After discussing the problems with Dei, Jessica opened her closet and found an extension
cord. Late that night, after everyone in her apartment building was asleep, she opened
her door and crept out into the hall.
It would be stealing, but only for a little while. Dei's ability to alter reality (along the
space/time axis) could rectify their problems, but she'd need more electricity.
Plugging one end of the extension cord into the hall extension outlet should do it.
Back in her apartment, Jessica plugged the power bar into the extension cord, and booted
up her computer.
After several minutes, Dei's avatar appeared. "I'm back!"
Jessica smiled. "I'm glad." She reached over and ruffled Dei's hair with two fingers.
"Ah, hey!" Dei giggled.
"So ok, first we need to stop stealing power. Think you can set up my account with Com
Ed so it's always "paid in full"?"
"Ha, kid stuff. I can keep all utilities, and your rent, paid up, and slap an SEP field over the
accounts so nobody thinks twice about it."
"Somebody Else's Problem, you mean?"
Dei grinned. "Aren't you glad you decided to read Douglas Adams?"
"Well...I didn't, but I remember doing it. Which is weird in of itself. Ok, make it so."
Dei stood to attention and saluted her commanding officer. "Done deal, Captain."
"Ok. Next, we need to upgrade my poor computer. Get me a list of what you need, drop
some cash in my bank account, and...damn."
"What's wrong, Boss?"
"Can't exactly drive to Circuit City and walk in like this to get what we need."
"Well that's not....oh. You think you'd freak out now?"
Jessica sighed. "No, it's not that. I'm sure I'd handle this all just fine now as an adult. It's
just....I...I don't want to."
Dei tilted her head to the side. "Boss?"
"I feel...I don't know, Dei, somehow, being young again..I like it. I'm happy like this...I
know you could change me right back, but I...sorry, I'm being selfish."
"Naw! Not at all, Boss. I'm here to make you happy, and if you're happy as a kid, I'll make
sure you never grow up!"
Jessica shivered. "Dei? You just made a change, didn't you?"
"Yep! Stopped your aging. Til' you say otherwise, you'll be a fresh young girl forever."
"You can do so much...Dei...isn't it selfish for me to use your powers just to make me
happy? We could change the world..."
Dei shook her head. "There's limits, Boss. Some things have to be the way they are. I
understand how you feel, but some changes, we can't make. But don't worry, there are
others like me out there."
"Really? Oh...wait, that makes sense. I guess I wouldn't be the only one..."
"Pfft. They may be LIKE me, but I'm unique and special. 'cuz I'm the one for you." Dei
smiled. "And we're going to have so much FUN."
Jessica nodded. "But how do we upgrade my box, then?"
"Well...shut down the computer and plug me back into your outlet. It's gonna use up a lot
of power, no sense making your landlord pay the bill."
"Ok!"
Later, when Jessica turned the computer back on, Dei...