Author's note: :D Read and see! :D

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It's All a Masquerade – Chapter 4

Chandler could not believe it! He had spent the past hour dancing with probably the most interesting and beautiful woman ever and he was afraid that it was all a dream – and that reality would come cruelly crashing down within an instant.

But it was all too real to be a dream.

"Cat Woman" was laying her head on his shoulder and her hair was tickling his chin, covered beneath his kerchief. He could smell the sweet scent of the fruity shampoo she used – and something about that smell seemed oddly familiar.

But – he couldn't quite place it.

When the song was over – he dared to ask her a question.

"Want to take a walk outside in the gardens?"

Monica stirred from her heavenly comfortable position – as if woken up from a dream-state.

"What?"

"You know, take a walk around the flowers and rosebushes out in the fresh air." Chandler tried again.

"They have a garden here?" Monica asked inquisitively.

"Oh yeah. Someone told me about it earlier."

"Oh let's go then!"

Monica and Chandler walked towards the garden entrances – both blissfully unaware of the fact that they were still holding hands.

/~^~\

Rachel found herself dancing with a guy in a jester suit – and she was frankly more interested in what was going on with Monica than what her partner was saying. (Ohmigosh! They are actually holding hands!)

"You seem really distracted by that couple over there." The jester observed.

"Oh, she's my best friend – just looking out for her, you know." Rachel replied.

"Well, I don't think you need to worry about them – from what it seems they are heading out towards the garden." The jester grinned.

"The garden?" Rachel inquired.

She totally did not know that there was a garden!

"Yeah... all sorts of interesting and scandalous things happen there." The jester mused.

Rachel's love of gossip became aroused.

"Oh really? What happens there?"

"Oh there's all sorts of stories about what happens in those gardens – even when there are no balls going on!"

"Tell me more!" Rachel was drawn in like a bear to honey.

"Oh, like there are always some people doing it in the rosebushes... The garden is so large that the chances of getting caught are pretty slim."

"Thorns! What about the thorns?"

"Oh there's no thorns – thornless roses."

"But you told me there are stories! Tell me, pretty please!" Rachel pleaded.

"Alright, princess, here's one of those stories..."

/~^~\

"Oh wow! So many flowers!" Monica exclaimed shortly after entering the gardens.

Flowers were literally growing everywhere along the sides of the stone pathways. Chinese paper lanterns illuminated the garden in strategic intervals.

"It's very nice here." Chandler remarked quietly – more to himself then to Monica.

"Yeah, straight out of a fairytale." Monica mused.

"It's like the Secret Garden." Chandler slowly turned around to admire the surroundings.

"You've read that book?" Monica looked at Chandler with surprise.

"Oh yeah. Ages ago." Chandler replied casually.

Monica grinned. Looks like the Ninja had some literary tastes – so hard to find in a guy these days.

"You are a nice guy. If this was a date – I would be really happy." Monica remarked.

Chandler was stunned. Him – bad with women – was giving this woman an ideal date! How shocking was that?

"Well, if this was a date – it's the best one I've ever been on!"

"I feel like that I already know you – yet I don't know you at all." Monica replied.

"Yeah, it does seem that way." Chandler agreed.

"Oh I know what we can do! Let's exchange personal details." Monica exclaimed.

"Alright, you go first." Chandler looked rather warily at Monica.

"What's your favourite colour?"

"I would have to say that it would be red." Chandler replied.

"Mine would be blue, like your eyes."

Something about those eyes was still bugging her. She couldn't stop gazing at them – as if looking at them would provide the solution.

"What's your favourite animal?" Chandler took his turn.

"Hm... That's a hard one – but I would go with the wolf." Monica sighed.

"Really? I was expecting something furry and cute – like a bunny rabbit." Chandler teased.

"Well, I like how they resemble loyalty and they are actually quite majestic animals." Monica defended her choice.

"I would be the eagle – flying free from all responsibilities."

"What's your job?" Monica asked after a short silence.

"Oh, I work in IT doing something with statistics – horribly boring." Chandler answered.

"I am a chef!" Monica exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Wish I could be happy about my job as you are happy about yours." Chandler sighed.

"Then why don't you quit?" Monica suggested.

"Because – oh I don't know!" Chandler threw his arms in the air dramatically.

Monica rubbed Chandler's arm comfortingly.

They had reached the center of the garden – where an enormous water fountain resided. They wordlessly sat down on one of the stone benches. Monica found herself leaning on the Ninja's side.

"Do you believe in fairytales?" Monica asked.

"If you asked me that yesterday – I would have said no." Chandler replied.

"There's something magical about today."

"Yeah. It makes me want to believe that amazingly good things can happen to ordinary people."

"I know." Monica whispered quietly.

They sit in silence, watching the dancing water of the fountain and enjoying each other's company. Monica kept thinking about what Rachel said earlier about fairytales and princes – and wondering if she found the man. Chandler thought about his changed luck in regards to women and hoped that a happy conclusion could come out of this.

There was a cool breeze blowing throughout the gardens – but Monica didn't find it cold at all – her close proximity to the Ninja seemed to provide all the heat she needed.

And she realized that she really wanted to kiss the man.

"I think I want to kiss you." Monica broke the silence rather awkwardly.

"What?" Chandler was stunned. Did she just say what he thought she just said?

And before Chandler could do anything else – Monica daringly lifted the kerchief slightly and kissed him on the lips.