.Chapter eighteen.

We didn't have to wait too long for Traximus to come in. He looked a little worse for wear, but otherwise he looked like typical old Trax.

"Traximus," said Cloak, as he stood up from his position next to me and started to walk towards Traximus.

"Cloak, what are you doing here?" asked Traximus, as he smiled and walked up to Cloak.

"I've brought a friend of mine here to see you." Cloak signalled to me to come to his side.

"Traximus, this is my friend Cal," said Cloak, as he put an arm around my shoulders and held me close to him.

"Pleased to meet you, little one. I'm Traximus," smiled Traximus, as he held out a hand for me to shake.

"She knows who you are, Traximus."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, but it's a pleasure to meet you, Traximus," I smiled, as I shook his hand.

"The pleasure's all mine, my dear," smiled Traximus.

There was a slight pause in the conversation as the three of us looked for something to talk about.

"So, Cloak, is she the one you've been telling me about?" asked Traximus.

"Yes, she is," replied Cloak, as he squeezed my shoulders slightly.

"I heard you were working for Zanramon, Cal; how is that going?"

"Okay," I replied.

Traximus just nodded and gave me a disbelieving looking.

"She's doing fine there, Traximus," said Cloak.

"Right. I suggest you keep a close eye on her, Cloak," said Traximus.

"Why?"

"There's a small rumour going around concerning Zanramon's feelings for his newest secretary."

"Really? I haven't heard that one yet."

"I heard it from the guards the other day."

"You Triceratons really seem to enjoy gossiping," I said.

"Well, when you hear things you do tend to pass them on," said Traximus with a slight smile.

"Thanks for the info, Trax; I'll keep my eyes open," smiled Cloak.

Traximus nodded.

Just then we heard a whip crack.

"Listen up, Meat," started Gruell.

"You better get going," said Cloak.

"Yes. I'll see you around, Cloak," said Traximus, as he turned to leave us.

"Right. Come on, Cal, let's get going." Cloak started to lead me out of the gladiators' room.

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The rest of the day was really just spent walking around the home world, but eventually we started to head back to my desk.

"I enjoyed our day out, Cloak," I said, as we neared the sector where Zanramon's throne room was located.

"I enjoyed it too, Cal; I just wish we could spend a bit more time together," said Cloak.

"We'll just have to make a plan."

"I suppose so." Cloak smiled at me.

We walked up to my desk and I saw a note on it. I picked it up and read it quickly; it was from Zanramon.

"What's that?" asked Cloak.

"It's just a note from Zanramon," I replied.

"What does it say?"

"It says, 'no more disappearing without my permission. Understood?'"

"Now what would happen if you said no?"

"I would be in serious trouble."

"I suppose so."

There was a momentary silence.

"So-o, I'll see you 'round, right?" asked Cloak.

"Yeah," I replied. Cloak seemed to be a bit agitated by something.

"Something wrong, Cloak?" I asked.

"No. Good night," said Cloak.

"Good night."

He lingered for a bit and then turned to leave.

"Cloak," I said quickly.

"Yeah?" he asked, as he looked at me over his shoulder.

"Come here a second please."

Cloak smiled, I guess he guessed what I was going to do next.

"Yes?" he smiled.

"Good night," I said, as I gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"Good night." What Cloak did next took me by complete surprise; he kissed me on my lips. It was just a quick kiss, but still.

"Cloak," I said somewhat surprised.

"We-ll, we have to move it on from just kissing each other on the cheek sooner or later," he smiled smugly.

"Good night." I smiled at him and walked off towards my room that was just a few minutes away.

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The next day, after getting to work a bit earlier than usual, I was met by a very grumpy Zanramon.

"Good morning, sir," I smiled.

He just growled and walked into his throne room, slamming the door behind him.

I just looked a bit stunned at his actions.

"If you want to know why he's in such a bad mood, look in a mirror," came a deep voice from behind me.

I turned around to see who it was. It was Commander Mozar.

"Good morning, Commander Mozar, how can I help you?" I asked.

