Title: Surprises

Keith stood in front of the small bathroom mirror as he finished getting ready for the dance. He was already dressed in a pair of gold bellbottom satiny pants and a matching shirt that was loose in the front and tight down his arms. He heard his roommate come to the door and laugh. "Get lost Sven."

Sven chuckled as he leaned against the doorframe. "Looking very sexy. You better hope there aren't any lesbians at the dance. They may try to hit on you."

"Shut up." Keith growled. "Don't you know you aren't suppose to walk in on a girl like that. Makes you a pervert."

"Whatever." Sven snorted. "I think you may have your bra on too tight. You’re already thinking you are a girl!"

"Yeah well for tonight I am." Keith said as he slid a gold headband into this hair to tame back his wild hair.

Sven rolled his eyes. "Oh for Pete's sake! Just tell him!"

"NO!" Keith yelled adamantly. "And you better not either."

"Keith..." Sven sighed. "Tell him. If you do this and then disappear like Cinderella, you’re only going to hurt him and you more! It is only going to make this even harder for you to hide."

"Difference is Prince Charming went looking for Cinderella… he won't come looking for me. It'll be one night… just a dance and nothing more." Keith turned back and looked at his reflection. "For one night I can be with him…"

"I still think you should tell him. He’s not going to hate you. And he may even welcome it."

"You're wrong Sven, very wrong." Keith said as he started to put on his makeup, gold sparkling lipstick, gold eye shadow, and gold and silver sparkles on his cheeks.

"How can you be so sure?" Sven stared at Keith for a moment. "And where the hell did you learn how to put on makeup?"

"I have two older sisters. That's where I got all of this... as well as pointers on how to act." Keith said.

Sven laughed. "How were they able to give advice while laughing their heads off?"

"Because they think it's sweet… and besides they always did want me to be a girl." Keith said as he stepped out of the bathroom and went towards his dresser.

"Well, you definitely look like one. So how are you going to act? Miss Prissy? Miss Tomboy? Miss Snotty? Miss Shy? Miss Flirty?" Sven laughed as he imitated each one.

"Um…at least now I know why you’re still single." Keith laughed. He slid on a gold and silver beaded necklace that fit against his neck and dropped down in strands in varying lengths to a pointed tip. He also added a pair of gold earrings that had a round top and three small gold strands that led down to small gold orbs.

"That is why I don't have a girlfriend. Which is exactly how I want to keep it!"

"Yeah you ain't gonna get a boyfriend acting like 'that' either." Keith laughed. "Now where the hell did I put the shoes?"

Sven snorted. "They shouldn't be too hard to find. They are the only feminine shoes in this room! And I do have a boyfriend, thank you very much!"

"Sure ya do. Mr. Left or Mr. Right?" Keith asked.

"Watch it buddy!" Sven snarled. "You would have one too if you would just tell him!"

"Not in this lifetime." Keith said finally finding the shoes tucked under the edge of the bed. The gold shoes matched the outfit, with a thick flat sole that made him look at least an inch taller.

"I think you would be surprised." Sven smiled as he looked Keith over. "Looking good. So do you have a name?"

"Katerina." Keith replied in a softer voice than he normally spoke in.

"Well you definitely should get his attention. That is if you don't trip and fall wearing those shoes!" Sven burst out laughing. "What a way to make a first impression!"

"The soles are flat so I don't trip you dork." Keith said.

"I don't know." Sven snickered. "You are usually graceful, but everytime you see him you nearly fall flat on your face! And you’re wearing your own shoes then!"

"If you don't shut up you are going to have a shoe shoved where the sun don't shine."

"That is if you don't fall over while trying to do it!" Sven was nearly in tears now. "You can barely think straight when you’re near him! How the hell are you going to be able to dance with him?"

"I'll manage it." Keith said. "Somehow…"

"Suuurrreee!" Sven grinned evilly before pulling out a camera. "Now hold that pose!" Before Keith could react, Sven took the picture. He smirked. "Something to remember you by."

