Polished black cowboy boots with silver trimming led the way out of the truck door. The footwear was soon followed by slightly tight dark blue jeans, a Western style shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a black cowboy hat completed the themed outfit.

As Jacen walked up the stairs that would lead to Kealey's apartment door he was feeling quite pleased with himself. A hostage situation at a downtown apartment building had been handled expertly without a single person, either hostage or hostage taker, being killed. Sure the S.W.A.T. team had been forced to move in but they had neutralized the assailant with little difficulty. Jacen had earned this night off and he was planning on enjoying the time with his friend to its fullest. After the fiasco that had been their previous evening he wasn't planning on doing anything that would warrant Kealey feeling uncomfortable but he wasn't completely sure he would say no if she started something. He really liked Lori but there was still something about Kealey that made him want to investigate the possibilities. Why couldn't life ever be simple?

Standing outside the door, Jacen knocked with a quick triple tap and then stood casually one thumb hooked on the edge of his pocket while the other arm hung loosely. The plan was to take his hat off like a true Western Gentleman and greet the lovely lady with a police, "Ma'am... ready to go?" He had the beginning planned out perfectly but all of it hinged on the idea of her opening the door. Thankfully that was pretty much a given so all he had to do was wait.

She was almost ready. Kealey had been distracted all afternoon as she thought about her…outing with Jacen. For the first half of the week Kealey had taken to mentally calling it a date, but as time went on she convinced herself that she was simply overreacting to the things that had happened when they’d gone out to the club, almost a week ago. Kealey hadn’t heard from Jacen, but then again with his line of work he’d probably had a busy week.

Kealey’s week had been busy, well as busy as her weeks got. The emotions of the people around her had been trials and tribulations as the best and worst of times and the little mantra Jacen had given her of background noise had helped her concentrate on several occasions. She was interacting with more people now too. Between the advice that Elle had given her and the things that Jacen had told her about finding her own emotions in the jumble of everyone else’s Kealey had started practicing on her own. Without too much success, and ending up with little more than headaches each night by the time she got home…but it was something to do to feel pro-active about her situation, and Kealey was enjoying it. Almost as much as thinking about what tonight was going to be like.

There had been a brief moment of panic when Kealey got home and pulled out the jeans, realizing they were much slimmer cut than she’d remembered them being. They went on easily though and sat right below hips and as Kealey looked at herself in the mirror after pulling them on she decided they were just perfect for a cowboy bar. What wasn’t perfect were the scars. One was mostly hidden, running from the inside of her right thigh up and around her rear to the curve of her waist, a two or three centimeter strip of skin that the doctors hadn’t been able to fix where a piece of metal hot with fire had seared into her leg as she was buried in rubble. At least it was mostly hidden.

The other one made two piece bathing suits and true halter tops impossible and Kealey shook her head as she stared into the mirror at the thin line that ran from the bottom of her last rib in a wide arc down to her hip bone. She’d been told that she’d broken several ribs and Kealey knew that her spleen had been removed after she’d been pulled free from the wreckage, her leg had been broken, and one arm. Kealey had various other small scars and a somewhat larger one that was hidden from sight by her hair. She didn’t remember any of it though…still to this day. Nothing after they’d started singing the Ave Maria on stage. She only knew what she’d been told. Kealey stared at herself, the black lined eyes peering back at her through the mirror.

A knock at the door shocked Kealey and she dropped the eyeliner she’d just finished using while she stared in the mirror. Kealey checked the clock and cursed silently to herself, snatching her shirt off the towel rack in the bathroom and pulling it over her head, making sure it covered everything was supposed to cover, neckline to hemline. It was just long enough, touching the top of her jeans and the top was cut in just far enough to show a little skin without being promiscuous looking... at least Kealey thought so. The outfit had been made for this situation, having been something Kealey bought on impulse and while she wasn’t putting the hat on just yet, it made sense with the outfit and would look good. The jeans looked like something right out of a cowboy movie and the shirt had some American race car driver on it. The boots were the only part of the outfit Kealey had worn before and she loved the way they peeked out of the slightly flared legs of the jeans.

