Dende checked himself in the mirror as he waited for Rose to come out of her bedroom. He fiddled with his tie rethinking this whole thing. He was too nice, he shouldn't have said yes. His stomach was butterflies. He knew how he felt about Rose, but if only she felt the same way towards him...He knew she liked Goku and if she hadn't been working on the his case, that Saiyan would be the one in his shoes on that day instead. Piccolo had snickered at him that morning when he left. They got enough stares as it was, but he wanted to be paraded around in a suit at a wedding, he was just asking for it. He shrugged it off. He owed Rose this much. He swallowed nervously and looked back towards her room, "So, its just in the park?"

Rose was messing with her hair, checking herself in the mirror, making sure the curls were all still in the right place. Orange. Why did the dress have to be orange? Her friend had insisted upon everyone dressing in the wedding colors of pink and orange. And since the bridesmaids got pink dresses, she got stuck wearing orange. She heard Dende's question, "Yeah, they rented the entire park today." She glanced in the mirror one last time. She tugged nervously at the skirt. Damn her long legs. "Oh, good enough," she muttered and opened the door to her bedroom. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Dende standing there in his suit. "You look nice," she smiled.

Dende's own breath caught, the color of the dress brought out her eyes that added color to her cheeks. It warmed the color of her hair. He had to swallow before he found his breath, "Thank you. You look stunning, of course.." He offered his arm out to her, his heart fluttering as she took it, "Well then, let's get to it then." He smiled to himself at the thought of being her date. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all, even if he was just pretending. This was nice, helped her down the stairs, holding the door open for her as they stepped out into the spring air. He took a deep breath, smelling the blooming flowers, hearing the sounds of the world amplified. He could hear some kind of music playing from the park already and he smirked to himself as he lead her towards the entrance, "At least we don't have any ice to be slipping around on today."

"Oh thank goodness for that," she laughed lightly. "That'd be just my luck to fall again in front of a bunch of people I don't know." She felt a blush touch her cheeks as she recalled that night. Even though it was cold and uncomfortable on the sidewalk, she'd loved the feeling of his body on top of hers when they fell.

The park was in full bloom, rows of white chairs had been set up facing the spring. A big white arch was covered with flowers and ribbons. Off to one side, a huge tent had been set up with tables and a dance floor in the middle. Dancing. Oh gods, in her nervousness, she had forgotten about that. Perhaps Dende wouldn't want to dance. She'd told him she wasn't very good at it.

They were ushered into seats on the bride's side. Rose was thankful they were near the back. There were so many people around. It made her a bit uncomfortable. People were turning in their seat, staring curiously at her. "What are they looking at?" she whispered to Dende. She looked herself over, wondering if she'd stained her dress or done something wrong.

Dende chuckled, "You look fine. However, I think the green alien sitting next to you might have their attention. Sorry about that, I stole your spotlight." He smiled warmly back at the strangers looking at him. He felt the wave of guilt from her and he shook his head, looking down at her, "Dont worry about it. Believe me, I'm used to it. I think they look funny too." He chuckled at his little humor and leaned back in his chair, "You'd think most people would be used to it." He looked around...it was a lovely wedding set up. He had to wonder. He knew he'd never marry. There wasn't anyone on this planet, save for Jenny (and she was spoken for) who would dream of marrying one of his kind. Just too weird, he supposed.

Rose thought it was rather rude of everyone to stare at him like that. "Ignore them," she whispered to him and slid her arm into the crook of his elbow, pulling his arm tight to her side. She sat up a little straighter and fixed her eyes on the front of the aisle. There a contentment settled into her at the feel of his arm in hers. A tiny smile pulled at her lips. To hell with what everyone thought of them. She was happy to be there with him and that was all that mattered. She brushed her thumb over his arm and sighed dreamily.

The ceremony was beautiful and blissfully short. Everyone headed for the open-air tent afterwards and Rose wound her way through the guests, pulling Dende with her, until she met up with the bride. "You look amazing," she said as she hugged her friend. "Cherie, this is Dende. Dende, this is my friend Cherie."

The bride blinked widely at Dende for a moment before she smiled, "Nice to meet you."

