A/N: Chapter so short...why, why must I attend school? -revels in english homework- At least there are some benefits. O how I love thee, American Romantics!

Chapter 3: Hostesses

Quatre continued to wander around the base after his new acquaintances had gone back to their duties. So far, he had found a makeshift theater, a restaurant-style cafeteria, and two barracks. His room had been in the first hall, which consisted of hotel type rooms. Based on his room's layout, he guessed the whole hallway was made up of rooms with a bed, bathroom and kitchenette. After passing the theater and cafeteria, he ended in the second hallway of barracks. 'I wonder why this section is on the other side of base,' he wondered. He noticed it was longer and wider than the other hallway. He had an overwhelming desire to peek into one of the doors, but etiquette held him back. His thoughts were broken as a wave of dizziness swept over him. 'What time is it?' he wondered, 'I don't think I've eaten today.' His stomach growled in response to the thought. A simultaneous thought struck him. He didn't know a lot of people here and whom he did know had left for the huge information center. Not only was he hungry, he had no idea how to get any food.

As if in reaction to his thoughts, one of the doors behind him opened. "Oh Quatre!" Quatre whipped around to see Dagger. "I was just gonna come looking for you," she said. He walked back to meet her in the doorway.

"What is it?"

"Battles remembered about an hour ago that the battle started at 11 am and you haven't eaten since then," she began quickly, "I mean, it's four o'clock, you must be starving! And you're probably wondering why I'm babbling…come on in! I'm making us an early dinner!" Dagger led him happily into the room. It was much bigger than his. The combined kitchenette-living room was the size of his room. He saw two doors in the room; one was a bathroom and the other he assumed was a bedroom. "Hope you don't mind; I've been craving breakfast all day."

"That sounds wonderful," Quatre replied, surveying the kitchen with greedy eyes. On the table were two stacks of pancakes, one apple and one strawberry, bacon, homemade hash browns, and cut cantaloupe next to a little tub of cottage cheese. Dagger went back to frying eggs, buttering toast in between. Quatre decided he didn't need to tell her how hungry he was; his appetite would probably prove it.

"How do you like your eggs?" she asked, "I like 'em scrambled myself."

"However is fine," Quatre said, 'However's fastest…'

"What do you think of the base so far?" she asked, beaming at him, "You were pretty far from your room." He blushed.

"Its so big. I figured it'd only take me a couple of minutes to get an idea of how the place was set up, but…" he sighed, "I guess I got a little lost."

She laughed. "That's cute! Well, I can't wait for you to see the theatre room tonight. We have a DJ among our ranks, and we can make that place into quite the little night club."

"What's tonight?" he asked, mouth watering as she placed a plateful of eggs in front of him.

"Didn't anyone tell you?" she asked, laughing again. He liked her laugh; it wasn't cruel or condescending. In fact, it was almost a gesture of endearment. "We're having a party in your honor! We're going to announce your arrival to the ranks, and then have some fun. Battles said you looked pretty down and Scythe suggested we take your mind off of your troubles. And for once, I had to agree with her!" There was that laugh again; he decided to laugh too.

"Wow, that's really thoughtful," he said. She began to fill her plate and he eagerly filled his. "You guys really are taking good care of me." Quatre took a huge bite of a pancake. "Oh this is to die for!"

She giggled shyly this time. "Thank you, but like I said before, Battles thought of it. She very concerned about you being here; she wants you to 'enjoy your stay.' You being here is like the culmination of her life's dream. In fact…" she paused, "Never mind, I've already said to much." He furrowed his eyebrows but decided not to push it. With such good hostesses, he was determined to be a good guest.

A/N: R/R, please, please please? With sugar and cherries and a five dollar bill on top? (Disclaimer: Author will not be held responsible for unpaid bribes...)