Chapter 6

–

He woke with a start, his mouth opening and him half shouting an unrecognizable profanity, making no sense as it wasn't really meant to be said. Just a protest to the method of waking him. He jerked and looked at what had caused the problem. He was looking into the lens of a camera and then he lifted his eyes upward to see who was holding it, already annoyed.

Endymion wasn't sure if he was surprised or not to see Serenity sitting on his desk holding the Polaroid or not. Already the picture was out and she was waving it to produce the image. She was grinning that beautiful smile at him and he didn't feel capable of holding onto his anger. It was slowly slipping away, but so too was the sleepiness.

"Why are you taking pictures of me?" He asked sitting up straighter and rubbing at his eyes.

"Because you're adorable when you're caught off guard." She turned the picture towards him and he groaned at his mouth hanging open and he was clearly unconscious.

"Aren't you supposed to be protecting me and not causing me more grief?" Then something came to him and he looked over but the door was still closed. "I thought I locked it."

"You did." She agreed, bobbing her head up and down, and he wondered if her face hurt from having such a wide smile plastered on her features. "I broke in."

"The door looks intact." He said slowly, it was a heavy door normally and the lock wasn't something to sneeze about either. It was built so people couldn't just bust it open.

"There are more ways to break in than just mere force." She hopped off the desk and turned away from him. Her legs had been draped over the side of it near his and now she was walking away. Her dress was tight and a deep purple. He recalled two high slits in the front of each leg ending in a button. He wondered what would happen if he undid those. Then again after the night before, he was happy that she was still talking to him, she wouldn't be letting him find out any time soon.

He couldn't stop his mouth from asking the question though. "Why do you always wear such tight clothing?" She had the body for it, sure, so why not?

She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him in somewhat of a surprise. "Why to show off those legs that you're always admiring." Her feet had been in optimal position as she said this so his eyes had to follow one leg up from her foot to her body and then up to her face. Her legs did look great in that skirt, but they'd look great in a flowy one too, anything as long as it was short enough. His eyes must have spoken for him this time as she shook out that long blond hair. "It makes me look taller. The heels too. If I didn't wear either I'd never be taken seriously in anything I said or did. As it is, if I wear flats, I get mistaken for a child and I hear people's comments before I turn around and they see that I'm a bit older than that."

"Though not much." Endymion groaned as he said it and her eyes were no longer cheerful but flashed at him. "I just meant that you're barely older than a child. You're in your early twenties."

"And you are in your late twenties. Am I to suspect and say that you, too, are not much older than a child? What makes the difference between being an old man and being a child? The difference of four or so years?" He saw that he had really gotten under her skin with that comment. He didn't know what kind of things she'd had to put up with during the years as she tried to assert her self as an adult, being able to make her own decisions. He only saw her now, capable, in charge and deferred to, even feared slightly by those under her if they made a wrong move. The men's conversation at breakfast this morning was all too much proof of that.

"I'm sorry, I meant no harm. I just-"

"It's all right." Serenity sighed before bouncing back into her usual step. "We have to go out into the city or something, get our picture taken together so it adds weight to what we have already started. A picture in Germany is quite a different thing than one in your home town. We've been seen driving around and even at the sight of the accident, but nothing romantic looking. Our followers will want to know what we do in our spare time."

"I don't really do that kind of thing anyway." Endymion tried to protest. "I don't show off my women either. It is a rare picture the press gets of me an any female."

"That's why we're going to try and hide the fact that we're eating out. Someone will find us though." Serenity insisted. "The other women you date are not lime-light hogs. I am. It is unusual for me to hide like this. They think I'm off in some exotic location when they can't find me for a few days, not knowing exactly where I am and hiding away. Someone will start to think we're running a Betty Ford here."

Endymion groaned and buried his head into his hands, not pleased with these shenanigans he was now supposed to play a role in. "Can't you just go by yourself?"

"That's not how this works. Come on, you told me that you were going to work with me. I won't bring in other guards if you place nice." That drew him upright, that would be a blessing if he didn't have to deal with more men on the prowl around his home. Seeing his assent she bobbed her head. "Ok then, I'll knock on your door at seven. We'll have reservations for Once There Were Nine."

