.Chapter seventeen.

It's been an orbital cycle since I started working for Zanramon. It's not that bad actually, but I don't see Cloak very often. When he's free, I'm usually working with Zanramon and when I'm free he's usually busy with his job. I do get a strange feeling that Zanramon purposefully makes sure I'm in the throne room with him when Cloak's off duty so that I can't see him, but it's just a feeling. I'm kinda enjoying staying with Zanramon in his palace, but it's not at homey as Cloak's apartment; my room's just a few doors down from Zanramon's. My Triceratonese is getting better; Zanramon's teaching me, he's actually a very good and patient teacher.

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Currently I'm waiting for Zanramon's next appointment to arrive, the head prison warden.

"Darn pencil," I said, as I dropped my pencil for at least the twentieth time today. It had rolled under the desk so I had to go under the desk after it. While I was trying to find my pencil the appointment arrived.

"Hello," he said.

"Hold on a sec, I'll be up there in a jiffy," I said, as I pulled myself out from under the desk, pencil in hand.

"Zimmer!" I said in surprise.

"Cal," smiled Zimmer.

"What are you doing here? I was expecting…"

"The head prison warden?"

"Yes."

"You're looking at him."

"No joke?"

"Nope. Got promoted a few cycles ago."

"Excellent. How have you been?"

"Fine. You?" Zimmer leaned his elbows onto my desk.
"Just fine thanks."

"You're moving up in the world."

"Come again."

"This job. From inmate, to maid, to secretary for Prime Leader Zanramon."

"Well…"

"You're even more beautiful than when I last saw you."

"Zimmer."

"Yes."

"Stop it."
"You've never said that to me." He looked a bit taken aback by that.

"There's a first time for everything."

"I suppose. So, you seeing someone then?"
"No."

"So you're available."

"I'm warning you now, Zimmer."

"Sorry. So, you seen your prison buddy Cloak again?"

"Yes, I saw him about a cycle ago."

"Wow, long time; I thought you liked him."

"I do." I was hoping that that would get Zimmer to drop all ideas about trying his luck with me.

"Well, well, haven't we become very forward."

"I've been working with a couple of people who help build your self esteem, Zimmer."

"So I see."

Just then the intercom rang.

"Yes sir," I said, as I pressed the button to talk.

"Is my next appointment here yet, my dear?" asked Zanramon.

"Yes sir; I'll send in him immediately."

"Thanks."

I switched off the intercom and then noticed that Zimmer had a sly/amused look on his face.

"What?" I asked.

"My dear?" he asked with a grin.

"It's just a name he uses for me." I got up from the desk and started to lead him to the throne room doors.

"Still, it's a term of endearment."

I just shook my head.

"Cloak better watch it; he may end up loosing you to Zanramon," smiled Zimmer.

"Just go through to your meeting," I said, as I opened the doors and gestured for him to enter.

Zimmer just chuckled as he walked into the throne room.

I closed the doors behind him and returned to my desk.

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I had just sat down at my desk when I felt something grab my leg from under the desk. I shot out from my desk with a small squeak. Then I heard someone going into hysterics. I looked under the desk and saw a familiar face.

"Cloak!" I reprimanded.

"Sorry, but that was too good of an opportunity to pass up," he chuckled, as he unfolded himself from under the desk.

"How in the world did you get in there and without me seeing you?"

"I arrived a minute after Zimmer did and just stayed hidden around the corner. Once I heard you showing him through to the throne room, I crept through to your desk and hid under it."

"How did you fit in there?"

"With difficulty."
I just shook my head.

"So, you like me then," smiled Cloak.

I was kicking myself for saying that now.

"So?" asked Cloak.

"What if I do?" I asked.

"The feeling's mutual then."

"I know."

"Girl-who-usually-say-'say what' say what?"

"You've been watching way to much earth TV."

"I can't help that, so?"

"Remember when we were coming back from Shiniza 8, I fell asleep?"

"Ye-es."

"Well, I woke up while you and Zog were having your discussion on your feelings for me."
"You little actress! I thought you had only woken up when Zog noticed that your eyes were open."

"Thanks for the compliment." I started to move my chair back to it's usual spot.

"So, uh, now that we know how the other feels…," started Cloak.

"Yes?" I asked.

"You mind playin' a little hooky?"

"Come again."

"You heard me; skip work for a bit."
"Cloak."
"Don't 'Cloak' me, sweetheart. You and I haven't seen each other for an entire cycle."

I just looked at him.

"So?" he asked hopefully.
"Let me get in this last appointment and then I'll go with you," I replied with a smile.

"Excellent! Mind if I just hang around here until then?"

"No."

"Good." I sat down at my desk again and started to fill out a few forms.

