AN: *Puts on announcer's voice* Ladies and gentleman! I present to you... Tangled up in High Society! Today's chapter (or the entire fic for that matter) is proudly brought to you thanks to Kaitlyn Fall and Railway Station! *Audience bursts into applause, Carmen bows*

Disclaimer: Nothing actually belongs to me now, since I witnessed that crime. Naoko gets SM rights, and Alicia Blade owns the characters Scott and Daniel ("To the Gentleman in the Back"). A truckload of cash - I mean thanks goes to Kaitlyn for betaing and encouraging me! Woo! ^_^


"I don't know about this, Serena..." Amy bit her lip, glancing around the deserted corridor.

"Oh come on Amy! You promised!" Serena whined, spinning around and clutching her friend's hand.

Amy sighed and tugged out of the grip.

"It feels wrong, what we're doing. We're going to get caught and we're going to get prosecuted and I'm going to have a record and no one will hire me and you'll lose your job and we'll be poor and homeless and living off the streets and –" Amy had to take a deep breath as her throat began to tighten. She'd never gotten in trouble before, and she didn't want to start now. She nervously smoothed the skirt of her deep blue knee-length dress; its twisted spaghetti straps and laced hemline were just right for Amy. She was never one for going all out on an outfit.

Serena on the other hand, wore a chiffon strapless, silver gown, which flowed elegantly to the floor in soft layers. Its bodice was embroidered with a sweetheart design, glimmering with crystals and beads. Coupled with the right accessories and her matching clutch, Serena looked stunning. She had even done her hair in two elegant buns, which ended up looking like twin pigtails with her length of long, blonde hair – and yet somehow, it suited her.

Serena tapped Amy's nose affectionately. "Amy, we are not going to get caught. Say it with me."

Amy took another deep breath and repeated Serena's words with her.

"We are not going to get caught."

"We are going to have fun tonight."

Amy's nerves did not lessen. She gulped.

"We are going to have fun tonight." Serena repeated.

"We are going to have fun tonight."

"I look hot and no supermodel can compare to me."

"I ...what?" At her friends raised eyebrows, Amy's shoulders slumped in defeat and she sighed."I look hot and no... supermodel can compare to me."

Satisfied with her efforts, Serena nodded and turned back to the corner.

"It's just around here," she whispered over her shoulder. "C'mon!"

Suddenly, before either could move, a loud rendition of 'Party in the U.S.A.' began blaring from Serena's clutch. Both girls jumped in fright and Serena dived for the bag. They were not going to get caught because she couldn't remember to turn her phone on silent!

Fumbling clumsily with the phone, Serena flipped it open, barely seeing who the caller was and answered breathlessly.

"Hello?"

"WELL?" a man's voice boomed through the speaker. Serena jumped again and held the phone away from her ear. "WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Sorry Sir, I meant to call you before I left. I'm inside the building now, I was just about to -"

"YOU GET ME THAT STORY, TSUKINO, OR YOU'RE FIRED! YOU HEAR? THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT OF YOUR LIFE, SO DON'T SCREW IT UP...FOR THE BOTH OF US! AND IF I HEAR ONE WORD OUT OF YOU WITHOUT A STORY..." Serena winced and Amy shot her a sympathetic glance as Bruce Spork continued to rant and rave.

Serena's boss could be a real pain sometimes. Frankly, Amy didn't see why she still worked for him – Serena was so talented, she could get a job anywhere!

Amy's muse came to an end when the abrupt –and very audible- clicking of the disconnected line cut through the air; reacquainting them with silence. Serena shook her head to one side, trying to get the ringing sensation out of her ear. Amy took the phone from her and turned it off, placing it back in Serena's bag with her tape recorder, pen and mini-notebook.

Amy should have gotten used to being roped into Serena's crazy schemes by now. Always for an article, Serena would go to any lengths, do whatever it took to get that inside story. But this one had to take the cake. They were sneaking into a high profile celebrity house party, uninvited, unacquainted and probably unwanted – but Serena needed this. If she failed her big assignment....

It was all too easy to dream up a plan on how to get in, and how to get out; but how was she to collect the research? How to ease a conversation into an interview, unbeknown by the victim? Such things would have hindered a normal journalist, but this was Serena Tsukino. Genius extraordinaire.

Serena beckoned Amy with a finger, eyes trained on what lay beyond the corner.

"This is it, let's go," Serena exhaled with excitement.

Turning and grabbing Amy's wrist, Serena flew down the hall and stopped at a double set of large, white doors with a gleaming golden trim. Amy's eyes widened at the sheer sight of them and their beautiful detail, but Serena just gripped both golden handles and twisted, peeking inside. Seconds later, she slipped in, with Amy creeping behind. Amy gasped as she took in the large ballroom. It was enormous! The domed ceiling was so high, the details of the cherub-painted roof could hardly be seen. Thick, white pillars stood around the room, all in some sort of silent alignment – it reminded Amy of the royal guard by Buckingham Palace. Of course these pillars were more likely to smile than those guards were.

