Chapter Twenty-Nine
Apple Cider
Meeting AU

He can't stop staring.

Some might think it's creepy, he knows, his date included. But his question of which Star Wars movie is her favorite launched her into a dissertation about why Empire Strikes Back is her favorite but Revenge of the Sith is the one she rewatches over and over again.

It's adorable.

When she seems to have exhausted herself she takes a sip of her apple cider and shakes her head, her cheeks flush with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to take over the conversation like that."

He smiles and reaches for his own mug of cider. "Don't apologize. You've obviously thought a lot about it."

"That's the funny thing, I really haven't," she laughs. "It just...came out, I guess. What about you? Which is your favorite?"

Conversation is easy with her, one topic flowing smoothly to another, and before he knows it, the waiter is removing their dessert plates and dropping the check at the table. He reaches for it before she can, and when she tries to reach for her wallet he waves her off.

"I got it this time," he insists, hoping she gets the hint. As much as he doesn't want this date to end, eventually it will have to. But he wants a second date, and third date, and likely more.

He expects to see her again. What he does not expect is the phone call the next day asking if he has plans that night, and if not, would he like to go to see Forbidden Planet at the Angelika? She sounds so excited that he lies and says he's free, and no he hasn't seen it.

Luckily, his friends understand when he cancels poker night.

"You've totally seen it," she says as they exit the theater after the movie. She doesn't sound mad, though, just nudges his arm and smirks at him. When he tries to protest, she shakes her head. "Nuh uh, I saw you mouthing along to some of the lines."

He puts his arm up to hail a cab, and opens the door when one stops in front of them. "I'm sorry," he tells her when he joins her in the backseat and gives the driver a destination. "I'm not a liar, I promise. It was spontaneous. You just sounded so excited, I went along with it."

She eyes him for a few blocks, then finally smiles and reaches for his hand. "Well, I'm glad you could come, anyway." Her fingers lace through his. "Where are we going, by the way?"

"I thought we could go for coffee and talk for a bit. There's a cafe I like to go to when I need to grade papers."

He pays when the cab drops them off just a few blocks from NYU, once again ignoring her protests that she could pay. He wants to woo her and treat her, at least these first few dates. Whenever he gets his nerve up to ask her to be his girlfriend, assuming she says yes, then they can talk about who pays and when.

The only reason they don't close down the cafe is because it's open 24 hours. They talk and drink coffee for hours, until he realizes that the sky is brightening outside and they've been up all night. When he sees Kate hide a yawn behind her hand, he stands. "I did not realize how late it is. Well, early," he corrects himself. "One more coffee for the road?"

Rick's fingers itch to touch hers as they stroll in silence, but he hesitates. She'd taken his hand after the movie, but he assumes that had been to stay together in the crowd. So for several blocks he keeps his hands in his pockets, and wills her to give him any indication that he can touch her.

That indication comes when they board the subway uptown. Most of the morning commute traffic is going the opposite way, so the car is mostly empty. Despite having plenty of space, she takes the seat directly next to him, leaning against him as the car moves.

When the train takes a sharp turn she falls against him, and his arm goes around her shoulders to keep her steady. He freezes, waiting for her to move away, but she just drops her head to his shoulder.

"What stop are you?" he asks, bending his head down so she can hear him easier.

She lifts her head and glances at the map on the wall. "135th," she answers around a wide yawn.

"You're in Harlem? And you went all the way to the Angelika for a movie?"

Kate shrugs. "For that movie, yeah." She lifts her head and gives him a smirk. "And to see you."

Rick can't help it. The subway, minutes from her stop, is a less than ideal choice for their first kiss, but he leans in and presses his lips to hers. She lets out a little gasp before throwing her arms around his neck and deepening the kiss.

The train slides to a hard stop and they jump apart, both breathing hard. Kate glances out the door and stands, wiping her hands against her jeans. "Next stop," she tells him when he just stares.

"Oh." Rick follows her to the door, and they stand in front of it, their silence returning. When they arrive at her stop and exit the station, he has to blink a few times to adjust to the bright morning. It's still cold, though, so he pulls his beanie out of his pocket and shoves it on his head.

Kate glances up at him and chuckles.

"What?"

"Nothing," she says behind a snicker. "I assume you meant to put it on inside out?"

"What?" Rick repeats. "It's not inside out."

Kate lifts herself to her toes and plucks the hat off his head, shows him the exposed seams and the tag. "It is inside out," she points out, turning it and handing it back to him.

Rick feels his cheeks flush with embarrassment. Turns out it was inside out. Oops. "Thanks," he mutters, putting the hat back on - the right way.

"No problem." Kate steps closer to him and reaches for his hand, slides their palms together and giving his fingers a squeeze before leading him down the sidewalk again. After just a few blocks, she stops at a nondescript building. "Well, this is me," she announces with a shrug.

Rick just stares at her, racked with indecision. He wants to walk her to her door, wants to see her apartment, wants to respect her boundaries and let her make the next move. She'd certainly been an active participant in their subway kiss, and while she'd taken his hand, he doesn't want to push her.

But dammit, he wants to kiss her again. To feel the slide of her tongue against his, her soft lips, hear that little gasp again and again.

"Well," he offers, "I guess this is good night. Er, good morning." He winces. "That's not right."

Kate chuckles and steps closer, wraps her arms around his waist. "I had a really great time last night."

He smiles. "Me too. Thank you for letting me keep you up all night." When she just quirks an eyebrow, he winces again. "Not what I meant."

"It's fine." Kate presses her lips to his, a soft kiss that tastes of promise. "Until next time."

He's frozen in place as she steps away, but when she puts her key in the outside door he manages to take a step towards her. "When can I see you again?" he asks, hopeful that she'll say "tonight" or "now."

She turns and gives him a small smile, her cheeks pink. "After today, I'm working doubles for the next week. Can I call you when I get my schedule after that?"

He approaches her and curls his hand around the back of her neck, his lips descending on hers for one more kiss. "I'm looking forward to it already."