After Dinner: Chapter One

Disclaimer: I don't own Disney's Mulan.  I'm not making any profit by writing this story.

By: Susan

Summary: "Would you like to stay for dinner?" "Would you like to stay forever?" Whatever happened during Shang's dinner with the Fa family? Was it a quick meal or something a bit more drawn out?

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"Captain Shang, would you care for the rest of the rice?" Fa Li asked softly.

"Why, yes, thank you very much." He took the bowl from her small hands and carefully emptied it into his plate. There was an awkward silence. "I, haven't had home-cooked food in a long time. This is delicious, Fa Li."

"Ahem." Grandmother Fa cleared her throat loudly. "Mulan helped." Mulan shot her a dirty look.

"I, oh, sorry. Mulan, Fa Li, this is delicious." His cheeks turned red, and he looked down at his plate. When is this going to be over? Shang thought. I made a complete fool of myself, I'm sure. Mulan will never want to have anything to do with me, after what I could have done. He looked at her, love shining in his dark eyes, while she carefully poured her father tea. She was beautiful, no doubt. She sparkled with radiance and dignity. He respected her, he always had, and he knew he took her lie all too personally. What he wanted was a second chance, to prove he really cared about her, because he wasn't sure she knew it. Shang wasn't sure if she wanted to know it. After that scene on the mountain-

"What do you think, Captain?" Fa Zhou asked.

"I, umm..." He replied, at a loss for words.

"Thinking deep thoughts?" Fa Zhou said knowingly.

"Yeah, about Mulan." Grandmother Fa said comically, and Shang felt the color red rise to his cheeks. Mulan dropped her mother's teacup, shocked at her grandmother's boldness. It crashed to the floor, and she rushed to pick it up, blushing embarrassedly.

"What was that, honorable Fa Zhou?"

"I was wondering if perhaps you would like to spend the night." Shang bowed his head.

"Thank you very much, I would appreciate that kind act." Mulan's mother began to clear the table, and Fa Zhou stood from the table and grasped his gnarled cane.

"Come with me Captain, let us go for a walk through the gardens." He beckoned Shang, and her followed him out the door, where they walked through the wet grass.

"Captain, you seem to have something on your mind. Would you like to speak of it?" Shang looked at Mulan's father, once an incredible war hero, now an old man.

"Admirable Fa Zhou, I can speak but one word, and you will know what is troubling me."

"I think there is more than just one word, Captain, but I do not mind talking. It has been a long time since we have had a man in the house who cares just as deeply as I do for my daughter."

"I- How did you..." Shang sighed. "It's obvious, isn't it?" Fa Zhou looked at him amused.

"Not as obvious as that she cares for you in return."

"She shouldn't." Shang said, leaning against a tree. "I don't understand why she does."

"Why shouldn't she?" Grandmother Fa said, appearing from behind the tree. "I'd care for you, with a body like that-"

"Mother..." Fa Zhou said warningly. "Captain?"

"I... She... She shouldn't care for me, because... You wouldn't understand."

"I'd like to try." He told him, resting his arm on Shang's shoulder. "Captain, you seem lonely. I know about your father, and a young man like you needs the guidance your father once gave. I can help you, Captain."

"Help me with what?" Shang said hoarsely, slumping against the tree. "Mulan will never love me in return."

"Honey, how do you know?" Fa Zhou gave her a piercing look, and she turned away, disgruntled. "I'm leaving, I'm leaving." She walked slowly back to the house.

"I should just leave."

"What you should do is explain to my why you feel as if my daughter will never care for you."

"I could have killed her," Shang found himself yelling aloud. "I had the sword, I had it above her head. It was the law, I broke it."

"Captain-"

"Please, Fa Zhou, don't call me that. A true captain wouldn't have even held the sword above her beautiful body."

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