.Chapter nineteen.

Several minutes later, Zanramon returned to his place next to me on the sofa.

"Sorry about that, just a bit of business that needed to be taken care of," said Zanramon, as he sat down again.

"No problem," I smiled.

"Now, what was it that you wanted to know, my dear?"

"Why you brought be to the Triceraton home world all those cycles ago."

"Oh yes. Well, we took you captive to be our hostage just in case any members of the Federation tried to cause us trouble."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"So, I'm really a prisoner of war."

"In a way yes, but you seem to have free roam of the home world."

I just shrugged.

"Now, forget the past. Let's focus on the here and now," said Zanramon, as he moved closer to me.

"Meaning?" I asked.

"Tell me a bit about yourself."

"Haven't I told you everything there is to know?"

"I don't think so."

For the next two hours or so, Zanramon and I just swapped life stories, but he was starting to make me feel a bit uncomfortable as he inched his way closer to me and tried his best to get me to let him get his arm around me.

"What's the matter, my dear? You seem to be a bit on edge," Zanramon commented.

"I guess I'm just a bit tired, Zanramon," I replied; it wasn't a lie, it was late and I was starting to get tired.

"Oh. Well, I suppose you have spent quite a while with me."

I nodded in agreement.

"Well, good night, my dear," he said, as he looked me in the eye.

"Good night, Zanramon," I smiled, as I stood up. He stood up alongside me. I turned to leave, but I was stopped when Zanramon cleared his throat.

"Yes?" I asked, as I looked at him over my shoulder.

Zanramon walked up to me, as I turned to face him and, before I could object, his lips met mine. I pulled away as quickly as I could.

"Good night," Zanramon smiled contentedly.

"Good night," I replied slightly annoyed that he had done that. I walked out of the room with as much speed as I could without running.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day, I arrived at work at the normal time and Zanramon still had a smug smile on his face.

"Good morning, my dear," he smiled, as he walked up to my desk.

"Good morning, Zanramon," I replied with a small smile.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself last night."

"How could I not?" I was currently thinking of several reasons.

"Excellent." With that he walked off to the throne room.

"At least he's in a better mood this morning," came a familiar voice.

I looked up and saw a group of female Triceratons; they were secretaries for various other high officials on the home world.

"Hi Cal," they chorused.

"Good morning, girls. What can I do for you?" I smiled.

"You can tell us how things went with Zanramon last night," said a light orange female with a red and white dress on.

"Okay."

"Just okay?" asked a reddish-brown female with a black and red dress on.

"Yeah, he was just… getting a bit too close for comfort is all."

Just then I noticed how they were looking at each other and then at me; that usually meant they had heard something and they wanted to tell me.

"What?" I asked with an amused smile.

"What, what?" asked the light orange female.

"Lara…"

"Okay, we over heard a conversation between two guards last night."

"And?"

"And they were talking about your friend Cloak."

"Oh."

"Yeah," smiled the orange female.

"And?"

"And he apparently has his eye on someone," said Lara.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean he's crushing on someone, big time."

"Oh. Well, who is it?"

"We're not sure, but…" Lara was cut short by Cloak walking up to my desk.

"Morning girls," he smiled.

"Morning Cloak," they smiled back.

"Morning Cal."

"Good morning, Cloak," I smiled.

"So, how was last night?" he asked, as he leaned on my desk.

"Had you been here a few seconds ago you would have heard," said Lara, before I could say anything.

He just looked at her.

"So?" he asked looking at me again.

"It was okay," I replied.

"Okay? I thought it would have been terrible."

I just smiled and shook my head.

"So, uh, you… free tonight?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Then how about you come for a walk with me this evening?"

"Sure."

"Uh, Cloak…," said Lara.

"Yes?" asked Cloak.

"We over heard a little rumour about you having a crush on someone."

"And?"

"Who is it?"
"Someone."

"Anyone we know?"

"Perhaps. Now, if you ladies will excuse me…"

"Of course."

"See you later, Cal." Cloak started to walk off in the direction of the pilot's hangar.

"I think we've just found out who Cloak's crush is on," said Lara.

"Who?" I asked.

"You!" exclaimed the girls in unison.

"Look, I know Cloak likes me and he knows that I like him, but he hasn't made a single move."

"Has he tried to kiss you yet?"

"He's… kissed me a couple of times."

"O-o-o."

"But they haven't been passionate, just quick and not extremely special."

"Mmhmm."

