K~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good night! Her smile! I can't say that Americans are this open and winning so soon; and even if they all were, there's no way all Americans own a smile like that. I clued back into the conversation as quickly as I could.

"…think about the performance tonight?" Miss Moore…No, Judy was addressing Haruhi.

"I liked it a lot. The monologue from Shakespeare's Henry the V was especially moving," she said thoughtfully. Leave it to Haruhi to say exactly what she thinks instead of what is expected in polite society.

"You mean, you didn't like me the most, Haruhi?!" Tamaki's eyes drizzled tears, and he retreated as far as he could into the booth and started ripping his serviette.

Judy smiled approvingly at Haruhi's choice. "I love that particular speech, too." Judy closed her eyes and began to quote.
"'By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.'
I am particularly fond of that part. In it Shakespeare makes eloquent my thoughts and my belief that money is meaningless in the face of honor."

Ah, St. Crispien, my favorite Shakespearian monologue. Time to go to the mattresses on critique and world-view, is it? I wasn't surprised that Judy knew Shakespeare: She seemed the type who would have a deep appreciation for great poets. Though, I was curious just how highly she really thought of honor in the face of material gain.

"I couldn't agree with you more, Judy," said Haruhi. "Money, shouldn't define a person, nor should attire, but honor is the principle thing." I watched with interest as Haruhi and Judy shared a mutual look of respect and what I can only term as female insight or bonding.

"I'd like to take it a step further," Judy said, "and say that honor is the principle thing in so much as it is not pride but choosing to do right."

"I do hope you ladies remember that money is what makes the world go round." I couldn't keep that quip to myself. Oh, her face! I think her eye just twitched. Snirk.

"Money only drives the world so far, Kyoya. It is a source of power and great evil, but I can admit that money can also be used for good. When a person chooses to use his money wisely, is he not making a good decision? In making a good decision isn't this same person choosing to do right? In choosing to do right, does he not, in turn, bring honor upon himself and his house?" Best to keep further arguments to myself, then.

"I think, Kyoya, you may have found one more person who can converse with you equally," said Tamaki nodding his head at Judy. Haruhi was staring hard at her, too. It won't be too long before Haruhi knows all of that woman's secrets. Unfortunately for me, Haruhi never 'kisses and tells.'

I was too busy contemplating the conversation to hear Haruhi and Tamaki take their leave, but I stood up with the rest of the group automatically and followed them outside. I walked in silence next to Judy and opened her car door.

"Well, let's head back to campus. I'll drop you off at your car," she said to me with upturned face.

"That won't be necessary, Judy." I put my host club mask and voice back on and leaned on her door. "I've already had my car picked up and will await my chauffeur here."

"Are you sure?" I saw her slightly worried look and didn't quite understand it. Why would she be worried about a grown man being alone?

"Yes, thank you," I said dismissively.

"I'm still curious as to why you stepped in tonight, especially if you are in your residency. Curious, isn't it?" She shot me her own smirk and shut the car door.

I had trained myself long ago not to betray myself through any physical action. As a result, I was able to keep my back turned and my feet moving to the restaurant door, even though I desperately wanted to swing around and try to catch a glimpse of her through the car window.

J~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I think, Kyoya, you may have found one more person who can converse with you equally," said Tamaki nodding his head at me. Haruhi was staring hard at me. I felt like she was trying to see my soul. Very few people had ever succeeded in that, but I had a feeling Haruhi just might, and I might let her.

"Tamaki, I think it's time for us to go. I need to study some before bed, and you need to talk to your father." Haruhi stood up and pulled her fiancé out of the booth after her. Kyoya stood up and let me out of our side of the booth as well.

"If you don't mind, Judy, I'll take Tamaki home." Without waiting for an answer the couple sauntered off.

Kyoya and I walked to my little car. He opened my door and held it while I got in. "Well, let's head back to campus. I'll drop you off at your car."

"That won't be necessary, Judy." His voice was suave as he leaned over the top of my door. "I've already had my car picked up and will await my chauffeur here."

"Are you sure?" I didn't like leaving people alone.

"Yes, thank you."

I felt the dismissal but had one more question. "I'm still curious as to why you stepped in tonight, especially if you are in your residency. Curious, isn't it?" I shot him a smirk of my own and shut the car door.

I watched him from my review as he strolled back inside the burger joint. I couldn't help it. "That man is smart and good looking. And, doesn't he know it?"

R&R, everybody. Oh, and I just realized that if I were to post twice a week, this story would take two and a half months to post, and I still haven't finished it yet. So, I've gotta ask if you, lovely readers, would prefer longer chapters with longer waits or instant gratification once I begin writing the rest of the tale?