The next day in the park, Vivo was talking with his friends by the lake.

Vivo said to them, "I don't know what to do, you guys. I can't stand the thought of...being trapped in a cage and...touched for ten days."

Dancarino said, "Oh, it sounds like some kind of insane asylum!"

That was when Valentina quickly but gently pushed him, "Schmoopie!"

Dancarino looked at her...then at Vivo's nervous face.

"Uh...I mean...I'm sure it'll be fine."

Tiago then asked Vivo, "So, wait, you never went through the ten days of veterinary quarantine?"

Vivo explained, "No. You see, I got to Florida by sneaking into Gabi's suitcase when no one was watching."

Vincent asked, "How did you survive a flight from Cuba to Florida in a small suitcase?"

Roxie said, "Forget that; how were you even able to get past airline security?"

Gabi was also talking to the girls.

"Well, I guess this had to happen eventually."

Becky responded, "Oh, it's just a standard regulation. They just want to make sure Vivo's a perfectly healthy kinkajou. And given what everyone can see during your shows, I'm pretty sure Vivo's in for a clean bill."

Sarah said, "Yeah! It's like going to the doctor's for a simply check-up!"

Eva said, "Except he'll be having check-ups for ten days in a row and at the end of each day, he'll be staying there overnight instead of coming straight home."

Sarah quickly elbowed her.

Stella said to Vivo, "Oh, don't listen to her. The vet is not that bad."

Vivo said, "Well, maybe not. I mean, I've spent a day at the vet's before back in Cuba. I know how to survive. But...that's not what I'm really worried about."

Novella asked, "Oh, then what is?"

Vivo answered, "How can I survive ten days...without my partner?"

Gabi felt the same way, "I mean, we can survive being apart for maybe just a day or two. But ten whole days?"

Becky said, "But he'll be back on Day 11. It's not like it's gonna be forever."

Gabi said, "But what can we do until then? How will we be able to write music, do our shows, have fun?"

Vivo felt the same way.

Stella saw and said, "Oh, Vivo, believe me; we understand. After all, we went through quarantine when we first got here. And yes, it wasn't very easy being separated from our owners for that long. But it's all gonna be worth it when you jump into her welcoming arms when she arrives to pick you up."

Vivo was still unsure, "Yeah, but still..."

At that moment, they heard Gabi.

"Come on, Vivo. We'd better get going. Our last songs for a while aren't going to write themselves."

With that, Vivo answered, "Well, I appreciate your trying to make me feel better. But right now, I think I just want to spend some time processing all of this with Gabi. Thanks anyways."

Pretty soon, Vivo and Gabi were walking out of the park, trying to think about how to spend their last couple of days together before Vivo had to go to the vet.

Vivo's friends were just saddened by all this.

It wasn't too long until Roxie asked, "So, we are gonna do something to help them out, right?"

Novella said, "Indeed. We must do something to assist our poor Vivo and his dear Gabriella in this unsettling situation. What sort of friends would we call ourselves if we just stood aside during a friend's time of need?"

Stella said, "We couldn't. Which is why we need to--"

Charlotte immediately interrupted.

"Ooh! I know! We just need to find a way to keep him from having to go! Luckily, I have a plan; we simply frame Vivo for a crime he didn't commit. So he'll have to be placed under house arrest, and he'll have to stay in the house the whole time!"

Everyone blinked at her.

There was nothing but a moment of awkward silence.

Stella then said, "Uh...no. The best way to help...is to leave them alone."

Everyone was baffled, "Huh?"

Stella said, "Look, with every case of separation anxiety I've seen, the best way to prepare for it is for them to spend quality time with just each other, with no one else."

Everyone understood.

And then, Stella thought of something else, "But I do think there is one more way we can help."

She started telling everyone her idea, to which they all agreed that was also a great idea.

***

The following morning didn't exactly go as usual for Gabi and Vivo.

Despite it being a sunny day, the two woke up like a storm cloud started raining on them.

Their routine goes more quietly and full of melancholy.

It was all while doing nothing but thinking about the upcoming vet visit.

They both had their own thoughts about it.

Stella was right; letting the two be to spend special time together would be a great help them deal with it.

But...that's not exactly what happened later.

The two were too busy feeling upset about the upcoming separation to even think about spending this time together the way they should.

Gabi wondered in deep sadness how the next few days after dropping Vivo off would go since he obviously wouldn't be there as her musical partner.

She felt like an overwhelming sense of loneliness was creeping up on her and her usual fearless spirit was dampened by the thought of it.

Vivo felt the same way.

How would he go through those ten days without Gabi's constant chattering, music, laughter, and her overall craziness?

A feeling of fear crept up on him, a fear of the unfamiliar, of being away from Gabi to be in a strange place full of unknown faces.

Eventually, the two decided to do something about it.

However...not exactly in the best way.

Gabi said to Vivo, "Hey, Vivo, I was thinking of going out with the girls today. You know, it's been a while since we hung out. And I was thinking; maybe you should spend some time with your friends. You can all have fun and have a blast."

Now, one would expect Vivo to react with slight disappointment regarding the fact that she plans to leave.

But...Vivo actually felt the same.

He said, "That's actually a great idea, Gabi. We could all use a great time. I'll be back in time for dinner."

Pretty soon, the two went on their own ways to meet up with their friends...

...completely unaware of what they had just done.