The way Jacen was describing it, high school sounded like a tailor made nightmare for Kealey. In fact, the few times she’d ventured out to try and spend time with kids her age had been almost unbearable. There was something sad about that, but it was done and over with and Kealey didn’t dwell. Besides, Jacen was teasing her and Kealey couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow and chuckle slightly, ” I find it incredibly amusing that you’re talking about the collective emotions of a secondary school like they’re some kind of mind altering substance…though for me, it’s a fairly accurate statement.” She thought for a moment about exactly what it would be like and shook her head, a slow smile spreading across her features, ”I’d just end up acting like a giddy teenager.”

Jacen got water too, and went ahead and ordered. Kealey shrugged and did the same thing she’d done last time, ”I’ll actually have the same…just fries instead of onion rings.” The waitress took off and Jacen turned the conversation away from high school and back to camping. He really did seem to like the idea.

Kealey tilted her head and smiled as Jacen explained what it was like out in the woods when he went camping. All those stars! Kealey had lived in a fairly metropolitan area in Ireland, and she’d only known New York since coming to the states. Stars sounded amazing. Kealey knew there were things about camping she wouldn’t like…all the bugs for example, but the more that Jacen talked, the more she thought it sounded like her kind of thing. Then he brought up skinny dipping.

Instantly, the morning’s…incident came to mind and Kealey’s cheeks started getting warm. She kept her cool though, and even managed to meet Jacen’s eyes…even if she was pretty sure her cheeks got even darker. ”If I’m lucky?” she said, breaking eye contact to take a long drink of water before looking up again, ”I think it’s more like…if you’re lucky, I’ll let you show me one of those spots.”

Jacen thought he could catch her off guard, did he? Well, maybe it was time for him to get just a little of his own medicine.

"High-school is a mind altering substance." Jacen said with a grin as he watched Kealey's reaction, "Ask anyone that has previously attended or currently attends one and you'll find out they all say the same thing." It made sense that she would not want to experience that sorts of emotions since she was now an adult and no longer a teenager but at the same time it was a little sad that she'd never had the opportunity to. High-school was a place to grow up and discover yourself. Sometimes you didn't like what you found but if you were willing to work, you could also give yourself a goal to strive for. Even though Jacen had been more of a social reject in high-school than anything, he had found a goal to strive for. He could still remember the army recruiter that had come and talked in front of the class. He had made the military seem overly appealing but even after some research showed Jacen what the military was really like he had known what his course should be.

Lifting his own water glass, Jacen had to fight back a laugh that threatened to have him spraying water back into the glass moments after taking a sip. Kealey was definitely starting to show her spunk now that she could focus on her own emotions and he liked that. "Right, right. Sorry. Mis-spoke there." Jacen said with a wide grin as he set his glass back down, "Correction... if I'm lucky then maybe I can show you one of those spots."

That was something Jacen had never done with any other woman. He'd never offered to take anyone else camping which meant that he'd never had anything happen in a tent out in the wilderness. It was an interesting though but he shoved it aside for the moment. Fantasizing about Kealey in that sort of situation was not the wisest course of action right then.

"Kidding aside for the moment, what is your idea of the perfect date? Where have you imagined going and what have you dreamed about doing?" Jacen asked, a small smile on his lips even though he was definitely being more serious now. If he was going to date Kealey then he wanted to make sure that he made her dreams come true. Whatever they might be.

Jacen still seemed to think that his classification of high school as a mind altering drug was accurate, and Kealey didn’t argue. Out of the two of them, only one had ever actually been to high school, and it wasn’t Kealey. Inevitably, that brought up more memories of her own schooling, and a rush of affection for the nun’s who’d ran the school and convent. In parodies, and in were supposed to be accurate depictions of a nun’s life, the nuns were always depicted as strict and harsh taskmistresses with rulers and switches for any children who put a toe out of line. That had not been Kealey’s experience. The kindly women where she’d grown up had nurtured her with infinite patience for her abilities and sympathy for her forced seclusion. It had been so genuine. Kealey smiled, ”I’ll take your word for it. she said to Jacen, ” Believe it or not, I’ll stick with the memories of what I had.”