Dende smiled back at her. He liked this woman. Rose had excellent taste in friends. He could sense the hesitation, but the will to accept him for who he was in this woman. It wasn't forced, just there. "A pleasure to meet you. It was a lovely service. I wish you a long and happy life together." His hand went back to cover Rose's in his arm, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. As if he'd done it a million times. The strangest sense of deja vu overcame him again and he blinked a moment, shaking it away.

"Thank you," the bride said. "You guys should grab a bite to eat. The dance will start in a little bit!" she grinned, elbowing Rose with a wink. She turned to her new husband and said something to him about cutting the cake.

Rose felt nervous again as she and Dende found a table to sit at. She felt better, sitting over in a corner of the tent with him. The whole place was beautiful and Rose gave a sigh, "Do you think you'll ever get married, Dende?"

Dende started a moment. Now who was reading whose mind? He smiled longingly and shook his head, looking over at her,."I've thought about it, but doubtful. There's no one on this planet who would marry me. Save Jenny, but you know, she went after my brother." He chuckled, "It's not easy being green you know." He snickered at his own joke. "Not to mention that people on my planet don't really marry. They mate. And ah, well, there aren't any, um, female Nameks."

"No one who would marry you? Don't sell yourself short, Dende. You might be surprised," she smiled softly. No female nameks? She wanted to ask, but thought just then might not be the appropriate moment. She shook her head. "You're a really good person. You'll find someone. And she'll be a really lucky girl to have you." Rose grabbed her glass of ice water and sipped it, wondering. Why did she have to feel so torn?

Dende.

Goku.

She didn't like the stares people were giving her and Dende. Perhaps it wasn't right. Maybe they really were too different. It was all well and good for Jenny. She didn't live in the middle of a big city where people would see her and Piccolo all the time. She didn't have to deal with the stares, the guilt of making her lover a spectacle. Rose couldn't do that to Dende. She felt bad now, having made him come with her. She should've just gone it alone or faked being sick.

She fought the urge to sigh. She didn't really have time for a husband anyway. Not really. She shouldn't have been spending so much time with Dende and Goku as it was. Her work was slacking. "I don't think I'll ever marry either," she mumbled.

Dende looked at her, tilting his head. "First of all, stop feeling bad for me. I told you I am used to this. Secondly, why on earth why wouldn't you want to get married?" He smiled at her, "You have to remember to have some time for yourself or your work will swallow you up." He looked out over the dance floor, the bride and groom were sharing their first dance together. He watched them for a moment before he heard the DJ announce that the floor was open for all to join them. Acting on a whim, Dende offered his hand over to her. "Come on. Lets have some fun and give them something to stare at." He grinned, "Live a little."

Rose's eyes went wide as she placed her hand in his. "Dende, I can't dance," she said nervously as she let him lead her out onto the dance floor. He turned her and put one hand on her waist, holding her other hand in his. She placed her hand on his shoulder. She kept looking down at her feet, afraid of stepping on his toes. She looked up at him again and narrowed her eyes slightly, "I thought you stopped reading my mind."

He blushed at her and shrugged, "Oops. Just a small peek. You are just so easy for me to read." He tilted her head up, "Stop watching your feet, you'll trip up more if you do that. I have hard feet." He turned her around, swaying softly to the music, feeling eyes watching them, but not caring. "See? You can dance." He smiled brightly at her, chuckling at her unsure look, "Relax. I'm actually having a good time. It's much better than just watching the world from up above. Thank you for inviting me."

"Thank you for coming," she answered quietly. She stepped just a bit closer to him. This wasn't so bad. And being this close to him made her feel calm, peaceful.

Her eyes caught something, a flash of pink over at the corner of the dance floor. The bridesmaids were huddled together, their mouths moving a mile a minute, casting dirty looks over at Rose and Dende. One of them paused and waved at Rose when she saw her looking, forcing a big, fake smile. Rose knew them, they were friends of Cherie, but she'd never really spent any time around them. They seemed catty and cliquish. "We're being watched again," Rose warned quietly.

