trans_9 | Post Mission Party At The Bar

Kaya laughed, high fiving him back, still a little thrown off by the gesture.

"What does that mean, 'perfect couple?' I think you come as close as a good couple can be, but I don't know how anyone would qualify as a perfect one. But I do see that I've seen the two of you grow, being caring and wonderful with each other. That's as sloe to perfect as I think you can get, if you had to give it a name."

"It's not technically true, of course," Billy said quietly. "You're right nothing is ever perfect, but it's a common descriptor for happy couples. The ones who are visibly spending time together, enamored with each other, and almost always smiling. Kimberly had that in Tommy---it led to fights sometimes, but when they were at their best it was perfect for the team."

Billy then became aware that Kimberly might prefer that she share this information herself someday, so he veered away from that track. "Ronnie and I...well, yes, we're delighted with each other. I'm proud of us, and I still can't believe I gained some of my happiness back. But I guess I never thought others were paying attention."

He liked his privacy, he really did, but he'd been slacking off in that department.

"Well sure, but when I think of couples, I don't think of who just looks the best. I always think of the ones who overcome the things about themselves they don't like, who find each other and just make it work. If you guys get voted in, I think you'll deserve it for that reason. I think others will see that too."

She nodded. "Of course they were! Like I said, there are precious few couples on the ship, and the only one I think that would have come close to beating the two of you is Nanoha and Fate. That would have been no contest: there's no denying the way those two feel about each other. I DO think that you two are getting there though, and in time, might even have an official marriage on the ship."

Billy's quick to wave that off with a blush. "Not for a while," he's sure. "I'll be content attending as a guest, and...if I ever marry here, I want it to be a small event. There's no need to get the whole ship involved."

There's also the not-so-small matter of their hailing from different worlds and probably being separated after the war, but he doesn't voice that dark thought.

"It's a prom, Billy!" Kaya said, laughing "You should be there sweeping Ronnae off her feet. This is the opportunity to really get some points with her: and just think of what it'll do for the both of you! It's perfect!"

And she respectfully kept her mouth shut about the wedding. If he thought for a moment he would cheat her out of planning amazing wedding the combined Azeroth furnishing with Earth sensibilities, he had another thing coming.

"I plan to...if I can remember how," Billy said, admitting that he was just a little nervous. "Prom is supposed to be a wonderful night. I just hope I can provide that much."

He stayed in his thoughts about his own prom experiences, then turned to hers. "You're coming too, right?"

"What do you mean, if you remember how?" Kaya asked, looking skeptical. "You're Billy, for goodness sake! You're one of the most romantic people I know! How do you forget that?"

She nodded. "I'm helping Starfire do some stuff, and for some reason I was nominated to be in the court. It's safe to say that I'll be there Billy."

"Well...people have so many expectations for prom on my world," Billy clarified. "It's often considered one of the highlights of a teenager's life. I can manage a few dances without tripping on myself, but there's so much to remember. Posing for photos, the corsage, the food...and if we're elected king and queen, there's a whole other subset of responsibilities."

Ah, that. Billy had meant to ask who she was going with, if anyone, but he knew it was a sensitive subject for her. He took her silence to be a sign to avoid that road. "And should you win, you'll be the most elegant princess the prom sees," he nodded. "I voted for you, of course."

"But its not quite the same, is it?" Kaya pressed. "It's a prom on Stacy, and you can make it however you want, right? You don't have to follow any tradition down to a T, you can just cut loose and have fun as you like, right? That's the whole point: its for fun!"

And of course, Kaya gave Billy a knowing look. "I'll be asking Nokosi of course: I definitely don't expect him to ask me, he probably doesn't even know about the prom. But thanks, for the vote. It's not necessary to win, but it'd be nice, wouldn't it?"

"That's true too," Billy had to admit. "Given the theme, our costumes might not be entirely traditional, and the organizer seems to have an odd addition or two in mind."

He smiled for her, glad to hear that she had a plan. "Yeah, it would. I probably should've nominated him, just to see his reaction. I'm sure you'll have a good time," he said meaningfully. Kaya's feelings were complex, but at least she had the option of enjoying herself.

She laughed. "I'm sure whatever happens, you'll be able to deal, you know? You're Billy: I always think of you as the kind of guy who can deal with anything that's thrown at you. fro what I've seen, its part of what makes a power ranger so strong at heart, isn't it?"

And that was somethings he knew for sure that Billy had in him.

She giggled. "I have no idea how he would react to it, honestly. But I just want to go to dance and learn new experiences about doing something like a prom, that's all. I just want to have fun!"

Though part of her would definitely enjoy being with Nokosi.

"I'll be able to deal---even with a crisis, I hope. Some of the crew was foolish enough to invite Lord Zedd to prom. I don't see that ending well, especially if I end up being king," he cringed. That had been quite the terrible idea.

Billy thumped a hand against the table enthusiastically. "So you will. I'm sure you'll both learn, you're so curious. Don't worry if it's strange to you, you'll be fine."

