Burgers and Bowling - April 1989

Elizabeth's POV

As they waited by the car, Jake grabbed Elizabeth's ass firmly is his hands and lifted her onto the hood. He slid his hand up her back and tickled her skin, pulling her into a passionate embrace... She'd seemed a little distracted lately but as her tongue danced with his, she was more than present.

"Mmmm... Shall we blow this off and head back to yours?" She sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Don't tease me... You know I can't resist you."

She pushed her hips towards his and smiled against his lips.

"Who's teasing... come on... You know you want to?"

He was just about to lift her off the car when he saw Henry and Rochana approaching.

"Hold that thought baby... We have company."

She glanced over and saw Henry, a smile creeping onto her lips, and then she saw... her! She didn't know his new girlfriend and was less than thrilled at having to spend the evening in her company. Truth be told... She felt a little stupid in comparison and she wasn't used to feeling inferior. Sitting behind the steering wheel, she went to adjust her rear view mirror and caught sight of them making out on the back seat. She stuck her tongue out in a gagging motion and rolled her eyes.

"Be nice." Jake mouthed, finding her distain highly amusing.

She pulled out of the parking lot and made sure to hit the breaks harshly a few times on the way to the bowling alley for good measure.

They set up the lane and although she knew she was better at bowling than Jake, she didn't mind him placing his hands on her hips as he showed her how to stand... Playing along could definitely have it's advantages, especially when he kissed her neck in that spot that drove her crazy.

She sat back down and watched as She picked up her ball and called for Henry to help her.

"Urghhh... Could she be any more obvious... God.. just throw the damn ball." Elizabeth scrunched up her face at the spectacle.

"She seems like a nice girl... Why don't you like her?" Jake enquired, nudging her in the ribs

"I do like her...she's just...A little desperate is all." She was bored of talking and met Jakes lips with another kiss.

As the game went on, Elizabeth realised how good Henry actually was and her competitive streak began to show. She liked how he challenged her... Nobody had ever done that before and she found it enthralling. She hadn't seen Henry much over the past few weeks as he was all loved up in that new relationship bubble of his... But Elizabeth had found herself enjoying their weekly Sunday morning run and coffee... Their friendship was starting to mean an awful lot to her.

"Hey Adams... I thought you said you were good at this... When are you going to show us?"

The cheeky ass... She stuck her tongue out and responded with...

"Feeling threatened McCord?…It's you and me now... Show me what you've got."

Henry smashed it with another strike and it was all down to her... But damn it if she wasn't distracted by Henry kissing her again and blew it.

She was annoyed and frustrated with herself and was still huffy when they sat at the table to eat. She absentmindedly devoured her food as usual and suddenly felt rather self conscious as she looked down at her empty plate and then across at the meal Rochana had barely touched...

Henry looked over at her and smiled, noticing her expression.

"It's a good job you run you know... I swear I don't know where you put all that food."

"She works it all off with me... don't you honey." Jake couldn't keep his hands off of her and Elizabeth squealed at his touch..

"You really are stunning Elizabeth... I didn't expect you to be so nice... But you're so lovely too." Rochana was being so very sweet...Elizabeth couldn't quite understand why she bothered her so much... But bother her she most certainly did!


Henry's POV

As they left his apartment, Henry locked the door and took Rochana's hand in his own. They'd only been dating for a few weeks but things were going well and he really liked her. She was funny and challenged him intellectually which kept his mind occupied when he wasn't studying or training. They were chatting away, enjoying the early evening air when he looked across and saw Elizabeth, perching on the hood of her car, that messy blonde hair of hers tumbling over her shoulders, Jakes arms wrapped around her and their lips pressed together. She had seemed rather quiet on the few occasions he'd hung out with her over the past few weeks and it was good to see her looking relaxed and happy... Although why they had to be that intimate in public he couldn't quite understand. Jake should have a little more respect for her..

"They look so good together, don't they." Rochana observed, tilting her head slightly to look at the couple ahead of them.

"I guess... They make each other happy which makes me happy...Could they not save that for later though?"

He had no desire to watch that anymore.…so smiled at his girlfriend and kissed her softly.

As they got closer to where Jake and Elizabeth were waiting, he noticed her smile slightly when she saw him and he couldn't help but smile back. He was starting to win her over and he held their friendship in such high regard. He preferred running alone. It gave him the chance to clear his head and focus on his fitness... But his Sunday morning runs with her had become the brightest part of his week. She was actually quite the athlete and he felt good knowing he was helping her improve. They would sit with their coffee, talking about this book or that study... She was so incredibly intelligent and was as sharp as a tack. You couldn't get anything past her at all.

He was a little perturbed when they climbed into the back seat of the car and Elizabeth got behind the wheel. He'd only been in the car with her a few times but she wasn't one to drive slowly. Rochana curled into him and met his lips with her own. They were taking things slowly and certainly hadn't been physical yet, but their kisses were passionate and they were soon lost in each other.

Henry had always liked bowling and was pretty good, even if he did say so himself..Rochana wasn't keen, it really wasn't her kind of thing but she'd agreed to come along to get to know his friends... Although him having a friendship with Elizabeth wasn't something she was particularly comfortable with. He'd assured her that there was no physical attraction between them but she wasn't overly happy with the whole situation.

As they started their first game, Henry wanted to see just how good elizabeth was... She'd bragged about her ability, but he was yet to see it for himself. He glanced over and caught sight of Jake nuzzling Elizabeth's neck and pressing against her body.

"Why doesn't he just let her throw the ball... We'll be here all night if he dry humps her every time it's her go."

"She doesn't look bothered by it sweetie." Rochana laughed at his reaction

"That's because she has no sense."

As his girlfriend got up to bowl, he watched her... She was a lot shorter than him and he loved that, he felt like he could protect her...She made him laugh and was rather feisty... Not quite as feisty as his new best friend though... Now she really was a force to be reckoned with.

"Henry... Come and help me... I'm no good at this." Rochana looked like a fish out of water and it was so cute. He wrapped his arms around her and tried to help her... It went down the gutter but she really didn't care, she wasn't there for the bowling... Which was just as well really. And he really did like how she felt in his arms.

As the evening went on, he could feel his competitive nature starting to surface... Elizabeth was good and that made him want to be better.

"Hey Adams... I thought you said you were good at this... When are you going to show us?" He laughed at her as she stuck her tongue out at him.

"Feeling threatened McCord?…It's you and me now... Show me what you've got."

He grabbed his ball and... Strike!... He didn't want to brag but couldn't quite help himself...

"I've got you rattled now haven't I?" He grinned as Elizabeth walked up to throw. The concentration on her face was hilarious and very cute. Rochana took the opportunity to kiss him and he didn't see what had happened, but Elizabeth didn't look happy.

She had a face like thunder and Jake was desperately trying to get her to smile. He knew Jake loved her, he talked about her all the time at training and he was really glad she had someone who cherished her... But for some reason... It just didn't seem quite right to him.

"She's not a very gracious loser is she?" Rochana giggled, gripping onto Henry again

"Actually... She's not usually like that at all... weird."

As they sat down to eat... things seemed a little uncomfortable and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. He could tell Rochana was feeling the awkwardness too, especially from Elizabeth. She barely touched her food and tried to make conversation by gushing over how gorgeous Elizabeth was... But nothing seemed to help... What was going on?