SUMMARY: "The first date has to go just right. Because, according to 'How I Met Your Mother,' that's the date your kids are going to wait to hear about." Except when it doesn't. Andy/Erin, spoilers for "St Patrick's Day."
A/N: So, very first attempt at The Office fanfiction!! Andy and Erin are my brand new OTP, and their date was cute. Awkward, but nonetheless cute.
It had been a horrible day (and night). Just a horrible, off-putting, mood-killing night. On Saint Patrick's Day, of all days. Instead of going out and getting drunk with the rest of his office buddies, he ended up getting stuck with this mess.
This wasn't normal. He's the Nard-Dog, for Christ's sakes. Cornell grad, incredibly wealthy (inheritance-wise), amazing singer, and, chiefly, someone who just doesn't have bad days. Until this one came along.
Erin's coming down with a cold was the first problem. He assumed she would be just fine. They all did. Until Jo noticed and decided to send her home, which became the second problem of the day.
(Although faking that cold was quite ingenious. He should do that more often.)
He figured his impromptu movies-and-Gatorade night at her apartment would be a decent substitute for the foiled date. He was prepared for anything: vomiting, sneezing, sniffling, coughing, anything. He even took a Zicam to decrease his chances of catching her cold before he came. His preparation was foolproof, or so he thought.
Nothing could have prepared him for Reed. Little bastard foster brother had to come in and ruin all of his plans.
Being booted from the couch (Erin) to the easy chair was one thing, watching them interact with each other in a not-quite brother/sister way, finding out they weren't even related was even worse. It couldn't have been a worse night.
(He almost wishes he had been the one sitting there when she waved her feet in Reed's face. Her feet should smell like roses. They would to him.)
He's happy he decided against kissing her. With Reed in the background it would have been awkward (showing that little SOB she's his and no-one is going to take him from her, not even that punk), and the little whispered reminder in his conscience that she has a cold wins out in the end.
Her kiss on his cheek was unexpected. Surprising, even. It was chaste and sweet, and brought a smile to his face. It even made the day a little better, thinking of the heat of her lips pressing into his skin.
It didn't make up for the rest of the day, however. His return home was unhappy and he went to bed frustrated. He even forgot his movies. That was never a good sign, and he spent the rest of the night tossing and turning in his bed, praying he hadn't ruined the best thing that had ever happened to him.
But the next day, when she returns to the office smiling (and healthy, with his DVDs in hand), and he nearly skips back up to his place in front of reception, he figures it's all worth it.
Besides, the story of their second date could quite possibly be just as good as the first.