I L-Word You

Me: Thanks for all the reviews! Seeeee, you all know you want Dairine/Roshaun romance! It's true! –sniff- score! I just hope DD doesn't ignore him completely after A Wizard's Holiday like she did with Darryl after A Wizard Alone. Of course, Darryl wasn't as hella-cool. She's my idol, and I'm sure she'll bring him back for Wizards at War, but I'm afraid of what'll happen to Roshaun! I love him now! And I think I'm getting too obsessed over a book character… again… crap. This is reminding me of Merry from LOTR! Eep! Help!

Yeah, I know Neets was kinda OOC… but I didn't feeling like proofing any more that night, so I left it. Oh well, hopefully it's not as bad in this installment, not that she talks that much…

Oh, and did I mention that I love my reviewers? It makes me sooo happy to get review alerts! So does my Yahoo group, YW Fanatics. If you aren't part of it, you should join! It's where all the cool kids hang out… kind of… lol. Everyone's welcome!

Anyhow, some of you were wondering if you missed Wizards at War since I set this after it. Nope, you didn't. I'm winging it because the story doesn't really fit after Holiday. So what I mention isn't the real plot of Wizards at War either. I'm just lazy. Yup, it's true. So onto the story…finally!

Part Two: Spit it out already!

The clattering of dishes upstairs meant that either breakfast was being started or that Sker'ret had finally figured out the child locks on the lower cupboards. Either way, Roshaun ignored it from beside his pup tent, sulking. It wasn't that he didn't want to ask her… it was just…

She has the option to say no. And will if she wants.

He tried not to listen to the little voice in his head, but it had a point. No one would have had the nerve to refuse him at home.

Maybe he'd just put a binding spell on her and drag her there. It'd be a lot easier than asking her, not to mention how much wear and tear it'd prevent on his ego.

No… he thought with a measure of regret, she'd have me laid out and beat to a bloody pulp before I got done spelling.

He'd just have to get it over with quickly or it'd drive him crazy.

The annoying little voice gloated. Looks like it already has… when was the last time you sulked like this?

Roshaun refused to dignify himself with an answer.

Meanwhile, the doorbell rang and a brooding Dairine left breakfast to Nita, who was doing most of the work anyway in fear of another almost-food abomination at the hands of her sister.

Dairine trudged to the peephole, only to be confronted with a perky-looking Carmela.

Great. Just when Neets laid off. Still… she does have more experience in handling guys than me…

She opened the door and put on what she hoped resembled her normal wry grin.

"Hey, Dari. If Neets asks, Kit's about to beam himself over here. I tell ya, it's like they're joined at the hip. Look. She even made him a bowl of cornflakes. Sickening…"

Carmela grinned impishly, then flashed a quizzical look at Dairine.

"What's up? I've never known you to hesitate in making fun of those two. It's like our pastime as sisters to the lovebirds."

"Err… it's nothing." Dairine flushed, "I'm not with it… it's too early in the morning to function."

Carmela snorted. "Yeah, I really buy that. Out with it: what'd he do? Try to get friendly? Or was it just him acting uppity as usual? No, I can see you taking him down a peg either way…"

She was rather amazed at Carmela's guy problem radar, but that didn't detract from the fact that she was acutely uncomfortable with the current conversation.

"I didn't say anything about this being about Roshaun!" Dairine said indignantly.

Raising a perfect eyebrow, Carmela snorted.

"Aha… so it is about him. I knew it. You may have a good poker face when we play poker, but you suck at bluffing about this."

Dairine's face turned redder and her mouth moved soundlessly. She'd actually been stunned speechless. Well, almost…

"YOU BAITED ME!"

"That's what big sisters do best; it's like a natural inclination. Come into the living room. We're going to talk about whatever it is."

With that, Carmela grabbed Dairine's arm and dragged her to the couch in an uncharacteristic show of strength.Dairine struggled half-heartedly, but had to admit that Carmela's advice would probably be pretty useful.

"Spill it."

"Shouldn't you be chasing Filif or something?" Dairine groaned.

"Chase? Rule number one: we do not chase, we… pursue. Besides, there was a small problem with splinters."

Blushing acutely, Dairine wished she hadn't asked.

"Anyways, are you gonna tell me or do I have to use my interrogation methods?"

Mostly in fear of Carmela's "curling iron", Dairine resigned to confiding in her.

