Chapter 20 – Giggling

"Whoa" Jeff eventually mumbled with his mouth slung open in pleasant shock, his eyes sparkling with a glint of gaga.

Shadow laughed from where she stood nearby, "I think he likes it" and winked at Tyana when she turned around to acknowledge her friend's comment.

Tyana giggled at them both and began to pull on her coat, "so where are we going?" she quizzed as she struggled to find the arm. Jeff politely helped her into the jacket as he denied answer to her question.

"You'll see when we get there"

Shadow sing-songed something about them both being beautifully mysterious but Tyana ignored it and pulled her curled hair out from the coats collar. She addressed the woman of pink hair. "Ok, well have a great evening ok? And don't wait up"

Shadowed grinned, "I will and I won't" and replied to both comments, adding one of her own with a smile, "Have a great time." Tyana beamed warmly, thanked her and left with Jeff right at her side. Walking abreast with one another they ambled over to the lift. Twenty minutes later they were walking into a beautiful little restaurant that simply shimmered with charms that Tyana had never been treated to. She giggled helplessly when she had her chair pulled out so she could sit and then she gazed around her at the decorative interior of the establishment, the delicious aromas of the fine meals that were offered tingling along her taste buds already. When she was done looking about in childlike awe she looked over the table to her date only to find him smiling with slight amusement at her stunned expression.

"Never been anywhere like this before then?" he guessed with a smile.

Tyana shook her head, smiling with some sheepishness, and answered, "Never. It's so pretty."

"Well then you have something in common" he pointed out. Tyana's already blushed cheeks glowed a warm pink and she found herself looking down at the table cloth with an embarrassed smile. Jeff chuckled at her sweetness and continued. "Seriously Tyana, you look stunning tonight; even more so than usual."

"Thank you" she answered quietly, smiling at him warmly. The night rolled on smoothly.

By the time dinner was over Tyana was clinging onto Jeff's arm giggling non-stop at all the things he was coming out with.

"You're absolutely crazy" she pointed out while chuckling, her arm linked through his. He merely thanked her, causing her to laugh a little more. When she had calmed somewhat he asked what it was she wanted to do next, if anything at all. After a minute of pondering the question Tyana's smile widened and she exclaimed her proposal.

"How about we go bowling?"

Jeff stopped walking, dropped his arm from hers, took a step back and looked her over. "You wanna go bowling in that?"

Tyana shrugged and smiled, "Yeah, why not?"

After a second of looking playfully scared of the suggestion Jeff's lips turned up into a smile and he nodded, "Sure, let's do it" then they were off. Once they arrived at the alley they got a lane, swapped their inappropriate footwear for some rentals and sauntered down to their lane.

"Don't these shoes just set off my dress delightfully?" Tyana quizzed in a giddy fashion as she did a twirl then began to pose.

Jeff laughed at her and shook his head, "And you think I'm the crazy one" he commented. She stuck her tongue out at him before informing him that she was going to find the right weight ball. Mumbling an "ok" he turned his attention to typing their names into the game programmer. Having finished that rather easy task after only a few seconds Jeff turned to go and find a ball of his own. Instead he paused and watched Tyana where she stood several yards away inspecting the rows of balls, trying to pick which one she wanted. He stared happily at her at she glanced over them all, picking the odd one up to feel, and then when she was finally satisfied she had found the one she wanted to use she clasped it casually and turned to head back in his direction. But when she pivoted on the flat heel of her rentals she found Jeff watching her with a cute smile and while biting her lip she let herself smile too. Without a word she joined him, set her ball in its correct home and then stood at his side, waiting for him to say or do something. After what seemed like a long, long while he cleared his throat, embarrassed to realize he had been staring so hard, and muttered that he was just going to get a ball. Tyana nodded and let him wander off with flushed cheeks.

His slight shyness disappeared when he returned and went to take his go as Tyana, game for fun, walked up behind him and pinched his behind cheekily. He turned with a playful glare to accuse her in a humorous manner of trying to distract him but all he saw was the gorgeous turquoise haired woman standing looking in any which way but his as she whistled casually and rocked back and forth on her heels. "Watch it Ty, you know I'm gonna get you back for that when you least suspect it"

Up for it she extended her hands and moved her fingers in a threatening and beckoning way, "bring it on!"  The rest of the night was all laughs, smiles and flirtations from there on out.

Meanwhile back at the hotel Shadow sighed in boredom and flicked off the television. Just because the only person she knew in this realm wasn't with her didn't mean she couldn't have fun, right? Deciding maybe she should at least go out to eat, possibly go to a movie or a club perhaps, Shadow hopped up off of her bed, dashed into the bathroom where she changed and whipped her fantastic hair out of her face with two silver bobby grips. She found her wallet, one of her tiny communicators, a weapon of choice and a lip balm, shoved them all into her bag and pulled on her trainers. Ready to go she looked herself over quickly and casually in the mirror, left a little note for Tyana explaining her whereabouts just in case by some weird twist of fate she ended up being out later than her friend and then locked up. Shadow only just managed to catch the first lift down by practically hurling her body through the closing doors. They squeezed shut behind her and she smiled in satisfaction at her small accomplishment. And then she noticed she wasn't alone in the elevator and the person she shared it with was staring at her with eyes of amusement.

She smiled, "Amused?"

The person chuckled quietly, "Somewhat. I've just never seen anyone so desperate to get into a lift"

"Yeah well what can I say? I'm impatient." She said as she shrugged, smiling coolly as she confessed her weakness.

The person nodded and returned the friendly beam before they let their eyes shift to the numbers at the top of the lift that declared what floor they were currently on. Shadow stared at the person for a split second, knowing exactly who it was, but there was nothing else to do so she saw no reason why she shouldn't stare at them. Although her eyes only lingered on them for a tremendously short period of time the person noticed it and looked back over to her. They raised one eyebrow inquisitively.

Shadow retained her naturally cool atmosphere and pointed out an off hand but nonetheless correct comment, "Your brother's on a date with my friend"

The stranger looked slightly taken aback but recovered quickly and then took a second to study her. "No wonder you look familiar, I saw you with the girl with the turquoise hair…she's with Jeff tonight, huh?"

The lift tinged and they both exited as Shadow replied, "Yep. Looked like they were going somewhere nice, too." She chuckled, "don't tell anyone 'cause she'll kill me but she's crushing on him so bad"

Matt laughed at her comment, "I won't. Promise" He pretended to do a little scouts honor salute.   

"Thanks. So you got plans this evening or summit?"

Matt shook his head calmly, "Nope."

"Good. Wanna go and grab something to eat?"

Caught slightly off guard again Matt paused but just lifted his shoulders in a nonchalant gesture again, not realizing the girl's casualness was rubbing off on him, "Sure"

"Good. I was so bored. And I'm mega hungry" she glanced at him with a cheeky grin, "And you're cute"

Matt laughed at her statement and continued to walk with her through the lobby. "Thanks"

"Not a problem. By the way, I'm Shadow"

"I'm Matt"

"I know"

"Oh" And then they were gone.

*******************************

*A/N* Sooo sorry the update has been so long coming. But that's life, right? Anyway, thanks Shadow for reviewing honey. You totally rock my socks *sings 1000 miles*