Cheese Warning!

I really, really, really hope you guys know how much you mean to me. You set of readers are an author's dream come to life. My first multi-chap is dedicated to all of you. If you've read, if you've smiled, especially if you reviewed… this is for you. As for those that favorited me/any of my fics, you guys make my life. I cry every time I see a "so-and-so has added you to their favorite authors list…". I really do. Thank you.

*End cheddar*

Disclaimer: Dr. Nero owns HIVE.

xxxxx

"Love is a serious mental disease"

-Plato

xxxxx

"Yet the fact still stands that they've done exceptionally well this year. I think they deserve a reward, an incentive to continue to work hard in the future. Positive reinforcement."

Nero shook his head to the man on the screen. "Diabolus, H.I.V.E. has never done something like this, and it will drastically deviate the students' focus."

"Think about it as another aspect of their education: how to throw big, grand, show-off-your-power-and-wealth parties."

As every self-respecting super villain was well aware of, the core methodology comprised of three P's: plan, pursue, and party. The final one was perhaps the most important. What good is it to spend all that time and money if one can't brag?

The headmaster thought about it, then shook his head again. "Perhaps at Halloween, or maybe Christmas. Now is not the time."

"And why not? Their exams will be finished, and they can be rewarded for their hard work."

"You know exactly why. Many students are already showing signs of birds and bees, etcetera. They might associate this time of year with—" he shuddered "—prom."

"Well, your school is called HIVE…"

"It's not funny, Diabolus. Just yesterday, I had to send Raven after Argentblum and his latest girlfriend. Do you know what they were doing?"

Diabolus bit his lip. "I'd rather not."

"And similar things have been happening all the time, many of them even worse."

"It's inevitable, Max. You've got several hundred pubescent teenagers stuck in one school, with little non-academic stimulation—"

"We have water polo."

"But that's it! That's all! And these days, what with the values being demonstrated in popular culture and all—"

"All external communication is cut off. My students can't even access popular culture."

"Oh, you'd be surprised, Max."

There was a silence.

"Why don't you just give them an opportunity to let all out this birds-and-bees business? Then, you won't have to worry about it for the rest of the year."

"I rather think this would be the perfect catalyst for… you know, " Nero grumbled.

"Just think about it. I have to go now." Diabolus disappeared from the screen, leaving Nero to brood. And brood. In a bad mood.

Because try as he might, he could not deny that what his friend said made sense. He might not even have to take part in it. Someone else could organize.

For one night, during which he could hide safely in his quarters and send Raven out on duty (which she may or may not be happy about; it didn't matter), the students would have an opportunity to let out their hormones (for better or worse; Nero hoped for the former). Then, after that, they could start their next term (hopefully) without distractions, and have a nice little incentive. That didn't sound bad.

However… what would it be like? Would it be the formal ball thrown by GLOVE members every year or so? Or would it bear more resemblance to high school flings?

Nero brooded some more. Finally, he made up his mind.

"HIVEmind, please get me…er…(who would be good at this?)… Professor Pike. I need to speak with him immediately, about… well, he'll see. And please let Raven know that she has a chaperoning assignment.

xxxxx

"Is it just me, or is Professor Pike on a sugar high?" Laura murmured.

At the front of the classroom, Pike was springing around as he pointed to various spots on the smartboard. "Thus, as the particles dance- er- pass at zero-point-five-c, they'll collide. Think of it-" (leaping over to another diagram) "-as a scaled-down model of the LHC-"

Wing glanced at the clock, just as the loud triple notes sounded, signaling the end of class.

"Oh, good, I have much work to be done," Pike said excitedly. "Don't forget, your exam results for this class are coming in tonight! Ask HIVEmind!"

Five minutes later, at their usual lunch table, Shelby pulled out a giant textbook (Sabotage- Time-tested Techniques) and started scribbling furiously in a spiral notebook. "Just gotta take a few more notes…"

"She didn't study last night," Laura explained.

Otto made a tsk sound. "Bad girl, Shelby."

"What were you doing?" Wing inquired.

Laura answered for her. "Nothing. Lounged around."

Otto shook his head. "Naughty, naughty."

Shelby rolled her eyes. "You're just sour 'cause I scaled the brick wall twice as fast as you. And you fell."

Otto stood up abruptly. "I keep telling you! It WASN'T my fault! The MOSS did it!"

"Yeah," said Laura. "Go ahead. Blame the inanimate plant."

Wing, rather tired of this recurring discussion of yesterday's Tactical exam, changed the subject. "This pasta is delicious."

"It's the same one they've been serving throughout the two years we've been here," Shelby replied.

"I know. It's delicious."

For his efforts, Wing garnered odd looks.

Laura opened her blackbox, perusing results from yesterday's written exams. "Otto, how'd you fail History? Haven't you memorized the textbook?"

Otto looked exasperated. "I didn't fail the test; I just found a hundred ways to do it wrong."

There was no reply.

The rest of the meal passed in relative silence. As they were leaving the cafeteria, Shelby's eyes lasered in on something on the wall, half hidden behind a crowd of giggling ditzies. She stopped to read it, causing the others to pause as well. Her eyes widened.

"No way…"

"Holy-" breathed Otto.

Laura stepped up to scrutinize the black and white poster, no bigger than a sheet of letter paper. It was inconspicuous. It was the only one they could see. It was almost as if it didn't want to be noticed. Upon reading it, she froze. "What the bloody hell has gotten into Nero's mind?"

Wing squinted. "What's 'prom'?"

xxxxx

Just wondering…anyone wanna guest-star? Send me a pm, saying, like, "ME ME ME!" or something. It'll be a short bit of stardom, and I'm only accepting the first three people who contact me. One more prerequisite: there's a Ben Franklin quote somewhere in the second section. Gotta find it!

PLEASE review. I've been setting this story up for months.

Perhaps… story alert?

Excuse my impertinence.

Watch out for chapter two, coming soon!

Love ya!

:)pigeonattack