"Nooooooooooooooooooooo!" Deeanna wailed comically, while the boys stood and stared, with large sweatdrops hanging off of their faces.
"Mall trip!" Sora, Mimi, and Kari chorused together, uttering the words a guy (or former guy...) never wants to hear.
"Will she be ok with them?" Ken asked worriedly.
"She should be." Matt said, though he sounded like he really didn't believe it."I mean, she WAS Davis, right?"
"Did Davis ever stand up to one of them?" Tai asked skeptically.
"Nope." Izzy said."If I recall correctly, he was a sucker for pretty girls."
Ken had been quiet through the other's conversation. He'd been thinking, a slight frown on his face.
"Hey," he said finally, getting their attention."I have a couple of favors to ask..."
"Sure, anything, Ken." Izzy said.
"Ok, it's like this..."
Deeanna collapsed exaustedly onto a bench. Honestly, these girls were tiring her out. They'd dragged her around the entire mall, intent on spending girly time with her. And worst of all, Deeanna realised with growing horror, she was actually starting to like it. At least, she no longer resented being dragged around by the girls. Though, she longed to be back with Ken...
Deeanna absently looked around the section of mall she was sitting in. She caught sight of a store display window, and her breath caught in her throat. She looked quickly at the other girls, but they weren't paying attention, so she slipped away. Standing in front of the window, she gazed at the dresses inside.
What had attracted her was the sparkle of a stunning creation of sapphire blue and silver satin. Upon closer inspection, it was floor length, sleeveless, and extremely low cut. Deeanna imagined herself wearing it, and her eyes bugged out at the thought. She shook herself, surprised at the surge of feminine emotions. She actually wanted to dress shop...
"There you are!" Sora said, walking up behind Deeanna.
"Sora?" Deeanna asked."Could we go in here, please?"
An hour later, the boys were all waiting. Ken was sitting rigidly on a park bench, Tai draped loosely over the back, Matt relaxed beside Ken. Izzy and Joe leaned against a nearby tree, and Cody sat with T.K on the ground beside the bench. All were eating popsicles, as it was a long, hot wait for the mall-crazed girls.
"Where could she be?" Ken muttered.
"Ken, they're...girls." Tai said, rolling his eyes."And with Mimi along...well, we could be sitting here all day."
"Oh ha-ha, very funny!"
The boys all looked up and their jaws dropped. Deeanna was standing in front of them, hands on hips. But she wasn't wearing the outfit she'd put on that morning. No, she was wearing a dress. A dark blue sundress, down to her knees, with tiny gold flowers scattered over it. She was also wearing matching sandels and new hair clips. Ken forcefully pushed his jaw shut.
"Deeanna-" he managed to say."you look-"
"Like a girl!" Tai howled. Deeanna mashed her fist to the top of his head. [A/N: I am SO going to draw a pic of that!]
"I AM a girl!" she snapped, annoyed.
"I just meant-"
*bash*
"You just-"
*BASH*
The other Digidestined watched this for a few moments, as Tai dug himself into deeper and deeper pits. When they had figured that Tai was halfway to Europe, Ken decided to intervene.
"Ok, I think that's enough." he said, gathering Deeanna into his arms."We don't want him to get brain damage, do we?"
Tai was standing, bent over from all of Deeanna's blows. A stiff breeze blew by, and he toppled over. Giggling, he tried to catch the birdies twittering around his head.
"Too late." Deeanna said.
A few minutes later, Tai had regained his senses.
"Where'd you learn to hit like that?" he asked, holding his aching head.
"Oh, uh, let's see...I took some classes and stuff at the community center back in the 'States." Deeanna replied. She danced from one foot to the other while shadow boxing for a minute. Everyone laughed."I had to quit after awhile. You know, because of the virus...but I picked up some neat skills just the same."
"Yeah, I bet." Tai grumbled, rubbing the large bump on his head.
"Don't look at me that way," Deeanna huffed, crossing her arms."you were asking for it."