"Don't you girls have something else to do besides discuss my non-existent love life?"

"I suppose so. Come on, girls, our jobs need to be done," Lara sighed, as she started to walk away with the others in tow. Just then the intercom rang.

"Yes," I replied.

"Do you mind bringing in my schedule, my dear?" Zanramon asked.

"Coming." I gathered up the schedule and took it through to Zanramon.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later that evening, when I was just about to finish packing up for the day, I received a phone call.

"You've reached the Prime Leader's secretary, how can I help you?" I asked.

"Hi, we would like to make a last minute appointment for this evening," said a voice.

"Okay, who is it for?"

"A Mr. Ram."

"Okay, we've got a spot open now. Do you think you can make it here in a trigon?"

"Yes, we're on our way now."

"Okay, I'll see you then."

"Thanks. Goodbye."

"Goodbye." I put the phone down and continued to pack up.

"Stupid pencil," I grumbled, as my pencil fell off of my desk and disappeared under it. I got out of my chair and went under my desk to find it. While I was under there the appointment arrived.

"Hello," called a voice from above me.

"I'll be there in a minute," I said, as I retrieved my pencil. Just then I heard a bark; I froze, my eyes widened. I shot out from under the desk and smiled at who was in front of me.

"Guys!" I exclaimed.

"Cal!" exclaimed the All-stars, Zap, and Burn. Bruno barked his hello. I ran around the side of my desk and straight into the arms of Monza Ram.

"Guys, I've missed you so much," I said, tears were starting to form in my eyes.

"We've missed you too, Cal," said Monza, as he squeezed me tight and then released me. Just then I was bowled over by Bruno who was now the size of a mastiff.

"Bruno! Oh Bruno," I said, as I hugged his three necks. I received a big, wet lick from each head. Mixx and Xiote helped me up off of the floor and gave me a hug. Next I was crushed between Daz and Burn, and then I faced Zap.

"Wow, you've filled out," I smiled, as I gave him a friendly punch on the arm.

"Thanks. You're looking… much the same," he smiled, as he opened his arms to hug me.

"Good, at least I'm not looking older." I walked up to him and hugged him.

"Since when did you care about age?"

I just smiled as I hugged him tighter.

"Isn't this sweet?" came Cloak's voice from behind us.

"Hi Cloak," smiled Monza.

"What are you guys doing back so soon?"

"Tour was cut short."

"By?"

"By us. We got tired of travelling and decided to come home."

"Right. Ready to go, Cal?"

"Just about," I smiled, as I released Zap.

"You two an item?" asked Burn.

"No, just good friends," Said Cloak.

"Hasn't he made a move yet?" whispered Zap.

"Sorta," I replied.

"What are you two whispering about?" asked Mixx.

"Nothing to concern you, Mixx," replied Zap.

"There's something different about you, kid," commented Cloak.

"Yeah, I also noticed something different, but I wasn't sure what it was," I agreed.

"Well, uh…," started Zap as his face went a bit red.

"He's our newest gladiator," said Monza.

"No kidding?" I asked.

"Yeah. Surprisingly it isn't very stressful," Zap smiled.

"How is that, by the way?"

"What?"

"Your stress related windpipe constrictions."

"Oh, yeah, well, they're getting less and less actually."

"Good."

Cloak whistled and pointed to his timepiece.

"Eager?" asked Monza playfully.

"Sorta," smiled Cloak.

"We'll come by sometime and catch up with you," said Burn.

"Okay. Let me just show them through to Zanramon's throne room, Cloak, and then I'll be with you," I said, as I started to lead the All-stars through to the throne room.

Cloak just nodded and waited with his arms crossed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After admitting the All-stars, Burn and Bruno into the throne room, I walked up to Cloak.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Whenever you are," I smiled.

"Then let's go." Cloak put his arm around me and started to lead me off towards the park.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We walked in silence for a majority of the way there, until Cloak decided to break the silence.

"Cal," he said.

"Yes," I replied.

"You've never told me when your hatching day is."

"Hatching day?"

"Yes." I thought about this for a second and then realised that he meant birthday.

"Oh, right."

"Well?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Why not? We're friends aren't we?"

"Yes, but…"

"But what?"

"I just don't like being made a fuss of."

Cloak just gave me a weird look.

"What?" I asked.

"Who doesn't like being made a fuss of?"

"Me."

"Come on… tell me."

"No."

