Sophie's Dinner Chapter One

Jade sat on the bar stool waiting for Sophie to fill her styrofoam cups so that Jade could get back to the Marina and finish her work. Sophie kept looking over her shoulder at tired looking woman and frowning. Jade had her head resting in her thin, dirty hands, her closed. Trying to rest her eyes as the diner moved about around her. Moments later Sophie came around the counter and sat down beside her with a holder and 4 steaming to-go cups.

"Here you go, baby girl." Sophie looked at her with concerned eyes as Jade raised her head and looked up at the woman who she had always considered her second mother.

"Thanks Soph..." Grabbing the holder Jade slid from the stool and moved to leave when Sophie grabbed her arm.

"Jade, sweetie, are you not sleepy, baby?" Jade smiled kindly, the smile not quite touching her eyes and shook her head.

"I'm fine." And quickly left the Sophie staring after her heading back towards Athens Marina

Archer opened the door for Adela and was speaking "I barely got home and was just going to the one place I think the most. Was that really so bad of me?" He asked waiting for her to come in.

"You should be happy you made someone uncomfortable," Adela said jokingly, "If we hadn't gotten a call then who knows when I would have run into you? How's your mother, by the way?"

"Excited I'm finally out. She has some kinda suprise for me. I'm betting a new man in her life." Archer joked. "IV been telling her to get out and date for a while." He said with a smirk. "How's your family doing?" He asked. As they came in and waited to be seated.

Adela smiled, "Pretty much the same as always." she said, "Though they're talking about moving down to Texas to retire."

A small, mousey figure with ebony hair slid into the door behind Archer and Adela as it swung closed--literally into The door. She hissed when the door knocked into her raised arms, which held a thick medical dictionary in front of her face. She fumbled to recover her book without losing her place in the chapter about bone marrow transplants, and looked around quickly to make sure no one had seen. She gave a meek wave to Sophie. She wasn't quite a regular here, but she'd been here often enough to be familiar with the owner. She slid into a booth against a window, letting the warm sun heat her pale skin and illuminate the pages of her book. She settled and pulled over a menu, glancing over it briefly and then ardently losing herself in her book again. Not many people would consider a medical dictionary fun reading, but for Emily it was more interesting than any other literature her eyes ever laid upon.

Archer didn't seemed to notice the young pale woman coming in behind them, but he did notice her as she waved to Sophie. He didn't know her so he returned to his conversation. "It's not a bad place to settled down at. I trained at fort sam when I was training be become an S.F. operator. Didn't do to well in a few categories and I was" archer changed his voice like he was a stoned serfer as he impersonated an instructor. "To Stright laced for this kinda work, bro." He smiled and returned to his normal voice. "So. Anything else I should know about the town before I just walk around? You don't got a boy friend who's gonna try to beat me after he hears we talked right?" Archer inquired as he motioned for her to sit at a comfy looking booth.

"Excuse me? Hello! Can someone please open the door!" A bespectacled blonde girl pressed her face to the glass of the diner door, smiling brightly at the people inside. A large rucksack sat on her back that looked capable of squashing her flat if she were ever to stumble and in her hands she held a rather crumpled looking map and an assortment of electronic devices. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She said in a grateful tone when a waitress hurried to open the door for her, giving her an amused sort of glance as she staggered in under the weight of her bag. "I didn't think I was going to make it, but here I am! I'm so hungry now too! Can I sit anywhere?" She spoke quickly as she continued to smile pleasantly and the waitress gave a small nod as she struggled to stifle a chuckle. The girl gave her thanks once more then moved to a vacant table and with a loud thud finally pushed the straps of her back off her shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. She gave a long and much needed stretch then collapsed into her seat, spreading out the map on the table to get a better look at it.

Emily had raised her eyes from her book only with a start at the sound of the heavy backpack being dropped into the booth behind hers. She turned and watched the blonde a moment before saying, "not from here, hm?" She coupled the statement with a light and friendly upturn of her lips.

The girl let out a small laugh and nodded her head. "Yeah..I just got here..wherever here is! I was on the bus and we were driving past and I got this weird feeling I should get off so I made the driver stop..and here I am!" She threw her arms up with a grin. "It wasn't on my list of places to go but who doesn't like a little mystery and adventure sometimes!" She continued after holding up her crumpled map to show various locations that had large circles drawn around them. "I'm Angelena by the way, but you can call me Lena!" Her words came quickly and it seemed at times she rarely took a breath between sentences.

"I'm Emily," she responded in kind and gave a polite wave. She had a nickname too, but decided to look past it for the sake of their being strangers. Only close family called her "Em". She then said, "welcome to Athens. Do you like milkshakes?"

"I love milkshakes!" Lena exclaimed with a grin then without saying another word suddenly snatched up her map and other belongings and stood up before grabbing the strap of her bag and dragging it to Emily's table where she flopped down into the empty chair opposite the other woman. "I could order us a couple if you like. What flavour do you prefer?" She asked with an eager smile as she used a finger to push her glasses back up her nose.

Emily had not quite expected the girl to suddenly shift tables, but turned to face her with a pleasant smile nonetheless. She closed her medical text and pushed it aside to allow her new guest her undivided attention, and said, "I prefer chocolate, thanks, but I was offering to buy you one as a sort of welcoming gift." she admitted with a smile. Even though she was always a bit strapped for cash because she was a full-time student with few hours to work, she still liked to extend the arm of kindness whenever she could.

Adela glanced at the first girl as she passed before returning her eyes to Archer, "Not really, our little town has grown a bit but-" The sound of someone at the door asking to be let in drew her eyes and she watched the stranger with a combination of surprise and amusement. Once the new woman say down Adela shook her head, smiling, "Sorry. Anyways, most things in Athens Harbor are pretty much the same."

"Well how about this, you buy me a milkshake as a welcoming gift and I'll buy you one as a thank you." Lena replied with a small laugh before her eyes fell on the large textbook and they widened. "Wow..that's a pretty serious looking book. You must be really smart.." She said sounding awed as she tucked a loose strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.

Emily glanced at her book, and her cheeks pinked from Lena's compliment. She stuttered her disagreement and moved to mimic Lena's actions by tucking some of her ebony hair behind one ear, but her elbow knocked over the glass of ice water a maid had brought her when she'd first arrived. The water spilled across the table and she yelped, quickly picking up her book and Lena's map. "I-I'm sorry!" She reached for their napkin box to dry up the water, but frowned in dismay to realize they had no napkins at their table. "Figures," she grumbled, as if this sort of thing was common. She set her book on the bench by her purse and said, "I'll get some napkins." She got up and moved towards the bar to request a stack for their box at the table from Sophie, but as she approached the bar, her shoe slipped on a wet substance on the floor, and she yelped as she went falling sideways into Archer's lap and Adela's conversation.

Archer noticed the girl falling and his only real reaction to it was to ensure she did not hit her head on the table, using his arm to cradle her head as she literally landed in his lap. He would have done more but she fell so fast he barely had time to respond. Without missing a beat, though, he smiled at Emily- "Falling for me so soon? You don't even know my name." Archer had a flirty smile on his face as he met Emily's hypnotic blue eyes before he glanced to Adela remembering she had brought up something about the town. "Yeah the town seems pretty normal to me." Archer was going to have to get the girl's name. After all... How often did a pretty young woman just fall into a guy's lap?

Emily blinked up at Archer in shock for a few seconds. Her face went through a mix of expressions, conveying her embarrassment at falling, confusion at how he was able to catch her so quickly and harmlessly, and plenty more. She quickly pulled herself up from his lap and stood straight, brushing herself down and mumbling hurried apologies to both Archer and Adela for interrupting their conversation. She was careful to sidestep the wet spot on the floor that she'd tripped on before, and headed on her way to the counter to find the napkins neatly sitting there for her from Sophie. She was too embarrassed about what had just happened; she was used to being clumsy, and often laughed it off, but she'd never just fallen into someone else's lap before. Her fair skin was now red up to the tops of her ears.

Lena had been scurrying to save her belongings from the water when she heard the yelp and looked up just in time to see Emily fall sideways. She blinked in surprise when Archer managed to catch her and couldn't help but suddenly applaud. "That was so cool! You just caught her like that!" And she snapped her fingers to show the speed before grinning at Archer and Adela. "You're like a superhero!" She chuckled, not showing any signs of embarrassment from her words making it obvious this was typically how she behaved. "Hey are you ok?" She finally asked as she hopped from the booth and moved to Emily's side. "That had to be pretty embarrassing.."

Adela just stared in disbelief at Archer and the young woman for a few moments before laughing, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh but...really Archer? A poor girl falls and you have to flirt with her?" She should have known, he had always been like that with women.

Archer smiled at Lena and then shook his head at the supper hero comment. Before returning to the conversation. "Honestly... Yes, but you know I haven't even started to flirt yet." Archer got a small playful tone and went on. "After all she didn't fall into your lap." Archer did feel a bit odd that his reaction was to cratch her- then flirt instead of asking if she was okay. The small part of his thinking about it lead him to stare a bit as Emily grabbed the napkins. "I do hope she come back by before she goes." Archer looked back to Adela and went on. "So I guess I need to find a job now right?" He asked with a smile.

Alex came through the front door in her uniform. A late 50' style red dress with her name tage on upside down. She was suposed to be at work fifteen mineuts ago, but she hit snooze one to many times. Working until three in the morning at the tatto parlor and then doing home work, and comming into work at the dinner until six was warring on her. She went straight to the time clock and punched in. It was the first time she had been late to work, but she had only worked at the dinner for two months. She came back out her hair pulled up into a bun, and her smile on her face. she went to Sophie. "Sorry I'm late, Sophie. I had to stay late at the parlor last night and my Midterm art project is due at the end of the week so I was doing homework until almost six."

Emily quickly and quietly dispelled Lena's comments with a shake of her head. Even though her cheeks were still pink, she gave her a light smile and said, "no, I'm not too embarrassed. I'm cursed with clumsiness and it happens a lot." she admitted, grabbing up the stack of napkins and hugging them with both hands as she made her way back to their booth. She had made sure to order their chocolate milkshakes from Sophie while she was up there, along with a fresh plate of fries for Archer and Adela's table as thanks to Archer for catching her. For good measure though, as she went by their booth again, Emily said, "thank you for catching me... And sorry again. Have a good day." She took the napkins back to their table but the mess of water had already been mopped up by the busboy with a rag and the ice water replaced by a waitress. She tucked the new napkins into the box instead and then slid back into her seat opposite Lena. "I'm sorry to do this, but my milkshake will have to be to go. I need to get to the hospital for my shift soon." She briskly adjusted her maroon-colored scrubs and nametag.