"How was I asking for it?!"
This started a full fledged bickering match between the two old friends. The others watched, half-amused, half-worried.
"Last time I checked, I did not ask you 'hit me repeatedly, Deeanna'!"
"Dude!" Deeanna yelled."Then why'd you keep bugging me like you did?!"
Tai was about to reply when Deeanna stiffened and went pale.
"I-I think we should stop." she said. A trickle of sweat ran down her face. Ken grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a shake.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I just got a twinge, that's all." Deeanna answered."I'll be ok." she saw Ken's disbelieving look."No, really, I'll be fine."
"If you say so."
As it turned out, all Deeanna felt like doing that afternoon was sitting down and talking. They sat down under a large shadey tree.
"So, tell me...how have you all been?" she asked."What have you all been doing?"
As she listened to each of her friends sharing with her their experiences, their future plans, and small bits of gossip they thought she might like, Deeanna smiled. She had missed them so much. But it made her sad to know she had missed so much.
Tai was studying diplomacy, hoping to promote good relations between the Digital and real worlds, and he was considering getting a haircut (finally). He still played a mean game of soccer.
Matt was still playing with the Teenage Wolves, but he was also considering studying to become an astronaut. That one had surprised Deeanna no end. As well as the fact that Matt didn't use as much hair gel as he used to, and that he HAD cut his hair.
Sora still played tennis, and worked in her mother's flower shop, but she also wanted to be a fashion designer. Quite proudly, Sora admitted that she had designed, and sewed the outfit she was wearing, herself.
Izzy was still burrying himself in anything and everything having to do with computers and computer programing. This did not come as a shock to Deeanna.
Joe was starting his pre-med courses, and was at the top of his classes. This also didn't come as a shock to Deeanna.
Mimi was taking cooking courses. Deeanna blanched, wondering if Mimi was anything like her mother. Mimi also had a new hat. Personally, Deeanna thought it made her look like a cow-girl.
T.K. was on the school basketball team, and was excelling at any sport played in P.E. He was getting top grades in english. He confessed that he wanted to be a writer. Deeanna grinned, and told him she thought he would be a great writer.
Kari was a cheerleader at school. She and T.K dated casually, but were still deciding whether or not they should date more seriously. She had several jobs babysitting young children, and still wanted to become a kidnergarten teacher.
Cody still took kendo lessons, and was one of the best in his age groups. He shared with Deeanna that he wanted to become a lawyer. Deeanna smiled, and said that a lawyer was a good thing...as long as he was on your side. Everyone laughed.
Deeana turned to Ken. He looked down at his hands, suddenly bashful. Deeanna poked him.
"Come on now, tell." she said.
"I-I-I" Ken stuttered."I want to be...a detective."
"Oh?" Deeanna inquired."What spurred that on?"
"It was when Owikawa kidnapped me and all those little kids...I can only imagine what their parents were thinking when the kids went missing. I want to help people like that."
"Awww. That's so sweet, Ken." Deeanna said, leaning her head on his shoulder. Ken blushed, his cheeks becoming bright pink.
"What about you, Deeanna?" Matt asked.
"Yeah, what have you been doing all these years?" Sora asked.
It was Deeanna's turn to be bashful.
"Come on," the others prompted."we told you, so spill."
"Fine." Deeanna sighed."When I first moved to America, I was anti-social and didn't speak to anyone. I started babysitting and teaching young kids to play soccer at the community center to put a few sheckles in my pocket, and to meet new peopele. I found out about the virus, and gave up my plans for the noodle cart. That's about all."
"You...gave up your dream?" Ken asked, shocked.
"Not my dream." Deeanna shook her head."Davis' dream. I'm still clinging to my dream, however slim it is."
"Aww, Deeanna..." Kari said with sympathy.
"What's your dream?" Ken asked warmly, slipping an arm around Deeanna's shoulders. The teen put one finger to her lips.
