A/N: Well, please excuse the fluff. :) I couldn't help it! Sorry for the shorter chapter today, I want the time line to start moving a bit quicker, but I still wanted to include their date. Enjoy!

Word Count: 3,062

Chapter 10: Romantic Comedy

When the couple reached the diner, Neil opened the door allowing Rio to enter first. "Thank you, kind gentleman."

Neil rolled his eyes, but played along. "You're welcome, m'lady."

Rio crinkled her nose. "On second thought, let's not use those terms. They're too stuffy!"

"Haha, okay Rio. Whatever you want."

Once they were seated, Felicity came by immediately to take their drink order. "What can I get the happy couple started with?"

Rio blushed and looked down at her menu. She mumbled, "I'll take a shirley temple."

Neil smirked at her reaction and looked up at Felicity. "I'll just have an iced tea, no sugar please."

Felicity grinned down at the two and wrote down their orders. "Coming right up!"

Once she left, Neil turned his attention to an embarrassed Rio. "Not used to being called a couple yet?"

She looked up from the table and gave him a shy smile. "No, not really. It'll happen with time though."

"You're adorable with your cheeks so pink." He loved teasing her and making her face even more red.

"Oh no…please don't start that already. I'm terrible with compliments, they just make me flustered." She nervously twisted a few strands of hair around her fingers.

"Well you'll get used to it in time, because I can't possibly stop complimenting you."

She threw a hand over her face in an attempt to hide. "Ugh, I'm not good at this dating thing anymore. I don't even know what to do about this situation!" She lowered her hand and placed it on the table. "Sorry you have to put up with this, I just don't know how to act anymore."

He reached across the table and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry about it, just act like you always do. You've already impressed me, you don't need to do anything different."

Rio seemed pleased with the comment and squeezed his hand back. "Thank you, Neil. That's very sweet of you to say."

Neil looked around the restaurant before putting a finger up to his lips to say, "Shhh! Don't tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold."

"Right, that rocker image needs to stay intact." She rolled her eyes and smiled at the man. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me!"

Just then Felicity returned with their drinks and set them on the table. "Do you guys know what you'd like to eat?"

Rio looked at Neil and shrugged. Neil asked, "Can we just have your special tonight?"

Felicity smiled and replied, "Of course," and left the two alone once again.

"Neil, what is the special exactly?"

"Good question, I guess we'll find out!"

She became worried with his answer; she wasn't very good at being spontaneous with her meals. "Well, hopefully it's something we both like."

"I'm sure it will be!"

The two chatted amiably until Felicity returned with their orders. Rio's lips turned up in distaste at the seafood dish that was set in front of Neil. She was about to complain until a plate of curry rice was set in front of her.

She looked up at Felicity who winked and said, "I know you detest fish, so I told Clem to make you something else." She folded her hands together and beamed at the couple. "Let me know if you two need anything else!"

After Felicity left Neil raised and eyebrow at Rio. "So you don't like fish huh?"

She stuck her tongue out and shook her head furiously. "I hate it more than any other food! It's just so…fishy tasting!"

"You don't say Rio, I thought fish tasted like beef."

She puffed her cheeks out in annoyance and crossed her arms. "I don't appreciate your tone, mister. Sarcasm is my job!" She broke into a smile and picked up her fork, "But I can't stay mad at you for long!"

Rio started to eat her meal but noticed Neil still watching her. She looked at him questioningly, but he just shook his head and began to eat. After the two finished Neil asked, "What would you like for dessert?"

Felicity came from behind him and beat Rio to it. "A slice of chocolate cake with a scoop of chocolate-chocolate chip ice-cream instead of vanilla, because vanilla is apparently a boring flavor."

"Well then, can we get that please?"

"Sure!" Felicity skipped away to deliver their order to Clem.

Rio smirked at the blonde in front of her. "What? No dessert for you?"

Neil laughed inwardly at how well Rio set herself up for being teased. "Why would I need dessert when I have the sweetest thing in front of me?" He winked, causing her to blush furiously and look down at the table.

She fidgeted and put her hands on either side of her face to calm down. "I really need to watch what I say around you, don't I?"

Neil just smirked in return; he thoroughly enjoyed watching the beautiful girl squirm. He really liked this new, shy side of Rio, which surprised him. He had always known the spunky farmer to be loud and say whatever was on her mind; it was interesting to see her act so timid around him now.

Rio looked at Neil seriously and wondered aloud, "Neil? Can I ask you something?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

"Have you ever dated before? I mean, you don't need to tell me every detail obviously, but I'm curious."

Neil looked thoughtful for a moment. "No, not at all. I never saw the point before."

"But, I assume women come on to you all the time, you're so attractive!" She blushed at her words and became flustered. "What I mean to say is, I'm sure you've had women approach you before…did you really just not see the point of dating?"

