Sorry for my tardiness with this chapter. It's only just now that I can sit up without feeling like a hammer is pounding against my skull. Thanks for the reviews; they keep my confidence up. On to the next chapter:-)

Chapter Seven: Dinner Invitation

Matt strutted down the hallway whistling to himself. Although he was at the morgue for a fairly serious matter, he didn't feel the need to let anyone else in on that. He stopped whistling a few paces from Jordan's door, and knocked twice when he got there.

"Come in."

"Hey, Jordan," Matt said cautiously as he opened the door. He closed it quietly and turned to look face her. Her eyes registered her discomfort. He hesitated before saying, "I just wanted to make sure you were all right…"

Jordan masked her emotions quickly. "I'm fine, Matt. Just fine. Is there anything else you need?"

"Yes, actually, there is." Matt took a breath. "Would you come to dinner with me?"

Jordan looked at him like he'd grown three heads. "Why would I want to do that?" She asked. "Why would you want to do that?"

"Because I care about you," he answered, completely bypassing her first question.

"That'll be the day," Jordan muttered, but Matt heard nevertheless.

"Look, Jordan. I know you think I'm this totally crass, insensitive jerk. And it's not like I haven't acted like that, but I gotta tell you…that's not me. Not really."

Jordan raised one eyebrow suspiciously. "Matt, I don't really care. I don't want to go to dinner with you."

"Just hear me out, please," Matt said quickly. Jordan sighed and looked down at her desk. "When I came here," he continued, "I wanted everyone to think I was tough. I look like a pretty boy, like anyone could just run all over me. I didn't want anyone from the department thinking I was a wimp, so I put on this attitude. Once I got settled, it just kind of stuck. I'm not that way any other time, not hardly at work anymore either. I do care about you, Jordan. And it's not a romantic invitation. It's just dinner—with a friend. That's all."

Jordan continued starring at her desk, trying to wrap her head around all of her swirling emotions. Matt wasn't a jerk? The idea fit with how he acted last night…that didn't seem fake. Suddenly, the offer was tempting—to have a friend. But then her heart stung, reminding her of all the hurt she'd endured from her other "friends." She mentally shook herself, and the wall remained intact.

"Matt," she said calmly. "I'm really sorry about last night. That you had to see me…that way. But I'm really okay, and you don't need to fuss over me. I can take care of myself….Thank you for the offer, but I'd rather keep our relationship professional."

"That's the only kind of relationship you have," Matt quietly reminded her.

Jordan nodded. "And that's my choice." She walked over and opened the door for him. Silently, Matt nodded acceptance and walked out.

As he continued down the hall, Matt smiled softly. He hadn't expected her to go to dinner with him. He knew she wouldn't let anyone in that quickly. He had gotten her to talk on a personal level; she hadn't even called him "Detective." She would go to out to dinner with him, eventually. Matt may not really be a jerk, but he was cocky enough to believe in that.