didn't he,'' Carmen grinned, ''This Global Positioning System is very handy too, I see.''

''That's right, Carmen. All youi have to do is press the big red button, and the globe tells you exactly where you are.''

Scott pushed the GPS button on the base of the globe. Two red lines, one of latitude and one of longitude appeared on the world globe. The points met at 48 degrees 50 minutes 14 seconds North and 0 degrees 20 minutes and 14 seconds East, at Paris, France exactly. (Note rom Scott: That really is Paris, France. I checked in the World Almanac.)

''Well, thank you very much, Scott. This will come in handy!'' Carmen smiled at him. She put the globe back in its box and asked who would want to give their gift to her next.

Scott took his seat, satisfied for the first time of the night, that he actually did something right.

Megan sat quietly for a moment before she raised her hand.

Carmen noticed her hand and said, ''I guess that means you're next, Megan.''

''Yes, but uh, could I get some help lifting the present. If I lift it again, you'll probably need to call an ambulence to pick me off the floor because my back will be broken.''

''No problem,' Kara stated. 'Where is it?''

''It's over there on the table, next to Meg's gift.''

Kara and Megan stood up and went over to the gift table. As they both picked up the gift, Kara groaned. ''Man! How in the world did you bring this here on your own? This thing weighs a ton!''

''Well, I did it myself, and my back will be thanking me for a month,'' Megan said sarcastically. ''Glad I didn't get the that dinosaur I was going to.''

''You were gonna get me a dinosaur?'' Carmen asked as Kara and Megan set the gift down next to her.

''Yeh, but that was to expensive to make, so I had to settle with this. Hope you like it. I heard you you should always get something that reflects who you are?'' Then Megan and Kara returned to their seats.

Carmen smiled at her.

''That is always best,'' Carmen replied.

Then she reached for the paper, but before she could even begin to tear the paper, a loud screech came from inside the brightly wrapped package.

Carmen froze in surprize. The paper began moving.

''Ah,'' she said. ''So this is one of those moving presents. Very interesting.''

Carmen took hold of the paper and gently removed the paper. She gasped as she pulled it away. Sitting in a good sized wire cage was a young Congo African Grey Parrot.

''Oh my!'' she said. ''Megan, he's beautiful.''

Carmen opened the cage and slipped her gloveless hand inside the cage.

''How old is he?'' she asked as she gently rubbed it's head. the bird made a soft cueing sound as she rubbed her fingers through its feathers.

''He's about three months old,'' Megan answered. ''He's still a baby. He'll be an adult in about two to three years. He's hand raised too, so he's bond easy.''

''Can I take him out?'' she asked.

''Of course! He's your bird now. You can do anything you want with him, short of ringing his little neck, which I might say, I felt like doing when I learned he'd got out of his cage in the baggage compartment on the plane.''

''I wouldn't even consider it,'' Carmen said as she placed her finger under the bird's belly and it stepped up onto it. Then, she carefully removed him from the cage.

''Hello there pretty one,'' Carmen said gently.

The bird looked at her, and then made a loud squawk.

''Man,'' said Zack. ''That little guy have some powerful lungs.''

''You should hear mine,'' Megan told him. ''I, uh, named her Carmen.'' She smiled back at Carmen, who smiled back, while beginning to pet the bird again. ''She is so loud, that sometimes I wish she would get strep-throat. She is nothing like our Carmen.''

Laurie, who was sitting next to Carmen, turned to Megan for a moment, and then back to Carmen and the bird. She noticed a stray feather on the bird's tail.

''Hey little guy,'' Laurie said reaching for the stray feather. ''You lost a feather there. Here, I'll get it.''

That turned out to be a bad move. When it felt her fingers touch it's tail, the baby bird freaked and leapped into the air. But, being a baby still, it didn't get very far. It glided down the table and landed with a plot, on top of Ivy's head.

Everyone stared for a second at the bird as it turned and looked at the stunned crowd, and squawked again.

At that moment, everyone, minus Ivy, who didn't want bird poop in her hair, burst out laughing.