The room, whilst vast in space, was crammed full of people. Raye Hino, celebrating her 21st birthday, really had gone all out. There were celebrities and high profile stars everywhere. Just from where she stood, Amy could see a cluster of models standing together, some staring wistfully at the buffet table, whilst others compared wrist sizes; a bunch of business men arguing heatedly, and famous musicians gathered by the grand piano in the far corner, showing off their skills to each other – even if whatever was being played was drowned out by the loud music of the latest hits blaring from the speakers – all beings sung live by the singer on the stage.

Serena began to head for the buffet table; if she was going to be working hard all night, she'd need some energy first. A passer-by paused beside her and Serena froze, thinking someone had seen their secret entrance and were going to kick them out.

But it was merely a waiter, standing politely with a large, shining silver platter; housing a cluster of tall, gleaming glasses of white wine. Serena beamed and reached for the two closest, taking a shallow sip of hers whilst handing the other to Amy. It was delicious; Serena had never had such fine wine before. It was obviously very, very expensive. Not that she didn't expect everything to be expensive tonight. This was a celebrity party after all.

Just as Serena was about to turn to Amy, a beautiful blonde came bounding up to them, stopping just in front of Serena with wide, excited eyes.

"Hey! You look like me!" she gasped, obviously amused.

Serena laughed. The Mina Aino, famous beauty of the silverscreen and catwalk? It was far from the truth, but Serena beamed at the compliment anyway.

Already being well aware of Mina's killer fashion sense, Serena quickly glanced down at the blonde's attire. They indeed did look the same, at least above the shoulders; but the blonde standing before her was the complete opposite in body. She was tall and curvy, and had the best legs Serena had ever seen. They were accented by golden high heels, with ballet-like straps that criss-crossed up her calves, ending just before her knees. Her one-shouldered orange dress stopped mid-thigh and was very short in Serena's opinion; but it worked. The fabric swished as Mina moved, just as excited as its owner. Her long, golden blonde hair was loose, except for the top half – held up in her signature bow.

Serena licked her lips and smiled as warmly as she could.

"Hey, I guess we do! I'm Serena, by the way."

What she didn't expect was for the blonde to suddenly grip her hand and begin pumping it excitedly in her own.

"How're you doing, Serena? I'm Mina! Oh this is so cool!" Mina turned and began dragging Serena away, who threw a quick panicked glance at her friend.

Amy nodded as if to say, 'go on, I'll be fine' and wandered towards a group nearby. There were two men and a woman. Amy quietly stood beside the woman, trying not to draw too much attention to herself, lest they think she was eavesdropping. Amy caught the eye of the tall, handsome man to her left, who immediately smiled at her. Amy managed a small, timid smile back before blushing and ducking her head, pretending to sip at her wine.

"And what are your thoughts on the arrangement, Scott?" one man asked.

"Sorry?"

Amy looked up shyly at the man again, to see he was still looking at her.

"I'm sorry, we're being rude," he smiled, nodding towards Amy. "I'm Scott."

The others turned to Amy, and then as if deciding she wasn't worth their interest, returned to the conversation.

"Amy," she managed to squeak out, heart starting to race at the intense gaze of his eyes.

"How do you do?" Scott asked with twinkling eyes, bowing slightly in a mocking gesture. It worked; the tension was broken as they all laughed.

Scott looked expectantly at the woman standing next to Amy.

"Well you are not much to look at, are you?" she said, revealing a heavy French accent. At Amy's shocked expression, she reluctantly waved a bored hand in the air. " 'ello, I am Ann."

Amy raised her hand to offer it to the woman.

"Oh please! Do not come so close!" Ann stepped back nervously, horror crossing her beautiful features. "I am far too beautiful to be seen standing next to someone so....." She struggled for the word.

"It is true; she is quite beautiful, isn't she?" Amy turned to the other man, who was gazing in adoration at Ann, now examining her nails. He too had a thick, French accent.

"Quiet Alan," Ann murmured without even glancing at him.

"Sorry Ann." He bowed his head.

"Why don't you make yourself useful, and get me a drink?" she said to her manicure. Alan nodded and was off at once.

If this exchange seemed peculiar to anyone else, they didn't show it. Amy lowered her hand slowly, cringing slightly.

Scott laughed and draped an arm around Ann's shoulders.

"Oh come on Ann, don't the French get all intimate on the metro and everything?" he laughed.

Ann shrugged out of his grip, glaring at him.

"If you touch me again," she hissed menacingly, "I will have Alan 'unt you down and kill you."

"Calm down Ann," a new arrival said lightly. "He's just joking."

"There is no joking when it comes to Ann Moreau," she said before stomping off in the same direction as Alan.

Amy looked awkwardly back at Scott. "Um..."

"Oh don't worry about her, she's a funny one. Not that you wouldn't expect that, with her being French and all..." Scott stage whispered to Amy, who giggled in response.

