13 Welcome Aboard

Dandy held JP close for a bit, feeling that squeeze.  He leaned up a bit, kissing JP on the cheek and then dropped the bags on the floor.

"We won't be needing these in there," Dandy smiled and took JP's hand.  He opened the door and there they saw it.

"They're here!" QT giggled as he drove up the couple.  Meow was up on the table placing something on the wall.  Written in a language that JP couldn't understand, Dandy had to explain what it said.

"It says: Welcome to Aboard JP!" Dandy said with a big smile.  He grabbed JP, picking him up off the floor.  "I wanted to give you a li'l surprise! I told QT earlier to get it all set up!"  Dandy set JP back down, giving him a quick peck on the lips and then tugged him over to the table.

"Look! Look!"  QT drove over to the two, pointing.  There was some dinner for the group.  "I got pizzas and the beers from the fridge!"

"Yeah! Dandy said that he wanted to give you a proper welcome where we all pitched in to help," Meow explained as he hoped off the table.  He walked up to the couple, a cute smile on his face. 

"Whaddya think?" Dandy asked his hand moving around JP's waist.

--

JP looked up at the banner, he couldn't read it but with Dandy telling him he understood what it was all about. Welcome aboard... He looked over Meow and QT as he was lifted up. "Really? All this time I thought I was being stupid for thinking i'd really stay with you guys." He felt that peck of a kiss and felt the prick of tears in his eyes.

It was just pizza and beers but it wasn't what was there. It was the meaning and the sentiment behind everything that was making him feel almost overwhelmed.

"Thank you! All of you! I can't...I've never felt welcomed like this before." He used the sleeve of Dandy's jacket, which he was wearing, to wipe the tears off his eyes. "I'm so happy to come aboard with you three!" He turned to kiss Dandy again, this time more than just a peck. Then he went over to Meow to hug him. Finally QT, who he hugged as well and kissed on the screen.

--

While JP made his round with Dandy's crew, giving them all a little thank you, Dandy found himself feeling a bit emotional.

"Hey, guy? I'll be right back," Dandy thumbed towards the bathroom.  "I gotta go take a leak," he said with a little smile and headed out of the room.

"Sure thing!" QT giggled as JP kissed his screen.  He looked up, the eyes on his screen looking very excited and pleased by JP's reaction.  Then, QT noticed the casts missing.  "OH?! You two went to the hospital!"  He waved over at Meow.  "Come look! Come look!"

Meow walked over, checking out JP's surprise.

"That's awesome! I can't believe they gave you the okay to take them off!" Meow had a genuine sound of joy as he gushed.  He then grabbed a plate of food and handed it off to JP.  "It'll be cool having you as part of our team!"

--

"Y-yea we went to the hospital and I had a scan. They said my bones weren't all broken anymore and they just Zzzzzzt! cut em right off." He gestured as if they had used a whole rotary saw to do it. "It was pretty intense. You should have been there. Saws? Scary."

He laughed a little at his made-up story, "Thanks. I haven't had pizza in ages. This'll be a treat!" He went to sit down at the table with this plate. He crossed his ankles and took a bite of the pizza slice, "I can be your getaway driver. Do you guys need a getaway driver?"

--

Meow and QT also took a seat at the table with JP.  The two heard Dandy swear off in the distance and looked to the bathroom door.  Then, they quietly turned their attention to JP.

"Nope, not that I'm aware of.  I mean, it would be pretty useful to have another pilot," QT rubbed the top of his head with one of his fingers.  Meow handed QT a plate with pizza and then grabbed one for himself.

"Yeah we would really just need to have you help catch the aliens, not so much drive away from them," Meow said with a little chuckle.  "We all know how to drive the ship and with your build, you're totally alien hunter material!"

"Yep! The only requirement is to have some sort of intellect!" QT reassured JP.  Then, Dandy came through the lobby door, dragging a chair that matched the ones at the table.

"H-hey! That's my chair!"  Meow whined as he raced over to Dandy.  Dandy put his boot out, stopping the feline.

"No, it's MY chair, cat," Dandy huffed and continued to drag it along the floor.  Meow was clinging to Dandy's boot, scooting along the floor.

