Drops Of Romance

Another Invidia Tale by AMI MEITSU

A/N: This one takes place shortly after Meet Monica, so it's late spring 2221, and as a side note, Invidia and Arty have different last names because she didn't want to take his when they were married…

"Okay, what do you think, Monica? The black and white or the plain black?" Invidia asked as she held two different dresses in front of Monica the kitten in her bedroom.

Monica up looked at her from her basket by the bed, and then laid her head down.

"Why do I even bother?" Invidia sighed as she sat on the bed and looked at the little cat. She couldn't stay mad though, Monica was just too cute. 'Maybe I'll go with the black and white…Arty does say I should wear more white…' She pondered for a minute before finally deciding on that one, then, she quickly dressed and went to go meet Arty down in the building's lobby.

"Took you long enough," he teased as she approached him.

"You know, comments like that don't exactly say 'go out with me'," Invidia teased back.

"I'm sorry. Let me try again. You look wonderful, my Princess," Arty said with a bow, acquiring weird looks from those in the lobby.

Invidia gave a soft laugh, then she said "As do you, my darling." She then held out her hand, which Arty gently took and kissed.

"Come on," He said as he led her out. "We have the whole night ahead of us."

Invidia smiled at that. It seemed like forever since they had time for a real night out, even though it had only been two weeks since their last date.

'I wonder what he has planned for tonight…he's kept it a secret all week…' Invidia thought as she watched Arty drive; he seemed to have a mysterious look in his eyes.

"What?" He asked.

"Nothing," Invidia said with a blush, embarrassed that he noticed her staring.

"You're curious, aren't you?"

"Maybe …just a little bit."

"Well, you can stay curious," Arty said as he took an unfamiliar turn.

"But I don't even know where we are!"

"Relax, Princess, this is just a shortcut…"

She gave him an unsure look, but didn't say a word; he seemed to know what he was doing.

'I've never been down this road before and I doubt he has! We're going to get lost, I know it!' She thought as she crossed her arms. But, as they made another turn all the bad thoughts were driven from her mind. Arty did know what he was doing, and they ended up in the fanciest part of the city, hotels, restaurants and expensive shops surrounded her as she stared out the window with wide eyes.

"Arty…how did you…?"

"I got curious one day and took that road on the way to lunch. You like?"

"Uh…huh…" Invidia said with a slow nod. "I've never been here at night…"

"You shouldn't ever be here, especially to shop! Do you know how expensive those clothes are?!" Arty said.

"Very. Where do you think I got that black ball gown I wore to the reception in January?" Invidia informed him.

"Is that why your Father cut you off?"

"No! It wasn't that much, only eight-hundred dollars. He cut me off because he's mean."

"Eight-hundred dollars is a lot, Invidia! That's why he's had to set limits, it is his money too."

"I liked you better when you were being romantic," Invidia pouted just as he stopped.

"We'll get back to that very soon, look up," Arty told her.

She did so, and gasped. In front of her was one of the fanciest, most exclusive hotels in the city, she gave Arty a look. "Wait…How did you afford this?"

"I got your Father to spring for some of it, he seemed to like the idea after I told him how stressed you are at work."

"Thank you! I love you!" Invidia hugged him.

"I love you too, now help me get the bags out of the trunk."

Invidia nodded and did so, then Arty went in and took them up to the room alone.

'I guess he wanted me to stay here so I can be surprised later…but I've been surprised enough. This definitely wasn't what I was expecting when he told me to pack an overnight bag… what more could he have done?'

"Okay, let's go," Arty said, breaking her thoughts.

"Where?" Invidia gave him a curious look.

"To the restaurant, of course. It's just a few blocks down."

"Oh, right," Invidia said as Arty took her hand and led her down the sidewalk. She walked slowly, in complete awe of what was around her. 'It's so much more lively at night…too bad I can't visit more often, Arty and Father would kill me! I got enough crap when I bought that gown!'

"Invidia, if you don't move they're going to cancel the reservation," Arty said as he pulled her arm, though he was unsure if they'd really cancel the reservation without a call.

"Sorry," Invidia moved up to match her pace with Arty's and then said, "When we get to the restaurant I want champagne."

"That's a weird thing to say."

"Well, I haven't had any in a long time, and in my mind it's a little more sophisticated then wine. And if we're going somewhere in this part of town, why not?"

"Alright, to be honest, I wanted some too," Arty then turned to open the door of the restaurant.

In an instant everything changed. There was a peaceful aura about the room and the noise and rush of the city seemed so far away.

The hostess approached them. "Name?" she asked.

"Jefferson. Arthur Jefferson."

Invidia stifled a laugh.

"What?" Arty whispered.

"Nothing," Invidia lied as she thought, 'You may be handsome but your full name is just…' She laughed again, just as the hostess led them away.

"Right this way," she said, then she took them to a table in the middle of the floor. She added, "If you're interested we have an excellent selection of wine on hand."