"You can help me by getting him into a good mood," replied Mozar.

"And how am I supposed to do that? You know how difficult he is when he's in a bad mood."

"And you're the reason he's in a bad mood."

"Why?"

"Your going out with Cloak last night."

"But Cloak and I are friends."

"That kiss he gave you last night didn't say 'friends'." My eyes widened.

"How did you know about that?"

"I have my sources."

"Right."

"Zanramon does have feelings for you, you know."

"Now I do. Traximus also said something about that."

"Traximus?"

"Yes, Cloak and I went to see him yesterday."

"I should have known those two were friends."

"Hey, the one's a rebel and the other's a rebel gone pilot."

"Perhaps, but Cloak still retains the ability to go rebel on us again."

"Every Triceraton has that ability, Mozar."

Mozar just nodded.

"So, what do you suggest I do to get Zanramon out of this bad mood?" I asked.

"Perhaps you could spend this evening with him," said Mozar.

"That's gonna be a very awkward thing to ask."

"So?"

I thought about this for a bit.

"Fine. For everyone else's sake," I said in surrender.

"Good," smiled Mozar, as he started to walk away from my desk and towards his first appointment of the day.

Once he was out of sight I started to get Zanramon's schedule together.

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I had just put the last of the appointments onto Zanramon's schedule when the intercom rang.

"Yes sir," I said sweetly.

"Do you have my schedule?" asked Zanramon in a grumpy tone.

"Yes sir."

"Then bring it in."

"Yes sir." I got up from my desk, picked up the schedule and walked towards the throne room. I breathed a calming breath before I entered, because I know what Zanramon can be like when he's in a bad mood, and walked into the throne room.

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As I neared Zanramon I could see that he was in a very bad mood.

"Good morning, sir," I said, trying to open up a conversation.

"Hello," he said plainly.

"Did you sleep well last night?"

"No."

"Then that explains part of your mood this morning."

Zanramon gave me a look.

"You've got some nerve saying that, Cal," said Zanramon.

I just smiled at him; he reluctantly smiled back.

"So, you doing anything tonight?" I asked, as I handed him his schedule.

"No, why?" he asked, as he looked through his schedule.

"Just thought that if you weren't doing anything…"

"Yes." Zanramon's eyes lightened up as he looked at me from the corner of his right eye. I was struggling to say it; I didn't want him to misinterpret this.

"That we could… spend the evening together."

Zanramon put his schedule down onto his lap and smiled at me, obviously pleased by what he had just heard.

"Of course. Anywhere in particular that you had thought of for our evening together?" he asked, as he picked his schedule up again.

"No," I replied simply.

"Then I'll take care of that."

"Yes sir."

"And Cal…"

"Yes sir."

"Don't be so formal; just call me 'Zanramon'."

"Very well, s…" Zanramon gave me a look that cut me short.

"Zanramon," I finished.

Zanramon smiled and returned his attention to his schedule.

"Your handwriting is becoming more legible," he commented.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"You're dismissed."

I nodded, turned on my heels, and walked out of the throne room.

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The rest of the day went by without much interference, except for Cloak showing up three helates before I was due to leave work.

"Hi," he smiled, as he walked up to my desk with a duffel-like bag slung over his shoulder.

"Hi," I smiled at him.

"How you doing?" He slid his bag off of his shoulder and dropped it in front of my desk.

"Fine, and you?"

"Fine… now anyway." He put his hands on my desk

I just gave him a look.

"Hey, I'm the only pilot who's gir…," started Cloak, but he stopped mid-sentence.

"Who's what?" I asked.

"Never mind. I'm the only one who doesn't get a visitor."

"You poor thing." I gave him a sarcastic look.

"You could stop by on your lunch break."

"Cloak, you know full well that spend those with Zanramon."

"I know, I know; it's just that… (sighs exasperatedly) I do enjoy your company."

"And I enjoy yours."

"Thanks."

Cloak thought for a moment.

