This is complete and utter fluff that I just had to get out of my system. I tried my best to keep them both in character, but personal experience tends to sneak its way in. Hopefully the voices haven't been lost completely. Part two to be posted directly after this. Hope you enjoy.

Jo felt, more than saw, as Zane walk up behind her before sitting down next to her at the back counter of Café Diem. Let it be, she thought to herself as she exhaled and tried to relax. I can't believe I'm actually listening to Carter.

"Hey JoJo. I never thanked you for saving my life."

She finally turned her head to look at him and gave him a small smile. "Well, you saved mine, so I guess we're even."

He smiled back at her and try as she might to fight it, she felt her walls crumble just a little bit more. This Zane certainly isn't quite the same guy I dated. The other Zane may have shown his appreciation for me in his own way, but he'd never come right out and actually thanked me before.

"So," he said, scooting a little bit closer to her and dropping his voice to a near whisper, "since we're not, you know, sleeping together ever again…" She chuckled softly, and encouraged, he went on. "I was wondering if I could take you out sometime."

She rolled her eyes at him and sighed. He just won't give up. "Fine," she said, "but I reserve the right to end the date at any time if it gets a little too…déjà vu."

He grinned widely and she couldn't help responding in kind. "Great! I'll meet you here on Sunday morning, say around 11?"

Her smile faltered a bit as she remembered their first date.

Oblivious to the change in her expression, he leaned even closer and smiled a little wicked smile. "I figured if I met you at Carter's or you met me at my place, you might forget your little celibacy vow. And I would never make you break your promise."

She laughed then, and Zane, feeling confident, leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. She blushed slightly at their first public display of affection, but he just smiled, said "See you then," and sauntered out the door.

Jo spent all day Saturday trying not to think about The Date. Early that morning, she decided she was going to pour herself into work, catching up on all of the post-PALS-incident paperwork she needed to do. But apprehension and worry kept intruding on her thoughts. What if he meets me there with another rose? Is it awful to want him to not be romantic? What do I wear? What on earth will he want to talk about? I swear, if he brings up theoretical physics, I may cry. Or punch him. Yes, punching him would be more satisfying. Maybe I should bring a gun…

She sighed, and shook her head. Why does it have to be so complicated? I'm about to go on a first date with my almost-fiancée. No one should have to do that. She was just about to change her mind and call it all off when she received a text.

Bring your hiking boots tomorrow. -Z

Well… thatwas certainly different.

So it was that she found herself walking up to Café Diem the next morning wearing a light cotton t-shirt, khaki pants and her hiking boots. She'd also brought a backpack to carry water, a knife, a hat, and a small first aid kit. Josephina Lupo could never be called unprepared.

She paused for a moment, steeling herself for her second- first date, and opened the doors. She found Zane immediately, sitting at the counter directly in front of her, staring at her with a look that was both approving and more than a little possessive. Oh God. I'm glad I didn't meet him at his place. He was wearing a similar outfit to her and, not for the first time, she took note of how much more, well, ripped this Zane was. Definitely glad we didn't meet anywhere private.

Zane stood up and shouldered a backpack of his own before motioning toward the door. "Shall we?" he asked. She smiled at him and even allowed him to open the door for her. Once outside, she noticed that he'd driven his motorcycle. She was about to ask if he expected her to ride without a second helmet, when she saw that he was continuing to walk on without her. He smiled back at her over his shoulder. "You'd better keep up, Lupo. We've got a long walk ahead of us." She sped up, welcoming the challenge, and soon they were matching strides.

"So where are you taking me?" she asked, glad that she had never done anything like this with Zane before.

"It's a surprise," he said with a smile. "It's about 5 miles from here, so I thought we'd enjoy the hike. I'm hoping it's not a date you've ever been on before," he added, sounding a little hesitant.

"So far, so good," she replied, "the other Zane wasn't quite as…well, let's just say he didn't get in as much physical activity as you."

His eyes widened and his face fell with incredulity. "I was FAT!"

Jo laughed so hard she had to stop walking. After a moment, while Zane was getting increasingly annoyed, she shook her head. "No, no, no," she wheezed, "you were just skinny!" Laughter bubbled up again and she looked Zane in the eyes. "You were cute. But now…"

He smiled a lopsided grin. "Now, I'm hot. You can say it."

