Disclaimer: As much as I still love Balem, I haven't come to own him in the past year. Cosplayed as him but I'm having trouble owning him. Bummer. But I do own Amoya and several characters that I made up for this series!

A.N: Thank you for the reviews thus far! Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's day! Thought it would be fitting to upload some chapters for this day.

Yes, you get a 2 for 1 deal today. =D

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3: Battle of Wills

It was late evening, as Amoya peaked around the corner to peer into the empty hallway. Her eyes darted around before she clenched her fist and pumped it.

So close!

Her goal was so close. She crouched down and ran along the wall. Arriving at her intended door she knocked softly a few times.

The rat splice looked up from his desk with a frown. Who would be knocking this late? Rising from his seat, he answered the door. Downright shock colored his face as he saw a familiar figure crouched down in front of his door.

"Y-"

Amoya darted to her feet with surprising swiftness, her hand clamping over his mouth. She shushed him as she pushed him back into his office. Releasing him, she quietly closed the door.

Mr. Night blinked at her who was wearing sweatpants and a shirt. He did not see Amoya looking as casual as she did now very often. By the time he saw her, she was usually dressed fitted for a Queen.

Spinning around, she grabbed his arm. "Mr. Night!"

Confusion was laced in Mr. Night's voice, "Your majesty! What are you doing? Where are Dalila and Naveen?"

Amoya waved away his words. "Forget that. I don't have long before they find me. I need your help!"

He inclined his head, "Majesty."

Mr. Night took a step back at the creepy smile that Amoya suddenly displayed, "Mr. Night. I heard you were making a trip to Earth."

The rat splice turned this phrase over in his head before he slowly nodded, "That is correct."

She moved towards him, eyes wide. He unconsciously jumped back, "I was wondering if you could do me the world's biggest favor?" she asked.

Mr. Night swallowed once. Why was he getting an unsettling feeling? He spoke slowly, "If it's in my power."

Amoya whipped out a note card and offered it to him. The rat splice took it with a blink. It was well known that Amoya liked to sometimes write things on paper with pen. He gazed at her handwriting.

"Pepperoni pizza, cheesy breadsticks, meat lover's pizza, spinach and artichoke pizza..." he read. He stopped and looked up at his Queen. "I'm confused."

"If you have time and it's not so far out the way. I was wondering if you could stop by my old home and get me a pizza."

Mr. Night's watched his Queen's eyes glaze over in memory.

"There used to be a cute little mom and pop's place called Donnerizza. Loved it! The best pizza one could ask for. I know that that's been over a century and a half ago since I left so I'm not sure if they are still there, but if they are, can you pick me up my list? If they aren't there then I'll take Pizza Hut."

Mr. Night blinked rapidly and was silent a long moment. "If I may be so bold, why haven't you told Lord Balem about this?"

Amoya shushed him again with a finger to her lips. Her eyes darted around the room like she expected him to pop out any moment. Only after she felt like she wasn't heard she answered, "When he heard about my pizza craving, he practically banned me from eating it."

"Then I cannot go against his majesty!" Mr. Night cried.

He found himself leaning back as Amoya took him by the shoulders. Tears were building in her eyes as she begged, "Please. I haven't had pizza since I got here. The cheesy gooyness, on breading with tomatoes and toppings."

Amoya clapped her hands together in a prayer gesture and offered it to him, "I beg of you. His highness is killing me slowly. I need pizza. Your next heir needs pizza!"

Here she pointed to her stomach before rubbing it. By now to Mr. Night's horror, tears were falling down her cheeks.

The rat splice practically flailed his arms, "Please, your majesty! Don't cry!"

The Queen clasped her hands together, "I will handle the fallout. I promise you, only I will be in trouble. But I'm begging you. I can't eat this exotic food anymore right now. I don't know why, but I've been craving simple Earthling food not lizard guts and flowers petals!"

Mr. Night heaved a big sigh. "I'm sure the cook can make a pizza for you, your highness."

Amoya recoiled and wrinkled her nose, "Yeaaaaa."

Mr. Night wasn't sure, but it seemed like the blood seemed to drain from her face and she looked a little sick. He reached out to steady her.

"Did he?" he asked cautiously.

"Let's just say, I need someone that understands the nuisances of pizza."

The rat splice didn't ask any further. He slipped the note into his pocket and gave a bow. "I will personally make sure to get this pizza for you."

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Night!" Amoya cried as she hopped a little from foot to foot, "When you get them, don't tell me about it. Just surprise me one dinner. I'll be looking forward to them when you get back."

Mr. Night nodded once. Amoya narrowed her eyes suddenly and looked around the room before slinking to the door and opening it. "Thanks. I gotta go." She whispered before checking the area and just as fast as she came, she disappeared.

Mr. Night sighed. He prayed Balem would not kill him for this. He began mentally preparing his defense.

The first one:

How could he let his Queen continue to cry?

Amoya groaned as she flopped down in her seat at the dining room table. It's been three weeks and no sign of pizza anywhere. But then again, although they've been back from Earth for the last week, during that time she had to play her part as Queen and attend a ball held by a high family.

Amoya didn't bother to remember their names past that night. Balem had to go to assure that deals were honored or something. Usually, all the exotic foods kept her interest at these functions but the assortment did nothing but made her sick. She stuck to a light salad as she had no stomach for anything else. And even the salad tasted bland now.

