Been sick today and so lay in bed and wrote this. That is my excuse if it is rubbish! Life is so busy at the moment, it was almost worth a bug to get some time to do this chapter. Lots of exciting ideas for these two.

To my reviewers, your kindness makes me happy! Thank you, thank you! Though I think you are too generous about my scribbles, I really appreciate you taking the time to read, let alone comment!

My usual disclaimer exists. I might be secretly married to Harvey, but I don't own him; we don't define our relationship in that way. Mike and Donna, also not mine,or the others;. Well except Katie and Jo, their butts are mine!


"So you are taking him out?"

"Yes."

"And there are rules?"

"Yep," Katie unfolded her legs from underneath her and let them dangle off the table she was sitting on. They were in a rehearsal room at the university. The sun streaming through the window behind her meant that Jo, perched backwards on a chair listening to her, had to shield her eyes as they chatted.

"I think it is cute!" Emily, cross-legged on the piano stool, chimed in.

"I think it is insane!" Jo countered. "You are each as bad as the other. I thought I was going to melt on Friday night when I accidentally got between you, the chemistry was so strong! Stop playing relationship chicken and get a room already! "

"Thank you, Hallmark," Katie laughed, flicking a rubber band at her.

"Whose idea was it anyway?" Emily questioned.

"I don't even remember!"

"And the rules?"

"We each plan a date. We can only use the resources at our disposal."

"Um, and we reckon he is loaded?"

"Thats the entire point. It is more than possible to have an amazing night without spending hundreds of dollars."

"If you say so?" Jo started to laugh. "However, how can your $50 budget compare with his possibly unlimited one?"

"Ignore her, I am with you," Emily shot Jo a dirty look.

"It has to be something we genuinely like, so I can't cheat and take him to free exhibition or something unless that is something I would do anyway."

"Makes sense I suppose," Emily smiled encouragingly, moving slightly as Katie slipped off the table and joined her on the piano stool.

"Now clear off, I only have this room for another hour and I really need to sort this piece out. I also need ideas, so lets have an emergency conference later, I need a killer plan for Saturday!"

"Like I will be able to think of anything else today. It is such a hilarious idea," she got up and dragged Jo off her chair.

"It is barmy!" Jo grinned. "I love it. Just one thing, who decides who win?"

"I really don't know,Jo. I just want to be sure I do!"


Saturday evening arrived and with it Harvey. He stepped out of the cab at the apartment block. For a part of the city he usually avoided, he was certainly spending a lot of time there. He was dressed in designer jeans, a white shirt and tailored leather jacket. Smart casual had been his instructions.

He had texted Katie from the cab, so wasn't surprised when she was already waiting for him. He took a second to drink in her appearance as she walked towards him, grinning.

Her hair was pulled into a loose bun on top of her head, curls escaping around her face softening the style. She had on a long plum coloured sundress (thank you, Shannon) that while loose, emphasised her figure when when she moved. Here tan was emphasised by the gold scarf that was loosely tied at her throat. His smirk increased slightly as he noticed she was indeed wearing shoes! Well, gold gladiator sandals, they were very sexy and also he liked her natural height. She looked fabulous. Not showy or overdressed but beautiful in a casual and understated way. Harvey felt a small surge of pleasure as she reached him.

Given his previous encounters with her, he should not have been surprised when just as he kissed her cheek, Jo exploded from the building behind.

"Katie!" she yelled, then slowed when she saw the two together. "Crap, sorry! Hi Harvey."

He grinned at her, "Hi, Jo."

If looks could kill, Katie would have needed a lawyer.

"You lifted the wrong bag again, babe," Jo motioned the bag on Katie's shoulder and the identical one she held clutched in her hand.

"Oh flip, that would have been embarrassing! Thanks," they exchanged a look.

"No worries! Since I am here though..."

"Jo..." Katie's voice held an amused warning.

Jo pulled her friends hand, grabbing a mildly startled Harvey's also, "Right, Spector, Monroe," she nodded solemnly at each, her tone sombre."The rules have been agreed, I expect a good clean date on both sides. No lying, cheating, arguing..."