"That's impossible to get into." Endymion tried to argue, he did on occasion but he usually booked it in advanced. Even his connections and status couldn't always get him in right away. He was after all an Ambassador for England in other countries. The people here didn't know who he was unless they were up to date on everything else.

She batted those incredibly long black eyelashes at him, they perfectly framed her eyes, a little heavier on top than underneath and the movement captured him. He wondered if he was close enough if they would disrupt the air when she did that. "Not for me." Then she was out the door and he wondered just what other secrets Serenity could possibly be hiding.

–

At seven she knocked on his door and she surprised him by wearing a baseball cap over her head and he could see nary a blond hair. Her clothes were baggy and shapeless. He never thought he'd see something like that on Serenity. Part of him was drawn to see her shape underneath and discover it with his hands. Most of all though, he was just amused and she threw a knit hat over his own black hair. Blue in color. She tugged it low so it hit his hair and her fingers brushed over his ears. She smiled at him, a slow smile he hadn't seen her give anyone else. He liked this smile.

There was a charge between them where they touched and it was only her fingertips and the skin at his ears. His hands were going up on their own accord but Serenity backed away from him as if scalded. She gave him a periphery once over of his ruby button down and dark gray slacks. He had his dinner jacket over his arm to be put on before they left the house. She gave a short nod and then bent to pick something up, apparently she had put it down before she knocked. She picked up a bulky denim jacket and handed it to him. "Put it over your dinner jacket. Ready to go?"

He was surprised that for once in his life, he was letting a woman, who wasn't his mother, dictate things. He complied without argument and put first one on and then the other. "You know, you stand out. Nobody wears hats like that in this country." He had narrowed down the fact that she wasn't from England. She hadn't even an apartment here. Not to say that if she needed a place to crash that she would find it too difficult. Her company probably had plenty of safe houses around.

She shrugged. "If you hadn't noticed, not all of my men are from England. They wear hats like this all the time. Even in England." She mimicked his tone.

He grinned ruefully at her. "Sorry."

"Forgiven. Now let's go." She lead the way to the back of the house and the two of them walked out to the car but Serenity tossed him a set of keys. "You're driving." She'd given him the keys to one of the guards' car and he noticed his was missing from the garage. He turned to her about to question but she shook her head. "They already left, pretending to be you and me."

"Who pretended to be you?"

There was a smile itching up her face as she thought back on their supposed outing. "Zed. Kai's staying back to keep an eye on the house." She apparently didn't want anyone breaking in while they were gone and undoing all her hard work in keeping it secure.

"Do I even want to know?" Endymion asked imagining the scenario. "You're giggling, so no, probably not."

"Nobody's left to watch us go, but even still, if there is anyone, they'll just think we're one of the other guys." Serenity slid into her seat and Endymion followed. For the first time he realized she wasn't wearing her towering heels, probably didn't go with the idea of being a man and her baggy clothes. There were a few press members at the gate when they passed, probably didn't get the memo and were disappointed not to see either of them in the car. Neither would ever dare wear what they had on currently. Nobody followed them.

Halfway to the restaurant she started pealing clothes off her body. Endymion about had a heart attack until he realized that she was wearing clothes underneath. Another form-fitting ensemble. First the hat, then the jumper went flying into the back seat of the car and then she was wiggling out of her baggy pants.

Underneath was a tight white top and an equally tight banded green skirt. Very plain and simple but looked expensive. The pants went into the back and then she reached around to pull out a few things from behind her seat. Her heels and then a few accessories including a waist belt in brown and a clutch. She fluffed up her hair and then she was ready for a night out.

"So if you're a-" At her wagging of her finger, he ventured off from what he was saying and spoke more in code. "Then where do you hide certain things?"

"It'd look weird if I suddenly gained a few pounds and with some of my outfits it is impossible. I don't carry, I don't believe in it. The others, they're the ones who will do that kind of thing. They're the muscle."

Endymion nodded and cast her an eye. "You know it is a chilly night, don't you have a jacket?"

She giggled and pulled one forward. She still hadn't changed her shoes. "It's just warm in here."

"Leave the heels off for the night." Endymion suggested. "I'll fend off all child comments for you."

Serenity looked down at her feet and then back up at him with an inquiring look. "What do you have against my heels? It can't be a man thing about wanting to be bigger than the girl. I could be walking around in stilts and you'd still tower over me."