Keith growled and looked at Sven with an if-looks-could-kill-you'd-be-dead glare. "If you tell anyone it's me I will kill you."

Sven snorted. "I won't tell anyone...just keeping this as a little momento. Never know when it might come in handy..."

Keith just glared at Sven one last time. "It's time to go to the dance."

"Knock'em dead kid!" Sven laughed. "Just try not to make too big a fool of yourself."

"If I do I won't be back." Keith said seriously before heading out the door.

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The Winter Fling Dance was going full swing. Practically everyone was there...ready to release the tension after their finals. Balloons and streamers of various colors were hanging everywhere, swaying with the loud music. Students packed the dance floor, making it difficult not to dance close. The black lights flashed around them, providing perfect cover for more sensual dancing.

Keith entered the room and immediately switched to his Katerina personality as he scanned the crowd for the one person he went there to be with.

Hunk, Pidge, and Lance were standing next to the drink table, talking and drinking punch. All three were dressed in casual dress slacks, looking very sharp. Pidge was wearing tan slacks and a green long sleeved shirt, opened enough to show the gold necklace on his chest. Hunk was standing close to him, also wearing tan slacks. He was constantly messing with the orange tie on his white silk shirt.

Lance was dressed in black slacks and a midnight blue silk shirt. He was laughing as Hunk messed with his 'noose'. "If it’s bothering you so much, then why are you wearing it?"

Hunk sighed. "Because Pidge thinks I look good in a tie."

Pidge smirked. "Can I help it if it makes you look so sexy?" Lance burst out laughing as Hunk blushed dark red.

Keith took a deep breath. He slowly released it as he walked gracefully over to the drink table and smiled sweetly at Lance.

'Great...another girl!' Lance smiled back, mentally sighing. He just wasn't really interested in girls. But there was something about this one that seemed familiar. "Hi. How are you doing tonight?"

"I'm good. How are you?" Keith asked.

'Why do I feel so comfort about her? I don't even know her!' Lance smiled. "Not bad. Name's Lance." He glanced over to the snickering duo beside him. "And these two idiots are Pidge and Hunk."

"HEY!" Pidge and Hunk yelled in unison.

"My name is Katerina and it's nice to meet you, all of you."

Lance groaned slightly as Pidge and Hunk started to make kissing noises while turning to refill their drinks. 'They are going to be SO dead! Well no sense exposing her to any more of their 'mature' behavior.' He smiled at Katerina. "That's a pretty name. Would you like to dance?"

"I'd love too." Keith smiled. As they headed for the dance floor Keith tripped slightly and almost fell, or would've if Lance hadn't caught him. He blushed deeply not looking up at Lance while berating himself for tripping just as Sven had predicted.

"Easy there." Lance laughed softly as he steadied the girl. "This gym floor is not exactly the best to walk on or dance on for that matter!"

"I don't think it had anything to with the floor." Keith laughed lightly.

"Maybe..." Lance chuckled, keeping a grip on Katerina's arm so she wouldn't fall again. "However, the dance floor is so packed, you probably don't have to worry about falling!"

"That's a relief." Keith said as he lifted his head and looked into Lance's hazel eyes, almost tripping again. 'Okay bad idea…don't look in his eyes…'

Lance laughed as he swirled Katerina around, starting to dance slowly with the soft music. "Just relax and enjoy the music. After all, finals are over...at least for this semester." He made a face at his last remark.

"Finals are easy. After all it's just the same stuff you're suppose to already know from all the other tests." Keith said as he rested his head against Lance's shoulder. He felt so safe and secure in Lance's light hold...a place he never wanted to leave.

"You got a point there. I guess I’m just slow." Lance chuckled as they swayed with the music. 'Why does she seem so familiar? I feel so at ease around her...but I’m not interested in girls.'

"No you're not. I'm just weird and like finals, at least that's what my roommate says."

"Pidge says the same thing...as well as many other people. So you're not weird." Lance grinned as he pulled back, twirled Katerina around before pulling her back closer than before. 'So what if it's a girl. Just enjoy the dance. It's not like the guy you really like is interested in you anyway...'

