It's been a while, and I apologize. Anyway, I'd like to advertise a story called Emotionally Compromised by MornMeril, its so well written and has such an amazing pull. Go check it out and let MornMeril know that I sent you! So I hope you enjoy this chapter and soon things will start moving forward next chapter!

Chapter thirteen: Dinner Rush…

Cassia tossed the clothes from her wardrobe out behind her in a frenzy. In less than ten minutes, she had to get dressed, look like a bombshell and 'wow' her … partner. In the back corner of her closet, she spied several dresses. All though it occurred to her that having such pretty gowns was a strange thing to have on a military vessel, she didn't let her thoughts ruin her good fortune. With fast hands, she grabbed the three coat hangers and gently laid the dresses on the bed and stood back.

Two floor length dresses were placed next to a knee length one. All three were casually elegant, one of the floor length gowns was purple and patterned and the other a fading dying from black through blue to white. Immediately she discarded them. They were too casual, more fitted to wear at a family barbeque. However, the white knee length one drew her like a moth to the flame. Like the old Marilyn Monroe pictures from Earth of Old, the gown was pleated, tight in the bodice and flowed from the waist line down to the knee. Long slender piano fingers touched the smooth silk of the gown as she was swept up in another memory.

"Where are we going Leonard?" Cassia giggled as her friend dragged her down to the beach. "And where is Jim?" The older man slowed his pace for a moment before turning back and smiling.

"Jim had to call off, something about a study group." Cassia laughed and rolled her eyes. They both knew what their friend meant when he said he had a study group. Leonard tugged at her hand again and they continued forward. She couldn't understand his impatience or his anxiety. Her eyes raked down his form, glad that she was not overdressed in her pleated gown. He wore his good pale blue jeans, the cuff folded up at the ankle, his bare feet kicking up white sand as he continued to walk. The white button down shirt she favored covered his well built torso teasingly with only the two middle buttons done up. Swallowing thickly, Cassia had to admit the all over effect was devastatingly handsome.

Distracted by her study, Cassia walked straight into his back, not realizing that he stopped. Blushing, she ducked her head, avoiding his amused glare. "Sorry, Leo," she said quietly before her attention was captured by the scene laid out before her.

A picnic blanket was spread out in the sand, plates, wine glasses and a basket weighed it down against the light sea breeze. Tikki torches and a heater lit up the area and all Cassia could do is stare, gob smacked. Her bare feet moved towards it on their own accord. "Leo, what is this?" she whispered as soon as she felt his body heat at her back.

"Surprise, Cas," he murmured, his large hands coming to rest on her shoulders.

Abruptly she shook the memory away with a smile. She just remembered her first date with Leonard. With a happy hum, Cassia shucked off the hospital scrubs. Going over to her underwear draw, she pulled out some lacy panties and matching bra. Changing into the fresh underwear and dress, she walked over to the mirror, trying to think of a way to put up her hair, before deciding to go nostalgic.

Just like her first date, she brushed her hair until it hung down her back in a waterfall of waves. For her makeup, she decided to keep it clean and natural with a small amount of eyeliner and lip gloss. A sharp pain zapped through her temple. Letting out a cry, her hand touched her temple, only a phantom of the pain left. Quizzical, Cassia shook her head and applied a tiny amount of color to her cheeks. Her watch beeped, signaling she had spent too much time already. Grabbing a pair of white heeled sandals, she rushed out the door.

**

Bones settled the white table cloth over the round table and settled a few candles at the center. He was nervous, excited and impatient. He was a fool, he knew that and knew it well, but this was his chance to prove to his beautiful Cas that he was sorry, he wanted to make amends and move on with their relationship. Jim was working on a diplomatic repercussion for what happened to her and left him to make sure that she recovered well and was happy.

Settling down the plates and cutlery, Bones walked over to the replicator and looked through the menu. Deciding to go the safe choice, a meal he knew Cassia would like, he chose a simple lamb dish with a spicy gravy and roast vegetable side. Placing the plates on the table, Bones walked over to the computer and put on a classical soundtrack and smoothed down his tight black shirt and dark blue jeans in a nervous action. Pulling out a bottle of wine that he filched from Scotty, he poured a healthy dose in the glasses and then started to pace, nervously waiting for his date.

The computer beeped, letting him know that there was a message. Sighing in impatience, he went over and turned it on, only to be greeted by Jim's serious expression.

"I'm not going to like what you're going to say, am I?" Bones said, sighing. "Listen, Jim, Cas is coming over for dinner."

The golden haired man smiled. "Really? That's great. Listen, I want to ask you something." Bones nodded carefully, not sure what to make of his friend's fidgeting. "Did you make a recording of your surgery with Cassia, I mean, every step of the way?"

"Of course I do, its Star Fleet regulation, why?"

"Nyota may have found us a way to get at those parasites," Jim announced in a rush. "If we can prove that the Anwamanë are torturing and killing their carriers, we may have a chance at getting justice." Bones sat there for a moment, his fingers rubbing his chin for a while.

"Do you think they'll accept additional evidence from a Vulcan mind meld? I mean, its 'known' that the pointy eared hobgoblins don't lie, even though you and I know that's bullshit."

"Its worth a shot, I'll talk to Spock about it. Also, we're a day out from the Mercantile Central planet and they've accepted our request for a meeting and I need you to gather the files and send them over to me later." The bell charmed and Jim gave him a wolfish grin. "I'll let you have a great night with Cas and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Thanks Jim, I'm glad that you've given me permission to do whatever I want to Cas," Bones replied sarcastically. I'll get back to you in the morning with the video files."

"I appreciate it, Bones, I'm out." The screen turned black and Bones stood up. It was time for his date.