Here at last! Here at last! Chapter Four is here at last! The delay was unforgivable I know and I'm very very very very very very sorry. Hopefully this new chapter will make up for it. It is even nice and long too! See see! So is that forgiveness I see? Huh? Maybe?
Disclaimer: Tonight's top story, this author does not own Sailor Moon. Sources say she has never once claimed such responisibility and that she never will. But she has been heard to say quoat unquoat I am what I am, but I am not the creator of Sailor Moon. You lawyers will never take me alive! That is conclusion to tonight's broadcast. Have a pleasant evening!
Chapter Four
Andrew Tanaka was a man who had seen many things in his lifetime. Being a surgical intern at Tokyo's most prestigious and busiest hospital has exposed the young man to a plethora if you will of many strange, sad, or sometimes amazing sights. Yet the seemingly miraculous one before him now was something fifty years on an ER Trauma floor could never prepare him for. Andrew Tanaka was standing in his best friend Darien Chiba's condo and he had company; of the female variety. And not only was this woman exceedingly beautiful in what could only be considered the most delicate and extravagant night gown he had ever seen, but she had referred to Darien as "Your Highness". And she had been serious.
It should also be known that Andrew Tanaka was a man of opportunities and something of this magnitude was guaranteed to only come around once every few thousand lifetimes. Besides, what kind of best friend would he be if he didn't capitalize on this amazing opportunity to finally have fun at his friend's expense? A terrible one that's for sure; at least that was how Andrew justified himself for what was sure to be an absurd amount of fun to be had at certain Darien Chiba's expense. And as a slow smile spread across the handsome blonde's face, he spared a quick almost apologetic glance to his friend before focusing that beatific smile on the unaware woman.
"Usually Prince Darien is far too caught up in his duties to even acknowledge his poor subjects. Luckily for me though, I do rank a little higher than most as he is my very best friend and we have known each other since we were little tots."
"Oh so you are personal acquaintance then. That does explain some things."
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. This was going far better than he had thought. How impossibly ignorant was this girl that she really believed Darien was a prince? She couldn't be that stupid, looking into her eyes Andrew could see the intelligence that sparkled there. Her accent was curious though. Perhaps Darien had picked up some foreigner and had convinced her that his fortune was somehow allotted due to some royal heritage? That didn't seem like something Darien would do, but bringing a beautiful woman to his home didn't seem like something he would do either.
"You must forgive me my Dear. I was very rude to barge in the way I did, but Prince Darien usually doesn't have company at this hour." Though he was looking directly at the woman before him, Andrew could feel the anger coming off Darien as he continued on. "In all the confusion I totally forgot to introduce myself. My name is Andrew Tanaka and I am currently an intern at one of the cities finest surgical hospitals. I am very pleased to meet you miss…"
Andrew eagerly held out his hand in hopes of shaking hers till a loud "Stop!" was issued from a man Andrew could have sworn never yelled.
"Hey man! What is your problem? I was only introducing myself to your friend here!" the blonde man tried to say as he was being forcibly dragged away by Darien.
"You can't touch her! She's dangerous, you have no idea what that…that woman over there is capable of!"
Andrew just stared at Darien for a moment before looking back and forth between him and the woman Darien seemed so adamant about protecting him from. As far as Andrew could tell, there was nothing about the angelic looking woman that seemed to warrant the kind of reaction she was getting out of his normally stoic best friend. Sure she seemed a little angry right now, who could blame her, but dangerous? She didn't look like she could one round with a butterfly. For a moment, Andrew briefly considered the possibility that Darien was playing a joke on him for taking off with his car. Perhaps this was one of those hidden camera things? No, that couldn't be it. Darien may be acting strange but he would never allow someone for any reason to set up a hidden camera in his private space.
Meanwhile, the woman in question just stood there while Darien dragged Andrew until they were both standing on the opposite side of room and safely behind a floor lamp.
"I find myself perplexed by your actions and your words in increasing degrees Darien Chiba. I thought we had gotten past your panicking and were perhaps going to be civil with each other? Your friend Mr. Tanaka has been nothing but a gentleman to me and I am amazed that he is found in your company. Surely a prince of Earth would have more dignity than what you have displayed thus far?"
"Prince Darien has been known to have his undignified moments every now and again. After all, he is only human."