Carmen came over to Ivy and took the bird out of her hair. She then put it back in its cage.

After she seated herself back at the head of the table, Laurie asked if she could give Carmen her gift next.

''Of course,'' Carmen replied.

Laurie then went over to the present table and got her gift. It was a large rectangular box wrapped in silver 'Happy Birthday' paper with a red bow. She handed it to Carmen who placed it on the table and began to unwrap it.

When she was finished, she picked up the present- a large book entitled, 'The Art of the Hunchback of Notre Dame' with a pack of Esmeralda stickers taped on top. Carmen smiled and said, ''I am guessing this is because of the whole idea you and Kevin have that I resemble Esmeralda, right?''

Laurie nodded and Carmen opened the book. ''Well it is a lovely book. The artwork in here is beautiful, and I did enjoy this movie. Thank you very much.''

''You're welcome,'' Laurie replied.

Carmen then looked at the stickers closely. ''You know, you two may have a point,'' she said with a smile.

Laurie and Kevin chuckled a little bit.

Afterwards, a smiling Meg carefully handed a red box to Carmen. A small squeak-like noise came from the inside.

Carmen's eyes widened, ''Another live present?'' she asked, pleased.

She smiled as she unwrapped the paper and unlocked the door on the pet carrier that was inside. A small black cat with large bat ears poked its head out and look up at Carmen with large green eyes.

''Mew,''it squeaked.

Carmen pressed her face in its fur, ''Aaaw, Meg, it's adorable!''

''Thanks,''Meg said, ''It's a purebread Egyptian Mau. I hope Carmine doesn't mind.''

''Oh, I don't think she'll be jealous,'' Carmen said, looking towards the large orange cat in the corner.

Carmine meowed in response.

''I take that as a hello,'' Carmen said.

Just then Kiyone reached into the small handbag that was part of her outfit and withdrew a small silver wrapped package. She passed it down to Carmen.

''Why, Kiyone,'' Carmen said, surprised. ''I'm touched. I didn't think you'd get me a gift.''

''You've shown me plenty of courtesy tonight,'' Kiyone said. ''And if you can extend that to someone who is technically on the opposite side of the law as you, you're all right in my book. Besides, back in my home dimension, you don't exist anyway so who's to say I can't enjoy myself, right?''

''Absolutely,'' Carmen said. She opened the box and withdrew a small medal. It had a red ribbon and the medal itself was a brass star with a stylized 'GP' on it.

''By the power vested in me as a Detective, First Class of the Galaxy Police,'' Kiyone began, standing up. ''I hereby bestow upon you, Carmen Sandiego, the honorary rank of Detective First Class in the Galaxy Police!'' She finished her proclamaition with a smile and a salute. Applause erupted around the table. Carmen retuned Kiyone's salute and the GP officer sat back down.

As the ooh and ahs over Carmen's gifts died down, Kiyone and Erin exchanged glances. Erin picked up his knife and clinked it against his water glass, silencing the crowd. He stood up.

''Ladies and gentlemen, as has been rehashed for who knows how many times tonight, we have gathered here to celebrate the birthday of an extraordinary woman. And Kiyone and I thought such an extraordinary woman deserves an extraordinary way of celebrating such an auspicious day. So if you will all kindly adjourn to the back lawn, we'll demonstrate what we have in mind.''

With that the pseudoscientist and his assistant left the dining room. The crowd, intrigued, soon followed.

''Y'know the cake here was pretty decent,'' Lio had told Zack as they walked out.

''Yeah, I wonder if they have a shop in San Francisco. Be a good place for an after-work snack.''

''Definatly. I wonder what Erin has planned?''

Lio and the other guests got to find out soon enough.

Out on the lawn, the assembled guests saw that Kara's band had set up next to a large box about fifteen feet high. It was done up like an enormous present with black paper and a red ribbon.

Erin stepped to a microphone and gestured to Carmen to come up to the box. The guest of honor did so. Behind them, Kara took up her usual position. Kiyone edged up to the Chief and whispered something to him, causing him to nod rapidly.