A voice cleared their throat and Amy and Scott both turned to the new arrival.

"Oh Dare!" Scott clapped the tall, dark haired man on the shoulder. "Meet Amy here!"

He turned to Amy, who raised her glass in a subtle attempt to hide behind it.

"Pleased to meet you Amy, I'm Darien," he emphasised his name to Scott, who rolled his eyes. He turned back to Amy, speculating her over his glass of brandy. "So how do you know Raye?"


Serena laughed loudly with the group she was standing with as Lita blushed bright red yet again. At first Serena had been vastly intimidated by Lita – she was so tall! But it turned out that Lita Kino was nothing like her socialite-reported self. She was kind and gentle. The BFG.

Her chestnut brown hair, piled high upon her head framed her gentle face with loose, curly ringlets and her tan skin was complimented by the forest green gown she wore, which trailed straight down to the floor, a high side slit making its way up to her thigh.

Lita winked at Serena over her wine. Serena felt elated. Lita's boyfriend, Andrew, leaned in for another kiss, making Lita blush so much that she had to snap heatedly, "Stop it! You're embarrassing me!" but the fake anger was foiled by more giggles.

When Serena had met Andrew, one look into his laughing green eyes showed nothing but carefree happiness in them, and she knew instantly she would like this guy.

He was in casual black slacks and a matching blazer over a white shirt – comfortable enough for him, but suitable enough for the party. Serena could even detect the slightest hints at a designer label.

"Okay, so I did mean to get you your Chardonnay, but then I remembered there were a few bottles of Bordeaux floating around, so I got you a Bordeaux instead, since it's your favourite... So here you are," a female's voice warned as it approached. Mina reached past Serena to receive her wine. Serena turned to see a stunning woman with long ebony hair cascading all around her reached the circle. Serena gulped. It was Raye Hino.

"Oh, hello there!" Raye blinked in surprise at spotting the addition to the group.

"Raye, this is a great party you've thrown! Congratulations – you're sure to make onto the front page of the Style section in the magazines!" Serena enthused, desperately hoping Raye wouldn't ask the dreaded question....

"Mmmm," Raye mused politely, mind ticking over. "I'm sorry," she apologised abruptly. "But who are you?"

That dreaded question.

"Oh, I'm Serena Tsukino! You probably wouldn't remember me but our fathers have -"

Serena was thankfully cut off as Raye began nodding quickly in understanding.

"Yes, I'm afraid my father has used my birthday party as a business venture, and now I don't know half the people here... at my own party!" Raye sighed dramatically and winked to the group. "But that's okay, because at least you guys are here! A dog may be a man's best friend, and a diamond a girl's, but you my friends, are my diamonds!"

"Raye! Don't Serena and I look the same!?" Mina squealed, reaching an arm over Serena's shoulder in a chummy gesture and embracing her, awkward angle and all.

The sudden course the conversation had taken made Serena laugh. Once she started laughing, everyone joined in.

"What's so funny?" a deep voice asked from behind Raye. Raye gasped in surprise as two long arms snaked their way around her waist and trapped her in their embrace.

"Daniel, stop it!" Raye laughed, trying to beat at the arms with one hand as she held the wine glass as far away from her dress as she could with the other.

"Say it," the voice teased. "Say it out loud."

"TWILIGHT REFERENCE!" Mina suddenly yelled, jumping and pointing a finger in Raye's direction.

Raye mumbled something quietly with crimson cheeks and it was followed by,

"Louder! I couldn't hear that!"

Raye mumbled incoherently again.

"What?" Lita leaned in closer, grinning wickedly as she was glowered at by her friend.

"I SAID DANIEL GREENE IS THE HOTTEST MAN ALIVE!" Raye suddenly yelled, half-furious, half-embarrassed.

The arms disappeared immediately. A tall and attractive man with brown hair and bright green eyes appeared from behind Raye. He stood at full height and winked at Raye, taking his place beside her in the increasingly large circle.

"There. Now that wasn't too hard, was it?"

Raye rolled her eyes, missing the shared look of amusement between Andrew and Daniel. Serena was thoroughly absorbed in the excitement of the conversation. These people were nothing like their reported selves! They were funny and carefree and caring and .... just like ordinary people. Serena internally frowned at this revelation; they weren't ordinary people. They were rich, famous, upper-class people. They had the whole world at their feet. This was the perfect story! She could already picture millions of headings for her article in her head.

Serena's eyes roved over the group, catching Raye swatting Daniel playfully in the arm as he tried to kiss her; Lita and Andrew discussing the pros and cons of personal chefs vs. buffets and Mina, who was excitedly chattering away to Serena about Serena's gown. Where did she get it? Who was it by? Was it designed for her?

Just as Serena opened her mouth to reply to reply to Mina's thousand-questions-a-minute speech, a deep, masculine voice right at her ear startled her.

"And just who might this be?"


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