"Oh..OK then. It was nice meeting you." Lena replied with a bright smile. "I don't suppose before you go you could point me in the direction of someplace I could stay for a few nights.." She asked with a hopeful expression.

"Oh, um," Emily started, tapping her chin. "There are some apartments and houses around.. I know some people are looking for roommates. I don't know how long you're planning on staying in town, but I'm sure someone will be willing to let you stay with them. There's an information board in the marketplace for that type of stuff. You can look there." she smiled. "I'd offer you a place with me and my roommate, but I'm not really in charge of that since I'm just renting from him myself." she said. The waitress brought their milkshakes over, Emily's in a capped to-go cup, and Emily nodded in thanks. She grabbed up her purse, milkshake, and medical text And stood. "I'm sorry again for running out on you. I hope I see you around!" she smiled. Before she exited the diner, she said, "oh, and I already paid for the shakes! Bye!" She then headed out of the diner and for BotO Athens Hospital.

Sophie glanced up from writing out one of her tickets and nodded her head at Alex before sticking it in the serving window. "Don't worry about it sugar, just don't let it happen on a regular basis." And with that the heavy woman sashayed away to take another order.

Adela shook her head, still smiling, "I suppose you will. Or go back to school." She knew school hadn't worked so well for him before, but things change

"It's no problem at all. Just try not to fall for anyone to fast in the future." Archer replied to Emily as she apologized once more. Then sighed at Adela. "The police or sheriffs department hiring?" He asked with a coy smile. Woundering what her response to that would be.

Alex went to work and stopped at Archer, and Adela's table. "Are you ready to order, or just drinks to start?" She asked a smile on her face as she came up to the table. She had a pretty smile on her face as she asked.

Lena quickly slurped back her milkshake then hurried to gather her belongings and stuff them into her bag. She wanted to check the information board to see if anyone could offer her a room. She dragged her bag back up onto her back then staggered towards the door. "Thanks!" She said loudly with a wave of her hand to no one in particular before throwing open the door and almost colliding with Luke. With a quick apology she stepped outside before he stepped in.

Luke watched the strange girl leave with a look of disbelief before he quietly closed the door to the diner and moved towards the counter. He stifled a yawn as he perched himself onto one of the stools, then rubbed his tired eyes with his fist as he waited for the waitress to take his order. As soon as he had his coffee he stood again and turned, his eyes on the ground, not taking any notice of those around him as he headed for the exit. He had considered going home to work but he figured he could spare a couple of hours to relax. Doing what, he wasn't sure. But Luke didn't care. He'd find something to do. He took a deep breath as he stepped through the door then carried on down the street, quietly sipping his coffee.

"Well, thare aren't many takers for Athens Harbor PD, so they only hold a written exam in the summer so they can get the high school grads like i was. Then they send the applicants to train in an out of town academy. You might have better luck with the Sheriffs department, but I'm not sure." as she spoke, Alex approached and Adela smiled when she saw her, "I'd love a coffee and my usual omelette. How're you doing hun?"

"I would be happy to get it, I'm doing good. Just wish it was not so hectic with school and two jobs. How are you Dela?" Alex asked with a smile before rembering she was working. "Oh wait! What do you huge, attractive, muscular friend want?" She asked before introducing herself. "I'm Alex by the way."

"Morning Alex. I'll just have a coffee and the house omelette, but I want two of them put together." It had been to long scense the last time Archee had got to do that. "I'm archer." He then decided to wait for the end of the exchange between the girls before carrying on with his conversation with Adela.

Adela rolled her eyes, Alex was almost as big a flirt as Archer. "I'm doing very well." she said with a smile at Archer, "Archer here hasn't been back in town since he enlisted and I haven't seen him since before I went into the academy."

"Well I hope you enjoy your home coming." With that Alex noticed there were more costumers in the dinner, and respectfully excused herself. "I need to get back to work. I'll be back with the drinks in a moment." with that Alex went to work taking more orders.

Archer smiled a bit then sighed. "So I'd have to wait for the next summer section of written tests then go to the accademy. Then come back here to be a police officer. Well that helps for the future, but that dose not pay the bills three months from now." Archer laughed a bit at that thought. "So I guess I just go to college and work out until it's time to apply then." With that he sighed once more. "Can't you ask the chief for staffing officer to let me take the test early?" He was hopping to have a paying job before the end of the three months of his terminal leave.

"I can ask." she said doubtfully, "He might do it. It would be easier if you had been an MP, he might just waive the written test."

"The GI bill can pay my accademy fees." Archer said with a snarky smile. He was just making small talk while they waited for there coffee.

"That might help him decide on your favor." Adela admitted, "He wouldn't have to worry about loosing department funds if you failed out." she smirked at him, wondering what his response would be. She knew full well Archer could make it through the academy.

Tilly slipped in the door and quickly sat at an empty booth--one next to a window facing the park so she could keep an eye on her car--and waited for a waitress to approach her, taking a piece of paper from her pocket and folding it this way and that to keep her hands occupied in the meantime.

Jace stepped into Sophie's and was greeted with a few hellos from the patrons already there. Wearing just jeans and a button up t-shirt Jace took a seat in a booth near by and waited for a waitress to happen by. Flipping the menu open idly he scanned though he knew it's contents cover to cover. Gently he wrapped his fingers on the table.

Alex smiled brightly and went to Tilly's table. "I'm Alex, I'll be your waitress today, what can I get you to drink?"

Archer smiled a bit and shook his head. "Yeah... Fail out." He felt his phone buzz, and pulled it out to take a look. Then smiled brightly. "I got an email from, Jade..." He was a bit taken back. It was odd as he was in town for two hours... How could she know?

"I'm sure she misses you." Adela said with a smile, noting the people who entered, giving a small wave to Jace who she knew through Jade.

Tilly had to turn her head to get a clear view of Alex--she had the uncovered side of her face towards the window to keep an eye on her car--but her hands did not stop fiddling with the paper. "No drink. Just chili-curly fries and a slice of carrot cake to go."

"Comming right up." Alex replied to Tilly then went to Jace's table woundering why half the women's face was covered... As she got to the table where Jace safe she smiled brightly. Alex having had a crush on him for some time. "What can I get for you Jace? Just the usual?" Her smile was even brighter as she spoke to him.

"I wrote her every time I got deployed, and kept in touch with email, I'm sure she's been worried because I stopped sending messages as I had to start out processing from the army... ACAP took a lot of my time." Archer signed. "I'll check it after we eat. What else is new in your life, Dela?" A small smile appeared on his face. "Got a man in your life." He asked as she waved to Jace.

Alex came back with Tilly's fries and to go box, and set the check on the table moving straight for Archer, and Adela, then placed down there drinks. "Sorry bout that. How are you two doing?"

By the time Alex had brought Tilly's fries and cake, the paper the older woman was messing with was shaped into an origami camera. With a couple quick tugs, Tilly undid her work and set the now-crinkled twenty-dollar bill on the check, picking up her boxes and leaving for her car by BotO Elysium Park.

---

Emily opened the door to Sophie's diner carefully, seeing as how it had knocked back into her just that morning and she was wary of it now. She stepped aside and held the door open wide enough for Sebastian to enter first before following him in. She smiled at him and tilted her head. "Where would you like to sit? I'm partial to the window booths myself, but I know the setting sun might blast us right about now..."

"I think we can take our chances," Sabastion replied and motioned for her to choose a seat. He was a little busy taking in the atmosphere, having never actually been to Sophie's before. It was classic, almost like the diners of the 50's he had seen in a few movies. It was rather quaint, welcoming, and familiar even to him. Very 'lived in' he supposed you could call it. Once Emily had chosen a booth, he took a seat across from her and noted the condiments and various other additives left on the table for customer use, giving it the barest curious tilt of his head.

Emily smiled at him pleasantly as she got comfortable in her own seat, setting her purse down beside her on the bench. She reached for the menus and offered him one, opening her own in front of her. Absently, she reached for the napkin dispenser and turned it so she could make sure there were napkins inside. Relieved there was, she relaxed and went about looking at the menu. "What do you feel like eating tonight?"

"Honestly, I'm a little uncertain," Sabastion replied, his brow ever so slightly furrowed as he read each item. Occasionally his lips would tighten almost imperceptibly as he read something particularly unappealing, or turn down at the corners as he considered one item above others. In the end he looked at Emily with an intrigued raise of his eyebrow. "What do you usually order?"

Emily gave a giggle at his expressions. To anyone else, they might have passed unnoticed, but after working under him for so long, and admiring him in many ways, she had trained herself to see those various shifts in his face. "A cheeseburger and fries," she said as she closed her menu and shrugged. "This place has the best burgers."

"I suppose I will try that then," Sabastion decided and looked more specifically at the burger selection. Again, that minor tightening of his lips. He seemed to read the list twice, considering each word, before he finally closed the menu and lay it down on the table top again. He looked at the window for a moment, admiring the sun as it grew closer to the horizon. Or, more specifically, the colors starting to trail after it. It was amusing to think how people once thought the sun was moving across the sky and he indulged in a moment of whimsy at the thought of it being chased by multicolored birds. Then he looked at Emily again and noted the way her face was lit on the one side, shadows cast on the other from the artificially lit interior of the diner. It didn't suit her, that dimness. He placed his hands on the menu, fingers interlocked, and gave her the barest tilt of his head. "Do you come here often?" he asked conversationally.

She lifted her head and smiled at him, her own hands splayed across the menu in front of her. "Yes, I guess I do," she admitted with a small laugh and a one-shouldered shrug. "I know I shouldn't... the food here is anything but healthy, but it's just so good. I actually had a milkshake here just this morning, before work." she explained, bashfully tucking some dark hair behind her ear on the side of her that was dyed rainbow by the sun outside. It caused her eyes to seem so much brighter when she looked at him next, the light shining from under her already vivid blue irises. Her pink lips turned up. "Do you like milkshakes?"

"I can't recall ever having had one," Sabastion replied, but the answer was automatic, bland. His mind wasn't on it. He was looking at her- no- staring at her. Rather intently in fact. And his eyes were roaming. They didn't seem to go further than her jaw, but they were surprisingly alert, almost like he was studying her as she might a page in her medical books. It was a long moment before he explained why he was doing it. "You look like a painting."

