Disclaimer: You know the drill

Chap 14

Cain and Koemai returned to the hanger to find both Diana and Aria waiting for them. Koemai came out first.

"Hey, what is this?"

Diana was grinning, trying to keep herself from giggling. "What did Cain tell you about their date?" She motioned to Aria.

Koemai cracked a smile, "Not much. I managed to get him to tell me that it was a nice date and that he kissed her."

She was beginning to giggle, "So he didn't tell you the whole thing?"

"What whole thing?"

It was at that moment the Cain came down from his AC. He immediately froze upon seeing Aria. She saw him and did the same. Both Diana and Koemai laughed at this.

Koemai managed to stop laughing for a moment, "Come on babe. Don't leave me in suspense. What happened?"

Cain managed to blink, but he kept his stare. She saw what his eyes said. You told her.

Aria answered him the same way. I'm sorry. She dragged it out.

He nodded and Koemai was confused by their silent exchange, but he got the point.

"Oh, I see. You lucky dog, you did..."

"No."

"Huh?"

Cain looked down, "We slept together, but not in the way you think."

Diana nodded, "Yep. He just slept with her."

Koemai shook his head, "You mean...as in sleep sleep? Like nothing really happened?"

A slight blush came across his face and he nodded.

"I don't believe it! I just don't get you! You.....her....just aren't human."

Diana smiled, "What are you talking about? It sounds romantic. Which reminds me..." She took Koemai's arm, "We were going to go out tonight and wondered if you two would like to join us."

Cain looked up at Aria to see if she would accept. What are you waiting for? Ask her!

"Would you like to come?"

Aria suddenly turned away and for a moment, he thought she rejected it.

"Diana, what time?"

Diana answered her, "7:30."

Aria nodded and moved to Cain. He began to step back a bit, but she caught up to him and planted a soft kiss on his cheek and then backed away from him, smiling.

"I'll see you then."

She left the hanger, leaving a shocked Koemai, a grinning Diana, and a totally stunned Cain.

________

Night....

The group was to all meet at the Central Square by an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Both Koemai and Cain wore black clothes, although Cain wore dark glasses as well.

"Where are they? I'm getting hungry."

"Just be patient. They'll come when they come."

Koemai growled a little, but then settled. "So until they get here, answer me this. I know you just slept with Aria, but wasn't there a moment that you wanted....you know, more?"

".......They're here."

The two ladies came up to them, both clothed elegantly. Diana wore a strapless red gown and shoes. Aria wore a silver Chinese gown and white shoes. She also had her hair tied in the back. Needless to say, both men were stunned.

"Whoa, Diana. Where.....how....when? Whoa."

".........!"

Both girls giggled at them and Diana softly took Koemai's hand, "Just a little something I picked up. Like?"

A giant grin came up his face, "Definitely."

Diana then looked over at Cain and Aria who were at face contact with each other. More like eye contact as Cain had removed his glasses. Diana smiled, "So Cain, what do you think?"

Cain finally blinked, "You look.....I don't think words can express it. Wonderful."

Aria blushed, "Thank you." She then took his hand, "Shall we?"

"Sure."

The four of them entered the restaurant and found their table. Since it was an all-you-can-eat restaurant, the guys decided to let the women sit while they got their meals. When they came back, they conversed about their lives as Ravens, their families (however small or non-existent), and a few of their missions. Cain was mostly quiet and Koemai constantly seemed to drag him into a conversation.

"Cain, remember the time when we were surrounded by fifty MTs? Man, those guys didn't stand a chance, right?"

Cain shook his head, "It was only fifteen MTs. And as I recall, you were too much in berserker mode to realize that you were out of ammo."

"Hey, either way, they didn't stand a chance."

After a long meal, the group then went for a walk outside. Diana held on to Koemai and he had his arm around her as they walked. However, Cain and Aria just walked side by side, both of them exchanging glances. Their fingers kept fidgeting, but neither made contact. Both Diana and Koemai noticed this and smiled.

"Excuse us for a moment." And without waiting for a reply from either of them, they quickly walked down another direction.

The two of them shyly looked at each other and then continued walking, without making a sound. She took another glance at him. He shies easily. It's hard to believe that he's a Raven. She let her hand drift, showing that she wanted him to hold it. Slowly, he moved his hand and clasped hers softly. She could feel the warmth from it. He was trying to deal with his own feelings. Why am I so shy around her? He looks back at her as notices that she was leading him to a bench. She sat down and pulled him down with her. Once he sat down, she rested her arm on his shoulder. Cain tensed momentarily, but then put his arm around her, almost as if it was natural. They sat there for several moments not saying a word, but enjoying each others company in silence.

"Cain?"

"Yes?"

"Have you....ever been in love before?"

"I...can't say that I have."

She began to snuggle closer, "I wanted to say...about last night, I..."

Suddenly, a low rumbling sound was heard and the ground vibrated. They broke from their embrace and looked up.

"Another one?"

A gigantic MT was a distance away, heading for the city. Koemai and Diana came out from behind them.

"Do you guys feel....Aw man, not another one!"

Aria examined the monstrous machine, "That looks like it's ready for some big time damage."

"We have to stop it. Even if it isn't a mission." Diana commented.

Koemai agreed, "Right. Are you in, Cain? Cain?"

Cain had disappeared.

Garage hanger.

Intensify Activated. Switching to warrior mode.

Glaive was refitted with its own new Seraphim parts and it left the hanger in a roar.