Thanks for the idea for this chapter movielover123456, enjoy. Sorry for the wait everyone, I got busy and writer's block too.

Chapter Twelve: Have Fun While You Can

"Come on, I promised Barney we'd go to Tools to celebrate with the guys."I told Lee as we'd continued to kiss each other again. "They can wait a bit longer."he whispered in my ear, I smiled as he helped me off the stool and pulled me along with him to the couch.

We kissed once more before I took charge of the situation, "Lee we have to go, I'm not breaking my promise."I said firmly and looking sternly at him. "Alright, though I have a question for you babe."he said, I nodded "Do you own any dresses?"he asked I looked at him shocked. 'What would I need a dress for?'I thought before replying, "A few, why?"

"I was thinking of taking you to a fancy restaurant for dinner, and maybe a little dancing."he told me, I moved away from him while my cheeks burned a bit. I can't dance to save my life and Lee wants to take me out dancing, this'll be amusing."Sounds like fun."I said, "Good,I'll pick you up at eight."he told me as we headed for the door.

At Tools the guys were talking and chilling when we walked in; Barney stood up. "You guys are late,so do we bring out the beer to celebrate?"he said we smiled and kissed in front of them all. "That answer your question?"asked Lee afterwards Barney smiled. "Congratulations guys."said Toll smiling.

Tool handed out the beers and the guys took turns congratulating us, I was happy and so was everyone else. "So when's the first big date?"asked Hale, "Tonight, why you want to join us?"replied Lee. Hale brought up his hands palms down and criss crossed them many times, "No way man."everyone laughed at this.

"Alright, since we're all here anyway I want to discuss our next mission."Barney annouced after we had quieted down. We all looked to him with our full attention, "Now I haven't excepted the mission yet; Lee, Mel and I are going to meet with the client tomorrow to see about the job. If we agree to it we'll be leaving at 0800 from the hanger. Questions?"he told us. "Why do I need to go with you and Lee to meet the client?"I asked, "Because our client requested you, they wouldn't tell me why."he answered, I nodded.

"Ok then, you and Lee have fun tonight while you 're meeting the client at 0700."he told us, "Got it, come on Mel we'd better go."said Lee standing up and offering me his hand. I took it and he helped me up, "Look at you Lee, you're a real gentleman now."Commented Gunnar, "Yeah, unlike the rest you."Lee remarked holding my hand. "Later guys."I told them. "Later."They said back and we walked out hand in hand.

Lee dropped me off at my place so I could get ready, and get some time to myself. I got some lunch while I checked over my e-mail on my laptop; it was mostly junk. But there was one from Paul, subject line; Long time no see. I opened it with burning curiosity.

Hey Melanie,

We miss you a lot, and we are tired of doing the same things all the time and all without you. Can you come visit us soon? I hope you can, let us know.

Paul and Kim

I was touched, and saddened; I did not know when I would be able to visit them. But I replied the best way I could.

Hey guys,

I miss you guys so much, and I would love to come visit you. Though with my missions with the team, I do not know when I will get the time. I will talk to Barney and see what I can do, after our next mission which we might leave for tomorrow.

Melanie

After I sent it out I powered down my computer and went upstairs to see which dress to wear, shoes, accessories, and what to do with my hair of course. I was caught between my light blue long dress with sequence at the top just below the spaghetti straps and my red silk dress also long with the straps tying behind the neck, it showed off my curves better than the other one did. So I went with it and a pair of white sandals with a slight heel and little clear gems on the straps that criss crossed over top of where my toes would be.

I went over to my dresser and opened my jewelry box looking for a necklace and earrings. I chose a silver necklace with three tear shaped red gems on it, with matching earrings. 'Lee did say it was a fancy place, hopefully I will fit in.' I thought. My hair long and honey colored I figured would look good if I put it in a ponytail, split it to two sides then put them back through the red hair elastic to fall over my back.