''Carmen,'' Erin began. ''This party is a way to show you how many people truly care about you, despite what they have to say officially.'' He punctuated this remark with a look at Zack and Ivy. A titter emerged from the crowd.

''So tonight we honor you,'' Erin continued, ''But there's one thing that we need to make this evening complete.'' He reached up to a long red rope that hung from the over sized ribbon. ''Chief?''

The Chief hovered up to the mike. Kara railsed her baton. ''Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?'' the Chief exclaimed in delight.

Erin pulled the cord just as Kara's band launched into the theme from the animated series.

Sparks and fireworks burst from the box, illuminating the night sky with colors. Carmen watched breathless at the perfectly orchestrated display, which concluded with a firework representation of her logo, hanging in the night sky for a full three minutes.

''Happy birthday, Carmen!'' Erin cried to the crowd. There was excited applause and cheers.

''Speech! Speech!'' cried Erin, Kiyone and the Chief. Carmen, for the first time in a long while, blushed and approached the mike.

She took the mic and looked out over the audience. ''Well, I really am speechless. I guess I just want to thank everyone for coming and all of you who in some way helped bring this party together.''

Carmen continued, ''I must admit, when I first met each one of you, I had no idea that I would be important enough to you that you would plan such a special birthday party for me.''

Jaci said, ''I think I can speak for all of us when I say that I had no idea that I would come to love and respect you enough to plan this birthday party when I first met you.''

A chorus of agreement came from the rest of the crowd.

Carmen then added, ''That's what makes each one of us precious -- you never know when you're going to make a good friend. Thank you one and all.''

A chorus of cheers and claps greeted Carmen's speech.

When the cheering after Jaci's statement had subsided a little, Scott said, ''Good friends are certainly hard to come by, Carmen. And, fortunately, we gathered the best friends in the world.'' He then gestured to the entourage standing outside. ''The fact that we are all here must say something about how strong our loyalty and friendship to you really is, and our friendship to each other no doubt.'' Scott spotted Kara in the distance and realized what still needed to be done.

Carmen smiled at him, ''You're right, Scott. It is times like these when you know who you can really count on. Thank you all!''

A resounding cheer followed, and during it, Scott ducked back into the main ballroom to retrieve the bouquet of flowers that was stached under the punch bowl table.

Meanwhile Carmen continued her speech to the crowd. ''Even Zack and Ivy decided to join me today. I really do appreciate this, even though tomorrow will undoubtedly return to business as usual.''

Zack smirked, ''We have the dubious distinction of chasing you as an occupation; it's never business as usual.''

Carmen grinned. ''Nor is working with you mudane Zack. I don't think I've ever gone to a party where a revolution was started....or at least attempted.'' Zack blushed a bright red, and the crowd laughed lightly.

''I'm only kidding Zack. Would you and Ivy please join me on stage?...unless that is you're planning to hijack the stage and fly it to Mexico...'' she trailed off with a sly grin.

Zack helped his sister up the stage steps. He noticed she was back in her heels and said, ''Hey, the shoes are back.''

''Yeah little bro. I couldn't walk outside barefoot. Laurie has her shoes back on as well.''

''Oh, that's true,'' Zack replied as he finished helping her on stage.

The detectives then took their places beside Carmen. Carmen stepped back and let the spotlight fall on her favorite detetives.

''The Detectives at ACME are concidered to be the finest in the world. I should know, I was once one. But this Brother-Sister team is the two best ACME detecives I have ever encountered in all my travels. Now I'm not saying that they are flawless 100% of the time...they aren't. They're human like everyone here. But an addition to being as intelegent as any agent on the force they are resourceful, they work together like a well oiled machine and they have been braver than I in some cases. And they are compasionate enough to see criminals like myself as human beings, not case numbers. They are bending laws of conduct just being here and yet they have treated me with respect as they always have. The News has a tendancy to portay people their age as mistfits, but I see before me tonight two young people who are as responceable and mature as any national leader. I am proud to be tracked them, and if life had seen it better that I had ... taken a different path and stayed at ACME, I would be equally proud to say I work with them.'' Carmen extended her hand in a gesture of friendship, and after a highly tense moment Ivy firmly shook it. The crowd roared with applause.