Jacen’s reaction to what Kealey had said about the skinny dipping spot made the effort it had taken to get the words out of her mouth totally worth it. The amusement on his face coupled with the surprise made her almost want to sit up a little straighter with pride. Kealey stowed that feeling away, deciding that it would be pleasant to try that again in the future.

After a few moments of comfortable science where Kealey people watched and drank more water, Jacen asked her a question and Kealey looked up at him, head tilted to the side.

”You know, Jacen…that’s something I’ve never really thought about before.” she said softly, eyes dropping to her glass in slight embarrassment. The glass was sweating and Kealey traced small circles in the condensation as she thought. Honestly, she’d never really thought about what she’d really like to do on a date, knowing what it was that she really liked was still fairly new…and the only dates she could honestly say she’d been on were the two times she’d gone out with Jacen…and those could hardly count as dates since she was pretty sure that hadn’t been the intention of the outings. Kealey had a feeling that these were things that little girls usually fantasized about right alongside Prince Charming saving them from dragons. She’d been saved from the dragons, several times in fact, but she still hadn’t gotten around to the date fantasies.

Realizing that she’d gone quiet, Kealey looked up at Jacen and shook her head apologetically, ”I think I’m going to have to take a rain check on the answer to that question.” she said, but a small smile was spreading across her features, ”Right now, I’m just excited about the prospect of dates in general. They’re a little hard to come by in a convent.”

The waitress returned with the food at that point and as she set their respective plates down in front of them, Kealey had a feeling that her initial reaction to the burger hadn’t been all that exaggerated. It looked incredible. Then again, maybe it was just the rumbling in her stomach that was making it seem that way. Picking up her silverware, Kealey cut the burger in half, wondering exactly how it was that she’d managed to eat so much of it the last time and picked up one half before taking a bite. Um, yeah, that was how.

Eyes closing as she chewed, then swallowed, Kealey sighed slowly before opening her eyes, ”Nope…didn’t exaggerate.” she said, before going about continued instant gratification in the form of an awesome cheeseburger.

Kealey's request for a rain check about her dream date was something of a surprise but Jacen still smiled and nodded in acceptance. Sometimes Kealey seemed so well adjusted that he forgot about the fact she'd grown up in a convent and thus had missed out on a lot of the things that he took for granted. Sure he hadn't had many dates in highschool but he had gone on a few and then his fellow soldiers in the army made sure that he had plenty of experiences in the military. It seemed like there was always some seasoned military man that was there to teach the greenhorns just how much women loved a man in uniform.

"I guess I'll just have to come up with some idea all on my own." Jacen said with a smile as the waitress walked up and placed their plates of food down in front of them. Picking up one of the onion rings, he popped the whole thing in his mouth and chewed appreciatively while he watched Kealey's expression. The pure unadulterated pleasure was something he knew he'd never get tired of seeing.

"I see it's as good as you remember." Jacen said with a smile before grabbing his water and taking a swallow. For the next few minutes, conversation was pretty much nonexistent as the two of them focused on the very tasty food they'd been given. The taste of the savory and ever so slightly greasy meat combining with the silky texture of the cheese and the crunch of the lettuce and toasted bun and then the slightly sweet flavor of the tomato was just pure heaven. It was everything that a true American burger was supposed to be.

"So how much shopping do we need to get done today?" Jacen asked after his burger was over two-thirds done and his onion rings were over half gone, "What clothes do you need to have right away from work and maybe going out and stuff?"

”I guess you will.” Kealey said, the slightly apologetic look still plastered on her face at the fact that she couldn’t even tell Jacen what kind of date she’d like to go on. ”I like food…and music…and walking…and dressing up.” she added hopefully, maybe that information would narrow it down a bit.

Jacen was probably as amused at her reaction to the burger this time as he had been the last time. Kealey didn’t care, it really was that good. She smiled and nodded her head, ”Definitely. I have to say that I’m relieved to say it, too. It means I hadn’t completely lost my senses when I first met you.”

