The next morning, Mr. Brooks called her with a terse compliment for her work last night. She was confused until she pulled up the e-mail he had sent her. There were some screenshots of Twitter exchanges, but it was a in a foreign language, so she could not understand. The picture, however, she recognized. It was her standing over a sprawled man, who tried to rush her yesterday. Her hair was falling on her face, but she was still recognizable. According to Mr. Brooks message, Hakhmakhi people were disappointed in Prince and his friends - and those two stooges were his friends - for trying to ambush her. It was not clear whether they simply wanted to talk to her or worse, but the folks at home universally criticized them anyway.

Apparently the trending topics were that Prince has gone too far and that Kim absolutely was the badass for defending herself.

She agreed. Prince has gone too far.

She also agreed that she could defend herself. But she wouldn't call herself a badass. She would call it 'a day in the life of the lone female Wasabi Warrior.' It was too long though, so maybe badass would do.

Somehow a picture of her and Jack leaving hand in hand was taken as well and she spent some time looking at it. Jack looked so handsome, it should have been criminal.

She eventually printed out the photo, and stuck it on her wall.

She felt it is what any good fake girlfriend would do.

She was just finishing breakfast, when someone rung the bell and she frowned at her parents, "Are we expecting anyone?"

Her dad went to open the door, seeing as it was an unexpected visit, and soon came back with a single bouquet of pale flowers that were not ostentatious or expensive. Tentatively she took it and pulled a note that was attached with a ribbon.

Dearest Kimberly,

I am aware that my previous offerings were not well received. Rest assured, I am paying attention and learning. I write to apologize for the behavior of my friends last night. You will be gratified to know that they did not hold any malicious intents. Their plan, however imbecilic, was to make your acquaintance and perhaps regale you with stories of our camaraderie and to give you the insight into a man behind the title. In that, I can only commend their objectives. However, they were not respectful of you and caused you a distressing thought that you were under attack. On that subject, let me express how admirable your courage and actions are. Nonetheless, their actions put you in perceived danger and I already dealt with them. You do not have to worry about either of them crossing your path.

I regret that our evening was cut short. I missed my chance to engage you in a dance. I also have not had an opportunity to talk to your parents. Such circumstances are not common and I will apply once again to speak to them directly.

In the meantime, please enjoy these delicate flowers. They are called snowdrops and are rare because they only grow in the mountains when the snow melts at the first thawing. They have been specially cultivated and delivered here from my homeland. These are as rare as the apology of the Prince.

Yours,

Uval.

She was almost impressed by the letter and the flowers. Part of her wanted to believe that there was a decent man 'behind the title,' but she could not reconcile that Prince had not respected neither the existing betrothal nor her very obvious reticence at his almost proposal. Ironically, he punished his buddies for not respecting her, while he's done pretty much the same.

While her parents talked to Mr. Brooks about proper protocol and her mom later talked to Zoe Brewer for what seemed like hours, Kim just enjoyed the day in. She was kind of tired of the situation, of the pretense that verged on reality, of the looks and discussions, of everything really. She enjoyed the day at home doing regular things like laundry and homework and she put away all the worries of her life for tomorrow.

That lasted until about noon. At which point Milton arrived for debriefing. Those were his exact words. When she asked why he wasn't at Jack's he told her very directly that Jack was still suspicious of the slip up they had during planning session and it did not help that he, Milton, stared at her when she showed up in tiny shorts in school last Monday. Kim would have preferred that he did not mention it, because how she was forced to contemplate that Milton was as red-blooded man as any of other boys in Seaford High.

Apparently her face showed her unease because Milton somewhat awkwardly said, "It was an entirely predictable reaction, Kim."

She started shaking her head as if to stop him from continuing, but he plowed through.

"Before you think it was because I was in any way affected by your attire, let me assure you that it was nothing of the sort. I was merely surprised that my friend, who is like a sister to me, showed up in such a drastically different outfit."

By the time he finished his speech, Kim stopped cringing and was nodding along. Okay, this she could live with.

A small smile was forming on her face, when Milton delivered the final words.

