Disclaimer: Presently, we authors have tried to get our Oompa Loompa muses/helpers to get us into the Burton Compound to retrieve the infamous Willy Wonka, but have had no luck…so until we can bribe the little boogers (via pounds of cocoa beans) into obeying us, we don't own Willy Wonka.

AN: More sap in this chapter, as well as something that might cause some very… naughty dreams tonight. (Much winking and coughing going on by authors) Enjoy!

Chapter 16: Unexpected Encounters with Chocolate:

Nika woke late the next morning in a very unusual mixture of moods. She did her best to remember the night before, and feelings of joy and unease filled her heart. Willy Wonka, the greatest candy maker in the world, was in love with her. The idea just blew her mind away. And he had asked for a lock of her hair, which she had granted without a second thought…

"Because I love him," she whispered, smiling to herself as she stared up at the crème canopy above her bed.

She hadn't told Willy last night, but he had to have seen the joy in her face when he'd told her about his own feelings…right? Oh, but if he thought she didn't return his feelings…Nika didn't want to think about that. She just had to find the right time and place to tell him, like he had done the night before with her. Last night had been Willy's night, and tonight would be hers. She knew that Willy was up to something, last night he'd had that sparkle in his eye that told her that he was planning something for today, and she would have to wait to see what it was. Once the time was right, though…

"I'll tell him I love him," Nika softly muttered to herself.

Soft giggles from the side of her bed made her sit up in bed and look over. There stood Wendell and four other Oompa Loompas, all with grins plastered on their small faces. The four other tiny people held her breakfast tray, but Wendell held a letter (written in gold ink on purple paper) in his hands. They all giggled at her sudden blush, and handed her the tray. Nika eagerly dug into her food and tried to ignore the knowing smirks and chuckles of the Oompa Loompas as she ate.

Once the food was gone and the tray had been moved to the side, the five tiny beings stood and stared at her with excitement all over their faces. It was obvious they knew that she loved their Tall Cocoa Bean Man, and they wanted her to say it again so they could giggle with joy about it. However, she wasn't going to humor them, and simply smiled as she took the note from Wendell and opened it. The Oompa Loompas groaned in disappointment, but Nika ignored them so she could see what message Willy had for her today.

My Dearest Danika,

I have a very special surprise for you today. After you've dressed, please follow Wendell (as well as his little group of followers, which I'm sure you've already met this morning…gossipers, all of them, like to keep up on what's going on around the factory all the time). He will bring you to me.

Until later, my Starshine,

Willy

Nika blushed, causing the Oompa Loompas to giggle some more. "Oh, will you stop that?" she cried, clamping her hands over her red cheeks.

This only caused the tiny men to laugh outright at her, a couple even making kissing noises as the other made calf-eyes at her. Nika groaned; this was going to be a very long morning…

When Willy awoke early that morning with something cool pressed against his chest, he at first didn't know what it was. Reaching upwards, his fingers found a thin chain wrapped around his neck, and he pulled out the globe of crystal that held a glittering red curl in it.

'Danika's hair,' Willy thought to himself, a grin spreading across his face as he remembered the night before.

The previous night had been heaven for the Amazing Chocolatier. He had received the lock of hair he so desperately desired, and he had finally admitted his feelings for a certain redhead. The look on Danika's face had been priceless; the surprise, the joy, and the dreamy look in her eyes had all been worth saying those three meaningful words: I love you.

Sighing, Willy smiled dreamily and looked at the encased red lock of hair in his palms. Although Danika hadn't said she loved him in return, Willy knew that he had time to win her over if she didn't. But if he was correct, the look on her face showed that she did, indeed, care for him, even if she hadn't said it aloud. However, he would get her to speak those words someday soon. He just had to think of a way to do it…

An idea suddenly hit Willy upside the head in a flash of brilliance. His new boat! He hadn't had time to try it out yet, so why not take Danika on the maiden voyage of his ship? It would be romantic, if he had the lights turned down a bit or have them shine in different colors. Frowning in thought, Willy didn't notice the Oompa Loompas by his bed until they started giggling. Jerking his head around, Willy jumped in surprise, nearly falling off the bed in the process.

"What are you laughing at?" he grumbled as he straightened himself out on the bed. He heard them laugh, but simply rolled his eyes at them. "Okay, fine, whatever. Could you," he pointed to three Oompa Loompas, "bring me some paper, a pen, and the inkpot? And you," he pointed to the last four in the room, "bring me breakfast at once? I have things to do!"

The Oompa Loompas hurried to do his bidding, and Willy spent an hour trying to set up his plan for the afternoon. After the note had been placed into Wendell's capable hands, the famous chocolatier dressed in his trademarked colors and rushed out the door, eager for the day to begin!

Nika was incredibly nervous as Wendell picked out a simple, ankle-length dress of red crushed velvet. She thought it was a bit too much, but the Oompa Loompa seemed to like it a lot. After she was dressed, the two of them headed off in a direction that Nika hadn't walked through yet. Shrugging, she followed her tiny guide deeper into the factory and into the most amazing room she'd ever seen.

Willy nervously adjusted his collar, checking time and again to make sure he looked all right; he wanted everything to be perfect for his little romantic moment with Danika. This would be his chance to impress her with the boat, so he had to make it count. Impatiently looking at his watch, he began tapping his foot.

