“To think, I didn’t think you liked me.”

Amp shrugged, and continued making inroads in her food, avoiding eye contact.

“You couldn’t have met to many decent guys if I am one of the nicer ones, you attracted to the tough guys?”

"Hardly." No lie there. And just to add a bit of credit to her facade, she added another bit of truth. "But I certainly seem to attract the jerky ones." Then, as if in afterthought, she glanced up and added, "No offense. Guess I'm a bit jaded."

She'd only eaten half of her food, compared to his three slices, and picked at the rest. Mentally she'd calculated that she'd eaten enough carbs to keep her sugar level, while outwardly the seeming lack of interest in the food added to an air of minor depression.

"Hardly." "But I certainly seem to attract the jerky ones." "No offense. Guess I'm a bit jaded."

Sam watched play with her food a bit and avoid eye contact while talking. She was clearly getting bored. Guess he was going to have to change that.

Sam let out a small laugh, “No offense taken at all, I usually go for the tough girls that attract the jerky guys.” Sam waved over for the check and looked to Amanda, “You look like your ready to go I’m ready when every you are.”

“No offense taken at all, I usually go for the tough girls that attract the jerky guys.”

Amp snorted. It wasn't the most original pick up line, but definitely not the worst she'd heard.

“You look like your ready to go I’m ready when every you are.”

She sighed, still playing the depression card, and pushed the half-empty plate away. "Sure, I guess."

While waiting for the waiter to run her card, she shifted in her chair.

"Um, Sam? I've got a question for you. I guess. Yesterday, when we dropped you off, I thought I saw something.... Or, someone?" She snuck a hesitant waver into her voice. "And at the club, you were awfully, well.... cold...."

She bit her lip, and pushed a lock of copper curl behind her ear.

"Um, Sam? I've got a question for you. I guess. Yesterday, when we dropped you off, I thought I saw something.... Or, someone?" She snuck a hesitant waver into her voice. "And at the club, you were awfully, well.... cold...."

Sam’s attention was now a hundred percent on Amanda as she bit her lip and pushed her hair behind her ear. ‘Wow’ thought Sam, he didn’t know if she was thinking about asking him all night but when she looked that cute and innocent, Sam was willing to sing what he could do. But he resisted the urge to and smiled playing dumb “Amanda I don’t know what you’re talking about. He knew exactly what she was talking about but, it would ruin the surprise for later so he had to come with something now. “I admit I can be a little cold when I have a few drinks in me, but I hope I wasn’t to mean to you.” He said in a teasing voice as he smiled and looked out the window.

Sam stood up once Amanda got her card and he held out his hand, “Ready to go?”

“Amanda I don’t know what you’re talking about. I admit I can be a little cold when I have a few drinks in me, but I hope I wasn’t to mean to you.”

"That's not what I meant."

She had the luxury of knowing he was playing dumb. Unfortunately, she didn't have the luxury of pressing him out of it. She could live with that. It would come out eventually, if not willingly on his part, then conivingly on her part.

The waiter returned, and she sighed. "Nevermind. It's no big deal." She pocketed her card and stood. "So, where to now? You weren't very specific what you wanted to do tonight, other than dinner."

"That's not what I meant."

Sam knew exactly what she meant however he felt it was necessary to play dumb a bit more or it would ruin the surprise Sam had waiting for her. Sam immediately had a flash back to on of his earlier dates at the mansion with a girl he was trying to get over. Sam’s face went bleak and almost sad for a second but then he turned his gaze to Amanda and his sad emotions immediately dissipated into a smile.

"So, where to now? You weren't very specific what you wanted to do tonight, other than dinner."

Sam smile turned into a grin as he started to laugh a little, “ That two, is my secret for the time being, it’s going to be a surprise, I think you might like it or, you’ll think I am a complete sap. Either way we should have some fun tonight.” Sam motioned for the door and took Amanda across the street to central park.