Balem noticed that his wife seemed to shy away from the buffet this time. A place that he would have to, bodily almost tear her away from. It was times like this that he was thankful that she had relented and allowed a nurse to shadow her along with Dalila and Naveen. He knew that she would watch out for Amoya when he was too busy with business deals. The nurse better, or it would be her job or her life, depending on his feeling at the moment.

Balem was grateful that Amoya was aware enough to know that there was a part they had to play when in the public eye. So he watched her manage to get down an hors d'oeuvre here and there without vomiting it up on the spot.

But now that they were back to their normal routine, Amoya had dropped all pretenses and was positively aching for a good pizza. She went to bed dreaming of dancing pizzas.

How bad was that?

Balem watched as the days went by and eating time seemed to fill Amoya with dread. Like now, she seemed to be deflated and the servants were just now putting food out. He noticed quickly that they hadn't put any food in front of her. Before he could say anything, a servant came out pushing the door with his back. When he turned around, Amoya almost jumped out her seat making Balem almost lose his composure.

"PIZZA!" she cried darting forward in her chair.

Balem looked with wide eyes as they set a whole pizza on the table. He twitched as Amoya dove for a slice. The servants were looking worriedly at him as they tittered around the room. As if on some kind of cue, Mr. Night entered the room and gave a low bow towards Balem. All the while he was wringing his hands.

Amoya didn't realize the tense atmosphere as she happily munched on her slice. Balem eyed her taking in the fact that she positively glowed with happiness.

Finally, Balem's quiet voice, low and tight, broke through the stillness, "Who...is responsible for this?"

Mr. Night stepped forward, "Your majesty..."

"I GAVE SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR HER MEALS!" Balem screamed shooting out of his seat.

Everyone in the room jumped except for one lone body.

"Sit down." Amoya waved a hand at him not missing a beat. She took another bite of pizza, she held expertly with her other hand.

The first primary's eyes flashed as he turned to Amoya, "You. You knew that I didn't want you eating this slop. And you still went behind my back..."

"Would you rather your wife starve?" Amoya asked shooting from her seat, letting the slice slip from her fingers.

"You are far from starving, Amoya", Balem growled.

Everyone in the room tensed and Mr. Night almost quit breathing.

Amoya jabbed a finger at him, "I told you time and time again. I can't help it if my taste is turned off by our usual foods. The doctor even agreed that is what was happening but still you want to keep feeding me stuff I am not interested in."

By now she was gesturing wildly, "I'm sorry that my body is changing to accommodate your child. And I'm sorry if my Earthling genes are rearing its ugly head."

Oh no...

Amoya's voice cracked as tears began to well in her eyes.

She sniffed, "I needed some good Earthling food like my life depended on it. You would not listen. I'm pregnant not some prisoner! I should be able to eat when I like and go where I like. Yet, you guys are treating me like I'm a prisoner!"

With a sob, she plopped down in her chair ungracefully. All the while, the servants looked on uncomfortably while Mr. Night continually winged his hands looking back and forth between the monarchs.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry so moody and emotional. I'm sorry I'm causing everyone so much trouble. I pride myself on being composed and not any trouble but I just...I don't know. I wanted some pizza so bad! If I see another lettuce leaf or guts from somewhere questionable I'll go crazy!" Amoya cried.

Balem managed to unfreeze himself then and walk over to Amoya. Pausing he gave a withering glare to the occupants in the room. "Get. Out."

Everyone scattered like crazy.

Balem looked down at his wife who was sobbing. Truth be told, she had never sobbed quite like this since becoming pregnant. He sunk down on his haunches placing, his hands on her knees.

"Stop crying, Amoya." he whispered.

"I can't." Amoya moaned tears slipping down her face still in rapid succession.

Balem sighed once and tilted her chin. He wiped her face as the tears continued "I will not have you endangering our child because you drowned in tears."

One hand trailed down the rest on her stomach, caressing it slightly. Thankfully, that produced a laugh from Amoya followed by a hiccup.

It took a few moment before Amoya managed to calm down.

"I'm sorry." she said resting her hand over his, "I do not mean to make this more difficult for you."

"I know. Perhaps, we need to approach this from a different perspective."

Amoya cocked her head, "Meaning?"

"I would hope that you still eat the things the doctors recommend to you."

"Of course, but not all the time."

"Most of the time."

Amoya batted her eyelashes, "Some of the time?"

Balem gave a long-suffering sigh as he stood. He looked disdainfully at the pizza. "I suppose the Queen should have some leniency. She is carrying the heir of the Abrasax Corporation, after all."

"I can have my pizza?" Amoya asked hopefully looking up at him with doe eyes.

He sniffed once and ran a hand through her hair before tilting her chin. Leaning down her gave a smirk, "This time."

"Yay!" cried Amoya.

Balem watched as he was a forgotten entirely as Amoya began to stuff herself. "Slow down." he snapped grabbing her wrist.

Amoya smiled up at him and sketched a salute. "Want some?" she asked taking another bite at a slower pace.

"No." Balem turned and walked to his seat before sitting down.

"You sure?" Amoya asked, "Maybe pepperoni isn't your style. We got some other styles."

"Styles?"

"Yeah, meat lovers, deep crust, cheese..."

Balem raised his hand, "Hold on. You have some in this house?"

Amoya stopped and looked at him. She shrugged, "May as well get a stack of them while he was out."

Balem twitched.

"MR. NIGHT!"

TBC...