--

"Heh, I'm quick on the wit as I am with the wheel." JP popped a beer open with his belt buckle and drank. "I'll catch those fast ones for ya!" He wiped at his eyes again. "I'm so happy to have met all of you. Really. I mean it. Its so much different from what I'm used to. You know on the track there's so many people there? But in reality it's just yourself out there listening to some voice on the radio." He gestured in a wide arc, "But here. Here it's the four of us!" He set his beer down and picked up his pizza, folding it in half like a taco before he bit into it again.

--

Dandy placed the chair next to JP's, shaking Meow off his foot.

"Yeah it'll be real different for ya," Dandy agreed.  He took a seat next to JP, opened his own beer bottle and took a big sip.

"We rarely have anyone with us on the ship, other than just the three of us," QT commented.  He grabbed a beer bottle and placed it next his plate, just trying to fit in with his friends.  Dandy tipped his bottle at QT and nodded.

"So it'll be real nice havin' a fourth!" Dandy chuckled and then grabbed a slice of pizza.  Meow took a seat between JP and QT.   Grabbing taking a bite out of his pizza.

"What are your plans for tonight, you two?" Meow asked.  Dandy looked over at JP.

"Not sure. We got a ton of stuff from the shop down the road,"  Dandy finished off his beer and popped another one open.  "I probably just, chill here tonight."

--

"Tonight? Hmm... I can finally take a good and proper sit n soak bath to relax. I couldn't with my casts on." JP took another slice and this time ate some of the crust first. "Right we did get a bunch of stuff. I gotta find a place to put my things. Might have to buy a storage box so it isn't all strewn about everywhere." He looked at Dandy, "or is there space for me to put my things somewhere?"

He looked at QT with his plate of food and his drink with a smile. He didn't know why but he found the little robot endearing. There was no way he could eat that pizza or drink that beer but just being there and pretending like that? It was adorable. He looked at Dandy and watched him as he ate.

--

"We got some room in the lift room you could put your things," Dandy said with his cheek full of pizza.  QT's eyes flashed as he raised his hand.

"Oh! No no! He can put his stuff in my room! I don't mind!"  QT looked to JP, a cute little giggle escaping the robot.  "I think your things will be safe in there.  I don't have much in my room, so you can share it with me!"  Dandy blinked in disbelief. He didn't even consider that idea.

"Well that works!" Dandy grinned, taking another chug from his beer bottle. Once he finished his second beer, Dandy reached for his third.

  "If you need any help with that bath, let me know~" he tipped his bottle at JP.  QT then spoke up again.

"I also have clean towels in there for you!"  the little robot noted.  It seemed that he was very excited to have another person living on the ship with them!

--

"Lift room? You mean where we arrive from that big platform? The hell!" He raised his arm to emphasize the word hell. But he quickly lowered it when QT spoke up. "Really?" He leaned in, "Thank you QT. I'll make it up to you. What do you like?"

"Thank fuck. I've taken a bunch of towel baths and spot cleans but they are not the same as a proper one." He slammed his fist on the table. "I literally can't wait to finally be clean. Completely clean. Not just kind of clean. FULLY clean." He pointed at his left arm and leg, "And these two are going to be the first to get washed."

--

Dandy snickered at JP's excitement about finally getting clean. That poor guy needed a bath so badly, especially after all they had been through.

"Go take a bath, ya nasty," Dandy waved his hand in front of his face.  He took another sip from his beer and continued to eat his dinner.  "Again if ya need my help, let me know," he then looked over at QT, seeing the robot just staring at JP.  "QT. I see that. Quit starin'."

QT was spooked by Dandy for a moment and then rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh! My bad!"  QT winced and leaped off his stool.  "I will go put  JP's duffle bag in my room,"  the little robot hummed.  Dandy finished off his beer and waved QT down before he left.

"There's some stuff in the hall you need ta grab too," Dandy added.  QT sighed and then drove over to JP, putting his hand up to whisper to him.

"You asked me what I like and I just like some company," QT giggled and drove to the hallway, working on accomplishing the task Dandy set out for him.

--

"I will, I will." JP felt his cheeks were warm. Just a little embarrassment. Nothing too big. He didn't really feel like QT was staring at him because his own focus was on Dandy and watching him eat as if it were even partially elegant. "He can look." JP smiled a bit. "Let him be. I'm new here and he's probably just trying to get used to me."

He felt a little bad for the robot. Maybe not as much for the cat but definitely for QT. He was the only little robot here. He nodded at QT's answer about company and knew he could do that.