Doing her best to shake off the strange encounter she’d just had with herself in the mirror, Kealey jogged to the door, breaking into a grin as her boots clicked on the wood floors and grinning even more as she stepped into the field that Jacen always emitted and silence washed over her.

It only took a moment to unlock the door and Kealey swung it open fully and grinned at Jacen, taking in his own well put together cowboy outfit. Apparently they were pulling out all the stops, and he pulled them out well…and the hat. The man looked good in a cowboy hat, and better taking it off and greeting her. ”Howdy…” Kealy said softly "You look fantastic Jacen!, a broad grin spreading across her features as she held out her arms and turned slowly. ”What about me? Am I going to pass muster, or will they peg me as the foreign fraud I am?”

OOC - If it wasn’t okay for me to assume Jacen played out his greeting…just pretend like I didn’t and I’ll fix it later.

(OOC: Nope, I put his plans there so you could have it play out in your post. No changes necessary. )

IC:
When the door first opened Jacen found himself rendered breathless once again. He had thought he would be safe since Kealey wouldn't be wearing her blue dress but seeing her dressed up in a western style suddenly made him realized just how wrong he was. This woman probably could have been wearing a burlap sack and somehow she still would have pulled it off as being sexy.

Remembering his manner Jacen had snatched off his hat and greeted the young woman, his broad grin shining just as brightly in his eyes as it did on his lips. "I think you'll pass muster just fine." Jacen replied with a smile, "Besides, most original cowboys were of foreign descent too so you'll fit in just fine."

After making sure that Kealey had everything she would need for the evening, Jacen turned and led the way down the stairs and back out to the sidewalk. Without even thinking about it, Jacen walked side by side with Kealey placing himself between her and the street. It was an unconscious gesture of putting himself closer to the dangerous traffic while protecting the lady but in the current civilization most people wouldn't even notice.

"So, are you excited?" Jacen asked with a smile once they were both in the truck and he was pulling out of his parking space, "I have to admit I've been looking forward to this."

***

Casual conversation helped the travel time fly by and after what seemed like only a few minutes the pair arrived at the Rodeo Bar. Placed in an old brick building, the normal beer signs lit up the window with a large sign hanging off of the corner of the building to announce to all those passing by that this was the local western bar. As the pair stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by the sound of country music coming from the band on stage as well as the sound of laughter coming from the bar as well as a ring type structure off in the far corner. One of the waitresses gave the two of them a pleasant smile as she passed by and told them to just grab a seat wherever they could find an open spot.

"This way." Jacen said as he spotted an open booth. Grabbing Kealey hand just to ensure that they wouldn't be separated in the crowd, and perhaps in order to touch her smooth skin again, Jacen led the way over to the booth and then slid in. Taking off his hat he laid it on the end of the table closest the wall and smiled at the young woman across from him.

"So, have you ever been to a western bar before or is this your first time?"

Kealey didn’t miss it, the slight appreciative gleam in Jacen’s eyes when the door swung fully open and he was presented with her western garb. Kealey was pleased with herself, it was exactly the reaction she’d been hoping for when she’d officially put the outfit together. She wasn’t arrogant or vain in the least, but Kealey had always been realistic and she knew that she was a physically attractive woman. Usually, she didn’t flaunt it on purpose. Tonight, she was. Part of her wanted to see if she could illicit the same end result as their last outing, even if another, equally large part, was almost terrified to do so. Experience, Kealey reminded herself, was something there was no substitute for.

Jacen assured her that despite her foreign roots, she’d pass muster just fine surrounded by American cowboys and Kealey grinned, ”One minute…” she said, moving around the small apartment to gather her things into a small black purse then grab the black hat she’d bought just the other night and place it on top of her head. She loved the hat. Even if her style was usually a little more metropolitan than that, the novelty was great, plus the way it made her hair frame her face was more than becoming.

Out they went and Jacen asked if she was excited, Kealey grinned. ”I really am… she said as they walked, ignoring the odd glances they got from some of their fellow New Yorkers, undoubtedly headed to more cultured settings. ”I’ve been excited all week, and I could hardly make it through work today…then again, there were school trips all over the library and lots of small children have a tendency to make me restless and giddy.”