She clearly had not expected that kind of statement from him, and it showed in the way her smile melted into a look of surprised awe. Her upturned lips became a slightly parted O, and her eyes gleamed at him. She seemed to realize what he meant in the way she looked out of the window and then gave a sheepish laugh. It was light, fluttery, and she blushed. She seemed to struggle with what to say next. She'd never been compared to a painting before, and she didn't know what to say. She was still fumbling for verbal purchase when the waitress came over and asked to take their orders. Emily threw herself into the process of ordering her food a bit too methodically, and then quieted herself by sipping at the ice water the waitress had brought over with her.

"We're here!" Lena's excitable shout outside could be heard clearly by all who sat within the diner and seconds later the door burst open and she stepped inside, her arm still hooked around Risks. "Ok where shall we sit.." She paused to look round before her eyes widened and she let out a small yelp. "Emily!" She released Risk and raised a hand, waving enthusiastically at the woman she had met that morning, a bright smile on her face. She took a few steps towards her then stopped when she realised Emily wasn't alone. "Ohhhh.." She said as her grin widened. "You're on a date! I'm sorry. I'll leave you two alone. Have fun!" She waved again then turned back to Risk. "So where do you want to sit?" She asked as if she hadn't just spoke to Emily and she'd been by his side the whole time.

Emily had looked up at Lena's shouts, and she had almost been relieved by her presence (if only for the shift in topic). But Lena's comment about her being on a date caused Emily's face to darken and she shook her head. "N-no, I-!" she called, but Lena was already ignoring her. She coughed and looked at Sebastian apologetically, but it was short-lived.

Risk, who'd been amused by the interaction, tilted his head at Lena and said, "Well, you know her? How about we ask if we can join them?" he asked lightly. "Or at least sit at the booth beside them? He doesn't look like he's having too good of a time," he noted, nodding at Sebastian quietly. "C'mon." He grabbed Lena's hand and led her the rest of the way to Emily and Sebastian's table. "Good evening," he said to them politely.

"I'm back!" Lena said with a chuckle as she looked at Emily. "Risk thought it'd be a good idea if we sat next to you. You know double date?" She joked as she nudged Risk playfully before shaking his head. "Only kidding. We're just having some dinner. Risk was kind enough to give me a job and a room in his apartment to stay in. Can you believe that?" She spoke happily. "Oh Emily this is Risk." She said motioning to Risk. "And Risk this is Emily." She moved her hand to point at Emily before looking at Sebastian. "I'm sorry I don't believe I know you. The names Angelena but everyone just calls me Lena!" She introduced herself in a friendly voice.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lena," Sabastion replied and held out a hand to shake hers. Contrary to what one might expect of the nearly stoic face doctor, Sabastion's lips were quirking up slightly again in amusement. He either wasn't bothered, or wasn't going to acknowledge the date question, but inside he knew it was the latter. Emily was clearly uncomfortable and he didn't want her to be. Perhaps it was better if they joined them since she clearly wasn't ready to have long bouts alone with him yet. He also looked at Risk, though with more of a professional air. "Risk. It's good to see you again. Do you have business in the neighborhood?" he asked as a conversation starter before motioning gently to Emily. "If you don't mind, please sit by me, then our friends here can take the other bench."

Emily once again had that deer in the headlights expression on her face at Sebastian's request. She nodded though and smiled meekly at Lena and Risk, standing from her bench with her purse and moving around the table to slide in beside Sebastian instead. Sitting beside him like this was a bit intimate, considering the small space, and she could smell his cologne. Or did he wear cologne at all? She wasn't sure. She just knew he smelled good. She blushed and watched as Risk slid into the booth seat opposite them first, and then helped Lena settle beside him.

"Well, I did earlier. I recruited Tilly Gelson to do some artistic welding for the city, but other than that, I have nothing big going on at the moment. I'm still trying to acquire that farm land from Luke, but he's rather stubborn about that space. I cannot say that I blame him, but it makes my job harder." Risk laughed lightly.

Emily looked between Risk and Sebastian curiously. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you two knew each other." she commented.

"Oh sure," Risk shrugged and motioned to Sebastian nonchalantly. "Sebastian here has seen to quite a few injuries of mine related to my work... mostly burns and twisted ankles. Oh, but there was that one stabbing. That guy was not happy with me." he winced playfully.

Lena let out a small gasp and looked up at Risk with wide concerned eyes. "You were stabbed?" She asked in a shocked tone. "That's terrible! Why would someone do that to you?" She shook her head in dismay. "Well I'll be there to stop anything else like that happening. I took self defence classes in high school." She gave a confident nod before looking at Sebastian. "So you must work with Emily then up at the hospital right?"

Sabastion nodded, still giving Lena that little quirk of the lips. He found her amusing. With Emily beside him he made sure to stay leaned back in the booth so that she would stay part of the conversation. Leaning forward in groups like this always cut someone out. It annoyed him, it felt very rude. "I'm her attending, kind of like her professors," he explained before commenting on Risk's earlier statement, giving the younger man a slight frown. "I don't blame Luke for fighting you, you're trying to take away the man's livelihood, his life really. I almost feel you'd have an easier time convincing the mayor to extend city limits into the unincorporated land just beyond for you than it would be to get Luke's farm at this point. I can't recall, why did you need his farm so badly? Did you ever tell me that?"

Risk shook his head gently and said, "No, I wouldn't have told you that. It's a closed file, technically," he explained with a shrug. "Although... I guess since Luke has just rejected our offer again, they need to draft another one if they plan on sending me after him again, so that makes this one obsolete. I suppose I can tell you," he said, rubbing his chin. "The mayor wanted his land to build a new church--something expansive and artistic. He's offering Luke a great deal of money for the land, because it's in a great spot for incoming tourists. But Luke just keeps turning it down. I don't blame him either, honestly, I give him kudos for hanging onto it so diligently. It just makes me look like a bad consultant and makes it harder for me to get my job done, as I said."

Emily frowned a little. She had met a man named Luke at the beach earlier, and he'd owned a farm. It stood to reason that this was the same man they were talking about. After all, Athens was a small town, and there were very few farms on the outskirts. She chewed her lip as she thought about this.

"Well if the guys so unwilling to sell up then why not just give up?" Lena asked curiously as she leaned her elbow on the table and propped her chin on her hand. "Or if the mayor is so determined to have the farm then offer Luke land somewhere else..somewhere he can rebuild? If you have to go talk to him again, take me. Maybe he'd be more willing to speak to a woman." She said then glanced at Emily, tilting her head curiously as she did. "You ok?"

After Risk was finished laughing about Lena's comments, and making his own to Sebastian about how in trouble he was with Lena around, Emily finally seemed to break from her train of thought and register the other woman's question. She blinked at her and at how Risk was watching her too, and she blushed. "Oh, yes, I'm okay. I was just thinking. I'm sorry, I blanked a little." She laughed lightly and looked at Sebastian. "Do you have another midnight shift tonight that we should be worried about?"

Sabastion shook his head absent mindedly, still considering the Luke dilemma. "I do not work tomorrow either, a rare day off. I had intended to use it to help you move but that is no longer necessary," he answered, his tone thoughtful if a little distracted. He shifted to give thought to his next days plans now that Emily was settled while he replied to Risk and Lena. "There's no need for both parties involved to be required to build when the one who is demanding land is the only one that wishes to build. It would be a different matter if Luke wanted to make a farm and did not own the land yet, and the mayor wanted it for a church," he explained to Lena before being more pointed to Risk. "It still seems to me it would be easier, and less argumentative, to expand city limits down the road and claim unincorporated land. On a smaller note, it would have people seeing the church sooner as well."

Risk nodded in agreement. "I think that's a splendid idea... however, it's not entirely my place to convince the mayor or his office of that. I have merely been hired as a consult to get Luke to sell his land. If I cannot do that, then I have not succeeded in my job, and I can kiss my commission and any other future dealings with the mayor goodbye." he explained with a small, nervous chuckle. He shrugged. "But none of that is important now. It's clear that Luke will not sell, so there's no need to stress over it at the moment. Let's shift to more fun conversation, hm?" he asked and smiled a bit more sincerely.

"Yeah no work talk at the table." Lena replied with a firm nod before smiling again. "So what exactly do people do around here to have fun?" She asked curiously looking at the trio that were sat around her.

"The beach, for the most part," Sabastion supplied. "Swimming, surfing when the water permits, snorkeling, diving, sand castles, picnics- though there are usually vendors there- beach combing, sand sculptures, occasional grilling or bonfire... I'm afraid Athens isn't a high action sort of town."

"Yeah, I think we had like one night club here and it closed three months after it opened," Emily said with a shrug. "It wasn't a bad place, really, but it just didn't get enough traffic."

"Whoa, wait, you've been there?" risk asked with a wiggle of his brows at Emily, leaning on one elbow on the table. "I never would have pegged you for the party type, Emily, you look so mousy."

Emily blushed and shrugged, looking away. "I only went once." she admitted, tucking some hair behind her ear. "It was before medical school."

Risk's smile on Emily fell a little. Her motion of pushing her hair aside had shifted the shadows of the sunset versus the dimmer diner's lighting, and he saw the dark bruise on her cheek bone. "Wow, Emily, that's quite the shiner. How did that happen?"

Emily's head snapped up and she looked between Lena and Risk before glancing back at Sebastian, as if asking for help. "I hit a door..." she said, realizing how ridiculous and unbelievable it sounded.

"You hit a door?" Lena repeated slowly before her eyes narrowed slightly and she leaned forward to inspect the bruise a little better. "Hey you're a doctor.." She said glancing at Sebastian as she settled back down on her seat. "Does that look like an injury from hitting a door?" She asked, her expression full of concern.

"Typically 'hitting a door' is an action that leaves marks on the knuckles," Sabastion agreed, but he didn't seem too worried about Emily or about the scrutiny of the others at the table. A part of him hoped they didn't think it was him who had hit her, but secure in his innocence and actual knowledge of the situation, he option not to defend himself. "It is perhaps more accurate, in this case, to say the door hit Emily. There is no underlying damage, I have already inspected the mark. The worst of it is long over and now there is only the lingering tenderness and unfortunate blemish to an otherwise pleasing face."

Risk looked at Sebastian as he spoke, but his last statement made Risk's eyebrow raise and his lips curl up in a smirk. "Pleasant face, huh? You find Emily's face pleasant?" he asked, leaning playfully on his palms, his elbows planted on the tabletop. "I find her face pleasant, too, but I think you feel stronger about it than that," he teased softly, watching Emily's face go pink out of the corner of his eye.

Emily cleared her throat and abruptly stood. "I- um... bathroom. Lena? Will you come with me?" she asked, gripping her purse.

