The Towel Rack
Rated: PG
Chapter Ten: The Opening of the Trap
Day: Sunday Morning

---Mina POV---

I yawned loudly and stretched, sitting up. I winced slightly. The floor isn't exactly the most comfortable place to sleep. I glanced around at the others. Raye was happily sleeping in her bed. I rolled my eyes. Wimp. Amy and Lita were still fast asleep. Amy was bundled under a heap of blankets; while Lita was fighting to get her blanket off...must be some avid dream. I giggled. My friends are so different and so funny.

I looked up at the clock on Raye's vanity.

8:30 a.m.

One and a half hour before Andy gets here and we let them out of the closet.

Here comes the big test…did our efforts work?

I chewed on my lip with that thought in mind as I watched my slumbering friends.

---Andrew POV---

I walked leisurely down the sidewalk, hands in my pockets. It was early in the morning, around 9 a.m. The girls wouldn't mind if I came a bit early, though, so I had decided that instead of pacing around my apartment for an hour to just go ahead and head over to the temple.

Today's the day! I thought happily. Serena and Darien are probably madly in love, and probably wanting to thank me!

I rounded a corner and jogged up the temple stairs. Rei's outside bedroom door opened and Mina came out, hair tousled and eyes sleepy. She stretched and looked around, noticing me.

A bright smile crossed her lovely face and the sleepiness left her eyes. She rushed up and jumped into my arms. "Andy! You're here...early."

I laughed and kissed her forehead. "I couldn't stay home like that waiting…hope it's okay?"

She nodded excitedly. "Sure, hon! The other girls are just now waking up, though, so let's stay out here for a little while."

I nodded. "Sure. You look awfully cute this morning." I grinned and pecked her cheek.

She blinked and glanced down at her apparel. Red PJ bottoms and a white tank top. She blushed. "They're Raye's. We all had to borrow clothes…you should see Lita." She laughed. "All of Raye's clothes were too small for her. Her pants are like halfway up her ankles and her shirt is really short. She looks like a clown." She giggled.

"I heard that, Mina!" Lita suddenly came out of the temple, the door swinging open. Her eyes were cross and sleepy, while, like Mina had proclaimed, her clothes…did indeed make her look like a clown.

I stifled a laugh.

Lita rolled her eyes at seeing us. "Isn't it a little early for public displays?"

Mina batted her eyelashes. "Why, Lita, the temple is very much private."

"Whatever, blondie." The brunette scoffed. "Listen, I'm about to make breakfast. Andrew, you ate yet?"

I shook my head. "No, actually, I forgot about breakfast." I grinned down at Mina. "Too excited about the mission, I guess."

"Well, I'm going to make pancakes for everybody. Have fun, lovebirds." Lita swung the door closed.

Mina turned and looked up at me, smiling. "She said have fun."

"Hmm…yep, she sure did."

I leaned down and captured her lips with mine.

---Lita POV---

Amy and I sat huddled at the window, staring out at Mina and Andrew.

"They make me sick." I stuck my tongue out in disgust.

Amy giggled. "I think they're adorable."

"Gah, I'm just jealous. First Mina, and now Serena has a boyfriend. It isn't fair." I plopped down on the bed and pouted.

Amy turned away from the window. "Well, we don't know for sure if Serena has a boyfriend or not."

I grinned. "Oh, I'm sure she does. What about you, though, Ames?"

The blue spite blushed, looking out at the blonde couple kissing. "Well…I suppose it would be nice to have…someone special."

I patted the top of her head. "You're a romantic at heart, Ames." I jumped off the bed. "Time for breakfast. Blueberry pancakes sound good to everyone?"

Amy gasped in pleasure and turned around to Lita. "That would be absolutely wonderful! I love your blueberry pancakes!"

I grinned. "The only time you ever get excited about food is when I make blueberry pancakes. Alright, blueberry it is. Come on, you can help me."

It was then that I noticed that Raye had left. I just shrugged and left to go to the kitchen.

---Serena POV---

I heard footsteps outside the door. I sighed miserably when they faded away.