Meanwhile in the crowd, Lio's eyes blurred with tears, and she could barely see Zack shake Carmen's hand then, totally on impulse, hug her.

''It's really nice...'' she started to say as she turned to where Scott had been. But Scott was no longer there. Lio turned to find him and saw Scott exit the ballroom and seemed to be looking for someone. Lio allowed her attention to drift from Carmen's speech to see what he was up to.

Meanwhile in the throng of people, Scott struggled to find Kara. After standing on his toes and surveying the fans, he spotted her. Hiding the flowers behind his back, he decided to approach her.

''Kara?'' he asked.

She turned around to face Scott.

''Well, I know that my actions at this party were inappropriate, rash, and absolutely insulting. There were certainly not becoming of an 18 year old who should know better. It was an act of immaturity and stupidity. You should have every right to hate me at this point, but I just wanted to formally apologize for my egregious transgressions. Quite simply, I'm sorry for the outright wrong things that I did.''

He held out the flowers to Kara. She looked a little surprised. ''I really am sorry. I don't blame Zack and Lio for what happened and accept full responsibility for what we've done. In any case, I don't rationalize what I did by jetlag or boredom or anything. I was just simply wrong, and I am really sorry for what I did. Could you forgive me?''

After seeing this, Lio thought, Ah so that WAS what they were for. Hopefully, I can do the same after Carmen's speech.

For now though, Lio thought she'd turn her attention back to the stage.

Meanwhile, Jaci was so thrilled by the happenings on stage. When she saw Carmen praise Ivy and Zack, tears filled her eyes. This is why I'm proud to be an associate of Carmen's, she thought with sheer pleasure.

Jaci then turned to Kara, and saw her being offered bunch of flowers that Scott was presenting to her.

''Please forgive me for my childish behavior,'' Scott begged Kara.

Kara, who was now noticably blushing, replied, ''Of course I forgive you , Scott. I shouldn't have been as brash as I was either for that matter. You were just trying to liven things up. It's okay, I just have a bit of a temper. Being an actress, I tend to get a tad overdramatic at times.'' She smiled back at Scott.

''You mean, you're not mad? I'm not getting my luggage shipped to Siberia?'' Scott asked hopefully.

''Nope. You think I'd throw our entire friendship away over that little fiasco? I'd have to be nuts to do a thing like that!'' Kara then turned to the rest of the crowd. She sniffled away a tear after Carmen had made her speech. ''Y'know, Carmen's right. We're all different. God knows what each of us likes isn't always exactly the other's cup of tea. Some of us listen to jazz,'' Kara turned and looked to Scott, Lio, and Zack. ''And some of us don't. Some of us obey the law, and others, well they kinda bend the rules, shall we say.'' A smile was cast in Carmen's direction and returned. ''But, we're all friends, even if we have our own likes and dislikes. Let me just say that true friends are hard to find.'' Agreement came from the crowd.

Scott realized he had brought out a punch bowl cup with him and decided to raise it in a mock toast, ''To friendship?''

''To friendship!'' Everyone cheered.

''Thanks for the flowers, Scott. They're quite lovely, you really didn't have to. Friends again?'' Kara asked.

''Friends.'' Scott replied and smiled.

Jaci then came up and said, ''Since you were willing to apologize to Kara for your childish behavior, I'm going to give you back two of the three doughnuts you lost. And if Zack and Lio are willing to apologize too, I'll give them back two doughnuts as well.''

Scott said, ''Wow! Thanks, Jaci!''

Jaci said ''You're welcome.''

Meanwhile, Seldavia was reflecting on Carmen's speech.

''Touching,'' she remarked as she sat on the grass, legs crossed.

''I hear a note of cynicism in your voice,'' Suhara said as he came up to her. ''Do you think that Carmen is not being sincere?''

