A/N: I own nothing and no one, except Rian. I don't want to repeat myself too much but thanks to wwefaneam41 for all her patience with me. Please read and review so I know I'm doing something right :) (or wrong?)
After quizzing every diva on the roster and consulting with costumes, Rian had finally put together something classy and sexy for her formal date this evening. Fumbling like a high schooler, Rian had to reapply her make up more times than her skin cared for and had chipped away through almost an entire bottle of nail polish. With freshly straightened hair and subtle, natural, make up highlighting her soft glow, round cheeks and her red hair channeling Jessica Rabbit, Rian maintained her death grip on the sequined black clutch in her hands. Before the elevator reached the lobby, she was reminded why she never wore heels, ever. Seriously? Stacy and Clinton lie, these things blow hard. Looking around anxiously, Rian waited for a glimpse of Phil.
Spying her from a heavily occupied corner of the lobby, Phil couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. He had always known she would stop traffic but to actually see it? That little black dress hugged those hips of hers in all the right places. Her legs went on for days and days in stiletto heeled boots, and oh gawd her hair. He immediately got lost in the fantasy with his hand tangled in a fist-full of those feisty locks, kissing her passionately, deeply. Get it together Punk, this is your ONE chance with perfection. Phil walked towards her with a single white orchid. Orchids were her favorite. Alex never knew that. "Pretty flower for a pretty lady?"
Smiling through the flush in her cheeks, "Mr. Aladdin had to make an entrance...it's beautiful. And my favorite. How did you know?"
"Rian, you're my best friend. I pay attention to the important stuff. And after this, no more quirky movie or pop culture references. Tonight I am Phil and you are Rian and this, this is our first date." Offering his arm, "Shall we?"
"We shall. And just where are going?"
"I know this lovely italian place down the way. It has a great view."
"Well I can't wait. I am famished. Getting all pretty is not easy work."
"Well you look stunning."
Feeling the rush of heat in her cheeks, Rian lowered her chin. Phil looked delicious. Slacks with a black on black theme going on with his jacket and shirt. Just a pop of color with a cranberry tie. It took most of her self restraint to not take hold of a fistfull of that cranberry nuisance and pull him on top of her right there in the lobby for God and everyone to see. "You clean up well too, Phil. Forgive me, It's been a while since I've had a first date."
"Me too. For what it's worth, I'm told it is just like riding a bike. Your chariot my dear-" Phil motioned to the waiting limo.
"You didn't! Phil, is this really how you are on all your first dates?"
"Just when I want to get laid."
"There ya are. I knew you couldn't keep that up. It's alright, I missed that part." Leaning closely in to him with her voice just barely a whisper, "and just so you know, you had that part solidified with the flower." Rian climbed in and slid down as Phil held the door open for her.
Her warm whisper on his ear was about all he could handle right now. Self control should be an olympic sport. Looking up at the sky, talking to no one he mouth the words 'Oh my God' as Rian seductively let herself into the car. This was going to be the best date of his life.
Arriving at the restaurant, Phil was glad he had made reservations. Even at this late hour it was a mad house there. People know great food. "Hi, I made reservations, name of Rian Brooks for 2."
"Yes Mr. Brooks, here it is. Just one moment and I will have someone show you to your table."
Rian gave him The People's Eyebrow. "Rian Brooks huh? The flower was nice but it wasn't wedding dress nice...did I miss something?"
"Relax Dwayne, I just needed a name that wasn't mine just in case. I wanted this to be about us, not us and the fans. I love them but right now, I just want to be with you." This dream would only last through drinks and appetizers. Quickly staff and guests recognized the Cult of Personality even in his dress up clothes sans spandex manties and wrist wraps. Without wanting to be rude, Phil took pictures and signed autographs while their dinner was put in to-go boxes for them. Slipping out the back entrance and diving into the limo, the couple burst into laughter.
"Well, that was a scene right outta George Clooney's life, no?"
"That would make you Stacey and I prefer red heads."
"Fair enough. So, where to now?"
"I have just the spot. I made a plan B just in case." Phil slid to the privacy glass and whispered something to the driver. The car started to the mysterious destination. "I'm sorry about that."
"No, please don't be. That was a lot of fun. I know it's probably overwhelming for you but it's nice to see you interact with fans. They really idolize you."
"Well, if they didn't I wouldn't get a paycheck for doing something I love. It's the least I can do. Besides they are mostly harmless and you never know what sort of impact that moment will have on them."
"With an attitude like that and a girl hasn't pinned you down yet huh?"
"Pinned me down or made an honest man out of me? Plenty a lady has had me pinned under her legs..."
"Alright dirty boy, point made. So seriously, where are we going? Am I going to end up on the latests season of unsolved mysteries?"
