A Heart of Gold

[TogetherAgain]

Scroll up, Ed. Chapter fifty-eight is right above you.

 

[The Count]

Yeah... That's what I was replying to. Now then. You wouldn't happen to have another chapter on you? One where the frog visits that street for the very holiday that is today? And could you post it pwease? With a triple rinka-dink deluxe and a cherry on top?

 

[TogetherAgain]

No, I don't happen to have such a chapter, or at least not yet. I do have a chapter, but not that chapter, and I think you'll like this chapter, but could I please take this opportunity to swear upon a teddy bear that I wrote this chapter BEFORE Ru brought Brenda into Kermie's Girl? That is all. Thank you!

 

[TogetherAgain]

Chapter Fifty-Nine

They settled in the kitchen, keeping the rest of the Muppets out for now. No doubt they were eavesdropping anyway, Kermit explained, but at least this way they could have some quiet. They each pulled a chair out from the table, set them up, one across from two, and chatted mindlessly about the weather and recent movies and a television show or two while the make-up and lighting specialists worked their magic.

They finally sat down to begin, and Barbara Walters started by thanking them for their time. "It's been a busy year for you two," she acknowledged.

They nodded. "It sure has," Kermit said.

"Now Kermit, you were serving overseas," Barbara said, "And you came home around the beginning of April. Tell me- was coming home a difficult adjustment for you?"

Kermit nodded vaguely. "You know, it... It really was," he said quietly. "I mean- going there was hard, to begin with, but coming home... It's just- it's two completely different worlds. And I’m lucky, you know? I'm very lucky, because I've got all my friends and family, and they're all just- so supportive, for all of this. And that helps. That really helps a lot."

Barbara nodded and turned to Miss Piggy. "And how was it for you, Miss Piggy, when he came home?"

"It was a relief, of course!" Miss Piggy said with a smile.

"Was it hard to see him adjust?" Barbara asked.

Miss Piggy nodded. "It was, very," she said softly. "But- ...But it was very good to have him home with us."

Barbara nodded and addressed both of them. "Your relationship certainly seems to have adjusted well enough," she said with a smile.

They chuckled, smiled, and glanced at each other.

“Mm-hm,” Miss Piggy hummed.

"Tell me, Kermit," Barbara said, "When did you decide to propose to Piggy?"

He promptly shifted in his seat. "Ah- well, uh- hm."

Miss Piggy giggled and looked at him attentively.

Kermit squirmed. "Ah, well, um... I uh- I'm not sure it was really, um, y'know, any specific... decision, really, it just um... uh... oh boy."

Barbara looked amused. "Let's put it this way, then- was it before or after you got home?"

Kermit shifted his weight. "Um... Is there an 'all of the above' option?"

"No," Miss Piggy said smoothly.

He scrunched his face up.

They both gave him a waiting gaze for a long, long moment.

"Sheesh," he finally sighed. "I... I guess it was probably mostly while I was gone, um... But I- I hadn't really... completely decided until I got home, I don't think..."

"And when did you buy the ring?" Barbara asked.

Kermit cleared his throat. "It was, um- on the way back from New York, when we visited there..."

"Knew it," Miss Piggy mumbled smugly to herself.

"Did you know he was going to propose?" Barbara asked her.

Miss Piggy smiled. "Not exactly," she confessed. "He tried to hide it. He did hide it, but he couldn't hide that he was hiding something."

"I tried," Kermit shrugged.

Barbara blinked. "So you knew he was hiding something, but you didn't know what?" she clarified.

"Yes," they both answered in unison.

"I see," Barbara nodded with a smile. "Any plans yet for when the wedding will be?"

They gave each other a bashful glance. "Not- ...Not yet," Kermit said.

They were quiet for a moment, and Barbara nodded. "Other things have come up," she prompted.

They nodded minutely, shifting their weight, bracing themselves. All three of them seemed to take a deep breath at the same time.

"That leads to the next question, Kermit. When did you first hear about the military television station?"

Kermit hesitated, still bracing himself.

"The day after he proposed," Miss Piggy quietly said for him, and he nodded.

"How did you hear about it?" Barbara asked.