It was quiet then, while they tucked in, and in less time than was probably seemly, Kealey had finished off the burger and was working eagerly on the fries. If Jacen thought it was strange that she ate so voraciously…too bad. The burger was too good, and Kealey hadn’t ever understood women who got good food, then refused to eat it.

Jacen asked about the shopping then, and Kealey ran over a mental checklist in her head of all the things she needed versus all the things she wanted. She was good with her money, but for the time being she was probably going to have to stick to the essentials. Work and going out, it was a good place to start, Kealey considered. She already had jean shorts, and with as warm as it was getting in the summer, they were a safe bet. She also had sweats, and didn’t foresee really needing more of them. So that left the essentials as well as a few other things to fill in the spaces in between. It was going to be a slow and steady process, Kealey thought as she looked over at Jacen.

”We don’t have to do a ton today. I just need some essentials until I can start building. Work isn’t incredibly picky about what I wear as long as you don’t look like a slattern or a street walker, so whatever I get should work well.”

She paused and shook her head, ”You’re going to be bored out of your mind. You really don’t have to go along for the shopping part. I mean really, you already saved my favorite shoes and found my picture. I’m about to swoon right here from the sheer chivalry of it all. You don’t have to put yourself through shopping too, Jacen. Especially with me…it’s more like a…a…well, something that’s not pleasant for most men.” she stopped and grinned while eating a couple of the quickly disappearing French fries, ”Besides…it’s one of the times when my ability is actually useful. I can tell what people think about what I’m trying on.”

For a moment Jacen was planning on arguing with Kealey about going shopping with her but then a though occurred to him, Concentrating on finishing the last of his burger and onion rings, he didn't respond until he'd finished eating.

"Well, how about you go get your shopping done and then just meet me back at my apartment? I'll see what can be scrounged up for some sort of dinner and we'll spend the evening just relaxing." He said with a smile as he picked up his glass of water and drained the last of it. Already his mind was full of plans about how to make Kealey's arrival something special. Their first date it might be said. "Maybe watch a movie or something."

***

Several hours later Jacen was at the apartment looking at the time. He had figured that it would take Kealey a couple of hours to do her shopping even if she was just going for the essentials, and that had given him all the time he needed. The bar top at the kitchen with its two wooden high top chairs was set for a nice dinner. Actual white plates, not paper plates, were set out along with silverware. A bottle of non-alcoholic champagne was chilling in ice on the counter and two champagne flutes were set by each plate. A bouquet of six brilliant purple tulips was laid across one of the chairs and a medium box wrapped in tissue paper was sitting on the plate in front of the chair where the tulips lay. Contained within the tissue paper was a special gift that Jacen had picked up for a certain young woman.

Along with getting the house set up for dinner, Jacen had picked up some Italian food from a little restaurant around the corner and all of it was currently resting in the oven to keep warm. He had changed his clothes and now wore black dress shoes, socks, slacks, and a coral tropical shirt.

Without realizing it, he was pacing back and forth to make sure that everything was perfect. Open the oven to make sure the food wasn't burning, a patrol through the living room to make sure that everything was neat a tidy, a walk through the bedrooms to make sure no embarrassing undergarments or dirty clothes were left lieing about. He had done the same check at least four times already but for some reason Jacen just couldn't stand still. Any moment Kealey would be arriving and he wanted everything to be perfect.

Kealey was actually relieved when Jacen didn’t argue with her, surprised but relieved. They finished their food, then parted ways. Jacen had suggested that they could meet up at the apartment later and watch a movie or something, that sounded good to Kealey.

Shopping wasn’t as much fun when you were trying to completely rebuild a wardrobe, Kealey noticed a couple hours later as she was making her way back towards Jacen’s apartment. Several bags were clutched in the blonds hands, and her feet hurt despite the sturdy boots she’d gotten earlier in the day. In the bags, from several stores, were the odds and ends that Kealey considered absolutely necessary. There were pants, shorts, a skirt, a couple dresses and several shirts and tops. Oh yeah, shoes. There were three pairs of shoes too. Clothes weren’t the only things that she’d bought, though. Another bag held toiletries and a bottle of her own shampoo and conditioner.

