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Co-Written with KitKatt0430
Rating: K+
Status: Posting in Process
Summary: Tristan has no gift for Serenity's birthday. The solution? A date. If only he knew what her phone number was. He calls everyone he knows on the off chance that they have her number. Pity he keeps reaching the answering machine.

"No way…"

Tristan stared uncomprehendingly at the calendar, where one square in particular that was outlined with mini-hearts.

"It can't be…it's not possible!"

Unfortunately…it was.

A blink, and then a second. Much to his chagrin, the offending calendar, and a certain date in particular, failed to vanish from sight.

A vicious pinch on his arm ensured that he was neither dreaming or, more accurately, having a nightmare. It also ensured that he now sported a new bruise.

"How could Serenity's birthday be today?" he asked the air, outraged. The air had no reply, but Tristan was sure that it was feeling quite sorry for him. He was feeling quite sorry for himself, after all.

Tristan's head drooped.

"And I haven't even bought her anything yet." He added softly.

In his mind, he could already envision Serenity's glowing smile as she accepted his wondrous gift- whatever it would have been.

As he watched, that precious vision was replaced with Serenity's disappointed frown as he, Tristan, failed to produce a birthday gift- which she was obviously waiting for with great anticipation.

She would be so upset!

What would she think of him?

Did he dare wonder if she might get angry with him…maybe even hate him?

Tristan shuddered, banishing the horrendous idea.

He was the one who "taught Joey to duel". He brought her to Battle City when she got out of the hospital.

Why, with his good looks, (and even greater intelligence,) it was a surprise she wasn't already begging to go out with him.

Disturbing thoughts aside, Tristan began the lengthy process of wearing down the carpet, a process more commonly known as pacing.

Now…what to get the girl of his dreams?

He paused mid-stride.

Wait.

'Begging to go out with him…'

That was it!

Tristan grinned brightly, all signs of his previously worried state all but disappearing, and he congratulated himself on an idea well thought of.

"I'll call Serenity and ask her on a date!"

Never mind that the thought of spending a whole day with said girl left his mouth dry and knees weak. He would do it and Duke be darned.

He'd show that dice-rolling, loud-mouthed, no-good cheater…Tristan stopped before he went on all day (Duke had many faults, after all)...and then he'd laugh in the poor boy's face.

The whole thing was brilliant.

Now…if only he could remember Serenity's phone number.

:End Chapter One: