She finally succumbed.

I tuck the card into my purse and hurry out the door. Rae once again offers his arms to us and we accept.

"What degree are you pursuing, Candace?"

"Education. I want to teach junior high."

"Daring of you."

Candace giggles. Good grief. "Yes, I know. Kids need a firm hand at that age and you can't expect parents to do the job."

"Teachers shouldn't be expected to either." I point out. While I applaud her career goals, I'm also afraid she's going to be removed within three years for her views.

"My students will leave my class grateful a teacher actually took the time to care." Candace nods sagely.

"Good for you." We reach my car and I try not to sigh in relief. I am so ready for tonight to be over. Fishing my keys out, I disengage myself from Rae and unlock the doors. Rae reaches over and opens mine for me. I blink at him while Candace giggles and lets herself in.

"I'm very glad to meet you, Tuxedo Mask. May I have your number?"

"I'll call you." I say and step into the car. Candace leans over me, waving a piece of paper. Before I can grab it, Rae does. He reads it, nods and tucks it into his coat pocket. I glare at Candace. She glares back. Biting my tongue, I turn and smile at Rae. "Thank you. You made a boring night much more enjoyable."

"The pleasure is mine. I shall see you soon."

"Hope to, you mean." Rae just smiles. A knowing, promising smile. My heart starts thumping again.

"I will see you. Soon. Pleasant dreams, Cherie." He closes the car door, pats it and walks away. I gape after him. Candace waves her hand in my face and I jump.

"Now aren't you glad you came?" She asks, smug as a cat. I put the key in the ignition and start the car, determined not to give her any satisfaction. Childish? Yeah, probably. I despise it when people gloat. She knows this, the brat. I back out and drive to our dorm. Tomorrow is another day. With luck, he won't remember to call. Or hunt me down. I do NOT want a relationship.

Or am I just kidding myself?

“It is sappy at times, but the Japanese understand romance.” No. He appreciates romance too? I think I’m in trouble. We pass Candy and her partner. She gives me a thumbs-up. I bare my teeth at her. Rae notices and chuckles. “I take it Lady Une approves?”

“I am never going to hear the end of this.” I look into Rae’s eyes. They’re dark brown. Very dark. Yep. I’m in trouble. He breaks the contact to dip his head.

“I hope I don’t hear the end of you either.” He whispers in my ear. I flinch and pull away a little. He straightens, looking at me worriedly. “Did I just cross a line?”

“Yes. My ears are very sensitive.” I explain. Wait. Did I just…

“Oh really? I am sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Unless I ask.” What?? Rae grins, devilishly.

“Unless you ask.” He agrees. I manage a smile without a blush. Yay for small victories. The song ends and he escorts me back to the table. I pick up the three dollars and put them in my purse. Accept it, Cherie. You are in serious, serious trouble. Rae holds out my chair for me. I sit, reach for my soda and take a long drink. By the time the glass is back on the table, Candace is standing behind me, both hands on my shoulders. Grrrrr.

“Sher?”

“Une, this is D. D, this is Une.”

“Candace, actually.” She lets go long enough to shake his hand. Wait. Shake? He kissed mine. I start swearing silently.

“Rae. It’s a pleasure, Candace. Please, join us.”

“Actually, we need to be going.” I stand quickly, forcing Candace to let go. Sometimes it helps being the taller. “I have an early class. Ready, Candace?” I step aside, keeping my eye on her hands.

“I would be happy to escort you home.” Rae offers.

“We drove ourselves.” I say before Candace opens her mouth.

“Then I shall walk you to your car.” Rae says firmly. PINCH! I manage not to flinch as Candace gets a solid grip on my side.

“Thank you, Rae. It’s very kind of you.”

Geez, heart, chill already.

"Have you ever considered a career in modeling?" Rae asks. I snort.

"No thanks. I'm not the proper dimensions for modeling, nor am I interested in freezing my bum off because the new summer line has to be photographed in February in Milan. I like plants." Rae cocks his head, studying me. I study him back, a faint smile playing on my lips. "What are you looking for?"

"The scientist behind the pretty green eyes."

"Food crops like corn and potatoes have been genetically modified to store twice as much energy as they need for our consumption. The drawback is that the carbohydrates stored in such a manner are essentially empty. People can starve to death eating nothing but potatoes. Not only that, but growing said crops depletes the soil at such a rapid rate that a field of corn can render the soil barren in a year without fertilizer." The smile becomes a smirk. Rae bows his head.

"Consider me duly chastized. How long have you wanted to be a scientist?"

"Since I was ten and started my own herb garden. My first attempt didn't last long, but I enjoyed myself so much I tried again. I have a few prize roses as well at home. How did you get sucked into business management?"

"Summers spent working in my grandfather's rental agency. I've been tagged the heir apparent, so I decided I'd better have the degree to back myself up."

"Going for the MBA?"

"Planning on it. It'll be nice to own my own business."