"Oh OK sure!" Lena replied sounding a little surprised but smiled nonetheless as she hopped to her feet. "If the waitress comes by Risk will you get me a cheese burger and a chocolate milkshake? Thanks!" She smiled at him then turned and hooked her arm through Emily's. "So what's up?"

Emily didn't speak until they had vanished into the safety of the girls' restroom, and then she leaned against the door and breathed a little. "I just... Needed to get away for a minute, let the blood leave my face." she admitted, moving to the sink and starting to lightly splash cold water on her cheeks and neck under her hair. "Sebastian gets me so flustered.. I can hardly even think when he's around."

"Oh boy..you really like this guy.." Lena chuckled as she moved to peer at her reflection in one of the mirrors above the sinks. "I think you should tell him how you feel. What's the worst that could happen?" She smiled at Emily in the mirror then began to fuss with her hair. "I mean if I knew I stood a chance with Risk I'd tell him. But he'd never like a girl like me so there's no point. But you and Sebastian..you would make a cute couple."

Emily looked at Lena with big eyes and red cheeks. "T-tell him? Oh gods, no, I couldn't do that," she whimpered nervously. "I mean... I kind of already did, if I'm honest. He asked me earlier why I always seem so uncomfortable around him and I told him it is because I admire him greatly, which I do, I wasn't lying. He's my idol. He's everything I aspire to be as a doctor. He's so smart and calm under pressure and patient and kind..." she said, trailing off as her blush deepened. "But I can't tell him I like him that way! He'd probably just laugh at me... Besides, a man like him has got to already have a girlfriend... I'm living with him now--as his roommate--and I'm sure I'll meet her eventually..."

"I don't think he'd laugh at you. He doesn't seem the kind. He seems like a nice guy." Lena replied as she turned to face Emily, leaning casually back against the sink. "Its more than obvious you like this guy, I don't think I've ever seen anyones cheeks turn that shade of red before." She joked with a smile and a tilt of her head. "If you want to know if he has a girlfriend drop it into a conversation. "Hey Sebastian, will your girlfriend be visiting soon? Something like that. Just don't panic about it."

Emily coughed out an awkward laugh. "Have you seen me? Do you realize how clumsy and awkward I am? Not panicking about something like that is very out of my element." she said with a meek smile. She groaned and dried her face, then leaned against the counter, leaning her head back. "I'm just trying not to think about it. I need to focus on finishing medical school, not wanting to bang my future co-worker-slash-boss."

"Why can't you focus on work and getting the man of your dreams too?" Lena teased with a grin and a raised eyebrow. "Come on, that guy would be lucky to have you. You're smart, funny and pretty..I've noticed more than one guy glancing in your direction since I got here. I wish I could be like you."

"Thanks for saying that, but you don't have to lie to me to build my confidence." Emily said with a sad smile. "Even if any of that were true, it doesn't change the fact that Sebastian is way out of my league."

Lena sighed sadly then pushed herself up to stand straight before moving to Emily and wrapping an arm round her and resting her head on her shoulder. "I guess you and I are exactly the same then." She said with another sad sigh. "Both living with someone that makes our heart race but believing we'll never be good enough. It sucks." She finally released Emily and looked at her with a small smile.

Emily returned Lena's small smile with one of her own and nodded in agreement. She hugged her gently and sighed, then finished up in the bathroom with her.

Back at the table, Risk was leaning towards Sebastian with a fox-like smile. "So you and Emily, hm?" he asked lowly and waggled his eyebrows at him.

Sabastion had watched Emily go, his face running a gamut of expressions, albeit only barely perceptible on his placid face. He was surprised, confused, concerned, then a bit curious, before finally dismissing it and he returned his attention to Risk while the ladies were in the restroom. "I do not believe so," he disagreed and frowned at the other man. "I do not think she likes me much on a personal level," he added, glancing toward the restroom again with that same frown. "I seem to make her very uncomfortable despite my best efforts to the contrary. Perhaps my agreeing to her living with me was a poor decision..."

"You're kidding, right?" Risk asked with a small frown, tilting his head at the other male. "Look, love and relationships seem to be a talent of mine, so let me give you some heavy hints here: she's digging you hard. I think the only reason she's so fidgety and blushy is because she can't keep from imagining going heels-to-god with you. Know what I'm sayin'? She likes you, doc. Embrace it, because you clearly like her, too." he shrugged, sipping his water. He was glad a waitress had come by and gotten them drinks and taken their orders.

As Risk went on, Sabastion's face became gradually more disturbed by his word choice. In the end, he was shaking his head at the younger man in a mixture of disapproval and disgust. "Emily isn't like that. I admit, I do like her, I find her personality, her intelligence, her looks, her smile-" He paused, realized he was trailing of, and shook his head again. "I like her," he admitted again. "But I do not know her that well. I am hoping we can get to know each other better before..." His cheeks tinged slightly and he waved a vague hand at Risk. "Whatever you were on about."

"What were you on about Risk?" Lena asked with a curious smile and a tilt of her head as she stepped up behind Sebastian, only catching the last of his words. "Oh it doesn't matter, probably just some secret between you boys." She chuckled as she scooted back into her seat then clapped her hands together when she spotted her milkshake. "Oh thank you!" She pulled it towards her, wrapping her two hands round the glass and taking a long slurp through the straw before looking at Sebastian. "So Sebastian..you gotta girlfriend?" She asked suddenly deciding to ask the question for Emily.

Emily, who had followed Lena back to the table, was still settling into her seat when Lena suddenly asked the intrusive question. She blinked at Lena, pulling her concentration from her body's movements into the booth seat, and her foot caught on the underside of the table. She yelped as she fell sideways into Sebastian only enough to briefly squish him against the window. "Oh, I'm sorry," she said quickly, recovering herself. She was just glad she hadn't spilled any drinks this time.

Sabastion's lips quirked up slightly as the ladies returned to the booth. Within only a second they managed to make it more lively. He let Emily right herself, feeling it was probably too bold to be touching her and simply smoothed his shirt after. "That is alright. To be honest, I'm surprised we made it this long without a trip or a tip," the doctor told the young medical student. He made sure Emily had settled again before he answered Lena. "No, I do not have a girlfriend, nor a wife, if that was to be your follow up question," he added. There was a pause as the waitress returned with their food. He thanked her before looking at the plate in front of him curiously. It looked about as greasy as he anticipated.

Emily, however, looked thoroughly relieved by Sebastian's answer, and gave Lena a hardly contained smile before addressing her own cheeseburger. She hummed excitedly, and Risk had to laugh. He had opted for the bratwurst, and squeezed some ketchup out onto his, giving Sebastian another waggle of his brows. "What about you, Emily? Have a boyfriend?"

Emily blinked up at Risk and stammered a moment with a blush. She couldn't help glancing at Sebastian as she said, "no, no I don't." She couldn't even remember the last time she got asked on a date.

"Would you look at that? You're both single. How about that." Lena grinned as she picked up her cheeseburger in both hands then took a large bite. "I'm single too. What about you Risk? You single?" She asked playfully trying to act as though it was a casual conversation.

"Do you frequently ask such personal questions when first meeting people?" Sabastion asked, his tone also conversational as he picked up a fry and looked at it considerately. "Or is there some specific purpose for probing at such a specific subject?" He bit the fry in half as he looked Lena, making steady eye contact. She amused him, but he found it almost irksome. He had seen this before, someone trying to set people up with one another. He didn't particularly enjoy efforts. Finding a good person didn't have anything to do with others, after all. It involved spending time with the person you hoped to be with, which was, to some extent, why he wanted to be spending time with Emily, not so that people could press about this sort of thing. This is why he preferred to stay home and not date. Not, of course, that this was a date. Of course it wasn't.

"No, no reason, we're just pointing out to one another that we're all bachelors and bachelorettes here!" Risk said with a laugh. He big into his bratwurst with an appreciative him.

Emily was sheepishly stuffing her own face with her cheeseburgers and fries, trying to keep her mouth shut. She wasn't appreciating the turn the conversation had taken either. She wondered just how quickly she could finish her food and then disappear.

Lena's smile had quickly faded as she found Sebastian's eyes focused on her and his question made her lower her burger back onto her plate. "Sorry.." She said with a small guilty smile. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything. I've been told I have trouble knowing when to stop talking and then some others say I just shouldn't speak at all.." She gave an embarrassed chuckle as she pushed her glasses back up her nose before tucking her hair behind her ears. "I didn't mean any harm."

"It is not my own discomfort I am concerned with," the doctor replied as he picked up his butter knife to cut his own burger in half. "It is those around me. If someone had a personal interest in my relationship status, I can only hope they would be close enough to me to already know the answer, or at the very least be comfortable enough with me to ask themselves. I can't imagine a relationship where a person is so uncomfortable they can not even ask you a question would be a very close one." He set the knife down and picked up half of his burger, putting it under his scrutiny as he had the fry. His face was calm as it always was. There was the slightest hint of annoyance at Lena, but he wasn't taking it out on her as much as he was just replying to her comment. "I do hope some day people can see it is alright to ask me questions as you have Lena. Don't back down simply because people don't want to answer-" He glanced at her again. "I only ask that you be up front about why you are asking. It's pretty rare to ask that kind of question without having a reason for wanting to know a person's relationship status." He paused, then frowned, looking at each person at the booth. "I apologize, I just took a very long time to say something terribly boring." He shook his head before biting into the burger, humming thoughtfully as he chewed.

Emily had been watching Sebastian as he spoke, taking in everything he said. When he finished, she looked down and away, glancing at Lena only briefly and looking a bit down trodden. He was right, after all. What did that say about her level of trust or respect in him that she couldn't even ask him a simple question herself? Not that she hadn't been planning to; Lena simply beat her to the punch. She shifted in her seat and popped another fry into her mouth.

"Well," Risk coughed awkwardly, looking between Sebastian and Lena and seeing Emily's downed expression, "oh, look, at subject change!" He stood up on the booth seat and dug into his pocket, shuffling past Lena behind her, and jumped down before heading to the juke box and clinking some quarters into the slot. The juke box was older, but had a list of newer songs in it. It sat flushed against the far wall of the diner, with two large speakers, and a fairly open section of dance floor. He looked at the menu of songs and tapped his chin, then smiled and pressed a combination of letter and number. "Can't Touch This," blared from the juke box and he grinned, turning back to the table. "Lena? Wanna dance?" he asked, offering her his hand.

