A/N: This chapter, and one more, and Pandora's Box will be complete. (cues the confetti). I am now moving away from the judges' silliness to have a more serious last two chapters. Enjoy!


Rhadymanthes was shaking in his boots-which was quite an achievement since he wasn't wearing boots- as he waited for Pandora to meet him at the designated spot at the designated time on their designated day. He paced back and forth, back and fourth. This was stupid. Why was he even bothering to try again? He vowed to beat the living hell out of Minos and Aiacos for making him do this. He continued to pace, tugging restlessly at his jacket. Why had he listened to them? Did he enjoy humiliation?

"Rhadymanthes?"

Rhadymanthes whirled around and came face to face with Pandora. Today she wore an elegant dark purple dress that showed off her curvy figure. Her black hair was held off her face with a delicate-looking headband made of amythest flowers and her perfume tantalized him. He definitely like the way the perfume smelled better on Pandora then he did on Aiacos.

Rhadymanthes snapped out of his daze and smiled at the woman in front of him.

"Lady Pandora", he said, taking on her dainty hands in his own and kissing it.

"What were you doing, Rhadymanthes?", she asked.

Rhadymanthes caught a note of humor in her voice, but as to if it was harmless humor or humor at his expense, he couldn't tell. In either case, he felt his cheeks heat up.

"I-was having a bit of difficulty standing still", he admitted.

"I see", Pandora replied quietly.

Rhadymanthes gazed again at the beautiful young woman.

"You look exceptionally beautiful tonight. I can't say beautiful because you're always beautiful, but you're even lovelier than usual."

"Thank you...", Pandora said.

A silence fell over them.

"Uhh...want to have some coffee in my study?", Rhadymanthes asked after a few moments of silence.

"You did say you wanted to speak with me-a study would be a good place to talk."

Rhadymanthes smiled and led her to his study.

His initial plan had been to send Zelos to bring them coffee and hope the sneaky little man didn't drug them. He was very shocked when he walked in and saw a spread of of cakes and pastries across his desk. A pot of freshly brewed coffee was set out along with two plates, two mugs, milk, creamer, and sugar. Rhadymanthes spotted a note stuck under the sugar bowl. The note was short-"Just be glad I kept Minos out of the kitchen while making this." Rhadymanthes chuckled softly and stuffed the note into his pocket.

"Coffee, huh?", Pandora asked.

Rhadymanthes smiled at her. She was his everything. For some reason, he found himself remembering a night when he'd caught Zelos in Pandora's room. Zelos had not touched or harmed her in any way, but Rhadymanthes had advised the young woman to lock her doors after that. While she didn't believe in locking the doors, should someone need her, she had moved her things into the room next door to Aiacos's, which was also right across from Minos's. Rhadymanthes trusted them to protect her should she need it, and was very happy he'd caught Zelos before he could do anything. It left him cold to think of what he could have pulled with her lying innocent and helpless-two words that usually did not describe her at all-in her bed. He supposed that was the night his true hatred of the man started.

"Have a seat, Milady", he said, guestering towards his sofa.

Pandora gracefully arranged herself on the sofa. Rhadymanthes filled the two plates with various cakes and poured two cups of coffee. He handed a plate and cup to Pandora, then watched in amazement as she added sugar and milk to the beverage. How did she still have teeth?

"I don't particularly like coffee, so I don't drink it often", she explained, as though able to read his mind.

"Oh", Rhadymanthes said, then mentally kicked himself for not having something more interesting to say.

"Tell me, Rhadymanthes", Pandora said. "You wrote in your note that you loved me. Is that true?"

"It is", Rhadymanthes replied. "I've loved you for as long as I could remember."

Pandora set her mug down on the table, along with her untouched plate of cakes.

"So why are you getting around to telling me now?"

Rhadymanthes gazed uncomfortably at the black coffee in his mug.

"I guess...Well, I knew my time was running out, and I wanted to tell you before I lost the chance to tell you."

"Rhadymanthes..."

She breathed his name.

"Milady? Are you alright?", Rhadymanthes asked. Pandora's hands were shaking.

She surprised him by flinging herself into his arms, then kissing him full on the mouth. He was even more surprised by the fact that he was kissing her back without restraint. His mug of coffee slipped to the floor, unnoticed.

"Milady", Rhadymanthes whispered.

"Rhadymanthes, stop with the "Milady" nonsense...just call me Pandora", the young woman replied.

"You will always be my lady", the Wyvern specter replied, pulling Pandora closer to him and running a hand through her long, dark hair.

Pandora lifted her face a bit, to peer into his eyes, and Rhadymanthes kissed her again. They shifted to they were lying on the couch together, locked comfortably in each other's arms. She ran a hand through his messy blond hair and he gently caressed her cheek. After a long, long kiss, they broke apart for the second time.

Pandora rested her head against his chest. Rhadymanthes could tell by the way her breathing had slowed down that she was very comfortable and probably wanted to go to sleep.

"Close your eyes, my lady", he whispered to her, still caressing her cheek. "I'll be with you when you wake up."

"I love you, Rhadymanthes", Pandora whispered softly as her eyes slipped shut.

Rhadymanthes gently untangled himself from her and carried her to her room. He set her down in her bed and then kissed her cheek.

As he exited her room, he clicked off the light and gazed back at her, amazed at how peaceful she looked.

"I love you, Pandora."


A/N: Wow...too much mush. My teeth started rotting half way through. So our lovely couple have finally announced their love for each other...and with one chapter left of the story. Yup. They really move slow. Please review.