The truck wasn’t far, and as they chatted about their respective weeks time passed quickly and before Kealey expected, they were at the bar. It looked almost like a place out of the movies and she couldn’t help a bright grin or an excited little, oh of delight from escaping her as they approached. The door opened and Kealey beamed again. The place was crowded, but that was fine, she was with Jacen and the only thing she was feeling was her own giddy excitement that only increased when she saw the live band up on the stage playing. She was so busy watching that she didn’t hear the waitresses instructions to find a seat and was slightly startled when Jacen grabbed her hand. Only for a moment though, and she followed his lead, moving through the bar and to the empty booth.

Kealey followed Jacen’s lead, sliding in to the seat opposite him an removing her hat to put it on the table. She was a fast learner. Around the bar she looked, taking in the sights and watching all the people, but most of all staring at the band. This little bar was great, it even had a little corral looking area.

Jacen asked if Kealey had ever been to a place like this before and she had to smile, even as she shook her head. His powers were so latent, did he even remember what she did?

”If it involves large, rowdy, or intoxicated crowds…you can pretty much assume I’ve never done it.” Kealey said, running a hand through the loose curls she’d painstakingly made look tousled and random for the evening. ”I’ve really only been comfortable going out in crowds at all in the last couple of years. she added, ”It used to turn me into a certifiable basketcase. Kealey realized she was digressing, and probably to her own discredit and she laughed.

”You on the other hand…I’d be willing to bet you frequent this place often. You’re far too comfortable in these clothes, and I can't imagine too many places in New York requiring this type of dress."

That had been a really stupid question to ask and as soon as Kealey began to answer it he remember. Something about this woman just threw him off a touch. Maybe it was because of his field that he forgot about what Kealey had to deal with every day or maybe it was because she was so attractive that she messed up his thinking pattern. Either way was quite possible but Jacen wasn't even going to begin to guess which was it was because somehow he knew the answer would be at least a little embarrassing to admit.

"I've been caught." Jacen replied with a smile, "The night club that we went to the other night? I go to those types of places only occasionally. I enjoy being comfortable and western wear is normally more comfortable than the club wear. Besides, I'm a typical guy. I grew up wishing I could be a cowboy so why not enjoy fulfilling that particular fantasy on occasion."

Talking about fantasies was probably not the best decision and Jacen's brain recognized that fact as soon as the words had left his mouth. It was time for a quick save and change of subject. What would work...

"Are you hungry for some food or do you just want a drink to sip at?" Jacen asked as he glanced around, looking for whatever waitress might have been assigned to their table. He wasn't planning on taking more than maybe one drink himself since he was the driver for the night. No way was he going to chance being intoxicated enough to get in a wreck that could hurt either himself, Kealey, or some other innocent person.

Finally locating the waitress Jacen caught her eye with a slight hand wave and she offered them a quick smile and a "Be right there!"

"Have I mentioned just how sexy you look in that outfit?" Jacen asked as he turned his attention back to the woman across the table from him, "You've gotta be the best looking cowgirl I've ever seen."

Kealey had been right, Jacen was a regular at this kind of place. She really wasn’t surprised though, he didn’t reek of urbanite like so many people in New York City . He was open and friendly, and a gentleman for the most part. People in New York had a tendency to avoid those traits. It made sense that Jacen would fit in, in a place like this. It wasn’t like the other club where each person had been dressed a little more extravagantly than the next, and it seemed like everyone had a motive. In this bar it looked like everyone was simply out to have a good time. Kealey definitely thought she could get used to this.

”Jeans are much more comfortable than that dress, no matter how glamorous it might feel to dress up.” she admitted when Jacen pointed out how the clothes were more comfortable in the cowboy setting. ”And the shoes…so much more comfortable.” Kealey didn’t even get started on the hat, Jacen was probably already bored to tears with her explanation of the attributes of the other pieces of clothing.

Then Jacen said that he had wanted to be a cowboy when he grow up and Kealey grinned, for some reason she could see it. ”You’re kind of a like cowboy now…just without the horses and the hat! she pointed out, drawing a parallel between Jacen’s career in law enforcement and the cowboys she’d seen in movies. ”In all the cowboy movies I’ve seen, they’re brave…they always do the right thing…and they always get the girl then ride off into the sunset.”

