Authors Note: Finally! After a couple of months, an update! *excitement*

Firstly, I want to say I'm so sorry for the huge delay in updating. If you've been keeping up with my Important Note update, you already know I've been having health issues - which haven't improved much since I last updated the note. But I was able to write these chapters over the past week or so.

Secondly, I just want to thank you all again for your patience, understanding, well wishes, and love you've sent my way. I truly appreciate it. It means the world to me. I still have no idea how my writing is being so well liked - but it really brightens my day that you all enjoy it so much.

Now, I'll shut up so you can get on to the much desired reading! lol! Hope these chapters were worth the wait.

One quick note: there's a link up in my profile to an image with Alicia's outfit and Zak's shirt.

Chapter 92: Mystery Location

Two days later…

"Ugh, Cheryl! Please give me at least one hint as to what Zak has planned!" I yelled out, as I looked through the clothes in my closet for about the fifth time.

I heard Cheryl's laughter from downstairs.

"Sorry! I've been sworn to secrecy! Just go with what he told you!" Cheryl called back.

"Ugh," I moaned under my breath.

Two nights ago, before Zak had dropped me off at home after a few hours of watching TV – and sharing some more kisses – Zak had asked me out on a date.

My first date.

He hadn't given me any clues whatsoever as to what he had planned for us, all he told me was to dress "comfortable and casual".

What kind of hint was that?!

So now, I had the dilemma of trying to find the perfect outfit, all while struggling to remain calm.

Neither of these things was going very well.

"You've known him for months, don't be so nervous…" I muttered to myself, rubbing my stomach a bit.

It was full of butterflies.

"Find anything yet?" Cheryl's voice suddenly came from my bedroom doorway.

"No! And it's almost time for us to leave!" I said, slightly panicked.

Whatever Zak had planned, it wasn't a traditional "I'll pick you up at eight" deal. Cheryl would be diving me to an unknown location, where I'd meet up with Zak.

Cheryl laughed.

"I really wish I could, believe me, but he said he'd set spirits after me," Cheryl said, laughing.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Ugh…please, give me anything!" I pleaded, turning to look at her. "This is my very first date, ever! I'm panicking enough as it is!" I added.

Cheryl giggled quietly.

"You'll be fine," Cheryl replied, pausing briefly as if mentally debating with herself. "Alright look, you're not going somewhere fancy. You could probably wear pyjamas for all he cares," Cheryl added.

Pyjamas?!

"Um…what?" I asked in disbelief.

"Okay, bad choice of words," Cheryl laughed. "Just pick something you could relax in, but still look nice," Cheryl added.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Bad choice of words is an understatement!" I replied, turning back to my closet.

Cheryl laughed as she turned and headed back downstairs.

"Hurry up silly girl!" Cheryl said.

"Ugh…just pick something!" I said to myself, flicking through my clothes once again.

Ten minutes later…

"How do I look?" I asked nervously, as I reached the bottom of the stairs.

I had decided on an off white, somewhat loose fitting top, but it had a snug fitting band around the hips. The cold-shoulder sleeves (small slits in the fabric from shoulder to elbow) were elbow length, and had drawstrings at the ends.

I paired that with a simple pair of black, hip hugging pants and a pair of black, platform sandals.

It was comfortable, but I figured the outfit also had a slightly dressy feel – just in case.

And even though it was near the end of the month of October, it was still fairly warm.

I also had my usual, minimum makeup, and had decided to leave my hair down, but I had dried and straighten it after the shower I had had earlier.

"You look great! Love the top!" Cheryl exclaimed, as she got up from the chair she was sitting in.

I smiled.

"Thanks…does this fit for whatever Bagans has planned?" I asked, still slightly panicked about his plans.

Cheryl laughed as she walked over to the door and pulled her shoes on.

"Yep, you're good. So, ready to go?" Cheryl replied.

I walked over to the door and picked up the small, black purse I had chosen for the evening.

"Yeah, ready as I'll ever be. I guess," I replied, nervously.

Cheryl smiled.

"Relax Ali, you've known the guy for months. You'll be fine," Cheryl said as she opened the front door, holding it open for me. "Besides, I think he's nervous too," Cheryl added.

I smiled, also looking stunned.

"He is?" I questioned, walking out of the house and down to Cheryl's car.

"Yep, he's been texting me all day asking questions, and asking if what he has planned sounds good to me," Cheryl said, giggling as she closed and locked the front door behind her.

Aww Zak…

"Seriously?" I asked, touched, but also shocked at Zak's nervousness.

He didn't strike me as the type of guy to get nervous about a date.

"Seriously, and don't tell him I told you!" Cheryl said, laughing as she came down to the car and unlocked the doors, and then proceeded to get into the drivers seat.

I couldn't help but laugh as I got into the passengers seat and buckled my seatbelt.

"I won't," I replied.

"Good," Cheryl replied, as she buckled her seatbelt. "Now, one last thing. I have instructions for you to wear this accessory until we get there," Cheryl added, giggling.

I looked over at her to see her holding a...blindfold?!

"You can't be serious?!" I retorted in shock.

Cheryl laughed.

"Sorry, Zak's orders," Cheryl replied. "Turn around," she added, motioning with one hand for me to turn my head.

"I am not wearing a blindfold!" I retorted.

Cheryl laughed.

"Oh relax," Cheryl replied. "It's not like you're going to end up in a 'Fifty Shades of Grey' situation," she added teasingly.

"Oh god…" I mumbled in embarrassment, hiding my face with my hands.