It was strange to Kealey how boring the shopping had seemed, but then again it wasn’t anything fun that she’d been shopping for. These were the bare bones basic things that someone needed to build on. The people around her had been irritating, their emotions simply muddling her head instead of providing anything helpful and by the end of her shopping trip, Kealey had been more than ready to go home.

Home. She didn’t have a home, Kealey thought as she climbed the stairs to Jacen’s apartment. The only reason she had what she did was because Jacen had gone to pretty great lengths to make sure she had it. To the door she went, and by some miracle, managed to knock. The door opened and Kealey entered, walking past Jacen with a grateful look and making it a whole four or five steps into the apartment before dropping everything she’d bought on the floor.

It was only after she’d set everything down and turned that Kealey realized that Jacen was dressed somewhat nicer than he had been when they’d parted ways at the burger place earlier. She could smell something too, something cooking, and her mouth watered.

”What’s all this?” Kealey said, rubbing her sore hands and turning to grin at Jacen, ”Who are you all fancied up for?” she said, then took a deep breath, inhaling the smells again, ”And what is it that smells so good?”

Something occurred to Kealey and she tilted her head, looking at Jacen. Was he dressed up for her? Was there food somewhere? Boy, did Kealey ever hope so, she hadn’t eaten since they’d had the burgers and her stomach was definitely starting to rumble.

"All of this," Jacen said with a grin as he put extra emphasis on the one word while closing the door behind Kealey, "is for you. Our first official date."

Walking over, he planted a gentle kiss on Kealey's lips and then walked over to get the flowers and present them to the young woman. "If you want, we can see about putting away your bags and then I'll pull out what smells so good and we can eat."

Without waiting to give Kealey time to reply, Jacen picked up several of the bags and then walked through the hallway and into the guest room where she was currently staying. Quickly depositing the bags on the bed he gave Kealey a quick grin and then left the room without a word. It was up to her whether she followed or decided to stay behind to put away her things or whatever she wanted to do.

With a quiet pop the non-alcoholic champagne uncorked and Jacen half filled both champagne flutes. Grabbing a couple of glasses Jacen filled them with ice water and placed them beside the plates just in case either of the diners wanted something besides the champagne. After moving Kealey's gift box from her plate onto her chair, Jacen used a pair of oven mitts to pull out two medium sized plates from the oven. Sitting the warm plates and food on the larger plates that were already laid out, a beautiful presentation was suddenly created. A basket of garlic bread was laid between the plates and then Jacen walked back around the counter. Apparently Kealey had decided to put away her purchases or something like that so he took up a place standing by her chair and patiently waited for the beautiful blond's arrival. As a true gentleman he would of course pull out her chair for her and allow her to sit down and then their date could really begin.

It all really was for her. Apparently Jacen had decided that this particular evening was a good time for their first date. Kealey looked down at herself, her shoes were dirty, her jean shorts were plain, and her shirt was crumpled and dirty. A stark contrast to Jacen’s spiffy outfit. He approached with flowers and kissed her. Kealey blushed scarlet and wondered just how long that would keep happening, then nodded when Jacen offered to help her see about her bags.

He took a majority of the bags, and Kealey picked up what was left, following him into the room and smiling back when Jacen grinned at her. He left the room and Kealey stayed behind. If Jacen had spruced up like that, then she was going to at least match the effort. Besides, this would be the fun part, she’d bought some clothes for going out.

Quickly shutting the door, Kealey slipped out of her clothes and started digging through bags, pulling out the black short shorts she’d bought as well as the blue patterned number she’d bought. It had pretty little cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that was slightly lower cut than what she’d usually wear, but had been so cute that she hadn’t been able to resist buying it. Somehow, Kealey didn’t think Jacen would mind.

Thankfully there was a mirror in the guest room, and Kealey studied herself in it for a few moments after she was dressed before pulling her hair, which was still hanging in loose curls, halfway back and fastening it there with a clip she’d purchased. Make up came next, and she debated about putting the heels she’d bought on before eschewing them for the ballet flats that Jacen had saved earlier in the day.