Seldavia shook her head. ''Not at all. I'm sure she was sincere. But some ties end up getting broken later on, by no fault of the person making them.''

''What do you mean?''

''Those three are on two separate ends of the spectrum, Suhara, and the circumstances behind that spectrum are beyond their control. This is just going to make it harder for Zack and Ivy later on, if they ever have to choose between duty to the Agency and respect for Carmen.''

Suhara frowned, and looked at her, concerned. ''Can't you just enjoy the present, and worry about the future later on?''

Seldavia shook her head. ''I see too much uncertainy in my own future. I guess it's only natural that I fear for everyone else.''

Also, Meg found herself reflecting on all the events around her. She wiped away a single tear from her eye as she watched all of the wonderful things happening around her.

''Gee,''she said with a sniffle, ''All of this honoring and forgiving going on is just wonderful. Makes me kinda want to stop torturing the Professor...''

At that very moment, a downpour of ice cold water fell on top of Meg's head from the balcony above her. As she looked up she saw Sara Bellum holding an empty bucket and laughing hysterically.

''I take it back...'' Meg growled, sopping wet.

Jaci heard a splash. Turning around, she saw Meg, dripping wet.

''What happened?'' Jaci asked, running over, but then she heard a hysterical laugh. Looking up, she saw Sara Bellum, holding an empty bucket. It was pretty obvious to Jaci that Sara dumped a bucket of water on Meg's head.

'Sara dumped ice-cold water on top of me!' said Meg, looking quite angry. 'I'll get her for this!'

Jaci said, ''No offense, Meg, but the way you were tormenting Sara, I think maybe you deserved getting some water dumped on you, although I do think she should have gotten some warmer water. Come on, I'll get Carmen's attention and ask her where you can dry off, and get warm.''

With that, Jaci went up to Carmen, who was just getting off the stage. ''What is it, Jaci?'' Carmen asked, then she saw Meg.

Jaci said, ''Sara Bellum dumped ice-cold water on Meg, and Meg could use a place where she could dry off and get warm. Do you know of such a place?''

Carmen called Paige Turner over to her, and within minutes, Meg was being led back into V.I.L.E. headquarters. Carmen added to Paige, ''Oh, keep Meg and Sara away from each other until Meg leaves.''

Paige nodded and left with a very angry Meg in tow.

Zack had gotten off the stage to see what was going on during the 'Water Bucket Incident' and had eventually drifted over to the still weeping Lio.

''Do you think those two will ever get it together?'' he asked indicating the soaked Meg now being led away by Page Turner.

Lio wiped off her face with a kleenex. ''Maybe. If they can talk on the same level, without any kind of water-weapon or plastic explosives....maybe.'' she let a smirk run across her face.

Zack's face grew serious. ''Maybe we had better start building any destroyed friendships up as well?'' He looked at Kara and Erin.

''You read my mind.''

They walked up to their friends and gently got their attention.

''Look, guys I know that Kara's statement earlier was sort of a universal pardon if nothing else but...um....'' Lio stumbled.

''...Ah I think Lio's trying to say is that we wanted to appologise personally and say it won't happen again,'' finished Zack.

''It's Ok Guys.It wasn't nessisary for you to come and tell me that, but thank you for coming up anyway.'' Kara stated.

Zack and Lio breathed a collective sigh of relief.

''So...friends again?'' Lio asked extending her hand.

Kara shook it. ''Definitely.''

Laurie walked up to Carmen and said to her, ''I think there is one more present for you.''

''Really?'' Carmen asked. ''From whom?''

''I don't know. All I can see is that it's a huge box on the side of the hideout.''

''Well, let's take a look,'' Carmen replied as she and Laurie strolled over where it was.

The box opened as soon as Carmen touched it revealing the vechile inside. It was like the caddy she had tried to steal on her birthday a couple of years ago, though with many improvements.

''This is amazing! I wonder who it is from,'' Carmen exclaimed.

Laurie shrugged and then noticed a note attached to it. ''Here's a note,'' Laurie said as she handed it to Carmen, ''Maybe this will answer that question.''

