Waking up with Five had quickly become one of Gwen's favorite things all those years ago when it started. However, she found that waking up with him while sharing sweet kisses and murmured words of affection was even better. Only in the morning did she really get to experience sweet Five, rather than passionate or irritated Five, and she savored every moment whenever she could. Gwen yawned and stretched, smiling at the weight draped over her torso. Their fingers had untangled at some point in the night, but his arm remained steadfastly where he left it. Looking at him, she found him still sleeping with his face turned away from her. Granted, it was only half five in the morning, but she had to be in school at 8:00 for assembly and the drive took an hour. Without too much remorse, Gwen sat up, moving to run her fingers through Five's hair. Her smile softened as she listened to his grumblings. After a few minutes, his eyes opened and his arm squeezed around her middle, his head turning toward her.

"Morning," he muttered, pulling her down beside him again, "Do I want to know what time it is?" Gwen shook her head and he groaned, shifting to bury his head in her shoulder. She laughed quietly, tracing up and down his back. "Why do you wake me at such an unforgivable hour?" Five kissed her neck softly before lifting his head so he could look at her

The glimmer of pure, unadulterated adoration in his eyes had Gwen wishing she could stay that way forever. But school, particularly one as strict as Ophelia Murphy's, waited for no one. "The drive to school takes forever, you know that, and I have to get ready."

"Or you could take it slow and I'll take you to school," he offered, only half-serious, "You'll be there on time without the horrifying, early mornings." He knew she would never agree to have him drop her off at school, due to propriety or whatever, but it was never too early to rile her up a little. Even though there were far more pleasant ways to do so.

"Okay," she replied, giggling at the expression on his face, "I don't really feel like getting up." She squeaked in surprise when Five rolled over, bringing her to lie on top of him. Gwen ran a thumb along his jaw, smiling warmly at him. He surprised her again when he surged up to press his lips against hers, his hands delicately cupping her jaw while hers clutched his forearms. While the kiss was brief, they remained in the same position for a little longer, silently discussing their plans for the day. While Gwen endured school, Five was going to help the whole family help Klaus prepare for a date. "I really need to get ready," she finally murmured, reluctantly pulling away from him, "Could you please go get us some breakfast while I dress and do my hair?" Five jumped to the kitchen and Gwen turned to her selection of headbands.

Though reluctant to admit it, Five nearly dropped the tray when he returned to Gwen's room and saw her decided upon outfit. He set their breakfast down, straining to remember the decade she had settled for. Most of his time working for the Commission might have been mostly murder and paperwork, but it did help him with his girlfriend's closet. "Fifties, right?"

"Yeah, I wanted to go for something different." Smoothing out her charcoal gray pencil skirt, Gwen regarded herself in the mirror as she tried to decide what color kitten heels to wear. Had she only worn her skirt and white, Peter Pan-collar blouse it would have been fine to wear black ones, but glancing once again at her minty green cardigan she finally decided on her white ones. Making sure her ponytail and headband were as immaculate as she could possibly get them, Gwen turned to Five. "Do you think this will pass?"

"I don't know," he replied, taking a sip of orange juice, "If it helps the assessment, I'm reluctant to actually let you go." Five handed her a piece of buttered toast, smirking as she rolled her eyes at him. He was not joking, though. He much preferred that she kept the curves accentuated by her clothes between the two of them. It was amenable, he supposed, that he would be dropping her off in school for all to see. "You look beautiful." Five looked at the clock, seeing that it was about time to finish up breakfast. He would have preferred if she had something more to eat, she was going to be starving come lunch, but he also knew that she was a punctual person and would want to be in school at least half an hour before it started. Wrapping an arm around her waist, Five whisked Gwen away to Ophelia Murphy's.

Apparently, the entire school had decided to not be early and outside when Gwen arrived. They landed just outside the entrance doors, in view of what seemed to be the whole student body, all of whom turned to stare as they appeared. She tried to ignore them though, looking up at her boyfriend. "Dinner at yours tonight?" Five nodded and Gwen gave him a wide smile. She could tell that he was hesitant, wanting to kiss her but feeling unsure of whether she would let him. So, of course, Gwen took the situation into her own hands and pulled him down to her. The second their lips met, she was pulled into his head. Images of her and the things they had done flashed before her inner eye. Her skin marked by his teeth, his fingers in her hair. She pulled away from him, blushing furiously. "You did that on purpose," she muttered against his lips, "Bastard."

