Chapter 22: Sometimes a breadstick is just a breadstick

[scene: the alleyway. Zoi is still trying to get the door open, but his legs are giving out as he's starting to realize he's completely doomed. He feels a figure approaching and mentally prepares himself for the worst.]

Kunzite: Zoisite.

[Zoi turns, afraid to trust his ears. Kunzite is standing behind him, his face a mask of pure fury. But Zoi is so overwrought he runs at him, and grabs hold of his coat.]

Zoi: [bursts into tears] Where have you been! You can't just leave like that and not tell anyone where you are going!

[Kunzite just stands there, completely at a loss. Then he puts his arm behind Zoi's back and pulls him closer, but his face is still grave and his eyes are still blazing silver.]

[Zoi finishes crying then looks up at Kunzite.]

Zoi: Are you ok?

Kunzite: No.

[Zoi just stands there and looks up at him with concern]

Kunzite: Zoisite.

Zoi: Yes?

Kunzite: Are you alright?

Zoi: Yes.

Kunzite: Distract me, please.

Zoi: I'm sorry, what?

Kunzite: Just prattle about something unimportant until I calm down.

Zoi: Um, I need to borrow a truck so I can use it to run down Motoki.

Kunzite: Why?

Zoi: He's telling everyone he's my date for prom, and he's claiming he has to do it because he almost killed me with his van. I figure if I run over him with a truck, it should make everything right again, in one way or another… Better?

Kunzite: Not really.

[Kunzite closes his eyes and just stands there.]

Zoi: What's wrong?

Kunzite: Sometimes I have a problem with my temper. But I've gotten rid of the creatures that wanted to hurt you and that should be enough. At least that what I'm trying to tell myself.

Zoi: Oh.

[Zoi hazards a peek down the alley. Sure enough, there is no sign of the men who were harassing him. Just a scattering of ashes and a smell like burnt porkchops. Kunzite takes hold of his face and makes him look away.]

Kunzite: Your friends must be getting worried. Come on.

Zoi: Where are we going?

Kunzite: I'm taking you to dinner.

[They leave the alley and walk toward the restaurant, but Zoi breaks into a run when he sees Naru and Usagi milling around aimlessly, windowshopping in their skimpy outfits, not paying much attention to their surroundings.]

Zoi: Oh, no. Usagi! Naru! We'd better catch up with them before those homicidal maniacs do.

[The girls turn and come running with pronounced relief on their faces, but it turns to surprise when they see he's with Kunzite.]

Usagi: [looks worried sick] Where have you been?

Zoi: Um…I got lost. And then I ran into Kunzite.

Kunzite: Would it be alright if I joined you?

Usagi: Er…sure.

Naru: Actually, Zoi, we already ate while we were waiting. Sorry.

Zoi: I wasn't gone for very long.

Naru: You have to eat fast whenever Usagi is around.

Zoi: [smiles] That's fine, I'm not hungry.

Kunzite: I think you should eat something. Do you mind if I drive Zoisite home tonight? That way you don't have to wait around while he eats.

Naru: Uh, no problem, I guess… [gives Zoi a questioning look to make sure he's alright with this arrangement.]

[Zoi winks at her]

Usagi: [gets a pervy look on her face as she grabs Naru's arm and pulls her away] Ok, see you tomorrow. Zoi… Kunzite.

[Zoi watches as they go off together to the car. They wave goodbye and Zoi waves back.]

Zoi: [To Kunzite] Honestly. I'm not hungry.

Kunzite: Humor me.

[Kunzite brings Zoi into the restaurant. The hostess is checking out Kunzite.]

Hostess: A table for two?

[She gathers up a couple of menus and leads them to a large booth along the far wall where most of the patrons are dining. Zoi is about to sit but Kunzite shakes his head.]

Kunzite: Perhaps something more private?

Hostess: [surprised] Sure. Leads them to a café table with a white linen tablecloth and a rose in the bud vase.] How's this?

Kunzite: [smiles] Perfect.

Hostess: Um, your server will be right out.

[They sit and Zoi watches her leave]

Zoi: You shouldn't do that to people. It's hardly fair.

Kunzite: What?

Zoi: Dazzle them like that. She's probably hyperventilating in the kitchen.

[Kunzite has no idea what he means]

Zoi: Oh, come on, you have to know the effect you have on people.

Kunzite: I dazzle people?

Zoi: You haven't noticed? Do you think everyone gets their way this easily?

Kunzite: Do I dazzle you?

Zoi: Frequently.

Mimete: [To Kunzite] Hello, my name is Mimete and I'll be your server tonight. What can I get you to drink?

[Kunzite looks at Zoi]

Zoi: I'll have an ice tea?

Kunzite: Two ice teas.

Mimete: I'll be right back with that.

[Kunzite stares at Zoi]

Zoi: what?

Kunzite: How are you feeling?

Zoi: I'm fine.

Kunzite: You don't feel sick, dizzy, cold…?

Zoi: Should I?

Kunzite: [smiles] Actually, I'm waiting for you to go into shock.