Lena had watched in fascination as Risk shuffled past her then moved to the jukebox. She let out a small laugh when she heard his selection of music then raised an eyebrow and grinned when he asked her to dance. "Don't mind if I do." She replied as she slipped her hand into his and climbed to her feet. "Sorry Sebastian..but if there's one thing you need to know about me..I ask a lot of questions without having a reason for it. I'm spontaneous ya see. That's what makes me so adorable." She joked over her shoulder before winking and twirling dramatically into Risk's arm, laughing happily as she did.

Sabastion watched them go, delicately wiped his mouth with a napkin, then handed Emily one as he leaned in to her a bit so she could hear him over the music without having to shout. "I'm sorry," he apologized sincerely. "I realize I'm not making you terribly comfortable or happy... Is it something I am doing? Or.. not doing?" He paused, blinked as if surprised at himself, then frowned. "I'm so sorry, I'm speaking like I'm a bad boyfriend. Is it creepier to sound like a good one or a bad one when I'm not one at all?" He tilted his head, then offered her a little quirk of his lips as he tried to offer her the joke. Now that they were more alone like before, he was hoping he could try opening up again. If they just kept trying, surely they could become friends.

Emily smiled up at him lightly, shaking her head and swallowing her mouthful of food behind her napkin. "No, you're wonderful," she called over the music with a blush. "You've done nothing wrong. I'm actually afraid I'm being a terrible guest." she said with a shrug. "I'm sorry about Risk and Lena's intrusiveness. It took me off guard, too. But, for what it's worth... I'm glad you don't have a girlfriend. Or.. I mean- oh, that sounded bad. I didn't mean I'm glad for you to be alone, I just meant... gods, that sounded bad, too." she said in rapid succession, frowning down at her burger again, but this time managing to do so without blushing profusely. She looked up, watching Risk and Lena dancing and twirling on the floor so carefree, and she wished mildly that she could do something like that without breaking a bone... or a glass... or a window.

Sabastion couldn't stand it anymore. He chuckled. Honest to gods, chuckled. The sound bubbled out of him like very distant thunder, almost trapped in his chest it was so quiet. He was smiling at her again though this time it didn't show teeth like it had at the hospital. Rather than explaining, he just titled his head a little. "Would you like to take a walk on the beach with me after we are finished here? Perhaps we could get dessert to-go and have a kind of picnic. We both seem to be more comfortable in each other's company than a crowd, I am glad for that much at least." He glanced out the window. The sun was splashing colors everywhere on the eastern horizon but it had not yet touched the west. "It should still be early enough."
 
Emily had been struck dumbfounded at the sound of Sebastian laughing. She had never heard him laugh before, and the sound was as heart-warming as it was alienly chilling. She stared at him, and then he asked her if she wanted to go walking on the beach alone... The color returned to her cheeks and her lips turned up into a wide smile. "Yes. I would like that very much," she said honestly. She turned back to her burger and fries and started to eat with purpose now, occasionally glancing up at Risk and Lena. They were having so much fun, maybe they wouldn't notice them leave? She looked back at Sebastian. "What would you like for dessert?" she asked after she'd swallowed her mouthful.

"I'd like you to pick." Sabastion picked up another fry, continuing to eat them plain. His burger was gone and he was only working on the fries now. Despite being ahead of her, he didn't seem in a rush. Perhaps that was why, so that she could catch up? "I've never actually been to Sophie's so I'm not sure what would be good. I wouldn't recommend ice cream of course, the weather being so warm. I think I saw pie?"

"Pie sounds amazing!" Emily said, popping another fry between her full, pink lips. "Blueberry or apple? I love blueberry pie, myself," she admitted. She was smiling at him with her big blue eyes again, her interest in the conversation evident. The setting sun was once again making her eyes seem lit up from within, making the pale blue in them pop.

Something in Sabastion was aching. He had felt it before, a kind of bright, white hot pinprick somewhere in the back of his heart or his mind. It made the periphery of his vision a little dimmer. He had felt it when he first saw what lay in a tide pool. He felt it when he noticed a bluejay in a bush so close he could almost touch it. And he felt it now, looking at Emily's face. A composition as if framed by a god. And the ache? Oh how he ached to put that on his canvas. He wasn't an artistic man, he felt, but if he wasn't inspired by the beauty of the world, how could he ever feel motivated to help it? No, he felt very inspired and very motivated. "Blueberry," came the answer after a moment just long enough to seem like a thought, betraying none of the thoughts drifting languidly through his mind. He finished his last fry, wiped his mouth with a fresh napkin, and his fingertips, then lay it on his plate. "I think blueberry sounds very good right now."

Emily smiled widely, clearly pleased that they shared the same taste in desserts. When the waitress came back around to clear their plates, she ordered two slices of the blueberry pie to go, along with the check. Just as she was finishing this order, the music stopped from the jukebox, and Risk was leading Lena back to the table with a happy laugh, giving her one last spin.

He fell into his seat and took a big gulp of his water, then panted at Lena. "you are one smooth dancer, my dear! Did you guys see her? She was giving me a run for my money!" he laughed.
 
Lena let out a laugh in return as she collapsed into the seat next to him, pushing the hair from her face as she did. "You got some pretty good moves too Mr Delorme." She said with a grin. "You kept up with me just fine." She grabbed for her drink and after taking a long gulp she looked at Sebastian and Emily, noticing that their plates were gone. "You're finished? Aw man..I'm sorry we got distracted. Maybe we can all hang out another time?"

Emily blushed and gave a small nod after looking at Sebastian. "Yes, another time would be nice. We're sorry, you two looked like you were having so much fun.. we didn't want to interrupt your good time. We were just going to sneak out and go for a walk on the beach." she explained bashfully.

"Oh, sure! Don't worry about us, we interrupted your date, after all. You two young'uns go on and have fun." Risk said with a dismissive wave and then smiled when their check came. He snatched it from the waitress with a, "Thank you!" before Emily could take it. He waved it at them. "I'll take care of this, as a thanks for letting us sit with you. You two go."

Sabastion was proud he managed not to roll his eyes, simply waiting for Emily to exit the booth first before he waved at the other two and joined her. He paused beside the booth however and pulled out his wallet, handing a bill to the waitress who had returned with their pie before pointing to Emily and himself, then at Risk and Lena. "Two separate checks, keep the change," he explained and was grateful when he received a smile and a nod of confirmation. He motioned for Emily to take the lead out of the diner, holding the small container of pie for the both of them. "It was good to see you again, Risk, and it was lovely to meet you, Lena," he bid them adieu with a little nod of his head before following Emily out.

Emily smiled at Risk and Lena as she waved farewell to them over her shoulder, allowing Sebastian to carry their pies, and headed out of the diner. It was dusk now, the sky lit up from behind the horizon with deeper streams of oranges, pinks, and purples, an ombre blue extending overhead. Stars were already twinkling overhead. It would no doubt make their walk across boto the beach amazing.

Risk watched them go, giving a pout at how Sebastian had gone ahead and paid their own check, rather than allowing his hospitality. He ripped their bill in half almost moodily and let it drop to the table before munching on his fries. "That was mean. I had offered to pay their bill and everything." he pouted.

"That's alright.. you can pay for mine." Lena joked with a grin as she nudged him lightly with her elbow then took one of her own fires and nibbled on it. "So what's the plans after dinner? Movie, pyjamas, maybe some popcorn?" She chuckled as she looked at Risk. She wasn't sure if he was the type to curl up on the couch, complete with slippers and a bowl of popcorn.

Risk let out a laugh and nodded in agreement. "That actually sounds really nice. It's been a while since I've done that." he admitted. Usually, if he had company in his apartment, things turned hot and heavy very fast and then they ended up falling asleep. Basically, his life was work, sex, sleep, and then work again, with intermittent showers and food in between. He finished his bratwurst and downed his water, then looked at her. "Shall we get some dessert to go as well?"

"Oh yes please!" Lena exclaimed excitedly after she had hurried a few bites of her burger and gulped down the last of her milkshake. "Something with chocolate would be the perfect end to this meal." She smiled with a nod. "You're being far too kind to me Risk."

Risk laughed. "Nah... consider it a 'welcome-home-slash-welcome-to-the-office-team' party." he smiled at her. He looked up at the waitress and smiled at her charmingly, making her blush as she collected their dirty plates. "The check and your chocolatiest dessert, please. To-go, if you don't mind." He watched her nod and shuffle away shyly and then he sighed and looked up and around the diner. He paused when he noticed the group of friends a few tables ahead of them, a booth containing Luke, Dorian, Jade, and an unfamiliar blonde. He smiled widely. "Well grind my grits!" he laughed. "C'mere." He grabbed Lena's hand and shuffled out of the booth with her, leading her to the table across the diner. (below)

---

Jade skipped up to the door to Sophie's and stopped abruptly as an older couple came out. Grabbing the door for them, she smiled softly. "Have a wonderful night, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobsmeier." The older woman patted her shoulder and thanked her sweetly. Jade stepped into the diner and held the door open for Dorian and Luke. "I want a booth, don't you guys think so?"

"Yeah sounds good to me." Luke replied with a nod and one of his rare smiles as he looked at Jade. He glanced round, looking out for an empty booth. The place seemed pretty packed tonight. "Do you see any?" 

Jade looked around the diner and smiled, pointing to a corner booth. "Over there." She noticed that Risk and Sabastion were sitting at a booth together and thought it was strange. Pushing Luke she motioned around the other direction. "Take the long way, avoid Risk." Jade on the other hand b-lined it towards the booth so that no one else could grab it first. Waving to Sophie behind the counter as she passed by. "No more coffee." She heard the older woman call. Jade couldn't help but laugh.

Luke kept his head down as Jade steered him towards the booth, trying not to catch Risk's attention. He quickly slid into his seat then propped open his menu to hide behind. He wouldn't want to talk business here, would he?

"Risk seems the kind of guy to understand he doesn't stand a chance of convincing you in a group of friends," Dorian commented as he took a seat across from Luke and shifted so one arm lay across the top of his seat, his back pressed into the corner of the seat and the wall. He paused, looking at something over Jade's shoulder, then leaned toward Luke, whispering to him. "There's a pretty young lady a couple tables away who's giving you a smile and a shake of her head, Luke. Must be that charming good-boy attitude you exude."

Jade glanced over at where Dorian was indicating and smiled softly. "Haidee. Luke, is that who is supposed to come out to the farm?" Haidee was an adorable girl, a bit shy and reserved like Luke but still nice. A waitress appeared just then and Jade gave her order for a cheese burger and half fries half onion rings with a chocolate milk shake to drink.