"Jo..."

"And nothing below the belt!" she finished at speed as Katie swung the bag at her. With a hoot of laughter she dropped both hands and was gone.

"Yes, well..." Katie just shook her head.

Harvey on the other hand was grinning, the grin Katie's subconscious had nicknamed the shark. "Well, I am not sure those are exactly the rules I agreed to..." he said, moving in and claiming a long, deep kiss. His meaning was clear. It was enough to make Katie's knees buckle, she was definitely paddling up the calm river heading straight for the rapids!


They walked to the restaurant Katie had selected for their meal. As always seemed to happen, any nerves either had felt evaporated in each others company. There was no awkwardness. She led the way down the block and Harvey found it the most natural thing in the world to take her hand in his as they walked. Anyone looking at them as they passed saw a very attractive couple, apparently without a care in the world. Few would have guessed this was a first date!

"I hope you like Greek food?"

"It's not something I have a lot, but I am open to new things." Harvey grinned as she motioned him down a little side street where a sign, 'Pagonis' hung above the door to a tiny little restaurant.

"Well, this place is amazing. I found it in my first week in the city. Its owner is a national treasure."

The bell above the door gave a little tinkle and almost instantly, Harvey's date had disappeared into the arms of one of the largest human beings he had ever seen!

"Katie! Mama, it is our Katie," this man mountain shouted over his shoulder. Releasing his grip on her slightly, much to Harvey's relief, the mountain turned to look at him. To Harvey's astonishment he spoke to her in excited Greek and she replied. They both looked Harvey up and down, there was another exchange and they both laughed.

"Peter, this is Harvey. Harvey, this is Peter Pagonis, the best Greek chef on the city."

"Welcome, welcome. Any friend of our Katie, well then he is a friend of us here."

Harvey accepted this gushing welcome with slack jawed astonishment. Katie was beaming from ear to ear as they were shown to the table. A waiter handed them both menus, but they were whipped away before Harvey could even open them. "No, no," Peter was adamant. "For you," he grinned at Katie, "I will make something extra..." he paused, obviously searching for the word."Something special. You will trust me? Yes?"

"Always, Peter!" Katie smiled him such a radiant smile, Harvey almost felt jealous of the giant.

A little old lady, 'mama' Harvey assumed also arrived at the table and Katie was again swept up in a bear hug and Harvey was again more given the once over and introduced.

A minute later the excitement had died away and the waiter had lit the candle on the small table and brought an earthenware carafe of red wine for them both. Harvey took a sip from his glass, it was good, and looked at his date.

"What?" Katie asked all innocently.

Harvey grinned, "Spill."

Katie laughed and also took a sip, "Oh this is the good stuff, mama must have liked you." she fiddled with her napkin. "I happened upon this place when I started giving piano lessons. Peter has two nieces, gorgeous girls and he contacted me when he saw my flier in the local store. This place is amazing, a hidden treasure, and when his mama realised I was all alone in the big city, well..." she paused. "A few good meals and music lessons later and I ampt certain I haven't actually been legally adopted!"

Their table was at the very back of the restaurant by folding French doors that lead to a small courtyard beyond. It was easy to see how Katie had fallen for the place, it was quite enchanting.

"So you would eat here quite often, this isn't a sneaky rules violation, is it?"

She smiled again, "No, strictly legal. We operate, well an almost barter system. Sometimes things are tight and his sister doesn't have the cash for lessons, so I have a meal here, or a Greek lesson"

"Ah, I wondered about that! How come you speak Greek?"

"Well..." she looked down a little embarrassedly, and Harvey admired the way the candlelight reflected on her face,"I kinda, well I collect languages. It's just something I have always enjoyed, you know? Gathering little phrases or greetings in different languages..." she trailed off at his expression.

"You collect languages?" he asked his face incredulous but his tone amused. "Is it possible to be more of a geek?"

She flicked a breadstick at him, "You charmer you! I just like the music of them. I guess they just stick in my head, like a melody. They just make sense, each has it's own tune. Once you get rhythm and basic notes..." He was gazing at her intently making her colour further as she stumbled on " I always liked the idea of being able to speak to people in a way at matters to them, you know, their mother tongue and that... I guess that is why I play the piano...music is like the definitive universal language."