"My secret...for now." she said."I'll tell you sometime, Ken."
After awhile, the other Digidestined had to go home. That left Ken and Deeanna alone.
They sat facing each other, not speaking, just looking at each other. Deeanna noticed how much Ken had changed since the last time they'd seen each other. His face had thinned out, and his eyes now had a warm glow to them. Ken was looking at her, his eyes misty.
"You're so beautiful, Deeanna." he said softly, reaching out. He caressed her cheek gently. Deeanna's breath caught in her throat. Ken started to lean in close...
A group of younger children raced by, shattering the moment between the two teens. They sprang appart.
*So close...* Deeanna thought, disapointed.
*So close...* Ken sighed inwardly. He stood, and held out a hand to Deeanna.
"Come on, i know a place where we can be alone." he said, helping her up.
Ken led Deeanna to the back of the park, where there were several large lilac bushes. They crawled through the bushes to an enclosed space.
"I found this place when I was a kid."Ken explained."Every year when the lilac's bloomed, I would crawl in here to think, or just sit quietly."
"It's lovely." Deeanna sighed, closing her eyes and inhaling. The scent of lilacs was strong. Some of the tiny purple blossoms fluttered down, catching in Deeanna's hair. Ken reached out once more, this time brushing the blossoms away. He wrapped his arms around Deeanna and sat with her on his lap.
"Now where were we?" he murmered in her ear.
"Having a sudden attack of lustfulness?" Deeanna asked, her voice rising several octaves.
"After 6 years of longing to see you again...hmm, yes." Ken replied. Deeanna slipped off of his lap and sat facing him once more.
"Ken." she said softly, her eyes shining."I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too, Deeanna." Ken replied, edging closer. His eyes were half closed as he leaned forwards. This time, there were no interuptions. His lips met hers in a gentle caress as he wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. One of his hands went to her neck, the other pressed to the small of her back.
Deeanna felt something slip away. Before she had time to register what had happened, Ken had broken away the kiss, and had her hand in his. She felt something slip onto her finger.
"Mall trip!" Sora, Mimi, and Kari chorused together, uttering the words a guy (or former guy...) never wants to hear.
"Will she be ok with them?" Ken asked worriedly.
"She should be." Matt said, though he sounded like he really didn't believe it."I mean, she WAS Davis, right?"
"Did Davis ever stand up to one of them?" Tai asked skeptically.
"Nope." Izzy said."If I recall correctly, he was a sucker for pretty girls."
Ken had been quiet through the other's conversation. He'd been thinking, a slight frown on his face.
"Hey," he said finally, getting their attention."I have a couple of favors to ask..."
"Sure, anything, Ken." Izzy said.
"Ok, it's like this..."
Deeanna collapsed exaustedly onto a bench. Honestly, these girls were tiring her out. They'd dragged her around the entire mall, intent on spending girly time with her. And worst of all, Deeanna realised with growing horror, she was actually starting to like it. At least, she no longer resented being dragged around by the girls. Though, she longed to be back with Ken...
Deeanna absently looked around the section of mall she was sitting in. She caught sight of a store display window, and her breath caught in her throat. She looked quickly at the other girls, but they weren't paying attention, so she slipped away. Standing in front of the window, she gazed at the dresses inside.
What had attracted her was the sparkle of a stunning creation of sapphire blue and silver satin. Upon closer inspection, it was floor length, sleeveless, and extremely low cut. Deeanna imagined herself wearing it, and her eyes bugged out at the thought. She shook herself, surprised at the surge of feminine emotions. She actually wanted to dress shop...
"There you are!" Sora said, walking up behind Deeanna.
"Sora?" Deeanna asked."Could we go in here, please?"
An hour later, the boys were all waiting. Ken was sitting rigidly on a park bench, Tai draped loosely over the back, Matt relaxed beside Ken. Izzy and Joe leaned against a nearby tree, and Cody sat with T.K on the ground beside the bench. All were eating popsicles, as it was a long, hot wait for the mall-crazed girls.
