Chapter 36

Swan Lake

:Sunday:

After the circus the day before everybody decided they needed to catch up on their sleep. It was 1 o'clock in the afternoon before anyone peeked their head outside of their door.

Duo was the first one up and he tip toed down the hall to Sammy's room and poked his head in. He saw that he was still asleep and smirked. Duo slipped inside the room quietly and then suddenly jumped on the bed, waking Sammy from a deep sleep.

Sammy shot up with a small squeak and look up only to see Duo's grinning face a breath away from his. Sammy let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. "Oh, Its only you Duo." He said.

"What do you mean 'its only me'? I happen to be the greatest person in the world." Duo pronounced.

Sammy just rolled his eyes and tried to get some more shut eye but Duo wouldn't let him. He bounced up and down on his little friend's bed until Sammy finally gave up and looked back at Duo.

"Sammy." Duo whined. "I'm hungry." Duo gave Sammy big watery eyes and a cute pout.

Sammy huffed. "And what do you expect me to do about it? I'm not allowed to use anything electrical."

Duo pouted more. "Neither am I."

"Why don't you get someone else to make you breakfast…" Sammy trailed off as he looked at the clock. "Well lunch?"

Duo brightened up at the idea. He settled down on the bed with his legs crossed and he placed a finger under his chin as he thought about his options. "Well Wu-man and Heero are out of the picture. They would shoot first and ask questions later. Quatre makes this help food junk. What is tofu anyway? If it isn't 99 sugar and other additives then it isn't in my vocabulary. And Trowa… well Trowa would be ok. Lets try him!" Duo shot up off the bed and grabbed Sammy's hand, pulling him along.

Sammy sighed as he was dragged after the deranged pilot. The made their way to Trowa's room and knocked on the door but didn't wait for an answer as Duo popped his head in.

He saw Trowa clad only in green boxers wrapped around his pillow and seems to be……. kissing it or something. Weird. "Trowa…." Whispered Duo. "Trowa."

"Hmmmm… Coming.. Ser….." Trowa's voice trailed off as he slipped deeper into sleep and he snored loudly.

Duo stifled a laugh. He never knew that Trowa snored! He would save that data for later uses.

Just when Duo was about to shout for Trowa to wake up and make them some food they heard a giggle from behind them. Sammy turned first to see his sister smiling.

"Serena!" he yelled and launched himself at her. She picked him up and hugged him tight.

"Have a good sleep tiger?" she asked.

Sammy scowled. "I was having a great dream about the circus until Duo woke me up." He shot Duo a pained look before cuddling into his sister's embrace.

Duo just shrugged and tried to look sheepish but felt no remorse for waking the little guy up.

Serena smiled and shook her head as she looked at Duo. "And now you're trying to wake poor Trowa up? He had a busy, work filled day yesterday. Give him a break."

"But I was hungry." At that moment Duo's stomach growled and he pouted at her.

She sighed. "I'll cook you something."

Duo broke out into a smile. "Thanks Sere." And he led the way to the kitchen and sat down at the table. Sammy sat down next to him. He was hungry as well.

Serena started to cook lunch for the three of them when the smell of cooking food brought Wufei into the room. "Smells wonderful." He admitted as she sat down at the table as well.

Serena sighed. "I guess I'm making more." But soon the rest of the pilots filed into the room so she was resigned to making lunch for all of them. "I'm not your bloody cook you know." She muttered.

Quatre blushed. "We know. I'm sorry. I'll cook next time." The blond beauty just brushed off the comment. "It's ok Quatre. It's not that big a deal." She set plates in front of all of them and she sat down as well. They all dug into the food with vigor until all their plates were clean.

Trowa stood up and offered to do the plates. Serena was fine with that. She hated cleaning up after herself. The downside of liking to cook.

The pilots and brother and sister all sat back and let their food digest. "So what are we going to do today?" asked Serena.

The guys groaned. "Wasn't the circus enough for you yesterday?" asked Heero, who had been quiet throughout the whole meal.

