Note: This chapter is co-authored by WannaKnownLee (ravens)

Disclaimer: Once again we do not own Hamtaro. If we did then there'd be more S/M episodes. x;; However some of the characters in the last few parts of this chapter are owned by Ravens.

Chapter 2: Disaster Strikes at Lunchtime

The sun had finally rose. The glistening light touched Sandy's tiger-striped fur and it's bright light made her emerald eyes open. Sandy woke up with a weird sensation.

"It's time." Sandy said with a smile. Sandy got up and fixed herself up her fur a bit. She couldn't decide how she wanted her fur. Then she giggled as she realized what she was doing. Uh-oh... I'm, like, starting to act like Bijou. I guess it's just cause I wanna look good on our date. Sandy looked at herself in the mirror. She examined herself, looking deep into her heart until she finally made up her mind. Sandy just fixed the ribbon on her tail and decided to stay the way she was. I'm sure Maxwell wouldn't mind anyway. It's better that I go as myself then pretend to be someone I'm not. After all, Maxwell loves me for who I am and would want me to enjoy the date rather than totally worry about what I look like. Oh, I can't wait! I wonder where we're going first. Sandy decided it was better that she found out for herself and left for the clubhouse.

At the bookstore, Maxwell was taking a look at one of the books he found.

"What am I going to do?" Maxwell wondered. The book he was looking at was unfortunately called "Dates for Dummies". Maxwell sighed as he wondered what he was going to do for the date. I wonder what I'm gonna do. Why didn't I plan this thing earlier? Maybe I'd be more prepared. But I decided to ask her out without even thinking. Maxwell then looked outside and saw a boy and girl together, hand in hand. As the couple passed the bookstore, Maxwell had a feeling of confidence in his heart. I should stop worrying. I should just act cool and enjoy our date. After all I'm spending the entire day with the one I care about most. I'm sure she wants me to act natural rather than be all tense. Maxwell then thought of something. Hmmmm… I wonder if Panda will let me borrow it. Maxwell decided to visit Panda's quickly before the date.

At Mimi's house…

"It's almost done." Panda said in excitement. The place was pretty dim with only a bit of light focused on something. It was hard to tell what it was, but it was obviously the secret device he has put his heart into for the last couple of weeks. "All I need is to do this and polish it and it'll finally be done." Panda thought it was best that he used a smaller hammer so he wouldn't break it. "Better be gentle." However right before he could do anything…

"HEY PANDA!" Panda shrieked and almost destroyed his secret device. Panda sighed a breath of relief when he realized that his creation was still in one piece. He then turned to the ham in the door way.

"Maxwell, could you please knock before you do that? I almost ruined my--" Panda paused and covered his mouth, not wanting to reveal the secret device.

"Sorry Panda." Maxwell said apologetically.

"Oh it's alright Maxwell." Panda told his friend. "I'm just all worked up on this. So what do you need?"

"Well…" However Panda stopped Maxwell from responding.

"Hold on. You're on a date with Sandy, right?" Panda asked. Maxwell nodded. "I think I know what you're gonna ask me. It's in the back, behind Mimi's piano. Can't miss it. I even polished it up and reworked some of it to run better."

"Thanks Panda." Maxwell said with gratitude.

"Anytime Maxwell." Panda responded to Maxwell. As Maxwell left the room, Panda chuckled to himself. Those two really were made for each other. I knew it after they bumped into each other that fateful day. I hope it turns out well. Good luck, Maxwell.

Sandy was already heading for the tunnel to the clubhouse, until she found the couple she saw yesterday pass by again. The two were having such a good time as they headed to wherever they were going. Then she saw the boy flash out a ring. It wasn't an engagement ring, but it was a very special ring that made the girl blush as the boy placed it on her finger. She blushed as they enjoyed their moment together. Oh my gosh! That was, like, sooo romantic! I wonder how we'll turn out, though? Sandy shook the doubt out of her mind. Oh what am I thinking? We're gonna do fine. I'm sure that after this date, we'll love each other even more. And then maybe we can get married and…Oh Sandy, you're, getting way ahead of yourself. It's, like, totally early to be thinking about marriage…although it's, like, not such a bad idea. Sandy giggled to herself. Then she spotted something several feet behind the couple. It was a man who seemed like he didn't enjoyed the idea of those two together. He cringed as the two continued to enjoy themselves. He then continued to follow them. Sandy, who was watching the entire thing, started to get a bit steamed. That guy is trying to ruin their relationship. But why would anyone want to do something like that? Why stop someone from loving another? I hope someone catches that jerk. Sandy then headed for the tunnel…

…without noticing that someone was following her. I don't want to break up their relationship, but if it'll prevent Maxwell from doing anything to hurt my sister or make her pregnant, I will! Stan quietly used a nearby tunnel to head for the clubhouse quickly.