Kermit took a deep breath. "A um... A Major came here, to the house, and uh... He- explained it to me, and… asked me to... be a reporter for them."

Miss Piggy nodded slowly.

"So they came to you," Barbara said.

Kermit nodded. "Right."

"Now was it an order? Did they say, 'You have to come?'"

"No." Kermit shook his head. "No. It- it was very clearly my choice."

Barbara nodded. "Was it a difficult choice?"

"Yes," Kermit said with a weak breath. "It- ...It was very difficult."

Miss Piggy nodded. "He was very tense, for a while," she said quietly. "He- ...He would pace a lot, when he thought about it." She shifted her weight, not meeting anyone's eyes.

Barbara nodded. "So there was a lot of thought, before any decision was made," she said.

Kermit nodded. "A lot of thought, and a lot of talking to... friends, and family... I went back to the swamp for a few days, and talked with my family, there, and I talked to a couple of guys from my unit who- who are also home... for now..." He nodded. "It was- It was a big decision."

Barbara waited for a brief moment. "And you chose to go back," she said.

Kermit nodded. "I chose to go back," he whispered.

Barbara shifted her weight. "Why?" she asked. "Why go back?"

Kermit also shifted his weight, taking a deep breath. He glanced at his hands. "Guilt," he said quietly. "Mostly guilt."

"...You feel guilty?" Barbara asked.

They nodded.

"Why?"

He shifted his weight, disguising a flinch. "I... I just- feel like- ...I'm not done there yet. I mean-" He took a deep breath. "There's so much there that needs to be done. And I left before we could finish any of it. And I... have friends who are fighting, and I've seen people who are just... waiting for help, and just hoping that help comes be-" He took a shaky breath and proceeded with caution. "Before it's... too late for them." He gulped. "And I- I'm sick of sitting here at home, and just... doing nothing for them."

"But you're not- doing nothing," Barbara said with a small shake of her head. "I mean, you've run- a huge fundraiser, and you contribute to the war effort..."

Kermit was shaking his head. "It doesn't feel like anything," he said. "It's all well and good, but it doesn't feel like anything. I'm just- running around in circles, trying to do something, and all I can do is send money. I mean, don't get me wrong, they need the money too, but- I just- don't feel like I'm doing enough."

Barbara nodded. "And, by going back, that will be enough?"

Kermit nodded. "I think so," he said.

Barbara turned to Miss Piggy. "How do you feel about Kermit leaving?"

Miss Piggy took a deep breath. "I'm proud of him," she said, turning to him with affectionate eyes. "He's standing up for what he believes... just like he always does." She gave him a soft smile.

Barbara smiled faintly and took a deep breath. "What about the timing, in relation to your engagement? Does that bother you?"

She sighed and shifted her weight. "A little, but..." Her eyes turned to Kermit, this time with a plain and playful jab. "It certainly won't be the first time moi will be waiting for him."

Kermit smirked. "Waiting?" he teased. "Is that what you call telling the press we're already married, engaged, or otherwise involved before we actually were?"

She straightened up, pleased that he had taken the bait. "Moi was referring to your first tour of duty," she said indignantly.

"Ohhh, I see," he said. He shifted his weight, pretending to push the issue aside. "At least you didn't claim it was patient waiting."

"What does THAT mean?"

Kermit looked smug. "It means I read that first letter you sent me," he said.

"Oh! Well- that was- ugh..." She gave him a playful shove, and he laughed.

Barbara smiled and waited for them to collect themselves.

"Kermit, I'm curious," she finally said. "You say that, by going back, you'll feel like you'll be doing enough. But you won't actually be fighting at all."

Kermit nodded. "Right."

"Will it still be enough?" Barbara asked.

Kermit took a deep breath. "Well, it- it's all I can do," he said.

"Was it a factor in your decision, that you won't be fighting?"

"Yes." Kermit nodded. "Very much a factor."

"Was it a reason to go, or not to go?" Barbara asked.

"It was a reason to go, definitely," Kermit said with a firm nod. "I wouldn't go if I was going to fight. I just- I can't hurt people."