Luke's eyes had widened at Dorian's words but instead of looking round to see who it was, he found himself sinking lower down into his chair as his cheeks blazed red. "It's Haidee? Yeah she's coming to the farm." He whispered once Jade had identified the girl. "Maybe I should go over..b-but then is it better to invite her over here... or maybe she would rather be left alone.." He spoke quickly feeling himself becoming more flustered as he thought about it. Finally he turned his head to look in the direction Dorian had indicated and gave a sort of awkward clumsy wave and what he hoped was a pleasant smile when he spotted Haidee.

Whatever she saw, Haidee giggled, half hiding her mouth behind her hand. But she waved back in a motion that mimicked Luke's. She also offered Jade a polite wave as well. It was the other curly haired gentleman she didn't know, but he was grinning- smirking?- and waving her over. She didn't see the harm in accepting the offer so she stood, pushed her chair back into the table, and made her way over to the booth. "Hello Luke," she greeted them. Her voice was as soft as her expression was kind. She wasn't sure why he was hiding behind the menu like that but she politely chose not to comment, instead turning to Jade and Dorian. "Hello Jade, it is always good to see you. And... I'm sorry, have we met?" she asked Dorian who was giving her the oddest wide eyed look and glancing at the other man in the booth. She gave the scientist a smile as well, but it was becoming more confused by the second.

"I don't believe we have," Dorian replied and held out a hand to Haidee, grinning ear to ear about Luke's behavior. Once she shook it, he rested it on the table again. "But I've heard about you, Haidee. Jade here has mentioned you and so has Luke. I hear you're visiting his farm tomorrow? Oh- I'm sorry, please, won't you join us?" He motioned to Luke's seat which the other man was currently only taking up about half of despite sitting in the middle of the seat.

Luke quickly shifted to the side to allow Haidee room to sit down after he had lowered the menu, trying not to look too embarrassed. "I'll have the same as Jade.." He told the waitress as he tried to sound relaxed though he was feeling far from that. "And just water." His voice had grown quiet again as his eyes darted between the others, his cheeks reddening further every time he noticed Dorian's grin.

Haidee nodded to Dorian and thanked Luke quietly as she took the space he had just vacated. She gave the farm boy a fond smile before returning her attention to the scientist. "That's right. Luke was kind enough to allow me to see his farm to help with my thesis which I need to complete in a few weeks. His produce is always the finest I see at the farmers market, so I am very glad for the opportunity."

Jade elbowed Dorian gently in the ribs and shook her head. "Are you going to order or are you going to make the waitress stand there all night?" Shaking her head gently, Jade flashed Haidee a brilliant smile. "Nice to see you too sweetheart." Crossing one leg over the other, she made sure not to kick anyone under the booth as she bounced her foot up and down.

"Oof!" Dorian huffed out air when Jade elbowed him and gave her an overly hurt look. Realizing what she was talking about though, he turned an apologetic expression at the waitress instead. "Ah, I'm so sorry about that, miss. Grilled chicken salad and orange juice please." He flashed a charming smile before handing over his menu.

Jade reached over and rubbed the area she elbowed. Leaning her head against Dorian's shoulder she smiled over at Haidee. "So, Haidee, what have you been up to recently? I'm afraid I've had my head in the clouds lately and haven't paid much attention to anything."

The door to Sophie's was pushed open in what could be a considered a careless manner, the paned glass swinging open in a swift motion so that Fawn, a vision in boots, a short, sleeveless purple dress and textured and torn lavender tights, could step into the restaurant. As per usual, the pint-sized woman had her headphones on, and even the heavily-padded earpieces couldn't completely muffle the bass and trill drum machine of the music she had on at high volume. She flipped her clip-on sunglasses up and took a brief survey of the diner, before sidling over to the counter to take a seat. In a seamless maneuver, she hopped-up onto the seat of the stool, legs dangling, and dropped her backpack at her feet, upon which she wore her favorite lace-up, knee-high eggplant-colored boots. In an attempt to flag the individual tending the counter down, , Fawn flashed impish grin toward her, then pushed the headphones back off her ears, but she didn't immediately turn the music off, so that the industrial beat of the song sounded from about her neck.

Luke returned a bashful smile in Haidee's direction, which steadily grew wider as he listened to her talk about his farm. He slowly pushed the menu across the table to her, encouraging her to order before he suddenly looked up as the jukebox boomed to life. He rolled his eyes when he spotted Risk with the unfamiliar girl, hand in hand. Another new girl.. He thought with a sigh.

"I've taken a few more shifts in the greenhouses, now that I'm approved to work with the more toxic species," Haidee replied to Jade. Noticing Luke was pushing something to her, she accepted the menu but didn't look it over. "Thank you, I just ate though. I was only waiting for my dessert-" She paused and followed his line of sight when she heard him sigh. She smiled shyly. "You didn't strike me as the jealous type," she whispered to him.

"I'm not jealous.." Luke replied softly though his tone wasn't entirely convincing. He watched Risk and Lena a moment longer then cast his eyes downward, his brows furrowed slightly. Of course he was jealous. He'd lived his whole life watching Risk effortlessly date one girl after the other, his charm winning the hearts of any girl he looked at. But Luke could never do that. He glanced at Haidee before quickly looking down again, unable to hold her gaze.

Haidee watched him, her expression becoming even more sympathetic. She leaned toward him slightly so she could talk quietly, but still be heard despite the music. "I don't think I'm some kind of prize but... If you wanted to try to give him something to be jealous of in return?" She put her hand on the table, palm up, offering it to him. "I hear even those in good relationships can sometimes be jealous of happy couples. It seems important to you."

"Ooo, I like her," Dorian muttered into Jade's ear where he had taken the woman into his arms when she leaned against him. He turned a bit so his words were for her ear only. "I know I was always intensely jealous when you were out on a boat alone with anyone..."  

Jade reached across the table and placed her hand on Luke's arm. "Never, and I mean never, compare yourself to Risk. You two are completely different men. He uses women as endeavors where as you respect women." Leaning back into the booth again she allowed Dorian to whisper in her ear and smiled softly a faint blush creeping up in her cheeks. Turning her head slightly she gave him a questioning look, taken by surprise at his comment.

Luke had blinked down at Haidee's hand then up at her face then back down at her hand quickly, his expression one of surprise. Before he could move though he felt Jades hand on his arm and he jumped before looking at her and smiling lightly at her words. His gaze returned to Haidee's hand and after a nervous moment he reached out a tentative hand and gently wrapped it around hers. He glanced at her and his smiled seemed to strengthen. "Thank you."

'Coffee, black; spinach salad with extra feta, dressing on the side. Thanksomuch,' Fawn said without hesitation to the waitress when she arrived. The short woman offered a grin before the server walked away to put the order in, but a moment later, Fawn spun around on the stool, finally cutting the music blaring from her headphones as the strange choice from the jukebox across the room filled the air. Shaking her head at the current tunes, Fawn's bright eyes flickered across the diner, and toward the small group on yonder, before settling her attention on the table where Jade, Haidee, Luke and Dorian were seated. She watched the small group for as long as she could, but she also continued twirling around on the stool seat, at least until the waitress arrived with her coffee, which she slurped from the rim of the mug, since it was fresh and piping hot. 'Most excellent.'

The door to the diner opened once more, the soft jingle of the bell almost unheard over the loud jukebox. The young woman who stepped in, smiled as her eyes immediately moved to the music before she chuckled at the sight of Risk and Lena dancing in front of it. "This place is pretty lively.." Madison muttered before she tore her eyes from the dancing pair. She stood on tiptoes, craning her neck this way and that as she peered at the different faces at each table before sighing deeply and stepping towards the counter. She smiled politely at Fawn as she stopped beside her before looking towards one of the waitresses who was busy making coffee. "Excuse me, would you be able to help me? I'm looking for someone called Jace Carter.." 

At the mention of her best friends name Jade turned her attention to the girl at the counter. She could only see the side of her face but she looked extremely familiar. "Wait a minute... Madison? Oh my god! Madison!" Jade hollared, jumped up from their booth and practically tackled the younger girl who was asking for her brother.

Madison blinked in surprise when she felt someone's arms suddenly encircle her but at the sound of the familiar voice she let out a relieved chuckle. "Jade! You frightened me!" She said as she looked at her brothers friend. "It's good to see you! Now where is he? I wanted to surprise him but that only works when you know where he is.."

"I'm sure he's at the dojo, he hasn't come in for dinner yet so he's either on his way in or still there." Smiling softly she shook her head. "Would you like something to eat before you go? Or are you just going to head straight over?" Jade noticed that their food was placed at her table, she waved at Dorian, letting him know she'd be there in just a moment.

"Alas, a wild heart such as hers? I knew our love could not be eternal!" Dorian lamented, having had Jade nearly rip off his affectionate arms as she tore out of the booth in her enthusiasm. He let himself sink down until he was laying on his seat, arm thrown over his eyes. "But cruel fate, I did not expect a woman!" Using his leg and an impressive amount of core strength, he sat up again on the end of his booth seat, facing out so his legs were on the outside of the booth, and leaned his elbows on his knees. "I will simply have to return to quelling the passionate flames of my heart with her cool, distant gaze," he ended, giving Jade a longing look before grinning and giving a two fingered salute to the girl with her. "Greetings, Madison."

Haidee giggled at Jade's outburst and Dorians subsequent antics before she decided to set them aside and turn her full attention to Luke, who's hand she was holding back with just enough grip to keep her hand in contact with his. "I believe we all need comfort sometimes," she told him quietly, clearly her words meant only for Luke. "I consider myself lucky to be able to offer this much to a good man like you." She smiled back at him and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, for accepting. I hope I can now safely assume we are friends? It's quicker than I'm used to, but... I think that happens sometimes."

"Friends? I'd like that.." Luke replied softly as he glanced at Haidee, a light bashful smile spreading across his lips. He shifted his grip on her hand so their fingers gently intertwined together. "If you like..because we're friends.." He started and his eyes dropped away from hers, seemingly too nervous to look at her as he spoke. "We could..uh..we could hang out tomorrow. After you see my work that is."

Madison waved her hand in a pleasant greeting to Dorian after giggling slightly at his behaviour then looked back at Jade with a smile. "I should probably go track Jace down. But I'll be in town for a while if you want to hang out sometime?"

"Well of course. I'll have to take you out on the boat some time. But go on. Go find your brother. We can talk more later." Jade gave Madison one final hug before returning to her seat next to Dorian to eat her dinner.

Madison smiled and waved at Jade and the others around her table before she turned and headed for the door. She paused and glanced back at Lena and Risk still dancing before chuckling and moving on, disappearing out into BotO Streets of Athens Harbor.