Sandy had finally made it to the clubhouse to see Maxwell in front of the clubhouse.

"Hamha, Sandy. I'm glad you decided to come." Maxwell said with a smile. Sandy smiled back at her boyham.

"So where are we heading first, Maxy?" Sandy asked.

"You'll see in a minute, Sandy." Maxwell responded. "I just want to show you something." Maxwell then took her paw and brought to something covered in a sheet. "I was thinking that rather than running all over ham-ham land, I've decided to ask Panda and borrow this." Maxwell then pulled off the sheet and it revealed to be…

"Wow! A car!" Sandy said with excitement. Like Panda promised, the car was a polished up blue convertible, and it seemed like it was in good condition.

"Like I said," Maxwell continued. "I asked Panda and he said that he polished it up and reconfigured everything so it should run smoothly."

"Yeah, but who said the driver was any good?" Sandy said. Maxwell pouted from hearing that remark. "Oh come on Maxwell, I was just kidding. And the good thing is that we're going to…to…hey where are we going anyway?"

"I've decided to start the date off at Chef Ham's new restaurant. I heard it's a really good restaurant and we all know how good of a cook Chef Ham is." Maxwell responded.

"Oh good. I was starting to get a lil hungry." Sandy said with a smile. Maxwell smiled back and opened the door.

"After you, Sandy." Maxwell said chivalrously.

"Why, thank you, Maxwell." Sandy said as she bowed in his direction. They both giggled as they got into the car.

I'd better get there before they leave. Stan said heading towards the car. He quickly opened the trunk and jumped in without the two even noticing. Stan sighed as lay inside the trunk of the car. Why am I doing this? I'm glad that my sis is happy with Maxwell, but I'm worried that this might go too far. I can't let that happen. I'm sorry sis, but I gotta do this. For your sake. Maxwell started up the car and headed for Chef Ham's restaurant.

Stan said heading towards the car. He quickly opened the trunk and jumped in without the two even noticing. Stan sighed as lay inside the trunk of the car. Maxwell started up the car and headed for Chef Ham's restaurant.

The couple was now driving through Ham-ham land (don't ask me how they got there in the first place x;;;). They watched as buildings and all different kinds of ham-hams passed by. In a short while, they had finally reached Chef Ham's restaurant.

"We're here, Sandy." Maxwell said as he parked the car.

"So this is Chef Ham's restaurant." Sandy said looking at the restaurant in front of them. "It's a good thing we decided to stop by. I was getting really hungry."

"Yeah, but there are a lot of hams going in. We'd better get a seat." Maxwell then took Sandy by the paw and they both walked into the restaurant.

Still in the trunk, Stan shook his head. The ride unfortunately had a few bumps, and he had to shake it all off. Alright. The first thing I gotta do is ruin their dinner. That should be pretty easy. However as Stan tried to open up the trunk, it wouldn't open. Oh no…he thought as he rumbled around in the trunk, trying to tap the door open. Come on, you gotta be kidding me! He grunted and tossed around in the trunk, hoping the door would open sooner or later. He charged at the door as hard as he could in the little space he was given one more time, but it was no use. He stopped to pant for a bit. Oh, man, this isn't working so well! Stan laid down in the trunk, panting and sweating, and tried to think. Geez… he thought, rubbing his head. Thinking your way out of a tight spot isn't so easy when your head feels like it just got hit by a falling apple!

As Stan started to attempt at "thumping" his way out of the trunk, a young, brown ham-girl had happened to walk by. She stopped at the sight of the bouncing car and blinked. "What in the world…?" she said to herself. She slowly walked over to the rambunctious convertible, only to be greeted by an even louder thump. "Yah!" she exclaimed, and ran off. "I gotta tell someone about this!"

In the restaurant…

"Table for two, please." Maxwell said to the waiter.

"This way." he answered, walking through a doorway.

Maxwell and Sandy followed him to a room with many tables crowded with hamsters. All of them looked pretty high-class, which made the two of them a bit nervous, but they kept a good front for the other.

"Hmm…" the waiter said, trying to seek out an empty table.

"It's, like, so crowded in here!" Sandy said.

"Yeah, I hope we can find a good seat." Maxwell added.

"No…no…Ah, here we are!" the waiter said, pointing to a small table in a dark corner.

"Oh, I, like, wanted a table by the window." Sandy said, disappointed. Maxwell sighed. He had hoped for her to enjoy the evening.