Smirking, Five took a step back as he grabbed her hand. He bowed deeply, pressing a light kiss to her knuckles. "Of course not," he murmured against her skin, all too innocently, "That would be highly improper, wouldn't it?" Gwen's blush deepened and Five felt as though his job was done. He winked at her and disappeared with the promise to pick her up when her classes were over.

Gwen faced the students of Ophelia Murphy's, realizing in hindsight that perhaps it would have been a better idea to announce her relationship in some other way. But there was only so much she could do, Tristan Carmine had been spreading rumors about a potential meeting between his parents and her grandparents. She could not tell Five about it, he would go ballistic. And while the attention she was receiving made her anxious, at least she had made it clear that there was not, nor would there be, an agreement between the Silvers and the Carmines. It was, Gwen found, enough to think of the devil, as she looked up to meet the furious gaze of Tristan Carmine himself. Well, himself was a bit of an exaggeration. He had several of his snobby little friends with him. Sighing, she hoisted her bag higher on her shoulder. "What do you want, Mr. Carmine?"

"My parents told me that they were arranging a meeting with Henry and Annie-May Silver," he growled, towering over her in an attempt to intimidate her, "And yet, you show up with another guy." He heard snickers and giggles from the still staring audience and threw a vicious glare in their direction before he turned back to Gwen. "I knew you were loose, how could you not be with a mother like yours, but I never thought you were a slut." Tristan barely had time to react before someone shot out of the crowd and shoved him roughly. Realizing who it was, he pushed back just as hard, making his attacker fall backward, teetering on the top of the stairs.

Acting as quick as she could, Gwen caught the falling student's hand and used a strength that surprised even her to pull him back on both feet. "You know what, Tristan," she said sadly, looking at the boy who could have been her future, "I think we both know that you do not really want an agreement with me." He looked startled for a moment before his eyes hardened. Gwen was not having it though, holding up a hand to stop him from saying something so disparaging she would not be able to hide it from Five. "You should know that Five Hargreeves and I have an agreement," she continued, "He has been approved by my mother and will be my escort to the debutante." Stepping up to him, she leveled Tristan with a glare that would make Five cower. He backed away from her and she followed until he was pressed against the wall. "Now, I am willing to forget how you spread false rumors about us, but I will only do so if you apologize to Mr. Abernathy."

Tristan glared disdainfully at the boy behind her, intending to ignore her request. It would not reflect well on him though if his words and actions got back to his parents, should she decide not to let it pass and tell her mother about it. So he forced himself to acquiesce her request. "Please, do forgive me for almost pushing you down the stairs."

"And what of your foul words to Miss Silver?"

Suppressing a snarl, Tristan looked back to Gwen. "I do apologize for my wrongful words, Miss Silver." The smirk on her face made him sick. He hated losing, hated humiliation. Yet the blonde in front of him had turned his anger against him, made him lose control in front of the entire school. No doubt, they would be whispering about the incident for days. Without waiting for a reply, he threw the doors open and stalked into the school, his cronies following him dutifully.

"Thank you."

Gwen turned around at the voice, meeting Nathan Abernathy's gaze. "What for?"

"No one really stands up to him," Nathan stated, dismayed by the fact, "Especially not for people they don't know." He had never actually spoken to Gwen Silver before. She usually kept to herself, and as a fellow introvert, he understood her. The community they lived in was toxic enough without spending excess time with the members of it. "You're right, by the way," he continued, hoisting his bag higher onto his shoulder as he and Gwen walked side by side into the school, "I don't think there's any woman good enough for Tristan Carmine." His companion looked saddened by the fact, confusing him greatly. He doubted she was disappointed, considering the display with her boyfriend just minutes earlier.

With a heavy sigh, Gwen stopped at her locker and grabbed the book she needed in the class she had after assembly. "I understand his reluctance to come out," she said quietly, "I just wish he channeled his anger into something other than attempts to drag me down with him." Nathan nodded thoughtfully, leaning against the locker beside hers. Frowning, she regarded him for a minute. "Something tells me you understand it too." His eyes widened and he looked around as though the noise around them was not enough to cover her voice. She lifted an eyebrow at him, causing him to sag against the lockers. "I won't judge, you know," she assured, closing her locker door, "I just feel bad, though, that there are so many within our community that are forced to hide who they are for the sake of our ancestors' desire to continue the lines, especially whenever I see Klaus having so much fun on his dates." They resumed walking, heading towards the auditorium.