"Would you stop calling me a prince? I am not a prince. And I am not panicking. I just have no intentions of letting you perform any of your voodoo mojo stuff on him!"
Andrew looked back and forth between the two of them and decided that he needed some coffee. Normally he didn't drink the stuff but he felt the hot bitter taste of the coffee Darien always made was sure to wake him out of the stupor he was sure he had fallen into. So without saying a word or sparing a glance to the two "strangers" staring each other down, Andrew left the area Darien had deemed safe from danger and walked between the two towards the kitchen. Two pairs of eyes followed his movements as he pulled out his favorite mug and proceeded to fill it with the vile black liquid. He took a cautionary sip after blowing some of the steam off the top and immediately pulled a face. Oh yes, still hot and still bitter. At least some things hadn't changed.
Deciding some explanations were definitely in order, Andrew walked back over to living room and made him self comfortable on one of Darien's black leather chairs. After one last long sip of coffee, Andrew set the mug on the small glass table next to him and smiled at the two still standing adults. "Please, why don't you just explain to me why you think she is a dangerous witch and why she thinks you are a prince? I still haven't gotten your name, lovely lady."
Serenity did a slight bow and walked over to sit on the chair across from this Mr. Tanaka. She instantly liked him and wondered how in the world someone as charming as he could end up friends with her rather rude host. "My name is Princess Serenity Lunette IV. It would please me though if you were to simply call me Serenity."
"This is nuts!" came the muttered oath of Darien as he went over to stand before the balcony one again.
"Ignore him, Serenity. He gets rude when things aren't in his control. So you are a princess then? What country?"
Serenity's smile grew the more she continued to talk to Andrew. She explained her strange predicament and told him the sad story of her imprisonment and the destruction of her entire people. They stood up together so she could show him the remains of the snow globe that had sat untouched on the dinning room table all morning.
"This is where I was spellbound for the past three thousand years. Darien brought it here last night and now I stand before you."
"I see." Andrew said as he picked up the base of the former globe.
Serenity glanced over to Darien to find him still standing stiffly in the same spot. He hadn't spoken a word the entire time. She then looked over at Andrew to see him still studying the intricate carvings on the base. He too had been very quiet the entire time. Though he was certainly taking it better then Darien, Serenity could still detect disbelief in him. He too must think she was crazy. Well since it was magic that got Darien to believe her last time, perhaps it would work this time as well. How peculiar though that such a normal thing would so upset them.
Darien had stood silently gritting his teeth while Andrew politely listened to the absurd story that woman told. Hearing it told made it sound even crazier than it had in his own head all morning. Andrew was going to have him committed after this. No doubt about it. All he wanted was a nice vacation. He wanted to relax damn it! He mostly ignored what Serenity was saying, concentrating only on the sound of her voice. It was very pleasant to listen to. Not even he could deny that. But it wasn't until one little phrase was spoken did he turn around to stare incredulously at the crazy woman.
"Andrew, do you trust me?"
"Why? What are you going to do?!" Darien demanded with mounting anxiety. He had marched over to the duo and was preparing once again to drag Andrew away.
"Please, both of you. I need you to watch what I'm about to do. And try not to panic, Andrew. I believe it is already too late for your friend there."
Serenity waited for Andrew to nod while Darien looked as though he couldn't tell if he wanted to bolt or strangle her. Taking a deep breath and contemplating the wisdom of her decision, Serenity looked at the broken glass still scattered around the table and some on the floor. Placing her hand slightly above her former pedestal, Serenity closed her eyes and started murmur quietly to herself. The resulting gasps and subsequent cursing let her know she definitely had their attention. It only took a few moments but it had completely drained her. Serenity opened her eyes to survey her work. Where there was once just an empty pedestal and broken glass, Serenity had created a work of art. She had recreated the globe, only this time it was a bit smaller. She used the rest of the glass to form a cherry blossom raising from the center, using some of her magic to tint the tips of the petals a delicate pink.
She brought satisfied blue eyes up to gage the shocked reactions of both men and smiled. "I don't believe either of you will be able to refute what I have told you after this. I must beg your pardon though, as I do believe I am going to faint now." And promptly proceeded to do so.
Darien looked down at the woman who had once again ended up in his arms. He sent a pleading look towards his friend but Andrew just held up his hands and shook his head.
"Sorry, Dare. Magical alien woman are not on my medical expertise list."