"You're very lucky. This could very well be the last vacant table in the entire restaurant." the waiter said optimistically.

I can, like, see why! Sandy thought.

"Well, go on and have a seat now. Would the two of you like anything to drink before you order?" he asked.

"I'll just have water, please." Maxwell said.

"Do you, like, have any cherry soda?" Sandy asked.

"I'm sorry, we just ran out." he replied.

"Oh.." Sandy sighed. "Then I'll have water too."

"Alright. Two glasses of water, coming up." the waiter said as he walked off.

Maxwell started to feel a little bad for Sandy. They hadn't even ordered their dinner yet, and, already, two things had gone wrong for her. I just hope they have something she likes on the menu.

The two of them opened their menus and eyed through the delicacies. "Hey!" Sandy said.

"What is it, Sandy?" Maxwell said as he looked up from his menu.

"They have, like, those tasty fried carrot sticks I love as an appetizer! Oh, Maxy, please, can we get some?" Sandy said, her eyes glistening with joy.

"Um…" Maxwell began, remembering he had only brought enough money for a dinner for two. He looked at Sandy and saw how happy she looked. I can't let her down…I guess I could spend a little more than I planned. After all, she deserves something special. "S-sure, Sandy." Maxwell said, with a weak smile on his face.

"Like, totally cool! Thanks a bunch, Maxy!" Sandy said energetically.

"It's no problem, Sandy." he replied, adding a bit more strength to his smile. It was good to see her so happy. "You can order whatever you want."

As Sandy and Maxwell exchanged bright, shiny smiles, the waiter came back to their small, camouflaged table.

"Are you two ready to order, or perhaps maybe you'd like to start out with some breadsticks?" he asked.

"Well, actually, we were thinking of an appetizer or two." Maxwell said.

"Okay, what'll it be?" the waiter replied, pulling out his notepad.

"Could we have one order of--" Sandy was cut off by the panic-stricken voice of the brown hamster, who had just ran into the restaurant. She immediately clung to and started tugging on the arm of the waiter and whined.

"Frederico! Frederico, come quick!" she exclaimed.

"Ack--" the waiter looked over to her and sighed. "What are you doing here, Clio?"

"Frederico, I came by to see you, and…" she stopped to pant a bit. "And there's a car out there that's bouncing around! And m-making grunting noises!"

"…"

"It's really close to the restaurant!" Clio continued

"…"

"…And I want you to do something about it!" she said, a bit frustrated. Maxwell and Sandy were completely clueless, and just looked at each other, then back at the waiter and the girl who appeared to be his girl ham.

"Well, what am I supposed to do about it!" he said.

"You used to be a mechanic, go see what's wrong with it!"

"I've got a job to do! You can't just show up here and tell me to go check something else out!"

"There are plenty of other waiters around here!"

"Umm, excuse me…" Maxwell said softly.

"We're busy!" they yelled.

Sandy wasn't happy with the way they treated her boy ham, and decided to speak up. "Hey! He, like, said he was sorry! Now if you two could take your little lovers' nitpick somewhere else--"

"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" they both yelled in unison, turning red.

Finally, the waiter sighed. "Fine, I'll go see what it is."

Maxwell and Sandy sighed. "I guess this'll mean our food is gonna take awhile."

"Oh, I can take your order for you." Clio said.

"Are you, like, sure? You're boy ha--err, friend might get upset, won't he?"

Clio smiled. "It's no problem, really. So what'll it be?"

While Sandy and Maxwell gave their orders, Frederico walked outside over to their car. He immediately recognized it as the one Clio described by the thumping noises.

"Argh! Darn it!" Stan muttered, panting more. He sighed. I don't believe this…

Frederico opened up the trunk (Leave it to Maxwell to make sure the doors are locked XD Don't ask how the trunk was locked and now is opened. It's a plot device people. Plot device x;;;) and saw the sweat-ridden, tiger-striped hamster. At first, he wondered if he was seeing déjà vu, since the hamster he had seen with the tall, brown gentleman was the spitting image of this one.

Stan looked up and saw the young ham who had opened up his "jail cell". He noticed his uniform and nametag, then came up with an idea.

"Hey, thanks, Mister--" he squinted at the nametag. "Frederico."

"It's no problem." he said. Stan started climbing out of the trunk, then put his paw on Frederico's back, and started walking toward an alley. "Man, I really would've been in a jam if it weren't for you." Stan said, continuing to stroll him down the dark, hidden area.

"It's no trouble, really…I just--…Where are we going?" Frederico replied.

Suddenly, they were alone in the dark alley, and Stan didn't exactly look "happy" to see him anymore. He held his fist back above his head, and…

"Hey, what are you--AHH!"