"What is it about your heels?" He mocked. "It can't be a woman thing wanting to be equal with a man. You could be wearing stilts and still be pint sized."

She seemed injured at the notion and he sighed but before he could apologize she started laughing. "I am sorry, I guess I didn't realize I sounded so feminist. I don't mean to make it a women vs men thing. You're right, it doesn't make much of a difference."

"You are too, it shouldn't matter so much to me. You are very proficient in them, I just see you walking around in them and I think that you'll suddenly break an ankle or your neck. But you've shown that you don't even notice them almost like they're an extension of your feet. Wear what you want."

She was silent for a long time and when he stopped for the valet, she was wearing the heels again, but more because of the dress code in the restaurant than going against his wishes. The trainers were too beat up to pass muster. When he went around to help her out of the car, he'd shrugged out of his won jean jacket and threw it into the back and helped her into her cropped black jacket. The walk into the restaurant she leaned her head against his arm and looked up at him. He was caught looking down at her, their eyes locked and he was unable to look away. "Thank you for being concerned about me. It feels nice, I haven't had that in a very long time."

Was this just another part of her plan? Now that they were in public, she was going to act and speak the part of a besotted girlfriend? They reached the host and he recognized Serenity on sight. "Come right away Miss Serenity!" He guided them to a table in the back and away from prying eyes.

Endymion knew they were here to be seen out and about in England but he was still surprised that she'd chosen something remote. Then he remembered that they were supposed to be hiding from the press but still visible. Not trying too hard to stay hidden but giving the appearance that they were at least trying.

They walked right passed the bar where others were sitting and waiting for a table to open up. The words scrawled at the top played on then restaurant's name. Eight Now, But For How Long?

"I'm thinking of having the Pluto Punch." Serenity commented, breaking the tense silence between them. Endymion glanced through his menu, everything was stellar. Even the décor had a feel of other worldly but without being crass or camp about it. It was a comfortable, romantic atmosphere almost even ethereal.

"I suppose I could go for a heavenly body." His eyes though strayed to Serenity as he said it, thankfully she was looking at her menu, trying to decide on a meal and didn't catch him checking her out (for the hundredth time since he met her).

"I don't- oh, there it is. Yes, that does look good."

The night passed remarkably quickly. Serenity was a charming dinner guest and he was laughing at every joke she cracked. He was enjoying himself in ways he hadn't for a long time and especially not with women. He found himself telling her things that he didn't usually talk about, amusing her with anecdotes about his past and his family. They even spoke more seriously, more intimately and he found himself leaning forward, talking quieter and wanting to hear what she had to say. What surprised him was to see that she had been leaning in as well, getting closer all the time. She spoke lower and their conversation became more contained between the two of them.

"'ver her' Ser'nity!" A voice called out and they both turned their heads, forgetting they were in a busy restaurant for just this purpose. A flash of light went off temporarily blinding them. Endymion's first instinct was to cover her and take her away, but she rested a hand on his arm and smiled brilliantly for another round of photographs.

"Thank you for p'sing for the 'graphs." The man was thanking them and looking through the roll to see if his pictures were any good. "'posing we ge' a kiss?"

Serenity shook her head slowly, a smile on her face. "You're welcome to take photos of us, but if you wouldn't mind, we'd like to finish our meal in peace." They had gained the attention of several other people in the restaurant, though it was typical for many of them as well. The photographer reluctantly let them get on with it and he had a meal of his own and a dinner guest he was neglecting. He was just lucky to be present to capture this moment.

Then someone on the other side wanted something. "Miss Serenity?" She turned her head to get a look at who asked for her and Endymion saw that it was a male, older than he was by at least two decades. "I thought that was you, but I hadn't realized you were back in England!" He leaned forward and kissed Serenity's cheek. "How good it is to see you again."

Serenity nodded, pleased to see him as well. "It's nice to see you as well. This is Endymion Duchaunt."

"Ah yes, I know who he is, you sneaky girl." The man held out his hand. "Thank you for doing our country such a great service ol' boy. I heard you were doing wonders for us in Africa. Smoothing old wounds and everything."

"I tried." Endymion nodded, not sure who this man was but Serenity somehow knew him. "I am not sure how much change I managed to do but it was the right direction we were working towards."