"I'd like that," Haidee replied honestly as food was placed on the table and Jade returned to her seat. She gave Luke's hand a last little squeeze before letting go so he could eat and she could pick up her fork for a single piece of cherry pie. "Does that mean I'll be helping you with some chores?" she asked, seeming almost happy at the idea.

Chores? That wasn't really what Luke had in mind. He had imagined a nice walk or going for lunch but he couldn't bear correcting her so he smiled lightly and nodded. "Sure..if you like." He replied as he lifted the ketchup and squeezed a small amount on the side of his plate before glancing at Haidee. "I have to check the plants, pick any that are ready, pack up stuff for deliveries, oh and tend to the horses. I was going to let them out into the field for some exercise and do a few repairs on their stable." He told her before returning his attention to his food. "But you don't have to help if you don't want to. I'm sure the dogs would love some company whilst I worked.."
 
Jade took the ketchup from Luke, squirting some on her plate for her fries she set it back on the table and took a bite out of her burger. The cook had made it just how she liked it. Lettuce, pickled, ketchup and mustard. It was delicious. "Mmm I'm glad we did this. I haven't been eating properly except for what Dorian and the boys have been bringing me. Thanks for coming with me guys and Haidee for joining us." She continued eating her wonderful dinner.

"She's like the class pet," Dorian commented fondly. "We like to take turns making sure she doesn't die. We're rather fond of her that way." He quickly poked a fry at Jade's ketchup before eating it, averting his eyes innocently. Even went to far as to point vaguely at a piece of decor on the wall he appeared to find very interesting.

Risk was wearing a big smirk as he came upon the table of familiar faces. "Hello there and good evening, my fellow Athenians! What brings you all to this humble establishment? A celebration, I hope?" he asked, pulling Lena with him. He looked at each person in turn; Jade, Dorian, and finally at Luke and his grin widened. "And who is this lovely lady?"

Luke groaned lightly and dropped his cheeseburger back on his plate when he heard Risk's voice. "I just lost my appetite.." He mumbled before suddenly looking up at Risk when he asked about Haidee, wishing suddenly that he was sat between her and the flirtatious Risk. "She's my friend Haidee.." He said quickly as he looked at Risk with an almost pleading expression. Just leave her alone..for once don't flirt! He silently begged before looking at Lena who was standing next to Risk, peering round at them all curiously with a bright smile. "W-who is that?" He asked hoping to draw the attention away from Haidee.

"This, my friend, is the dear Lena. She's my new assistant and roommate." Risk explained with a rather dramatically flaired motion to Lena. "Poor thing had no where to stay and needed a job, so... now she has both!" he laughed lightly. "Say, Haidee, what is it that you do?"

Haidee, who had grown almost imperceptibly still when Luke suggested she spend time with the dogs, was actually rather grateful for Risk's distraction from where the topic was apparently headed. "I study horticulture at the university," she replied with her same calm smile almost anyone could see on her face if they took the time to greet her. "I don't need to ask who you are," she countered his inquiry. "You're Risk DeLorme. I've seen you in the paper before and read about you in a few department reports. You are responsible for the univerity's acquisition of land for two new greenhouses. You're also responsible for the park I enjoy in my childhood being torn down to make way for a business block. There's a laundromat, a mobile phone store, a dvd rental shop, and a small restaurant there now." Everything she said was spoken with a tone of such neutrality that, despite her smile, it really was anyone's guess if she liked Risk or not.

Risk gave a small laugh and rubbed the back of his neck with a bashful smile. "Shucks, it sounds like my shimmering reputation preceeds me yet again..." he shrugged. "I am sorry about the park though. I grew up playing on that park, too. I'm just the consultant, I didn't build that stuff there." he swore. "And I swear I'm using my powers of persuasion for only good now."

Jade had sat by during the past few moment's in silence, watching the conversation go back and forth. "Evening Risk, nice to meet you Lena. Risk, you and I need to sit down and have lunch one of these days. We haven't had a chance to have a good talk in well... ever." Jade's tone was the same one she used for everyone, friendly and happy as she reached for her shake and took a sip of it.

"Nice to meet you too." Lena replied politely as she smiled at Jade then looked round at the others at the table. "Risk has been the nicest guy, giving me a place to stay and a job. I don't know what I would have happened if I hadn't met him." She chuckled lightly then looked up at Risk. "Maybe we should go? We don't want to keep them from their meal and we've got some chocolate to eat."

Madison stepped into the diner and waved her hand to Jade with a smile. "I found him!" She said with a small laugh before looking back at Jace. "Do you want to sit with your friends?" She asked as she clasped her hands lightly behind her back.

Risk looked at Lena and smiled, nodding in agreement. "You're right, we should go before our lava cake gets too cold." He turned back to Jade and said, "I agree. Let's do lunch or something sometime." He smiled his usual charming smile as he slid his business card across the table to her. He then paused to give Luke and Haidee a good-natured farewell, adding, "It was lovely to meet you, Haidee! You two make an adorable couple. It's good to see Luke finally getting on with someone who isn't a horse or a vegetable." he said playfully and then winked at Luke. He stood up straighter and motioned to the door for Lena to go first. "Shall we?"

Lena gave an eager nod and gave a final farewell wave as Luke simply gaped at Risk's last comment before he slid down in his seat, his cheeks burning red from embarrassment. "It was lovely meeting you. Hopefully I'll see you all around town!" Lena said cheerily then turned and trotted towards the door, smiling politely at Madison who stepped aside to let them past, returning the smile. "Lena glanced over her shoulder at Risk and grinned before she stepped out onto the street and headed for BotO De Lorme Condo.

Jace stepped into the diner behind his sister, scanning the tabled and spied Jade with Dorian and Luke. He wasn't sure who the girl was but he thought it was Haidee. He wasn't sure how he felt about how close Jade and Dorian were sitting, what was that all about? They had always been close but they had never done anything about it before.

Jade slid Risk's card into her back pocket smiling at Madison. "Hey pull a table over." Finished with her burger and fries she set her plate aside and began savoring her shake. She wasn't sure how Jace was going to take her and Dorian being together. He had always been over protective so this was going to be interesting.

Archer opened the door into the dinner for Adela, and smiled as she walked in. In uniform she was cute, but out of uniform she was just stunning. Even in just jeans and a tank top. "I think my mom has gone off the deep end. She wants me to just stay with her and her boy friend... I honestly have no problem with Aaron, but my mother is beyond over barring. She down right intrusive." He only brought it up because his mother had taken the time to belittle him for not at least calling Jade, he had responded to her email though and let her know he was in town and wanted to see her.

"Really?" Adela asked, looking at Archer as she walked inside, "I love your mom. I should probably go say hi sometime." She turned and scanned the room for a table and spotted Jade, "Oh, look who's here!" She smiled, touching Archer's shoulder and pointing to where their old friend sat with some other people.

At the sound of the jingling door Jade looked up. She would have dropped whatever she was holding if it wasn't already sitting on the table. "Oh my god..." Blinking rapidly she made sure she wasn't seeing things.

Jace glanced over his shoulder to see what Jade was freaking out about. "Oh... better watch out." Grabbing Madison's shoulders, he gently moved his baby sister out of the way, just in time to watch Jade go barreling by them.

Jade narrowly missed Adela and launched herself into Archer's arms, tears streaming down her cheeks as she threw her arms around his neck squeezing him tightly. "Where the hell have you been!" It wasn't really a question as much as it was a demand. She hadn't looked at her e-mail since she'd sent hers so she didn't know that he had responded yet. "I can't believe you're home. Why didn't you call me you jerk!"

Adela laughed, watching the display. She had expected a reaction like that from Jade, she and Archer had always been close. "It's amazing the things you see on the job," she said jokingly, "Get a call about a potential suspicious character and find a long lost friend."

"Really now," Dorian muttered and leaned his cheek against his fist, elbow on the table to support him. "If this keeps up, a man could become jealous." He chuckled and glanced over at the two calmer occupants of the table, then did a double take at Luke's slouched posture. "You know you do that long enough you'll get stuck that way." He lifted off of his hand to beckon the other man. "Come on, let's get another table. Looks like we're gonna have company. Haidee, you sticking around?" He stood from their booth but waited for Haidee to answer and Luke to join him in adding a table to their booth.

Haidee nodded. "If it's alright with everyone, I think I'd like to hang out a little while longer-" She paused and smiled at Luke. "If you're staying around, that is? Don't let Risk get to you like that. He just misunderstood is all." She cut off the joke in her head 'or saw into the future'. Luke looked uncomfortable enough. She put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him for a moment, her smile more sympathetic, then scooted out of the booth to let him get up and help Dorian.

Luke glanced at Haidee and gave a grateful smile for her words. "I'm sticking around." He told her softly. "I think you should stay." He added then slipped out from the booth to help Dorian move the table as Madison dragged Jace over to them by the hand. 

Archer held Jade in his arms- off the ground as if she weighed nothing at all. He smiled a bit and told her. "Well lets see..." Archer making a show of thinking it over. "I went to fort Benning, then I went to Fort Carson, then after that I was deployed to Afghanistan, then I was sent home to fort Carson." He trailed off knowing she already knew a lot about his time in the Army when she could send him letters and he was alike to call home. "I missed you Jade."

Jade smacked his shoulders gently and shook her head before wiping her tears away. "That's not what I meant and you know it. I've been worried sick about you. I haven't heard anything in months." Around the time that her dreams had started. That must have been what caused them. Maybe now they would stop. At his comment she smiled softly and jumped down to the ground. "I missed you too. Come on you guys can come sit with all of us." Jade led the way to the back of the diner and scooted back into the booth and snuggled up with Dorian. "Dorian this is Archer. Archer this is Dorian."

"Hey, it's nice to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Jade," Dorian greeted once he had his arm wrapped around Jade again but made sure to extend his free hand to shake Archer's. "I admit, I was kind of beginning to think of you as a bit of a myth, kind of like Achilles."

Adela followed them over to the table and paused when she saw Jade snuggle up to Dorian, "When did this happen?" she asked, wagging her finger between the two of them. She watched Archer out of her peripheral vision, wondering how he would take it. He and Jade had always been close and just about everyone in town thought they were made for each other.