Dende nodded, smiling at her and giving her a twirl. "And being talked about. They think just because they whisper that I can't hear them, but they might as well be shouting." He looked over at the girls and turned Rose away from them. "At least you have a good taste in friends. I am certainly not green at the thought of being with you." He tilted her down for a dip and leaned in, as if he was giving her a passionate kiss, whispering into her ear, "Sorry. I couldn't resist."

Rose's heart was slamming against her ribs as he bent her backwards, his strong arm holding her securely. She didn't resist him, letting him dip her low towards the floor. His voice in her ear made goosebumps erupt over her skin. He pulled her smoothly back up and she held herself against him as they continued to dance. She suddenly found she didn't care what anyone thought of her, but she didn't want anyone speaking poorly of Dende. They slowed to a stop as the song ended. "You're a really good dancer," she breathed. She hadn't expected that of him.

Dende smiled at her and gave a short bow, "Thank you." He'd never taken lessons before. It was something he just liked to do, "Paige demanded that I dance with her, so its just something I occasionally do. It's nice having a partner who is just my size though." He chuckled, "Are you ready to get something to eat? Looks like they have quite the selection for the discerning vegetarian."

"Sure," she smiled and started for the buffet with him. There was a sharp jerk at her elbow and she was spun around to face two of the bridesmaids who had marched over to her. "Oh! Uh, hi girls," she stammered.

"You don't mind if we steal her for a moment, do you?" one of the girls said in a sickly sweet voice to Dende. "Good," she smiled before he had a chance to answer and they drug Rose across the tent, leaving Dende standing by himself.

Rose suddenly found herself pulled into the circle of bridesmaids, all who looked far too eager for a good piece of gossip.

"So who is he?"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"WHAT is he?"

"Rose, you could do better."

She blinked at them. "He's my friend. Why are you girls so interested?" she answered.

"Rose, he's green!" one of the girls stated as if the idea were appalling.

"And you're rude," Rose stated, anger bubbling up inside her. "He's a nice person. You shouldn't judge him by the way he looks."

"How can we not?" another girl countered, "Look at him! And the... the..." she put two fingers up to her forehead and wiggled them, "It's creepy!"

Rose glanced over at Dende, her heart breaking at the words from these girls. She drew herself up and squared her shoulders as she looked at them again. "I happen to think he's VERY handsome. And he's the kindest person I've ever known. Now if you will excuse me. And quit gossiping about my date!" She didn't know where her boldness had come from, but an anger surged through her veins at those girls. If that's what "friends" were supposed to be, then she was glad she didn't have many. She turned on her heel and marched over to Dende, frowning and shaking her head.

Dende had an amused smile on his face as Rose marched back over to him. He felt a surge of pride and affection swelling in his chest. He could see the shocked looks on the girls behind her and he nearly rolled his eyes. He locked gazes with the one who'd made fun of his antenna and mocked her gestures, holding his fingers up and wiggling them next to his antenna, before he gave them all a look and tapped his ears before shaking his head. He offered a full plate to Rose, Vegetarian lasagna and other things he knew she liked. "So you think I'm handsome?" He teased her, giving her a toothy grin, one of his fangs showing.

Rose gasped as she took the plate from him. She nearly spilled it and she grabbed at the food as it almost slipped from the plate. "Ow, hot," she said sucking the sauce from her fingers. She looked at him, "I... what? Oh... OH! You, ah, you heard that." Her face went red and she ducked her head, skirting around him to go back to their table and sat down. She drew a sharp breath through her nose as he sat next to her. "W-Well... yes, I do," she admitted quietly. She picked up her fork and poked at her food. There was so much she wanted to admit to him. "I'm sorry about them. Narrow-minded people."

She glared over at the bridesmaids again, narrowing her eyes for a moment, before she looked at Dende. "I really meant what I said," she told him, "Even if I did just kinda blurt it out at them."

Dende laughed out loud as he felt a blush of his own spreading out over his cheeks. "You are very beautiful in return. Thank you for the compliment. I don't get them very often. Well, unless you count the praises of little Paige." He dug into his food, "At least there are good people like you who are open minded and can change the world." He sighed happily, looking over at the bridesmaids, "If it's any consolation, I think you thoroughly embarrassed those bridesmaids."

