A/N: So here's the big date chapter! :D as always feedback is enouraged! x


Nick gave himself one last look in the mirror and sighed, he looked semi-presentable. Unlike their disastrous first date, tonight he had decided against wearing Schmidt and opted for a more classic Nick Miller ensemble, jeans and a flannel. But it was his smartest flannel and he had even ironed it.

He looked at the clock, 7:53. He'd been ready for twenty minutes and sat nervously in his room watching as the clock ticked by at a snail like pace towards 8 o'clock. He looked again, 7.54. Dammit he thought. Unable to wait any longer he opened his door and stepped out into the hallway. The sight of Jess's closed bedroom door instantly filled him with even more panic and nerves.

"Game face Miller." He mumbled before slapping a hand against each cheek.

He took one last breath and knocked loudly on the door before he had a chance to freak out.

"Coming!" a strained voice called from inside.

Nick heard the crash and clatter within and let out a small chuckle at Jess's usual clumsiness.

Jess opened the door and greeted him with a big smile, "Hey."

"Hey." Nick replied as she stepped into the hall and he could finally take her all in.

Jess wore (of course) a dress; it was navy blue and hugged perfectly at her tiny waste. It had a pattern on it; Nick looked closer and noticed it was adorned with tiny house, trees and what he thought were boats in red and white. On any one else it could look odd or childlike but on her it was perfect, very Jess.

Jess held out her tiny red purse to Nick which he dutifully took without complaint as she slid on a short mint green cardigan. Nick looked at the tiny object in his hands, baffled as to how it could contain everything she needed. Jess flicked her half-up half-down curls as she adjusted her cardigan causing Nick to catch the scent of her shampoo.

Jess turned to Nick and gave him a look that told him he was gawking at her.

"You look real nice Jess." He mumbled holding out her purse to her.

Jess took it and smiled, "Thanks. You too."

Nick placed his hand in the small of her back and guided her to the living room. Nick was pushing her a little firmer than normal, eager to get out as quickly as possible and avoid dealing with their other roommates. Unfortunately he would not escape so easily.

"Quick! Schmidt hurry! They're leaving!" Winston yelled from the couch, hitting paue on his game controller and tossing it to one side. "Get the camera!"

Schmidt suddenly came rushing from his room in a flash of blinding lights. Nick and Jess both cried out, raising their arms to shield their eyes.

"Schmidt, stop!" Jess yelled.

"But this is such a momentous moment for all of us." Schmidt said snidely. "Nick and Jess's first date!"

"It's not our first date Schmidt." Nick snapped as Schmidt took another picture. "Would ya knock it off!"

"Calm down Nick." Schmidt said as he raised the camera to take another photo stopping when he noticed Nick's tightly clenched fist. "Sooooooo where are you two crazy kids off to tonight?"

"Nowhere." Nick barked.

"Whatcha going to do?" Winston asked teasingly.

"Nothing." Nick growled.

"Well it sounds like a real exciting evening you've planned there Nick!" Winston said with a laugh.

"Whatever. We're out of here." Nick said nodding at Jess to the door.

"Night guys." Jess said with a small wave.

"Just make sure you have my baby home by 11. I don't want my precious little flower out late, she's very delicate." Schmidt said in a mother-like voice.

"Shut up Schmidt!" Nick yelled opening the door.

Jess stepped into the hall quickly, not wanting to stick around.

"I was talking to Jess." Schmidt yelled after them as both he and Winston collapsed into fit of laughter.

Nick didn't say another word he just slammed the door behind him.

Schmidt sat on the edge of the couch and patted Winston on the shoulder lightly, wiping a fake tear from his eye. "They grow up so fast."


Out in the hallway Nick practically smashed his fist through the wall as he pressed the elevator button.

"Don't let those two knuckleheads get to you." Jess said as if she could read his mind.

"They're morons." Nick muttered pressing the button again.

Jess just giggled and edged closer to him.