Barbara nodded. "You never have been a very violent frog," she said.

"Right."

"But you did fight before, when you were drafted," she went on. "If you had to fight now, would it be harder because of that?"

Kermit nodded, hesitated, and nodded again. "I can't fight anymore," he said quietly.

"Now is that because you were injured, or...?"

Kermit stiffened. "It- ...It's not the injury, no," he said softly, and he noticed Miss Piggy shifting slightly to a stance more protective of him. He took a deep breath, not looking at anyone or anything.

"So it's emotional," Barbara said, brushing the issue aside with a blessed generalization.

"Yes, of course," Miss Piggy said, lightly touching the tense frog's back. "Mon Capitan is far too sweet inside to be a fighter."

Barbara smiled. "And after all, who would know that better than you?" she asked lightly.

"His nephew," the pig answered without hesitation.

Kermit smiled. "Robin," he said fondly.

"How is he taking all of this?" Barbara asked.

Kermit took a deep breath, shifted his weight, and sighed. "He... it's hard," he said. "I think... he's taking it pretty well, all things considered. But... It's hard."

"Understandably," Barbara nodded softly. "Do you think he's scared for you?"

Kermit gulped, frowned, and nodded guiltily. "I... think so," he whispered.

Miss Piggy nodded. "But we'll be with him," she said. "We always help each other."

Barbara turned to her. "Are you scared?" she asked.

Kermit looked at her.

Miss Piggy looked down, looked away, looked at her gloved fingers.

He looked at her.

She squeezed her hands together, pried them apart, shifted her weight, did not look at him.

He looked at her. He noticed one finger touching the diamond, repeatedly, as she shifted so uneasily in her chair.

Kermit reached out and scooped her hand into both of his and squeezed it, firmly but gently, his fingers pressing against the diamond ring. He watched her as he took a deep, long breath. "...I'm going to come back," he said firmly, looking at her, searching for her eyes.

She nodded, returned the squeeze, and looked at him... but didn't quite make eye contact yet.

Barbara shifted her weight, her eyes carefully calculating as she took a deep breath. "Kermit," she said cautiously, "As you're- well aware, I'm sure... There IS an awful lot of criticism for this war."

Kermit looked at her and nodded, not releasing his grip on his fiancé’s hand.

"Many people are very surprised that you support it, enough to even go back, especially with the matter of the Child's Corps," Barbara went on gently. "What is your response to that?"

Kermit took a deep breath. "...If all I knew was what the propaganda here says, I wouldn’t go back," he said quietly. "But the fact is that I've been there, and I know so much more than anyone talks about here." He swallowed hard. "That's my biggest hope with the military TV station. If people saw what the troops see... It- ...It would be different here."

Barbara tilted her head slightly. "Even about the Child's Corps?"

For a long moment, Kermit just winced, staring at Barbara and squeezing Miss Piggy's hand.

Miss Piggy pressed close against him, reaching her free hand across to hold both of his.

"...There is so much you don't know," he finally whispered. "...The... A lot of the troops can hardly even grasp... all there is of the Child's Corps." His face grew stiff and twisted. "And here? The media, the press, the propaganda- makes the civilians think they know all there is to know." His entire face winced. "They know nothing."

Miss Piggy quickly pulled her hand out of his grasp and wrapped her arm firmly around him, pulling him into her protection. He settled against her, his eyes withdrawing, growing distant. He looked dizzy…

Barbara looked like she had just been slapped, but her eyes were quickly calculating, assessing the destruction to Kermit's composure. "Should we take a break?" she said quickly.

Miss Piggy nodded quickly before Kermit had a chance to respond.

Barbara nodded, stood up, made a quick hand gesture, and left the kitchen, with the camera crew parading after her swiftly and efficiently.

The door swung shut, leaving Kermit and Miss Piggy alone.

He hung his head and pressed against her. "Feel sick," he mumbled meekly.

She nodded and pulled him closer, and they were quiet for a moment.

"...What have I done?" he whimpered softly.

She wrapped her other arm around him. "You've stood up and spread the word, Mon Capitan," she whispered as she gently began to rock him. "You're helping make a change."