She couldn’t help it, Jacen pointing out what he’d wanted to do when he was a kid brought to mind thoughts of sket pads and fashion magazines. Dress up in mums clothes. They hadn’t been glamorous necessarily, but they’d had their own fashion shows.

”I always wanted to be a fashion designer. Or a runway model when I was little…” she admitted softly, smiling slightly at the memories before looking across at Jacen, ”It’s funny how things turn out.” The smile faded and Kealey just thought about that for a few moments.

Then Jacen asked about food and Kealey tilted her head and shrugged, ”I ate a late lunch after work, are you getting food?” she could go either way and as Jacen flagged down the waitress, she tried to puzzle out whether or not she actually wanted to eat.

Jacen complimented her then and Kealey beamed at him from across the table, ”I don’t think you had until now…but thank you.” The best looking cowgirl he’d ever seen? Yup, she loved the outfit. Kealey blushed, then laughed and spoke,”Well, you’re by far the nicest looking cowboy I’ve ever seen. So we’re even.” no matter that he was the only one she’d seen in person.

"Well you'd make a beautiful runway model or fashion designer." Jacen replied with a quick grin as Kealey explained her dreams, "And who says you can't still do one of those things? Last time I checked New York is a thriving fashion town. Besides, since you can read emotion it should make it easier for you to design items that people will really like."

Right then the waitress made her way over with the bright cheery smile that would just make a person feel welcome. "Hey sugah, what can I get for ya'll?" The woman asked with a slight southern drawl as she pulled out her order pad.

"I'll take a beer, whatever's on tap and whatever my friend's drinking. Along with that we'll take a couple appetizers to share. An order of fried pickles, jalapeno poppers, and chicken fingers." Jacen answered immediately before turning his gaze back over to Kealey with a raised eyebrow.

"And what can I get for you hon? Beer? Wine? Martini?" The waitress asked as she to turned her attention back over to the blond.

A few moments later, after the waitress had left to procure their orders, Jacen slid back in the booth so that his back was up against the wall and one leg was stretched out across the rest of the seat in a very relaxed way. "Do you like dancing?" He asked out of nowhere as he gave Kealey a quick smile, "They've got a small floor right over in front of the stage."

Kealey shook her head, but smiled when Jacen pointed out that she could still do either of the fashion things. ”I’m way too short for runway…did you know that most of them are right at or just over six feet tall?” Kealey sighed wistfully though, “Oh…but all those clothes….”
The second part was harder to discount, why wasn’t she pursuing school, or a career in something that she really enjoyed? Because, Kealey thought, she’d been told she had a job to do…more than that, a duty. In fact, if she thought about it…hanging out in a bar…with a man she’d spent way too long getting ready to impress made her feel a little guilty No Kealey stopped herself right there. There was nothing wrong with what she was doing…she was living. Everyone was entitled to a little life. Kealey smiled,

”You make a good point Jacen…maybe I’ll look into the design thing. I’d have to apply for student visas and all that, but I think you might be on to something.” she said, just as the waitress walked up to take their order. The woman had the nicest smile and the most charming accent and when she asked what they wanted, Jacen didn’t have any trouble picking out several things from the menu and beer. Then he was looking at her.

”Uh…” she said, mind going completely blank, every bit of knowledge Elle had bestowed upon her seeping out as she stared blankly at the woman. ”Just water for me.” she finally said, smiling apologetically as the woman took herself off to put the order in.

”I choked.” Kealey said, as the woman walked away, ”Elle would be so disappointed in me…and did I just hear your order fried pickles?

Jacen, in the meantime, had turned himself so he was reclining in the booth and Kealey grinned. ”Comfortable?” she asked, halfway copying his relaxed posture by leaning her back against the wall of the booth.

Jacen asked her if she liked to dance and Kealey followed his gaze to the little dance floor in front of the band. Dancing. Her head turned and she looked at Jacen carefully for a few moments while she decided whether or not to admit that she’d never really danced before. The music really was catchy and Kealey had already found herself nodding to the beat. So, she decided, ”I’ve never really danced before…but I’m not opposed to the idea at all…and I’ve been told that I’m a quick study. Was that an offer? What was the worst that could happen? Kealey thought, deciding that if she’d never been afraid of what people thought before, now was a terrible time to start. Besides, if she really did look as good as Jacen seemed to think, didn’t more people deserve to see the outfit?

