I know angst is good in a story, and I'm so glad you all have enjoyed the storyline I've taken them on so far. But you probably enjoyed partly because you know I always make it okay, so here, here's 3,000 + words of date night. (I enjoyed the reprieve from the angst too!)

Walter knew that semi – formal meant that ties were optional, but he knew that Paige loved him in a bow tie. Studying himself in the mirror, he put a hand up to try and make his curls a little less obvious.

Well, that was an epic fail.

No matter. He knew Paige liked his curls, too. He just wished he didn't look quite so unkempt.

"You almost ready?" He called toward the bathroom. Almost as he spoke, Paige walked out, adjusting the back on one of her earrings. She was wearing a dark red dress with a sweetheart neckline (he knew the name of it because of a somewhat awkward conversation they'd had shortly after their first kiss) that fit her tightly to her hips and then had a bit of flare. At the sight of her, Walter's eyebrows shot up so high if he didn't know better he'd have expected them to get caught in his curls.

Paige smiled. "You like?"

"Mmm hmm," Walter said, and she grinned, walking toward him and sliding her arms over his shoulders, clasping her hands behind him as she stood with her nose an inch from his. Walter smiled at her. "You look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you," she said. "You do too. Loving the bow tie." She kissed him. "So where are you taking me?"

"Delattre's."

"Delattre's?" Paige's eyes grew wide, like a child on Christmas morning. "Oh my gosh, I've wanted to go there for…well, you know."

He did know. She hadn't stopped talking about it in the weeks after the place had re – opened under new management. But neither of them had been successful at getting a reservation prior to their decision to try and get pregnant, and after that, it had been placed on the back burner. But it had been a week since her accident, she was feeling just like her old self, and that meant it was time for their first real date night in nearly six months. Walter couldn't wait.

"I like your earrings," Walter said, and Paige smirked. He'd gotten them for her. He still didn't understand why some women were so fond of jewelry, but he knew Paige loved it, and the way her eyes lit right up when she saw them told him that he had aced holiday gift giving.

"I like them too," she said, her voice low. "Walter, this is already such a good idea."

"Well, I have all night to disappoint you," he joked, and she rolled her eyes and swatted him. "Let's go, Love."

Their car was parked on the East side of the restaurant, but when they walked down the stairs and reached the sidewalk, Walter guided Paige in the opposite direction. Local band was playing in a park nearby, and Walter knew from detective work that they had a dance floor set up. He'd hinted to Paige the previous week that they were going to go dancing, but he could feel her excitement as they approached. "Oh my gosh," she said, her tone almost flirtatious, "this is so romantic."

He couldn't quite make out the song that was being played, they were still a distance away and there was chatter from the food trucks across the street, but several couples were out on the floor, and others gathered around a buffet table that Walter knew from searching the internet – his definition of detective work – held hors d'oeuvres. He assumed that his girlfriend was still full from the large helping of vegetable ragout that she'd had at dinner, but, still holding his hand, Paige walked rapidly to the table to study what they had to offer.

"Oh, these crackers are good," Paige said, taking two off the plate and dropping them onto her palm before replacing the tongs. She held the hand out. "Try one."

Walter did. He found the flavor to be a bit odd – not bad, but not to his liking. Thankfully when Paige took a couple more, she didn't offer any.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked her after a minute or two, and she nodded, smiling. "I'd love to dance."

Walter took her hand, leading her out onto the floor, and was about to ease into position when the silence that was created by a song fading out was replaced with some fast beats. His brow furrowed. "Uh…"

Paige didn't look nearly as confused, breaking into a wide grin. "Love Shack!" She yelled, loud enough for Walter to hear over the rush of people running to the floor.

"I…" Walter had somehow forgotten that dances had fast songs, and he tensed up as everyone around him fell into rows and started moving together as if there was a choreography session earlier in the night that they had missed. "I don't know…"

"It's easy," Paige assured him, pulling him into a spot next to her. "You'll pick up on it. Sixteen beats then start over. Watch me."