Zoi: I don't think that will happen. I've always been good at putting a harness on my terror. Whenever I get really scared I tend to make the adrenaline work to my advantage.

Kunzite: Just the same, I'll feel better when you have some food in you.

[The waitress reappears with the drinks and a basket of breadsticks]

Mimete: [To Kunzite] Are you ready to order?

Kunzite: Zoisite?

[Opens the menu and looks at the daily special]

Zoi: I'll have the Fettuccine Alfredo.

Kunzite: I'll have the wild mushroom ravioli with grilled lobster claw.

Zoi: That does sound good.

Kunzite: Change his order. We'll both have that.

Mimete: It's be right out. [Leaves]

Kunzite: Drink.

[Zoi sips on his ice tea, until it is finished, then Kunzite pushes the second glass toward him.]

Zoi: Thanks. [shivers]

Kunzite: Are you cold?

Zoi: It's just the drink.

Kunzite: Don't you have a jacket?

Zoi: Yes…Oh, I left it in Naru's mother's car.

[Kunzite takes off his coat, leaving him in his partially unbuttoned shirt underneath. Zoi can't help but ogle his chest a bit as Kunzite hands him the coat.]

Zoi: Thanks. [He pulls his arms into the coat, which fits him like a cloak, of course. The coat smells like Kunzite.]

Kunzite: You look good in black. It brings out the radiant color of your hair and eyes.

[Zoi looks down and blushes]

[Kunzite pushes the basket of breadsticks to him]

Zoi: Really. I'm not going into shock.

Kunzite: You should. A normal person would. You don't even look shaken.

Zoi: I feel very safe with you.

Kunzite: [frowns] This is more complicated than I'd planned.

[Zoi picks up a breadstick and nibbles on the end.]

Zoi: Usually you're in a better mood when your eyes are lighter.

Kunite: What?

Zoi: You're always crabbier when your eyes are blue. I have a theory about that.

Kunzite: More theories?

Zoi: Mm-hm. [chews on the breadstick]

Kunzite: I hope you're more creative this time, or are you still stealing from comic books?

Zoi: Well no, I didn't get it from a comic book, but I didn't come up with it on my own either.

Kunzite: And?

Mimete: [places the dishes in front of them] Can I get you anything else?

Kunzite: A coffee. Black. And more ice tea would be nice.

Mimete: Sure. [leaves]

Kunzite: You were saying?

Zoi: I'll tell you in the car. If…

Kunzite: There are conditions?

Zoi: I do have a few questions, of course.

Kunzite: Of course.

[Mimete brings the drinks and leaves again]

Kunzite: [picks up his coffee] Well go ahead.

Zoi: Question one. Why are you in Downtown Hen Tie?

Kunzite: Next.

Zoi: But that's the easiest one.

Kunzite: Next.

[Zoi looks away from Kunzite and eats for a while.]

Zoi: Hypothetically speaking, is mind control possible, and could someone be immune to it?

Kunzite: You're speaking hypothetically?

Zoi: What do you think?

Kunzite: It would be an awfully strange coincidence if you were.

[They sit in silence]

Zoi: You can trust me, you know. [Touches the back of Kunzite's hand with his fingertip, but Kunzite moves his hand away.]

Kunzite: I don't know that I have a choice anymore. I underestimated you. You're far more observant than I could have anticipated.

Zoi: I thought you were always right?

Kunzite: I used to be. I was wrong about you on one other thing as well. I used to think you were a magnet for trouble. Now I see you are a magnet for evil. If there is anything evil in a ten mile radius it will invariably find you.

Zoi: And you put yourself in that category?

Kunzite: Unequivocally.

[Zoi touches the back of Kunzite's hand with his fingertip. Kunzite moves his hand away.]

Zoi: That's twice now.

Kunzite: Let's not try for three, okay?

[Zoi frowns, and looks away, crestfallen. They eat in silence for a while. Then Kunzite shrugs and smiles.]

Kunzite: [Leans forward] I came to Downtown Hen Tie to look for you. I've never wanted to keep anyone alive before. I never thought it would be this much trouble. But it's probably just because it's you.

Zoi: Did you ever think that maybe my number was up the first time, with the van, and you've been interfering with fate?

Kunzite: That wasn't the first time. Your number was up the moment I saw you.

[Zoi goes white in the face]

Kunzite: You remember?

Zoi: Yes.

Kunzite: And yet here you sit.

Zoi: Yes, here I sit. Because of you…because you decided to come looking for me today.

[Kunzite stares at Zoi with no expression on his face. Eventually Zoi looks away and finishes his dinner in silence]

Kunzite: Are you ready to go home?

Zoi: I'm ready to leave.

Mimete: [To Kunzite] How are we doing?

Kunzite: We're ready for the check, thank you.

Mimete: Sure. Here you go.

Kunzite: [Hands her a bill without taking his eyes off Zoi.] No change.

Mimete: You have a nice evening.

[Kunzite walks out, standing very close to Zoi, without looking in her direction.]