He ate until he was full and drank a few bottles. It wasn't enough to get him too drunk but he still had his one goal for the night in mind. Then maybe he could use his new pillow and blanket to have a good rest. He stood up from the table with a stretch, took of Dandy's jacket and placed it on the seat he had been in. "I know you want to help me Dandy. I don't know what you're plannin but sure. Come."

--

Dandy was starting to get a little buzzed and watched JP set Dandy's jacket down on the chair. He stood up, taking JP's jacket off and placed it on top of his own.  Stretching, he took note of how JP said those words.

I don't know what you're planning but sure.

"I'm not planning anything," Dandy shrugged as he lead JP to the bathroom.  "I just wanted to offer you a li'l help if you needed it,"  he opened the door, letting JP walk in first.  Then, he heard QT out in the call, making a little bit of noise.

"I'll be right back," Dandy sighed and walked out of the bathroom.  From the hallway, there was the sound of QT talking to Dandy.

"If you want, I can have him sleep in my room," QT said to Dandy.  He opened the door to his room with Dandy close behind him.  "I think JP might need a little bit of space from you.  You're constantly at his heels," QT sighed.  The door stayed open as they spoke, letting anyone near hear them.  Dandy was quiet except for a few sighs.  "Give him some space."

"I know, I know," Dandy mumbled.  "I just really want to be there for him."

--

JP looked back at Dandy who hadn't stepped into the bathroom with him. He shrugged and started getting undressed. He looked at the toilet and went to sit. It seemed like the perfect moment since Dandy wasn't in and instead was busy with QT. He stared ahead taking a look at the décor of the bathroom. 

He wasn't used to being with someone for so much of the day. Frisbee had always let him be aloof and alone. They had really only gotten together sometimes like for food or sex. They never walked together like he and Dandy did. No public displays of affection. He looked down at his hands and held them together. He wanted a bit of time alone if only because he needed it to not get upset at Dandy always being there. It was true, they were new and wanted each other's company but he still needed that moment to breathe -- or to take a dump. He sighed.

--

Dandy was sitting in QT's room now, resting his back against the charging station as QT sorted through what the two had bought.

"With those casts off, I don't think he'll need you holding his hand all the time," QT commented.  He looked over at Dandy as the alien hunter stared at the rocks that lined the wall.  QT drove over to Dandy, placing his hand on the man's shoulder.

"I just wanted ta be there for him, ya know?"  He sighed and looked over at QT.  "With you and Meow, next to never are you guys in need of emotional support," Dandy then closed his eyes, resting his head on the station.  "With JP it's like, I found him broken like that.  He needed someone there for him and I was that person," he rolled his head to the side a bit, feeling that buzz still in his system.  "It was nice.  Like, I feel like he really appreciated what I was doin', ya know?"

"And I'm sure he does," QT agreed and scooted closer to Dandy, looking up at the rocks with him.  "But you need to give him some space.  You can't keep hovering over him like that.  Being clingy is a terrible trait," Dandy stood up at that, resting his hands in his pockets.

"Good talk," Dandy said in a deadpan voice.  He started towards the door until QT extended his arm to grab Dandy's wrist.

"I'm not being mean," QT said with a worried tone. "I want you two to work out."

There was silence for a moment.  Dandy looked back at QT and gave him a little smile.  QT was right.  He needed to stop hovering over JP.  He didn't need to protect him anymore.  The guy would stand on his own again, in more ways than one.

"Good talk," Dandy said again, but with an honest smile.  He moved his hand from QT's and then walked out of the room.  Walking up to the bathroom door, Dandy knocked.

"I'm gonna go stay in the lobby.  Holler if you fall in," Dandy chuckled and went back to the table to drink a bit more.

--

As soon as he heard the knocking he looked up at the door, "Dandy, I swear to god if you don't let me take a shit right now-" He covered his face, his elbows resting on his thighs. "-We won't fuck tonight." He looked back up at the door. "Yes, please. If I need you I'll tell you..." He waited for a moment before he got up and flushed. He honestly had expected Dandy to come in. It was his ship after all. 