Her face had become animated and he reached for her hand across the table, rubbing his thumb across the soft skin. He wanted her to keep talking like that so he could listen to her voice.

The food arrived just as she began to quiz him on his linguistic expertise. He thought back to his forth grade French class and smirked. "I was better at acting French than speaking it," he replied. She looked at him inquiringly, "Girls always go for the foreign exchange student and kissing with French in front of it immediately seems more exotic."

"You are such a sleaze." Katie laughed as she dipped her soft bread in the olive oil and vinegar provided. "Here, taste this, it is delicious." she held it out to him and he took a bite, capturing her hand and touching it to his lips at the same instant. She blushed.

"I try," he said, his mouth full of bread and they both fell about laughing.

Peter had indeed gone to town and the meal was a variable banquet. There was happy silence for a few moments as each tried to eat the lamb without the delicate juices sliding down their faces!

"Is it just me, or does this place have a 'Lady and the Tramp' feel to it?" Harvey broke the silence.

"While I completely know what you mean, I feel I need to point out that a) that was an Italian place and b) I am compiling a list of all the Disney movies you have obviously watched while you were a little girl and will mail it to your colleagues when finished."

"They'd never believe you. I am way too bad ass."

"Bet you cried when Bambi's mother got shot."

"Of course I did. It's what made me want to be a lawyer, you know, more stringent enforcement of hunting laws and gun control," he deadpanned.

Katie threw her head back and laughed.

"My boss would love this place." Harvey continued. With gentle encouragement from the other side of the table, Harvey told her about Jessica. How she had saved him for the mail room and put him through Harvard and recounted some of their many adventures together. A few times they were laughing so hard they were almost crying. "She sounds like a formidable lady."

"That's one word for her. You'd like her, we should get you together sometime." Had he actually just said that? Good grief, why didn't he just propose already? But, contrary to his beliefs, the world did not end simply because he had given a girl the suggestion that she might survive more than just this night. In fact he was secretly pleased when she nodded and said she would like that!


After the meal, they reluctantly headed back out onto the street. It was cooler now, but still not cold enough for them to get a cab. "Do you want to go get a drink, or do you need your beauty sleep?" she asked, still responsible for the evenings a activities.

A drink was agreed and she led the way again. This time to a little jazz club. Harvey, who prided himself on knowing every jazz establishment in New York, had been there a few times in the past but not recently. They found a small table at the back and Harvey went and got himself a scotch and a lemonade for Katie, who had declared Peter's wine too strong for her to take anything else. He made his way back across the crowded room, dodging the few dancing couples who had made an impromptu dance floor mid the tables. The live band were clearly in the zone. Their singer was especially good, and Harvey made a mental note to check the billing for her name as they left.

"So," he said, grinning and putting on his sleaziest voice, "You come here often?"

She smiled back and shrugged. "Sometimes a group of us would come here after class. They have some great acts and on a quite night you can even get a chance to jam with them."

"You jam?"

"You sound surprised?"

He laughed again,"No, not surprised. At least I am no longer surprised at being surprised by you."

She grinned again, a little bubble of happiness rising up inside her, the music switched pace and the opening notes of 'Georgia on my mind' gently filled the air. "Dance with me!"

"Oh no!" he put his hands up in mock horror, "I don't dance!"

"Not even to Georgia?"

"Not even to Georgia."

"Oh, ok then."

Whatever he had expected her response to this information to be, it was certainly not what happened next. Katie gave a little shrug and locked eyes with a blonde man, younger than Harvey, who was passing. She smiled a dazzling smile and he seemed unable to believe his luck as this beautiful girl grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the dancers. She grinned wickedly at Harvey over her shoulder. He hadn't even had time to lower his drink to the table.

He watched paralysed for a moment as the young interloper put his hands low on her waist and started to glide his date away. "Oh hell, no," he mumbled downing his drink in one. If anyone was going to hold her like that, when she looked like that, it was going to be him. He strode confidently to the couple and cut in expertly. "Hey," the other guy started to complain, but caught sight of the look the two were exchanging and gave up gracefully.