Having picked everything out and carefully arranged on the bed except my dress of course it hung in the closet, I relaxed in my chair to read. A little while later my phone rang, "Hello Lee" I said seeing it was him, "Hey Mel, there has been a change of plans." he said. I sat up straighter in the chair, 'Was our date being cancelled?' I thought as I waited for him to explain.

"Can you be ready for five? they had a lot of cancelations at the restaurant and asked if we would come earlier, I said we could. Is that alright?" he said.

I nearly dropped the phone, being surprised and cupped it in both hands. "Alright, I can do that. See you soon Lee, bye." I said seeing the clock it was four and I needed to shower and everything yet. "Great, see you later." he said and hung up, so did I.

I grabbed what I needed and jumped in the shower, enjoying the hot spray over my body but hurrying just the same. Soon I stood on the light blue fuzzy bath mat wrapped in a towel blow drying my hair just enough to get it mostly dry so I could work with it easily.

I slipped the dress on tying the straps in a bow at my neck, and smoothing out the dress with my hands. Next was the necklace and earrings, which I put on with ease and fixed my hair neatly as possible. I put on some make-up and a little lip stick before grabbing my shoes and hurrying downstairs bare foot.

In the entry way I placed them on the floor and put my foot inside the right one and using my finger hooked the strap around the back of my heel, same with the left one.

Before going to the closet and picked out a thin jacket for later when it might get chilly, and a small white purse for my wallet, extra make-up and my cell phone. As lights shined in the house meaning Lee was in the drive way, I draped my jacked over my arm and opened the door before he had a chance to knock.

His eyes widened and his mouth fell open, stunned by my looks, I smiled at him. He snapped out of it and said, "You look beautiful Melanie." "Thanks, you look great Lee." I told him. He was wearing black dress pants, jacket and shoes with a white dress shirt and a black tie as well. I liked Lee this way, he looked handsome.

He offered me his hand, "Shall we?" he asked, I nodded taking his hand. We walked to the car after I locked up, he opened my door for me and gave me a hand up before closing the door. Walking around the hood of the car and getting in on his side, giving me a smile before putting the car in drive and heading down the road. "Where are we going?" I asked, "It is a surprise." he replied brushing off the question. "Come on not even a ball park location?" I coaxed looking for more information. "No, you will see when we get there alright?" he told me. "Fine." I said and relaxed some watching everything pass by outside the window for a while before realizing we were heading downtown.

Cars, people and shops as well as restaurants lined the street we were on, though Lee did not slow down so we were not near our location, I sighed feeling hungry. "How much farther?" I asked, "Not much farther Mel, have some patience will you." he told me, I relented on the questions but I thought, 'Next time I am planning our date.' I waited and a little while later we pulled into the parking lot of The Palace Restaurant.

I was speechless, the outside was beautiful. The letters of The Palace Restaurant were gold with a red diamond behind it making the letters stand out. The double door entrance was stunning the doors had a white frame with glass centers that had castles edged into them with big gold handles. As well as a gold column on either side of the doors, Lee looked at me and grinned widely, "Surprise." he told me.

He helped me out of the car and we headed inside; a red carpet lead us to the dining room where a women dressed in a gold colored dress greeted us. "Hello, welcome to The Palace Restaurant. Do you have reservations?" "Yes, we do party of two under Lee."Lee answered pleasantly, she looked down at the list. "Yes, right this way please." she said leading us to a round table closest to the dance floor, which housed a stage on the opposite side of it with the band playing soft background music.

We sat down; "Your waiter will be right with you." she told us and hurried away. Lee glanced around, while I took in the table. Like everything else it was pretty; a white table cloth covered the table with a red one over top diamond shaped of course. Wine glasses stood in front of the center piece; a clear vase star shaped filled with red roses.

