Hi everybody. I will be going out of state tomorrow, so this will be my last update for a few weeks. I hope you don't mind, but much of the next few chapters are going to explore the past. Please enjoy.

Haruhi walked into the cafeteria. Instantly, she saw what she was looking for. In the corner, a table had been pushed away from the others. 2 giant intimidating guys stood in front of the table, looking like bouncers at an exclusive club. Mel sat in the center and Haruhi had a random thought of her looking like a Yakuza boss. Several girls were sitting at the table and Tamaki was on her left. A powerful boss with her favorite boy toy. The idea made her smile as she walked to the group. The rest of the students gave the area a wide berth. A group of girls at a table were deep in gossip. As she passed by snippets of conversation were overheard. Their words made her freeze and pretend to ruffle through her papers.

"But if it's not his, then who?"

"I heard she snuck off with Kyoya-san at that party they threw a while back."

"My money is on Tamaki-san. You remember how close they were."

Haruhi pretended to find what she was looking for and rushed away. The two giants towered over her, glaring down. Their eyes softened and they stepped aside when Mel gave them the ok.

Taking the seat on the other side of Mel, Haruhi settled in. It felt nice here, comfortable. Kyoya had been taken out to lunch by his older sister, and the twins were absent from school. She noticed that Mel had no lunch in front of her. Before she could offer, another young girl rushed up. She recognized her as Aki. She bowed low, holding out a bento box neatly wrapped in a green handkerchief.

"Very sorry Mel. They let us out of class a little late." She gasped. It seemed the girl had run all the way here.

"It's ok Aki. You didn't need to run. Have a seat." Mel answered. The younger girl looked and returned Mel's smile. She sat across from them. A random bottle of water appeared in front of her. Haruhi was about to say something, when she noticed another bottle of water was right next to her hand. When the hell had that gotten there? Mel opened the box, and her nose crinkled in distaste. Looking up, she noticed the hurt look on the young girl's face.

"It is disgusting isn't it?" she whimpered.

"No. No. It looks delicious. It's just that, I'm kind of allergic to jalapenos." Mel chuckled trying to reassure. A look of panic hit Aki's eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't….I…." tears were in the poor girls eyes as she struggled to get the words out. She had made herself the very same thing for lunch. Her poor friend was going to go hungry. That could not be good for the baby. And it was all her fault. The tears finally started to slip out.

"Aki." Mel said softly. All eyes were drawn to her. "I forgot to give you a list of my problem foods. This is my fault. Please enjoy lunch."

"But…I…" she tried to speak.

"Have mine." The silky voice next to them spoke. Tamaki pushed his tray in front of Mel and grabbed the bento box. "Its some of your favorites. Besides I haven't had a good home made bento in a long while."

He smiled his dazzling smile, and Mel nodded at the exchange. Aki let out a sigh of relief and finally opened her lunch. They simply ate for a few minutes. The only break in silence was when Mel offered her guards and "maids" food. Haruhi finally noticed the two girls that took away empty trays and bottles, and brought in fresh drinks. They seemed quite happy serving the girl. Haruhi asked about the haunted house. With her attention distracted, Tamaki snuck a piece of shrimp off her plate. Sighed in great contentment as the flavors burst in his mouth. Mel laughed and playfully smacked his arm. Haruhi looked at them. If she hadn't known them, she might have mistaken them for a couple. The conversation ran through her mind and she thought over how to broach the subject. Glancing across the room, the table of offenders were gone. Damn. They were spreading rumors and she didn't even know who they were. Well, at least she could let Mel be aware.

"Mel, I overheard some girls. They were talking about you." She interjected at the first lull. The table hushed and they looked at her. She admitted she didn't know who they were.

"What did they say?" she asked. There was no anger in her tone. The voice was just as joyful as it had been a minute ago. It seemed the idle gossip of the school no longer fazed her.

"They were saying that the baby wasn't Mori's. Also that the two possible candidates are Kyoya and Tamaki." She answered. Haruhi looked down at her lap. It was strangely embarrassing admitting what she had heard. Her head shot up when the pair next to her burst out laughing. Tamaki and Mel had tears in their eyes as they laughed. Part of the cafeteria's attention was drawn to the scene.

"I can't believe they are restarting that." Mel chuckled as the pair calmed down. Haruhi stared at them. Her voice seemed to be lost. Leaning in front of Mel, Tamaki caught her eye. He smiled, sensing her confusion.

"Its nothing much my darling daughter. Just a pesky rumor from before you were here." He said, the mirth still twinkling in his eyes.

"What rumor?" The twinkle seemed to grow brighter.

"Why the rumor that Mel and I were a couple of course."

Sorry about the short chapter. I will try to make the next one longer. Thank you for your patience.