"The lady prefers champagne," Arty said politely.

"Very well then, what can I get for you?"

Invidia gave her the name of her preferred champagne and the hostess went off to tell whoever it was that handled such things as they looked over the menu.

"Arty, I don't think I can go through five courses," Invidia said.

"We'll be sharing most of them, the salad, the appetizer and the desert will all be split between us," Arty explained.

"Oh, right, I guess it's been awhile since I've been in a place this fancy."

"But you like it, admit it."

"I don't like it."

Arty looked at her with shock as she leaned over the table and whispered, "I love it!"

"I should have seen that coming," he sighed.

She smiled and they started discussing their choices. They were almost decided when the sommelier appeared with the champagne.

"The lady will taste," Arty said.

Invidia blushed as he poured just a taste of champagne into her flute. She took it politely and sipped it before giving him a small nod of approval. "It's perfect, thank you."

"You're quite welcome Madame." He then expertly poured the rest, placed the bottle in its bucket and walked off.

"Now, where was I?" Arty asked as he reached over to place his hand over Invidia's.

"You were saying how much you loved me," Invidia lied.

"No, I think we were discussing desert…"

"Oh, so the food is more important than I am?" Invidia said with a swift turn of her head.

"Of course not, you're the most important person in the world to me."

Invidia smiled at that.

"But, the sooner we order the sooner we can eat and get back to the hotel," Arty continued with a wink.

'He's got something planned….I know it…' Invidia thought just as a waiter came to take their order. They gave him all the details and continued talking until their first course arrived.

Not much talking was done during the meal itself, but during desert Invidia gave him a critique of the place.

"Earlier this week you promised overpriced food and snobby waiters, correct? Well, the food is worth it and the waiters aren't snobby enough, you have charmed them so they want to please you," she teased.

"No, I believe they're here to please you. You're too beautiful to say 'no' to," Arty complimented.

"Heads did turn when I walked in," Invidia bragged as she took another small bite of the chocolate cake they were sharing.

"They weren't just for you, and you know it. I guess we're just an attractive couple," Arty said as he signaled for the check.

"Well you are handsome…"

Arty gave a soft, embarrassed laugh as he lightly tucked his credit card into the leather folder placed discreetly at his elbow.

"You're not supposed to laugh! You're supposed to say I'm beautiful," Invidia said.

"But you're not."

Invidia looked at him with shock, the same shock he had when she told him she 'didn't like' the dinner setting.

"What I mean is, you're not just beautiful. You're sexy, and sweet and you're well…You're my Princess," He said the last part just as the waiter came back with his card.

"Arty, I love you," Invidia said.

"I love you too. Now, allow me to escort you out," he rose and held out his hand to her.

Invidia took it and let him lead her outside, she tried to move but Arty stayed in place. "What are you doing? The hotel is this way, remember?"

"It's a beautiful night, let's take the long way around," he suggested.

"Um…Alright," Invidia replied as he led her off. At first she thought it unnecessary to walk the whole way around the block, but she came to love it. The lights and shops hypnotized her; it seemed like a different world. "Wow…" she breathed as they walked.

"Told you it was nice," Arty said as they approached the hotel.

"Not as nice as you," Invidia whispered as she leaned her head on his shoulder and they walked towards the elevator. Arty looked her over as they stepped in, now that they were in brighter light, he could see her more clearly.

'She's beautiful, they way the white perfectly contrasts with the rest of the outfit and her hair…rarely is it curled, but when it is…it's amazing…' he thought, then he said, "Invidia…"

"Hm?" she looked at him.

"Well…I…" he said nothing more and pulled her into a kiss.

"What…what was that?" Invidia asked.

"Shush," Arty put a finger to her lips. "We're here…"

As soon as he unlocked the door, Invidia stepped into candlelight and gasped. In front of her was a white-clothed table with another bottle of champagne. A slim, clear vase with a single red rose stood next to it, and soft music played in the background.

"Oh, Arty…how did this get here?"

"I arranged for the hostess to call the hotel once I received the check."

"But…why? How?"

"What? You think you're the only one who can be romantic?"

"No, and…you know, at first I thought it was just a great date, but you've moved it up to a dream date."

"Well then, should I open the bottle?"

"Absolutely, and then take the glasses into the bedroom. I have to go change."

"Very well then, I meet you there," Arty kissed her head and she ran off. He didn't see her again until after he had settled in, twenty minutes after their arrival. In that time he took off his jacket and tie and, on impulse, took the rose out of its vase and laid it on the bed.

"Arty?" she said when she reappeared.

He looked up and almost dropped the glasses. Invidia stood before him in a short, lacey, black slip, covered only by a long, sheer, black robe.

"Did I thank you for dinner yet?" she asked as she sauntered over and crawled up on the bed.

"I…well…I, uh, don't think so…" He stuttered as she gently took her glass from him and sat.