"This place is beautiful Lee, thank you for bringing me here." I said smiling at him. He smiled right back, "You're welcome, I figure it is our first date might as well go all out, right." he told me, I nodded as our waiter appeared. "Hi, can I start you off with some drinks?" He asked, "Yes, a bottle of your best white wine." Lee said ordering for both of us.

"Excellent choice sir, I will be right back." he told us, "Do you plan on driving us home? I asked surprised he ordered a whole bottle of wine. "Of course, but I still want to have a good time." he replied, I nodded in agreement. "You looking forward to dancing later?" he asked. I shrugged, I know I looked like the bell of the ball but I was hopeless on the dance floor. "Sure, I mean it is only dancing right." I said nervously not being able to keep the nervousness out of my voice.

"Have you danced before?" he asked seriously. "No." I mumbled in response feeling embarrassed. He chuckled, unable to help himself I guess, I glared at him. This was not funny, and not going the way I thought the date would go. "Sorry, it is just the fact that you are a lady of many talents and you cannot dance." he said, I did not respond and picked up a menu.

They had many things to choose from, and they were on the pricey side. Our waiter returned then with the wine and poured us each a glass, before asking. "Are you ready to order?" "Yes I will have the steak with mashed potatoes please." said Lee. "Good choice sir and for you?" he asked me. I looked up from the menu to see a familiar face, "Jack?" I asked.

"Yes it is me, and you are Melanie right?" he responded. "Yes, what do you recommend Jack?" I said. Lee glared at me, obviously unhappy about this. "I would recommend the chicken with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables." he told me.I nodded, and he headed off for the kitchen a smile on his face.

"How do you know this guy Jack?" asked Lee within minutes of Jack leaving us. "Old childhood friend, it is nothing to worry about Lee." I told him, he visibly relaxed and changed the subject. "You look good with your hair like that."

he said. "Thanks, you clean up good too." I smiled and looked over to the band, and back to me, I shook my head.

Before Lee could move they went off stage for a break I guess, I grinned. "You will have to dance at some point Mel,"

he told me. "Yeah, but I would rather it be later." I said. He shook his head and we sipped our wine before Jack returned with our meals. "Enjoy your meal." he told nodded and he left to serve other customers.

We ate in silence for a while enjoying our food, "What was your life like as a kid?"Lee asked,'No doubt he's wondering how I met Jack.'I thought chewing on some chicken. "Same as anyone else I think,going to school, spending time with friends, and my parents of course. With my dad being busy in the military I didn't see him much."I told him, he nodded sipping his wine. "Sounds about average, how does Jack fit in?"he said. I sighed, he just doesn't give up and explained, "Some kids used to bully me because I was a soldier's daughter and I didn't know how to fight. Jack got them to stop picking on me, and actually saved me from a fight in high school."

"Is that right?" he asked, I nodded as Jack came over to us; "She's telling you the truth, I never forget that day." he said. "Can I get you anything else?" he asked after remembering he still had to work I guessed.

"We're good for now, thanks Jack." responded Lee. We finished eating, "Melanie may I have this dance?" he asked, I shook my head, "My food needs some time to settle."I told him. "Fair enough, any ideas as to who our client might be tomorrow?"he said. "No, not the slightest idea. I know a lot of people."I replied. I pushed back my chair and headed off in search of the bathroom, it was stylish just like the rest of the place. I returned as the singer of the band stepped up to the mic, "Hello, I've been given a special request for the lady in the red dress, enjoy."he said everyone stared at me as I stood there frozen.

Lee took me by the hand and lead me to the dance floor, slipping an arm around my waist and leaning in close; "Don't want to disapoint them." he whispered taking up my right hand and putting my left hand on his shoulder. I looked to his face feeling lost and extremely nervous; I hated being the center of attention.

He gave a sharp nod and the music started to play, he lead and I followed as best I could; luckily I didn't step on his foot. As we whirled around the floor, I relaxed some and realized the song was my mother's song sweet love.