I turned and glanced at Darien. He was still asleep, his lips parted ever-so-slightly. I smiled softly and leaned against his chest, brushing a few strands of hair away from his eyes.

Too bad we have to go through with this revenge plan…they deserve it, though.

Still…I just want to spend the day with Darien…and I want out of this stupid closet!

I sighed, snuggling close the man beside me. As if in response, his arm came around me. I smiled softly and closed my eyes.

---Mina POV---

Andrew and I left the temple yard and went into the main living room. Lita and Amy were in the kitchen section of the room, rushing around and making pancakes.

I sat on a couch near the hallway and stared at the closet. "Do you think we should go ahead and let them out so they can have breakfast with us?"

Andrew sat next to me and slung his arm over the back of the couch. "By the time the pancakes are done, it'll be ten. So yeah, sure…they can have breakfast with us and tell us all about their night in the closet."

I nodded happily. "Yeah!"

I glanced over at the kitchen. Lita was stirring something, Amy was searching through the refrigerator, and Raye…

I frowned.

Raye had just walked in the room and was standing off to the side, leaning against the counter and staring at the floor unhappily.

I laid a hand on Andrew's hand for a moment and gave it a squeeze and then stood and went over to her. "Raye, is something wrong?"

She jumped slightly and looked at me. "Oh, no, no…everything's fine."

I draped an arm around her shoulder and leaned against the counter with her. "I don't think so, Raye. Come on, you can tell us. We're your friends."

Lita looked up from her stirring. Amy closed the refrigerator door, holding two packages of blueberries. Andrew looked up from his spot on the couch.

Raye glanced around at us. "Well, it's about Chad. He left late last night…and he's not back. He wasn't in his room when I checked…and he always sleeps in on Sundays." She suddenly burst into tears. "What if he's left? It'll…it'll kill Grandpa!"

I hugged her. "For starters…I'm sure he'll be back, Raye…and second…I don't really think you're worried so much about Grandpa. I think…I think it's you that it would kill…"

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "No, it's just that he means so much to Grandpa and the temple is so much more fun these days and it's just really great having him around and…"

I raised an eyebrow at her. I had made my point.

She bit her lip. "Alright…so he means a lot to me, too. But it's only…friendly."

"I'm sure Chad will be back, Raye. He's too much in love with you to just leave."

Raye blinked. "That's not true."

"Oh, but it is." I patted her shoulder. "You're just too blind to see it."

She grumbled inaudibly and left the kitchenette, plopping down on a couch.

Any word of Chad was left unsaid…for the moment.

---Andrew POV---

At 10 a.m., Lita and Amy finished making pancakes. Mina and Raye were setting the table, and I…well, I was standing in front of the closet.

I turned and looked at the girls. "Can I let them out now?"

Lita was walking to the table, the pancakes stacked high on a plate. "Sure, go for it. Tell them to come eat. I know Serena's probably starving."

Mina bounded over to me. "I have to see this."

I grinned. "You want to open the door, love?"

She shook her head. "No, I think you deserve the chance to do that. You've worked a long time to get those two together. You open the door."

I kissed the top of her head. "Thanks." I unlocked the door quietly and placed my hand on the knob.

They all were looking at me. All thoughts of breakfast were stopped. Everyone focused on the door.

I turned the knob.

I opened the door slowly.

I peeked in.

I grinned.

"They're asleep."

Mina blinked and peeked in. Serena and Darien were laying fast asleep, arms around one another.

She gasped softly. "It worked!"

I nodded and smiled. "Yep…it finally worked." I closed the door. "I'll leave it unlocked, but…let's let them have as much time as they want."

Mina nodded and grabbed my hand. "Let's eat. I'm starved."

---Darien POV---

I woke up just as I saw the door close. "What the…?"

I started to get up, but then saw Serena. I smiled softly and kissed the top of her head. "Serena, wake up…"

She mumbled in her sleep and clung tightly to me.

"Serena…the door is unlocked."

Mumble…mumble…

"Wow, would you look at that? It's a SPIDER, Serena!"

