Being behind the scenes at the San Diego Zoo was just about the coolest thing ever. Brendan followed as Emmett walked quickly through the hallways.

"She's already eaten this week," the white-coated keeper said. "She's been very cooperative - good as gold."

"Cooperative? Betty?" Emmett said with a chuckle. "Are you drugging her?" When the keeper looked stricken, Emmett smiled at him. "Kidding. Sheesh, relax."

The keeper left them at a vault-style door that led into Betty's habitat. Once inside, Brendan was sort of disappointed to see no sign of a really big snake. Emmett put his hand against one wall and tapped out a rhythm. What Brendan had thought was a log started moving.

Brendan held his ground, but he did swallow hard as the great red coils shifted and a huge triangular head appeared, a long forked tongue flicking out to taste the air around Emmett's head.

"Hello, pretty girl," Emmett crooned, then placed a hand atop her head. Not looking away from the snake, he called Brendan's name softly. "Don't worry," Emmett said. "You smell like me, so she'll accept you."

Brendan stepped forward, then cut his eyes at Emmett. "And here I thought you were just being all manly and dominant when you insisted on coming on my chest this morning."

"That, too," Emmett said.