"Yes, I ordered fried pickles and I'm sure your friend would understand choking under the pressure." Jacen said with a chuckle and a bright smile at Kealey, "I know fired pickles sounds strange but they're really good with Ranch dressing."

Watching Kealey looking over the dance floor, Jacen could see a range of emotions going over her face. She seemed unsure, as though she were trying to decide what to do and perhaps even a bit cautious but then when she looked back over at him her smile as bright as any she'd already given him.

"Well, if you're interested then I'm most definitely offering." Jacen responded immediately, "Though we should probably wait until after we've eaten a little bit. Wouldn't want the food to get cold after all."

For the next few minutes, the two of them just enjoyed and music and studied everyone around them. The Rodeo Bar was something of an electric place with various state's license plates hung up around the walls along with different signs. One of the ones that Jacen thought was the funniest was the sign that said, "If you're drinking to forget, please pay in advance."

"So who's this Elle you mentioned earlier?" Jacen asked as he returned to a normal sitting position after the waitress had brought over their snacks and drinks, "I've never heard you mention her before."

Jacen seemed to think that Elle would have forgiven her for balking when the time came to order a drink. Kealey wasn’t as sure, but she smiled anyway and shrugged. ”It’s fine anyway…this kind of seems like a beer place…I’ve never had it before, and I’ve heard it’s an acquired taste.”

Kealey wrinkled her nose slightly when Jacen pointed out that yes, he’d ordered fried pickles. Kealey liked pickles…but she was confused by the American obsession with frying anything you could put on a plate…that and the ranch dressing. Kealey had seen people putting it on everything from French fries to pizza. They hadn’t even had the tangy salad dressing in Ireland …let alone drenched everything in it. She fixed Jacen with a slightly disbelieving look, but then shrugged her shoulders, ”I guess I should try everything…once…” she said.

It had been an offer and Kealey nodded and grinned some more as Jacen pointed out that they should probably wait to try the whole dancing thing until the food had come. Apparently fried pickles were best served hot. Kealey was getting more and more skeptical that she’d actually like them.

For the next few minutes, Kealey just looked around the bar, taking in the various license plates, bumper stickers, and signs. Kealey’s favorite was a bumper sticker that said, If you’re close enough to read this, stop tailgating and get off my ass. Irony was a funny thing.

As the food arrived, Jacen sat up and asked Kealey about Elle, Kealey just shrugged her shoulders, ”She’s some girl I helped pick out clothes last week. We met randomly when a shop girl was trying to fleece her out of money to make a commission. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew she was buying me my first drink ever. She was a worldly thing, that girl, the mother superior where I grew up would have called her full of spit and vinegar. She had all kinds of ideas on how a girl should live in this city. No strings attached relationships, and rules to keep your heart intact…and she had the most shocking ideas about my powers in that capacity.” Kealey paused to stare at what she assumed were the fried pickles for a moment before snatching a chicken finger and tearing it in half.

”It was strange how little she knew about clothes…and how much she knew about everything else. She had the strangest emotions rolling around in her too...”

Kealey realized she was rambling and stopped, shrugging her shoulders, ”I thought we might be well on our way to friends, but after a couple chocotinis…and a Long Island Iced Tea I didn’t know I was drinking…I forgot to get her number…or her last name for that matter.”

"You're right in your assessment that this is more of a beer place." Jacen said with a slight chuckle, "Either that or whiskey, burbon, or a decent martini. I'm sure they have the stuff to make some of the fancier drinks but I'd be willing to bet that they're rarely ordered."

Kealey seemed wary of the pile of fried pickles and as such Jacen was forced to dig into that particular item first. Dipping the fried food into a dipping bowl of ranch dressing, he popped the item in his mouth without the slightest hesitation. The smoothness of the ranch immediately melded with the crispiness of the breading and the slightly sour tang that came from the pickle. Most people thought the idea was disgusting but if they would just give it a shot they might be surprised.