She was right – within forty five seconds Walter had the routine down pat. But he couldn't help but continue to watch her when their positions on the floor allowed it. There was a glow about her that he hadn't seen in a long time.

When the song was over, it faded out into a slower melody, one that Walter recognized. He and Paige effortlessly fell into step, his arm a little farther around her back than usual when they danced, out of a need to keep her close.

"This has been a really great night, Walter," she whispered.

"I think so too," he agreed, smiling affectionately at her. "Spending time with you is my favorite thing in the world."

"And doing things like this makes it even more wonderful," Paige said, her eyes shining.

They used to do this kind of thing all the time, before they got preoccupied. Walter was glad that Paige not only had missed it as much as him, but seemed to be having as much fun as he was. "I love you, Paige," he whispered.

The hand on resting on the back of his neck came up to cradle his face. "I love you so much," she said, her voice barely audible as she looked deep into his eyes. Walter could have sworn that time stopped.

The song ended, and another slow one started. Paige and Walter smiled at each other. He leaned in to briefly brush his lips over hers. Before he could open his eyes, Paige's lips had found his again, another brief, light contact. Walter wished they were alone.

The chorus of the song had a line about a woman who would 'spin like a record,' and when the line came up again, Walter and Paige stepped slightly apart and she twirled, her dress flaring out around her. She giggled as they came close together again. Walter loved that sound. He'd been in love with the sound of her voice longer than he'd been in love with her, and even after all this time, he swore her happy laughter was enough to make him weak in the knees.

Paige leaned forward and kissed him again, a mere second of contact that almost left him agitated. Almost. She was in his arms on a dance floor, as beautiful as he'd ever seen her, so much love for him in her eyes that he thought he might have all the luck of the Irish and left the rest of his home country without.

Walter didn't even realize what time it was until the band announced the next song would be their last.

"Oh my God, Walter, that was incredible." Paige tossed her purse onto the couch and stretched, her arms straight over her head.

"I'm glad you had a good time," he said, unbuttoning his jacket and draping it over the back of the couch.

"I did," she said, smiling fondly at him. "I'd forgotten how much fun it was to just go on dates…enjoy each other's company…" She walked up to him and put her hands on his neck. "God, I love you."

He kissed her, his hands on her hips, hearing a tiny moan in the back of her throat right before they separated. She smiled at him. "We really need to get out like that more often."

"I agree."

She bit her lip, staring into his eyes, and Walter made a quiet sound in his throat. He knew that look. He loved that look. And when it lingered, he didn't think he could look away if he tried.

Her lips were on his again within moments, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her, holding her against him. The kisses weren't rushed, weren't frantic, but did have a twinge of desperation as they deepened, and when their mouths separated for air, both of them gasped for breath. Her hands slid up into his hair, holding him in place, and they stayed almost motionless, their lips locked firmly together. When their lips separated again, Paige moved her lips to his jaw, then his neck, and when her tongue circled over that spot, Walter's eyes fell closed and he groaned, his fingers pressing against her.

They'd said – they'd agreed to – none of this kind of physical intimacy. Not yet. It was only a week ago that both of them had been so disinterested Walter wasn't sure they would be capable unless their lives depended on it…and since pressure had been the reason, maybe not even then. And the reminder of that pressure made a hint of dread seep into Walter even now, but despite that, he still couldn't remember the last time he'd wanted her this badly.

But they'd said no to this. How could he, after telling her about how he had been feeling obligated, try to go back on that?

"Walter," Paige gasped. "Walter, do you want…" She took in another breath, the end of her sentence cut off when Walter put his lips back on hers, his thumbs caressing her sides over her dress as he pushed his hips against hers, wanting her to feel how much he did want what she was suggesting. Paige whimpered slightly in response, tearing her lips away from his to look him solidly in the eye. She was searching, wanting to make sure he was sure, and Walter slid his hand slowly up and down from her rib to her hip and back again, smiling.

