A/N – I am so excited for this chapter. I hope everyone loves it as much as I do. Please leave me a review so I know what you think! Above all, enjoy!

Chapter 6 – Dinner?

Johnny was hoping he had heard Lulu wrong. He was hoping that she hadn't figured out the truth about his other identity, but that was sure what it sounded like. He kept a straight face and looked at Lulu. She was looking at him expectantly and he pretended to not know why.

"What?" Johnny wondered.

"Answer me," Lulu demanded.

"What was the question?" Johnny asked.

"Are you the Prince of Reprise?" Lulu questioned firmly.

"Why would you think that?" Johnny countered.

"I knew it," Lulu exclaimed.

"I'm confused," Johnny laughed nervously.

"You answered a question with a question," Lulu pointed out. "That means you didn't want to give a real answer because you didn't want to lie so you tried to dodge it. But that doesn't work with me. Because I know that you know that I know that I'm right and you're not supposed to tell me that I'm right."

"Lulu just stop, okay?" Johnny pleaded. "Don't do this."

"So you're admitting it?" Lulu asked. "Just tell me."

"Lulu," Johnny sighed.

"Look, I guessed," Lulu offered. "It's not like you just told me. I just want to hear you say it."

"I am the Prince of Reprise," Johnny admitted. "Happy now?"

"No," Lulu smirked. "Why were you lying to me? We're best friends. We don't lie to each other about anything."

"Really?" Johnny wondered. "What makes you so sure that I don't lie to you?"

"What are you trying to say?" Lulu said softly. "Have you been hanging around me all this time just to protect me?"

"I don't think you believe that," Johnny whispered.

"I don't know what to believe when you say things like that," Lulu replied.

"I have been lying to you, Lulu," Johnny breathed. "I lie to you every time I let you believe I only want to be friends with you."

"Johnny," Lulu said with tears coming to her eyes.

"Just let me talk," Johnny begged. "I've been in love with you since the moment I laid eyes on you. I've spent the entire time we've known each other hoping that one day you would think of me as more than your best friend. But I want to keep being your best friend because I can't imagine my life without you. Which is why I became the Prince of Reprise. I wanted to protect you so badly that I joined forces with a group of superheroes to make sure you were safe. Because your safety is the most important thing to me. You're the most important thing to me."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Lulu cried.

"Because I was afraid of this," Johnny smiled sadly. "You're upset because you don't feel the same way, but you still want to be friends. Only now we can't go back because me proclaiming my love for you will always be this awkward thing between us."

"You're kind of stupid you know that?" Lulu sniffed.

"What?" Johnny laughed.

"I will probably mess this up and end up sounding stupid, but just let me finish," Lulu warned. "I don't know how I feel about you. I never let myself picture us as more than friends because you mean more to me than any guy ever has and I don't want to lose you. You've seen me when I'm dating a guy. I always screw things up and I never wanted to do that with you. I'm afraid, too."

"So where do we go from here?" Johnny wondered.

"I don't know," Lulu answered. "Do you want to try for more than friendship?"

"That's what I've always wanted," Johnny smiled. "But do you want that?"

"I don't want to be afraid anymore," Lulu responded.

"Okay," Johnny said, taking a deep breath to prepare himself. "Would you like to go to dinner with me tomorrow night?"

"I would love to," Lulu replied.

"Great," Johnny said happily. "I'll pick you up at seven."

"I'll see you then," Lulu said with a smile. "Bye."

"Bye," Johnny said, leaving her apartment.

He left her apartment with the goofiest grin on his face. Lulu finding out that he was the Prince of Reprise had turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. He only wished he had been honest with her sooner. He didn't care though. He had a chance with Lulu now and that was all he wanted to focus on.

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Johnny was less than pleased when he got the call from Sonny at four the next day that there was yet another emergency meeting. He knew he couldn't skip it, but he really wanted to. He wanted to spend a lot of time getting ready for Lulu. He walked into the meeting room and instantly knew something was going on. Nikolas and Sonny were smiling at him and even Jason was trying to fight a grin from creeping across his face.

"What?" Johnny wondered.

"You finally asked my sister out," Nikolas laughed. "What gave you the courage?"

"How did you three find out?" Johnny asked.

"Lulu called to let me know," Nikolas smiled. "Now answer my question."

"I'm leaving," Johnny blushed.

"No," Sonny replied. "We need to get you ready so you can be completely safe while you two are on this date."

"What do you mean?" Johnny questioned.

"We're going to hide things under your dress suit that will help you if someone tries to attack Lulu," Jason answered. "At this point, we don't care if Lulu figures out who you are, as long as she is safe. She is essential to the Terribly Troubled Threesome's plan."

"It's good you say that," Johnny muttered. "Lulu already figured out I was the Prince of Reprise."

"Figured it out or you told her?" Sonny demanded.

"After I rescued her she put it together," Johnny replied. "I tried to deny it, but she saw right through me."

"That's probably true," Nikolas offered. "She has good instincts. She always has."

"As long as she doesn't say anything it doesn't matter," Jason responded. "What matters is her safety."

"Alright," Sonny nodded. "Let's get Johnny ready."

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Lulu checked herself in the mirror again. She was nervous about going out with Johnny which made her laugh at herself. She had been out with Johnny a hundred times and never been nervous before. But this was a date. She took a deep breath and heard a knock on the door. She checked herself a final time and opened the door. Johnny took in her appearance and smiled.