"Well then, maybe I should," She took a light sip of the champagne and gave him a sweet, yet sexy look that left him speechless. "Arty…" she whispered as she reached over and placed her glass on the nightstand.

He just looked at her, still unable to speak.

"Kiss me," she demanded.

"With pleasure…" He finally said as he put his own glass down. Then, he pulled her towards him, and gave her a soft, sweet kiss. She returned it, and he gave her a deeper kiss as they fell into it. It started off slow and sweet, but became increasingly hotter as it went on, turning into the kind of passion, that, weeks before, they would have only dreamed of.

"You're beautiful…" he whispered. "Impossibly beautiful…"

"I feel beautiful when you look at me," she replied.

"I could do so all day if you wanted. But, I doubt that there's any chance of us staying here and playing hooky tomorrow or the rest of the weekend…"

"Oh, what a nice thought, but I have to attend a fashion show in the morning."

"Then you'll probably have to get up early, you know that right?"

"Yes, but I find that I do better on no sleep then just a few measly hours."

"I was just thinking the same thing…"

"Besides, wouldn't be a shame to waste the rest of that champagne and those lovely chocolate-covered strawberries?"

"I like the way you think. Stay here, I'll go get them."

"I'm not going anywhere…" she said, as she thought, 'In fact, I could stay here forever; I really don't want to go to work on Monday…'

Unfortunately, she had a mandatory meeting that morning, and couldn't skip out.

"Maybe I can send you in my place, Monica," Invidia sighed as she set down the cat's food bowl.

"If that was possible then she'd be at school for me right now," Akira sighed.

"Akira, what's wrong? You should be happy, you're finally a senior."

"But Invidia-Mama! That's just it! They overhype the whole third year thing, in truth it's just more work."

"You'll be fine, and when it's over you can go off and study what you want, remember?"

"Yeah," Akira sighed again.

"Look, I really wish I could stay and help, but I'm going to be late. We'll talk later, alright?" Invidia said as she picked up her purse.

"Alright, good luck with your presentation."

Invidia gave her a small nod and headed off, arriving with just ten minutes to spare, counting traffic.

"You're late," her editor, Ariana, said when she arrived.

"Traffic," Invidia replied.

"Oh, well, doesn't matter. This morning's seven o'clock meeting has been canceled."

"Vhat?!" Invidia snapped. "I worked for weeks on this presentation! Do you know how long it took me to make my visuals?! And you just cancel!?"

"Invidia, calm down. It was an executive decision; just yesterday the editor-in-chief got a call for a big project. Selected reporters are going to a meeting this morning at eleven, here,” she handed Invidia a slip of paper.

Invidia took it and Ariana left. 'Great! Just great! I spent three weeks putting this together and now this!? Selected reporters, huh? Well screw them!' She thought as she went to her desk, there, she threw the paper aside and put her head on her arms.

"Mrs. Savela? Are you okay?" a voice said.

Invidia looked up and found herself face-to-face with office intern, Miyuki. "I'm fine, I guess. And for the last time, call me Invidia!"

"But it's not proper ma'am, I'm an intern, not one of the reporters, it would be impolite to call you by name."

"I don't know who told you that but it's ridiculous! For Arishna's sake, my own daughter calls me by name!"

"Well I'm not her, and have you read this yet?" She picked up the discarded paper.

"It's just an assignment, don't worry about it."

"No, it's a big assignment; I spent the morning delivering these. Just read it," Miyuki said, then she left Invidia alone.

'Big assignment…right, But I am curious…' Invidia then picked up the paper and read it over. 'No way! Here I was complaining about the selected reporters, but…I am one! Wait a minute… this is my first time working directly with the editor…what if I mess up? What if I can't do it…what if…she fires me!?' She thought as she began to think of situations where she would actually be fired, but, she stopped herself halfway through. 'What am I worrying for?! I don't even know what this project is. Hm…Maybe Arty's right, I do jump to conclusions too fast…'Invidia then sighed, and decided to put some finishing touches on her presentation. After that was complete, she did some writing on her novel. She had only completed two chapters before she had to stop, but not because of work. She stopped in the middle of the last sentence and cringed.

'What is this pain? I can't be sick, I haven't eaten anything today…Could it be…no! Don't even think that! I can't be held down, especially with this meeting, it'll pass I'm sure.'Invidia thought, then she took in a breath and forced herself to keep writing until the meeting. And, while it seemed that she was getting better at first, the feeling slowly got worse as the meeting time approached, hitting its peak halfway through the meeting.

"Now, your assignments will be sent to you via email and…" The editor-in-chief, Mrs. Ikumi, started to say, but she trailed off when she noticed Invidia. "Mrs. Savela? Are you alright?"

"I…well…uh, no," Invidia admitted. "I'm not feeling well. May I step out for a moment?"

"Of course."