Mumble…mumble…

Did I not say earlier that she is the deepest sleeper in the world?

Wait, I think I've got it…

"Serena, I smell pancakes."

Her eyes snapped open and she jumped up. "PANCAKES!"

She started jumping around excitedly…

It's really hard to stand up in a small closet with an excited, food crazy girl…

"Serena, calm down! The door is open, I think. I think Andrew opened it…"

She stopped jumping and stared in awe at the door.

Then she pushed it open happily. And started jumping around again.

"The door, the door! It's open, Darien! The door, the door!" She jumped in my arms. I fell back against the wall.

I shook my head. "Serena…"

She blushed. "Sorry…"

I smiled and kissed her. "Breakfast sound good to you?"

Her eyes lit up…either from the kiss, or from the sound of breakfast. I like to think it was the former.

She pulled out of my arms and grabbed my hand, pulling me out of the closet.

I shut the door behind us…and we were faced with the girls and Andrew all sitting in the dining area, staring at us, wide grins on most of their faces. Raye was smiling lightly…but something seemed to be bothering her. I frowned. Wonder what it could be…

---Andrew POV---

Darien and Serena stood hand in hand looking at us.

"Glad you decided to join us, Dar." I laughed. "So, when's the wedding?"

He rolled his eyes at me…but I noticed his hand remained in Serena's.

They walked over, Serena eyeing the pancakes hungrily.

Mina pulled a chair out that was next to her and grabbed Serena's other arm. "Sit. Eat. And give me the details. You're an item now, RIGHT?"

Serena sat down, but her eyes roamed up at Darien. He winked at her, and then sat next to me.

Now I wonder what those two are thinking…

---Mina POV---

Serena smiled at Darien and then turned to me. "Yes, Mina. We owe you all a big thank you."

Andrew gasped suddenly and jumped up excitedly. "I TOLD YOU! DID I NOT SAY THAT THEY WOULD THANK US, MINA? DIDN'T I?"

I rolled my eyes and tugged on his arm. He sat down again. "Yes, darling, you said that…"

He grinned widely and stuffed pancake in his mouth. Talking with his mouth full, he said "I'm a genius."

I giggled and turned back to Serena. "Did he kiss you?"

Darien coughed and started choking on pancake.

---Serena POV---

I grinned at Darien. He's a very private person, you see…

"I'll keep that to myself, Mina." I turned and started eating. I am SOOOO hungry….

She sighed unhappily. "All that work and no details."

I giggled, but didn't say anything. I was too busy eating the pancakes. Blueberry pancakes are my favorite…

----------------------------------------------------

Breakfast was soon over, and Darien and I walked outside to the front temple yard.

I glanced up at him. "Should we…?"

He draped an arm around my shoulders. "Frankly, Serena, my mind isn't really on revenge." He looked down and kissed me. "The farthest thing from it, really."

I smiled. "So we're going to call it off?"

"For now."

I wrapped both of my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. "Good. I wasn't really wanting to, either. Want to go to the park?"

He nodded, smiling. "Some where really quiet and private…"

I giggled. "Yeah."

A car motor was heard roaring nearby and then screeching tires came to a halt.

Darien and I watched as a frazzled Chad ran up the stairs. He stopped a few steps in front of us and for the first time, we saw his eyes beneath his shaggy hair. They were wide and confused.

He glanced us over. "Whoa. Dude."

Both of us sweatdropped.

He shook his head furiously and rushed past us into the temple. "Pigs must be flying somewhere." He muttered.

More sweatdrops.

I tugged on Darien's arm. "I think Raye was really upset about him. Let's go see real quick, okay?"

He nodded and we went back into the temple.

Chad was rushing around looking in different rooms. "RAYE?" He rushed down to her bedroom. "RAYE?"

Mina, Lita, Amy, and Andrew were all sitting around the living room. They all stared up at him in wonder.

Mina cleared her throat. "Chad, she's meditating. I wouldn't bother her right now. You upset her very badly."