<"Where'd that depressed look come from?"> Amp wondered silently, a tad baffled.

“That two, is my secret for the time being, it’s going to be a surprise, I think you might like it or, you’ll think I am a complete sap. Either way we should have some fun tonight.”

She'd already pegged him as the mushy, sentimental type, though that sudden gloomy grimace had thrown her a bit. It took conscious effort not to roll her eyes. Instead she simply followed him toward Central Park. She had no clue what he had in mind, but wasn't worried about any trouble yet.

(OOC: Sorry it's short. Feel free to gmod a bit if need be.)

The sun was setting and a certain emotion was in the air, everywhere Sam looked there was a couple staring at something, each other or the sky. Couples were holding hands cuddling and kissing. Even for Sam this upset his stomach a little, he looked over to amp to see her expression, and he wasn’t surprised when she had a certain look of disgust. Sam new from the second he met her she wasn’t one for the mushy and romantic crap.

The path they were walking on was a dirt path, after entering the park Sam took a sharp left and headed to his isolated location that he had frequently visited ever since he found it 6 years ago when he first came to New York City. The lights in this area seemed to get farther and farther apart as they continued to walk this path. The lightening got worse and worse until Sam abruptly stopped so fast he almost slipped on a rock that was in the path. Sam turned to Amanda and said with a serious but friendly look on his face, “Alright where almost there, no I got to ask you to keep this place a secret if everyone knew about it wouldn’t be a special as it normally is.” Sam waited for a response and the continued to walk forward while leading Amanda.

They came to a fork in the road but instead of going left or right Sam kept walking forward straight into a dense area of trees and brush. The smell of dead wood and water filled the air as they continued to walk through the small dense patch of woods. Once they were far enough in Sam took a look around and thought for a second muttering, “was it a left or a right?” Sam thought for a moment and took a right waving Amanda to follow him. It was now dark and almost impossible to see anything but Sam knew the path he took was the right on and at this point he didn’t really need to see anything.

After a few minutes Sam saw a faint light coming from the direction they were walking. Sam continued walking picking up the pace to an almost speed walk, “Where here, let me know what you think.” Sam and Amanda came walked out of the woods and into a clearing. Looking around Sam’s breath was taken away like it always was when ever he came here on the night of the full moon. The trees surrounded the small lake all except for the clearing they were now standing in. The full moon reflected off of the lake lighting up the entire area in an almost magical glow. Sam smiled, “Place hasn’t changed at all.” He smiled and walked to his usual spot and lied down looking up at the sky. It was a warm night, which was perfect of stargazing. It was cloudless night and the lights from the city didn’t affect the sky, the stars shown in all their brilliance as Sam just lied there with a look of awe on his face.

Amp let her ears keep her on track as she followed Sam through the park. Her mind wandered among the overabundant couples they passed. They passed one pair standing near a fountain, slowly moving in toward each other for a kiss. Amp paused and knelt down to mess with the strap on her shoe. Moments later a small concussion blast shot through the ground, erupting under the man's feet. His arms flew out and away to catch himself, but only succeed in pulling his date into the fountain after him.

Amp straightened and hurried to catch up to Sam again, a satisfied smirk on her face.

The lights became few and far between, adding to the general dimness as the sunlight also faded. She felt Sam stop, and probably could have avoided it, but decided not to tip him off as to her own mutation. She bumped into him, holding her arms out to balance.

“Alright where almost there, no I got to ask you to keep this place a secret if everyone knew about it wouldn’t be a special as it normally is.”

She simply nodded. She'd decide whether to keep the promise or not later.

Although now dark, she had no problems seeing where they were going, thanks to supersonic echolocation. She watched him seemingly wander around, unsure of his own heading. So far she saw nothing that qualified as 'special.' Trees here, bush there. An unpleasant wet smell in the air. Whoop-de-doo.

Finally a bit of light broke through, and she suddenly had to pick up her pace to keep up with him.

