Here's the next chapter of the two shot. To my guest reviewers: Thanks for your reviews. Commentator: This will probably be the only time I do first person. It was really only an experiment. I wanted to try out a new style. But it's been hard to write too, so I'll just go back to my usual style after this. To Actually, we DID: I actually must have missed that conversation in Thirst. I thought we hadn't ever been told how they met. So I'll mark this one AU and write another one-shot that is closer to canon. For this story, I'll finish it off in first person so the style will match. Thanks for the feedback. Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Please read AND review. Thanks!
Palmer's POV
As I stood waiting for Breena's response, my heart was pounding. Finally when I thought I couldn't take it any longer, she found her voice and answered me, "I'd like that. I'd like it a lot."
"Really?" I asked in surprise.
"Of course. I'd like to get to know you." Breena assured me.
I let out a breath I hadn't even realized I was holding. "So when are you available? I'm free next Friday and there's a concert in Rock Creek Park."
Breena smiled and replied, "I'm free then. I love park concerts."
"Fantastic! I'll pick you up at six and we can grab a bite before then? Maybe. I- I mean only if you want to." I nervously suggested.
Breena giggled sweetly and stated, "That sounds great. I'll write down my number for you if you hang on a sec."
"Sure." I agreed. She quickly went over to the reception desk and got a pen and paper.
She wrote down her number and handed it to me. "You can call me whenever and then I'll have your number."
"I'll call you after work tonight then." I told her before saying goodbye.
I had made it all the way to the door when I suddenly had an idea.
I stopped and turned back towards the beautiful blonde. "Hey, I've got a little bit of time left before I have to get back. Would you maybe be up for going to lunch with me? I know a little sandwich shop nearby."
With no hesitation this time, she responded, "Sure. That sounds nice. Let me just tell my dad I'm leaving." Then she headed to the back.
Breena's POV
I headed to my father's office and knocked.
"Come in." he called out.
I opened the door and informed him, "Hey, Dad? I'm going to lunch."
"Alone?" he inquired.
"No. With a friend. Um, actually it's a new friend. You remember that guy who came in last week to make arrangements for his mother?" was my nervous reply. My dad can be a bit over-protective.
"That strange nervous sort of man?" my dad asked uncertainly.
"Well I don't know that he's like that all the time. He was planning an entire funeral practically alone." I pointed out.
"Maybe, that's it." replied my father skeptically.
"Anyway, he's waiting." I stated.
My father nodded. "Ok. See you in a bit, Dumpling."
I kissed him on the cheek and left. At the restaurant, Jimmy and I ordered and then found a table.
"So, Jimmy, tell me about your job." I requested.
"Well, Iike you, I work with dead people. I work in Autopsy at NCIS. Actually, I'm the ME assistant. Dr. Mallard is the main ME." Jimmy explained.
"So besides, Dr. Mallard, who are the other people you work with? Were they at the funeral?" was my next question
"Only my friend Abby Sciuto. Besides Dr. Mallard, I mean. I didn't tell the others."
"Which one was Abby?" I asked, though I was pretty sure I knew.
"Oh you couldn't have missed her. Black lace dress and space buns." he told me.
"Big spider web tattoo?" I questioned.
"That too." Jimmy confirmed.
"I'd love to meet your friends sometime." I told him truthfully.
"I think...maybe we should wait on that. Until we've been dating a little longer. They're kind of a lot to take."
I looked up in surprise. "You want to go on another date after Friday?"
"Oh my gosh! I'm being too pushy. I'm sorry. Just forget I said anything." he declared looking mortified.
"Oh, no! It's alright. I'm having a lot of fun today. I'd love to go on more dates after Friday." I was quick to assure him
"Really?" he asked in an adorably uncertain way.
"Yes." I replied. Our food came then and we ate and talked until it was time for Jimmy to return to work. I couldn't wait to see him the next Friday or to talk on the phone that night.
Palmer's POV
When I got back to NCIS I was practically walking on air. Unfortunately, the first person I saw there was Tony. There's a reason Tim calls him Dinosy. I tried to avoid a conversation but it was too late.
