A few minutes later, they had settled themselves in surprisingly comfortable outdoor seats at the Paper Moon Café. The waiter came over, ostensibly to drop off menus, but Bobby was sure it was to also check on just how drunk he was and if he was likely to be a problem.

"Don't worry about him," Althea said brightly, "he's fine, just a little wobbly."

The waiter left the menu and scurried off to his other tables.

"Well, I'm having tea. What'll it be Bobby? Water or juice?"

"What?"

"Water or juice to drink? I'd advise against coffee at this point. I'd also recommend nibbling on something too if you think your stomach won't mind."

"Umm… water. I can eat."

"See anything you like?"

He shrugged lopsidedly. "You order. It'sh hard to read right now."

She smiled at him gently. "Alright. I'll make sure it's yummy."

Their waiter returned to take their orders a few minutes later, leaving the table in silence with his departure.

"So…"

"Sho what?"

"So is there a reason besides seeking adventure that you decided to wander around the city tonight?"

She watched his expression darken. "I don't wanna talk 'bout it."

"Is it the same reason that led you to your drunken state?"

He looked up at her and glared. She smiled at him in return. "Fine, I won't ask any more about it. I must say that's a harsh glare you've got. I'm sure the bad guys quail at the sight of it."

"Yeah. I guess so."

"Are you good at your job?"

"Yeah. That's one thing I know for shure." She looked at him intently for a few moments and then he asked without meaning to, "Who are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean… I mean like… who are you? You came out of shadows and were nice to me and you think that being weird ish normal… Who are you?"

"Ahhh…" she replied. "I think I understand."

"Thatsh another thing… You understand when I know I didn't make shence."

Althea smiled at him again. "It's not as confusing as you think, maybe. But, to answer: As you know my name is Althea. I work in a little office in a huge building doing recordkeeping and basic tech support for the IT department of a large company. I also telecommute some of the time too. My co-workers have degrees in computer science and they like me because I'm nice, I'm smart, I'm at least semi-nerdy, I keep good records and make the slackers keep theirs up too, and I can handle basic PEBKAC problems so they don't have to."

"PEBKAC problems?"

"Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair."

He sat for a moment, saying the phrase under his breath a few times before he started to chuckle. A chuckle which deepened into an expansive laugh as the idea fully sank in. She thought he had a nice laugh and that he probably didn't do it nearly enough. He laughed for a full minute before he finally had to catch his breath, taking a deep drink of his water. The waiter also picked that moment to show up with their snack plate order.

They spent some time munching on the various items on the tray. Cheese and crackers, some cold cut slices, mini bagels, fruit chunks, cream cheese, and bruschetta .

"I love this stuff," Althea said between bites. "I try not to eat too much of it, but it's just so yummy."

Bobby nibbled thoughtfully on a piece of the bruschetta. "It is good. Not too greasy either."

"This is what I eat after I've been out drinking. Enough to give you some protein and flavor, but not enough to churn your stomach."

"So you told me about your job. What else do you do?"

"I like a lot of different things. I like reading and making things. I draw a little. I like art. I love books, I can spend hours in bookstores and libraries. Same with the internet too. Hours just reading. I love learning new things. I like adventure games, medieval Scandinavia, and cooking. I like gothic, techno, rock, 80's and darkwave music. I like movies, go-karts, and mini-golf… Ah, I'm rambling now."

"No no… It's… it's fine. I like learning about people. The more I know the better."

"Are you reading me?"

"Huh? Oh, no… I don't think so anyway. I wasn't trying to on… on purpose."

"But you like to. You're a profiler then? You like to know how people work to add to your knowledge base?"

"Yes… Sorry," he replied guiltily.

"No reason to be sorry. I'm interested to know what you've come up with about me."

"I'm… not done yet."

"Alright. So how about you?"

"I don't know… I don't think I'm that interesting, despite how you found me earlier."

"Bobby, come on. Fair trade here. Tit for tat. Tell me a little something."

"What did you say?" he asked, his face going deadly serious.

"I asked for reciprocation," she answered, puzzled at his tone.

