Shout out to Rachel Lyse Brook and tokiluv!

Sorry I went off a bit in the last so called 'update', but flamers who just flame really irk me.

I realize I could have updated sooner, but in my defense my other story is more popular, so I'm more inclined to work with it. I also have a short attention span, so I'm easily- squirrel!

Enjoy!


Alice got out of Alfred's pick up, and stated firmly, "He is not."

"Is too," he protested, shoving his door shut.

"He most certainly is not."

"I'm telling you, he is."

"Bloody blowfish why am I arguing with you over this?" demanded Alice incredulously, starting towards the school. It was deserted, which was to be expected considering it was almost six in the morning. The sun wasn't even up yet. As much as she hated getting up this early, she found she would rather do it than not.

"Because you care. Now, come on, admit it," urged Alfred, giving one of her pigtails a light, playful tug.

Alice swatted his hand away, trying to look as irritated as possible. It was a lot harder than she thought it would be, what with Alfred still grinning like a fool. "There is nothing you can say or do that will possibly make me agree that Superman is the best hero. All he does is run fast, fly, and punch things."

"Challenge accepted."

No sooner had Alice registered what he had just said than she found herself under attack. She squealed, trying to stumble away from Alfred as he grabbed her. One arm wrapped around her shoulders, pinning her back against his chest while his free hand set about tickling her mercilessly. It moved around a bit, under each arm and down her sides before deciding her stomach was the most ticklish. Alice felt her face go hot even as she giggled helplessly.

"A-Al-Alfred stop! Stop!"

"Not until you admit it," he told her, laughing.

"N-No! S-Stop it!"

Her legs went weak as she struggled fruitlessly, soon succumbing to helpless laughter. Since when was she so ticklish? Then again, the part of her brain not entirely focused on the torment her boyfriend was executing was completely zeroed in on the fact she was pinned against Alfred. A very warm Alfred, who was apparently utilizing a great deal of abdominal muscle to both hold her and tickle her.

"F-Fine!" she burst, gasping for air. Who knew you could laugh so hard you could hardly breathe? "I admit it! Now stop it!"

"Admit to what?" Alfred asked innocently. He didn't relent, though his pause gave her the chance to get a lungful of air.

"Superman is horrid!"

"Nope, try again." He started tickling her again.

"Bloody- Superman is the best hero!"

Alfred finally stopped, and Alice lurched away the moment she stopped laughing enough to breathe. He let her, though when she turned to glare at him from a safe distance that goofy smile was back.

"You're really ticklish, Iggy."

"Sod off," she huffed, stomping around the school.

"Come on, I know you're not really mad," he said, easily keeping pace.

"Yes, I am."

"Am I going to have to force the truth out of you again?" he asked teasingly, wiggling his fingers at her.

"I'm not mad, I'm...irritated."

"See, I knew it."

"You're a bloody idiot," grumbled Alice.

"Yep. So you have any plans later?"

Alice frowned. "Homework. Why?"

"The museum opens a new exhibit today, Aztec Ruins. They've got a bunch of really cool artifacts on loan from the Mexican government. I know it's a school night, but they close at ten so we wouldn't be out too late. And dinner would be on me."

Making a mental note to look up Aztec's, Alice said, "Anywhere but McDonalds."

Alfred grinned. "Is that a yes?"

"What about tickets? If there's a new exhibit won't it be hard to-"

"Already covered."

Alice raised an eyebrow, though she felt her face get a little warm. "I don't see why not."

"Great!"

Alfred kissed her cheek, and ducked into the locker room before she could protest. The heat spread as Alice made her way to the bleachers, wondering if she should be angry at the kiss. By the time she sat down she decided not to be. It wasn't on the lips after all, and there was a notable tingle of pleasure when he did it.

BREAK*BREAK*BREAK

"Where are you going?"

Alice glanced up at Aunt Rachel, who stood in her doorway, arms folded.

"Out. What is an Aztec?"

The human frowned. "The Aztec's were the native people in southern Mexico. I'm afraid their culture took quite a hit when the Spaniard's found them, though. Why?"

"The museum is opening an exhibit on them, apparently. Alfred asked me to go with him tonight. A museum is where you can see things and read about them, but can't touch them, right?"

"Yes, that's- a date? On a school night?"

"We won't be out too late," protested Alice. "And I already have all my homework done." Okay so there was a little left, but it was the light stuff she could do during tomorrow's morning practice.

Aunt Rachel pursed her lips. "Well, you are going to a museum, I suppose. I take it from your question they don't have those underwater?"

Alice shrugged. "Not really. We have a few ruin sights, but that's about it. Things don't last as long underwater, especially land-made objects."

"So long as you're back by midnight," said Aunt Rachel, a bit reluctantly. "Just remember to be careful. He means well, but humans are a bit more free with their kisses than Mer."

Alice grimaced. "I'm aware of that, believe me. Don't worry, he won't. I don't suppose there's a particular dress code for something like this?"

"I don't think so, not for a museum. It's as much a place of the scholarly variety than anything else. What you wore to school is probably fine."

That of course didn't stop Alice from cleaning herself up a bit. She traded her boots for a pair of light, dressy flip-flops, added a jean jacket, and after a few failed attempts managed to get on some lip-gloss. Nothing extreme, just a little, what was the term? Sprucing up, that was it.

Alice was standing back in her dresser mirror, checking her work, when the doorbell rang. Knowing Aunt Rachel would be moving to intercept, Alice grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs as quickly as she dared.

Sure enough, as she stumbled down the last of the stairs she heard the door open.

"Hello, Alfred. So where are you two going this evening?"

Alice made a face as she hurried down the hall. Like her aunt wasn't already in the loop. It was bad enough the curtains developed a nervous twitch whenever Alfred picked her up or dropped her off, regardless of the hour.

"Just to the museum, ma'am. They've got a new Aztec exhibit. They only have the artifacts for a year, you might want to check them out sometime."

Alice slipped around her aunt, grabbed Alfred by the hand, and started pulling him off the porch.

"Have fun!" Aunt Rachel called after them. "And bring her back by midnight, young man, unless you want your truck to turn into a pumpkin!"

As far as Alice was concerned her aunt was making absolutely no sense, but Alfred laughed. Even as he opened her door for her he called back, "Don't worry, I will."

Once he was back in the driver's seat Alice asked, "What was that?"

"What was what?" he asked, putting it into reverse.

"What does my being back by midnight have to do with your truck turning into a pumpkin?"

Alfred gave her a funny look. After a moment he asked, "Wait, you're serious?"

"Yes," huffed Alice. Neptune's beard there were a lot of land-jokes she didn't get, and she was tired of it.

"Huh. Would 'a figured you'd know this one better than me. Ever hear of Cinderella?"

"No. Is she another actress?"

"How about Brothers Grimm?"

"Is that a stage name or were they actually brothers?"

"It's a good thing the museum is on the other side of town," said Alfred, shaking his head. "This might take a while."


Next one will be longer, promise! :)

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