"Your new friend sounds a lot like someone I met a while ago." Jacen observed as he realized just how much Kealey's description would fit with the current woman in his life, "That ideal is a rough way to go through life though. Sure you protect yourself from hurt but you also never give yourself the chance to truly enjoy what a relationship can offer."

Jacen was talking about himself as much as he was talking about both Lori and Elle. He had been quite a fan of the one night stand for several years but as he began to meet more interesting women that had more to them than their body, he was beginning to realize that he was most deffinately missing out on some very important things.

"So how'd you like the Long Island Tea and the Chocotinis?" He asked with a grin as he reached over and grabbed a chicken finger for himself, dipping it in BBQ sauce and then lifting it to his mouth, "And what was it like to feel tipsy from from your own making?"

To be honest, Kealey wasn’t all that interested in drinking that particular night. The experience the other night with Elle had been enough to tell her that drinking was probably something to be avoided for Kealey Quinn. Namely because it had numbed her somewhat towards the emotions of the people around her. That in and of itself wasn’t too dangerous, Kealey couldn’t help but thing. However, getting used to feeling that way was.

Jacen dug into the fried pickles and Kealey watched curiously as he ate one. It didn’t seem to have any ill effects on him, but then again Americans ate some of the strangest things she’d ever seen. Slowly and gingerly, she reached out, snagging one of the things and breaking it in half. At least that way if it was gross she wouldn’t be wasting a whole one. Into the ranch it went then into her mouth.

The breading was good and Kealey experimentally crunched down on it. The flavor really was pretty nice, mixed with the ranch dressing. It was dilly as was expected from the pickle and tangy from the ranch dressing. The mix of flavors wouldn’t have sounded appetizing, hadn’t sounded appetizing, but it was really quite good. Not all together as exciting as the hamburger had been the last time she’d eaten around Jacen but then again…lots of things had happened since then. So many more experiences that made the feelings the hamburger induced seem muted now. ”Okay..so they’re pretty good. I can think of things I like better…but not bad.”

As she chewed, Kealey listened to Jacen explain his thoughts on Elle’s outlook on life and love in the big city. It seemed, from first impressions, that Kealey and Jacen were on the same page there and the blond found she was glad of the fact. If nothing else, she wasn’t the only one holding onto the thought of real romance in a city like New York. Jacen spoke of the things a relationship could offer though, and Kealey merely shrugged, ”It all sounds well and good, but I’ve never tried any of it. So I couldn’t tell you my thoughts on the matter if I wanted to. Though I’ve got to say that I don’t think ‘no strings attached’ is ever going to be my cup of tea.” In fact, it still made her cheeks burn to even think about what that entailed.

Jacen asked about the drinking on her trip out with Elle and Kealey people watched for a moment, trying to puzzle out exactly what she wanted to say on the topic. ”I liked them.” she said, still rolling options for conversation around in her head, ”Mostly because I felt like I was doing something wicked and decadent. I think I’m starting to enjoy things like that way too much…which is why I’m not sure that alcohol is going to be something that’s good for me. It numbed my senses enough that I couldn’t necessarily feel the people around me as strongly. I think it could be a dangerous past time for someone like me.”

Kealey thought for a moment longer, then grinned, ”The tipsy part was okay though…I liked feeling so uninhibited. Like nothing I was doing could possibly be wrong. Now that I think I could use a little more of in my life.”

"Well, I'm not gonna play all innocent and say that I've never participated in a 'no strings attached' night of intimacy. It's not the norm, but it has happened. Sometimes the opportunity to get pure satisfaction is something to leap at but it can never be with someone you actually care about, otherwise strings get attached." Jacen said quietly after he had finished chewing his chicken finger. Grabbing one of the Jalapeno Poppers he placed the whole thing in his mouth and began chewing as he enjoyed the instant heat that flooded his mouth. Now was the time to focus on food and forget any more conversation about one night stands and 'no strings attached' sex. What in the world would Kealey have thought if she knew he was looking for just that sort of thing the other night when he began to put the moves on her. "She'd think I was even more of a jerk than she must already think."

Sipping at his beer, Jacen listened to Kealey talk about her first experience with alcohol and he found himself just having to smile a little bit. If he had gotten her to be a little more uninhibited the other night they might never have gotten together at this western bar but they sure would have had some wild memories.