“Where here, let me know what you think.”

Okay, time to earn that Emmy....

Amp plastered an appropriately awed look as she took in the somewhat cliche' scene. Though she had to admit, the moon on the water was beautiful, and she said as much aloud.

She sat on the ground next to Sam as he lay on his back, craning her neck up to look at the stars.

“Place hasn’t changed at all.”

"Oh? Been coming here for awhile?"

"Oh? Been coming here for awhile?"

Sam’s gaze drifted from the stars and then to Amanda. In a calm and peaceful voice he replied, “Yep. As luck would have it when I first came to New York a few years ago I thought that this park was the perfect place to walk around. One thing led to another and I found this place.” Sam looked back up at the stars and then said, “ I used to come her all the time but… this has been the first time I have been here in a year.” Sam put hi hands behind his head and stretched while still lying down on the ground.

Sam remained quiet for a minute and then sat back up looking at Amanda with a look of concern in his eyes. ‘Now or never’ Sam thought as he was contemplating about show off his abilities to Amanda. He usually wasn’t one to hesitate when it comes to talking about being a mutant but for some reason he felt that telling Amanda would be a mistake. Something deep down gave Sam the warning light about this girl, but Sam not one to listen to his gut feeling said this, “So how do you feel about mutants?” Sam tried the best he could to hide the look of anxiousness and excitement on his face.

Waiting for her response Sam laid his head back down and then continued watching the stars eagerly waiting for her answer hoping it was the right one. Sam blinked as a star flew by and disappeared from site. Thinking to himself as the shooing star was vanished, ‘Please let it be the right answer.’

“Yep. As luck would have it when I first came to New York a few years ago I thought that this park was the perfect place to walk around. One thing led to another and I found this place. I used to come her all the time but… this has been the first time I have been here in a year.”

”Why wait so long, if its so special?” she asked, and turned to study him. She saw him look at her strangely, almost frowning, and reacted with a frown of her own. ”What? What’s wrong?”

“So how do you feel about mutants?”

Perhaps because she was being sneaky herself, she hadn’t expected him to come right and ask like that. She’d already planned on having to weasel her way into uncovering his capabilities. Her expression showed her surprise, though it would be easy to misinterpret, given the circumstances. She looked away quickly, trying to gather her thoughts and decide on a plan of action.

”Mutants? I dunno.” She reached down and picked at the grass. ”I guess.... I think they’re just.... I dunno. Misunderstood.” She remained nearly motionless for a few moments. Then all at once, balled her fist and struck the ground.

”This is stupid. Why does every conversation have to have something to do with who likes mutants and who doesn't?” she growled quietly, running her free hand through her copper hair. ”I’m not playing this game. It shouldn’t matter what I think of mutants.” She stood up and glared at Sam. ”They’re people just like everyone else. If you’re prejudiced against them, that’s your problem, not mine. I’m not gonna be a part of it. I’m outta here.”

She turned to head back the way they’d come, secretly hoping he wouldn’t let her get much further than a few steps. If he let her walk away, it would complicate things. She could still work with it, but it would be difficult.

”Mutants? I dunno.” ”I guess.... I think they’re just.... I dunno. Misunderstood.”

Sam smiled and nodded as he continued to look up at the stars that were the answer he was looking for. Every time Sam ever got close to a girl it would go great up until it came to the discussion of mutants, so far almost all of them had the opposite effect Amanda just had. Sam decided from that moment on she needed to know she deserved to know. Sam was about to tell her, as he leaned up and opened his mouth he was cut short as Amanda started to speak.

”This is stupid. Why does every conversation have to have something to do with who likes mutants and who doesn't?” ”I’m not playing this game. It shouldn’t matter what I think of mutants.” She stood up and glared at Sam. ”They’re people just like everyone else. If you’re prejudiced against them, that are your problem, not mine. I’m not gonna be a part of it. I’m outta here.”