Back at the restaurant…

"I wonder what's taking our food so long." Maxwell said.

"Yeah, and that was, like, only the appetizer. Who knows how long the meal is gonna take." Sandy sighed.

Meanwhile, Clio was on her way to the table with the appetizer, when suddenly, a brown hamster showed up right in front of her. She blinked a bit unevenly at him.

"…Frederico?"

It wasn't Frederico, however. It was none other than Stan, who had smudged dirt in his fur to make it look brown.

"Here, lemme take that for ya, sweetheart." he said, snatching the tray. Clio blushed a bit; Frederico had never been the type to flirt like that.

"Er…You know where you're supposed to take that, right?" she asked.

"Of course, doll face. Why don't you go do some shopping? I'll take you out later tonight." Stan said, grinning.

Clio blushed deeper and a gigantic smile took over her face.

"You really mean it! Oh, I'll pick out the best dress in the store! Thanks, Frederico, I'll see you later tonight!" she said as she ran towards the exit.

"Heh. Guy doesn't know how good he has it." Stan said to himself.

He walked around the restaurant for a bit until he found where Sandy and Maxwell were sitting.

"I believe this is what you two ordered, am I right?" he said, high-pitching his voice a bit.

"Oh, where did your girlfr-- I mean, uh, where did Clio go?" Sandy asked.

"She's out shoppin'. I took over again, hope you don't mind." Stan replied, setting the basket of carrots on the table.

Sandy and Maxwell looked at the carrot sticks in delight. Their mouths watered at the scent of the food.

"Now then, may I take your order?"

Maxwell picked up his menu and pointed at his choice. "Yes, I'll have the--"

SPLAT!

"What the--" Maxwell shook the food off his face…or most of it.

"Heeheehee!" A baby ham in a high-chair behind them giggled and threw more of his food at Maxwell.

"No, no, Christopher!" his mother said.

But before she knew it, she was hit by food coming from another direction. It was her older son.

"Micheal, you're setting a bad examp--"

She was hit again. Soon, more and more ham-hams, young and old, had started throwing food. Then Micheal, at the top of his lungs, yelled "FOOD FIGHT!"

"Oh no…" Maxwell said, his face turning pale.

Food started flying everywhere, and Sandy, Maxwell, and Stan were covered before they knew it. Sandy started to fight back a bit, but Maxwell thought it was a better idea to leave.

"Come on, Sandy, let's get outta here." he said, grabbing her by the paw and leading her to the exit. She giggled and went along with him.

"Oh great…" Stan muttered, trying to follow them through the "flock" of flying foods. He slipped out just before they did, dashed over to the car, and dove back into the trunk.

Along the way, Sandy and Maxwell stopped at a gas station to wash off. When they came out, Maxwell stopped Sandy to talk.

"Sandy…I'm really sorry about what happened back there."

"Heke? Like, what do you mean, Maxy?" she asked.

"I didn't mean for everything to go wrong like that… The argument with the waiter and his girl, the long wait, the food fight… So if you wanna go home, I understand." he said, ears drooping.

"You gotta be kidding, Max! I'm having a fantastic time! Don't feel bad!" she said enthusiastically.

Maxwell's ears perked up. "You…mean it?"

"Maxwell…" Sandy said. Suddenly, she began rearing her face in closer to his.

Maxwell was suddenly stricken breathless. Wait…What's going on? That look on her face…this feel… is this…a first kiss? he wondered. I've read about this in romance novels…and come to think of it, it's officially been a year since we've been going out, and we haven't even kissed each other yet… But this feeling of warmth on my face…It's like it's flowing through my entire body…But I've never kissed anyone before! How do I…? Oh well…I guess this'll just have to be a first shot. Here goes…

Max closed his eyes, puckered up and braced himself for the sweet tension he was expecting to land upon his lips, but when he did, air was all he felt. He opened his eyes slightly, hoping Sandy wouldn't notice, but gasped softly and opened them even wider when he felt a warm, moist sensation on his cheek. When those eyes of his whipped open, he saw the slightly red face of his lover before him. He looked into her glistening, emerald eyes, and as one of them winked at him, he felt his face get even hotter.

"Hee," Sandy giggled lightly. "You had some jelly on your cheek, Maxy."

"Uhh…" Maxwell drifted off, not knowing what to say, then suddenly Sandy started running down the sidewalk.

"Wake up, Maxy! C'mon, I'll race ya back to the car!" she called out a few yards ahead.

Maxwell shook his head slightly, snapping himself out of it, and slowly started to chase after Sandy, his speed progressing along the way.