A few more odds and ends and final touches and the blond felt presentable for a date. She was actually relieved that they were staying in, too. It had been a long day and Kealey thought it would be a relaxed and quiet setting. She smiled as she opened the door and made her way back out to where Jacen was actually waiting next to her chair.

”Sorry that took so long.” she said softly, suddenly a little self conscious as she looked at the beautifully set table, then back to Jacen. ”You were dressed so nice…I thought it was only fair that I put out a little effort too.”

Jacen actually pulled the chair out for her and Kealey couldn’t help but grin at just how much effort he was putting into this. Kealey wasn’t used to anyone lavishing this kind of attention on her, and she was surprised at how much she liked it. Moving to sit down, Kealey nearly sat on the gift box sitting in the chair, but noticed it just in time and picked it up before sitting so Jacen could do the same. It took another moment to realize that it was actually for her, and Kealey blushed again.

”Jacen…” she teased, already eagerly working at getting into whatever it was, ”You’re setting a dangerous precedent here.” Then the box came open and the frame was revealed.

It made sense, and the gesture made Kealey grin and almost get a little teary at the same time. ”So the next time a crazy guy decides to burn down my home, my picture is easier to find.” she said, running a hand over the frame before setting it aside, ”I didn’t get you anything though…” Kealey said, a slight frown crossing her features as she looked over at Jacen.

The food looked delicious; he’d bought her a present, and set all of this up while she was shopping. Suddenly, Kealey felt way out of her league with Jacen. She looked up and smiled anyway, ”Thank you.” she said softly, then looked at the food again, ”I thought you said you couldn’t cook! This looks fantastic.”

Kealey's appearance took Jacen's breath away. He had though she was putting away her purchases or maybe brushing her hair but he thought that she might competely change her outfit and he would never have thought she's put on someting that showed so much skin. Her legs were long and bare with a smoothness and suppleness that only beautiful women could achieve. The color and cut of her blouse accentuated the pale beauty of her skin as well as revealing more of her collarbone than was normally visible. "You look beautiful." He murmured quietly as first Kealey took her seat and then he followed suit.

Taking a sip of his water glass, Jacen watched carefully as Kealey opened her gift to reveal the frame. Setting the glass back down, Jacen had to chuckle at Kealey's observation and comment. "Actually I got it because a picture that important deserves a frame. Hopefully you'll be able to avoid crazy guys for a while. And you didn't need to get me anything Kealey. Just being with you is more than enough for me."

And now it was time to turn to the food. While making his other purchases Jacen had specifically picked up a package of four white cloth napkins. They were normal items for a bachelor to have but he had thought the investment would work perfectly since Kealey was involved. Picking up his own napkin Jacen set it in his lap and then pick up his champagne glass while turning back to Kealey. "I can't cook... belive me. This is from a little Mom and Pop italian place around the corner. I can make spaghetti and that's probably about it." Jacen said with a smile as he lifted up his glass, "It's non-alcoholic champagne so you can feel comfortable drinking it. A toast. To a beautiful woman and the hope that only good fortune remains for her."

”You need to stop complimenting me so much, otherwise I’m going to end up with an ego so large there won’t be room for all of us in the room.” Kealey commented, but grinned when Jacen said she was beautiful. It was never really a word that Kealey would have picked to describe herself, she’d have gone with ‘lanky’ or pale, Jacen complimented her on her looks often enough that he must believe it, though. So Kealey didn’t argue.

The frame really was pretty and as Jacen pointed out his real motivation in getting it, she nodded her head, ”I should have had it in a frame a long time ago. It’s just usually in my journal. People ask questions when they see pictures.” that seemed okay now, though. It was a little easier to deal with after the emotional intensity of the night before. ”I think it’s more than ready for a frame, though.”