"There's a group," Nathan said carefully, glancing around to ensure that no one was listening to him, "The Secret Society of Pride." Gwen raised both eyebrows curiously, a slight smile on her face. Rubbing the back of his head awkwardly, Nathan got the feeling that she knew exactly what the Society was, despite being too straight to have been invited. "We meet a couple of times a week," he explained, "We just want love, no matter its form or who it comes from." The soft smile on Gwen's face told him that she knew what it was like to be in love. He wanted that, wanted to know what it was like to be openly in love with someone. His relationship was behind closed doors, only known within the Society. He wanted to take his boyfriend to the debutante, wanted to openly court with the intention to marry. "You could come to one of the meetings if you'd like," he offered, "We would love to know how the hell you foiled Henry and Annie-May Silver as well as the Carmine family."

They reached the auditorium before Gwen could answer and were quickly separated by their teachers. Sitting down in the girls' section of the room, she caught Nathan's gaze and nodded quickly. He beamed at her, settling into his seat to whisper to some guys sitting with him. Feeling hopeful that she could help someone else find happiness the way she had, Gwen took out her notebook and began planning. By the time assembly was over, she had a solid idea on how to help the Secret Society of Pride to be so much more than just a secret comfort for those who should not need to hide. It would take time and money. Thankfully, she happened to have enough of both.

Come lunch, Nathan pulled Gwen aside as she was heading to the lone table in the corner of the cafeteria she usually enjoyed. She threw him a confounded look but followed without a fight. He led her halfway across the school, dragging her into an abandoned classroom. Sweeping his hands out in a grand gesture, he introduced her to his friends. "Gwendolyn Silver, allow me to present the Secret Society of Pride." The few people present waved at her awkwardly. Nathan, exasperated, placed his hands on his hips in the best imitation of his mother yelling at the maid he could muster. "Guys, chill out," he reprimanded, "She won't bite." They all nearly choked on air when the girl in question muttered something about 'right circumstances' and 'couldn't wear short nightgowns for over a week'. He gawked at her and she flushed when she realized that she had spoken aloud. Her reaction, and its stark contrast to her words, had Nathan doubling over in laughter. Gwen buried her face in her hands as the others joined him, even as she chuckled. Wrapping an arm around her, Nathan placed her lunch at an empty seat. "You're going to fit right in, Miss Silver," he said jovially, making her laugh, "Now please, do elaborate on that little remark of yours."

"Actually, I'm far more curious about the display this morning."

With a raised eyebrow, Gwen turned to a student she recognized as Jones Lamontagne. He was attractive and highly intelligent, though he was often quiet and, if she was being quite honest, a little dull. Had she not seen the impossibility, she would have guessed he had never seen a bright color in his life. If fact, he was the exact opposite of Klaus, though she supposed he was exactly… Her eyes widened as she realized the treasure she had stumbled upon. Smirking at him, she leaned closer. "How would you feel about meeting him instead," she wondered innocently, noticing how he shifted nervously, "You could see for yourself just what he means to me." She could not resist playing with him a little, she wanted to see just how far he could be pushed. Taking a bite of her chicken pot pie, she regarded him silently before continuing. "Simon is quite an accomplished cook and I'm sure that he would happily set another place at dinner tonight."

"I… Okay?"

When Five arrived to pick Gwen up from school, he was immediately taken aback by the massive grin on her face. He did not think he had ever seen her look happy after school before. Grumpy, irritated or tired, sure. Never happy. His impression that Ophelia Murphy's somehow managed to suck the joy from every student within its halls was apparently false, he thought as he accepted Gwen's kiss and swept her away. They landed in her bedroom, but to his absolute disappointment, she did not stay. He had barely let her go before she was out the door, shouting for Simon. Running after her, Five caught her at the bottom of the staircase, where both Simon and Monica stared at her in befuddlement.

"Simon, please set the table for a party of five tonight," she said, still grinning widely as she turned to face her boyfriend, "You get your behind home and ask your brother to come to dinner."

"Which one?" Five was getting more confused by the minute.

"Why, Klaus of course!"

Hey guys! I know it's been a while, I've been suffering from writer's block regarding this story. It does help to see that people still seem to want to read it. I think I'll finish this story soon, I have two or three major things left to add in before the epilogue. Thank you for your patience and the fact that some of you actually seem to enjoy the story.

As always, most of my writing is credited to Jane L. Black who encourages and supports me.

Love, Queenie