"Chances of you spending the weekend at my place?" asked Cloak, as he placed his hand onto my shoulder.

"Slim," I replied, as I put my hand onto his.

"I'm sure I could twist Zanramon's tail to get him to say yes."
"Knowing you and your feelings towards Zanramon I'm guessing that you would literally twist his tail."

"Yeah, but I don't mind doing it the metaphoric way for you."
I just smiled at him.

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After admitting the last appointment in, I wrote a note to Zanramon and left it on my desk telling him that I would be back by about eight or so that evening.

"Ready?" asked Cloak, impatiently.

"Yeah, yeah, keep your shirt on; I'm coming," I replied, as I put my note somewhere obvious for Zanramon.

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After leaving my desk, Cloak took me through to a small park that he knew of on the other side of the home world.

"Hardly anyone comes here anymore," he said, as we walked through the gates into the park.

"Why?" I asked.

"Too quiet for their liking."
"Right."

"A few couples still come here, but that's usually only at night."

I just smiled at him.

"So, uh, how has work been treating you?" asked Cloak, as he put his arm around my shoulders.

"It's okay," I replied.

"And Zanramon?"

"He's okay."

"Has he been yelling at you a lot?"

"No, he's actually very sweet once you get to know him, Cloak."

Cloak scoffed.

"I'll believe that when he ends this senseless war," said Cloak.

"You're starting to sound like a certain Triceraton from that TV series I used to watch on earth," I smiled, remembering Traximus.

"Oh yeah, who?"

"His name was Traximus."
Cloak suddenly stopped.

"What?" I asked.

"You don't mean the gladiator Traximus."

"You mean he's…"

"He's as real as you and me, sweetheart."

"No joking?"

"No joking. He's an old friend of mine; I'll take you 'round to see him after we've walked through the park."
"Great, it'll be nice to see what he's really like in comparison with his cartoon counterpart."

Cloak just smiled at me and started to walk again.

"So how's work treating you?" I asked.

"It's okay, I guess," replied Cloak.

"Just okay?"

"Well that's what your job's like, isn't it?"

"Touché."

"Beg pardon."

"Touché is a French word meaning… uh..."

"Yes?"
"I don't exactly know what it means, but it's a French word that we use in our English vocabulary."

"Right."
"What exactly does your work entail?"

"What is this? Twenty questions?"

"No. It's just me being my nosy self. So?"

"(Sighs) Basically it just entails me having to stand watch, practise my aerial and ground manoeuvres, and be bossed about by my superior officers."

"Any paper work?"

"Only when our commanding officer has too much to cope with, which is often."

I just smiled and laughed silently.

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We spent another helate or so walking through the park and then headed towards the Tri-sports arena. It was kinda nice being back in familiar territory.

"The All-stars still on their tour?" I asked, as we passed by the training room.

"I think so. They won't be back for about two more cycles," replied Cloak.

"Right." I started to remember all the good times I had had with the All-stars, Zap, Burn, and Bruno.
"Do you miss working with them?" asked Cloak.

"A bit. They were kinda like my adopted family," I replied.

Cloak just smiled at me and put his arm around my shoulders in a comforting fashion.

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Eventually we made it to the gladiators quarters. There were two guards standing outside of the doors.

"Cloak, nice to see you. Who's you friend?" asked one of the guards.
"Hi Zig, hi Zag," smiled Cloak.

The other guard nodded a hello to Cloak.

"Question; answer please," said Zig.

"Right, sorry. Zig, Zag, this is my young friend Cal; she's that off-worlder that Zanramon abducted about half a year ago," said Cloak.

"This the little one you've been talking to us about?" asked Zag.

"What if she is?" asked Cloak.

The two looked at each other and then at Cloak.

"Don't start," said Cloak.

"Okay, okay. What are you doing here anyway?" asked Zig.

"I've brought my friend here to see Traximus; if that's okay with you guys."
"Course it is. Just watch out in there, hey. Some of the gladiators have been a bit edgy of late."

Cloak nodded as Zag opened the door for us. We walked in and were met by Gruell.

"What brings you here, Cloak?" asked Gruell.

"I've brought my young friend to see Traximus. Is he in?" asked Cloak.

"He's gone for his medical, but he'll be back within the next few trigons."

"Can we wait here for him?"
"Yes, you can, but I don't recommend it."

"We'll be fine."

"Suit yourself." With that Gruell walked away to see to some guards who were standing a few meters away from us.

"Come on," said Cloak, as he led me over to a darkened corner of the room.

"We can wait here for Traximus," said Cloak, as he sat down on a small bench and patted a spot next to him to indicate where I was supposed to sit. I sat down and we waited for Traximus to return from his medical.