He went to the tub to turn the faucet on and felt the water as it came out. He got into the tub and laid back with his eyes closed as the tub filled. He wanted a good soak and the first thing he cleaned was his left leg then his left arm. He hated casts and how it made his limbs feel too hot and sweaty. The itch of it. It felt good to finally scratch where he had been unable to before. He cleaned the rest of his body and spent a while longer in the tub before climbing out to get dry. His stuff would be in QT's room and by deduction he assumed he knew which door it was. He dried off as best as he could and stepped out with a towel around his waist. 

He knocked on the door that belonged to QT with one of his rings so QT would hear the distinct noise. "Hey, its me. I want to get dressed."

--

QT opened his door, welcoming JP.

"I have your pillow and blanket all set up in here!"  He beamed as he showed a nice little pallet on the floor.  "I also have your clothes all folded up and I scrubbed your boots for you as well!"  QT did have all of JP's clothes, even his new ones, displayed perfectly.  He drove up to JP, gently tugging on the towel.  The little robot beckoned JP to lean down so he could talk to him.

"I hope you enjoy your stay here.  I don't know how long you will be living with us, but I hope you do like it," QT had a little cute smiling emote on his face.  "I know that it is hard to get used to being in a place like this, but it can be fun!  Dandy and Meow are a bit chaotic, but I think you will fit right in with them," he had such a sweet tone as he spoke.  "I will leave you to get changed." QT bowed and left the room.

--

"You did all that? QT, You're awesome." JP smiled. He thought about getting a foam bed topper for that pallet just to make it more comfortable but for now he wouldn't complain. He bent down when he felt the tugging, "I think I'll like it here especially with someone like you here keeping things tidy. I'll try and help you too. I like seeing the inside of vehicles be nice and clean." He smiled. 

He had always kept his Trans AM in tip top shape; from a nice polish on the outside to keeping the interior looking pristine. Not only did it looks nice for the cameras but for him..it just gave him joy. He was sure that Dandy and Meow would appreciate seeing the Aloha 'Oe with the same kind of care put into it.

"It won't take me long. I don't think I'll be going out so I'll just put on my shirt and underpants. I only have the two pants and well..if they both get dirty I won't be able to use either." He laughed and waited for QT to leave before he took the towel to squeeze more water out of his hair. He dressed as he had said and picked up his boots to see QT's work. So clean..no dirt on them. He thought about the Little Aloha's cockpit and shook his head. QT must hate seeing that. He set his boots down and stepped out with the towel around his shoulders and with the other edge over his head like a hood. He wanted to lay down on the couch where he had sat to watch the TV with Dandy.

--

QT had joined Dandy and Meow in the lobby.  The two were sitting at the table, looking at something on Meow's phone. Dandy didn't even look up from his spot to look for JP.  He was too focused on something that seemed a bit more important to him at the moment.

"It's really strange," Meow commented as he scrolled through the timeline on his phone.  "All these reports seem to pinpoint around this location," he showed Dandy the images, swiping through the moments on the app.  Dandy took a sip from his fifth beer and rubbed his forehead. 

"But I looked all over that place," Dandy frowned and then rested his jaw on his hand.  "Do ya know how long I was out searchin' for that thing before I crashed?  It was hours, dude. Hours."  He closed his eyes, placing his head in his arms.

"Well maybe you can use that rental to get you close to that spot again!" QT spoke with enthusiasm.  "JP can be your getaway driver if you do find it!"

--

JP took the tv remote and laid down. He lifted up his arm and turn it on to flip through the channels until he found some interesting news to watch. Something about a fire at a home. Something about a local school's fundraiser for the football team. Something about some mysterious break in. 

He could hear what the boys were talking about but he was good about minding his own business. It often was better to do so anyway. "Babe, can you bring me another slice?" He raised his arm up again.

--

Dandy then heard JP calling to him.  He stood up, grabbing JP's plate, and place a slice on it.

"I'll see what he thinks about the idea and then we'll see," Dandy placed a new beer bottle in his pocket as he slowly walked over to JP's spot.  He leaned down, having off the plate to his boyfriend.  "Havin' fun?"  He chuckled and moved onto the couch.   Dandy didn't sit next to JP, he actually sat on the opposite side and laid down.  He placed his new beer on the floor and laid on his side. That swirling drunk feeling was starting to hit him as he watched the TV.

Meow and QT didn't join the two.  They were more focused on work than on what was on the screen.

Dandy then squinted at the screen.

"Huh. A break in?"  He rubbed his eyes.  "That sounds pretty interesting. Turn that up, soda pop."