Jacen said that he didn’t need anything from her in return, but Kealey was already running through ideas in her head, trying to figure out exactly what would be appropriate to get for Jacen. He admitted a moment later that he hadn’t cooked the food that was on the table and that was the first idea that occurred to Kealey. She’d have to work on it later, though. This was a date, and people weren’t supposed to be aloof and quiet on dates, lost in their own thoughts. From what Kealey knew they were supposed to talk and laugh and be merry.

The food looked awesome and Kealey spread her napkin carefully on her lap before picking up her fork and taking her first bite. It probably tasted even better than it looked, she realized as she chewed and swallowed. ”Good lord…why would you cook if there was food this good, close by. “ she said, taking another bite, then nodding her head when Jacen pointed out that the champagne in the glasses was non-alcoholic. She swallowed again and grinned, ”You know…we should try the normal stuff sometime. I was tipsy that one time, and it wasn’t a bad thing…and I think I want to start trying more new things.”

Jacen toasted her and she grinned again, inclining her head. ”And to you.” she said with a small smile, ”For turning my luck over the past few days around. I think I may have gone from the unluckiest girl in the city to one of the most fortunate.”

It was true, and the words were easily spoken. Kealey took a sip of the champagne and turned back to the food, digging in earnestly for a few moments before remembering that whole, not being quiet while on a date thing.

”Well, while you were busy being amazing…I was quite successful in my search for clothing.” she said, a slow smile spreading across her features, ”If you like this outfit. Just wait until you see some of the other things I got.”

"Pictures that you put in a frame are as much for you as they are for visitors." Jacen said with a smile as he cut off a piece of his chicken and then speared it on a fork, "Sure people may ask questions some times but more importantly it gives you a chance to look and remember more often."

Taking the bite of food into his mouth, Jacen had to silently acknowledge that he didn't really practice what he just suggested. Of course, he was a single man which gave him at least some sort of excuse. Men weren't supposed to be good at decorating or putting sentimental stuff around the house. Single men were supposed to have rather spartan surroundings that would then give their girlfriends or wives a places to decorate as they saw fit.

"I'll have to remember you like this restaurant." Jacen said with a chuckle as he watched Kealey react to her first bite of chicken parmegan and angel hair pasta, "And your comments about champagne are duly noted. Next time I'll make sure to have the real stuff for you to true. Champagne is actually pretty light on the alcohol so it probably wouldn't affect you to much."

Of course, even a slight affect of Kealey behavior might make her more open to the suggestion of physical intimacy. Whenever they had alcohol, Jacen would just have to be extra careful not to push for anything. He didn't want it to be something where Kealey gave in because of the alcohol and then regretted her decision the next day. If anything happened it needed to be decided by at least somewhat clear thinking.

After the toast, the two of them were once again quiet as they focused on eating. Even romantic dinners had moments of silence as the couple sat comfortable enjoying the food but even so, Jacen was glad when Kealey spoke up again to continue their conversation.

"So do I get to see a fashion show after dinner?" Jacen teased with a smile of his own as he glanced over at Kealey, "I have to admit it'd be my first. You would think that in a city like New York I would have gone to at least one fashion show before but I've never had an interest. It would deffinately help if I knew one of the models or designers."

Kealey nodded as Jacen explained what he thought about pictures. It made sense and Kealey would definitely be putting the picture in the frame as soon as she had the chance. Besides, maybe looking and talking about it more would make it easier. Talking about it the night before had been easier than Kealey had thought it would be and with exception to the nightmare she’d had, the repercussions had not been that bad.

Jacen reacted positively to both her reaction to the food and the suggestion that they try real champagne the next time. Kealey wondered about that, how would it feel to get a little tipsy on her own, not sharing it with everyone else in the room? Yes, definitely something she wanted to try, more food like this wouldn’t be misplaced either.

A fashion show? Kealey tilted her head at Jacen and grinned when he asked whether or not that was on the agenda for the rest of the night. ”Fashion shows are incredibly.” she said, taking a moment to fork a bite of food into her mouth and swallow before saying anything else. You’d never believe how much hard work and planning go into the things. Maybe if I go through with the fashion school thing, you can check it out sometime.”