Carmen read the note aloud, '''Dear Angel of Thievery, Happy Birthday & I hoped it was all you wish for. - nytecat' How thoughful, though a pity nytecat couldn't make it.''

Laurie nodded. ''We had better return to the other guests now. I'm sure-''

''Yes, it is getting late,'' Carmen interupted, as if she knew where Laurie was going with her statement.

Carmen and Laurie returned to the other guests. They could hear snatches of conversations of how it was a fun party, but it was getting late, and some commented on feeling a little tired.

Ivy approached Carmen and Laurie and said, ''Uh, I was just talking to some of the guests, and well...I hate to sound like-''

''People are being to comment on the fact that it's getting late?'' Laurie interupted.

''Yeah, exactly,'' Ivy replied.

''We could hear a little bit of that as we were walking back over here,'' Carmen said.

''Maybe you could make an annoucement Ivy,'' Laurie suggested. ''Maybe get everyone back inside for a final dance or something.''

''Me???'' Ivy asked, ''Why me?''

''Well...'' Laurie began.

''Never mind,'' Ivy replied. ''I'll do it. Besides, this dress is getting even more uncomfortable.''

So, Ivy went to get the microphone to annouce the final dance of the evening.

She got up on stage and annouced for everyone to head to the ballroom for the dance. When she finshed, she headed towards the ballroom, realizing she still owed Erin a dance. On her way there, she passed by Seldavia.

''No dancin' for me, thank ya,'' Seldavia said, hands up. ''I best be getting home.'' She gave Ivy a brief hug. ''See you round, huh? And say 'bye to your brother for me.''

''Leaving already?'' the Chief asked Seldavia, grinning.

''I'm all partied out, thanks,'' Seldavia told him. ''I'm going back home.''

''Hey, Bright Eyes!'' Seldavia called to Carmen. ''I'm gonna make me my exit.''

''You sure you don't want to stay for a final dance?'' Carmen asked. Suhara bowed toward Seldavia. ''We didn't get a chance earlier...''

Seldavia rolled her eyes, but smiled. ''All right, all right.''

Erin found Ivy and the two danced their promised dance. Ivy found herself surprised at how well he could do so. She found herself almost blushing a bit, but mangaged to contain herself.

After the final dance, Seldavia insisted, ''Well, I'm not going to overstay my welcome here. I tend to do that. Hey, Carmen, let me say goodbye before the whole room rushes over here.'' The two friends embraced briefly. ''I hope you had a good time, Bright Eyes.''

Carmen smiled. ''I certainly did, Seldavia.''

''Good, ''cuz the after-party cleanup might give you a few headaches.''

Carmen stared at her.

''Never mind,'' Seldavia said. ''I'll see you all later. Carli, keep in touch. Jaci, I expect to get some of those donuts back. Kara, good luck with the theater stuff. Lio, catch ya 'round. Anie, you too. Laurie, Meg, Megan, Erin, and anybody I forgot, see ya later!''

She turned to Carmen, Ivy, Zack, and the Chief. ''You all drop by sometime, once I get settled into my dorm. Well, not all at once,'' she added as an afterthought. ''Do that chasing around someplace else. You've got the whole planet.''

The four of them laughed. ''See you, Seldavia!'' Carmen called as Seldavia waved and started on her way. ''Thanks for the present, and thanks for coming!''

''Bye! Keep yourself outta trouble, okay?'' Seldavia called back, her wild laugh lingering in the air after she left.

As Seldavia left, Jaci sad, ''Don't worry, you'll get some of those doughnuts back tomorrow. I don't hold doughnut demerits for more than a day.''

Jaci then turned to Carmen and said, ''I think I'd better get going myself. Got a long plane flight to catch But before I go, I might as well say goodbye to everybody here. You first, Carmen.''

Jaci hugged Carmen and Carmen returned the hug. ''This was one of the best birthday parties I've ever taken part in. I hope you had fun as well. We tried to make it fun.''

Carmen said, ''I had a lot of fun, Jaci.''