"Hey! Autopsy Gremlin, What's got you in such a good mood?"
"It's a beautiful day out? Why shouldn't I be in a good mood?" I deflected.
"Don't change the subject Gremlin. You know what I mean. I'll find out sooner or later." Tony pressed smugly.
"You know, it's really none of your business, Tony." I replied in annoyance.
"Ah, I know! I bet it's about that girl you met. Come on, Palmer, you can tell me." Tony pushed.
"What Girl? Who told you?" I demanded.
"Aha! So it's true!" Tony exclaimed." Crap! Why'd let that slip out?! Now he'd never let me hear the end of it!
"How'd you find out?! What'd you hear?" I asked angrily.
"Give you one guess." Tony teased. Damnit! It could only be one person.
"Just wait till I get my hands on Abby!" was all I said aloud.
"Eh, she means well." Tony excused her.
"I know. I also know you probably bribed her or blackmailed her." was my annoyed response.
"I will neither confirm nor deny that. Seriously though. I'm assuming you asked her out. You need help getting ready?" Tony asked, slyly.
I rolled my eyes. "I dated Michelle Lee for months. We did it in more places in this building then you'll ever know. Needless to say I know what to do on a date." I snapped.
Tony looked completely disgusted. "TMI, Gremlin. Fine if you don't want help, do it your own way. Hope it works out for you. See ya later. Then he walked away toward MTAC. I headed down to the lab to give Abby a piece of my mind.
That night, I did call Breena and we talked for at least an hour. When it was time to hang up, I didn't want the conversation to end. At least I had Friday to look forward to. Over the next week I went in for a haircut and bought a new leisure suit. I bought flowers for Breena as well as some chocolate truffles. Before I knew it Friday had arrived. At six PM, I knocked on her apartment door.
Breena's POV
For my date with Jimmy I had splurged and bought myself a new floral print dress and a new pair of earrings. I wore a pair of white sandals. And had a pink wrap to wear around my shoulders. When I heard the knock at the door, I quickly checked myself in the mirror one more time before going to answer the door. When I opened it, Jimmy appeared to be speechless for a moment.
Finally he found his voice and uttered softly, "Wow. You look beautiful."
"Thank you. You look great, too." I nervously replied. I then silently berated myself for sounding so formal. Then Jimmy handed me a box of DOVE truffles and a bouquet of beautiful yellow tulips.
"These are for you." He informed me.
I took the chocolate and flowers and thanked him.
"I'll put these in water real quick." I added. When I had done that, we headed out to his car.
"I know of a little Italian place called Botticelli's. It has really great food. It's also near the park." he told me as he let me into the passenger side.
"That sounds wonderful." I declared.
He was right. The food was to die for and we even had Cannoli for dessert. We arrived at the Park a little before seven. The music was fun with a catchy beat. We even danced for a bit.
When we got back to my apartment, I stated, "Thanks for a great evening, Jimmy. I had a lot of fun."
"I had fun too. I'm looking forward to our next date. I'll call you tomorrow." he promised. I allowed him to kiss me goodnight, then I went inside.
Jimmy did call me the next day as promised. He asked me out again for the very next weekend. We've become very serious over the past several months; He recently introduced me to his NCIS family. We all get along really well. They seem to like me ok and I like them. Too bad I can't say the same for my dad. He is NOT impressed with Jimmy at all. I've encouraged Jimmy to show him around NCIS. I'm sure my father will eventually come around to seeing Jimmy as I see him. I really hope so. Jimmy is the most amazing man I've ever met and I want our relationship to last forever. I pray that nothing will ever tear us apart. We are proof that there is always somebody out there for everyone.
Well, that's the end. I hope you all enjoyed it. I may do a one-shot from a different angle next week. I do not own Dove chocolate. Due to a guest review I edited the mistake with Jimmy's job title. I first fixed it in docs and apparently forgot to replace the chapter in the story. When it was brought to my attention, I went back and re posted the chapter. Sorry for the mix-up. Thanks for reading. Stay healthy everyone. Catch ya later! Bye!