Again trying something else here. Also, this must be the fluffiest thing I've ever written (fluff without plot? have I really done it?). What do you think, fellas? And thanks for reading!

"I meant it, you know. Every word of it."

"What?"

"Back there at the… party slash trap slash 'let's barbecue Tamsin' moment. And don't laugh!"

"Mhm… right… sorry. You were saying?"

"I meant it. I mean it. The best woman won. I got over it, and so should you."

"Okay… thanks, I guess."

"You're not listening to me, doc."

"What do you mean? What are you saying, Tamsin?

"I'm saying that I'm done, I'm over Bo. And you should be too."

"Umm… doesn't that sort of cancel out what you just said earlier?"

"Umm… let me think… No?"

"Tamsin, you're not making any sense. One does not simply 'get over Bo.'"

"Ha, I see what you did there. Jeez, you're such a nerd. And don't even dare tell me 'takes one to know one' or any of that shit!'"

"Ah, Valkyrie, your acute observations and profound assessments of the human condition never cease to amaze me. It's like you are inside my head. Astounding!"

"Hmmm, damn right, and I can think of another place or two the inside of which might be worth exploring…"

"Seriously, Tamsin?! What got into you? Just in case you need a reminder: I'm with Bo, you know. Together. As a couple."

"So?"

"What do you mean, so?"

"So what, doc? It's not like you're conjoined twins or anything."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Do you even know where she is right now?"

"Yeah, I do, and don't change the subject! It's feeding night so I know perfectly well… well, no, not really. And don't give me that smirk. Point is, I don't need to know where she is exactly all the time. I trust her."

"Yeah, yeah, you keep saying. "

"I do. It's part of having a mature relationship based on respect, mutual understanding and trust. Not that you would know."

"Ouch, that actually hurt, doc. But look at you all grown-up and proud of your little Succubus! My my, you really are too good to be true, aren't you?"

"What is it that you want, Tamsin? I don't have to stand here and put up with your attitude, you know. I've got better things to do. I've got tests to run, samples to file, things to…"

"Go out with me."

"… Wait, what?"

"You, me, drinks, now."

"No! Why on earth would you even… What got into you?"

"C'mon, doc. It'll be fun."

"Describe 'fun.'"

"You know, just… hang out, have a drink, talk, get into a bar fight, end the night making out passionately in the back of my truck, that sort of thing…"

"What?"

"Just messin' with you, doc! Thing is, I've been thinking… and I just, you know, I think I wanna get to know you better."

"Oh. That's nice, Tamsin, but perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I don't know what game you're playing, if it is a game, and I don't think I want to know, but I'm with Bo, and we're happy together. I want this to be clear."

"And I'm going to ask you again: So what? What's the harm in grabbing a drink with me while the love of your life is of bumping uglies with some random fae in a cheap motel or public john somewhere?"

"Well, that's her nature, Tamsin, you know as well as I do that she can't have just one… partner. She has to feed."

"And you know as well as I do that humans aren't wired for monogamy. You're the scientist, Lauren, for fuck's sake. Nothing wrong with… communing with other fish in the sea, is there?"

"Seriously? You being the fish in this analogy?"

"Only if you're a pescetarian, doc."

"You are aware that you've just pleaded against monogamy a second earlier, right?..."

"Yeah, but with you it would be different…"

"Different how?"

"Just, hmmm, different, you know…"

"Great, shrugging will always do the trick when you don't know what to answer. Very grown-up. Tamsin. Look, monogamy may not be in our DNA, true, but it's a matter of choice. I choose to be with Bo and only her. Plus, you hate me."

"Hate you? No way! Well, maybe a little. But a girl's allowed to change her mind, isn't she?"

"Oh, Tamsin, really? You're smirking again…"

"And you're smiling that sexy smile of yours. And blushing? You're actually enjoying this bantering, ain't ya? C'mon, doc, let's go out, have a bit of fun, get to know each other better. Bo wouldn't mind. I'm telling you, all work and no play makes us both a dull… Nah, that's just wrong."

"Yeah, you can say that again… You're not going to give up, are you?"

"Absolutely not."

"Answer me this first: different how?"

"Different like… I think I may have misjudged you… to the point where I realize you're the kind of woman one could spend their whole life with and never need anyone else, that sort of thing… So I was wrong, and now I understand. Bo is a lucky girl."

"I don't know what to say to that, Tamsin..."

"You don't have to say anything. Just, what d'ya say about going out? We on?"

"Fine, maybe, but just one drink… Okay?"

"Excellent! Let's get out of here. And Lauren, would you relax? It's just a drink, it's not like I'm asking your hand in marriage or anything… Yet."

"Ow!…."

"Whoops, watch your step over there!"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Let's just go, grab that drink and get this over with."

"As you wish, my lady. Lead the way."

"Stop smirking."

"I will when you stop blushing."

"I'm not!"

"You totally are."

"Umm… isn't the Dal the other way?"

"We're not going to the Dal."

"But… why? I really don't think it's safe… I would strongly recommend that we turn around and…"

"Live a little, doc! I am taking you dancing. Totally safe, good music, good booze, cozy seats. I promise you'll love it."

"I don't dance, Tamsin. I'm not dancing with you."

"… Fine. Then I suppose you'll just have to watch me. But I have to warn you, I can be very… persuasive."

"Tamsin…."

"Okay, fine. Whatever you say. We'll just hang out, grab a couple of drinks…"

"One drink."

"... one drink, and watch other people dancing and make fun of them. Better?"

"Much."

"Grrreat. But I will get you dancing eventually, doc. That's a promise. Maybe not tonight, maybe not the next time, but…"

"What makes you think there's even gonna be a next time?"

"Oh, doc, trust me, you're gonna want there to be a next time."

"Really now?"

"Yep. You'll see. And you do know that that raised eyebrow of yours is only making you cuter, right?"

"Tamsin, I'm warning you…"

"And I'm loving it! Keep at it and I might just make you beg for a next time before the night is over."

"Oh really? Arrogant much? You seem to have so much confidence in your dating abilities."

"Yes. And you like it, admit it."

"I most certainly do not!"

"You do realize you've just referred to our friendly outing as a date, I hope?"

"...Shit."

"Yep. And look at you, you're blushing again! That's so unbelievably cute, doc!"

"Shut up."

"Make me, grumpy."

"I just might. Maybe after that drink."

"…"

"Now look who's blushing."