"Only if you time travelled to the 80's! Hasn't that show been off the air for a while? I promised a place with a view and that is exactly what I am delivering." Just then the care came to a stop. Phil stood up and climbed through the moonroof onto the roof of the car. "Alright, we're here. C'mon up!"
"In heels? Are ya kidding?"
"It's alright I will help you. Give me your hand!" Phil assisted her onto the roof. The driver handed them their dinner from the restaurant as well as a picnic blanket. "So, what do you think of the view?"
Looking out, Rian found the view breathtaking. The stars lighting up the sky with the city down below. Alive but quiet. Up here they were a part of the life of the city but removed enough to find a few moments of peace. "It's beautiful up here. You delivered on your promise."
"Alright well dig in before it gets cold. We still have one more stop before the awkward pause at the doorway."
"Oh?" Rian managed through a mouthful of spaghetti.
"Yeah. I rented the laser tag place down the road. You and I, one on one. I have some make up to do after paintball."
Rian almost spit out her pasta. "Laser tag? In heels? You can't be serious?"
"Does this look like the face of a man who would joke about laser tag?"
"Well that's just cheating. I don't have a prayer trying to take you down in heels."
"Charlies Angles seemed to manage."
"Well I am not Camron Diaz, Lucy Lu or Drew Barrymore. I am Rian. The redhead who lives in sneakers. You're going to cream me."
Making a Bob Barker 'wrong answer' face, "Ooohhh sorry. Not the answer we were looking for. We would have accepted 'mission accepted, Charlie."
Laughing so hard she choked on marinara sauce, Rian flung a wet noodle in Phil's direction.
"And now you see why I planned ahead and wore black." wiping his hands and mouth of on the rough paper napkins, Phil stood up. "Alright m'lady, are you ready for part 2?"
Closing her food box, Rian eyed Phil. "I suppose but I reserve the right to a proper rematch in the event of a blow out."
"Anytime angel. Cmon I will help you down." Phil offered a hand to help her up before offering her a stability point as she slid back down into the limo. Throwing the food containers in the garbage, Phil let himself back in through the passenger door.
"Wow, that was a cheater move. Make the girl slide in the moonroof while you get the door?"
"Hey, at least I didn't get in first and take the opportunity to look up your dress."
She couldn't argue with that logic. "Fair enough. Alright, let's go get this demolishing over with. Off to laser tag we go."
The two continued to laugh and flirt the short drive to the facility. After being outfitted with vests and guns both took their places at the other end of the course. Unbeknownst to Phil, Rian left her heels behind the desk of the acne prone teenager working reception. She wasn't the kind of girl who went down without an actual fight. Cracking her neck and wiggling out to get the blood flowing, Rian poised herself for the sound of 'Go' and her opening ninja roll.
After three rounds, Phil had just barely squeaked out two wins leaving him the champion. For now. Both were left clutching their bellies from so much laughter. Rian opted to not put her heels back on for the walk back to the limo.
"Of course you took your shoes off. I shoulda known you would do something like that..."
Rian chuckled. "You mean evening the playing field? It amazes me the extent you would go to in a vain attempt to avoid getting your butt handed to you by a girl."
Phil wrapped his arm around her, pulling her next to him. "Can't blame a guy for trying. Hotel?"
"Yes! I am absolutely exhausted."
Cuddling in the back of the limo like teenagers after the prom, neither were sure what was going to happen once they reached their room. Before either of them realized, they found themselves in just that position.
"Rian, I had such a good time with you tonight."
She still had her shoes in her hand which offered Phil just a slight height advantage. "I did too, Phil. I haven't laughed so hard in my whole life. I'm glad you asked me on this date tonight."
"I'm glad you were single to ask out on this date."
Without waiting for the usual awkward and uncomfortable silence, Rian made good on her fantasy of the fist-full of cranberry tie and pulled Phil into her. She kissed him like she's never kissed anyone before. Her extra hand resting on his scruffy cheek.
Once the shock of the surprise attack wore off, Phil found the small of her back and pulled her into him. The kiss was everything he imagined. Passionate and almost overwhelmingly sensual. Every sense was heightened and tingles erupted all over. Here he was, finally kissing the girl he had been waiting for. The first kiss of what he hoped would be the rest of their lives.
"Mr. Brooks, won't you please come in?" Rian smiled as she opened the door. She didn't wait for an answer. Not letting go of her death grip on his tie, Rian pulled Phil inside letting the door shut behind them in a fit of giggles.
From across the hall, a familiar figure subtly watched the exchange. So, Rian and Phil huh? That's alright I'm not threatened by that straight edge looser. I'm a McMahon. We get what we want.