Saturday dawned, with Wesley feeling nervous. He spent a while debating what to wear, how to dress, how to act. He'd never been good at dating, and this… Ororo wasn't someone that he wanted to ruin his chances with by being a nervous, uncertain twit. This was important. She was special.

He'd picked up several types of fruit – apples, grapes, a little pre mixed package of berries and melon cubes. He'd almost picked up a few bananas, but the idea of seeing her eat one, something entirely harmless had conjured up… well, very vivid images that didn't involve bananas. That way would lie certain self embarrassment, and so he'd concluded that it would be best NOT to take any bananas to the picnic.

He was waiting in the park at twelve thirty, his hands clutching at a basket holding the fruit, and some rolls and little bottles of fruit juice. He knew that he was early, but he'd been so nervous and tense that he'd felt it might just be better to go to the park. He could fidget there just as easily, and he wouldn't be late.

She was a bit early as well, dressed in a loose and flowing dress of some blue fabric, with golden jewelry catching the sunlight. Over her arm was a faded blue blanket. "Wesley. You came… I thought perhaps a blanket to sit on would be good."

He looked at her, with her radiant and delighted smile. Had she sounded surprised to see him here? "I wouldn't dream of missing the chance to spend time with you. I brought some things, just light food, and some juice… Where should we sit?"

"There is a very nice place over there, beneath those trees. Not too dark, but a bit of shade." Gesturing towards the right, she had this little smile, as if she was enjoying the afternoon already.

"It sounds splendid." Wesley didn't bother looking at the place she pointed towards, certain that anywhere would be splendid, as long as she was there with him.

With a small smile, she stepped closer, almost touching him. The gentle breeze had the hem of her skirt fluttering against his legs. "Wesley? Did you even look at the trees?"

"ahhhh…. No. I was looking at you." He could feel himself flushing, wondering if this admission would provoke laughter. "While I'm sure they're nice trees, you are far more appealing."

"oh." The soft sound demanded his attention. She was standing there, looking at him as if he'd just said something unexpected and astonishing. It was a bare heartbeat later that she had a smile as brilliant as anything, and was leading him off towards the trees. "You say the most flattering things, Wesley."

It felt like no time at all before they were seated on the blanket, the fruit spread out before them. The sight of her nibbling at the mixed berries was so… tempting that Wesley sent a silent thanks to heaven that there were no bananas. The sight of her, raspberries darkening her lips as a trickle of juice escaped to trickle from the corner of those soft lips as her tongue licked at the escaping droplets… well. It was safe to say that he'd probably never look at raspberries quite the same way again. The way she closed her eyes as she bit the fruit, the way that they would ease open to almost catlike slits, darkened with enjoyment…

He was thankful that she could control weather, not read thoughts. Otherwise, he would surely be in so much trouble about now… A cold shower would be useful about now. Cold… he'd nearly forgotten about the drinks. "Juice? I mean, would you like some fruit juice? I brought some in case we got thirsty."

She smiled again, reaching one hand towards him. "Thank you, that sounds delightful."

They spoke of casual things, of where they'd grown up. He told her a few stories about his childhood in London, and she spoke of Cairo. It took a while before he realized that she'd been living not just in the city, but as a street child, more specifically, a street thief. Her father had been a photographer, and her mother had been a princess of a tribe in Africa. He explained how his father had been a Watcher, raising him to know that joining the Council would be his destiny, and that there would be no choice in it. Neither of them went into too much detail, but they were both getting to know each other better.

They were enjoying the conversation so much that time passed without their notice. It wasn't until a familiar voice called out 'Hey! Auntie O!' that they realized the sun was slowly sinking on the horizon.

"Goodness, have we spent the whole day talking?" She looked shocked.

Wesley blinked, glancing around them. "It… appears that way. I can't think of anything I would rather have been doing."

"I should probably go… Make certain that everything is progressing, and that Evan has remembered to do his homework." She sounded almost reluctant to leave.

"Perhaps we could meet again? I could take you out for dinner…" Wesley made the offer, hoping for more time in her company.

"That sounds splendid. I will have to drop into your book shop Monday to plan out the details." She was smiling again, her eyes twinkling.

"Auntie O, we were a bit worried about you." Evan's voice was closer now.

Glancing at her nephew, Ororo smiled. "As you can see, I am quite well."

Then, she looked back at Wesley, her tongue flicking over her lips for a half moment before she leaned closer. Her lips brushed against his in a moment of blissful contact. "Today was delightful."

Wesley was giddy the entire way back to his apartment. She'd kissed him, and she wanted to go out to dinner with him. Life was wonderful.

End part 12.