He shook his head to clear it. "I'm… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to… be harsh. It just caught me off guard. Someone I knew used that expression. Tit for tat. Sorry…"

"That's OK. If you don't want to talk about yourself it's OK," she said softly, making a mental note to never use that expression with him again. "We can talk about other things. The weather is nice tonight don't you think?"

"Yeah it is." He sat still for a minute, thinking. "I like books and reading too. My mom was a librarian. I don't watch a lot of movies. I like all kinds of music, though I'm not familiar with most of what you mentioned. I have mostly classical, jazz, and classic rock. I… I never played many games, I like history all over, and I can cook OK, enough so I'm not always living on takeout, which I've done too much of for a while now. I like learning also. I can speak five languages, three fluently, the other two I manage to be understood in everyday conversation. I'm not good with computers. I can send email and search the web, keep a spreadsheet and access a database, but beyond that I don't know much."

"You sound interesting enough to me. I think just about anyone who counts learning among their likes is at least somewhat interesting."

"I guess that could be. What time is it?"

"Hrm…" she frowned, pulling her phone from her pocket. "Oh wow, it's almost six!"

"Oh really? I have to be at work in a couple hours. Can't believe I stayed up like this."

"Feeling better though?"

"Yeah, actually. The food was a good idea. Thanks."

"You're welcome. The other thing I would suggest is to take the hottest shower you can stand when you get home, or before you go to work if you plan to try and sleep. Try and just stand under the water for about five minutes if you've got time too. Sweats the nasty out."

"Is that a scientific term?"

"No, but it seems to help."

"Well, I should see you home."

"You don't have to… I live kinda far from here…"

"Oh…" he said as his face fell a bit.

"Do you live close by?"

"I… think so. I kinda lost my bearings… what street is this?"

"Farthingale. The corner up there is 45th."

"Ok, I'm a few blocks away."

"Then," she grinned and her eyes sparkled, "why don't I walk you home instead?"

"Oh," he said, "I don't want to make you go out of your way…"

"Ah! Can't stand to have a lady doing a man's job? I didn't take you for that sort Bobby."

"It's not that…" he hurried to say, but stopped short at her bubbling laughter. After a moment he joined in as well. "I don't mind at all."

They walked silently to his building, each enjoying the feel of the city around them and the pleasant company of an at least slightly kindred spirit. They reached the front door much too soon.

"I'm not usually the type of person who meets new people randomly, and especially not one I have such a nice time with. I'm actually happy to have met you, Althea."

"I do meet people randomly, but it's rare I meet someone as stimulating as you are Bobby. I am very pleased you could spend the evening chatting with me."

They both could feel the slight tension in the air. Neither one wanting to make the other uncomfortable, but also not ready to leave.

Bobby wasn't sure what he wanted. He liked that he could talk to her. That she seemed at least, not to judge him. But how would that change if he kept in contact with her? How long would she talk to him the more she got to know him? The poison question always in the back of his mind, when would she give up and leave?

Althea knew what she wanted. She wanted to be a friend to him. She wanted to be able to talk to him again, maybe finally find someone that would listen and be able to understand her. She wanted to help him, if he wanted to help himself. She liked her other friends, they were nice people and tried help when she needed it, but she couldn't help but feel like they were always two steps removed. She worried about this friendship ending up the same way, despite how promising it seemed at first.

"I.." "It.." they started at the same time.

"You first," Althea said.

"No, you… please"

"I was going to say that it would be nice to hang out again sometime. You know, during the day and stuff."

"I… I uh… I think that… that would be… great." He said, even as part of his mind berated him for saying it.

"Great! Umm… would you prefer if I emailed you?"

"Oh, no… I'll give you my number if you give me yours."

"Ok."

They exchanged numbers and made plans to call later in the week to get together before saying good night. Bobby watched Althea walk down the block until she turned the corner to get to the subway. He was worried about his decision to spend more time with her, but what was one afternoon spent trying to make a friend?

Althea could feel him watching her walk down the street. Protective, she could already tell. She smiled at the thought of getting to know him better. A new friend! It was always a happy occasion to her. Perfect excuse for pancake breakfast.