A rare smirk pulled at her lips. "Good." She looked down at her plate, her cheeks turning pink at his compliment. He really thought she was beautiful?

They ate their dinner, quietly enjoying each other's company and the festivities of the evening. Rose relaxed, forgetting the conversation with the bridesmaids as the evening wore on until it was announced that it was time to toss the bouquet. Cherie had cheerily waved Rose over and she got to her feet, throwing a glance back at Dende who had chuckled and given her a gentle shove towards the dance floor.

The bride tossed the flowers over her shoulder, most of the girls around her dived too far forward and the next thing she knew, the bouquet was in Rose's hands.

Cherie clapped and bounced on her toes, "You're next, Rose!"

Rose giggled nervously and headed back to her table, ducking her head against the cheers that followed her. "Oh my god," she muttered as she sat next to Dende. "Well, that's a superstition that isn't going to happen."

Dende shook his head, a smile on his face, "Now who's selling herself short?" He leaned down and smelled at the fragrant bouquet in her hands, his antenna brushing her hand. He looked up at her through hooded eyes, smiling at her, "You are an amazing person, Rose. Any man in this world would be lucky to have you as his wife. You do so much good in this world. There has to be someone out there with a kind heart that matches yours."

His antenna felt soft against her hand, making little butterflies erupt in her stomach again. That look in his eyes seemed to burn into her soul. She felt a longing for him in that moment, so strong it made her want to scream. Her breathing was shaking. There WAS someone with a kind heart that she wanted. He was right in front of her. "Dende," she said softly, leaning slightly closer to him, the feel of his name sweet on her lips.

There was a bang on the table, making Rose jump. Cherie had rushed over and slammed her hands on the tabletop, her eyes shining. "Rose! I'm getting ready to leave! Come get a picture with me before I go!" Her eyes flickered between Rose and Dende for a moment, "Sorry, Dende, I'll give her right back, I promise." She grabbed Rose by the wrist and pulled her away from the table as Rose cast a longing glance back at Dende.

Dende cursed under his breath. Sooo close. There had been something there. Something. He ached at the way that she said his name. Gods above, help him. It seemed every time they had a moment alone, something was there to interrupt him. Oh by the gods, he wanted her, but maybe the universe was trying to tell him that it wasn't meant to be. He watched her go, putting on a happy face with her friend as they had a few photos snapped of them by the photographer. What ever possessed him to think that he would have a chance with her?

After the photos were taken and the bride and groom said their goodbyes, the party under the tent started to break up. Rose returned to the table and picked up the bouquet. "I guess we should go," she said to him, offering him her hand. She was disappointed. She loved Cherie, but damn her timing. The moment was over and Rose wasn't sure how to get it back. She felt shy all of a sudden. She'd kissed him before, that tiny peck at the Christmas party under the mistletoe, but that was only because they "had" to. She chewed her lip for a second. "Will you walk me home?"

Dende smiled at her and offered his arm over, "Yes, of course. I wouldn't be much of a gentleman if I didnt." He felt disappointed. She looked shy again. Maybe she had come back to her sense. He shook his head and tucked her arm in his and walked them back to her apartment building as slowly as he could. All too soon though, he could see it in the distance and he felt his heart sink. Maybe he could get away with a kiss on the cheek goodbye?

Rose tried to hide her frown as they reached the stairs to her apartment building. She paused and looked up at the brick building, cursing it for being so close to the park. She looked back to Dende. "Thanks for being my date tonight." She withdrew her keys from her purse slowly, fumbling with them, turning them over in her fingers. "And thanks for dancing with me. That was fun."

He smiled at her, "Any time. Thank you for inviting me." He didnt want to go. He ducked his head and placed a kiss on her cheek. "We'll have to do it again some time." He forced himself to move up into the air, waving goodbye before he took off, heading for the Lookout.

Rose's cheek burned where he kissed her. She sadly watched him leave and sank to the concrete steps, feeling very alone. "Don't go," she whispered, pressing the heels of her hands to her eyes, still clutching the flowers and the keys.

It was too late.

Dende had gone and all she had left was a silly bouquet and that empty apartment waiting upstairs.