Invidia gave her a grateful nod and went into the hallway, there, she sat by the door with her knees to her chest and thought. 'It's just getting worse, if I don't go home and rest for a bit it'll be so bad that I can't move…Why did this have to happen now?'

"Invidia, are you alright?" Ariana asked as she came out.

Invidia stood up. "No, I need to go home."

"Why? We're in the middle of something important."

Invidia went over and whispered something in her ear.

Ariana gave her a look. "Do you really think that's a reason to go home?"

"You don't understand! Sometimes it's so bad that I can't even move! And this is one of those days, I'm completely useless when I'm in pain like this, trust me."

"Fine, I'll inform Mrs. Ikumi. But you had better come to Wednesday's meeting, it's mandatory."

"I will, I promise," Invidia said, then she went back to her desk, collected her things, and left.

She arrived home just a few minutes after twelve. When she walked in, Monica came to the door and meowed.

"Yes, hi Monica," She said as she walked passed her, Monica followed. "I know you want attention but I'm not feeling well right now, you'll just have to wait." Invidia then went into her bathroom and closed the door, leaving Monica to sit outside of it, looking pathetic. While Monica sat, Invidia leaned against the door and sighed, and before she did anything, she quickly made up her mind to take a hot bath to take care of the pain.

'I know this will work, it always does, besides I haven't had the time to take a bubble bath in awhile, it'll relax me,' She thought as she turned on the water and then went through her shelves to choose a bubble soap. After a few minutes, she held two identical bottles in front of her. 'Strawberry or lavender? Well, strawberries are sweet and Arty likes the smell, but he can't do anything with me this week anyway, besides lavender always makes me feel better…' She pondered for another minute before officially deciding on it and the getting in the bath. Afterwards, she got out wrapped in a towel, took a pain killer to help for the rest of the day and then went through her clothes to decide on something to wear to bed for a nap. It took a few minutes, but she finally decided on a just a black, lacey camisole and a pair of black panties, then, she went back into the bathroom to take care of what she needed to before getting settled into bed. And, just as she was about to lay down, Monica jumped up on the bed and gave a soft 'mew'.

"Are you trying to make me feel better?" Invidia petted her head. "You're so sweet, but even if you are trying to help you can't sleep here," Invidia picked her up and set her in the basket by the bed.

Monica gave her a pathetic look.

"Sorry honey, but you have to stay there," Invidia told her, then she lay down and closed her eyes in an attempt to go to sleep.

But, while she was resting, Arty was working. He sat at a workbench looking over diagrams while Hardy and Conroy went over one final technical lesson with the seniors who were participating in the graduation exhibition.

' A lot of them complain about graduation being pushed back but it's good for all of us. It allows them to practice more and I get more time to write and turn in the progress reports…' he thought just as Derek approached him.

"Arty?" he asked.

"Hey Derek, what are doing down here? Shouldn't you be helping with graduation rehearsal?"

"I got Nova to cover for me for awhile and I snuck down here. I need the progress reports so that they can be logged in time to make the printouts for the ceremony."

"Oh, sure they're right here…" Arty then reached into his bag for a black folder, but it wasn't there. "Or, I thought they were. I must have left them at home."

"I need those today Arty, I told you so two weeks ago."

"I know and I'm sorry. I'll just go home and get them during my lunch break. You'll have them by the end of the day, I promise."

"You better keep that promise or we'll both be in a lot of trouble, understand?"

Arty nodded. "I understand."

Derek nodded back and Arty got back to work until break.

"Hey, Arty! Where ya goin'?" Hardy asked right before he left. "You don't have early leave today."

"I have to pick up something at home, but I'll be back, tell the others for me, would you?"

"Alright, but you better be back before your lecture."

'Lecture?' Arty thought as he walked to his car. 'Oh, he means the speech to the seniors at four! I almost forgot about that! Well, good thing I'm going home, now I can get my dress uniform…' He thought as drove. He arrived home shortly after one thirty and found the folder on the counter where he had left it that morning, and he was about to leave when he noticed Invidia's purse on the counter. 'What's that doing here? She should be at work, unless…is something wrong? Where is she?' He thought. Then, he headed down the hallway and into the bedroom, only to find Invidia and Monica asleep in bed.

"Invidia?" He said as he went over. "Princess, wake up…" He shook her for a minute and she sleepily sat up and looked at him.

"Arty? Shouldn't you be at work?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"I don't feel well, so I left early."

"Well what's wrong? You don't look sick."

Invidia beckoned him closer and whispered something to him.

"Aw, I'm sorry Princess, I know how hard this is for you. Can I get you anything before I leave?"

"Two things. I would like some black tea and I want Monica off the bed."

"Alright, I'll be back in a minute," Arty said as he lifted Monica off the bed and then placed her back in her basket. She gave him a Look.

"Do not look at me like that; you know you don't belong on the bed," Arty scolded, then he went into the kitchen to prepare Invidia's tea, coming back to her in only five minutes.