"You're beautiful," Johnny complimented.

"Thank you," Lulu blushed.

"Are you ready?" Johnny asked.

"Yeah," Lulu breathed.

She slipped her hand in his and they exited her building. It wasn't the first time she had held his hand, but it felt like it. Everything with Johnny felt new to Lulu, suddenly. She had always thought he was gorgeous, but she had never allowed herself to really look at him. So as they drove to the restaurant in silence, she studied his face. Johnny caught her staring and blushed slightly, something Lulu found so sexy and she didn't know why.

"Are you staring at me, Spencer?" Johnny wondered.

"Maybe," Lulu said coyly.

"Do you like what you see?" Johnny questioned.

"Definitely," Lulu smiled and he blushed again. "Do you find that embarrassing?"

"No," Johnny laughed. "I find it very relieving. I never really thought you would look at me like that."

"I never let myself before," Lulu replied. "I'm glad I am now."

"Me too," Johnny agreed.

They fell back into silence for the rest of the ride. She continued staring at him and he stole glances at her as he drove. They pulled up to an Italian food restaurant and he opened her door for her and helped her out of the car. They went inside and Johnny spoke with the hostess who then led them to a private table in the back. She seated them and took their drink orders and then left the table.

"I've never been here before," Lulu commented.

"Neither have I," Johnny admitted. "But it's a safe place that's also very nice and it has gotten excellent reviews."

"You read the reviews?" Lulu laughed.

"Why is that funny?" Johnny asked.

"Because you didn't have to go through the trouble," Lulu answered. "Or try to impress me in some way."

"Of course I did," Johnny smiled. "I always want to impress you."

"That's sweet," Lulu noted.

"Does it feel weird to you?" Johnny wondered. "Being on an official date, I mean."

"A little," Lulu replied. "What about you?"

"Same," Johnny responded.

"We've been best friends for so long," Lulu said softly. "But I want you to know I do want more. I want to let myself fall for you."

"I don't want to rush you," Johnny countered. "I know I already told you I love you and I do, but I don't want you to feel pressured into feeling that way about me, so if you don't want me to say it, I won't. I want you to be honest and if you ever want out of the relationship all you have to do is tell me."

"Thanks for saying that," Lulu smiled. "But I don't think I will ever want out. And I do want you to tell me you love me if you don't mind saying it. I like hearing it from someone I know means it and isn't trying to get something from me."

"All I want from you is the chance to spend time with you," Johnny said sweetly.

"Well that you have," Lulu replied.

"Then I am the luckiest man in the world," Johnny whispered.

The waiter brought out their drinks and took their orders. They continued talking until their food was brought out. They ate their dinner in relative silence, commenting on their food choices. Johnny fed Lulu some of his lasagna and she fed him some of her spaghetti and meatballs. After they finished their main course, Johnny ordered a dessert for them to share.

"Do you like it?" Johnny asked.

"It's delicious," Lulu answered.

"I can't believe this is the first time you've had tiramisu," Johnny laughed.

"Well I'm glad it is," Lulu said happily. "I like sharing the experience with you."

Johnny smiled blissfully and the waiter came back with the bill. They paid and left the restaurant, holding hands again. The ride back in the car was silent with both Johnny and Lulu lost in thoughts of each other. He pulled up to her apartment and walked her to her door.

"I really had a good time," Lulu offered.

"I'm glad," Johnny smiled. "I did too."

"So," Lulu said, wondering if Johnny was going to kiss her.

"I'll call you tomorrow," Johnny replied, wondering if Lulu wanted him to kiss her.

"I lost my phone," Lulu reminded him. "I'll call you when I get a new one."

"Okay," Johnny nodded.

They stood there staring at each other awkwardly, both wanting to kiss the other but not knowing if it was appropriate. Lulu finally started to turn away, but stopped and turned back to Johnny.

"Do you not want to kiss me?" Lulu demanded. "I waited for awhile and you didn't make a move and I want to know why."

"I do want to, but I didn't know if you wanted me to," Johnny answered. "I told you I didn't want to pressure you."

"Well, I want you to," Lulu laughed. "But now it's kind of awkward."

"We could start the goodnight over," Johnny suggested.

"I guess," Lulu smiled. "But that seems a little ridiculous."

"You're right," Johnny admitted. "I guess we'll just have to wait."

"Okay," Lulu replied, opening the door to her apartment. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Johnny said as she closed the door.

He stood there for five seconds before knocking on the door. Lulu opened the door and Johnny immediately locked her mouth in a passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and his hands found her waist, pulling her closer to him. She deepened the kiss and ran her fingers through his hair. They both broke for air and Johnny leaned his forehead against hers.

"I really didn't want to wait," Johnny whispered. "Because I've been waiting for over four years and I couldn't take it anymore."

"I'm glad you didn't," Lulu breathed.

"I should go," Johnny noted, pulling away from Lulu.

"Okay," Lulu said smiling. "Night."

"Deja vu," Johnny smirked and Lulu laughed. "Goodnight."

Johnny left and leaned against the door. On the other side of the door, Lulu mirrored him. She brought a hand to her chest as she waited for her beating heart to slow down. Johnny brought a hand to his chest to try to keep his heart from exploding with love for Lulu. They slowly moved away from the door, both on cloud nine from what was the best night of their lives.