Archer looked over Dorian, and then smiled taking his hand. He gave Dorian a firm hand shake "Nice to meet you. I may be a bit of a myth, but your a ghost to me because Jade's never said anything about you." He kept the jealousy out of his voice. Making it sound like he was just joking a bit. With a warm smile on his face. Jade never brought him up- or Archer never remembered he me talking about him, and the way they were acting now told him she was dating him- and it must have been going a while with how they were acting in public. He then quickly followed with "Really though. I don't know your name." He let go of Dorian's hand and pulled out a chair for Adela waiting for a response from Dorian listening for his tone. Then as Adela sat he joined then at the now rather large group of tables.

Faced with a man of Archer's size, build, and background, an average man would immediately feel on edge to date one of his best friends. That man would be all the more nervous having heard the way Jade talked about him. Dorian, however, was- apparently- not an average man. He laughed. The noise was infectious even though he kept it quiet enough not to disturb too many other patrons. "Ghost, that is a good word. I don't blame her for not mentioning me, I'm nothing to mention and not really something to talk about." He shifted his focus ever so slightly to Jade in his arms. "Let's see.... what would you be then?.... Perhaps a hurricane?" he suggested. "Came in fast and powerful and impossible to ignore. Makes your heart race and makes you feel worried sometimes...." He rested his lips against her hair for a moment before pressing a kiss and returning his attention fully to Archer and Adela. "I know you are Jade's best friends, and I'm sorry you didn't know but in her defense it's only been a few hours and.. we were asleep for part of them-"

Jace pulled put a seat for Madison and sat down next to Jade tO watch the show. He knew it was going to be interesting. Sure Jace was protective but Archer took it to an entirely new level. Leaning over he whispered to Madison. "If the waitress come by just let her know I'll have my usual." He gave her a quick kiss on them temple and smiled.

Jade frowned and shook her head. "Oh you are too something to talk about. I just am absentminded and scatterbrained. I'm sorry." And stupid... How she must have made Dorian feel... She felt aweful and then the beautiful way he described her. Jade barely deserved a man like him. Sighing heavily her cheerful mood slowly began slipping away until she heard Dorian speak again. Then her cheeks turned a bright shade of crimson that she hurriedly tried to hide. Way to be obvious, Jade...

"You got it." Madison replied with a smile and a nod as she began to flick through the menu trying to decide on what she would like to eat. Once the waitress passed by she politely ordered food for both herself and Jace then looked around the group. She only recognised Jade and of course Jace but it seemed everyone was deep in conversation so she would wait to introduce herself.

"Things are getting a little crowded here.." Luke whispered to Haidee as he resumed his meal, nibbling on a few fries at once. "I don't suppose.." He started then looked nervous as he tried to decide if he actually wanted to continue before finally taking a small breath. "Would you like to go for a walk or something? Get out of here? I'm not feeling too hungry anymore..I could walk you home or something."

Haidee, who had been staring a little surprised at the conversation going on around them, seemed almost relieved Luke had asked. She smiled and nodded, grateful for the invitation. "I'd like that," she replied quietly before speaking a bit louder to the group. "Hey, oh, I'm sorry everyone, but I've got class early tomorrow so.. I'm going to get going. Jade, it was great to see you again. Dorian and... the rest of you. Nice meeting you." She offered them all an apologetic smile but followed Luke out of the booth as they readied to leave.

"I'm going to walk her home." Luke added trying not to sound embarrassed before he quickly fished his wallet from his pocket and pulled out some money which he set down on the table. "For my share." He told Jade. "I'll pick the dogs up on my way home." He waved farewell to the group then quickly led Haidee from the booth, giving a small sigh of relief to be out of the crowd. He moved to the diner's door then held it politely open for her so she could exit out onto BotO Streets of Athens Harbor.

Jade smiled and nodded her head gently. "See you later Haidee it was nice to catch up. You know your way around, Luke. Call me tomorrow and let me know how everything goes!" She smiled sweetly, glad for the brief distraction before she got bombarded again.

Adela knew of Dorian, but she had never actually met him. She was thinking as she sat down that he seemed very likable but his last comment made her eyebrows shoot up. That last comment sounded very suggestive, she was surprised Jace didn't say anything but he looked like he was waiting for Archer's responce. She looked at Archer, hoping he would take it alright.

Archer was liking the way Dorian almost seemed to idolize, Jade. She deserved a man who treated her like she was the center of his world... Then he just had to open his mouth again. Archer lost the smile, and gained a glare that would make most soldiers loose their nerve. His tone shifting so he may as well have traded his voice out for Satan's, "You've got a set of brass balls on you, don't ya boy?" Archer leaned over the table and went to making his already impressive size seem even larger. "You must have been raised in one hell of a fucked up house hold to be willing to shoot your mouth off about fucking my friend. For fucks, sake I meet a man raised by a crack whore that had a better scense of how not to get his ass kicked after saying hello than your sorry ass. Its one thing to look like you need your mother to dress you and teach you how to shave that scraggly pubic hair your trying to pass off as a beard- it's another when you open your filthy cock holster and nothing but stupid finds its way out into the air. Now get your slimy arm off her before I break that shit off and shove it so far up your ass you'll be able to taste shit for a month. So you best keep that cum dumpster you call a mouth locked up around me dick cheese, or I will give you a personal tour of you large intestine, head first." Archer then looked to Jade and shook his head in total disapproval. Archers tone calmed and he seemed legitimately upset. "Kissin and tellin is one thing Jade, Fuckin and sharing is another. If your gonna stick with this moron then don't ask me to be around it." Archer had almost wished he had never gone into he army if Dorian was any example of the kinda guys she had been dating with out Archer around to scare off the ass holes.

Ok well at this point Dorian would be lying if he said his heart wasn't pounding hard in his chest. If he thought about it, he sort of figured meeting Archer would go this way, but he hadn't really had a chance to think of it outside of a little daydreaming, but those were dreams. There hadn't been time to think about the reality of the situation. He wasn't supposed to meet Archer today. So while he thought, he kept steady eyes on Archer, not out of challenge, more to be aware if the other man was going to start swinging, and slowly raised his arms like a criminal but otherwise made no move away from Jade. That was some pretty colorful language he was using, and pretty interesting he would imply that Dorian had had sex with men while simultaneously implying he had had sex with Jade. Was he aware he was doing that? The scientist's attention snapped back into focus when he heard what Archer said to Jade. "HEY!" he practically snarled, but the rest of his words were calmer, his alert eye contact on Archer still not faltering. "Jade and I have never 'fucked'. What a disgusting word, and for you to even imply it is a egregious insult. How dare you speak to her like that. You're supposed to be her friend. If you want to hate me before you know me, fine, I really don't care, because Jade and I chose to give each other our hearts and that's all that matters in a relationship, nobody, nobody else tells you who to date or why or when. It is a personal choice- I digress. Sit down you're only making a fool of yourself and embarrassing her and our friends here. If you want to hiss insults at me, by all means, but if you're going to insult Jade I won't put up with it, and if you're going to punch me all I ask is that you do it away from innocent patrons who have nothing to do with this-" To emphasize the point he let his eyes slide around the cafe at the few curious looks they were getting from the last of the dinner rush diners before looking back at Archer. "So hate me, I don't care. Jade might care, come to think of it-" he paused briefly to look at the woman with him, his face pained, but in the end he did manage to look back at Archer. "But she's a grown woman and who she dates is actually none of your god damn business."

Madison gaped slightly, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked between Archer and Dorian. This wasn't really what she'd expected to happen at dinner or when she was meeting most of Jace's friends for the first time. "Maybe we should get our food to go." She whispered after she had slowly looked back at her older brother.

This was going even worse than Adela had expected. It seemed the Army had changed Archer a little, or maybe it had just shortened the temper he already had. She jumped to her feet, almost knocking over her chair in the process, and grabbed the arm that wasn't knife-handing Dorian, "Archer, you need to back off and get a hold of yourself. Its your first day back and I'm off duty, I don't want to have to take you in to cool off in a cell." Truth be told, she had no chance of getting him down to the department of he didn't want to go.

Jace nodded his head at Madison, "Sure, that may be best, let me try to defuse the situation." Patting Madison's shoulder Jace stood and put his hand on Archer's shoulder and shoved slightly. They were both large guys so Archer didn't scare Jace like he did others. "Back of Archer, your just going to upset Jade and we both know that isn't what you want."

"Sit down Jace, I can handle this." Jade's voice was stronger than she herself would have expected but she was angry and hurt. "You surprise me Archer. After all these years you really don't know me as well as you think you do." Shaking her head, Jade caught Sophie's eye and held her hand up and nodded her head at the woman. "Who I date is my business and you know nothing about this absolute wonderful man. You've been gone since high school. In that time I've met someone and that's a bit hard for you to swallow but I'm sorry. Dorian is very important to me but if you want to be in my life your going to have to get used to that fact. And seeing as how you're supposed to be my best friend I'd hoped you'd be happy for me. But I guess that was too much to ask for. Now when your mind is clearer and you want to talk, you know where I'll be. Adela sweety it was nice seeing you, be safe as work tomorrow." Jade turned to Jace and kissed him on the cheek as he moved out of the way for her to leave. As she passed by him, she gave Madison a hug. "You come by the Marina and see me this week, we'll take you out on the boat." Jade grabbed a hold of Dorian's hand gently and smiled at him before walking by the counter and fished a $50 bill out of her back pocket and handed it to Sophie. "For any trouble we caused" Sophie opened her mouth to protest but Jade was already on her way out the door to boto Streets of Athens Harbor

Jace turned to Archer for a moment and shook his head. "You should be ashamed. She's your best friend and you may have just lost her." Jace pushed the table back where it belonged and turned to Madison. "Come on little bit, lets get out food and go."

Madison nodded quickly then grabbed up her jacket and bag before looking at Archer and Adela. "It was nice meeting you." She said with an awkward wave before she stepped away from the booth and waited for Jace to lead the way back to his.

Jace grabbed and paid for their food and said goodbye to Sophie. "See you later Adela." He looked at Archer for a moment before shaking his head. He and Archer had never had any problems before, they had even been friends in high school but he has wasnt okay with the way Archer had just treated Jade. Ushering Madison out onto boto Streets of Athens Harbor he smiled. "Tomorrow how about we bring Jade lunch to make sure she's okay?"

Archer sighed in frustration. Realizing he over reacted, and walked out the door with no comment to anyone, and went straight to the boto Elysium Park.

That had gone about as badly as it could have without coming to physical violence. Adela gave Jace and the others absent nods as they said their goodbyes, but her attention was on Archer, he seemed to be realizing what was happening and he looked upset. She watched him head for the door and after a moment followed him out to boto Elysium Park.


BotO Athens Harbor
Blood of the Olympians
BotO Information