He sank into her grip, his hand resting on her arm. "...I'm going back," he said quietly.

She nodded slowly and continued rocking.

They didn't have much else to say for a while.

 

[Java]

Wow, wonderful and wow!

And can I just say Toga, that you are making me feel horribly guilty. Here I was okay with Reflections just languishing while I gather my after holiday thoughts together since you were trying to as well. And now there's a whole bucket of chapters dumped, which I'm not complaining about, as I'm still asking for more but just notifying you that it is making me feel awfully guilty.

Now I know what to do on downtime tomorrow.

Oh, and more please!

 

[The Count]

Now this chapter... The interview... This was much enjoyable on a number of different levels. You hit everything and everyone... And the penguin cannons are spent. Oh yeah, careful not to step in that tomato sauce... Simply splendid. Thanks and post more when you can. You deserve a good night's sleep after this.

And if you swear... By that teddy bear... To be fair...
*Lapses into Fraggle song.

 

[theprawncracker]

Goodness... that frog is WAY too good for any of us.

Kermit, you go back, you make a difference. The world needs the Frog right now, and the Frog needs the world to hear him out.

I love that Kermit and Piggy could leave Barbara Walters mostly speechless. I love that Barbara Walters was the one giving the interview. I love everything about this chapter!

But I just feel so bad for Kermit, but I know that he knows that he has to do this so he can make a difference and do what he can to end the war.

GO KERMIT!

 

[Muppetfan44]

Awwww

I loved he interview! it was so touching, and just what the stoy needed. I loved how we saw how scared Piggy was for kermit leaving, she has been taking care of him so well that we never see her show her emotions, and that was a great way to do it. I can't wait to see the rest of the interview and see how the muppets celebrate christmas. Great job! I can't wait for more!

 

[redBoobergurl]

Great interview! I like that you used Barbara Walters! I'm with Java though, you've been on this posting spree and I've got an unfinished Sesame Street story.....sigh, one of these days. Until then I will just keep asking for more of this story!

 

[TogetherAgain]

Chapter Sixty

When Kermit had first come home, all those months ago, everyone had noticed that he didn't so much sing as hum. After a few days, he had begun to actually sing, but never more than a line or two at a time. Since then, each of the Muppets- some more consciously than others- had silently marked his progress as he slowly grew back to singing more and more of the songs they sang.

He had slowly worked his way back into the usual duets. When everyone sang together, he wasn't as loud as he once was, and he was still more inclined to hum at first, but he did sing... And sometimes, he would sing a few lines or even a whole verse all on his own.

But in all the months he had been home, he was yet to sing at all about finding a Rainbow Connection or about what it was like to be green. They noticed this, of course, but what was perhaps even more noticeable- to them, anyway- was the fact that he was yet to sing every word of any song.

Rowlf was the one who decided that, at the very least, it was time for the latter part to change.

It was Christmas Eve at the Muppet Boarding House.

One of their habits on Christmas Eve, whether or not all of them were aware of it, was that after arguing over which Christmas special to watch, they would eventually decide on none, and gather around the piano instead. This was the perfect time to look around at their huge family and sing until they ran out of carols... Or, depending on where in the group you stood, to look at that huge mound of presents under the tree and wonder how many of them would still be intact by the same time next year.

Somewhere after Frosty the Snowman, Winter Wonderland, White Christmas, and a rendition of Carol of the Bells that was breath taking in more ways than one, while the Muppets laughed at themselves for the latest lyrical mishap and wondered what song would come next, Rowlf and Kermit met each other's gaze, and the frog was surprised to see a test there for him.

Without even looking at the keys, Rowlf struck up the opening notes of a Christmas song that all of them knew, but that undeniably belonged to Kermit.

The Muppets silently watched and listened as Kermit smiled faintly and took a deep breath in preparation for his cue.

"There's magic in the air, this evening, magic in the air... The world is at her best, y'know, when people love and care... The promise of excitement, is one the night will keep. After all, there's only one more sleep 'till Christmas!"

They smiled at each other tensely as Kermit visibly put a great deal more thought than usual into the song, breathing deeply between verses.