"Fine, then I'll just have to give you this." Cloak handed me a box.

"What's this?"

"You have to open it to find out."

I gave him a look, but he just smiled at me. I opened the box and found a horn in it and a card. I took out the card and read it quickly. It said:

Dear Cal,

I don't know when your hatching day is, so I'm giving this to you now. Also, I'm hoping this isn't too formal, but I was wondering, would you consider going steady with me?

Love,

Cloak.

I didn't know what to say to the last bit.

"So?" Cloak asked.

"I… I…," I stuttered.

Cloak looked a bit disheartened by my hesitation. I took in a calming breath, closed my eyes and said, "Of course."

"Yo-you mean it?" he asked with a smile starting to spread across his face.

"Yes," I smiled, as I opened my eyes and turned to look at him.

I suddenly found myself in Cloak's arms almost being crushed in a bear hug. I hugged him back as best I could, considering my arms were basically pinned to my sides.

"Thanks," he said, as he loosened his grip on me.

"No problem," I replied.

We let each other go and then Cloak took the box from my hand. He removed the horn from it, revealing that it was actually a pendant on a necklace.

"I hope you don't mind, but I made this for you," he said, as he slipped the cord over my head and around my neck.

"Of course not, just… whose horn is it?" I asked.

"It's mine."

"Yours?"

"Yes, I kept it after it was broken off, during that fight back on Shiniza 8, so that I could, one day, give it to you as a token of my love."
"Oh Cloak."

Cloak just smiled at me.

A short silence ensued as we both took in all that had just happened, but it didn't last long.

"So, uh, now that we're together and the All-stars are back in town…," he started.

"Yes," I asked; I kinda knew what he was going to say.

"Do you still have to work for Zanramon?"

"Cloak."

"I know, I know, but really how are we supposed to be together with him in the way?"

"We'll find a way 'round it."

He just looked at me.

"We will. Don't you worry."

"Do you still have to live near him?"

"Don't get jealous."

"Oh, I'm not getting jealous."

"Good."
"I already am." I just smiled at him and shook my head.

"I'll… I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks. Come on, before we're considered an obstacle." Cloak had seen another couple coming our way. He put his arm around me and started to lead me down the path. The rest of the evening was spent just talking about the stuff we usually talked about, like his work, until it started getting late and I had to convince him that I had to get back home before Zanramon sent someone out to look for me. Cloak reluctantly walked me home.

"Are you sure you actually have to live here?" he asked.

"Cloak, I can hardly live with you," I said.

"Why not?"

"We're together now and it just wouldn't feel right."

"I suppose you're right."

I just nodded.

"I'm sure I've got a friend somewhere who could let you stay with them," he said.

"Cloak! Chill! I told you I'll see what I can do," I said.

"I know, but I really don't like this set up."

"Neither do I after last night."

Cloak stopped.

"What?" I asked, as I stopped alongside him.

"What happened last night?" he asked coldly.

"Zanramon kissed me, is all."

"He what?"

"I guess now was the wrong time to say that."

"No, uh, it's okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, who are you and what have you done with the real Cloak?" I gave Cloak a surprised look.

Cloak just smiled and chortled.

"Hey, it's okay, but if he tries that again…," he said with a warning tone in his voice.

"I won't let him," I smiled.

"Good." Cloak started to walk again and we were soon in front of my door.

"Good night, Cal," Cloak smiled, as we turned to face each other.

"Good night, Cloak," I smiled, as I opened my door.

Cloak cleared his throat.

"Yes?" I asked dumbly; I knew that he was after a good night kiss.

"Yo-ou do know what we do when we say good night, right?" he asked.

"Yes, but still."

"We are together now." Cloak was trying to cut off every argument I could possibly make.

"I know."

"So?"

"Not tonight." I zipped into my room and closed the door, leaving poor Cloak looking quite stunned.

"Oh come on!" he groaned.

I just laughed at his annoyance.

"Come on! Stop teasing!" he said through the door.

"Good night, Cloak," I said through the door.

"Fine. Oh, hey… uh… tomorrow's the weekend."

"And?"

"What are you doing, 'cause I know that you don't work on the weekends."

"I'm not sure. I'll have to see how tomorrow goes."

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night."

I listened for his footsteps, but I didn't hear anything.

"Are you still waiting?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Good night." I walked away from the door and started to get ready to go to bed. I don't know what Cloak did after that, but I do know that he eventually went home after he realised that I wasn't coming back out.