Sorry to keep you guys waiting in between chapters. I'm doing the best I can to keep writing, checking, re-writing and updating as soon as I can. Guess I lead a busy life Thank you so much for your reviews! I hope you'll like this new update(s).

CHAPTER 11

The next couple of days Face did exactly as he was told and never once complained. He got his much needed rest, went to bed early and even took his medication without nagging about it. His friends were starting to get worried about him. They had talked to one another when Face had gone to bed and decided to confront him the very next morning.

"Okay, Face. You've been a model patient for the past few days, now spit it out. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Well, you ain't right either. You ain't complainin' no more. That's weird even for you."

"Why should I be complaining? I'm fine. I do what my doctor tells me to do and I follow your orders too, Colonel. So why are you guys complaining?"

"It's not something you usually do, kid. So out with it."

"Come on, Facey.

"Nothing's wrong. Really guys! You've got to believe me. I'm fine. Or at least I'm feeling much better. Honest. Okay?"

But nobody seemed to believe him.

"Okay, I'll admit. I want to impress Zowie and get her to go out with me. This is the only way she agreed to go on a date with me and I don't want to ruin my chances with her."

"I knew something was up."

"I'm glad we've got that out in the open. I hate to pretend like this. I'm so bored right now. I want to get out of this couch and out of bed so bad."

"Now that's more like you, kid. We understand that you don't like this, but you have to for your own good. Just a couple more days. Your appointment is scheduled at the end of this week."

Face was really happy by the time it was Friday. He was allowed to finally get up and he also needed to go see Zowie at the hospital. He could hardly wait to get her to go out with him. Hannibal would drive him to the hospital as he still needed to take it easy. The team had breakfast together as usual and Face had gone up to the bathroom to get ready for the day. It seemed to take him hours.

"Face, I'm waiting. You have an appointment at 11. Remember? We need to get going to get you there on time. You've been in the damn shower for nearly 45 minutes and it's not as if you've been crawling through the jungle. You're getting a check-up at the hospital for heaven's sake."

Face emerged from the bathroom 10 minutes later dressed in a nice pair of sand colored trousers, a checked shirt in matching colors and a knitted vest. He had also grabbed his matching leather jacket to top it all off.

"How do I look?" He smiled knowing fully well how good he looked.

"Like you jumped straight off the catwalk, kid."

"It ain't no date, sucker."

"Not yet, but I'm hoping to get one out of it."

"Yes anda you hope your friend Armani willa give you a handa at that," Murdock said in a fake Italian accent.

"It does help to look one's best."

"Face, she is your doctor. She is more concerned about your health. Let's just hope you impress her with that too. Now, let's going or we'll never make it in time."

Hannibal drove Face's 'vette to the hospital. The closer they got to the hospital, the more nervous Face got. He was fidgeting with his knitted vest. They got out of the car at the parking lot and made their way over to Zowie's office for the appointment. Hannibal noticed that his Lieutenant was still nervous. They walked past some female patients, visitors and nurses and Face still made heads turn, but he didn't pay any attention to them. He was even acting rather shy which was so unlike him.

"We're nearly there, kid. How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay, I guess. I still get tired easily."

"Well, you did come a long way. Relax, kid. You did what you had to do and besides she already likes you. You will get that date one way or another."

When they arrived in the waiting room, Hannibal made Face take a seat and went over to the desk to register him. They had agreed that Hannibal would accompany him to the waiting room and wait for him there during his check-up.

"Templeton Peck?" A young nurse called his name.

Face didn't move.

"Yeah, right here," Hannibal said while grabbing a hold of Face's arm and pulling him up with him.

"Alright, Mr. Peck," she said smiling softly. "Follow me, please."

"Don't ya worry, son. I'll be right here waiting for you."

"Oh, are you nervous?" The nurse asked him.

"No. No, I'm not. Not at all. Off course not. Why should I be?"

His body language showed her just how nervous he truly was. Hannibal winked at the nurse and she had to do her best not to start laughing.

"It's alright," she said. "There's no need to be nervous really. Dr. Stockwell is a wonderful and sweet lady doctor. You'll do just fine."

She knocked on Zowie's office door and waited for her to answer the call. She opened the door and announced the patient.

"She's ready to see you now," the nurse explained.

Face nervously sighed and walked into Zowie's office.