"And even if I was affected in that way, it is nothing surprising. Even the very logical Vulcans go through periods of biology driven lust. You may remeber that episode of Star Trek about Pon Farr."

Kim was actually speechless at the moment, but when she saw Milton open his mouth again, she simply smacked him with a pillow.

"Stop talking!" At his nod she continued, "for the sake of our friendship, let's forget this entire conversation took place." He nodded once more and Kim smiled wide. "Ok! Let's debrief."

So they went to the mall for a cup of coffee and to discuss the progression of the plan. Milton asked questions (drilled for information) about the state of things with Jack. And Kim appreciated that there was someone who was as obsessed with every interaction that she had with Jack.

Milton's informed opinion was that they both were idiots and needed to get over their hang-ups soon.

She just bemoaned the general discomfort of the situation with the pretend relationship staying in the way of determining the realness of everything. Even her dreams were confusing. In the most recent vivid one, she was in a forest, dressed as a princess from that time they all were helping 'King Miltononius' and she was alone. She found a beautiful rose bush, but when she touched it, she pricked her finger. The dream turned into nightmare as the some big wolf came rushing at her and she ran as fast as the stupid dress would allow her, until she stumbled and fell. She was preparing to see the maw of the beast, but when she felt the warm breath on her cheek it was Jack looking at her. She gratefully took his hand to get up, but before she could do so, she saw that the wolf was jumping on Jack from behind. So she screamed and... woke up.

When she told Milton about this particular dream he just signed.

"First, stop watching Once Upon the Time. Second, it should be fairly obvious to you that the dream reflected the turmoil in your real life. And I say, the twist with the rose and pricking of the finger is obvious as well..."

"What is obvious, aside from the usual 'be careful, every rose has its thorns' kind of way?'

"I suppose it's just that..." But he stopped mid-sentence and started blushing like mad, which made Kim give him a curious look.

"Just that what?" she asked.

"Well, a prick that results in a bleeding is rather… ehh, you know, ah, that is... " he mumbled, barely audible and glanced meaningfully downward.

Kim squinted for a moment, then blushed just as hard as comprehension dawned.

"Oh," she gulped and cringed. "Seriously? Milton, just don't speak."

"Overall, I think you subconsciousness knows you want Jack and is basically telegraphing it to you."

She ignored him (and her subconsciousness) until he urged to simply do what she did you him, when he had his mental block over kissing.

"I must say, Kim, it was an excellent move. It was unexpected, so I had no time to put up any sort of defenses or arguments. And it was pleasant enough to make me want to do it again " he stopped. "With Julie, of course." Another pause. "Not you. Never you." Another pause. "I now understand how Jerry feels sometimes."

Kim only gave h a half-hearted glare and slide.

"I did. You saw it. And then, nothing. Jack is back to being all 'stare while you are not looking, but not doing anything.' I mean, I am all for being a modern girl, but, like shouldn't he take a step?"

"Oh, that kiss. That little peck of a kiss. With closed mouth and right after we pulled the first step of the pretend relationship?" Milton told her with such sarcasm, it was practically visible. "I am sure Jack is fully aware now that you like him and would like to have more of those little, chaste, kisses." Milton finished with a raised brow and she had to agree that maybe Jack needed more clear signals. Although at this point, she was ready to dust off her old letter.

They were done with the coffee and debrief and Milton left to pay, when they saw a commotion at the entrance and there was the Prince with his entourage suddenly filling the space with their sheer numbers. He looked around quickly and Kim contemplated diving under the table to avoid him, but at the last moment remembered that the table was just a round table top on a single support leg.

When Uval's gaze landed on her he smiled and approached her, the rest of the group hanging back. He was dressed casually in jeans and button-down shirt that had the top buttons undone and sleeves rolled up. The other patrons gawked, but stayed quiet, aware that there was some important personage in their midst.

"Kimberly, it is a pleasure to gaze upon your lovely face again. I trust that you are well this morn?" Uval was his usual formal and flowery and she blushed from being self-conscious at this moment. Others were looking from her to Prince and she could feel their eyes on her. She sort of began rising in her seat, unsure what the protocol required in such situations.