--

JP took the plate and slowly brought it down. He picked off a pepperoni to eat. "Yea. Just relaxing you know? Time off my feet and no sitting. I'm just achey you know?" He saw Dandy sit on the opposite side but he assumed it was just because he wanted to lay down. 

He turned up the television.

The news anchor looked down at some papers in his hand and then up at the camera, "Today at 1.24pm a break in occurred in the Dax Flatts residential area. However, the property owners insist that nothing was stolen. Instead, their lawn was mowed, their indoor plant was pruned and their beds were tended to. They do however feel disturbed by the footprints left behind in their sand zen garden."

JP laughed nervously, "hahah, what the fuck?"

--

Dandy saw that report and let out a hardy laugh, throwing his head back.

"The hell kinda story was that?" He was grinning, his face red from drinking.  Dandy looked at the images, shaking his head.  "Man, I wonder if that's what QT's been doin' instead of cleanin' the ship," Dandy looked over the couch, seeing the boys still discussing work.  He had a little frown.  "Fellas! Fellas come join us!"  Dandy called out.  He rolled back over, opening his new bottle and started to sip on it.

"Yeah, unlike you we kinda have to work," Meow sighed and looked back over his phone.  "How about you keep an eye out for that alien on the news or something.  Be useful," the feline muttered out loud.  Dandy heard that and sat up.  What did he just say to him?  The alien hunter glared and laid back down.

"I don't gotta do shit, I'm off the clock, baby~" Dandy sang, swinging his bottle back and forth.

"That's because you never clocked in," QT remarked.

--

"You guys should help QT clean too. I mean I know I will." He sat up to look at the cleaner bot and pointed at him. "We're going to clean the Little Aloha sooner or later. Its such a mess!" He turned to look at Dandy. "Nasty!"

 "You're looking for an alien?" JP asked, the fact they were all alien hunters somehow just not clicking. "There's a bunch of them on this planet you know. Ya gonna kill one?"

--

"Kill?" Dandy looked at JP, looking very confused by that word.  "Why'd we kill 'em?" He rested his arms behind his head and closed his eyes.  "We hunt 'em down and register 'em.  Didn't I tell ya that at some point?"  QT and Meow approached JP, showing the racer the alien.

"This is the guy,"  Meow explained.  It was literally just a red blur on the screen.  "They say that it's pretty damn fast and that hunters can never pin it down long enough to catch it. That and he's big. Like, really big,"  he continued to flip through the eye witness reports.

"If ya don't want to go after it with us JP, just let us know.  I'm actually not wantin' ta really go after it anyway,"  Dandy admitted as he looked back at the screen.  QT sighed and looked over at JP.

"We could use a fast driver," QT said, his tone almost begging.  "We really, really need someone more motivated than Dandy on our team."  Dandy heard that and perked up.

Wait a second.

"Yeah!  That role would be perfect for you!  And if you help us catch this alien, then we can teach you how to drive the ship!  I bet you'll be a natural at it!" Meow was all smiles.

Wait a second.

Dandy crawled on the couch, moving over to JP and the boys.   Extra help?  Extra help?

"Wait for a second... you.  JP, you could actually help us out on this hunt," Dandy looked into his eyes and then had a big smile.  "Yeah! Yeah, we could really use your help!"

--

"You don't kill them?" JP sat up, "isn't that what the word hunt is about? Hmmnn.." He was a bit confused but he wasn't really in the right to say much more. Dandy and his crew were the professionals. 

He looked at that red blur and raised his eyebrows, "Whoa that's some fast guy alright. Hard to tell how fast though. Damn, guess you guys can't nab 'im huh." He shrugged and turned around to look at the tv again. When QT spoke again about a fast driver he spun back around so quickly that the towel he had over his head now covered his face. He fixed it up back to that hood shape. "Hey, that's me. Yea lets! Come on!!" He looked over his shoulder at Dandy. 

The sound of being taught how to drive the ship was exciting. It had been so long...since he drove something that could fly. "You bet I'm a natural. Just you watch."

--

Dandy, who was hesitant at first about letting JP drive his baby, was now confident in his boyfriend's abilities.  Drunk, but confident.

"I know you will be, baby!"  He grinned and laid back down on the couch, a big smile on his face.  QT and Meow held hands spinning around on the floor.