"Where?" She asked, and Walter looked over her shoulder down the hall. She smiled, taking his hand, and they walked to the bedroom. Once inside, Paige walked to the mirror, taking off her earrings and necklace as Walter hurriedly undid the buttons on his shirt. He debated just shrugging it off, but instead eased out of it, balling it up and dropping it in the laundry basket near the dresser.

Paige turned to him, reaching behind her back and unzipping her dress, letting it fall around her hips and then pushing it the rest of the way down before doing the same with her underwear. She took the step that separated them, reaching for the waistband of his pants with both hands and curling her fingers around it as she pushed her bare chest against his and kissed him again, both hands on the side of his face.

"Paige…" Walter said, feeling slightly hesitant. It had been a good night. A wonderful night. But a week without this and a date didn't erase all the feelings he had been having toward sex recently.

"Condom?" Paige said, placing a finger on his chin. "No pressure? No rush?"

He nodded, sighing in relief. "Yeah. No pressure."

"Good." Paige's fingers undid the button on his pants and drew down the zipper. "Because that's what I want too."

She pushed his pants off his hips and Walter wiggled out of them. There was really no good way to undress without some awkwardness. There was a reason the movies edited this part.

"Lay down," Walter said, his voice low, and Paige smiled at him as she slowly backed toward the bed. Walter walked with her, crawling onto the bed above her and lowering his head to place his lips firmly on hers again. Then he scooted backward, kissing between her breasts, and then her stomach, his tongue tracing around her belly button. He felt Paige relax, and he smiled. This was already so different from how it had been recently.

Walter settled between her thighs, wrapping his arms around them and pressing kisses on the insides, first to the left, then the right, before finally settling where he knew she wanted him. He started slow, both for her benefit and for his. He enjoyed this, too. He wanted it to last.

"Oh, Walter," Paige breathed, her hand sliding down her body until her fingers tangled in his curls.

Walter smiled to himself. "I missed this," he mumbled.

"This?"

She sounded almost surprised. "Mmm hmm," he said, scooting up farther between her legs and flattening his tongue. "I did."

Paige whimpered quietly, and Walter didn't know if it was from what he was saying, what he was doing, or both.

Walter picked up his pace after a few more minutes. He liked drawing things out, but he hadn't been given the time to make her come apart lately and he wanted to get her there, for both of their satisfaction.

Paige's breathing grew heavier, her knees rising slightly, and Walter kissed her warm flesh before focusing slightly higher. "Oh God," she moaned, her fingers curling more tightly around his hair. Walter sucked lightly, then with more force, his tongue pressing against her and moving in a rapid back and forth motion. Paige gasped, moaned, and closed her thighs around him. But she wasn't quite there yet. Walter repeated the motion, then flattened his tongue and licked around her clit before repeating the side to side motion, this time up and down. She was breathing that way, he could feel her legs trembling and her head was tipped way back. She was close.

She whimpered again, and Walter detected a hint of frustration. He wondered if since it had been so long since she'd pursued this, she was having a harder time finishing than usual. Don't worry, Love, he thought. He slid a hand up and over one of her breasts, kneading it, rubbing his thumb over her nipple. He sucked at her clit again, moving his tongue lightly over it, alternating between that and a more aggressive sweep.

"Oh…" Paige said sharply, curling the hand that was resting on the covers, gripping the comforter. "Walter, Walter, Walter," she moaned, her voice growing more high pitched each time she said his name. It wasn't another ten seconds before she shuddered, a sharp sound coming from her throat as her legs went limp, one of them jerking slightly a few times. Walter kept his mouth on her, drawing it out, removing his hand from her breast to caress her stomach and then her hip. Then he lifted his head, his tongue running over his lips, and placed a kiss just above her sensitive nerves before crawling back up the bed to lay next to her. "I love you," he murmured, resting on his side and placing his hand on her stomach.

She leaned over, their lips meeting, a long, slow kiss. "I love you, too," she said. Then she dropped her head back on the pillow. "Oh, God."

Walter smiled, scooting a little closer to kiss her shoulder. Paige grinned at him, her body slowly losing its flush. She sat up, leaning over to the bedside table and pulling the drawer open. "I swear we had…ah ha." She rolled onto her back again, triumphantly holding up the condom.

