AN: I do not own Huntik: Secrets and Seekers. If you don't like the Zhalia/ Dante pairing or the Lok/ Sophie pairing leave this fiction very fast. This is my pathetic attempt at comedy.

Dante's House

10:36 pm

After a mission blew up (literally) Dante was injured. Zhalia, Sophie and Lok wait for him outside until Zhalia decided to go inside the hospital and pace. After a few cruel tricks from Lok the entire team now knows the hidden feelings between Dante and a certain raven-haired women are very real indeed. The tablet that was found at the Colosseum of Rome is the directions to Riderless Chariot and the suits are after it. After a full scale battle in Dante's study Sophie decides to take the 'adults' love situation into her own hands. Sophie and Lok decide on an after dinner game and invite a few friends over for the fun.

Sophie pulled out her cell phone and started flipping through her contacts. "Scarlett, Montehue, Tersly, LeBlanche…" Her quiet mumble trailed off when Lok tapped her shoulder.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm planning to have a nice dinner party complete with some after dinner games." She turned to face him fully. "I told you I was sick of watching those two," she gestured towards the study, "Act as 'only friends'."

"Are you inviting lots of other people?" Lok questioned trying to peek over her should at the list of dinner guests.

Zhalia stepped out of the shower, nearly breaking her neck when she slipped on the tile floor. Wrapping a towel around her person she slipped down the hall to her room. Sophie was sitting on her bed.

"Sophie? What are you doing here? You almost gave me a heart attack." Zhalia stated while walking over to her dresser for something clean to wear. Pulling out her usual she was quickly stopped by Sophie.

"Not now. Wear some dirty old clothes." Rummaging through her friends clothes, Sophie pulled out a plain white tee and old gym shorts. "You and I are going to be spending some serious time in the kitchen." Holding up a silencing hand Sophie continued, "Then we're going shopping because you own nothing formal."

Zhalia stared at her friend long and hard before asking, "Why?"

"We are having a dinner party. Now change!" Sophie pushed Zhalia behind a curtain thrusting the clothes in after her.

Sophie smirked as flour coated Zhalia's front. She really isn't made for this stuff is she? Giggling, Sophie went back to cutting up celery for the salad. She had posted Zhalia at the desert station for a laugh.

"Sophie! What the hell am I supposed to do with this… this… this goo?" The dark seeker questioned as the cake batter resembled jello more than uncooked cake. Sophie was suddenly terrified of giving the guests food poisoning from Zhalia's 'cooking'.

"LOK!" Turning and shouting up the stairs, Sophie decided that it was time for her credit cards to get a workout. Her fiancé burst into the kitchen looking ready to cook. "Lok, finish making the cake, salad and entrées while Zhalia and I go shopping."

"Right!" He shouted with a little to much enthusiasm. Zhalia snarled at him on her way back to her room for good measure.

"Why are you dragging me to all of these places again?" Zhalia was ready to admit that she was very annoyed with her young friend at this moment. They had already been to thirteen dress stores and Sophie had maintained the 'just not the right one' act for each. "Can't we just pick one?"

"No! Do realize that you don't even own a dress?" Sophie was peeking in every window, trying to find the perfect dress. Suddenly she stopped by a little tiny store with a blackish-blue mermaid dress in the window. Even Zhalia had to admit this dress was stunning, the dark blue background was accented by silver embroidery down the left side. "Come on!" Sophie proceeded to pull her into the store.

Sophie ushered Zhalia into her room. The older woman looked like she was going to be sick when confronted with so much pink. "Ok, go back there and put on the dress. I'll change out here then do your hair." The pink-loving seeker said while pointing to a bathroom.

Sophie smiled when Zhalia came out looking dark and mysterious… more so than usual at least. Perfect. That fits her nicely. "Sit," she pointed to a chair next to a mirror and desk. "Do you want your hair straitened or curled?" Rummaging through her draws she pulled out the tools and plugged them in.

"Umm… Can't I just leave my hair the way it is?"

"No. We'll straiten it then…. Or curl it….?" Sophie pondered while her friend looked at the heating tools with some speculation. "Curls it is!" Zhalia jumped when Sophie's voice cut through her thoughts. The younger of the two bit back a laugh when Zhalia's eyes snapped closed so she wouldn't have to watch the assault on her raven hair.

"Lok? Why are you wearing a tux?" Dante hid his laugh behind a question as he stared at his young protégée. He had seen this sight before for parties and dates with Sophie, but on a casual day it looked out of place.

"Why aren't you in yours?" The blond boy shot back. "Sophie is holding a dinner party." Dante looked like he was going to interrupt but Lok cut him off, "No! I don't know why." Leaving a stunned Dante in his wake, he turned quickly down the hall to tell Sophie and hide his ear-to-ear grin. I know why Dante… It's to get you and the basket of sunshine together.

Zhalia poked one of her curls. I look like a mop! Turning to glare at Sophie for the tenth time in ten minutes she noticed her friends usually wavy hair was straight and held in a high ponytail. The very ends of her hair seemed to melt into the coral color of her skirt.

"Zhalia, I'm going to straighten your hair… you look like a deranged poodle." Welcoming the heat that would turn her hair to a much more normal state, Zhalia sighed. She allowed herself to relax until something pulled on her raven locks. Sophie had begun to pull her hair into a bun sitting low on her skull.

"Much better!" Sophie stated, stepping back to admire her work.

Dante stood at the top of the stairs, glaring holes into the back of Sophie's head as a constant stream of people entered his home. From this point he could spot Scarlet, Metz and Peter. From the number of footsteps I'm guessing there are at least three other people in the living room and one talking with Lok. He realized that he would have to approach the large group sooner or later, slowly pacing down the stairs he greeted Metz with a hug.

AN: This is part one of two.