Sorry for the delay, sorry sorry ...

"Wow, when I heard your message saying that you would cook for tonight, I certainly didn't expect that." Lanie said when she came back home from the morgue.

"Well, I had time so I figured homemade pizza would be better than ordering in." Kate said, smiling from the kitchen. "We have three different toppings. Will that be enough?"

"Of course! Let me just go and take a shower and I'll be right with you." Lanie said, going to the bathroom.

When she got out changed from her work clothes, Kate had already put the pizza in the oven and she was placing drinks and snacks on the coffee table, a stack of DVDs ready by the TV.

"Wow, you're really into this friend-date aren't you?" Lanie laughed, sitting on the couch. "So, how was your day?"

"Well, I want to say interesting but I'm not really sure that's the right word." Kate said, sitting by her side. "But you'll be happy to know that Javier wants to go on a date with you."

"WHAT? WHAT DID HE SAY?" Lanie almost yelled, taking Kate by the shoulder and shaking her.

"Hey calm down." Kate laughed. "I just happened to mentioned that I had a date with you tonight and he asked me what he had to do to get one for himself. And then when I told my evening plans to my mom, she said that she thought that Javier was the one looking for a date with you. You should have seen his face when she said that!"

"Well, that's very interesting news." Lanie said, a huge smile on her face.

"I had the idea you might like the news." Kate said, a smile on her face. "You know, you should really go for it. I can totally picture the two of you together."

"Are you asking to play matchmaker?"

"Oh you won't need a matchmaker. One of you just needs to take the first step."

"Look at you all happy and giving love advice." Lanie teased.

"Shut up. I don't feel really happy right now. Rick said he would call me when he lands and it's been hours since I got his latest picture."

"Hey Kate, he's been gone for not even 12 hours. I hate to say that but you'll have to get used to it. He'll be gone for three weeks." Lanie said gently.

"I know. It's just … I've never felt something so strong before. Ever. And I was just getting used to it and now … he's gone." Kate said, trying not to let her tears fall.

"Hey, he's not gone. He's just … away for a while. To make you feel better, just think about when he gets back … and all the things you'll do to him."

"Ok, stop it before I go to the airport and take a plane for London." Kate said, bending in her seat to get to the DVDs. "What do you want to watch?"

"Is Mr Darcy going to be too much for you tonight?" Lanie asked.

"Mr Darcy can never be too much … for anyone." Kate answered, taking the Pride & Prejudice DVD to the TV.

Both girls were taken out of their admiration of Mr Darcy when Kate's phone rang.

"It's Rick! It's Rick!" she yelled, falling on the floor. She spilled her glass of wine and the bowl of chips on the floor.

"Where is my phone? Where is my phone?" Kate asked frantically, looking around her.

"Why don't you try your pocket?" Lanie asked, laughing hard.

"Hey!" she said, answering her phone, a little out of breath.

"Are you ok?" Rick asked.

"Yeah, I just … I couldn't find my phone and …"

"And she went crazy, spilled food and drink and fell on the floor" Lanie said loud enough for Rick to hear.

"Shut up and eat your pizza." Kate said, moving towards her bedroom to take the call. While Lanie was cleaning up Kate's mess, someone knocked at the door. Lanie answered the door to find a concern-looking Javier on the other side.

"Is everything ok in here?" he asked, trying to see inside the apartment.

"Yeah, why?"

"I was at home and I heard a really loud noise and some yelling."

"Well, the loud noise was Kate falling from the couch and the yelling was probably the both of us." Lanie explained.

"But what happened?" he asked, moving into the living room while Lanie closed the door.

"Oh, Rick called."

"That's all?"

"Well … yeah."Lanie said, confused. "What did you think it was?"

"I thought Sorenson was ..."

"Who's Sorenson?"

"Just a guy she works with. He's known for … harassing women in the work place. And he had quite an … encounter with Kate that he did not seem to like."

"Oh my God, she didn't say anything." Lanie said, looking at Kate's bedroom door. "Is she going to be ok?"

"Oh yes. I'm sure she'll be fine. She's tough and she made it perfectly clear to him that he was not to talk to her or touch her. I just … I have a bad feeling about that guy. Tomorrow, I'll try to find a picture in the system and I'll send one to you. SO you know if you see him around or something."

"Do you think he could be dangerous? Isn't he just … an asshole doubled with a pervert?"

"I don't know. I think he was fired tonight because several women have complained about him. We never know what people like that can do. Better safe than sorry."

"Thank you for telling me. I'm not sure she would have. She's always thought she could take care of everything all by herself but it's nice to know what's going on. I'll keep an eye out."

"Good." Javier said, looking for something to say because he didn't want to leave.

"So, I heard that you were looking for a way to get a date with me?" Lanie asked almost shyly.

"I … uh … well I ..."

"You know, you could just ask." she said, looking at her shoes. "I … I've been waiting for you to ask." Lanie admitted.

"Really?"

"Yeah … kinda since the day we moved in."

"Wow. I … I kinda wanted to ask since that day too. You seem … nice and fun. I mean ..."

"I know what you mean. Maybe we could … get to know each other. And see where it takes us?" Lanie proposed.

"That sounds great." Javier said, smiling. I am working the night shift for the next two days but … maybe we could go out this weekend?"

"Sure, that would be nice." Lanie answered, blushing.

"Good. It's a date then. I'll call you, ok?" Javier said as he walked slowly to the door.

"Ok."

He hesitated far a couple of seconds and kissed Lanie on the cheek before leaving the apartment. She stayed there, the door open, looking in the hallway.

"You two are so cute!" Kate said from inside.

"Since when were you listening?" Lanie asked, blushing deeply as she closed the door.

"From the moment you told him you had a crush on him from the beginning." Kate teased her.

"So, how's your man?" Lanie asked, taking back her seat on the couch and starting the movie again.

"He's good. They're both good. Tired though. And Rick's afraid he won't get a lot of sleep though. Alexis is completely jet lagged." Kate laughed, sitting down. "They promised to send me a postcard from every city they visit. I can't wait for them to get back though." she groaned.

"You've got it bad girl!"

"I know. But for once I don't care. I completely accept it. And what is weird, it's not even scaring me. But he is it for me. You know, maybe you'll have that with Javier too." she said seriously.

"We're not there yet. We didn't even go on our first date yet." Lanie laughed.