"Well, if you ever need a gardener, let me know."

"Oh, I will." His eyes gleam. *THUMP THUMP* Stop it! He can probably see my dress move, my heart's beating so hard.

"What's wrong with a French name?" Rae asks. I roll my eyes.

"Besides the requiste bad French accents and 'huh huhs', there's also the jokes about the name itself and bad attempts at bird calls."

"I see. Well, I get the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle jokes, as well as cracks about not having any wings or artistic skills."

"But you had a perfect D costume." I point out. Rae chuckles.

"I was modeling that, actually. For a friend trying to break into the seamstress business."

"Really? I bet you got lots of customers. That was an incredible outfit." I cock my head, remembering how it had looked. Even the sword had been right.

"Yes, she did. I am now her official male model." Rae's face takes on a long-suffering look. I chuckle.

"Well, as long as she doesn't try to stick you in an Evangelion suit." Rae actually shudders.

"Please, let's not even think about that. I hate skin-tight clothing." I chuckle again, eyeing his torso. The tux is a little loose, but I can see hints of muscle definition.

"Pity. I bet you'd put Shinji to shame."

"Care to share the joke?" A male voice asks. My head whips around. A guy with black hair and a single breasted tux is standing across from me.

"I wonder if you would appreciate it." I respond flippantly, putting my drink down. He puts three dollars on the table.

"Try me." I glance at the money, then up at his face. Something about him looks familiar, but I can't quite place it. Under the table, I clench my fist. Why did I not palm my dagger?

"Wearing a tux in the right place will get you hordes of fangirls. Even if you're a girl." I cock an eyebrow in challenge. His eyes, are they gray?, get wide.

"So that was you." I blink as he sits down and pushes the money towards me. "Here. No need for a lady to pay for her own drink."

"Do I know you?" I ask, ignoring the bills. He looks bloody familiar. He grins.

"Return to hell."

"D???" I gasp.

"Tuxedo Mask."

White. Gold. Black tie. Those were the only words chasing each other through my stunned brain. The conference room had been...transformed. It looked like a movie set. White drapery covering the walls, a gold and crystal chandelier over the dance floor, men in tuxedos. Honest to god tuxedos. Women in varying degrees of formal dress, all with jewels somewhere on their person. Several small tables were scattered around the room and I spotted a discreet cash bar tucked away in one corner. The dj, also in a tux, was in another corner, spinning...a waltz. I gripped Candy's arm tightly and pulled her away from the door and to the side.

"Black...tie?" I hissed, turning her to face me. "You signed us up for a black tie affair?" She peeled my fingers off her arm. Calmly. How could she be so calm?

"Yes."

"Why?" I noticed the marks on her arm from my grip and blushed a little. I hadn't meant to hurt her. "You know how much I hate these things."

"Because I'm sick of watching you mope over Jason."

"I...am...not...moping." Jason. Of course. The one guy who showed any interest in me. I was thrilled. For all of a month. Then I found out he was trying to weasel his way into my family business. And he was working for our biggest competitor. He ended up with a broken nose and I ended up with bruised pride.

"You haven't gone out since you dumped him."

"There hasn't been a need."

"Any guy who shows any interest in you gets the brushoff."

"I have yet to see any guy show interest." I glance towards the tables. At least two couples are watching us. I glare at them until they look away. Bloody snoops.

"I brought you here to dance. With men. You will dance with at least one." Candy is now giving me her best Lady Une face. I sigh. There's no reasoning with her like this.

"Fine. One dance. That's it." I turn away before I say anything else and stalk over to the bar. The bartender takes one look at my face and actually shifts away from me. I manage not to laugh. Or swear. "I don't suppose you have plum wine?"

"I'm afraid not, miss."

"Pity. Ginger ale, then." I fish in my purse for some cash. He fills a glass and throws in two cherries. I blink at him. How did he know?

Dresses. I don't like them that much. See the use for them, yes, but enjoy them? No. To say I'm a tomboy is like saying college is expensive. Duh comes to mind. Last time I wore a dress was for a relative's third wedding. At least I wasn't a bridesmaid. I would've cheerfully killed to wear a suit. Heck, I'd wear a suit to this formal if I could get away with it. Candy wouldn't let me.

Oh well. At least it's simple. Black. I can see the value of having a basic black dress. Cut a little low in back, straight skirt, back walking slit. With the stockings, low heeled black shoes and a pair of gold dangle earrings, I have to admit I look pretty good. We'll see if anyone notices that my earrings spell out FLCL. And if anyone gets the joke. *chuckle*

"Ready, Cherie?" I stiffen.

"Candace, please tell me you did NOT give my full name to those people."

"I had to!" I whirl and glare at her. She looks stunning in her pale blue dress and upswept hair. That is not going to save her.

"I hear one joke. ONE, Candace, and you're watching the dragon-girl series with me. All of it." Candace's blue eyes get really wide. I can see myself in them.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."