The sunlight streamed into the room, the sun rising to greet the new day. Hatman groggily raised a hand to block the striking light from his eyes, and he then noticed the body next to his. Zdenka lay there in the crook of his arm, snuggled up against him. He smiled in memory of their flight through the city the night before, and silently cursed the sun for signaling that he had to get out of the bed.
“Zdenka,” he said softly. “It’s morning.”
“I know,” she said with a grin, her eyes still closed. “I have been up for some time, but I did not want to wake you.”
“I suppose being attuned with the land makes for a good internal alarm clock, eh?”
“Something like that, yes,” she admitted. “Do we really have to get up? I could stay like this all day.”
“I’d love nothing more, but yes, we have to get up. I have a lot of work to do today.”
“Take the day off, yes?”
“That wouldn’t be very professional of me.”
“I suppose not.” Unhappily Zdenka dragged herself away from his embrace and stretched her arms above her head. “But what will I have to do while you busy yourself with this work?”
“Some of the team have offered to show you around.”
“Will I be by myself with the CrazySugarFreakBoy!?”
“No way,” Hatman grinned.
“Is good then. Shall we be getting to breakfast?”
“Sure, but I’d like to grab a shower first.”
“Is good idea. I will freshen up as well and meet you downstairs?”
“Sounds like a plan, but I think you should shower here, not in the bathroom in your room.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I can’t guarantee Flapjack hasn’t hidden a camera in your shower,” he admitted.
Zdenka considered that for a moment and then shuddered at the thought of the Legion’s major domo leering at her. “I like this idea. But you should go first, it is your room.”
“No, I won’t hear of it. I’ll just head down to the gym and use the shower in there. I’ll see you downstairs.” He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
Hatman closed the door behind him as he left his room, a change of clothes and a towel tucked under his arm. He was halfway to the gym when he ran into Liu Xi.
“Those are unusual pajamas,” she commented.
Hatman looked down at his wrinkled suit that he hadn’t removed the night before. “Not the most comfortable either,” he admitted.
“I’m sure,” she said. “Would it have not made things easier if you had just removed it?”
“And what things are you referring to?” he asked warily.
“It’s no secret that Zdenka was not in her room last night. Flapjack was very disappointed.”
“Nothing happened Liu Xi. We went back to my room and we fell asleep, that’s it,” he told her. “You know I’m not like that.”
“That is true,” she admitted. “Still, it is nice to see you happy.”
“Thanks. But if you’ll excuse me, the shower is waiting.”
“What is wrong with yours?”
“Nothing. Zdenka’s using it.”
Liu Xi raised an eyebrow.
“There’s less chance of cameras,” he explained.
“Ah. Wise choice,” she agreed. “Still, if you should want to enter discreetly…”
“Liu Xi, promise me that nobody will enter that shower.”
“Fine, I promise,” she pouted. She had been hoping to help along some romance.
“Thank you. See you later,” Hatman said as he continued to the shower. He turned back before rounding the corner. “And I don’t want anyone interrupting mine either!” he called back.
“Damn,” scowled Liu Xi. He’d caught on to Plan B.
* * * * *
“I told you guys, nothing happened!” exclaimed Hatman at the breakfast table. His teammates were having a hard time believing him.
“So you’re saying that you went for a romantic flight over the city, came back and went directly to your room, woke up together in said room, and nothing happened? That’s a nice piece of fiction there Hat,” said Trickshot as he leaned back in his chair.
“It’s not fiction. Look, just because the rest of you are sex-crazed maniacs doesn’t mean I am too,” Hat argued.
“You’re just as bad as the rest of us, but unlike you we’re quite happy to admit we’re sex-crazed,” grinned CrazySugarFreakBoy!. “Must be something in your maple syrup, eh?”
“Yo is thinking it to be very sweet that cute-Jay and cute-Zdenka are to be cuddling together for the night,” chipped in Yo.
“And that’s all it was. Thanks Yo,” said the Capped Crusader. “So, anything important go down last night?”
“Not as far as you’re concerned!” answered Dream in between giggles. Trickshot quickly joined him as the two laughed uncontrollably.
“Oh grow up you two,” scolded Asil. “I swear you two can be so immature.”
“Is to be a skirmish with the Machine Shop,” answered Yo, ignoring Carl and Dream. “Cute-Dancer was trying to be undercover as Shopping Machine, but it was not to be working.”
“They got away?” asked Hatman.
“For now. Sir Mumphrey and Yo are to be meeting to discuss them over lunch if you are to be free to join us?” offered Yo.
“I’ll be there,” he agreed.
“I will tell Sir Mumphrey that you will be joining the lunch party,” offered Asil. She then got up to leave the table.
“Thanks Asil.” Hatman glanced at the door, not for the first time since joining the group at the table.
“Getting’ a little antsy pantsy for a little more nothin’ happenin’?” chided Trickshot.
“Though I do not know what this happening you speak of is,” said Zdenka from the doorway, “if it is what I think it is, I will kindly inform you that any happenings between myself and Jay are none of your concern.”
“Burn!” howled CSFB! in his best Kelso impression.
“Uh, I’ll be at the archery range,” muttered Trickshot quickly as he made his exit.
“So what’s on your agenda for the day, Rabid Wolf? Y’know, we need some sort of cutesie nickname for you, like Hatty or Yoster. Wolfy? Wolfster? Rabido?”
Hatman quickly intervened before CSFB! could continue with his suggestions. “I’m sure something will come to you later Dream.”
“I will be beginning my day with a trip to Parodiopolis University with Hallie and Uhuna, then the three of us will meet up with De Brown Streak and Mr. Epitome at the Bean and Donut I believe it’s called, for lunch. Beyond that, I have no plans as of yet.”
Zdenka had run into Hallie in the hallway.
Dream noticed Hatman scowl a little at the mention of Josh and Dominic. “De Brown Streak and Mr. Epitome are actually going to have a meal together? What’s the occasion?” questioned Dream.
“I believe Hallie and Uhuna are making them.”
“That sound about right,” chuckled Dream. “Well, if you crazy kids will excuse me, I’m off to see April for some good morning ‘nothing happened’.” Dream bounded out of the room.
“You’ll have to excuse him,” apologized Hatman. “He’s a little, well, he’s Dream.”
“Not to worry. I have a friend like him back home,” Zdenka said. “That reminds me, I am to get her De Brown Streak’s phone number.”
“I wouldn’t say that around Uhuna if I was you,” Jay advised. “So when are you leaving for the University?”
“In a few minutes. I fear I do not have time for a proper meal.” She plucked an apple from the bowl in the middle of the table.
“This will have to do for now. I will see you tonight, yes?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he agreed. She bent down for quick kiss and a hug before leaving to meet up with Hallie and Uhuna.
To be continued…but by who?
There have been a lot of requests for Zdenka interacting with more Legionnaires, and this is the first step. If anyone wants to get in a scene of Zdenka interacting with any of the team, now’s your chance. I’ll try to get some interactions going in the next few chapters (and I’m not even promising to show the ones mentioned in this chapter, they’re only suggestions at this point), but I wanted to throw out that anything is fair game right now. So if you so feel led, give it a go!
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