Darien just grunted and lifted the woman higher in his arms to carry her back towards the spare bedroom with Andrew following close behind. He laid her back on the bed where her hair spilled around her, creating a silvery halo as the sunlight filtered through the silk curtains and onto her glorious hair. He might have sighed if not for the other presence in the room.
Andrew walked over to the side of the bed and kneeled down on the floor next to her. "I suppose now that she is unconscious it's safe to touch her. After all, you carried her in here and aren't suffering any ill effects."
Darien just shook his head and watched as Andrew felt her forehead and checked her pulse. He opened each eye lid and made sure they appeared normal. After about a minute or two, Andrew shook his head and rose from his position on the floor, indicating for Darien to follow him back out as he went to the living room. Darien looked back at the woman still lying peacefully on the bed before shutting the door behind him.
"Well?" he said as he joined Andrew in the kitchen who was rummaging through Darien's refrigerator.
"As I said before," Andrew started while taking a bite out of a left over deli sandwich. "I'm not an expert on the ailments of those like your guest back there. But, if I were to make a diagnosis, I would say she just over exhausted herself. She said she had been trapped for over three thousand years. I don't know about you but after that little demonstration over there, I'd be tired too. She seems to just be sleeping it off."
Darien folded his arms and glared at his blond friend. "You seem to be taking this rather well."
Andrew shrugged before taking another bite. "Well, it's as she said before, it's not like I can deny the truth of who or what she is when proof sits on your table over there. Shit, Dare, you really know how to pick 'em don't you."
With a final groan directed at the world in general, Darien left the kitchen and walked over to the table to examine the new snow globe. This to was exquisite but Darien couldn't bring him self to touch it. "I don't know what to do, Andrew. Hell, I don't even know what reality is anymore. I have a three thousand year old Moon princess in my spare bedroom."
"She looks pretty good for three thousand years old if you ask me."
"Shut up."
"Couldn't help but notice how soft her skin was when I felt her pulse. I'm sure you noticed that too though, when you carried her."
"Andrew."
"Darien?"
"Shut up."
"Not even going to bother denying it, are you?"
No comment came from Darien as he glared over his shoulder. "You are enjoying this far too much."
"Sorry buddy. Can't help it. But what are you going to do with her? I mean, the government would just love to get their hands on her. A discovery like her would cause a worldwide sensation."
"No body is going to know."
Andrew just scoffed at that. "And how are you going to go about keeping what she is a secret? Ask her nicely to get back in her little globe? Lock her in your spare room?"
"No. I don't know. If I can convince her not to use her…powers in public," he still had trouble wrapping his mind around what he saw, "she might be able to pass as normal."
"But that doesn't tell me what you are going to do with her. You are going to keep her here with you, right?"
Darien spun around to stare at his friend. "Are you kidding? She is dangerous! You saw what she did!"
"Yeah man, I saw her make a glass flower just by chanting and making her hand glow. You have a regular magical Picasso in your home. Scary!"
"You weren't here when she froze my body. She had complete control over me! What if she does something like that again?"
"Darien, have you even looked at her? If she wanted control of my body, I would gladly give it. Let her go ahead and have her way with me, I promise I won't put up a fight."
"You're sick, Andrew."
"And you're deprived, Darien. Look, I'm expected to meet a friend for lunch."
"Mina, you mean. Why don't you just admit that you are in love with her and get it over with?"
"Only if she tells me first. Hey Dare, if you need anything just give me a call. Oh and, um, maybe if you are going to keep her around, get her some decent clothes. She can't walk around in public in an outfit that is nearly transparent. Unless of course you are enjoying the show too much?"
And before Darien could retort, Andrew was out the front door laughing. With a final shake of his head, Darien walked back to the spare room to check on how his new guest was doing. Finding her still asleep, he decided to take a quick shower. Once he was dressed again he made a few discreet phone calls to Lita his secretary. After he had assured her that no, this had nothing to do with work and no he didn't have a girlfriend that he had kept secretly from behind her back, he just needs a couple outfits brought over from his sister Raye's apartment.
"Look Lita, I wouldn't be asking you this if it wasn't important. A friend of mine was in a bad accident and needs some clothes to wear. Raye wouldn't mind so I promise you aren't going to be in trouble."