Serena turned to look at him. "It's the weekend and I intend to spend it doing something fun." She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

Quatre, ever the peacemaker, came up with a solution. "Well, I have season tickets to the local ballet company. Box seats."

The pilots and Sammy all glared at him. Ballet?

But Serena loved the idea. "Really? Oh that would be wonderful!!" she exclaimed.

"I will not go to some stinking ballet." Serena was about to frown at her brother he said, "Me too." She looked around the table and saw that Duo was scowling and nodded in response to Sammy. "Duo! That's no way to talk."

"But I don't wanna!" he whined.

"Fine! Don't go. I'm sure these other fine gentlemen would love taking me to the ballet." And the devious blond fluttered her eyelashes at the other pilots and they melted. Can you say.. whipped?

Quatre stood and walked to the phone, dialing the ballet to see what was playing when. He nodded and then hung up the phone then turned to the rest of the room. "We're in luck…" at that the guys moaned. "'Swan Lake' is being performed tonight at 6 o' clock."

Serena squealed with delight. "Then it's settled. Sammy and Duo with stay here with Rashid and the rest of us will go to the ballet. Maybe have some dinner before?"

Duo sputtered. He didn't want to be left out. "But… but.."

Serena turned to him. "But what Duo?"

"I wanna go…" Duo looked so pathetic that she smiled. "Fine Duo come if you want but I don't want to hear any more whining. Is that clear?"

He nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Ok troops fall out. We need to get ready for our big night out. Might as well do something fun before school tomorrow." And Captain Serena marched out of the kitchen and back to her room to pick out the perfect outfit.

The guys followed her out reluctantly with a sulking Duo and Sammy the last ones in line.

Hours later everyone gathered in front of the door. All the men were wearing tuxes. Their shoes looked shiny and their hair was done as they all waited for the limo to arrive.

Serena was radiant in her pink sleeveless floor length dress with matching ribbon criss crossing her back. She also had the same ribbon in her hair as well as matching elbow length gloves.

Sammy was standing in the middle of the room and stared at his sister. "You look pretty Sere."

She smiled back at him. "Thanks Sam." She blew him a kiss as the limo arrived and they piled in.

They arrived at a popular restaurant named 'Le Petit Jardin" A fancy French place that was a favorite of Quatre's. He knew the owner personally, which got them the best seat in the house by the indoor garden and pond.

Serena was just bubbling with excitement. "This is just the cutest place."

"I'm glad you like it." The whole table turned as a man in a gray business suit walked up to the table with a smile on his face.

Quatre stood up. "Guys, this is the owner of this fine establishment, Mr. Thomas Kingstone." He introduced. They all exchanged hellos. "I'm glad you are enjoying my restaurant."

"Its simply lovely." Stated Serena with stars in her eyes. Mr. Kingstone smiled. "Ah, but the food is even better." A waiter came up behind him. "I'll leave you in this young man's capably hands and I'll talk to you later." He waved goodbye and walked off.

"Hello, my name is Jonathan and I'll be your server this evening. Would you like to start off with an appetizer? Or hear our specials?" he asked with a smile.

They all quickly looked at their menus.

"Yes I'd like an order of breadsticks." Said Duo. The waiter smiled. "The breadsticks and first salad is free." He turned slightly. "As you can see." Another waiter walked up and placed two baskets of breadsticks on the table and then returned with a house salad for everyone with their homemade dressing.

Duo blushed. "Then I'm fine." And he quickly grabbed a breadstick and bit into it.

"Are you ready to order?" asked Jonathan.

"I'll have the steak medium well with the baked potato, no sour cream and broccoli." Said Trowa.

"Very good choice, sir."

"Let me see…. I'll have the spaghetti with the house sauce and meatballs." Said Duo

"I'm going to have the salmon in the garlic sauce with the vegetables." Said Wufei.

"I'll have the chicken marsala." Said Quatre and put down his menu. He really didn't have to look at it. He got the same thing every time. He just loved their chicken marsala.

