Disclaimer; I do not own Power Rangers Jungle Fury. I am not making any profit writing this.

A/N: This takes place after Green-Eyed Monster (Chapter 10). This is not based on any episode because let's face it, Can't Win Them All didn't give me much to work with.

The Tiger and the Cheetah

Patience

(Casey's POV)

I was in the parking lot at Jungle Karma Pizza waiting for Lacey to show up. I glanced at my watch and saw that she was already running five minutes late. I hope I'm not going to get stood up.

Then, I saw a black stretch limo pull into the parking lot and park right in front of me. The driver got out and opened one of the passenger doors. Out stepped Lacey in a sleeveless, sequined, yellow dress with matching high heels. What is it with Lacey and the color yellow? I know someone else who also likes to wear yellow a lot. No, Casey! Don't go there! Snap out of it! You're going out with Lacey not Lily!

"Ugh. You're seriously not wearing that on our date, are you?" Lacey asked.

I looked down at my red hooded sweatshirt, baggy blue jeans, and white sneakers with red stripes.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing? We're just going to a baseball game," I replied.

"A baseball game? You're joking, right?"

"I thought that was the plan." What's wrong with baseball?

"Fortunately, I already made dinner reservations for two at a restaurant downtown. You don't happen to have a tux, do you?" she asked.

Right, because having a tuxedo was vital to our training at the Pai Zhuq academy. "Not a one," I answered.

"Well, I guess we'll have to stop at the Ocean Bluff Mall and get you one then. We should also do something about your hair."

Okay, so maybe my hair wasn't styled or anything, but I just got off work, and barely had time to throw on some clothes before I came out here to wait for my date to arrive. It's not my fault I have to wear a baseball cap at work!

So, we got inside the limo. It was the first time I had ever ridden in a limo before, but for some reason, I just couldn't get excited about it.

"No offense, but if you're this rich, then why do you come to a place like Jungle Karma Pizza?" I asked.

"It's a good thing I did, because otherwise I would never have met you," she replied.

She placed her hand on my thigh, and I scooted away from her. The rest of the ride was spent in uncomfortable silence. Well, that wasn't what was making me uncomfortable. I felt her staring at me the whole time. Every time I would glance over at her, she wouldn't even bother looking away. It's like she wanted me to know that she was staring at me. It was giving me the creeps.

We pulled into the parking lot of the Ocean Bluff Mall. I didn't even wait for the driver to open the door for me to get out.

"Wow! Someone's excited to get a tux," Lacey remarked.

Yeah, that's what it is.

Much to my dismay, she was following me. Not only that, but she was doing a decent job of keeping up with me despite her wearing high heels.

I went into the nearest men's formal wear store that I could find. I didn't care what I wore just as long as I could get into the dressing room to try it on and get away from Lacey. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her going through the tuxedos on the rack as well.

"Thanks, but I'm a big boy. I can pick out my own clothes," I stated.

"Yeah, but you're a guy and I'm a girl. I know what would actually look good on you," she responded.

I snatched the first tuxedo jacket, tuxedo shirt, dress slacks, necktie, and pair of dress shoes I could find and all but ran into the dressing room. Even though it was a men's dressing room, I half expected Lacey to follow me in just so she could watch me change.

PRJF-PRJF-PRJF

We were now seated at our table in the restaurant. I opened up the menu, and as soon as I saw the prices, my eyes just about fell out of their sockets.

"You do realize that I only get paid minimum wage at Jungle Karma Pizza, right?" I inquired putting the menu down.

"Well, I hope you don't expect me to pay for it. I didn't bring a purse with me, much less a credit card," she answered.

Great! Between having to buy a new tux, and paying for dinner, there goes my last paycheck!

"You know red looks good on you," Lacey said referring to the red necktie I was wearing.

"Are you ready to order?" a waiter asked.

"Nope. Still deciding," I said opening the menu up and burying my face in it.

PRJF-PRJF-PRJF

We were standing just outside the front door to her house. House is an understatement. Lacey lived in a mansion.

"Tonight was fun. I had a great time," she remarked.

I'm glad someone did.

She leaned in for I assume a goodnight kiss, but I looked away.

"It's getting late, and so I should go," I said.

"It's only 8 o'clock," Lacey stated.

Not in Florida, it isn't.

"We should do this again sometime," she called out to me as I headed back to the limo.

PRJF-PRJF-PRJF

As soon as I got back to the loft, I flopped down on a beanbag chair. What a night! How I had the patience to make it through the whole date without throwing in the towel is beyond me.

(Lily's POV)

I heard someone enter the loft. I went to see who it was, and saw Casey sprawled out on a beanbag chair. Theo and I knew he had a date with Lacey tonight.

"You look terrible," I remarked. Actually, that's not true. With his hair slicked back, the black tuxedo with a red necktie, he does look rather handsome.

"Gee, thanks," Casey replied.

"How did your date go?" I asked though based on how exhausted he looked, I had a feeling I already knew the answer.

"You were right; Lacey's not the right girl for me. Needless to say, there isn't going to be a second date," Casey answered.

I knew I shouldn't have been, but I was so happy to hear him say that.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Ha! You all thought I was moving today, didn't you? Well, change of plans. I'm moving tomorrow now. There was a problem with the moving truck. Anyways, yeah so I overshot the 500 word mark again. Like last time though, I didn't want to split it into two chapters. You weren't really thinking Casey and Lacey would work, were you? I had a hard time writing this chapter, but I hope you liked it anyways. Feel free to leave me a review and tell me what you think. No flames please. Thanks to everyone who's supported me along the way! You guys (and girls) are awesome!