"Oh I'm not worried about that Darien. Raye is a very generous person. But you? Well…"
"Lita now is not the time to make jokes. A friend of mine lost her home and has no clothes but her night gown right now and it would be great if you could do this for me as fast a possible." Darien added as an afterthought, "And keep this down please. She is very shy and doesn't want a whole lot of attention or pity."
"Sure thing, boss. Where do I drop these off?"
"My place."
There was a long pause at the other end of the line. "You have a woman in your apartment?! She stayed the night?!"
"See you in an hour, Lita." Darien hung up, refusing to listen to her rambling any longer. Was it really that odd that he had a woman in his home? He was a young man for crying out loud! A virile young man who'd had countless girlfriends over the years. And he sure as hell wasn't celibate by any means. Darien just never found the desire to bring those women to his home. It was sacred. And yet, here he was going against years of practice. Well, it wasn't as if he brought her here by choice. She had tricked him. That was all. Now he would just have to figure out what to do with her.
"Little Miss, you really shouldn't do that! The ball will start soon and your mother would be most upset if you ruined your dress! Princess!"
A ten year old Serenity laughed gaily as she increased her speed towards the stables. It was her birthday and her parents had given her a real horse as a gift. No longer would she have a slow and prissy pony, but an actual horse like her parents rode. She would look like a grand lady atop her stead, just like her mother. Of course she had been strictly forbidden to ride it without her parents or trainer there, but really, all she wanted to do was go once around the paddock. And if she were really careful, she wouldn't ruin the two hours of work her governesses had spent trying to get her ready for the ball.
Finally reaching her destination, Serenity slowed down to a careful walk in order to not scare the horses. Finding the one that housed her new horse, she pulled out the apple she had stashed in her gown and sighed when she felt the soft velvet lips gently take it from her hand. Lily was the horse's name and she was just as beautiful as her name sake; a lively chestnut with gentle eyes and a soft stride. Serenity rubbed the white star between Lily's eyes and entered her stable. She had been taught when she was little how to properly saddle a horse. Though, it was a bit harder do saddle a horse than a pony, but that didn't mean she couldn't do it. So after much grunting and straining, Lily was finally saddled and Serenity led her out.
"Princess! Please! You mustn't do that!"
Serenity looked over her shoulder to the young stable boy who looked like he was about to pass out. "Vince, really, keep your voice down. You don't want to scare Lily do you?"
Vince shook his head at her and followed Serenity out to the paddocks. "Princess, your mother would kill me if she knew about this."
"Vince, where is your courage? I thought you were a knight in training?"
"I have courage enough, Princess. But a knight doesn't go against his queen either."
"Oh posh, no one has to know. Help me up this saddle, will you Vince?"
"No, I've already told you that you should not be doing this."
"But I'm a princess that needs a knight's assistance."
The thirteen year old just folded his arms and shook his head. "You will just have to do it yourself."
"Fine then, I will!"
After several failed attempts, and a somewhat stressed out Lily, Vince sighed and kneeled on the ground beside Serenity. "Here, let me help."
"If you are sure, sir knight?"
"Let's just get this over with please, Princess."
Serenity smiled down at her friend and set her slipper clad foot into his intertwined fingers. As soon as she put her weight on that foot, she was lifted up and quickly swung her legs into position on the side saddle.
As soon as Serenity was settled, she set Lily forward at a slow and easy gait. This was so much better than a pony! This was what it was like to be on a horse all by oneself. She lifted her head back and laughed as Lily increased her pace.
"Alright, Princess, I think that is enough. Everyone will start to wonder where you are."
"Just one more time around I promise! After all, it's my birthday, Vince!"
It was just her luck that a hare darted out from the bushes right in front of Lily at that moment. The sudden movement caused the horse to rear back and prance in place while at the same time, Serenity fell off Lily's back and landed with a dull thud on the hard ground.
"Princess!"
More startled than hurt, Serenity looked up to find Vince already by her side, helping her up while asking if anything was injured. But it was another voice that called for Serenity's attention at that moment.
"Serenity Dianne Eleni Sil Artemisia Jura Cassini Lunette IV. What in all of heaven do you think you are doing, young lady?"
"You're Majesty, forgive me! I should have tried harder to stop her. The fault is mine." Vince said while bowing low before the Queen.
"No, Mother. The fault is mine. I really wanted to ride Lily before the ball to prove that I was old enough to handle her. I am sorry."