"I am well. And you?... Your Highness?" she asked politely.

"I am wonderful now that I have encountered you. And please, call me Uval." Before she could respond, he sat opposite her, where Milton sat only minutes ago.

"Have you received my missive and flowers?" At her silent nod, he proceeded, "Were they to your liking?" At his point he tried to casually put his hand on hers that was on the table and Kim deftly lifted it as if to adjust the hair.

She was sure she saw his eyes tighten at this.

"The flower are pretty, as always. I..." she begun and stopped, suddenly unsure how to tell him to knock it off. If it were any other guys, she would have said so, but this was a Royal. "I do not like cut flowers. To me they are simply dead at that point. Plus, my father is allergic to pollen." She blurted just to cover up the awkwardness.

"I see. Thank you for telling me. I did not wish to distress you or your father. I shall cease sending flora in the future."

He stopped talking and was clearly mulling over something.

"Wow, I now see why Jack is so twitchy around you. You can't be left alone for a second, Kim. Who's thi... Hello, Your Highness." Milton, who just came back spoke at two of them and Kim breathed a sign of relief.

"It was nice to see you, Prince Uval, but Milton and I were done and were leaving." She was getting up again and Milton stood next to her, nodding and smiling.

She saw Uval's slightly raised brow addressed at Milton. "Ahh I apologize... You might remember Milton Krupnick, my and Jack's friend."

"Milton Krupnik. Fair Kimberly honors your by calling you a friend. Are you here in Jack's stead?"

"What? No... I am here for myself. As a friend. Of fair Kimberly." Milton stuttered.

"Oh... And you betrothed has not objections to you spending time with other young men, as long as they are friends?" Uval's face was calculating and Kim searched her brain for a proper response.

"Jack trusts me," Milton spoke into the growing silence. "And this is a public enough place as to remove any concerns with impropriety."

"I see. So it should be no problem for you, my dear Kimberly, to spend time with me without a betrothed or chaperons as a trustworthy and proper friend. Is that so?"

"I... that is... Yes?" she managed, and gave a pleading look at Milton.

"In that case I request that we meet alone, Kimberly. As friends." Prince was smiling winningly. At her stunned silence he continued, "We are friends, aren't we?"

Once again words failed Kim.

"Uhm... Kim and I have been friends forever! Jack trusts me like a brother!" Milton said in a rush and Uval looked at him irritated.

"Are you suggesting that perhaps I am not trustworthy? May I remind you that you are speaking to the Crown Prince of Hakhamakhistan and such language is offensive to the Crown. Are you, Milton Krupnick, calling into question the integrity of the scion of the Royal family?" Prince straightened and looked every inch a royal.

His entourage got closer to them as he spoke and some, bodyguards probably, stepped even closer to Milton.

"Of course he isn't!" Kim added quickly into the mounting tension. "But he is also correct that he is not only my friend, but a friend of Jack's. An we are not alone. We are in public place, meeting casually over coffee..."

"I am inclined to forgive such slights against my person, if..." Kim's heart dropped to the pit of the stomach, "you agree to meet with me in a public place over coffee. I can assure you that there would be plenty of chaperons, as your Secret Service continues to provide additional security while I am in the United States."

She silently cursed Milton and his need for debrief. She also cursed herself for coming to the public coffeehouse instead of staying at home. But most of all she cursed Prince, who was being a royal pain in neck.

"Would it be acceptable, fair Kimberly?"

She had no other choice but to agree to a meeting with Prince Uval.

She just had to explain it to Jack, Mr. Brooks and her parents.

She nodded at Prince and turned to leave, Milton following her. When they were outside she gave him one hard look and said, "You are so coming with me and explaining the whole thing to Jack. It's your fault."

"You are ruthless."

"You deserve it."

A/N: Thank you for kind and funny reviews. I hope you like this chapter. There is no Kick, but I am increasing some tension/drama. I promise there will be Kick next chapter!