Kaya laughed. "I don't know why Lord Zedd would care that much. Besides, if Lord Zedd is that willing to cause trouble to you, I'll have to remind him about something we discussed a few months back. Besides, you're allowed to have your own kind of happiness, you know it. And want to make sure you have it."

She looked down, her face burning, either from thinking about Nokosi or because she was definitely having more mead than she thought. "I'll just have to see what will happen. Nokosi is a particular person, I don't want him to feel uncomfortable."

Billy made a face. "He takes 'being taken seriously' very seriously. To have the crew insinuate that he's a joke may just be the final insult---but no, I'm not kidding anyone. He'll find a way to use any opportunity to attack me."

He moved away from that to place a hand on her arm, definitely worried now. "Are you sure you're feeling okay, Kaya? You almost look ill. How late have you been studying?"

"When I spoke to him, he seemed to indicate that he had no wish to go after you," Kaya said. "It'd be pretty sour grapes to do it anyway: what would be the point? He was all obsessed with world conquest, and that gets thwarted once you realize that there is no world to conquer, right? And besides, there is going to be security detail at the Prom- if he tried, his butt would be in th brig so fast his head would spin."

Kaya looked up questionably, then realized her cheeks were flushed."Oh! That...that must be the effect of the mead, I can stop now."

It had nothing to do with the talk about Nokosi, definitely not.

"I'm not so sure about that, but I hope you're right" Billy said quietly. Sure, there was some way to get a little leverage over Zedd, but petty grudges were a sticking point with him. The suggestion that a mockery be made of him might just be the tipping point of disaster.

He studied her worriedly. How much alcohol was she drinking? "That's a good idea. Do you need someone to walk you home today?"

Kaya looked Billy square in the eye. "So long as Zedd is making threats, there will always be someone watching over you. Let's just hope he doesn't make that mistake. He can be a villain all he likes, but the moment that he steps out of line, someone will make sure he pays for it. I, for one, won't let you get hurt under my watch. Lord Zedd can do himself a favor and find a sense of humor. Or, better for all, he could just not show up."

She glared. "I'm not drunk Billy. I'm just a little tipsy, maybe."

Yes, we'll go with that. It was the perfect cover for why her skin tone changed when mentioning Nokosi.

"I'm not entirely helpless, you know. I'm not foolish enough to go without my morpher."

But he wasn't offended, not really. Billy reached forward and squeezed her hand, communicating his gratitude as best he could. He could fight to defend himself, sure, but it was good to have stronger people too.

Her reaction did seem off for someone who was drunk, but accurate, perhaps, if another reason was considered.

"It's okay, I see that you're not. You'll be fine after you ask him to prom, I'm sure of it."

Ordinarily he'd suggest that Nokosi would walk her home, but the elf's noncommittal nature made him wonder. He didn't want to dig into a sore spot with Kaya, not now.

"Billy, you know I'd never mean to call you helpless." He knew that too. But that wouldn't stop her from worrying about him. He was one of the most important people in her life: knowing someone was hurting him became her business.

She squeezed back, trying to let him know she was ok.

"I'm sure I will, I just...well. It hasn't been long since Matt left, I don't like the idea of anyone thinking I just magically moved on or anything. I imagine that was the impression I gave with Aang, and the only reason its not that way is because I'm not Katara. Nokosi just has a way of making me feel better when I'm around him, you know? Like everything is a joke but important at the same time."

"I get it," he said softly, well aware of Nokosi's nature. "He does have a calming effect, and when he's attractive for a man...that just complicates things."

Billy brought himself close to her. "You know I'll stand by you no matter what you do. Just take it easy."

Kaya laughed. "If I didn't know better I'd say you had the hots for him, Billy!" She was just teasing though: as far as she knew, Billy only has eyes for Ronnae even if she wanted to like others.

She smiled. "Take it easy on Nokosi, or the mead? The latter I can do: I can't risk a hangover when I have all of this to read up on. The former, well, I'm not promising anything."

"I don't," Billy swatted at her playfully, "there's no need to worry. He's all yours."

He studied her face carefully, then smiled. "I'll settle for just the mead, I'm sure you'll handle the rest. I'm cheering for you."

"You couldn't take him away from me anyway, I'm softer!" Kaya teased, but she was smiling. If only Nokosi could hear them, he'd be quite amused.

She shrugged. "No, I'll stop with the mead. It's making me too hot anyway. But thanks for listening Billy. I really needed it."

"You never know," Billy teased back, "we're developing into open-minded people. But he really is yours for the asking---good luck," he wished, leaning over to give her a hug.

"Go for it, all right?"

Kaya giggled. "I think I like this part of you, Billy. You're definitely opening up more, and you can joke without blushing all over the place, like Ronnae! But then, that was bound to happen here, wasn't it? I just hope he feels the same way. But that's something I have to find out for myself."

She grinned. "Yes, with vigor! And now you must do me a favor, and finish my mead. It would be rude to leave a cup unfinished, don't you think? Besides, its awfully sweet."

Post Mission Party At The Bar

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