The Queen looked over her daughter who was still rubbing her backside while bowing before her. "Are you injured?"
"Not really, you're Grace."
And forgetting about the fact that she was in the middle of a paddock and disregarding the diamonds painstakingly sewn into her dress, Queen Serenity knelt on the ground and enveloped her daughter in a fierce hug. "Thank goodness. Oh Serena, please do not ever frighten me like that again. Promise me that you will never attempt to ride a horse on your own until you are properly trained." Queen Serenity said as she looked down at her young daughter.
"Yes Mother."
"Now, I believe that you my dear have a ball to attend. After of course you have freshened up and fixed your attire."
Princess Serenity looked down at her torn dress and felt her disheveled hair. Smiling at her daughter's look of horror, the Queen then turned her attention back to young Vince who was still bowing before her. "Vince, thank you for your quick attention to my daughter's side. Next time though, do not let her con you into helping her. She will become a young lady today, she needs to show more poise and direction if she wishes to become a great queen someday. You are dismissed to return to your duties for now though."
"Thank you, you're Majesty." And with one final bow to the Queen and Princess he left. His eyes never really leaving the Princess until he was back inside the stable.
"And now, daughter, I shall show you a secret that my mother passed down to me. The women in our family have used this for many years and, seeing your performance today, I think it is time you learn it to." Placing an arm around Princess Serenity's shoulders, the Queen led her back to the palace. "I shall show you a trick to fix your appearance quickly without having to go through all the fuss of changing and having your maids redo your hair. My mother showed me this spell the first time I decided to take my horse Juniper out for a quick run before a ball." She leaned down to whisper in her daughter's ear. "Not that I'm trying to encourage you." She added with a wink. "I think it best though that we not tell your father about this. But that doesn't mean you won't get punished. You shall have to spend more time on your stitching so you can learn the normal way of repairing your clothes."
Serenity sighed yet knew not to argue with her mother when she used that tone. "Yes Mother."
Serenity awoke with a sigh and a large sunbeam shining directly on her face. It had been a lovely dream and she was sad to leave it. But now she had other things to worry about than an increased amount of time spent on stitching lessons. Her mother knew how to dole out punishment. Taking a moment to stretch, Serenity swung her legs over the bed and walked out of the room to meet the only man she had ever met that was more stubborn than her old governess.
She found him at the table staring at the repaired snow globe. Deciding it was best to let him finish his thoughts and discover her presence on his own, Serenity stood back and waited with her hands held politely before her. It did not take him long though before his cobalt blue eyes met hers across the table.
"How was your rest?"
He is trying to be polite? Very well then, she could most certainly do the same. "Yes it was, thank you."
"You are, I believe, the only person I've ever met to apologize for passing out before doing so. You are a strange person Miss Serenity."
"Please, if you don't mind, just call me Serena."
Darien raised an eyebrow at this. "But I thought your name was Princess Serenity?"
"It is, it is just that it sounds so formal and all. And I can't really be called a princess anymore. Not when I no longer have a kingdom. Besides, someone very special to me once called me Serena and I think it fitting if I use it as my new name here, as I start a new life."
Darien sat there while Serenity started to twist nervously at some of the beads in her gown. Couldn't the man just say something?
"Very well then, Serena it is."
Serena just stood there not knowing what else to say. What does one say to a person in these types of situations? She had been trained to carry a conversation with just about anyone even an enemy, yet here she couldn't get her mind to come up with one single thing to say.
The awkward silence was broken though when Darien decided to stop being an ass and say something to the obviously nervous young woman. "Are you hungry, by chance? Or would you like to take a shower of something to freshen up?"
"Um…I do believe a 'shower' would be nice followed by something to eat?"
Darien nodded and started walking back down the hall, leaving Serena to decide that she needed to follow him. He handed her a couple towels, a pair of jersey shorts and a small t-shirt from his university days. Then he led her to a small room that apparently was used for bathing and other such duties.
"This is the toilet where you…well you know. This is how you flush it when you are finished." Serena was proud of herself for not laughing at his blush.
"We had indoor plumbing on the Moon, Darien. But thank you for the explanation."
"Well then, that is good to know. Anyhow, this is how the faucet in the shower works. Turn this knob here to get it to the temperature you wish and hit this button to make it spray from the shower head up here. Shampoo and conditioner for your hair, soap for everything else. My secretary Lita will be here shortly with some more appropriate clothes for you. I'll leave them on the bed for when you are finished." And with a blush still staining his cheeks, Darien left to pour himself another drink and wait for Lita to show up.