Then Jaci turned and said goodbye to each of her friends from the forum, except Meg (whom she'd catch before she left). Then she turned to Suhara, Zack, Ivy, and the Chief, and said goodbye as well.

As Jaci turned to go find Meg and say goodbye to her, Carmen said, ''Bye, Jaci. Thanks for coming and giving me this present.''

''Bye! I hope you find happiness, and manage to keep out of trouble,'' Jaci said as she left the room.

Before she left the house, Jaci managed to say goodbye to Meg. She said, ''Be careful with Sara, and don't torment her if you can help it. If you do so, I'm afraid I'll have to give you a doughnut demerit.''

Meg said, ''I'll remember. Goodbye, Jaci.''

''Goodbye, Meg,'' said Jaci. And with that, she left the house to catch her plane.

''Bye, Jaci!'' Meg said from her chair as she watched her walk out the door.

She looked at her watch and frowned, ''It is getting late, isn't it? Hmmm, Eric should be here to pick me up any moment now. Maybe I can get him to dance with me.''

She got up and walked out the front doors. Sure enough, Eric was sitting in the driver's seat of a white Ford pickup parked out front.

''Hey, Eric!'' Meg said as she approached the car, ''How's about a dance?''

''Aw come'on Meg, you know I don't know any of these people!'' he replied with a slight Southern drawl.

''Oh, it'll be fun,''she said as she opened the door and tried to pull him out by his arm, ''Besides, you owe me for not being able to go to the Fall Dance last year remember?''

''All right,'' he finally gave in and walked with her to the ballroom.

Although the dancing had stopped, there was music still playing which the two danced to.

After a quick dance Meg decided to say her goodbyes. She walked over to where Carmen was talking to some of her henchmen.

''I just wanted to say I had a wonderful evening, and happy birthday again, Carm,'' she said.

''Yes, and thankyou very much for the Mau. I'm sure he'll be very happy here,'' Carmen replied.

Before she left she announced to the room, ''Au revior, everyone!''

''Bye Meg!'' shouted a group of people at once.

After Meg left, Laurie commented, ''We're all ready to go it seems.'' ''Yeah, I am NOT going to be able to get up tomorrow,'' Scott said.

''Well then, let me just say a quick 'bye' to Carmen, and we've got to get Manny to drive us to the airport,'' Laurie said.

''You guys are lucky- you can just C-5 home,'' Scott complained. ''We've got a 6 hour plane ride to look forward to!''

''Well,'' Zack began, ''Maybe we could drop you off?'' He then looked at the Chief for permission.

''Hey, why not,'' the Chief replied, ''How many times did we use the C-5 for non-business reasons tonight? I lost count!''

''So, what's one more, right Chief?'' Laurie said.

''Right,'' the Chief replied.

''Ok, I'll be back in one second,'' Laurie said. ''Hey wait, we gotta bring Kevin! He got here by C-5!''

Laurie took off to find him with Scott and the detectives following her.

Laurie found Kevin with Carmen. The henchmen had let her for a moment and the two were talking a bit. ''Hi there,'' Laurie said. ''I'm not interupting, am I?''

''Not at all,'' Carmen replied.

''Well Carmen, it's been all really great, but I think it's time for us to go,'' Laurie said.

''Um, how am I getting home?'' Kevin asked.

''With us. Zack and Ivy said they'd be willing to C-5 us home,'' Laurie replied.

''I'd better not end up in a tree,'' Kevin commented.

''Well, hopefully you won't,'' Zack replied, ''Though, I can't promise anything.''

''Great,'' Kevin replied.

After awhile of chatting, the detectives, Scott, Laurie and Kevin said their final good-byes to Carmen and the remaining guests. Afterwards, they C-5ed home safely.

Finally, the last guests had said their good-byes and left. Carmen found herself alone with her final thoughts for the evening. What a wonderful night. she thought to herself. This evening gave new meanings to the relationships I have with everyone who attended. She sighed to herself and walked over to a nearby window and smiled. This would be one night she'd never forget.

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