Authors Note/Disclaimer: I don't own WA3. You think they've figured that out by now? Heh.

Well, to be completely honest, I didn't much care for that last chapter I posted. That, and I forgot to spell check it before posting. My bad. But I promised you silly, and I hope this is silly enough for your liking. I won't keep you, go read! (And yes, Catherine's last name is a nod towards one of the cool characters from Kingdom Hearts. I just couldn't come up with anything of my own.)

Month Five: First Impressions

"Daddy, how did you and mommy first meet?"
Clive smiled and looked down to where his daughter was sitting. "You do not really want to hear about that, do you?"
It had been a couple of weeks now since the team returned to Humphrey's Peak. The time had been enough to cool the groups' heated tempers, and things were pretty much back to normal. Catherine smiled. "Of course she does, dear. Why don't you tell her about it?"
"I'd like to hear too, Clive," chimed in Virginia. "And so would Jet and Gallows, right boys?"
Jet just flicked his hand dismissively while Gallows blurted out, "heck, yeah!"
Clive sweatdropped, looking embarrassed. "Really, you do not want to hear that boring old story..."
"Then I'll tell it," smiled Catherine. Clive groaned and Virginia shushed him.
"Let Catherine speak."
"Thank you, Virginia. Now, this story takes place several years ago, in Jolly Roger..."

X X X

A younger Catherine was on her way back to where she and her father were staying. Since her mother had died, she'd been accompanying her father as he traveled around Filgaia on business. His current job was professor of archeology at the local university. Since their room on campus wasn't ready yet, they were being put up at the local inn. She hurried her pace as she noticed how late it was. Her father would be wondering what was keeping her. As she neared the entrance of the Bell Starr, the door swung open and two young men staggered out.
The first thing she noticed was how handsome they were. Immediately after, however, it became apparent that both were blind drunk. She tried to step around them, but the taller of the two, a man with glasses and green hair, moved over to block her path. She reeled back as far as she could away from his terrible alcohol breath.
"Yo-you know," he slurred, leaning clumsily up against the wall, "I'm the mo-most beautiful woman you've ever seen..."
Catherine had no time to move when the young man pitched forward, making the most disgusting retching sound, and threw up on her feet. She slapped him and he went sprawling. His blonde friend started laughing but apologized and dragged the green haired man away.

X X X

"That was the first time I ever met Clive," finished Catherine.
Kaitlyn was giggling, Virginia was trying hard not to laugh, Gallows had given up and was laughing uproariously, and even Jet had cracked a smile. Clive looked incredibly embarrassed, sweatdropping and scratching at the back of his neck.
"But Catherine," Virginia asked once she'd fought off her giggles, "if that was the first impression, how'd you end up with him?"
"That's a good question. Maybe Clive should tell you about that himself?" was Catherine's reply as she looked over to her husband. He was still sweatdropping, but he nodded.
"Perhaps that would be best, yes."

X X X

It was the next morning, and the two young men that Catherine had met at the saloon were just waking up. They had both drunk heavily the night before, but the blonde had more tolerance. He could actually remember what had happened the night before.
"Clive?"
Clive looked up at his roommate and friend. "Uhg?"
His friend cracked a smile. "Do you feel as bad as you look?"
Clive threw a pillow at him. "Please be silent, Julian. And besides, you do not look very well yourself."
"Yeah? Well, at least I didn't throw up on some poor woman's shoes yesterday," Julian replied, still smiling as he batted the pillow out of the air.
"I did what?"
"You heard me." Julian favored him with another crooked smile. "Don't worry, I appologized for you. You made quite the impression on her, I must say."
Clive clutched at his head. "Why do we continue to do this to ourselves?"
"Because it's fun, I suppose," replied Julian with a shrug, the smile still present. He stood and hefted a small pile of text books. "Anyway, we've got classes to get to."

X X X

Clive and Julian were both taking different courses, so they had few classes in common. Julian was learning to be an engineer and Clive was taking courses in archeology. Clive was looking forward to his classes today, since there was a new professor starting that day.
On his way into the classroom, he bumped into someone coming out and dropped his books.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me help you with those."
The young woman knelt down to help, and as she handed them back to him, she got her first good look at him. "You!" Catherine exclaimed. "You're the boy from the other day!"
Clive sweatdropped. "Uh, yes, I suppose I am. I am really sorry about that..."
"I guess it's okay."
"Um..." Clive scratched at the back of his neck, feeling awkward. "Are you new in class?"
"No. My father's the new professor. I was just helping him get set up for his first day."
"Oh... well, we got off on the wrong foot last night. I'm Clive Winslett." Clive offered his hand for her to shake.
"Catherine Ansem," she replied, and took his hand. They shook. "But I have to go now." She turned to run off, but Clive called after her.
"Wait!"
She stopped and turned back. "Yes?"
"...I'd...I would really like to make last night up to you. How about...dinner on me?"
Catherine's expression was neutral for a moment before cracking into a smile. With a nod, she turned and ran off down the hallway.

X X X

Virginia smiled. "That's so sweet!" she chirped happily. Jet faked throwing up and she cuffed him lightly.
"So what? Was it smooth sailing from then on?" inquired Gallows.
Clive chucked and shook his head. "Oh no. Especially not with Julian offering me advice. I still do not know why I listened to him, I know for a fact that he was terrible with women."
"What happened to him, anyway?" asked Jet.
"I do not know," shrugged Clive. "We kept in touch through mail, but I have not heard from him in a while.
"But anyway, that was our first real date. We had our problems, most couples do, but we got through it and here we are."
Catherine smiled and leaned over onto Clive's shoulder. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask, Kaitlyn?"
The little girl paused to look thoughtful for a moment, before replying. "Where do babies come from?"