Heero looked up from his menu. He really didn't like all this fancy food, but he did find something on the menu that was normal. "I'm going to have a burger with just lettuce and tomato and fries." He muttered.

Jonathan silently laughed as he wrote down his order. "And for the lady?" He winked at her, which the pilots did not appreciate.

Serena blushed and looked back at the menu. "I'd like the chicken in marinara sauce on penne pasta please." And she set down her menu.

"Very good and to drink?"

There was an answer of 3 pepsis and 3 waters with lemons.

"Your food will be with you momentarily."

"Look at our Princess out eating. Isn't she cute?" asked blue eyes to her companions.

"I'm hungry." Purple eyes looked up pleadingly.

"Oh, you're always hungry child." Blue answered back.

The three of them were hiding in the bushes right outside the window.

"How undignified is this?" Aqua eyes narrowed as she looked inside.

"Pipe down. I'm trying to concentrate. It takes a lot of skill to lip read." Blue eyes narrowed in concentration.

"Oh brother." Aqua eyes rolled.

"I'm still hungry."

"Oh here." Aqua eyes looked away from the window and stuffed the little mouth beside her with a candy bar. "Now be quiet."

"Mhhbkhhdd"

When the plates arrived Serena's eyes sparkled. "This all looks so good." She rubbed her hands together in merriment. The guys all silently laughed at her enthusiasm for food. She dug in and when the flavor of the food hit her taste buds she was in heaven. Serena closed her eyes and savored every bite. "I think I've died and gone to food heaven." She muttered in reverence. The pilot's all nodded in agreement as they ate their own food.

"It is a pleasure to please someone such as yourself." Brown eyes twinkled as he looked on at the customer who was totally enjoying his food. Serena blushed as she wiped at her mouth demurely.

"This is the head chief and another friend of mine, Philip. Philip, these are my friends." Quatre introduced.

"It is a pleasure." And he winked at Serena, who blushed more. "But I must be going. More masterpieces are just begging to be created my moi. I'm glad you are enjoying the food. Stop back anytime." And Philip sauntered away.

The six of them went back to eating until Trowa looked at his watch. "We better hurry. It's almost 6." Everyone rushed to finish and Quatre paid the bill and the left Le Petit Jardin.

The outside of the theatre was packed as everyone waited to be admitted inside. As the pilots and Serena were waiting they ran into two people that the pilots could have done without.

"Milliardo, what a pleasant surprise." Stated Serena.

"Oh no, the pleasure is all mine." He replied as he took Serena's gloved hand and placed a small kiss upon it. The boys did not like this turn of events.

"HEERO!!" and the like this one even worse. Relena launched herself at Heero and grabbed on for dear life. Heero cringed and tried to pry her off his arm but she was stuck like glue. Serena turned away from the dashing Milliardo to see that nasty girl clinging to her Hee-chan. Her eyes narrowed and started to turned silver as she ignored Milliardo and stalked over to the annoying girl.

"What do you think you are doing?" she questioned as she forced Relena to unhand Heero. Serena pushed herself in between the two and held Heero's hand as the others watched on in half humor half disgust. Why couldn't they be in Heero's shoes? "Heero! Tell that girl to removed herself from your persons." Screeched Relena. Or maybe not. All the guys around sighed.

The line started to move and Serena pulled Heero with her as she followed Quatre who had the tickets. "Come along guys." She said and they others trailed behind her.

"Hope to see you inside lovely." Purred Milliardo. Serena blushed as she looked back at him and waved. Heero scowled and started to pull her along instead.

They got to their seats and arranged themselves accordingly. Trowa was in the isle seat with Quatre beside him then Duo, Heero, Serena, and lastly Wufei. They wanted Serena surrounded just in case Milliardo and his bitchy sister were anywhere near them.

Just when the boys were relaxed in knowing that they had Serena safe they heard Milliardo behind them. "Damn!" said Duo. "Do they have special radar or something? Why can't we get rid of them?" He slumped in his seat and folded his arms.