"Where could she be?" Ken muttered.
"Ken, they're...girls." Tai said, rolling his eyes."And with Mimi along...well, we could be sitting here all day."
"Oh ha-ha, very funny!"
The boys all looked up and their jaws dropped. Deeanna was standing in front of them, hands on hips. But she wasn't wearing the outfit she'd put on that morning. No, she was wearing a dress. A dark blue sundress, down to her knees, with tiny gold flowers scattered over it. She was also wearing matching sandels and new hair clips. Ken forcefully pushed his jaw shut.
"Deeanna-" he managed to say."you look-"
"Like a girl!" Tai howled. Deeanna mashed her fist to the top of his head. [A/N: I am SO going to draw a pic of that!]
"I AM a girl!" she snapped, annoyed.
"I just meant-"
*bash*
"You just-"
*BASH*
The other Digidestined watched this for a few moments, as Tai dug himself into deeper and deeper pits. When they had figured that Tai was halfway to Europe, Ken decided to intervene.
"Ok, I think that's enough." he said, gathering Deeanna into his arms."We don't want him to get brain damage, do we?"
Tai was standing, bent over from all of Deeanna's blows. A stiff breeze blew by, and he toppled over. Giggling, he tried to catch the birdies twittering around his head.
"Too late." Deeanna said.
A few minutes later, Tai had regained his senses.
"Where'd you learn to hit like that?" he asked, holding his aching head.
"Oh, uh, let's see...I took some classes and stuff at the community center back in the 'States." Deeanna replied. She danced from one foot to the other while shadow boxing for a minute. Everyone laughed."I had to quit after awhile. You know, because of the virus...but I picked up some neat skills just the same."
"Yeah, I bet." Tai grumbled, rubbing the large bump on his head.
"Don't look at me that way," Deeanna huffed, crossing her arms."you were asking for it."
"How was I asking for it?!"
This started a full fledged bickering match between the two old friends. The others watched, half-amused, half-worried.
"Last time I checked, I did not ask you 'hit me repeatedly, Deeanna'!"
"Dude!" Deeanna yelled."Then why'd you keep bugging me like you did?!"
Tai was about to reply when Deeanna stiffened and went pale.
"I-I think we should stop." she said. A trickle of sweat ran down her face. Ken grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a shake.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I just got a twinge, that's all." Deeanna answered."I'll be ok." she saw Ken's disbelieving look."No, really, I'll be fine."
"If you say so."
As it turned out, all Deeanna felt like doing that afternoon was sitting down and talking. They sat down under a large shadey tree.
"So, tell me...how have you all been?" she asked."What have you all been doing?"
As she listened to each of her friends sharing with her their experiences, their future plans, and small bits of gossip they thought she might like, Deeanna smiled. She had missed them so much. But it made her sad to know she had missed so much.
Tai was studying diplomacy, hoping to promote good relations between the Digital and real worlds, and he was considering getting a haircut (finally). He still played a mean game of soccer.
Matt was still playing with the Teenage Wolves, but he was also considering studying to become an astronaut. That one had surprised Deeanna no end. As well as the fact that Matt didn't use as much hair gel as he used to, and that he HAD cut his hair.
Sora still played tennis, and worked in her mother's flower shop, but she also wanted to be a fashion designer. Quite proudly, Sora admitted that she had designed, and sewed the outfit she was wearing, herself.
Izzy was still burrying himself in anything and everything having to do with computers and computer programing. This did not come as a shock to Deeanna.
Joe was starting his pre-med courses, and was at the top of his classes. This also didn't come as a shock to Deeanna.
Mimi was taking cooking courses. Deeanna blanched, wondering if Mimi was anything like her mother. Mimi also had a new hat. Personally, Deeanna thought it made her look like a cow-girl.
T.K. was on the school basketball team, and was excelling at any sport played in P.E. He was getting top grades in english. He confessed that he wanted to be a writer. Deeanna grinned, and told him she thought he would be a great writer.