Harvey gripped Katie tight, almost taking her breath away, "Man but you are sexy when you are being manipulative," he hissed in her ear enjoying the feel of her warm body pressed tightly against his own. He took one of her hands in his moving the other to the small of her back where it stayed, firing tiny pulses of electricity through them both. "Lets dance."


It was an hour or so later that they found themselves once again on the street. This time it was cold and that plus Katie's now aching feet, meant she gratefully received Harvey's suggestion of a cab.

"Basically when you said you didn't dance, you were lying." Katie challenged playfully.

"I said I didn't, not that I couldn't" he countered, putting a hand on her waist to steady her, "What on earth?" Hoes, he should have known.

She straightened up, sandals in hand, as the cab pulled up beside them, slipping in barefoot. "Don't lawyer me, Mr Spector, someone had lessons!"

They were both silent for a moment recalling the last hour they had spent dancing in each others arms, sometimes chatting, sometimes concentrating on the movements but always delightfully aware of the others close proximity.

"I will merely confirm that there was a time that it became expedient to know how to, even if I chose not to."

"Would you listen to that? He's all double talk and words" she addressed the slightly bemused driver. "your childhood, was all dance lessons and Disn...umph" she stopped abruptly as his lips pressed hard against hers.

"Good, silent for once" Harvey said finally breaking off a minute later, it was his turn to grin at the driver, winking.

She sat across the back seat with her feet on his lap and he massaged them gently. It felt so comfortable, intimate almost, they were sorry when the short drive was over.

Once more they made there way upstairs. This time the kiss at the door was lingering. His hands held her head as his tongue explored her mouth.

"Harvey," again it took all her will power to say his name in that way. His groan was barely suppressed as he moved slightly away, resting his forehead against hers. She was not a one night stand, he had known that from the start, but that did not make this part any easier. If anything, it made it more difficult. While this was technically their first date, he felt more at ease with her than some women he had 'dated' for months.

"It's a competition, remember?" her tone was playful. "I wouldn't want to be accused of taking an unfair advantage."

He moved to his sadly familiar spot leaning against the wall opposite her door. His mouth twisted into a grin. "You will be the death of me, you know that?" his tone was dusky with desire.

"I hope so, Harv," she stood on tiptoe, and kissed his cheek. He caught her waist, pulling her against him.

"I had a great time this evening, thank you!"

She smiled, "I hope the judges were taking notes!"

"Yea, well. You ain't seen nothing yet!"

They lingered like that another few moments, their bodies resting comfortably against each other.

"Harvey?" there was something in her tone that forced him from his reverie.

"Yep?" he pushed her upright so she was standing independently again and put a hand under her chin, "You ok?"

"Yea," the uncertainty in her voice reflected in her expressive eyes, making his stomach momentarily nervous, "yea, forget it, I'm fine."

He searched her face a moment longer, as he had that night in the hotel. "You sure?" his concern was gentle, like the fingers that were gently caressing her cheek.

She smiled, her eyes remaining strange for a fraction of a second longer than the rest of her face, "yes, I had a good time too. Thanks. Just not good at goodbyes."

"Agree to disagree," he grinned, capturing her mouth again one last time to both their relief. Whatever had worried her there was no trace of it in her kiss. He would would worry about whatever it was later if need be.

Minutes later she lent against the inside of her door. What was she doing? She hadn't expected the feelings between them to be so strong! She had changed her mind, it wasn't rapids approaching but a fully blown waterfall.

She didn't want to stop this thing but she knew she would have to come clean about a couple of things before the water completely carried her away. She loved the way his presence seemed to wake up the confidence that she knew she had but found hard to tap into.

How could being this out of your depth feel so good? 'Sure,' a little voice chimed in her head, 'this must be that euphoric bit, you know, just before you drown.'


Ok, hope the fever hasn't made me write more drivel than normal. Be kind, review. I'll be your best friend. Also, more reviews I get, the more motivated I will be to write the 'Harvey making a big effort for a date' chapter which is next.