Soon the song ended and everyone clapped as we sat down. Jack came over grinning, "Nice show, good dancing Mel."he said and I knew he was the one to request the song. "Thanks Jack, how about some new york style cheesecake for dessert?"I said.

"Of course coming right up." he said still smiling, "See dancing isn't that hard."Lee commented, "Yeah, I guess it isn't as hard as I thought."I said with a little laugh. He smiled, "Maybe next time we could tango."he joked winking at me, I laughed. I poured myself some more wine having emptied my glass earlier and drank some; not wanting to think about my mother.

"That was a pretty song they played for us, do you know what it was called?"Lee spoke up a few minutes later, "Yes, it's called 'Sweet Love.'"I told him drinking more wine and willing myself to concentrate on Lee. He nodded, but looked puzzled probably because of my drinking. Jack reappeared with the cheesecake placing it on the table, and walking off again to bring some to another table. I took the first bite; it was smooth and creamy in my mouth with sweet strawberries mixed in the middle of the cheese flavour. "Yum, this is great!"I exclaimed, taking more as Lee took some for himself.

"That was amazing."he said as we placed our forks on the empty plate.

"I know, feels good after dancing."I told him and sipped more wine. "Are you alright Melanie?"he asked concern in his face, "Sure, how about another dance?"I said feeling better about dancing but also looking for something physically to do. He nodded taking my hand and leading me out onto the floor for a second time, at least I wasn't in shock this time.

As the band started up with another song,'Forever and Always.'and we circled around the dance floor. Near the middle of the song I was tearing up, I blinked them away as quickly as I could but Lee noticed. He took me back to our table, he handed me a napkin; I wiped my eyes and placed it on the table.

Jack appeared beside me, "Everything alright here?" he asked. "Yes, can you get us the bill please?"Lee said sitting in front of me with my hands in his. I sat there wanting to explain to Lee, but being upset and not wanting to go back to certain memories about my mother held me back.

Lee paid Jack with cash and a big tip before leading me away leaving him stunned. Lee draped my jacket over my shoulders outside and helped me into the car, I had calmed down by then but heading home seemed like the best idea.

Actually we went to Lee's house instead and he carried me inside despite me telling him that I could set me down in the arm and removed my shoes as well as my jacket, before bringing me upstairs to his room and placing me on the bed. He moved around the room opening and closing drawers, I looked around seeing posters of motorcycles but if somebody asked me the color and make, I wouldn't have been able to tell them.

"Here,"he said handing me a stack of clothes, "You can change in the bathroom, just there."he pointed. I took them and went in the bathroom changing quickly, and hung my dress on the back of the bathroom door. I came back to find Lee changed into black shorts and a white t-shirt, while I was dressed in blue plaid pjs and a grey t-shirt.

I put my jewelry on the side table with my cell, the alarm set for six in the morning though I figured I'd wake before then. Lee pulled back the blankets and climbed in, "Come here."he said patting the space meant for me. I flicked off the lights by the door and made my way back to the bed by the moonlight shining through the window.

Lee pulled me against his chest once I was in bed, and held me there comforting me in his own way.

After a while he spoke, "I'm not sure what happened tonight Melanie, but we'll talk about it once we get a chance. In the mean time get some rest for tomorrow and know that I'm always here for you if you need anything."and kissed my cheek lightly. "Thanks Lee, I'm sorry I ruined our first big date." I said as an apology.

"You didn't ruin anything Mel, I had a great time. I know you did too, so don't go thinking you had a lousy night, alright?"he told me. "Alright, truthfully it's the most fun I've had in a long time."I said with a smile and removed the elastic from my hair puting it on the side table with everything else; before turning over and kissing him. I broke off first blushing a little, "Goodnight Lee."I said snuggling down under the covers feeling exhausted, "Goodnight Melanie, sweet dreams."he said softly and soon after I was sound asleep.

This chapter is longer than intended but hopefully this will make it up to you guys for me not updating for so long. Read and Review please.