"More like I just thought they were trying too hard. It never seemed like they were genuinely interested in me, they seemed more interested in dating for the sake of it. I wasn't really interested in a frivolous relationship, so I always declined."

She fished a cherry out of her drink and popped it in her mouth. After swallowing it she smiled and said, "I always wondered why you never mentioned any past relationships, I guess I know why now!"

Felicity returned to their table at that moment with Rio's dessert and placed it in front of her. She placed down the bill and gave the couple one final smile, "Thanks for coming in tonight! I hope you two enjoyed your meal!" Before walking away she whispered to Rio, "You better come see me tomorrow with details!"

Rio smiled her thanks at Felicity then took a bite of her chocolate cake. Her eyes closed as she savored the taste, she really didn't know how Clem could make something so delicious. "Mmm, so good! You do not know what you're missing Neil!"

He shook his head at her and crossed his arms. "I know exactly what I'm missing, and I don't mind at all!"

"Suit yourself! That just means more chocolately goodness for me!"

After Rio finished her dessert, Neil pulled out his wallet to pay for the meal. As he was placing some bills on the table Rio placed her hand upon his own. "Neil, I'll cover myself, I don't want you to spend so much on me."

He rolled his eyes and continued placing money on the table. "Rio, I've been waiting all season for this. The least I could do is pay for you, and in my opinion the man should always pay for the first date."

Rio huffed and frowned at the man. "That's so old fashioned! I think a lady is perfectly capable of paying for herself!"

Neil smiled at her, continually amused by her stubborn independence. "I know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself Ri, but I would be honored if you'd let me treat you this one time."

She softened at his request and returned his smile. "Okay…but just this one time! I'm not going to let you spoil me too much, I don't want to become a brat!"

"Rio, I don't think it's possible for you to be a brat, you're far too nice! And even when you think you're being sassy, it's nothing compared to Allen or Tina."

"You haven't seen me on my bad days."

"I look forward to those too, because nothing could make me feel any differently about you."

She felt her face heat up at the statement and struggled to maintain eye contact with the man. She had missed being treated so preciously; it was a feeling unlike any other. She didn't know that Neil possessed the tenderness that he showed her tonight, but she definitely wasn't complaining.

The two exited the restaurant hand in hand, enjoying the comfortable silence between them. Rio rested her head on his shoulder and sighed happily. When they approached Rio's door a frown overcame her face as she realized the date was over. Neil caught on quickly and asked, "What's wrong, Ri? Did you not have a good time?"

She turned to face him as they reached her door and smiled. "No, no…nothing like that. I had a wonderful time! It's just, I don't want it to end." She looked down at her feet in embarrassment at the confession.

"It doesn't have to end if you don't want it to. I definitely wouldn't mind spending more time with you."

Rio beamed at him and asked, "Are you sure? Like really, really sure?!"

Neil pulled her into a hug and laughed. "Of course! How could I not want to spend more time with my lovely girlfriend?"

She giggled and pulled him inside. "Then let's hang out some more! Would you like to do anything in particular?"

Neil thought for a moment when an idea came to him. "How about a movie? Then we can see how it goes after that."

She grinned and nodded. "Sounds perfect! My movie collection is over there," she pointed to a drawer near the television, "so pick out whatever you'd like! I'm going to change out of this fancy outfit really quick!"

Neil laughed to himself at her eagerness and began to look through the selection of movies. He decided on a romantic comedy, since it was a genre most people enjoyed. He popped the disc into the DVD player and waited on the couch for Rio's return.

She emerged shortly afterwards and plopped down on the sofa next to Neil. "So what did you choose?" He showed her the cover and she smiled her approval. "Good choice! Do you want any snacks or anything?!"

He grinned and grabbed her hand before she could get up. "You're really excited about this aren't you?" Her smile faltered for a second, confused about the meaning of the comment. "It's not a bad thing, I think it's cute. I'm excited too, I just don't show it in the same way."

She nodded in understanding. "How do you show excitement?"

He shrugged. "I act relaxed and calm. It's kind of weird, but that's how I've always been."

"You're a weirdo! In a good way." She hurried to the kitchen and grabbed a bag of chocolates for herself, and some popcorn for Neil. After she rejoined him, Neil played the movie and dug into the popcorn.

After the snacks were devoured, Neil noticed Rio inching closer and closer to where he sat on the couch. When he looked over, she met his gaze and then turned away blushing. He smiled at her nervousness and scooted closer to her and put an arm around her shoulder. She turned red and snuggled into his chest, giggling shyly.

They stayed that way through the entire film, only ever moving when Rio covered her eyes during the kissing scenes. As the credits rolled Neil moved away from her to stretch his arms. "So what did you think?"