Milliardo sat behind Serena and Relena was sitting besides her brother and behind Heero. "Fancy that." The older man said as he leaned forward. "Indeed." Serena replied.

Then the ballet began so they all settled in to watch.

"That man is behind our princess." Blue eyes narrowed.

"He seems perfectly nice." Aqua eyes were hidden behind theatre glasses.

"Humph. Well I don't like him." Blue eyes turned away from her companion.

"You don't like anyone."

Blue eyes whipped around to look at the girl beside her. "That's not true.. I like our princess and you and-" her words were drowned out as she continued to name people she liked. "and I also like that Wufei guy. He'd take care of our princess for sure."

"I still like Duo." Both of the girls arguing turned to their ever-present third companion. She frowned. "Well I do. He's so funny."

Blue eyes rolled. "Whatever." And she went back to watching out for her precious princess.

The curtains closed as the ballet ended. "That was wonderful." Sniffed Serena. Wufei pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to her. "Thanks." Serena noisily blew her nose and handed it back to its owner. Wufei held it away from him and sniffed her nose testily before shoving it back in his pocket. "You're welcome."

They filed out of the theatre and stopped in front. "That was a lovely ballet." Said Milliardo as he followed the pilots. Relena stayed back only because Serena was giving her the evil eye and was holding Heero possessively. Relena just glared back and crossed her arms. She really needed to find a way to separate them.

"Such a beautiful evening, much to early to turn in yet. Would you care to joy me for dessert?" Ice blue eyes focused on Serena.

"Well I'd lo-"

"Serena, its already 9:15. I'm sure Sammy would love for you to tuck him in." Serena sighed and nodded. "You're right. I must be getting home. Good night Milliardo."

"Very well then. Come along Relena." And the young man left with his sister trailing behind him.

"Wow Quatre I didn't know you had it in you. Welcome to the dark side." Joked Duo. Quatre blushed. "Well…" Duo patted him on the back. "No worries." He walked over to Serena and draped an arm around her shoulders. "After Sammy is put to bed I promise you a nice bowl of ice cream. No need for anything electric for that."

Serena smiled. "Thanks that's a great idea." The both turned to leave when the bush beside them moved slightly and the both saw a pair of purple eyes that seemed to be smiling at them. But soon as the blinked the eyes were gone.

Duo and Serena looked at each other in shock. Did they just see what they thought they saw? "You saw it too?" asked Serena.

"Yeah man, I've been seeing purple eyes for a while now. I wonder if someone is spying on us." His own violet eyes narrowed. He'd have to talk to the rest of the guys later about this. He firmly grabbed Serena's arm and pushed her away from the bush and they all got into the limo and made their way home.

"Way to go. We could have been caught!" Blue eyes were seeing red at the moment.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to get a closer look and Sere was with Duo. I hope they end up together." Purple eyes looked up pleadingly.

"Don't be so hard on her. She's just a child."

"I am not!" Small hands were firmly planted on think hip as purple eyes glared up at Aqua ones. "Sure honey." And patter her on the head.

"We better get out of here before her 'Royal Timeness' notices we're gone…… again."

The three of them disappeared into the night.

OMG I can't believe I updated!! Its been months sorry to say. But college life has kept me busy and my precious writing has had to take a back seat to the real world. Anyway. Here is my next chapter and I hope you like it. I have plenty of ideas in my head so I plan to update soon. I want to thank all my loyal readers and reviewers for sticking with me. And a special thanks to Serenity Moon2. She got me back in the writing chair so she deserves a round of applause. Thanks for reviewing and you never know… expect the unexpected and all that jazz.

If anyone has any other ideas they'd like to share with me I'm open to suggestions.

More exciting things to come but they are a surprise. Guess if you want but I have a few tricks up my sleeve that no one will ever guess. Hahhahaha….

As for the name of the restaurant I made up the name so if there is a real one out there I mean no offence. I thought it sounded pretty so viola, the name of my restaurant so don't sue me.

Now the moment you've all been waiting for……….

The Review Button.. go ahead you know you want to.

Sylver-Tyger