A/N: Hello, everyone in Halla! This is my second Pendragon fic. so be helpful, but don't be mean! This is a Mark x Courtney fic. just so'z ya know! (and didn't read the summary) Declaimer: I don't own Pendragon, D. J. Mchale(sp?) does! I'm('ve) writing(wrote) this before the ninth book comes out(came out) so, if it's a little off in a few months/years(today) don't blame me! ... man that was awkward! Hobby Ho!

Beauty and the Dork

Author: Fierce Kitten

Chapter one: Strawberry Ice-cream

Courtney sat at the porch of the Dimonds' new home in England, on First Earth. She sat in the rocking chair, whistling a song that won't be created for years. Dodger was in the kitchen talking about work with Mr. Dimond, Mrs. Dimond was washing the laundry, and Mark was taking a shower. Courtney tried to get that last image out of her head; it wasn't right for her to have that image. She laughed when she thought of Mark's face if he knew she ever had that picture in her head. As if on cue, a voice came up from behind her.

"What's so funny?"

Courtney turned around to see Mark. His hair was dripping wet, and he was wearing a brown, cotton outfit. Courtney very much hated the fact that he got to wear pants and she was stuck with 'pretty' dresses, but she didn't complain... much.

"Nothing, nothing!" Courtney answered. Mark shrugged and sat down in the other rocker.

"What'ch you've been doin'?" he asked.

"Eh! Nothing much! Just hangin'!" Courtney crossed her legs and put her hands behind her head.

"Courtney! Mark!" cried Mrs. Dimond, "Big news! Huge news!"

Mrs. Dimond ran onto the porch, "Oh, Mark, dry your hair, you're gonna catch a cold."

"It's a warm day, Mom. C'mon! What's the news?!"

"Yeah! Spill!" Courtney cheered.

"Okay, your father got a promotion, Mark! There's a big dinner dance and everything!"

"All right!" Courtney cheered.

"Dew on me! Oh, wait... is that even invented?"

"Er... I don't think so... uh," Courtney shrugged.

"It's tonight, so, I thought we'd celebrate with..." Mrs. Dimond took her hands from behind her back, "Ice cream!"

She handed Mark and Courtney each a cone of strawberry ice cream.

"Wow, thanks Mom!" Mark said, liking his ice cream.

Mrs. Dimond ran back inside the house. Courtney and Mark ate their ice cream happily.

Courtney opened her eyes, after closing them to enjoy the heat of the sun and the coolness of the strawberry treat. When she opened her eyes she gasped. Yes, gasped. The sun light hit Mark at just the right angle. It shimmered against his dark brown hair, and made his face look warm and welcoming. Courtney could feel her cheeks grow warm.

"You okay, Courtney?" Mark asked after turning his head to look at her, breaking the spell.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine! Really!"

Mark gave her a concerned look before taking another bite of the strawberry ice cream.

"Well, I hope so, if you're going to that dinner."