Forever's No Time At All, by Daria; same disclaimer: 

	At breakfast, my mother and I meet again. She has once again offered me the
seat at the head of the table, and once again I have deferred to her to take
that seat for herself as I choose another close by, to the right of her. We
seem to have little to say to each other after this morning's disagreement. I
scan her face when she is lost in thought, hoping to read her mind. Maybe I am
searching for love in her expression, but why should I expect to receive what
I have not been gracious enough to give to her? I truly am happy to have been
reunited with her after so many years apart, but I know so little about what
having a mother is like. I want to love her, but I need time to know her. I
pray to Mother Saraswathi, the goddess of knowledge, to grant me wisdom, and I
resolve not to hurt her before I gain the confidence it will take to learn to
be her son.

	"Your Highness, a Dr. Benton Quest  and son and a Mr. Roger Bannon to see
you," I hear it announced to my mother as I stand in my room trying to retie a
sash for the third time. I heard the plane land on the private runway near the
palace only moments ago and my heart pumped at twice its normal pace with the
excitement of it all. This morning began differently from yesterday's long
before that jet landed, though. There were no attendants this morning, no fuss
about my bath and no visit from my mother before breakfast, though my clothing
was chosen and laid out for me at some point while I bathed. Maybe she is more
willing to see things my way, or maybe she has just given up on me and any
perpetuation of cultural ties to my regal heritage. Either way, I find this
dressing-up to be annoying and time consuming, but it is the least that I can
do to please my mother, since to this point I have done precious little in
that department. 

	Upon hearing the voice of my dear adoptive father, I dispense with the proper
tying of the sash and run down the hallway, nearly toppling a assemblage of
marching lancers on my way. They screech to a halt and immediately come to
attention, drawing their weapons to protect me from what they suspect will be
an assassin chasing me. Puzzled by my invisible assailant, they turn their
attention to the object of my excitement as I run headlong into the open arms
of Dr. Quest.

	"Hadji!" he cries out, squeezing me and rubbing my back. "Oh my...my Hadji.
Let me look at you!" He pries me away without letting go of my hands, stepping
back just far enough to view my new regal finery. "Oh...my, don't you look
handsome?" he says to no one but me, but then he grins at the guards watching
this curious scene. For their part, my palace guards cannot be too sure
whether they should be on guard to protect me or leave and allow me to savor
this moment in privacy. "I can never get him this dressed up back home!" Dr.
Quest laughs, speaking in their direction. He hugs me tightly again and kisses
my forehead. "How I've missed you. I couldn't believe Race when he said he'd
left you here...without...without calling to ask...to tell me..."

	"It all happened so fast, sir; it was a series of quick events and hastily
explained situations. Before I knew it, I had a...a...mother, a palace, a
Princely State and a title! Race thought it best to leave me to get to know
all about this place, but...but I suppose we should have called you at The
Pentagon for permission." As I make this excuse for not consulting him on such
an important matter, Jonny Quest peaks out from a nearby niche where he's been
examining a wall-mounted fountain. "I know, Hadji," says Dr. Quest as he
frowns at Jonny for examining a three hundred year old vase a little too
closely. "Race explained it to me on our way here, but I was very worried
about you. It all seems so incredible. But then you've always conducted
yourself like a prince, even when you were living the life of a pauper." I
blush at his compliment and wave at Jonny as he comes over to us.  

	"Hey there, your worship! What's the good word from 'Playgrounds Of  The Rich
And Curried, huh?" As Jonny laughs I hug him tightly, for I have missed my
brother so. It has only been a few days since I saw him last, but we have
never been apart for more than a few hours at a time for the last four years,
and it has been a very difficult separation for me. So many times in these
days I have discovered something new and fascinating to me and turned to tell
Jonny all about it, only to find that he was not there to share the experience
with. This made for some tortured days and restless nights, for sleeping in a
strange bedroom without the familiar sounds of Jonny's funny noises or
Bandit's snoring brought no rest or comfort to me.