Cheryl laughed more.

"I'm just teasing you! Now come on, you don't want to be late do you?" Cheryl asked.

I sighed in defeat as I lowered my hands.

"Oh for Pete sakes…" I muttered, turning so the back of my head was facing her. Shortly after, I saw the black material come down over my eyes and felt Cheryl gently tying it in the back.

Once she was finished, I turned back to sit normally in my seat.

"This is ridiculous," I grumbled, as I felt Cheryl gently adjust the material over my eyes.

Cheryl laughed.

"Don't blame me," Cheryl replied. "Can you see anything?" Cheryl added.

"Not a damn thing," I grumbled.

Cheryl laughed as I heard her start the car.

"Good, here we go," she replied, backing out of the driveway.

I sat in complete darkness, butterflies causing havoc in my stomach, and my nerves on edge.

I was not looking forward to the possibility of walking into a public place with a blindfold on – it would only draw attention to me, and I was freaking out enough as it was.

But at the same time, I felt my excitement and curiosity increasing as Cheryl drove us to the mystery location.

It's Zak…I'll manage, I thought.

Roughly 15 minutes later…

"Where the hell are we?" I questioned, still sitting in darkness.

The car was jostling around as Cheryl seemed to be driving on a rough road for the past five minutes.

Cheryl laughed.

"You'll see shortly," Cheryl replied, just before bringing the car to a stop.

I then felt her undo my seatbelt, and heard my door opening.

"Hello ladies. Any trouble Cheryl?" I heard Zak's voice ask.

"Just her usual grumbling and growling," Cheryl replied, laughing.

I heard Zak laugh in response.

I felt my face flush a bit, and before I could say a word, I felt Zak take one of my hands and help me out of the car.

"Thanks Cheryl," Zak said, as he held onto me.

I still couldn't see anything but darkness, so I tried relying on my other senses to determine where we were.

The ground beneath my feet felt a bit soft – I guessed it was soil or grass – so I assumed that meant we weren't in a parking lot.

It was also very quiet - almost too quiet - minus the night time sound of crickets.

There was no scent in the air, but there was a slight breeze, as if we were out in the open.

Where are we? I thought.

"No problem, have fun," I heard Cheryl reply from inside the car.

"That's the plan," Zak replied, before I heard the car door shut, and shortly after, heard Cheryl driving away.

Again, before I could say a word, Zak spoke first.

"Hey doll, you look beautiful," Zak said, gently kissing my cheek.

I felt my face flush as a smile formed on my lips.

"Thanks," I replied softly. "Where are we?" I added.

Zak laughed as he continued to hold my hand in his – my small purse in my other hand - and started leading me forward.

"So impatient," Zak teased.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"More like nervous…" I replied, somewhat shyly.

After walking a few more steps, Zak stopped us and I felt him walk around behind me and began untying my blindfold.

"Don't be nervous, it's just the two of us…" Zak said softly, removing the blindfold completely.

I blinked a few times to help my eyes adjust to the darkness of night around me, and when my eyes did adjust, I felt my breath momentarily leave me.

We were out in the middle of a desert, with nothing around us – nothing except a black pickup truck.

The short door to the bed of the truck was down, and spread out across the bed were several thick blankets, along with a few pillows. Along the edges of the cab, there was a set of battery operated, white, Christmas lights.

On top of the many blankets, there was a large picnic basket, as well as a rectangular black bag, which I assumed contained Zak's laptop.

It was perfect – no people to watch us, no added stress of being in public – it really was just the two of us.

"What do you think?" Zak asked softly, and somewhat nervously, as he stepped around to be in front of me again.

I looked up at him with what I knew was an ear-to-ear smile on my face.

"I love it…" I replied softly.

Zak smiled from ear-to-ear too, and visibly relaxed.

"I knew you'd be nervous…so I figured a restaurant or somewhere public would just make you more anxious, but I didn't want your first date to be at my house either," Zak said, chuckling slightly.

I smiled.

"It's wonderful…thank you Zak," I replied, touched by his thoughtfulness.

Zak smiled and leaned down and gently kissed my cheek.

"No need to thank me," Zak replied, then gently took one of my hands. "Come on," he added, leading me to the bed of the truck.

I watched him as he climbed up first, and took in what he was wearing – a pair of black jeans, and a black t-shirt that had grey sleeves, and bars of grey over the shoulders and down each side.

It was a different style shirt than what he normally would wear, but it looked good on him.

"My lady," Zak teased, as he held his hands out to me to help me up into the bed of the truck.

I laughed quietly and set my purse down on the blankets, before I reached up and put my hands in his, and lifted one leg up to brace my foot on the door of the cab. With Zak's help, I lifted myself up onto the bed of the truck with him.

"Woah!" I exclaimed, a bit wobbly on my feet because of my stupid platform sandals, but Zak was quick to wrap his arms around me to keep me from falling back.

"Thanks," I said softly, laughing quietly at my own clumsiness, and looked up at him as I rested my hands on his biceps.

Zak smiled as he held me close and kept his arms tightly wrapped around me.

"My pleasure," Zak said with a grin, causing me to laugh more.

Zak smiled at my laughter as he gently pulled back.

"So, how about your first date?" Zak asked.

I smiled and nodded.

"Our first date," I replied, shyly.

Zak smiled brightly and got down so he was sitting on the blankets' and then offered me a hand to help me sit with him.

Here goes nothing… I thought, as I took his hand and kneeled down to sit on the blankets.