"Careful Nick, don't break the elevator or we'll be stuck with Dumb & Dumber all night." She said linking her arm through his.

"Sorry." He mumbled feeling instantly better now that Jess was close. He just wanted tonight to go better than before.

Jess gave him a small shrug and lent closer to him, "So Nick where are we going?"

The elevator doors pinged opened and Nick smiled. "You'll just have to wait and see."


"Oh my god! Nick, are you serious?" Jess yelled as the stood outside their destination for the evening.

Nick eyed her nervously. "I err…don't you like it?"

Nick suddenly felt so foolish, how could he have honestly thought this was a good idea for a date? They were in their thirties not high school. Jess had probably been expecting something mature and romantic, especially after last time. Nick was such an idiot.

He took a step away from her, "Forget it Jess, let's go."

Jess grabbed him by the elbow and tugged him back.

"No! It's awesome!" She squealed with such genuine happiness and excitement she actually jumped in the air. "I love mini-golf!"

Nick relaxed instantly, knowing she was telling the truth, Jess had the world's worst poker face, especially when she was excited by something. She did another gleeful jump this time mixed with a small dance and dragged Nick through the archway entrance.

Nick was elated by her reaction. He'd been wracking his brain since he asked Jess at the supermarket, trying to think of the perfect date for them but came up with nothing. He wanted so desperately to avoid the un-comfortableness of their first fancy-man date.

But the truth was Nick Miller didn't really date. His terrible date with Jess a few months ago was the first real date he had been on in years, usually he just hooked up with girls he met at the bar or at parties. So Nick thought back to the time when he did go on real dates, back when he was still a young and naïve hopeful romantic, basically before Caroline. This was when he realised the best first date he'd ever been on was when he took Sophie Johnson to play mini-golf when he was 18.

Nick wanted something light and fun for him and Jess tonight and this was the best he could think of.

Whilst Nick was lost in his thoughts Jess had excitedly skipped over to the concession booth and was about to pay for their game.

Nick immediately stopped her. "What are you doing?"

Jess gave him a confused look. "I thought we were here to play golf."

Nick nodded, "I was the one who asked you Jess, I'm paying."

The kid behind the booth, who had been drooling over Jess since she stepped forward, sniggered.

Jess rolled her eyes, "Nick it's like eight bucks a game, I…"

But Nick had already slammed a twenty down on the counter so hard the horny teenage stopped staring at Jess and hurriedly handed Nick his change, two metal clubs and two balls, one pink and one blue.

Nick handed Jess a club and the pink ball.

"What so I automatically get stuck with the pink ball just cause I'm a girl?" Jess said in an annoyed voice.

Nick didn't really understand what the issue was.

"Well yeah. C'mon Jess it's just a ball, it doesn't matter what colour it is."

"Then you take the pink ball." She said shoving it at him.

"No." he said pushing her arm back. "Why do you want the blue one so bad?"

"It's my favourite colour." She said, her face falling into a small frown. "Please?"

As Jess stared up at him with sad yet still sparkling blue eyes Nick knew he stood no chance against her.

"Fine." He said snatching the pink ball from her hand and swapping it with the blue.

Jess did a small victory dance and kissed him on the cheek before skipping off. Nick knew she manipulated him but found he just didn't care.

They arrived at the first hole and found a young family were still finishing their turn. The dad was trying to help his daughter take her shot, she must have been no older than ten years old and clearly not a natural golfer. Nick and Jess watched as she missed the ball…twice.

"Sorry." The dad said apologetically to them.

"No worries." Nick said turning to Jess. "So Day are you any good?"

Jess smiled "I'm not too bad."

The little girl swung again and missed. Nick had a feeling it was going to be a long night for her father. And remembering Jess's natural clumsiness and lack of athleticism he wondered if she would be much better than the kid.

"Well I feel it's only fair to warn you I'm pretty darn good." He said leaning close to Jess. "I'd be more than happy to give you a few pointers if you get stuck."