'I wonder if a whole bottle will be enough for her hair. Shit that is just another thing I'm going to have to buy from the store.' Darien had spent the past forty-five minutes convincing him self that he was alright with the fact that he had a magical alien sleeping in his apartment. And that he was alright with the fact that she would most likely be staying there. Yup, everything was alright. Perfectly alright in fact. Why the hell didn't he stock more alcohol in this place? Surely one half full sifter of brandy wasn't all he had?
While he sat there listen to the sound of the water running and trying not to think about the fact that there was a beautiful naked woman, who happened to be from another planet, in his shower. Where was a distraction when he needed one.
The sound of his buzzer going off sounded like a choir of angels to Darien's ears. He quickly rushed over to his voice box. "Lita, finally, come on up."
"Why do you sound so desperate?"
Darien rolled his eyes at the receiver. "Just get up here, please." Then hit the button to let her in the building. Two minutes later he opened the door to a somewhat stressed looking woman and pulled her and her armload inside.
"Thank god you're here? What took so long? I thought I said an hour?" He said reaching for the clothes in Lita's arms.
"My apologies, you Lordship. I thought it best to stop by the store and get the poor thing some undergarments. You can't expect a woman to wear someone else's!"
"Lita, I'm sorry. Really you are a saint!"
"Everything of course was charged to your business account."
"Fine." Darien said dismissively as he grabbed the small pile of clothes and the bag containing the underwear to the spare room and placing them on the bed. He then hurried out where he found Lita examining the empty glass that contained the brandy.
"I didn't think you were one for drinking, Darien. Especially so early in the morning."
"Don't ask, Lita. You have no idea what kind of night I've had."
The tall brunette set her purse down on the counter before sitting at the dinning room table, indicating he take the seat across from her. "Try me."
With a sigh, Darien sat down and traced a finger across some the scroll work at the base of the snow globe that sat before him. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"If it has anything to do with the beautiful woman currently standing in your hallway wearing your clothes, you might be right."
Darien turned to follow Lita's astounded green eyed gaze to see that indeed, his guest had finished her shower and was standing in the hallway looking, very good, wearing his shorts and old t-shirt. Her hair was mostly wrapped up in a towel with some escaping from the top to hang down her back. Her eyes though looked large and doe like staring at him and his secretary.
Darien gulped and attempted to form words yet it seemed Lita would beat him to it.
"Oh my goodness, you poor thing. You look frightened to death! Darien had said you had gone through some kind of traumatic experience, yet it doesn't look like he has even attempted to comfort you in any way. Shame on you, Darien." Lita said as she got up and made her way over to the startled looking young woman. "My name is Lita." She said, taking hold of smaller woman's delicate looking hand and shaking it somewhat roughly.
"And my name is Serena. It is a pleasure to meet you." She said, sounding like her teeth were rattling. "I just was surprised to see you here is all. Darien has been most kind and generous in his allowing me to stay here. Please don't think unwell of him."
"Oh my goodness you're foreign! What an adorable accent you have!"
Serena smiled at this strange yet pleasant woman before her. "Thank you, I think."
Darien cleared his throat in hopes of getting the attention of the two women in his hallway. "Was there something you needed, Serena?"
"Yes actually, the clothes on the bed, I don't quiet know how to put them on. The corset is not the kind I am used to."
Both Darien and Lita stared dumbfounded at Serena while she fiddled with the bottom of the shirt. Lita though came to herself first with a hearty laugh as she put an arm around Serena's shoulder and led her back to the spare room. "Silly girl, you can't depend on a man like Darien for that. Good thing I'm here. I'll help you. And you can tell me all about yourself while we get you dressed in something decent." Lita sent one last look towards Darien before she shut the door between them. Darien had worked with Lita long enough to know he was not going to be getting away easily from this one. If there was one thing Lita like more than baking her famous cookies for the office, it was hearing juicy gossip. And never had a better story fallen in her lap than the one getting dressed in his spare room. He was definitely going to have to buy more brandy.
AN: Ta da! I just wish to thank everyone who has reviewed thus far. Really you do inspire me! Even if it takes a looooong time to see the fruits of that inspiration. I'm working on that I promise!