"You know, I may be miserable now," Invidia said as she took the cup from him. "But, I'm still beyond thankful for Friday night."

"You're lucky, I almost had to push it back to this week."

"Thank goodness you didn't, it wouldn't have been much fun without, well you know…"

"That I do…" he said, then he moved her hair out of the way and kissed the back of her neck.

"Arty stop, I'm not allowed to!"

"Relax, I'm just teasing you, I'm not allowed to either. I have to go back to work, remember?"

"Oh, please, if I wasn't cursed then you know you'd find an excuse to stay in bed with me."

"If you weren't cursed, then you wouldn't even be here."

"Touché," Invidia said.

Arty laughed and looked at the clock. "Sorry Princess, but I have to go."

"Alright then, I'll see you later tonight."

"What are you making for dinner?"

"I don't know, I haven't thought about it. I don't even think I'll make dinner tonight, you know how I am on the first day…when this happens."

"Right, I guess I'll just make something then, bye."

"I love you."

"I love you, too," Arty said, then he kissed her head and left.

'I'm almost glad he forgot his papers, him being here made me feel better…and while I'm up I might as well check my email for my assignments…' Invidia thought, then she got up, got dressed and went to get her laptop out of its case.

When she had it all set up she discovered that she had not one, but four messages from the magazine. The first two were about the assignments, one was from Mrs. Ikumi, who was asking why she left so suddenly, and the last was a 'no subject' line email from Ariana.

'I wonder what she wants…' Invidia thought as she opened and read it. 'She wants me to fill in for an evening gown model? Wow…I knew I looked good, but I never thought I was pretty enough to be a model…But I'll need a second opinion, I'll ask Arty when he comes home,' She thought while she opened the one from the editor and quickly replied, then she moved on to her assignments. 'Okay, so I have to cover the Star Force academy graduation ceremony and report on uniform styles and graduation and after party décor. Then, I have to conduct interviews with the top students…but why all this focus on them?' She thought for a minute and then remembered the meeting log attachment included with Mrs. Ikumi's email stating that the magazine was doing full coverage on the graduation ceremony and that only the best writers and reporters were chosen for the project.

"And I'm one of those writers…No wonder she was worried about me leaving, she didn't want to lose a valuable member of the staff…Which means…" Invidia gasped. "I am a good writer, I can't believe the other staff members ever said I wasn't…Well take that, you jealous bastards!" she said as she stood up.

Monica, who was sleeping on the couch, looked up at her, then, she got up and went over to where Invidia was so she could rub against her.

"Are you congratulating me?" Invidia picked her up. "You're so sweet…But don't do so just yet, I still have a lot of work to do…"

The work she mentioned did not start until three days later, during the last rehearsal for the academy's graduation ceremony.

"So, how do you feel about finally graduating after five years and a two month set back?" she asked Setsuna during the first break.

"It's kind of a mix," Setsuna admitted. "While I'm glad that I'm graduating, I'm also a little sad. This place has given me so many memories it'll be hard to leave it."

"You know, I felt the same way when I came to Earth. But, do you want to know what helped?"

"Hm?"

"My Father told me that the memories could never leave, they'll always be with you and that when you start something new, you just make more for your collection. Does that make any sense?"

Setsuna nodded. "It makes a lot of sense, and it's a very nice thought. Your father's deeper than I thought."

Invidia laughed. "Well, I don't know about deep, but he is knowledgeable. Now, to get back on track, how did you get them to allow you to wear skirted uniforms? And how has it fared for other people besides you?"

"Oh, well, awhile back I found that the normal jumpsuits just didn't suit me. So I came up with the design for the uniform I'm wearing. They had other options but I figured mine was more functional, Dad agreed and he had the board provide what I have as an option."

"What are you talking about? Didn't they have this option before?"

"Yes, but I felt that the skirts were too short, and this makes it so that all of the uniforms are available like this. Before they were just blue and I thought that should have been reserved for the dress uniforms."

"I see, and do you get a dress uniform fitted with a skirt as well?"

"No. But I don't mind. Wearing pants don't bother me, and if I could have worn a boy's uniform I would have. It's just that the suits were too clingy and I couldn’t find one that I liked…"

"And how has this fared within the academy?" Invidia asked as she made some notes.

"Everyone takes to it pretty well; in fact it's a solid option now. I figured that if the boys have a choice, why shouldn't we?" Setsuna told her.

"Interesting, and thank you, I don't need any more right now. But, tell me, which of these boys do you think would have an actual reference in fashion?"

"Ask Takeshi," Setsuna pointed to a boy in black tiger's uniform. "Back when I was designing he said my idea was pretty cool, and he's always finding ways to put color in his clothes, just look as his shoes. And he's pretty cute too…"

Invidia did so and noticed that they were tied with different color laces. "Thanks, and don't stare too much, he'll think you're a freak, and you want him to like you, right?"