"Something wrong?" I asked, as I started to wonder why he was looking so thoughtful.

"You busy this evening?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes."

"What?"

"I said yes; I'm busy tonight, Cloak."

"With what? Zanramon isn't making you take your work home with you is he?"

"No, just… I'm kinda spending this evening with Zanramon."

"Business or…"

"Not strictly business, no."

Cloak's mouth dropped open and his shoulder's sagged.

"You okay?" I asked.

"W-w-what are you doing going out with Zanramon?" he squeaked.

"Calm down. It's just to get him into a better mood."
Cloak gave me an odd look.

"He came into work in a bad mood and Mozar suggested that I ask him if I could spend the evening with him," I explained.

"Look, I don't trust Zanramon alone with you," said Cloak, as he leaned closer to me.

I just smiled at him and put my hand onto his cheek. He put his hand onto mine.

"It's just for tonight. I'll be available from tomorrow evening," I said reassuringly.

"Okay," said Cloak, admitting defeat.

"Okay." I removed my hand from his cheek and he, somewhat reluctantly, released my hand.

"I'll see you 'round then."

"You bet."

"Right. Good night then."

"Good night."

I went back to my paper work, but I was interrupted by Cloak clearing his throat.
"Yes?" I asked, as I looked up at him.

"Come on," he said, as he walked around to my side of my desk.

"You're joking."

"Since when do I joke about this?" Cloak grabbed my wrist and gently pulled me out of my chair and into his arms.

"Good night." I gave him a gentle kiss on his cheek.

"Good night." Cloak moved his lips closer to mine, but just before his lips made contact with mine I turned my head away from him and he kissed my cheek instead.

"Hey!" he protested, as soon as he realised what I had done.

"Cloak, we're not together," I said.

"So?"

I just gave him a look.

"Fine," he grumbled.

"Thanks," I smiled.

Cloak released me and just before I could move or react he planted a quick kiss on my lips.

"Cloak!" I reprimanded, as he zipped 'round to the front of my desk, grabbed his bag, and then took off running in the direction of his apartment, laughing.

"What is it about that overgrown trike that I like?" I asked myself with a smile, as I sat down to my paper work.

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Three helates later, Zanramon comes out of his throne room and meets up with me at my desk.

"Ready to go, my dear?" he asked.

"Sure," I smiled, as I stood up and pushed my chair back under my desk.

Zanramon offered me his arm and I interlocked mine with his a bit hesitantly.

"Relax, my dear; you know I don't bite… often," he smiled, as he started to lead me away from my desk.

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Within a few minutes, I found myself in a sector of Zanramon's palace that I haven't been in before; I started to fidget a bit.

"Are you okay, my dear?" Zanramon asked, as he noticed my fidgeting.

"Yeah, just… I've never been in this side of the palace before," I replied. Zanramon smiled and released my arm from his. He then put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"You're quite safe, my dear," he smiled, as we came up to a large door. He put his hand next to a sensor and the door opened. Inside was something that resembled a small sitting room; it's colour scheme was mostly black and red.

"Have a seat, my dear," said Zanramon, as he released his grip on my waist and walked off to a small table on the far side. I sat down on a sofa-like seat and looked around the room while I waited for Zanramon to join me.

"Relax, my dear; you're safe," said Zanramon, as he walked up to the sofa and sat next to me. I relaxed a bit, but I still didn't feel completely safe.

"Now, just so you know, I do know that you're only here so that I would be in a good mood today," said Zanramon with a smile. I just smiled at him uneasily.

"I don't mind though," he continued.

"You don't?" I asked.

"No. So, is there anything you would like to talk to me about?"

"As a matter of fact, yes."

"Oh, what?"

"Why did you bring me to the Triceraton home world all those cycles ago?"

"Ah, I thought you would ask me that eventually."

"And?"

Before Zanramon could answer there was a knock at the door.

"I'll be right back," he said, as he got up and walked over to the door. I could just hear Commander Mozar's voice when Zanramon answered the door; this was possibly going to take a while.