"Where is she?" he muttered.

Then the doors opened, and a woman in shimmering red walked in, a look of awe creeping over her face as she looked upon the newest room of the factory, and Willy Wonka's pride and joy, born of his incredible creative talents…

The Chocolate Room.

Nika stood and stared at all of the wonderful things around her. The smells of chocolate, mint, taffy, and a million other good things flooded her senses, and she felt ready to fall on her knees and thank the chocolate gods above for giving her this chance in life. She was so busy looking around that she didn't notice Willy approach her until he tapped her on the shoulder.

"You can look later," he whispered into her ear as he took her arm. "I've got something special planned for today."

Nika nodded as she was escorted to a river that was a creamy brown, the color of melted chocolate. Turning a questioning gaze at Willy, he simply smiled innocently as a beautiful pink boat in the shape of a seahorse appeared, powered by Oompa Loompas. Now, normally she hated pink, but for Willy, she'd make an exception. Squealing in excitement, she hugged the man next to her. Surprised (and very pleased with her reaction), he happily hugged her back.

"Let's go aboard, shall we?" he said, smiling.

Getting on first, Willy held his hand out to Nika so that he could help her into the boat. The two of them took seats at the very rear and Willy turned towards the rowers.

"Onwards!" he cried. The boat jerked as the little Oompa Loompas put all of their strength into their task.

Willy swallowed hard when they entered a dark tunnel. He saw Nika's eye widen a little in fear and took her hand in his gloved one, hoping to comfort her. She smiled a bit at him in the dim light of the tunnel. Once her hand was secure in his, Willy called out for the lights to be switched on. A rainbow of colors filled the hall, and he heard her gasp in amazement as she saw the rooms of the factory go by as they sailed on.

Suddenly, the boat began to dip as the river became rougher. Nika clamped his hand tightly in response, and Willy did his best to reassure her that the ride was safe. The boat suddenly dropped, and Nika let out a scream of surprise, causing Willy to hold her hand even tighter. After a few moments, the ride smoothed out and the two released the death-grip they had on the other's hand. Curious, Nika leaned over the side of the boat to get a better look at the river. Without warning, the boat jerked, and Nika was suddenly no longer by his side.

"Danika!" Willy yelled, throwing himself to the side of the boat as the alarmed Oompa Loompas immediately stopped rowing.

He saw her floating several feet away, trying to keep her head above the thick chocolate that made up the river. Panicking and fearing for her life, Willy stripped down to his pants faster than he thought humanly possible and dove in after her. Easily swimming his way over to her, he wrapped an arm around her and dragged her back towards the boat.

Many Oompa Loompas reached over to help their boss and his love into the boat. Once the two of them were safely aboard, the tiny people rowed towards the nearest safest place as Willy checked to see if Nika was still breathing. Finding that she wasn't, Willy decided to do the only thing he could think of and remember from his swimming lessons so long ago…

Pressing his hands onto her cheeks, Willy began performing what he considered "CPR" on the unconscious Danika.

However, what Willy Wonka did not know was that Nika already was conscious and breathing...Willy had just done a poor job of checking her over. So, when Willy was trying to perform mouth-to-mouth, Nika was shocked when his lips clamped over hers. Freezing in shock, Nika couldn't help but lie there and accept his well-meaning attempts to save her life.

After a moment, Nika moved and spontaneously grabbed Willy by the shoulders, pulling him down on top of her and moving her lips against his. Willy was surprised when she pulled him down, but quickly recovered and pressed his lips harder on hers. He let his tongue slip between hers and Nika couldn't help but give a soft sigh against his lips.

Thinking that he'd done something wrong, Willy tried to pull back, but the feel of Danika's hands along his shoulders kept him where he was. He could feel chocolate dripping down his body, but ignored it…this was too good a moment to pass by! Willy could feel Danika begin to suck on his tongue and let her do it, her hands running from his bare, chocolate-covered shoulders towards his neck, the better to hold him there in that kissing position.

Slight coughing from around him pilled Willy's attention away from Danika's fantastically candy-flavored lips and towards the lone Oompa Loompa currently standing by them, a very red blush across his cheeks. Gesturing towards the towels and water-filled bucket nearby, the Oompa Loompa then left them alone at the bottom of the boat, still coated in chocolate.

Danika nervously coughed as well. "I guess that's our cue to get cleaned up," she said softly.

Willy nodded and gulped, saddened by the moment being broken. "Uh, yeah." He quickly sat back on his heels and slid his arms under her knees and around her waist. "Come on, I'll carry you back to your room."

"Oh, Willy, you don't have to do that!" she said, blushing as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I can walk, you know."

"Not on your life," he said, smiling down at her. Her green eyes met his purple ones, and Willy could feel his heart skip a beat. "Um, onwards!" he said, giving her a broad smile.

"Oh, and Willy?" she said, grabbing his attention.

"Hmm?" He looked down at her, puzzled.

"Call me Nika," she whispered as she wiped some chocolate off his neck with a finger.

Willy smiled all the way back to the private sleeping rooms.

AN: Wow, kind of heated, sappy, and drool-worthy, huh? Review and let us know what you thought of the chapter!