"The world has got a smile, today, the world has got a glow... There's no such thing as strangers when a stranger says hello... And EVERYONE is family- we're having so much fun. After all, there's only one more sleep 'till Christmas!"

He felt Miss Piggy encouragingly squeeze his hand, and he looked at Robin, who was perched on top of the piano. He sang the next lines to his nephew, remembering times when they had sung those lines together.

"Tis the season to be jolly and joyous! ...With a burst of pleasure, we feel it arrive! ...It's a season when the saints can employ us... to spread the news about peace and to keep love alive!"

His voice faltered slightly on those last few words, but he sang them... He sang them with all his heart.

He took a deep, steadying breath, and wrapped his arm around his nephew, ready for the final verse. He murmured the lyrics, but for once, everyone was quiet enough that it didn't make a difference how loudly or softly he sang. They could hear him.

"There's something in the wind today, that's good for everyone... Yes, faith is in our hearts, today, we're shining like the sun... And everyone can feel it... The feeling's running deep. After all, there's only one more sleep 'till Christmas..."

Hearing a slight quiver in his voice, and incredibly proud of him, by some silent consensus they all quietly harmonized with him for the last, sweet, heartfelt line.

"After all, there's only one more sleep... 'till Christmas... Day..."

Robin hugged his uncle as everyone burst into a quiet applause. Kermit smiled, shrugged, and shook it off.

He modestly, almost bashfully, looked around, and gulped. "What's the next song, Rowlf?" he asked.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

After putting a few carols between themselves and Kermit's triumph, Miss Piggy gave Rowlf a very calculated look. It was time for the frog's reward.

Before the other Muppets could laughingly calculate the exact number of total gifts given in The Twelve Days of Christmas, Rowlf started to play a song that they knew better than to interrupt. If One More Sleep 'Till Christmas belonged to Kermit, then this carol was undeniably Miss Piggy's.

The same combination of wisdom, intuition, and survival instincts that told the Muppets not to interrupt also told Kermit exactly to whom he should direct all of his attention.

She smiled at him, sashaying to the song, as she began to sing.

"Santa Baby, slip a sable under the tree, for me..."

Kermit grinned uncontrollably. If anyone knew how to milk every word of this song for all it was worth, it was Miss Piggy.

As she flaunted herself for him and him only, and listed the things she wanted, he came to realize that, compared to the things he all ready had, he would have been quite content to find a lump of coal in his stocking the next morning.

By the end of the song, he had decided to act accordingly.

"Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing- a ring!"

"I GAVE you one," he whined, grinning.

She smiled and kept singing. "I don't mean on the phone!"

"Neither do I-"

"Santa baby, so hurry down the chimney tonight!"

"Down the chimney?"

"Hurry down the chimney tonight!"

"What's wrong with the door?"

"Hurry," she sighed, "Tonight!" She slid her arms around him and gave him a surprisingly deep kiss.

He promptly stopped complaining.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~​

Five individuals were a bit more somber than the rest of the crowd.

It was an impressive crowd. It usually was in this place, at this time of year. It was New Year's Eve in Times Square, and an enormous mass of people had gathered to watch the ball drop.

Five individuals were a bit more somber than the rest of the crowd.

They were each holding a glass of champagne, counting down with everyone else.

"Ten... Nine... Eight... Seven... Six... Five... Four... Three... Two... One... HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Four of the five individuals split into couples and kissed while the fifth stumbled through the words of Auld Lang Syne. Confetti flickered and trickled through the air, sprinkling over them.

The five individuals shared a series of hugs and well-wishes.

"How 'bout a toast?" Craig sighed as he lifted his champagne glass, his other arm loosely wrapped around Sally's waist.

"Sure, a toast, or... ten, or twenty," Bob said jokingly as he clinked his glass against Craig's. "Got some confetti in your glass, Rivers."

“We all do,u201D Kermit said. “Go easy on the toasting, Geraldson. Wouldn’t wanna go back in hung over.”

"Yes sir, Frog," Bob said. "What're we drinkin' to?"

"Well how 'bout to you boys comin' home safe, for starters?" Sally said, nodding towards Kermit and giving Bob a significant look as she lifted her glass.