Rio leaned back, resting her head on the arm of the sofa. "I thought it was pretty funny. I don't understand why directors feel the need to include so many steamy scenes though." She crinkled her nose, "Watching them isn't nearly as satisfying as reading them."

"Wait, you read stuff like that?"

Rio's face turned scarlet, realizing what she had just admitted. "M-maybe…but nothing too bad!"

Neil took this as another opportunity to tease his adorable girlfriend. "Oh, nothing too bad? Then you won't mind if I take a look through your book collection?" He got up and made his way over to the bookcase next to the door.

Rio ran after him and tugged on his sleeve. "Nooooo!" He turned around and she noticed his amused expression. "I-It's just that those books probably aren't your type, I wouldn't want to bore you." She looked him in the eyes, hoping her embarrassed expression wouldn't give her away.

He could tell she was tense, and decided to leave it alone for now. "You're probably right, besides, reading about romance is boring in my opinion."

She looked up and took the chance to change the topic. "Yeah? What could be better than reading it though?"

He took her hand in his and ran his other one along side her face. He planted a kiss on her cheek and whispered, "Acting it out." He pulled away and moved to the kitchen leaving Rio stunned and flustered.

Neil rummaged through the fridge, trying to find a snack for the two to share. After settling on some fruit, he turned around to find Rio still frozen in place. He placed the food on the kitchen table and whistled to get her attention.

Rio turned around and joined Neil at the table, her face still flushed. She mumbled, "I think you've been watching too many romance movies."

He scoffed. "I think you're mistaking me for Rod. I'd never watch that crap on my own!"

"Then what was that back there? That was like something out of the movie we just watched!" She popped some of the berries into her mouth and let out a frustrated sigh. "You can't just do that to me, you'll give me a heart attack!"

Neil smirked at her and grabbed some berries for himself. "Now you know how I felt that one day at my stand!"

"What are you talking about?"

"The day you paraded around town with a cape! You came by to visit Rod and me, then you kissed me and ran away!"

She thought for a moment then started to giggle. "Oh yeah! I really need to do that again sometime. Not kiss you and run, but wear a cape." She smiled across the table, "I'm actually impressed that you remember that day and even sought out revenge."

He rolled his eyes, of course she is. "Well, I learned from the best after all. You are the prankster of Echo Village."

"You're damn right I am!" She lifted her chin up proudly and stared off into the distance.

"…such a weirdo."

"Huh? I was too caught up in my awesomeness that I missed what you were saying."

Neil deadpanned and looked at her. "Point proven."

"Hey!" She reached across the table and ruffled his hair. "It's rude to not tell me what you said!"

He pushed her hand away and huffed. "Stop that! And no it isn't, you just can't stand not knowing!"

She grinned and shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not." She stretched and yawned, suddenly realizing how tired she was.

Neil noticed and smiled knowingly. "Bed time for the farmer?"

"Unfortunately. I guess the excitement of the day really sapped my energy!"

Neil stood from his chair and walked over to wear Rio was sitting. He planted a kiss on the top of her head and asked, "Will you walk me to the door?"

"Of course! What kind of girlfriend would I be otherwise?"

"Still a perfect one."

Her cheeks turned pink as she silently walked Neil to the door. The two stepped outside and Rio shivered in the cold. Neil quickly took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She was about to protest when he held up his hand to silence her. " Keep it. Fall is right around the corner and I don't want you getting sick." He turned his face away to hide the blush rising on his cheeks and said, "Besides…I like when you wear it, it's cute."

She smiled at him, grateful for the warmth the jacket provided. "I can see why you like teasing me now, it really is adorable to see your significant other blush."

Neil coughed in surprise, not used to being on the other end of such teasing. "Well…yeah."

She kicked the ground and pulled the jacket tighter around her shoulders. "I guess this is where we say goodnight?"

"Yeah…" Neil ran one hand along her face and used the other to tilt her chin up towards him. He pulled her close and planted a chaste kiss on her lips. "Goodnight, Rio. I had a wonderful time!"

She smiled softly and pulled him into a hug. "I did too. I'll see you tomorrow?"

Neil laughed at the hopefulness in her voice and pulled away. "Of course, Ri. Sleep well, okay?"

"I will!"

After Neil walked off she made her way back inside and plopped down on the couch. She bit her lip and tried to control her racing heart after the kiss. She had kissed and even done more with Chase, but it had never overwhelmed her emotions like this. She snuggled into the jacket the same way she had done the previous night and fell asleep with a smile on her face.

Umbreonix: Haha, never! What kind of author would I be if I brought back the ex to tear them apart? ;)

xLadyxChaosx: I hope he punches him out too! ...if he comes back that is. ;)

JazzYz: Yes they are! Thank you for your review!

Halcyon Eve: I think so too, I hope the date was good!