Jess narrowed her eyes at him, annoyed he automatically assumed he would be better than her.

"Really? Well in that case it's only fair I warn you that I was a member and President of the Portland Young Lady Miniature Golf Society for three years." She said with a slight superiority.

Nick burst out laughing at her words. "Jess that might just be the saddest thing I have ever heard."

Jess scowled and poked him in the chest with end of her club, "Hey! I was good! I won trophies and medals."

Nick was still laughing, he knew he was making her mad but he couldn't help it, the idea was too hilarious. "I'm sure you were a regular Tiger Woods of windmills and mini-castles Jess."

"Fine Nick, if you're so confident why don't we bet on it?" She said still glaring at him.

The little girl missed her shot again; the dad was starting to lose his patience.

Nick shook his head, "I can't take your money Jess."

"We won't bet cash." She said pausing for a moment. "Loser buys dinner. What d'ya say Miller?"

She held out her hand.

The father finally snapped and yelled loudly at his daughter to just hit the damn ball already. Nick and Jess turned to watch as the daughter ran off in floods of tears, her mother following immediately scolding her husband.

Nick took Jess hand and shook it firmly.

"You're on Day."


The game started out ok, they were both a little rusty neither having played in years but after the third hole they started to hit their stride. On the fifth hole Nick began to realise maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to mock Jess's teenage miniature golf hobby, she was good, more than good.

On the seventh hole she actually managed to get a hole in one, it was more a fluke than golfing skill but as the same hole took Nick five shots to finish Jess was in a comfortable lead.

Something she increased over the next two holes. Nick found himself becoming increasingly frustrated and more competitive than he'd ever been in his life. Nick didn't understand what was wrong with him but he just couldn't seem to get it together.

Suddenly as much as Nick wanted to enjoy his date with Jess he wanted to beat her more. Every time he focused on his little pink ball for his shot he felt even more compelled to win. He was always caving and giving into her he just couldn't help it but not tonight.

Jess went first on the tenth hole, it was a pretty tricky one but she frustratingly managed to finish in four shots.

Nick stepped up to take his shot, carefully eyeing up his line of vision, if he aimed this right and maybe with a little luck he would do it in two. Nick allowed himself a few more moments of contemplation before he moved the club back to take his shot when he felt a body move towards him.

He shot a quick glance to his side and saw Jess lean in close.

"This is supposed to be fun Nick." She said softly leaning her body closer to his. "You look like you're getting ready to take the final shot of the Ryder Cup."

Nick felt her breath in his ear, her chest pressed against his side. Unable to stop himself Nick cast his eyes down at Jess cleavage. Nick's entire body stiffened as Jess pressed herself closer towards him.

"It's only a game Nicholas." She whispered lowly.

She was so close, her lips actually brushed against Nick's ears as she spoke. Nick closed his eyes tightly and swung his club blindly sending the pink ball in the complete opposite direction of the hole.

Nick opened his eyes as he felt Jess pull back immediately and looked at him with a wide grin. Nick searched the ground for his ball.

"I think it went that way." Jess said pointing towards the mess of bushes far from his intended target, skipping away as she did so.

"Hey! You did that on purpose!" Nick yelled after her.

Jess said nothing but turned back and gave Nick a small shrug. Nick groaned as he went to retrieve his ball, cursing her for her dirty trick, Nick never thought Jess could be so sneaky.

Nick stopped as he approached the bushes and thought back over the game so far. He thought about how she stuck her hips and butt out with a small giggle on the fourth hole causing Nick's eyes and those of the four horny fifteen years old playing the round behind them to pop out. The way she threw herself into his arms after her hole in one, pressing herself against him and kissing him so hard he was so disorientated it took him five shots to finish. The way she bit her lip hard and let out a low moan as she hit the ball hard on the ninth and the way her hands lightly brushed at Nick's hair as he prepared to take his shot.

Nick shook his head at his sudden realisation, he couldn't believe it little miss innocent Jessica Day had been playing him all night, since the second he'd given her that damn blue ball he'd been putty in her hand. Well no more.

