A/N: Okay everyone. Now that Anna has satisfied her sex drive, let's proceed with the story. Please remember to leave a review after reading. (I look forward to reading more from you, Denise!)
I chuckled awkwardly at the uncomfortable silence that fell across the table. "So, Sam, you're a P.I. huh? That must be interesting work." I leaned in closer. Sam nodded, "It has its moments of interest, hence you." She winked as she took a sip of red wine from her wine glass. "I'm flattered. But can we please focus on someone other than me?"
Sam nodded. "Okay. Let's talk about Anna," I groaned in response, "If you were to take a step back and really look at her, you'll see that she's happy. You may not realize it, but you've given Anna her spirit back. For the last few months since Duke's death, all she has done has hungered for justice. But you made her smile again." She touched her hand warmly.
As if on cue, we heard the bell over the door as Anna entered. "Fearless, can we talk?" Sam and Jason both nodded her way and stood up. "I read the note you left. I can't tell you how good I feel knowing that it meant so much to you." Her gentle eyes turned to glass. "Hey now, please no tears. As much as I appreciate what you've done for me, you have to acknowledge that our connection is shallow at best." I held fast to her hands.
"I want to change that, Fearless. If my relationship with Duke taught me anything, it's to never take any relationship for granted. I want to get to know you as more than an emotionally liable young man. All I know for sure about you is how talented a tongue you have!" A wide grin spread across her face then. "I'll give you the abridged version. I was born 25 weeks premature somewhere in Florida. I've had a hard but rewarding life until this point. My real name is Derek. I've called myself Fearless ever since middle school, when my anger about my father landed me in a mental hospital. That was when I became diagnosed as an empath." I stopped abruptly, "I don't want to bore you with the details."
Anna silently poured herself some wine from the bottle sitting between us. "So, all things considered, shall we consider this our first date?" She refilled my glass. I nodded with a smile. Anna raised her glass. "To us. To honesty. To a new beginning." We clinked glasses and sipped the wine.
"You know," I said with a sly grin, "Usually the first date comes before the couple sleeps together." We shared a hearty laugh.
A/N: The fic is making slow progress. Given what has happened so far, Denise, is there any advice you could give as to what should happen next? I feel like I'm writing in circles here. Anyway, please review! Until next time!