He came back into the living room, his shoulders slumped. He plopped down on the couch that Darien and I had just occupied.

I put a hand on his shoulder. "Everything alright, Chad?"

He mumbled something and buried his face in his hands.

Mina left her spot beside Andrew and sat on her knees in front of the shaggy rocker, placing a hand on his knee. "Chad, she was really worried about you…she was afraid you left."

He groaned and slumped back against the couch. "I almost did."

We all gasped.

Lita jumped up. "But Chad, how could you!"

His eyes became cross as he looked at her. "You aren't in love with someone who doesn't know you exist. You wouldn't understand. It's hard to see her every day and have her ignore me…" His voice was barely above a whisper when he finished.

"Then why did you come back?" Amy whispered softly.

He shrugged. "I missed her."

Darien and I glanced at one another. I nodded. He understood.

I stood up and walked out of the room, down the hallway, and slipped into the Great Fire room. Raye was sitting silently, her eyes closed. No chants or words left her lips as usual.

"Raye."

She jumped and turned around. Tears were in her eyes. "I can't…I can't…the fire senses my discontent and it doesn't respond."

I held out my hand. "Come with me."

She stared at my open palm for several moments before taking it. I helped pull her to her feet, and we walked out.

Andrew and Darien were shoving a yelling Chad into the closet as we came in. Raye blinked and suddenly realized what was going on. She started to turn and run away. I held her hand tightly, though, and Lita ran up and grabbed her and tossed her over her head.

"Come on, Raye! Time to get your man!"

Amy, Mina and I giggled.

Raye started flailing around, kicking and screaming. "NO! STOP! NO! LITA! PUT ME DOWN!"

Lita walked to the closet and tossed her in. Darien slammed the door.

Andrew looked at his watch. "Let's say…tonight at 7."

Darien narrowed his eyes. "You made us stay in there overnight."

"Yes, but it was late afternoon when we got you IN the closet. It's morning…by 7 tonight, they'll be starving. And things should be worked out by then." Andrew grinned happily.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, brother…well, 7 tonight. Darien, I thought we had a date in the park?"

He grinned. "I believe we did."

As we left the temple, we heard coos.

"It worked for them…"

"This is like the best strategy. I'll bet Chad and Raye will be all over each other by tonight."

"Hey, Lita, what about you? Got a guy in your mind?"

"Shut up, Mina. No, I don't. But Amy over here…hey, Amy, how about you tell us about Greg?"

"It's nothing! It's nothing!"

Suddenly the blue hair rushed past us and started down the stairs. We stopped, watching her run.

SWOOSH. SWOOSH.

Lita and Mina rushed past. "COME BACK HERE!"

We turned and looked at Andrew. He stood all alone…allllll alone…staring down at the girls run away.

I winked up at Darien. The whispered something in his ear. He grinned and nodded.

Andrew was, after all, the original perpetrator. He, of all, deserves a bit of revenge.

He gulped as he saw us coming towards him.

"He—hey, guys…wh-wha-what are you—doing? HEY! WAIT! NO! HEY! DARIEN! NO! HEY! SERENA, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? REMEMBER THE THANKFULNESS? THINK OF HOW YOU GUYS ARE LIKE A COUPLE NOW! NO! PUT ME DOWN! OOOUCH! HEY! WHAT'S THAT? HEY! NO!"

I came back from Chad's bedroom with socks in hand. Grinning widely, I handed them to Darien, who was struggling to keep Andrew from running away.

After a few moments, we had him tied, gagged, and sitting in the temple garden, behind a cherry blossom tree.

"Socks are a lovely accessory this season, Andy." I giggled. I entwined my hand with Darien's and we walked together down the temple stairs.

"PPHHT! CPPME! BWWK! HPPPRE!"

The sounds of Andrew's muffled shouts followed us for a while. But we just laughed.

And the rest…well, I'll leave that for another time.

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THE END!

Yay! Finished! I'm so proud!

I'm thinking of a sequel. Hmm…

Please review! And thank you to everyone who has reviewed and put up with this until the very end!

Luna