Sam was a little surprised with her out burst as she stood up and went off on him like that. Not to many girls are that passionate about anything. Sam smiled as she was walking away. Sam leaned forward and dashed out to the water so fast even if Amanda was turned around he would only appear as a blur. Sam ran out in towards the middle of the pond and was now standing on two small ice blocks the remained stationary in the still water. Sam let out a loud whistle that reverberated in the night and said, “This is why I wanted to know how you felt about mutants.” Sam stood there holding his breath waiting for Amanda to say something.

Though it didn't actually bother her, Sam's whistle sounded considerably more high-pitched to Amp's sensitive ears.

“This is why I wanted to know how you felt about mutants.”

Still glowering, she paused and turned around to see him standing in the middle of the lake. And here she thought she was being overly dramatic.

Pulling on a surprised jaw-drop, she turned around and walked back to the lake, stopping at the edge. She reached down to touch the cold water, and set a set of supersonic vibrations out. They bounced back to her, confirming the ice beneath his feet.

She stood up and pointed. "So you're.... and that's why you asked?" It was hard to fake a blush, so she was glad it was too dark to see clearly. She dipped her head, and rubbed one arm guiltily.

"Oh. I.... guess I owe you an apology. Sorry...."

She looked around, and took a few steps back. "I didn't mean to bite your head off. Its just.... my sister is a mutant." No lie there. "And everyone seems to hate mutants these days." Again, no lie, and no faking the bitterness in her voice. "It's just not fair." Tears would be overkill, so go for the shiny eyes instead.

<"C'mon sappy story. Time to bait the line."> she thought.

"So you're.... and that's why you asked?"

Sam remained motionless on the to ice blocks that floated above the water. He didn’t say anything or change expression; he just remained there staring at Amanda as she spoke. He thought it was quite obvious why he asked her in the first place. Sam isn’t one to hate, sure he might not get along with some people but he wouldn’t be called one to discriminate.

"Oh. I.... guess I owe you an apology. Sorry...."

Sam noticed that she was continuing to speak so instead of having her yell he walked closer to her, ice would melt then reform as he continued to walk towards her at a steady pace, it would look as if he was walking on a flat surface. Sam flashed a grin as she said she should apologize, he walked closer till he was arm distance from her. Once their Sam just waited till she said what she had to say.

"I didn't mean to bite your head off. Its just.... my sister is a mutant." "And everyone seems to hate mutants these days." "It's just not fair."

Sam’s grin faded as he listened to Amanda talk about her sister and then he noticed her eyes were now becoming glassy. Sam’s thought process was interrupted as he walked to Amanda and put his arms around her in a hug. Sure it was a little sudden but he felt like he had to console her, “Don’t cry.” Sam leaned his head back so he was looking at her, “Not everyone hates mutants, just a large amount hate us.” A smile quickly found it’s way back to his face as he pulled away from the hug. “So I now have an idea why you seem a little cold sometimes, must have bee tough growing up like that.”

Amp automatically stiffened when Sam pulled her into a hug, and her arms came up to push him away.

“Don’t cry.”

Oh right. Sappy. Work the sap....

She forced herself to relax, leaving her hands on his arms.

“Not everyone hates mutants, just a large amount hate us.”

"I know. But its still not right," she replied quietly. She squelched the urge to shudder as he released her, and kept her eyes groundward to be safe.

“So I now have an idea why you seem a little cold sometimes, must have bee tough growing up like that.”

"You have no idea." She didn't have to fake the bitterness in her voice. Though she turned and added sheepishly, "I mean.... well.... I guess you probably do."

She shrugged, and started walking along the water's edge, arms crossed across her chest.

"Typical stuff, I guess. Other kids teasing, pulling nasty pranks and the like. Vandalized the house, treated us all like outcasts. Then Registration. That was a nightmare...."

A nightmare that never left her alone. Ugh.... why had she brought that back to mind? She shuddered visibly, and rubbed her arms.