"The key to drinking is to make sure it never controls you. Just like with anything else." Jacen said after taking another swallow of beer and placing his mug back on the table, "You can take some social drinks and even get a little tipsy but you have to be willing to admit that you're tipsy from the very beginning. Like tonight, I won't drink any more than this one beer because I plan on driving you home. Any more than one and I begin to be a danger to myself and anyone else on the road. That's why there are cabs."

Turning back to the food, Jacen was silent for several moments as he just snacked along with his blond friend. The conversation was getting altogether to serious for just a light evening to hanging out which meant that it was most definitely time for a subject change.

"So, have you thought about becoming a fashion consultant full time?" Jacen asked with a grin, "It sounds like you were able to help Elle out, so maybe there are other women that could use some of your fashion sense."

Kealey blushed what she was sure was scarlet as Jacen decided to share details she usually would have considered far too intimate for polite company. They weren’t exactly polite company though, were they, after what had happened the last time they’d gone out? That begged the question though, what were they? Thoughts like that were the kind of thing that made Kealey think way too much and she turned back to the situation at hand and tried to figure out exactly how to respond to the word and statements coming out of Jacen’s mouth. She settled on ”I’ll keep all of that in mind." and occupied herself with drinking her water and eating another piece of chicken.

Jacen was lecturing again and Kealey leaned back in the booth, a bemused look on her face as he explained how not to be an alcoholic. ”Jacen…” she said, folding her hands on the table in front of herself, ”I’m Irish” Then she laughed, shaking her head slowly and leaning forward, forarms on the table so she was leaning closer to the man across the table from her, ”This is that whole…kidd gloves thing I was talking about. Do you have any idea how many alcoholics we dealt with while I was in the convent?”

Kealey stopped for a moment then sighed, ”Besides…I don’t even have a drivers license. Just a non-driver ID so that I don’t have to carry my passport around.” Irritation, with Jacen. That was a new one.

Another drink of her water and a couple jalapeno poppers later, Jacen started asking about the fashion consulting again. Kealey hadn’t managed to wrap her brain around the idea yet, she was supposed to be doing something here in New York. Did following her childhood dreams have something to do with it? Kealey didn’t know, but something about the thought of going and doing it seemed liberating, liberating in the extreme.

”No, I never had thought of doing something like that professionally. I think I might look into classes at one of the local colleges though. Elle pointed out that she thought I should teach a class…I don’t think I could do anything like that, but I like the idea of designing.”

The band had taken a break several minutes before and now they struck up again and people started to make their way to the small dance floor. There were enough of them, anonymity could be assured. The snacks were mostly gone and Kealey wasn’t hungry anymore, she fixed Jacen with a look and reached without looking to grab her hat off the table and put it on her head. ”Now, “ Kealey said with a bright and slightly challenging smile, “Are you ready to stop being career and moral adviser and start showing me something I can really use in this town? Does your dancing offer still stand?

Jacen grinned at Kealey as she launched into her tirade about the Irish and their love of alcohol. "Hey, if I had made a comment about how much the Irish loved their whiskey, I would have been stereotyping. Just like if I said how all painters are drunks. At least you can never accuse me of being insensitive!" Jacen said with an obvious twinkle in his eye.

The food had apparently disappeared at some point and as Jacen looked down at the empty serving dishes, Kealey reminded him that there was something much more interesting planned for the rest of the evening.

"Little lady, I hope you brought you dancing shoes." He said with a smirk as he placed the cowboy hat back on his head and then slid out of the booth. Offering a hand to help the young woman out, Jacen's eyes met her challenging gaze with a challenge of his own. "Think you can keep up?"

In short time the couple was out on the dance floor amidst the other dancers. There was a good mix of absolutely horrible and then pretty good dancers spread out in different areas so Jacen purposely took up a spot near some of the dancers that were doing much worse. This way at least anyone looking from the outside would automatically compare them with those dancing nearby and thus would think that Jacen and Kealey were doing absolutely wonderful.

"This isn't to formal so we don't have to worry about any fancy steps." Jacen said with a grin as he placed his hands on either side of Kealey's waist, "Have you done or seen any dancing before?"