Fluff

By LMR

Disclaimer: If CI belonged to me, anti-'shippers would have to quit watching. And they better quit reading, too. Not that anti-'shippers aren't welcome to read my stuff, but why punish yourselves?

A.N.: http://forums. PLEASE! Show Dick Wolf the fans want that 'ship!

A.N. 2: If any of us need any more proof that anti-'shippers are both blind and clueless, the anti-'shipper in my family has just informed me that she does not think VDO is at all hot.

Yup. Blind and clueless.

Chapter 4: The Travesty of a Date (part 1)

xXx

"Eames. You look... different." If by "different" you mean breathtakingly beautiful, absolutely amazing, God, I wish I could kiss you gorgeous. The front strands of her hair were tied back and she was wearing her little black dress and just a touch of make-up.

She smiled tenderly with a hint of shyness, then recovered her snark. "Thanks. I think." She looked him up and down. Khaki pants with a navy blue sweater, both tight in all the right places. "You don't look so bad yourself." It was a serious understatement, and she made a point of checking him out as he walked toward the car.

After buckling up, she got back to the point. "I've got James's address right here. You got Tanya's?" He handed her a piece of paper. "Hm, nice neighborhood." The little-

"All set?" Bobby asked cheerily.

xXx

"Hi James. Nice to meet you. I'm Bobby, Alex's partner." He threw the (good-looking, dammit) man a barely perceptible glance that, if paused for more than a fraction of a second, would have sent the clear message: Do anything to damage my partner's heart, and I will hurt you. He was honor-bound to maim any man who dared to mess around with her emotions, which was one of the two reasons the smitten Lewis kept his distance. Bobby really didn't want to have to kill his other best friend.

"Tanya's place isn't too far," he informed James, missing the trace of a sour look that crossed Alex's face.

xXx

She's beautiful, Alex thought, annoyed. Well, at least she's flat. She looked down at her own chest. Thank you, Nathan. Truth be told, Bobby was thinking the same thing. Not that his date was flat, but that his partner wasn't, and her little black dress showed it, too. She'd been wearing lower cut shirts ever since she'd given birth, and Bobby had done his best to ignore the fact, but it was pretty hard not to notice it now. And good Lord, does that thing even have a back?! Her naked skin was smooth, ivory, and positively alluring. Absurd as he knew the thought was, he found himself feeling slighted that Eames had just met this James guy and she was already trying to look good for him.

I hope Bobby notices how good I look. Oh, and James too, I guess. She glanced at both men to see what reactions she was getting. James seemed impressed, stealing glances at her every few seconds. Bobby was giving Tanya most of his attention, naturally, as he introduced the three of them, but Alex couldn't help but imagine that his eyes looked darker than usual when he looked at her. Nah, couldn't be.

xXx

Bobby had suggested an authentic little out of the way Japanese place called "Hikooki To Neko," that he assured them all was both charming and delicious. The ride over was… Interesting.

Both men were eyeing Tanya with interest. Her gray dress looked good, and even Alex had to admit she looked good in it. While the women had complimented each other's outfits in that way that never fails to confuse proximal males, neither seemed overly thrilled at the good looks of the other. Naturally, Alex felt that both men paid more attention to Tanya, and Tanya was just sure Alex was getting all the longing glances.

The four tried to make small talk, but it seemed as if every topic (including a cloud that looked like a pregnant camel)reminded either Bobby or Alex of some previous conversation. The two would try in vain to explain the story to their dates, and usually such tales ended with something akin to "You just had to be there." Someone gave a weary laugh, and while the detectives would politely attempt to change the topic, they would invariably glance at each other and one of them would start cracking up, leaving their dates to feel bewildered and somewhat jilted.

Once they got to Hikooki, etc., the four exited the car and the men held the doors for their respective dates, impressing both of them. The seating was a little awkward. They were directed to a booth, and without thinking, Bobby and Alex slid into the middle together, leaving their dates to sandwich them. James raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Bobby turned to his date. "Would you be offended if I offered to pick up the tab?" he wondered.

Tanya beamed. "No man's ever asked me that before. They either pressure me to let them or don't offer. I wouldn't mind at all, if you'd like to."

Bobby smiled his most charming smile. "I'd prefer it."

"Um," James started. "It sounds a little trite after he just asked, but I really did intend to. Would you mind, Alex? I'd be happy to pay for both of us."

She smiled. "Not trite at all. But don't just feel pressured because Bobby's being Mr. Smooth." She turned to Bobby, smirking and whispered, "Suck up."

James's brow may have furrowed just a bit, but Tanya was sure it was just her imagination.

xXx

I busted my patooki cranking this one out, so I hope it's satisfactory. I figure I owe you guys for giving you such a pathetic chapter of "Electricity." And thanks for not complaining and/or maiming me for giving you about a lousy quarter page without any 'ship stuff, to boot!

Review, review! Even if it's just to say "I liked it." Or maybe "This didn't totally suck!"