Walter took it from her, wiggling out of his boxers. Paige smiled seductively up at him as he covered himself. Or perhaps it wasn't overly seductive. Maybe he was just wound so tightly that any smile would look that way right now. Walter didn't care to spend time pondering. He crawled over her, kissing her on the lips and then the neck, working his way up to an ear and sucking on the lobe. Paige let out a breath, her sigh turning into a moan. "Walter."

He positioned himself at her entrance, his thumb moving in circles around her clit, not quite touching it. She was probably still sensitive. "You good?" He whispered, his lips near hers.

She nodded, sliding her hand around to the back of his neck, and Walter rested his upper lip against her lower one, both of them gasping as he pushed into her. He set a slow pace, moving his hips in long, smooth motions, wanting to draw it out for both of them. He knew that this wouldn't magically rejuvenate them in their quest to have a baby. But God, this was good. This was very, very good.

Walter liked this position because they had no difficulty kissing, and he knew that Paige felt the same way. Resting some of his weight on her and balancing the rest of it on his forearms, Walter caught both her lips between his, his tongue tracing them, pushing beyond when they parted. He felt Paige's hand in his hair and forgot why he'd ever worried about his curls.

One plus to their busy schedule over the past months were the muscles he used for this were in extremely good shape. Walter used this to his advantage, thrusting slightly more aggressively while keeping the same slow pace. Paige's lips broke from his and she moaned when he pushed all the way in. Walter groaned almost simultaneously. Everything was enhanced for him when she made sounds like that. He swore she could probably get him over the edge with those sounds alone.

"Oh God," Paige breathed, her chest pushing off the mattress. She hooked her legs around him, and Walter felt her hot breath in his ear as he moved his lips to her neck. She tightened her fingers in his hair. "Oh God, that feels good."

Walter closed his eyes, his hips moving slightly faster. "Yes," he managed, hoping she'd know he was agreeing with her. "God, yes."

"Faster," Paige breathed, rocking her hips harder underneath him. She was close again, and Walter smiled to himself as he kissed her neck again before arcing his back and moving his lips to one of her breasts, the one he had neglected earlier. Paige whimpered again, writhing under him, and then he felt her, pulsing, contracting around him, and he slid a hand down to grip the back of her thigh, groaning with each thrust as he neared his own release. The sounds Paige was making told him that the increased sensation was either drawing out her orgasm or bringing upon another one, and in case it was the latter, Walter grunted, trying to hold back just a little bit longer. "Oh God…"

Paige made another whimpering sound, then gave a loud moan, one that made Walter glad that Ralph was at a friend's house. His eyes were rolling back in his head and he knew he couldn't last any longer. He opened his mouth, wanting to tell Paige, but then he felt her shaking around him again and what came from between his lips was not an intelligible sound. His hips stilled against her, then moved once, twice more, then were still again. Paige wrapped both her arms around him, both of them gasping. He could barely think straight, but he knew he wanted to stay just like this, and he also knew that he couldn't. Rolling off of her, He removed the condom and dropped it in the wastebasket. Then he rolled back on his side, still panting hard.

Paige rolled to face him, her face flushed, sweat visible on her brow. She grinned at him, the expression on her face radiating contentment. Walter reached over, pushing some damp hair from her cheek. "Oh, my love."

She put her hand over his as it rested on the side of her face. "We messed up."

Walter knew she was referring to their decision to refrain from this for a couple of weeks at least. He smiled. "Oops."

She giggled. "Have I said that I love you too many times tonight?"

He scooted closer, and she did too. They shared a pillow, almost nose to nose. "I never tire of hearing it."

"Good," she said, bumping her nose against his. "Because I won't ever get tired of saying it."

"You're sappy tonight," he commented.

"Like I'm the only one," she countered.

He grinned. "Fair enough."

She snuggled close. Walter curled his arms around her. A lot of the time it was too hot and uncomfortable to sleep all wrapped up together. But tonight, that was exactly what he wanted.