"I…well, I mean…"

"I know, I felt the same way when I realized that I was in love with Arty. But you might want to say something soon, I saw three other girls with him today," Invidia said, then she left to see if he would sit down for an interview. He agreed, and she got some valuable information from him and then several other students and teachers about both decorations and the ceremony itself before Arty told her that they had to go home.

"But I'm not done!" she whined.

"Neither am I, but we have to go while they run through one last rehearsal, General's orders. But, they said you can come back and attend the ceremony tomorrow, and that you even have permission to photograph for the magazine."

"Fine…" Invidia grumbled as Arty lead her out.

"Besides you need to rest, isn't your first photo shoot tomorrow evening?"

"That's right…I guess we should go then…" Invidia said.

When they arrived home she intended to rest, but got caught up with work until two in morning, and after only four hours of sleep she had to get back up to finish a report and get ready for the ceremony at nine. Then, after the ceremony she had to go into work for a meeting and then a rehearsal shoot. And, by the time she came home from the actual shoot she was way too tired to do anything more.

"This has been the worst day of my life…" she said as she fell onto the bed.

"No it's not, what about the day we defeated the first Comet Empire and you lost your home?"

"Okay, the second worst day! I hate all this rushing around!"

"That's how it is when you have to work. But, at least you don't have to rush around now…maybe I can make you feel better, your period should be over…right?"

"Not tonight, Arty. I'm too tired. I think I'm just going to take a bath and go to bed…" Invidia said as she got up and dragged herself into the bathroom.

'She must be tired…she never says 'no' to making love, in fact, she's the one who normally bugs me!' Arty thought, and just as he finished the thought, the phone rang.

"Hello?" he said dully when he answered.

He was then surprised as one of the high command members yelled at him through the phone, telling him to show more respect, then, he told Arty about the summer training schedule for the new cadets and how he wanted him to teach some classes. Arty had no choice but to sigh and agree just as Invidia climbed into bed, going over her schedule for the weeks ahead for the fourth time that day.

"Why can't I ever get a break?" Arty sighed as he came into the bedroom.

"You're telling me! I did all that work today and the project still isn't over!"

'When am I ever going to have time for myself…?' they both thought.

Unfortunately, they never had an answer, as they were too busy with work. Every day for the following two weeks both Invidia and Arty kept up with strict schedules, schedules that were so tight they hardly go to see each other. And when they did see each other, they noticed the stress. The other was always either sleeping or relaxing and didn't want to be bothered. It became so bad that they even started to miss each other…

"I haven't seen him in days, and when I do he's just so busy, it makes me afraid to approach him," Invidia told the women one afternoon at Trelania's.

"It'll pass, all you have to do is hold out a little longer," Nova said.

"And how would you know?"

"Derek and I go through these things every once in awhile, but it goes get better."

Trelania nodded. "Me too. There was one week Mark was so busy he barely said two words to me."

"And you?" Invidia looked at Wendy, who had been quiet the whole time.

"Well, it's only been a problem a few times for me. Homer tries his best to make time for us even when he's busy, because when he doesn't it upsets the both of us."

"So what do you do to deal with it?" Invidia asked.

"Well," Nova started. "What really helps us is a shower."

"Hm?" Invidia gave her a curious look.

Nova nodded. "When Derek is stressed out and we have some time alone, I ask him to take a shower with me. It helps the both of us. Not only does it help with the stress, but it's romantic too."

"I can't do that! Bath time is my private time."

"What are you so worried about?" Trelania asked.

"Well…I…uh…"

"Invidia, I have always found it strange that while you'll sleep naked and tempt Arty into making love with you that you won't shower with him," Nova said. "And if you're worried about him seeing you, don't be. Arty adores you; Derek tells me that he's been missing you."

Invidia looked down, thinking about how much she missed him as well. "Well, it has been awhile since I've been able to actually be romantic with him, and maybe it'll do us some good, he did try to get me to be intimate with him the other night."

"So?" The women all gave her a hopeful look.

"I'm not telling you, I don't think our intimate relations are any of your business," Invidia said.

"Fair enough," Nova agreed. "But if you do decide, at least tell us how it went."

"In simple words?"

"In simple words," Nova agreed. "Just let us know if you actually enjoy it."

Invidia nodded, and then began thinking about if she really wanted to do such a thing with Arty. It took awhile, but she finally made her decision the following afternoon at her photo shoot.

'I guess I could give it a try…it might be fun, and we do need to spend some time together…' she thought with a smile.

"That's it! Keep that expression!" The photographer said, interrupting her thoughts.

Invidia nodded and did as she was told, turning to give that same look to the camera as she modeled a long, blue evening gown.

"Perfect!" he complemented.

Invidia smiled toward him and kept that look the whole way home, just thinking about if Arty said 'yes' put her in a great mood.

"You look happy," Akira noted when she came in.