"Cheers!" Miss Piggy clinked her glass against Sally's, and the boys followed suit, and then they all looked inside their glasses.

"...Should we take the confetti out, before we drink it?" Kermit asked. "It doesn't look tasty."

"...Is that parta the tradition?" Craig asked. "This champagne thing is turnin' out pretty complicated... How do they do it on TV all the time?"

"Oh, it's easy," Bob said. "On TV, they can edit out all the logistical problems with these crazy traditions."

"Vous are supposed to just sip at the glass," Miss Piggy explained. "Just don't guzzle it down, and vous won't even taste the confetti."

"You sure that's the trick?" Craig said, looking around. "I see people guzzlin'..."

"They're too drunk to know or care, baby," Sally said, "Now when are ya gonna learn to listen when a woman talks?" She clinked her glass to his and took a sip.

"When Betty Sue gets older 'an I am," Craig said.

"Vous will have to learn sooner than that," Miss Piggy sighed, and she looked at Sally. "Doesn't he know better yet?"

"Lord help him if he don't," Sally said with a shake of her head. "How'd you teach yours?"

"Karate," Kermit said, and he turned to Bob and Craig. "Isn't it nice when they talk like we're not here?"

"What else should we 'sip' to?" Bob asked, squinting at his glass. "And what's the attraction to this stuff?"

"Don't ask," said Kermit.

"Class," said Miss Piggy.

"I dunno, but it sure ain't the price," Craig said.

"Let's drink to the end of the war," Kermit said as he lifted his glass.

"Oh, cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers, and amen to it, too!"

"Moi could drink to that fifty times," Miss Piggy sighed.

"And, a toast to Frog's show bein' a big hit," Bob said as he lifted his glass again.

"Cheers!"

Kermit shrugged bashfully. "Just hope it works," he sighed.

"I think it will, sir," Craig said firmly.

"Don't call me sir," the frog sighed.

"You outrank us!" Bob and Craig both said.

Kermit scrunched his face. "Sheesh." He lifted his glass. "How 'bout we drink to the two of you not calling me sir?"

"Ain't happening, sir," Craig said.

Kermit shook his head as the others laughed. "So what else can we drink to?"

Bob's expression turned distant. "...Let's drink to Mom," he said softly, lifting his glass.

Kermit nodded and lifted his glass. "To Ms. Geraldson."

"You're keepin' in touch with her this time, ain't ya, Bob?" Craig asked as their glasses clinked.

Bob nodded solemnly, and then gave them a smile that wasn't quite as playful as it usually was. "Where else am I gonna live afterwards?" he teased.

"Well, if you don't mind the explosions and the talking food..." Kermit teased with a lopsided grin.

"We’ll keep in touch with her, too, Bob," Miss Piggy said firmly.

"Of course we will!" Sally agreed.

Kermit nodded. "Leave it to the ladies..."

"Thank you," Bob said softly.

Craig looked thoughtful. "...Mind if we drink to Betty Sue, too?"

"Sure!"

"Here's to Betty Sue."

Kermit glanced at Miss Piggy. "Could we drink to Robin and Fozzie, too, then? Just to round off everyone in that apartment right now..."

"Yes sir."

"RIVERS!"

"To Robin and Fozzie!"

"To Robin and Fozzie."

"Cheers!"

They peered at their champagne glasses. "Almost empty... About one more toast left. What should we drink to?" Kermit asked.

"To you two coming home safe," Miss Piggy said softly.

"We already-"

"We can drink to it twice," Bob said. "If that's okay with you, sir."

"Stop calling me sir," Kermit whined, but they drank to it, and three out of five were glad that they didn't have to drink any more of the liquid- or confetti. When all had finished their final swallow, Kermit very firmly said, "We'll be fine, anyway."

Bob and Craig very, very discreetly gave him a skeptical look and then met each other's eyes with matching frowns. "...Of course we will," Bob said softly.

If Kermit noticed the exchange between the two men, he did not acknowledge it, and his face remained unconcerned. Miss Piggy spotted it, however, and she remained tense for the rest of the night.