"Come on Miller." Jess yelled. "I've got a game to win."

Nick bent down and picked up his pink ball and muttered to himself, "It's on now Day."


With his new found determination and focus Nick actually managed to finish the hole in three shots and number eleven passed without incident or Jess Day sabotage.

They made their way to the twelfth hole, again Jess went first.

She slowly bent down to place her ball on the ground, taking her time and lightly stroking her hands up her legs as she stood up. It was hot, totally hot and the teenagers behind them were enthralled but Nick was too smart to fall for her tricks now.

Whilst the boys behind them craned their necks for a closer look Nick just stared blankly at her, his lack of reaction seemed to unnerve Jess slightly and she messed up her first shot.

Nick didn't even really watch the rest of her turn; instead he stopped at the vendor and brought them some beers.

Jess was preparing for her second shot when Nick caught her eye; he was looking directly at her as he brought the bottle to his lips, took a long deep swig and gargled.

Jess felt her chest tighten at the sight and gave her head a little shake, her cheeks flushed red and her skin felt hot. Why that was such a turn on for her she still didn't know but it was.

Nick gargled again and Jess missed her shot completely. It took her eight more to finish the hole whilst Nick managed it in five, he was catching up.

Still slightly flustered Jess moved towards the thirteenth hole. She placed her ball down and tried to steady herself, re-focus her mind on the game when she felt Nick stand behind her.

"You know on that last hole I think your swing was the problem." He said as he moved closer, his body pressed firmly behind hers. "Here let me show you."

Jess took a sharp breath as Nick's hands settled on her waist, guiding her hips against his, pressing himself against her. Jess couldn't really make out a lot of what Nick was saying as he whispered in her ear with his body and hands on hers. She let out a small whimper as Nick began to lightly sway her hips from side to side demonstrating the supposed correct swing whilst effectively grinding Jess against him.

"Yeah…just like that." Nick growled against her ear.

Jess couldn't help it she whimpered again, what Nick was doing felt so good.

Nick suddenly realised he hadn't really thought this plan through, whilst he was doing a great job at distracting Jess, the sounds she was making and the feel of her body was affecting him just as much, Nick could feel himself growing hard. He needed to break her, now.

"Is that good…Jessica?" Nick asked lowly.

The sound of her name from his lips caused Jess to drop her club to the floor. The sound of crashing metal seemed to break Jess from her lust filled daze. She shrugged herself from Nick's arms, shoved him away and picked up her club.

Jess turned to him, cheeks burning red and eyes glaring, "There's nothing wrong with my swing Nicholas!"

Nick laughed, held his hands up and moved back as Jess moved to take her shot. However Jess was so worked up and flustered and mostly just downright angry she hit the ball so hard it flew over the hole and landed twenty feet away.

Nick laughed again as Jess angrily stomped away to collect it.

"Hurry up Jess; I've got a game to win." Nick said grinning at her.


The thirteenth hole was definitely unlucky for Jess and the rest of the game seemed to go downhill for her after that. She was still furious with Nick's dirty trick and she struggled with regain her focus, the number of shots it took her to finish each hole only seemed to increase. To add insult to injury the worse Jess seemed to play the better Nick got. He even managed to complete the final hole which was the hardest of the game (which took Jess nine shots) in three miraculous shots.

Once the game was over Nick handed their balls and clubs back whilst Jess added up the scorecards. Nick trotted back over to her gleefully, having done a little mental maths of his own.

"So…" He said grinning at her. "What's the final scores…Jessica?"

Jess shot him a quick scowl. "I have…87. And you have…" she paused giving a defeated sigh. "…71."

Nick punched his arm in the air in victory before he could stop himself. "Yes!"

Jess looked up at him disapprovingly.

Nick knew he was acting a little bit like a jerk but the competitive part of him still needed to hear her say it. "So that means I'm the…"

Jess didn't answer, she just glared at him.