"I'm sure that years from now the only one they'll know who did us any good would be you." The other man insisted. Then looked down at their half finished food. He looked at Serenity with a lifted brow and she gave nothing away. He smiled. "Well I'll let you finish your meal. It really was a pleasure in both meeting you Endymion and seeing you again Serenity." He shook Endymion's hand and gave Serenity's cheek one more peck. "Take care."

Serenity nodded and then went back to her meal. She realized Endymion was frowning at her and she looked at him innocently. He wasn't sure he appreciated that. Her good mood slowly started to slip as well as she realized he was unhappy. "What?"

Endymion knew he wasn't really her boyfriend, but surely even in this pretend game he could insist that it was inappropriate for her to be flirting with a man so much older than her when they were dining together? "Who was that?"

"An old friend." When his frown didn't let up, she huffed. "Honestly Endymion!" She crossed her arms over her chest and she didn't even realize it pushed her considerable assets upwards and made them appear bigger. "I don't know why you're acting the jealous type! He was a friend of the family here in England." A scowl tried to tug at her features but she refused to let him ruin her sunny disposition. "If you are going to be this way, we might as well go home."

Endymion looked down at his food and over at the photographer who was glancing at them occasionally to see if he couldn't snag another good photo. Endymion knew he was overreacting, and he didn't know why he'd done so. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. "No, I'm sorry, I'm just not used to all of this. I never met anyone who knew the girls I was dating at the time, unexpectedly or not. We didn't usually go out to so public a place like this."

"Preferring to eat in, presumably?" If he didn't know better, he would have assumed there was a bit of a spark in her own eyes that told him she didn't want to know about that.

"We went out, but to small, quiet places that we were sure not to be recognized in." Endymion clarified. "Please, we were having a nice time before, let's finish our meal."

Serenity nodded and picked up her fork again and started to eat, which he was glad to see. It took a few moments and a few false starts but they managed to step back into the mood they'd had at the beginning of the meal, laughing and talking a lot again. Serenity placed a card into the check pocket before he could reach for it. She leaned forward and spoke for his ears only. "The company will pay for it."

When they left the restaurant, the valet took their ticket and while they were waiting on the steps for the car, a crowd started gathering. A crowd of journalists and photographers. "Who are you wearing?" Someone shouted out and Serenity stopped and turned to pose on her own for a moment before wrapping her arms around one of his and posing some more.

"Endymion Duchaunt." She teased and the crowd laughed. "Actually my own line. It isn't out yet but I design for me in mind as well as the other body types that surprisingly get ignored."

"Any new perfumes this year?" Another reporter asked.

"Guys, this isn't a press conference!" Serenity laughed. "We'll be having one of those soon enough as well. But contact my secretary for further details. I'm out on a date!"

"How long have you been together?"

"A few weeks to a month." Serenity replied and then the car pulled up.

"Sorry guys, but its time to go." Endymion took the keys from the valet and opened the door for Serenity. She slid in and heard them ask another question before he got in as well.

"Are you getting married?"

Endymion froze at the half opened door as he looked at the reporter in question. Serenity rolled down her window to answer for him. "You guys!" She laughed and batted playfully at them. "Endymion and I have only just started dating. We're trying to get to know one another. Marriage is the furthest thing from our minds at this point. Please don't scare him off before I've had the chance to know if I like him enough for that or to run away myself!"

The crowd laughed and Endymion got in the car and they moved so they could leave. The whole time pictures were being snapped and Endymion could feel his blood slowly returning to the rest of his body. Marriage? He couldn't even imagine. Especially not a farce marriage one would be with Serenity, no matter what, that was not something she could force him to do, not even to save his hide. Though the way she spoke, that didn't seem like it would ever cross her mind either. Good, that meant they were on the same page.

They were in the car and Serenity turned to him, completely disregarding everything that was just said. "You know, I meant what I said when we got to the restaurant. I am thankful that you care about me. It is nice."

"Another game, Serenity?"

"No game, just genuine." A hesitation and then she spoke again. "Though you don't need to be concerned about me. I can take care of myself. You should be worried about other things."

"Then I will be." Endymion took a deliberate pause. "Like what?"

Serenity started laughing and he even smiled. He liked her laugh, it was infectious.