Kari was a cheerleader at school. She and T.K dated casually, but were still deciding whether or not they should date more seriously. She had several jobs babysitting young children, and still wanted to become a kidnergarten teacher.
Cody still took kendo lessons, and was one of the best in his age groups. He shared with Deeanna that he wanted to become a lawyer. Deeanna smiled, and said that a lawyer was a good thing...as long as he was on your side. Everyone laughed.
Deeana turned to Ken. He looked down at his hands, suddenly bashful. Deeanna poked him.
"Come on now, tell." she said.
"I-I-I" Ken stuttered."I want to be...a detective."
"Oh?" Deeanna inquired."What spurred that on?"
"It was when Owikawa kidnapped me and all those little kids...I can only imagine what their parents were thinking when the kids went missing. I want to help people like that."
"Awww. That's so sweet, Ken." Deeanna said, leaning her head on his shoulder. Ken blushed, his cheeks becoming bright pink.
"What about you, Deeanna?" Matt asked.
"Yeah, what have you been doing all these years?" Sora asked.
It was Deeanna's turn to be bashful.
"Come on," the others prompted."we told you, so spill."
"Fine." Deeanna sighed."When I first moved to America, I was anti-social and didn't speak to anyone. I started babysitting and teaching young kids to play soccer at the community center to put a few sheckles in my pocket, and to meet new peopele. I found out about the virus, and gave up my plans for the noodle cart. That's about all."
"You...gave up your dream?" Ken asked, shocked.
"Not my dream." Deeanna shook her head."Davis' dream. I'm still clinging to my dream, however slim it is."
"Aww, Deeanna..." Kari said with sympathy.
"What's your dream?" Ken asked warmly, slipping an arm around Deeanna's shoulders. The teen put one finger to her lips.
"My secret...for now." she said."I'll tell you sometime, Ken."
After awhile, the other Digidestined had to go home. That left Ken and Deeanna alone.
They sat facing each other, not speaking, just looking at each other. Deeanna noticed how much Ken had changed since the last time they'd seen each other. His face had thinned out, and his eyes now had a warm glow to them. Ken was looking at her, his eyes misty.
"You're so beautiful, Deeanna." he said softly, reaching out. He caressed her cheek gently. Deeanna's breath caught in her throat. Ken started to lean in close...
A group of younger children raced by, shattering the moment between the two teens. They sprang appart.
*So close...* Deeanna thought, disapointed.
*So close...* Ken sighed inwardly. He stood, and held out a hand to Deeanna.
"Come on, i know a place where we can be alone." he said, helping her up.
Ken led Deeanna to the back of the park, where there were several large lilac bushes. They crawled through the bushes to an enclosed space.
"I found this place when I was a kid."Ken explained."Every year when the lilac's bloomed, I would crawl in here to think, or just sit quietly."
"It's lovely." Deeanna sighed, closing her eyes and inhaling. The scent of lilacs was strong. Some of the tiny purple blossoms fluttered down, catching in Deeanna's hair. Ken reached out once more, this time brushing the blossoms away. He wrapped his arms around Deeanna and sat with her on his lap.
"Now where were we?" he murmered in her ear.
"Having a sudden attack of lustfulness?" Deeanna asked, her voice rising several octaves.
"After 6 years of longing to see you again...hmm, yes." Ken replied. Deeanna slipped off of his lap and sat facing him once more.
"Ken." she said softly, her eyes shining."I missed you so much."
"I missed you, too, Deeanna." Ken replied, edging closer. His eyes were half closed as he leaned forwards. This time, there were no interuptions. His lips met hers in a gentle caress as he wrapped his arms around her, and held her close. One of his hands went to her neck, the other pressed to the small of her back.
Deeanna felt something slip away. Before she had time to register what had happened, Ken had broken away the kiss, and had her hand in his. She felt something slip onto her finger.