"I am, is your father home?"

"He's out on the balcony."

"Thanks," Invidia nodded to her and headed there. "Arty?" She said when she came out.

Arty sat at the outside table working on his laptop. "Just a minute, I almost have this presentation done, all I need is…" He stopped when she put her hand over his.

"Can it wait a second? I have something to ask you."

"Well, I'm busy, and…"

"That's just it," Invidia sat in a chair next to him. "You've been ridiculously busy for the past two weeks and I have too. I've missed you and I want to do something to make up for lost time."

"What?"

"Take a shower with me."

"What?!"

"Take a shower with me," she repeated. "I really need to be with you and I want to make up for those times I rejected you this past week."

"Well…I…"

"Please? It's been so long since we've been intimate…"

'That is true…And I've been dreaming of taking a shower with her for years…I can see it now…' Arty thought as he began to dream. He saw them together in the bathroom, and Invidia letting him see her undress for the first time ever, then, she led him into the shower and he saw her standing in front of him, the water dripping off of her, falling over every inch of her body. And, once they were done and he had her hair dry, he carried her out to the bed and they began to make hot, passionate love, and…

"Arty? Arty, are you okay?" Invidia shook him, snapping him out of his fantasy.

"Oh yeah. And you're right, Princess; it's been weeks since we've been together. I'd love to take a shower with you."

"Really?"

Arty nodded. "How about tomorrow night? It's Friday so we can send the kids off somewhere and have the place to ourselves."

"That's wonderful! I love you!" Invidia said.

"I love…" Arty stated to say, but was cut off when Invidia kissed him.

"You can hold onto that until tomorrow," she whispered before she left.

'Trust me…I will…' Arty thought. And he did, not even speaking to her until he came home the next evening.

"How come you didn't tell me 'good bye' this morning?" she asked.

"I figured I'd look forward to tonight more if I didn't see you."

"Well that's no excuse to…" Invidia trailed off as Arty pulled her into a hug.

"It worked," He said. "I'm very happy to see you, and I can't wait until after dinner."

Invidia blushed. "Then I better get started…" she said.

"I'll help," Arty offered as she walked to the kitchen.

She smiled at him and they got together ingredients for one of Invidia's favorite Cometine dishes, which they ate on paper plates, to make the cleaning easier. And after it was done, Arty hugged her from behind and whispered, "You ready?"

Invidia gave a small, nervous nod and, after feeding Monica, headed down the hall with him following. She then locked the bedroom door and went into the bathroom.

"Why'd you lock the bedroom door? No one's home but us," Arty said.

"So Monica can't come in," Invidia explained as she turned on and tested the water. "Now, close this door too, it won't feel right if it stays open."

Arty did as he was told and Invidia turned her back to him.

"What are you doing that for?"

"I have to get undressed…don't I?"

"But…"

"Don't say anything, just turn around. You know I don't like it when people watch me undress."

Arty just shrugged, but he did turn just as Invidia took the pin out of her hair and then slowly started to undress.

'I can't believe I'm really doing this,' she thought as she looked down, took in a breath and then quickly stripped her bra and panties off.

Arty's eyes widened when he turned around and looked at her. He went over and put a hand on her shoulder, and then moved her hair out of the way so he could kiss her neck. "You look beautiful…" He whispered.

"But…I'm not even wearing anything," Invidia said.

"Exactly."

Invidia smiled, thinking 'Maybe this won't be so bad after all…' she held her hand out.

He took it and allowed her to lead him into the shower. She stood with her back to him and let the water run for a few minutes while he stared at her.

'It's just like my dream…if only I could get her to turn back around…' he thought.

"What are you staring at?" Invidia teased as she turned towards him, thinking, 'I never thought about it before…but he looks hot like this…'

"You, of course," he said.

Invidia blushed and reached over for her red pouf, but Arty grabbed her hand.

"Let me take care of that…" He said. "Which body wash do you want?"

"Whichever you like best…"

He smiled at her and picked up the mint chocolate chip scented wash, then, he lathered the pouf and pulled her close. He moved her hair over her left shoulder and started with her neck, moving downward until her got to the middle of her back. He then moved around her waist to her stomach and moved up from there.

Invidia moaned when he reached her breasts, cradling them as he carefully and slowly washed her.

He smiled at her moans and spent some time caressing her, making her moan louder.

"Turn around," he said.

She did so and he picked up the wash cloth and started on her face, gently washing every inch. Then he backed her up against the back wall and ran his hands and the cloth down her legs. And, given that his hands were in close proximity to other parts of her body, she moaned as he touched her there, and when he finished she whispered, "My turn…" and took the wash cloth from him.

Then, she made him turn as she washed his back, and then she pressed up against him and reached her arms around to wash his chest and stomach. When she finished, he turned toward her.

"What?" she asked.

"Your hair…"

"If you're going to wash it then use the shampoo that matches the body wash, and condition it properly, please."