	"So...do I have to start calling you 'your highness,' Hadj?" asks Race as he
steps up from just behind Dr. Quest. He holds his arms out in a questioning
way, as if he is not sure he can treat me as he did prior to these revelations
about my birth. I hug him with fervor, as I am very glad to see him as well,
this man who to me is the macho personification of the word "protector." "The
Doc here wasn't too happy with me when he came home and I had to tell him
where you were. He nearly bit my head off! I told him all about your
mom...but....well, you can guess."   

	Within moments, the guards around us snap to attention. From a nearby
ornately designed arched doorway, my mother appears, with her usual entourage
of attendants in tow. Walking over to us, she clasps her hands together and
greets Dr. Quest, Race and Jonny.

	"Namaste, my honored guests," she says with a thinly veiled smile, and she
nods separately to Jonny, for they have met before and she is very fond of
him. As Dr. Quest returns her greeting in like fashion, she looks slightly
surprised but continues. "What an honor it is to finally be able to welcome
you into my home, Dr. Quest, and how kind it is of you, Mr. Bannon and your
son to call on me...and my son. Over the last few days, he has told me much of
your kindness to him. I can never fully repay you for the care and protection
you have afforded him."

	"Thank you, your highness," Dr. Quest replies in that genteel tone of his.
"But I hope that Hadji also told you of his kindness to me, not the least of
which was saving my life on several occasions. He's far too modest to do so,
I'm sure. I'd like you to know that the pleasure is all mine. He's a fine boy,
your highness, and a great credit to you."

	Almost coyly, my mother drops her eyes and blushes, something I had never
expected to see her do. I do believe she was prepared to dislike Dr. Quest,
but he has disarmed her in a way that I have seen him do to a hundred people
before her, even the snippist of his colleagues or the stuffiest government
officials. If she had battle plans at the ready, she must be mentally
surveying them and regrouping right about now!

	"Hey, Doc! Race! Jonny! What's shakin', Daddy-O?" rumbles the familiar
whiskey voiced greeting as it echoes through the entrance hall. "What---ol'
Pasha didn't take you for enough on your last pass through India, man?!"
"Pasha?!" Dr. Quest cries out, shocked at the site of the now gray haired man
who helped arrange for my adoption years ago. One big jolly hug between them
and Dr. Quest and Pasha are reacquainted, to the annoyance of some of the
guards who would rather not have to keep an eye on the sometimes questionable
doings of my dear mentor. 

	"So, you heard about the kid striking it rich, huh? Ol' Race and Jonny here
already gave you an earful of that, I bet!" Pasha laughs, but seeing the less-
than-pleased look on my mother's face, he decides that maybe he has
overstepped his bounds. "Uh...sorry there, your highness...heheheheh...I guess
I got carried away, what with seeing the Doc again an' all." That disapproving
look on my mother's face gives way to an expression of serene understanding.
"Of course, Pasha, I understand. Both of you have taken care of my son in his
times of need, and I hope to justly reward you someday. Now, would you
gentlemen do me the honor of taking elevenses with me and with Hadji? It will
give you a chance to view the city from an elevated balcony, Dr. Quest. It is
a most splendid vantage point."

	The ever-polite doctor extends his arm, as a proper gentleman would, and my
mother politely curtsies to him and accepts his arm graciously. My, how
splendid they look guiding each other down the hallway, arm in arm! How she
glows as he compliments her, and how bashful he appears when she praises him.
Seeing this, Pasha extends his arm to me in like fashion to that of Dr. Quest.
Jonny grabs Race by the arm and holds on tightly. "Come on, kid...errrr...I
mean, your highness!" Pasha growls, "We don't wanna miss out on the tea
biscuits! Are we gonna have those yummy sandwiches with the bread crust cut
off? I sure like those! Especially the curried chicken ones! Ummmm, boy that's
good eatin'!"