"Oh hello, Mr. Peck," she said as she stood up and walked over to shake his hand. "Nice to see you again."

The nurse closed the door and left them alone. Blue eyes met blue eyes as they were standing right in front of one another.

"Hi, Temp. How are you feeling?"

"Uh … If you must know. I'm nervous."

"You? Nervous? Why?"

"I … I don't know. It never happened to me before. And I did what you told me to do. Honestly. I never once got out of bed or out of the couch. You can ask the Colonel or any of the guys. I also did rest a lot and I even took my medication."

"I believe you. Don't worry! I can see that you're doing a lot better already. But I do have to examine you to check on your progress."

He nodded his head.

"Let's have a look at your head first."

She gently ran her hand through his blond hair to reveal what was left of the scar. She let her finger linger over the scar and noticed that it was healing very nicely. The touch of her hand felt nice to Face.

"Now, let's have a look at your ribs and your abdominal wound," she said softly. "Can you uncover your upper body for me?"

Face swallowed nervously.

"By the way, I think you look great," she said mischievously. Did you dress up to impress me?"

"I … uh … I just always like to look my best."

"So I've noticed. I admire your taste in clothes. Armani sure looks hot on you."

She stood right in front of him now and she was studying him. Face was wondering what she was thinking.

"Need some help with that?"

Before he could even respond to her question, she pushed his leather jacket off of his shoulders.

They locked eyes again and moved closer towards one another until their lips met in a brief, hesitant first kiss. Face slid his arms around her slender waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her hands in his soft, blond hair. They smiled at one another and kissed once again.

"Did I impress you enough so you would go on a date with me, doctor?" He whispered in her ear.

"I'd love to go on a date with you, Temp."

He smiled and took both her hands in his. Again they locked eyes and he guided her hands to the buttons of his knitted vest.

"I guess I could use some help with this. My ribs still hurt when I get dressed or undressed for that matter."

Zowie smiled and he smiled right back at her.

"I'll be glad to give you a hand. You could still be sore for quite a while."

She unbuttoned his vest and his shirt and helped him remove both garments.

"Can you lie down on the table for me ?"

Face did as he was told with Zowie's help. She tried to be as professional as she could. She had to make sure he was healing properly. She checked the wound which was healing well and also checked his ribs. As they were still quite sore, she checked his ribs very carefully. Zowie helped him to sit back up and she also helped him to get dressed again. Face let her help him.

"So … What's the verdict, doc?"

"I'd say you've listened very well and did as you were told. Your injuries are all healing well."

"What do you say? Do I deserve a reward for that?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"This."

He pulled her in his strong arms and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck once again.

"I've been wanting to do that for a long time."

"Did you now?"

"Sure did. Now about that date."

"What about it?"

"Do you really want to go out with me."

"Yes, Temp. I absolutely want to go out with you. I kind of like you and I think you're cute."

"Cute?"

"Yes, cute. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No. No. Not at all! I have to admit I like you too and I think you're a very pretty doctor."

"Well, thanks. So where are you taking me and when?"

"That depends. Can I go home?"

"Off course you can. You should take it easy though. Your body hasn't healed completely yet."

"So I guess horse riding and rock climbing is out of the question, huh?"

"You're such a tease. Why don't we go out for dinner?"

Face swallowed. Was he ready to do that? Would he be able to handle being in a restaurant after getting shot? But he didn't want to disappoint Zowie either.

"Yeah, we might do that. I know this …"

"You know, I'd love to take you to my favorite Italian restaurant."

"Italian restaurant?"

"Yes. The food is just delicious and it's a small and cozy place. I just love dining there. They have lots of very nice meat and fish dishes and also serve a wide range of vegan dishes. I know you're into those."

"Sounds interesting. So when do you wanna go?"

"What about tomorrow evening?"

"Yeah, that sounds fine to me. Want me to …"

"No, I'll come and get you. You can take me for a drive in that nice sports car of yours when you're all better."

"Okay, it's a date then."

He pulled her towards him and kissed her once again before they had to say goodbye. He walked out of her office wearing a huge smile on his face.

"You're looking real happy, kid. I guess you've nailed that date."

"You bet I did."

Face was indeed very happy that she wanted to go out with him and seemed to be interested in him too. But he was freaking out about going out to dinner to an Italian restaurant. How was he going to pull this one off?