"I'll try," Arty promised as he lathered and then washed her hair with the shampoo she had specified. "Now, about this conditioning…"

"Take just a little bit and rub it between your hands, then run it through my hair gently," Invidia instructed.

Arty nodded and did what she specified, then he let the water wash out the conditioner, which made her hair silky smooth and straight.

"Now, about your hair…" she said as she picked up his shampoo.

He turned and allowed her to wash and conditioned his hair, then he grabbed her from behind and held her for a minute as she turned off the water. After she did they stood facing each other for a second, then, Arty grabbed her by the shoulders, gently pushed her toward the wall and gave her a deep, passionate kiss. Then he moved down her neck, with her gasping.

"Arty…stop, we can't…not here…"

"You're right…" He said as he grabbed her towel, then, he wrapped it around her and lifted her out of the bathtub. "Sit," he ordered as he wrapped a towel around his waist.

She sat on the floor on her knees while Arty gently patted her hair with another towel, and then started to blow dry it and, as he did, he looked at her reflection in the dressing mirror they sat in front of.

'She's beautiful…' he thought. 'Extremely beautiful, and getting to see her in the shower for real?What an image that was, seeing her standing there with all that water dripping off of her, touching her and having her moan in that sexy way…I wish it hadn't ended…'

Invidia looked up at him as he shut off the blow drier and began to brush her hair out. 'He's not just handsome, he's sexy…' She thought. 'The way he looked just a few moments ago…the hot water coming off of him, hisexpression as he looked at me, and his hands running all over me, oh, why did it have to end…?'

"Done," Arty said, breaking her thoughts.

"Hm?" Invidia looked into the mirror and found that he was, indeed, done. Not only had he dried and brushed her hair out, but he had put the pin back in as well. "But I don't want you to be done…"Invidia said with a blush.

'Oh, I get it…' Arty thought, then he picked her up and said. "Let's go."

"Arty…w…what are you doing?" Invidia asked as he carried her out and placed her on the bed.

"You know what I'm doing…" He said, then he gave her another deep kiss and practically ripped her towel off. He then moved down her neck, just as he had done before, only this time she didn't tell him to stop. He just kept going further… until all she could do was moan. Nothing was said and nothing needed to be said, they just let their hands do the talking as they came together and made hot, passionate love on the bedclothes, not even bothering to turn them down. Everything was like a dream. Each new touch, every small kiss seemed to send them into a dizzy, dream-like state, a state in which everything else melted away, the room setting, work problems, and even the time seemed to disappear from their thoughts until all they could see was each other.

There were so into each other that neither of them noticed when a hard rain began to fall outside until thunder sounded, scaring Invidia. Arty took care of her fear however, and cut her off from screaming by running his fingers through her hair and giving her the most private and intimate of kisses, to which she moaned. Arty then locked both hands and eyes with her and gave her a few more moments of pleasure, making sure that she was absolutely ready before he made the final move. When he took her, he did it quickly, in a way that took both their breaths away, with Invidia giving a look that truly hypnotized him, it was sweet, sexy, and it said "I love you."

They spent a bit more time joined together in their act of love before they collapsed on the bed.

"I love you," Invidia said. "More than you'll ever know."

"I know, I love you too," Arty said.

"Arty, one question. If you love me so much, enough to take me like that, than how did you hold out until my hair was done?"

"It's no fun if I can't run my fingers through it, now is it? Besides, I know how much you hate it when you have to lay down with wet hair."

"You know me all too well," she whispered.

"That I do," He whispered back. Then, they kissed and Invidia said, "I like taking a shower with you; maybe we should do this again sometime…"

"How about Monday? I have a big presentation and I could use something to loosen up," Arty suggested.

"Alright then, I guess we have a date."

"But, I'd rather not wait that long to be with you…"

"You seem to have read my mind…now, kiss me," Invidia demanded as she pulled closer to him.

Arty smiled at her, and then kissed her deeply, then he got on top of her and began to trail his kisses once more as they once again joined in a passionate love making session. And, as always, no matter how into it they got Arty handled her gently, making sure that while he was pleasing her, he wasn't too rough with her. He handled her in a tender fashion, similar to the way he handled her in the shower just two mornings later. And she loved every second of it, never before realizing how such a simple, romantic gesture could put her in such a good mood, and it got even better, when, instead of letting her change, he once again carried her out to the bed.

"You know we're going to be late for work…" Invidia pointed out.

"And?" Arty said just before he placed a kiss on her neck.

"Well…it…it means that…"her sentence ended on a moan as he suddenly began to caress her breasts.

"Don't worry about it, besides, it'll be worth it, trust me…"He said as his kisses ran down to her breasts.

'Maybe you're right, I need this, it'll put me in a great mood for my presentation. But other than that, it…it just feels wonderful, and you're right it's worth it…' she thought.

'Definitely worth it…'