"We're gonna catch an alien! We're gonna catch an alien!" They cheered.  Dandy raised his bottle up as his face was down in the cushion of the couch.

"Hell yeah, we are~"  Dandy's voice was muffled as he spoke.  Then, he raised his head back up, pompadour becoming a mess.  "If ya know how ta drive a motorcycle, then that baby is gonna be second nature for ya," he reassured JP. Then, he placed his head back down on the cushion.  Dandy closed his eyes, placing the bottle on the floor.  QT and Meow entered the seating arrangement, sitting next to JP.

"With alien hunting, you get paid for turning in aliens.  This alien is 525,300 woolongs," Meow explained, making gestures with his paws.  "We haven't had a catch like that in a long time," he added. "Our last one was... QT? Do you remember?" There was a groaning sound coming from Dandy as he rolled onto his side.  It looks like the truth was about to be told.

When Dandy met JP, he said that their last hunt paid really well! Enough to stock the kitchen.  But now...

"The last one was around 3,400 woolongs, if not less," QT recalled.  Dandy let out another loud groan, putting his arms over his head.  The two looked at Dandy and then at JP.  "We spent most of that on food."

--

"I've driven a motorcycle before. When I was a kid. I stole it and then got beat for it." JP hid his face a bit more under the towel. "But that was in the past. Put me in coach, I'm up for it!"

"That that amount sounds great for a hunt. Just know I'm not in it for the money guys. I just want to drive again." He had nearly forgotten how much Dandy said their last hunt had been only that it was a lot. JP had believed him but now that he heard the real price he tried to stop from laughing. Yet he couldn't. His cheeks puffed up and the laughed, "3,400? My boots cost more than that!"

--

Dandy was hiding his head, curled up as JP laugh.  Then, he sat up and shot JP a nasty glare.  He kept his eye squinted for a good minute or two and then let out a big sigh.

"Yeah, it wasn't a lot," Dandy rested his arms on his knees and rested his head in his hands.  "It's the most we made this month, though.  The other few catches were just... chump change," he looked to Meow and QT.  They both looked a little hurt, seeing that alien hunting was a group effort and they all tried really hard on the hunt.

"We're professionals, but we're also... not very good at our job,"

 Meow sighed and leaned against the back of the couch.  "It's not easy.  This is the only job we're suited for."

--

"I'm sorry Dandy. It's true." JP shrugged and sank into his seat a bit. "Don't worry though. I have the money. You saw. Just get me into races and I'll do my best to finish first and I'll get something." He wanted to reassure Dandy that they wouldn't have to struggle for money. He just hoped that he could even get into races out there in other galaxies. Was he even known outside this one ever since he ran from his home galaxy?

"It takes a bit to get good at anything. It took me a couple of years to get as food as i am and - uh some threats." JP stood up and confidently gestured at Meow and QT. "There's still some light in the day. How about we take the rental and try n look for that thing? I want to see it with my own two eyes."

--

"Hah?" Dandy looked at his crew and then at JP.  Go out? To hunt?  He sat up, swaying a bit.  "I didn't think we were gonna go back out, baby," Dandy stretched and looked up at the dome.  There was light still coming down from the windows, but it was inching closer to sunset.

QT and Meow were still trying to let the whole "I have money" and pretty much them being told to not worry about money anymore. 

"You would do that for us?" Meow asked, feeling a bit emotional.  He rubbed his paw against his eye, wiping a tear away.  "Man, you're like a nicer version of Dandy..." Meow looked over to their drunk friend, seeing him staring dead at him.  A look of betrayal on his face.  "What? The last time you raced you wrecked the Little Aloha! We never even won that money!"  Meow reminded him.  Dandy crossed his arms, huffing.

"Whatever," he pouted and stood, stumbling a bit.  Dandy walked over to JP and handed him the key card for the rental car. "You should probably hang onto this," Dandy placed his hand on JP's shoulder to steady himself.  "I'll join you guys in a bit.  I'm gonna go to the bathroom," he said as he walked away from the couch and staggered towards the bathroom door.

"He's not driving," QT said as he looked to JP and Meow.

--

"I didn't think we would go out either. But look at us now! I gotta get my ass dressed." JP took the keycard from Dandy and kissed it. He smiled at Meow, "Of course I would. Why wouldn't I help friends out? Especially if I'm living with them?" He chuckled. "Don't cry, Meow."