There was still the matter of the private fashion show that Jacen had put into Kealey’s head. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled. ”Until then, though, I think I could arrange a private showing for this evening. Though, I'd like to know what else was already on the agenda here at Chez Jacen. Dancing? A movie? I'm sure it was something amazing.

She was finished with her plate of food, and a comfortable, full and content feeling was spreading through Kealey. Throwing caution and propriety to the wind, she dropped her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her hands, smiling a siren’s smile across the table at Jacen, ”So. What’s it going to be?”

"Chez Jacen?" He asked with a good natured smile, "I throw together a few simple things and suddenly get promoted to the pinnacle of fancy. Thanks for the compliment, but I'm afraid the rest of the evening was nowhere near as extravagant. I picked up a couple of movies that were suggested as being... pretty good."

Actually they were suggested as some of the most romantic movies ever produced but there was no reason to mention that fact. Jacen hadn't seen them himself yet but Moulin Rouge and Dirty Dancing were supposed to be something that most women would enjoy. "Oh, and of course dessert with the movies." Jacen added as he suddenly remembered the platter of chocolate dipped strawberries that were keeping cool in his fridge.

Kealey had obviously grown more comfortable being in Jacen's presence and as she gave him an enticing smile he couldn't help but think about what might end up happening between the two of them. Would this be a relationship that would last for years... maybe even a lifetime? Or was it just an itch that they both seemed interested in scratching?

"Personally, I'd like to see the fashion show," Jacen replied as he gave Kealey his most devastating smile to reward he for the siren's look in her eye, "You did say that I'd like your other clothes even more than this outfit. But, if you're to tired, we could leave it for another night and just enjoy a movie."

Jacen was admitted curious about what sort of things Kealey had been referring to when she spoke about her other purchases. Were the other outfits more revealing? Were the cut to show off more of Kealey's beautiful body? Or was it possible she was even referring to items that were much more intimate in nature. Whatever it was, Jacen knew that Kealey was probably right. He probably would love seeing whatever else it was that the young woman had purchased.

Jacen seemed slightly incredulous that she’d dubbed his place something so fancy and Kealey shrugged her shoulders and laughed, ”Well, it’s the nicest place I’ve ever been on a date.” she pointed out, a small smirk crossing her features. She didn’t point out that this was the only place she’d been on an official date. Information like that wasn’t necessarily well received from someone Kealey’s age, and she didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere.

As well received as it wasn’t, though, the information was true, and Kealey couldn’t have imagined a better setting for a first date. The blond had no idea that this was most people’s idea of what would probably be the most awkward situation they could find themselves in at first. It seemed perfect to Kealey though, it was quiet in Jacen’s apartment and there was nobody around to feel self conscious or embarrassed by. There was also no chance of Kealey’s powers causing any problems, something that was almost always true when Jacen was around, but the private setting ensured that it was one less thing to worry about.

Jacen had gotten movies…and there was dessert for while they were watching. Kealey looked down at her nearly empty plate and wondered exactly how it was she was supposed to eat dessert after all that food. Picking up the champagne, the blond took a drink and hmmm’d softly as she set the glass down. Something about the way Jacen was smiling at her made her cheeks redden again and she looked away for a moment. It was strange to act this way, but thoroughly invigorating. The flirting, the smiles, Kealey wondered if Jacen would kiss her again. She also wondered if he did how she would react. The funny twisting feeling in the pit of her stomach told her it would be positively.

She’d been far too quiet for far too long, trying to decide what it was they were going to do after they were done with dinner. Slowly, and idea formed and Kealey tilted her head to the side and smiled again. ”Why don’t we shoot for both.” she said with a smile, ”I’m so full right now I’m not sure half the things I bought would fit. So, why don’t we watch the movie then I’ll see about showing off a little, the clothes aren’t going to go anywhere after all.”

Kealey was proud of her suggestion, and the compromise it offered. She waited until Jacen was done with his food and rose, grabbing both plates and taking them into the kitchen to rinse them off in the sink. Jacen may have set all of this up, but there was no way that Kealey was going to allow that and let him clean everything up. ”So…why don’t you get the movie started while I do this?”