Keith deeply inhaled Lance's scent, wanting to imprint it on his brain, wanting to remember every small detail about Lance...to remember this dance forever. He wrapped his arms loosely over Lance's shoulder and gently played with the longer wisps of soft brown hair at the nape of Lance's neck.

'This is kinda nice.' Lance rested his head against Katerina's as he pulled her closer. He could almost imagine someone else in his arms instead. 'WHOA BOY! Get a grip. It's not going to happen, and you know it! So quit daydreaming and enjoy the company you're with!'

"You're a wonderful dancer Lance. I'm surprised that you don't have some other girl claiming you as theirs for the night."

"I'm not that great! You’re just trying to flatter me." Lance laughed. "You, on the other hand, will have no trouble finding much better company than me."

"I don't want anyone else's company. I prefer your company." Keith said.

"I like your company too." Lance smiled. "And you are a great dancer."

"As long as I'm not falling over my own feet you mean." Keith said with a smile.

"Hey now. You may have nearly fallen twice, but you have not once stepped on my feet."

"I am not that clumsy… not normally at all clumsy, until I see a cute guy." Keith chuckled softly. 'Namely you.'

Lance quickly glanced around him. "Okay, I don't know where you’re looking. Maybe you need your eyes checked..."

"I'm looking at you silly." Keith laughed. "And my eyes are just fine." He said raising his head to look at Lance with a big smile.

"You may want to get a second opinion." Lance laughed. He couldn't help it...her laugh was so contagious. And her eyes...one could get lost in them. Just like... 'I told you to not think about it, dummy!'

"Well in that case what do you think about my eyes?" Keith asked.

"I think they are very beautiful, even if they can't see straight." Lance grinned.

"Good looking, sweet, and modest. You don't find too many guys like that around now days. So tell me how it is that you don't have a girlfriend."

'Well, I had a feeling that was coming. I hope I don't hurt her feelings.' Lance smiled nervously as he quickly twirled Katerina around. "Now don't get me wrong...I love your company. I just not...uh...into girls...um...that way."

Keith stopped dancing to glare at Lance. "I've had some harsh brush off's in my life but that has to be the worst."

"Hey! It's not a brush off! It's the truth" Lance sighed as he held up his hands in surrender. "I'm not attracted to girls that way. That is why so many of my friends are girls. They know they can trust me and that I will never take advantage of them in any way."

"Yeah right. If I was a blonde haired big boobed bimbo, you'd be singing a different song right now." Keith said. He didn't care that they were getting more then a few stares. "Next thing you're gonna tell me is you're involved with your two friends."

"Nope. They’re involved with each other." Lance chuckled at the shocked look on Katerina's face. "And you could be a super model but I still would not be interested in that way. I'm interested in guys." He shrugged helplessly. "I find girls are just easier for me to talk to and be with. Once we’re friends, they usually don't expect me to be something I'm not. I can be myself, which is not always possible with a bunch of guys."

Keith just stared at Lance totally speechless. He could feel tears pricking at the back of eyes as he realized he had made an idiot out of himself for no reason. Though he doubted he'd even had a chance if he came as himself. "And just who…" Keith started to say when he was bumped by another dancer knocking him against Lance. The couple started to complain but a death glare, or in his current get up a bitch glare, made them back away without saying anything. "Let's talk outside, okay?"

"Sure." Lance smiled slightly as he gently gripped Katerina's arm, leading her through the mob for the exit. It was much calmer and peaceful outside under the maple trees. "I didn't mean to upset you in anyway and I understand if you are uncomfortable with this. This isn't the first time this has happened, so don't worry about hurting my feelings in anyway. I'm used to it."

"I’m shocked but far from uncomfortable." Keith said. He looked up at the full moon. "So just what is your type… of guy I mean? Underwear model? Playgirl Centerfold?"

"Again, I'm sorry if I miss led you in anyway. I don't mean to." Lance sighed in relief before staring at the moon himself. "My type of guy? That's a tough question. The guy I like goes to school here, but he doesn't even know I'm alive."