He watched Dandy stagger to the bathroom and held the keycard closer "Of course he's not. I only drank" He held out three fingers, "Three beers." He started walking down the hall toward QT's room. "I'll be out quick."

Since QT had arranged his clothes so neatly, he easily pulled on some socks, pants, and his boots. He grabbed his comb and pomade and started combing his hair up in a reflection on the glass of those rock displays. Rocks? QT liked...rocks?

He stepped out of the room, tucking in his shirt as he ran back to the table the now leftovers were at to pick up his jacket and pull it on. "Are you two ready for a ride?"

--

"We are!" QT cheered, rushing over to JP.  He was practically spinning around in circles from excitement.  And with Meow, even though he was excited to, he couldn't help but look over at the bathroom.

"The three of us," Meow corrected JP.  "We still need Dandy," he pointed at the bathroom.  QT blinked and looked up at JP.  Then, he looked at Meow.

"Are you sure we need Dandy?"  QT asked, not looking amused.  "I think we should be fine,"  he hummed and took JP's hand.  "Let's get going!" The little robot cheered, leading the racer out of the lobby and down the hall to the lift room.

Meow was slowly behind them and then knocked on the bathroom door.

"Hey, Dandy?"  Meow spoke up.  Dandy opened the door and rested his arm on the doorframe.  "We're heading out.  Are you coming along?"  Dandy looked over at the table, seeing that JP's jacket was gone, along with JP and QT.  He walked towards the table, slow and steady and picked up his own jacket.  He looked back to Meow and nodded.

"Yeah, let's get goin'," Dandy said, patting his cheeks. As if that was going to sober him up more.  He headed towards the lift, Meow following behind him and met the other two down by the car. Ready to go.

--

"You definitely look excited." JP held QT's hand while he could since Dandy wasn't around to scold the crewmates.  He was getting more and more used to the layout of the ship. "I said two because I was talking to you guys. I wanted to bring Dandy along too but he's in the bathroom pissing out those beers probably." 

He followed QT's lead and as they walked he rubbed his thumb over the material the robot's fingers were made of. "You didn't tell me you liked rocks, QT. Did you want me to find you a cool looking one?"

He opened the car and got into the driver's seat and looked back to make sure QT got in. "Make sure to get strapped."

--

"I do like rocks!  It's a hobby Dandy got me into," QT said with a little giggle.  "And yes! I would like that very much," he added as he strapped into the back seat.  Coming down the lift was Dandy and Meow.  The two made their way to the car without any sort of problem, thankfully.   Meow moved into the back seat awhile Dandy took a seat next to JP.

He rested his elbow on the door of the car, his head on his hand.  Dandy then looked over at JP, a little smile on his face as he saw him behind the wheel.

"That's a good look," Dandy then looked out the window, ready to head out.  The boys were taking note on how Dandy was acting as soon as he was sitting next to JP.  He was smiling with a tired, yet loving, look in his eyes.   "The reports say that it's down that way," Dandy pointed ahead and to the right.  "I know where. I'll give ya directions," he rubbed his eyes.

--

JP reached over to grab Dandy's hand and hold it for a bit before setting it down on the stick shift. "Its where I belong." He shifted the stick and rolled it out if the junkyard. He was only given a general direction to go in and took it as his chance to fuck around."Got it." He then accelerated much like Dandy had when they took the car from the rental place. Tires screeching down that first block. He laughed mostly to himself and readjusted his grip.

--

Dandy needed to feel JP's hand, making him smile again, and then watched JP as he accelerated out of the junkyard.  Meow and QT gripped their seats, panicked as they looked at one another. Before they were joking about JP being like another Dandy, but now there was fear.

JP was another Dandy.

Dandy sat up, letting out a howl as JP drove and laughed alongside him.  He looked out the window, seeing the sights he had remembered from his trip yesterday.

"A'right, so I remember goin' down that way and seein' some sorta river," Dandy explained as he pointed down another road.  "And then I followed that up to another town," he added.  Meow was looking up the directions on his phone, seeing if they matched Dandy's.

"He's right," Meow added, handing his phone up to Dandy.  The alien hunter looked it over, zooming in on their location.  Then, he handed it back to Meow.    Even though Dandy still a bit drunk, he could feel the dizzy and loop sensation leaving once he started to realize that they were actually doing this.

They were going alien hunting with Sweet JP.