"Oh, fine. Roshaun tried to ask me something that seemed pretty important to him this morning and I got nervous and bolted. I think I might suspect what he has in mind, but…"

"Say yes." Carmela said immediately.

"Wha? I thought you were all for us being in control!"

"All I mean is that if Prince High-and-Mighty is willing to humble himself enough to ask you to visit his planet, you should definitely accept. It probably took him quite a while to work up the courage. Besides, you need a vacation and if it just so happens that you'd be staying in a castle free of charge…"

"HEY! I never said that I thought he was going to invite me to his planet!" Dairine said huffily.

"Yes, you did. Just not verbally. Besides, it's obvious to everyone but you. He's been planning this for a while."

A weak "Oh." was all that Dairine could manage. Stunned and slightly baffled, Dairine wandered from the room and into the kitchen as Nita popped her head in the doorway and signaled that breakfast was ready.

Why would he choose someone like me to do this for? I'd think Carmela would be more his type…Assertive, gorgeous…

Completely engrossed in thought, Dairine failed to notice as Roshaun emerged from the basement and she ran straight into him, sending them both tumbling down the stairs. The human/alien tangle landed with a painful thump on the cement basement floor.

"Ow. Someone's feeling resentful this morning. First a rogue book and now this… I'd think that you were trying to assassinate me by clumsiness if I didn't know better."

Roshaun grinned smugly and dusted himself off quickly before offering the dazed wizard a hand. Dairine couldn't help noticing how handsome he looked, but she cleared her head of those thoughts with a quick shake. He wasn't going to trip her up, literally or figuratively.

"I can get up on my own, thank you very much." She said, getting to her feet with more difficulty than she let on. Her head was still spinning, but there was no way she'd accept leaning on him like a crutch the whole way up the stairs.

"Besides, if I were trying to injure you, you'd know it." She said with a wicked grin.

She made it to the top of the stairs without staggering, to her amazement, but it didn't detract from the sharp pang of embarrassment that greeted her at the top of the stairs as everyone at the table looked up and snickered softly. Dairine treated them to her patented death-glare and the soft laughter quickly fizzled out.

"Wow, Neets." Dairine said as the food was dished out, "This looks almost edible."

"I'll take that as a complement, budding chef..." Nita grinned evilly, looking pointedly at the garbage can where Dairine's attempt at breakfast had been laid to rest.

Needless to say, she shut up and dug into her food. The meal passed relatively quietly, but Dairine could feel a sense of tension that grew as the time elapsed. When almost everyone was finished and the plates were about to be cleared, Roshaun cleared his throat.

"Dairine..." He began, his resolve quickly disappearing.

Why did I think it was a good idea to do this in front of everyone?

All eyes turned to him and he remembered. It ensured he couldn't back down or chicken out.

"Well, I'll be going back to my home soon and the coronation ceremonies will be held shortly after, as you all know. To put it simply, it's our tradition to have another wizard officiating, and I'd like it to be you. After all, if there would be any assassins present, I'm sure you could trip them to death."

OFFICIATING? THAT'S WHAT THIS WHOLE DAMNED THING WAS ABOUT? Dairine raged silently.

Still… I guess I should be relieved and flattered. I guess…

"Well, do you mind, dad?"

He looked from her to Roshaun and grinned.

"Well, you do need a vacation. I think it'll be ok; it is summer after all. That is, as long as Mr. Roshaun over there doesn't get any funny ideas into his head."

Both Dairine and Roshaun blushed furiously, but the rest of the table exchanged looks and tried not to laugh.

"Well then. Sounds…great." Dairine said with a weak smile, excusing herself to put her dish in the sink.

Next time I see her, Carmela's going to get it. 'Working up his courage'… Hmph…

Roshaun looked from Dairine's retreating form to her father to the others and shrugged in what he hoped looked like an indifferent manner.

That's it… I totally blew it.

A/N- I have some very specific plans for the chappies ahead, so if you all review, I'll actually update within the week. I really like them more than this one, but it and probably the next will be intro chapters. Alas… the fourth chapter will be when it starts to get really fun. So review and I'll update! YAY! For Spring Break! Even though I still have to go to college… Blegh… No high school equals no getting up at 5:30 equals staying up late plus easter candy equals sugar high late-night updates! I'm also gonna try to update What The? if anyone is wondering. Wheee!