"Now you're insufferable!" She tried to sound annoyed, but she knew she had failed. Insufferable and hot.

They continued hiking away from town, talking about work, complaining about Fargo, and throwing jabs back and forth about who would win if they were fighting each other in different types of combat. For a second her stomach had dropped when he said he'd kill her in a battle of the brains. But she had retorted that she'd kick his ass in a battle with weapons, and he'd conceded to her with a, "Hell yeah, you would!" Jo then informed him that she'd also wipe the floor with him in a dance-off. Zane had simply raised his eyebrows, and said, "Oh, really?" before claiming that he could take her in a wrestling match.

"Um.. No," she said. "It would only end badly for you."

"I dunno…" he replied, "I'm pretty strong."

"Strength has nothing to do with it. I'm highly trained in hand-to-hand combat. And I've had three brothers. I'd like to see you try to pin me."

"We could try later," he added slyly, "but I think you'd end up breaking that vow of yours." He motioned his hands over his torso, "You wouldn't be able to resist this."

She punched him in the arm. "You are such an ass."

"Yeah, but you love it."

She felt her face go hot and couldn't respond. Zane smiled knowingly. "You're very cute when you're flustered."

Jo let out a loud sigh and shook her head as Zane chuckled to himself. "Amused at something?" she asked.

"I'm just happy, JoJo." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but smile back.

I'm happy too, she thought, more than a little surprised at the thought. Maybe 'letting it be' wouldn't be too hard after all.

Soon they were turning onto a dirt trail and she suddenly knew where they were headed.

"Oh no…" she trailed off, her voice filled with a little bit of dread, and even more embarrassment.

"What?" Zane stopped to look at her. "Did I take you here before? Damn it, Jo, competing against myself is not very fair."

They were standing on a path that, in about another mile, would take them directly to the park where she'd played paintball with Taggart. She could feel her face go red.

She sighed and covered her face with her hand. "It's not you. I came here with…with someone else."

Zane's expression changed from frustration to gleeful curiosity in an instant. "Oh, really!" he said, his voice peaking with interest. "Just who is this guy? Do I need to fight him? Is he as hot as me? I'll kick his ass."

Jo dropped her hand and gave him a look of annoyance. "You are such a child."

He grinned then. "It was Fargo, wasn't it," he said gleefully, "you liked those nerdy, skinny types." And he winked at her. Actually winked at her.

"Oh my God, Zane, it was NOT Fargo! It was Taggart, okay? We played paintball. And if you say anything, a single word, I swear I will crush your windpipe so you can never say another word again."

Jo quickly realized her mistake. She had stepped up to Zane, closing the distance between them and pointing her finger hard into his chest, trying to drive the threat home. But then she looked up at him, his eyes mischievous and laughing, and then he was kissing her.

He broke it off quickly, making it more of a tease than if he'd let the kiss deepen.

"You're really hot when you're threatening me," he said, his voice deep, "did you know that?"

"You may have mentioned it once or twice," she said, stepping away from him to catch her breath. "I'm starting to think you provoke me on purpose."

He laughed. "I would never do such a thing, Ms. Lupo. How dare you make such an accusation."

She glared at him, but couldn't muster any real heat behind it. "You really are horrible, you know."

"I can't help it JoJo," he said. "You just bring out the worst me." And then he grabbed her hand and her heart skipped a beat.

We sleep together for weeks, she thought, and this is what gets me excited. I'm such a girl.

They continued walking hand in hand, Zane intermittently rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, sending goose bumps up her arm.

"I met Taggart once," he said suddenly. "He seemed like a nice guy. A little strange, but nice. And I can't blame the guy for being interested in you."

She would have elbowed him for bringing the subject back up, but his voice was sincere. "It's embarrassing now," she said, "but at the time, I don't know… he seemed to really like me, for me. And he wasn't intimidated…" she trailed off.

Zane nodded. "I bet you intimidate a lot of guys. You scare the crap out of me," he added with a smile, "but I'm too stupid to care."

Jo just laughed, hardly believing her ears, and squeezed his hand affectionately.

Oh Zane. You stupid, insufferable, brilliant, wonderful, sexy man.