"What am I Jess?" he asked grinning at her.

"I have a few names for what you are Nick." She snapped. "Right now you're being a real di…"

Nick cut her off, "No Jess that's not it. I think it begins with…W."

But Jess still refused to say it.

Nick frowned at her, "Come on Jess just say it and we can go."

Finally Jess relented, "Eurgh! Fine Nick you're the winner. You won. I lost. You're the winner." She snapped. "There are you happy now?"

Nick knew she was really angry at him and it wasn't the most appropriate date behaviour to gloat so insensitively but he couldn't help it. The teasing and mocking was just their way.

"Very." Nick said grabbing her by the waist and kissed her. "Say it one more time…"

"Eurgh Nick!" Jess yelled pushing him away but Nick could hear the laugh in her voice.


Following his epic victory Nick took Jess to one of his favourite restaurants, it was more of a diner really and it didn't look like much but Nick promised her it did the best pizza outside Chicago.

And Jess wasn't disappointed, it really was the best pizza she'd ever had. Nick clearly came to this place a lot, all the staff seemed to know him. Jess asked why he'd never brought the roommates here before but Nick told her he didn't want Schmidt ruining it by moaning about the calories in the cheese.

The elderly waiter who Nick was surprisingly friendly to cleared their plates and asked if they wanted desert but they were both too full. Nick asked for the bill.

Jess sipped her wine and eyed Nick over the rim of her glass. "You know that was a real dirty trick you pulled out there Nick."

Nick smiled knowing instantly what Jess was talking about. "I do not know to what you are referring."

Jess rolled her eyes, "Trying to throw me off my game with the beer gargling. Shame on you."

Nick shrugged. "I was thirsty."

He slowly raised his Heisler bottle to his lips, his eyes locked with Jess.

"Don't even think about it." Jess warned.

Nick put the bottle down and grinned. "Don't act all innocent Jess, you hardly played fair out there, with the bending over and little moans and the whispering in my freaking ear!"

Jess grinned back at him and fluttered her eyes. "I do not know to what you are referring."

Nick just shook his head and laughed.

Jess giggled. "Well what about you and the whole sports movie moment. Showing me how to swing properly…" Jess tutted. "Stealing Remy's moves."

"Well he is a real lady-killer…" Nick said laughing louder. "Actually I shouldn't joke about that it's probably true!"

"Nick!" Jess yelled.

"Relax Jess I'm joking." He said though he wasn't.

"Thanks Gino." Nick said as the waiter returned with the bill automatically placing it in front of Nick.

Nick went to get his wallet from his jeans as Jess's hands reached out to the metal tray. Nick immediately stopped her.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Err paying the bill genius." Jess said reaching forward again.

But Nick pulled the tray back towards him. "No Jess you're not paying."

"That was the bet Nick; loser buys dinner remember?" Jess said. "I lost so I'm buying Mr. Hot Shot Golfer dinner."

Nick shook his head, "Jess I don't care about the stupid bet, you're not paying!"

"Nick it's not a big deal." Jess protested. "You paid for the game. Besides it's nothing…"

But Nick wasn't giving in. "I already told you Jess, I asked you out tonight so I'm paying and that's it."

"But Nick…" Jess began reaching out for the metal tray again.

Nick clamped his hand down on the bill causing the metal to rattle loudly against the wooden table. "Look Jessica I'm your boyfriend now so just let me pay the dam bill ok?"

Jess was completely taken aback; she slowly pulled her hand back across the table. Did he really just say what she thought he did? He was her boyfriend. Nick Miller was her boyfriend. The man who didn't do labels and relationships and had a near coronary anytime a girl said she wanted to 'talk' to him but here he was calling himself her boyfriend. Nick and Jess, boyfriend and girlfriend. Jess definitely liked the sound of that.

Jess lent back in her chair.

"Ok." She said the biggest smile forming on her face. "Just make sure you leave a tip, I don't date cheap guys."


So...reviews?