Around 10 pm…

Dale and Kelly felt more relaxed after their time alone in the bedroom, but now they’re both sleep-deprived so they decide to go out to watch the stars.

Or rather, Dale is the one watching them, cause Kelly prefers to watch him, while she thinks how lucky she is to have him.

She’s told him this repeatedly, but it never hurts to remind him of it, along with some praise for his performance during their encounter earlier in the evening.

She must be whispering something really flattering in his ear because he’s blushing all over.

After a while of giggling and flirting, the two return to their stargazing.
Dale: And that’s the Big Dipper, do you see it?
Kelly: Uh, yeah…

Kelly’s not seeing anything, she’s busy now reliving in her head the events of the evening, not in the bedroom, but earlier. Her argument with Lauri, the things she said still… hurt.
Kelly: Dale?
Dale: Yes?
Kelly: Can I ask you a question?
Dale: Sure.

Kelly: Do you think I need anger management?
Dale: Um…
Dale freezes for a second. High alert, this could be a trick question, so think carefully about your answer, Dale.
Dale: I think Lauri was probably upset and said things she didn’t really mean.

Kelly: What about what she said afterwards. That I belong with Terry. Do you think that’s true?
Dale: Yeah, about that… Look, you’re not…
This is almost like a minefield. Dale needs to watch his step.
Kelly: Please D, just tell the truth. Okay?
Dale: The truth, alright.

The truth… For one thing, Dale understands why Kelly might have been offended by Lauri’s words. He has never passed judgement on his brother for his ‘personality’, and he didn’t like Lauri’s use of him as a negative reference. Now, being completely honest… Kelly on a bad day? She could make Terry look polite, even charming. But he cannot say that to her, can he?

Dale: Of course you don’t belong there, nor you or the girls, that’s why I don’t want them to work in Lucky Palms.
Kelly: I wasn’t talking about working, I asked if you think I’d be a better match with Terry, and you’d be better off with…
Dale: Hey! Stop. I know where this is going, and I don’t wanna hear it. It’s you and me; and Terry and Cynthia. Everyone’s with who they’re supposed to be with, okay?
Kelly: Okay.

Kelly: So, back to our first question. Lauri was upset, whatever; point is, do I need anger management or not?
Dale: Nah, you just need to, like, work on your… patience a bit.
Kelly: Really? That’s it?
Dale: Yeah, no need for a course, just – chill out, Kel, don’t take things to heart, okay?
Kelly: Well, I’ll try. I just hope you don’t get tired of me along the way.
Dale: Tired of you? That’s not gonna happen. Ever.

Dale ponders his last words. He wished he had said something that could help her better with her attitude, but hey, this is Kelly, remember? So, baby steps. It’s quite an advance that she’s been able to listen to his suggestions without getting angry.
Kelly: (Sighs) Well, honey, thanks for being honest with me, I appreciate it.
Dale: Anytime, babe.

Dale: Hey, you’re leaving?
Kelly: Yeah, I need to sleep, I’m dead.
Dale: But I thought you weren’t sleepy.
Kelly: I wasn’t cause my head was spinning with all that happened, but I feel better now, so I think I’m calling it a night.

Dale: (Yawns).
Kelly: You look pretty beat up too, honey. You should try to get some sleep,
Dale: Ah, I’d love nothing more, but I have to study for the make-up exam tomorrow. I can’t afford to fail again.

Kelly: Oh, I’m sure you’ll pass without any trouble. I just hope genius girl doesn’t come stalk you while I’m sleeping.
Dale: Don’t worry, she and Sarah must be sleeping like groundhogs by now.
Kelly: True… By the way, sorry again for that little scene earlier.
Dale: You don’t have to apologize to me, but… apologizing to Lauri would be a nice gesture.

Kelly: (Sighs) Well, I’ll do my best, but no promises, okay?
Dale: Sure.
Kelly: Night, D.
Dale: Night, babe.
Yeah, again, baby steps…

For now, Dale appreciates these little moments for himself, finally a peaceful time, no bickering, no complaints, just him, his books and a coffee mug. He’ll study until dawn and then nothing will stop him from passing that pesky exam.

Kelly is also dreaming of a time out, but somewhere else, far, far away.
Kelly: I can’t wait to get out of here. I’m so sick of this dorm. I thought it was going to be just me and Dale, but then we had to take those roomies, all because we couldn’t afford to pay the stupid rent.

Kelly: But when we move to Bridgeport, we’ll live in a high-rise flat, all alone, no roomies to bother us. Dale will be a successful businessman; I’ll be a supermodel. We’ll become filthy rich. Then we’ll see who’s better, Cynthia, you or me…

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