"Ya know one thing I learned tonight is you can't count on things like that. And if I had taken my friend's advice… never mind." Keith forced a smile. "After causing you so much trouble tonight maybe I can help you meet your Mr. Right."

Lance smiled brightly. "Thanks, but that's okay. It's not likely that I will get a chance to get to know him anyway. He’s not too sociable. But he has a very gentle and compassionate soul, even if he hides it from everyone else. That’s why I like him so much."

"Sounds like a few people I know. My ex-boyfriend for one. Well one date… half a date. He's just too much like a brother to call him a boyfriend. He's anti-social but he's a sweetie… and little insane, but hell ain't we all." Keith laughed.

Lance laughed. "I suppose we all are. Though some people tell me that I'm more than just a 'little' insane."

"I've been called worse then insane… and those people would be right. Anyone can tell you I ain't right in the head."

"Oh, I don't know about that." Lance chuckled as he sat down on one of the school benches. "You seem perfectly sane to me...a little clumsy, but there is nothing wrong with that."

"Oh believe me I’m insane. If I wasn't I wouldn't be here tonight." Keith said.

"Well, you did say that we are all insane so you fit right in!" Lance laughed. "So, since we’re talking about dream guys, who is yours? I promise not to tell anyone."

"That would be you. That's why I went to the dance. I wanted the chance to dance at least one time with you." Keith said. "I figured it was the only way to get near you if only for one night because I thought there was no way…"

Lance smiled sadly. "I'm sorry Katerina. I wish I was interested in girls...then I would be with you in a heartbeat."

"And if I wasn't a girl?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Lance looked just a tad bit puzzled. "Don't tell me that you were serious about not being right in the head and that you escaped from an insane asylum?"

"I mean I’m not girl. Like I said I just wanted one dance, one night be able to be close to you and as myself I could never do that. I thought you were only into girls so I… well… dressed up as one."

"Huh?" Lance just sat there, his mouth opening and closing like someone's pet gold fish. 'Real elegant stupid!'

"In plain English. I…am…a…boy…not…a…girl." Keith said.

Lance blinked a few times, somehow keeping his mouth shut this time. "I...don't know what to say. This is...not really something...that has happened to me before. My parents never mentioned...um...that something like this would...happen. So sorry if I'm...a little slower than usual right now."

"Not much to figure out. Basically I have had a crush on you for a long time but figured you only dated girls, so I pretended to be a girl to be able to dance with you. My name is not Katerina, it's Keith."

"WHAT?" Lance fell off the bench, his eyes wide as he stared up at this new development. "Keith who?"

Keith took a couple steps back. "Um... maybe I should leave it at that… that way you can't seek revenge once you are thinking straight."

"WAIT!" Lance jumped up and grabbed Keith's arm. "Please. Just sit for a moment."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner… " Keith said as he reluctantly sat on the bench.

Lance smiled reassuringly. "Don't be...I'm not mad. Just shocked and surprised. I thought you weren't interested."

"Um, you have that backwards. I thought you weren't interested, and I dressed up as a girl to dance with you." Keith said.

"I...I don't know what to say. No one has ever went to such lengths just to dance with me." Laughing, Lance shook his head in wonder. "I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted with myself for not realizing it."

"What about option C, pissed at me for lying to you." Keith said quietly.

"NOPE! That is not an option." Lance laughed. "Why should I be? It’s a very creative way to find out if someone likes you."

Keith smiled. "Yeah but you have your heart set on someone else so I’m still SOL."

"Not at all. You are the one who has stolen my heart. I just didn't think you wanted it." Lance smiled brightly at the shocked look on Keith's face. He quickly stood up and offered his hand. "How about we try this again? Would you like to dance, Keith?"

Keith smiled and took Lance's hand. "I'd love to."

Lance happily took Keith's hand and pulled him into his arms. Together they began to dance to the gentle music of the spring breeze moving through the trees as the moon cast its loving glow on the new couple.