Thanks to SVU-obsessed for helping me with this story.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- The main thing that I needed for my date with Craig was to be relaxed. Sure, I had to look good, but I had to feel even better. So I ran a bubble bath and lit some candles and locked the doors. I put my Avril Lavigne CD in my stereo and turned it on.

As I sank into the water, a soothing, relaxed and calm feeling came over me. I sighed let out a slow, calming breath. Replaying the days events in my mind, I tried to pinpoint the meaning in the way Craig looked at me. I was probably nothing more than a friend to him, but still, I couldn't help but wonder how he felt about me.

Getting out of the bathtub about thirty minutes later, I dried off and put my bathrobe on. I didn't know where we were going to go, so I didn't know what to wear either. I sat down at my vanity to lightly put on my makeup. I started with foundation of course. Then a silvery colored eye shadow and a nude colored lipstick. After that, I ventured to my closet to try to find something to wear.

I tried on a blue denim skirt, tossed it. Then a floral skirt, tossed it. After a few more tries I settled on a flirty pink skirt and a white one shoulder long sleeved shirt. I looked in the mirror, and I liked what I saw for once. After pairing it with an awesome pair of heels, and the right handbag, I was ready.

"Wow, Paige, you look amazing," Mom said when I came downstairs. "Did you decide to give Spinner another chance?"

"Actually, I have a date with the guy I met at the support group, you remember Craig, right?"

"Oh," she said. "Well, I hope you have fun."

I noticed the skimpy black dress she was wearing. "Where are you going?"

"I have a date with that guy I've been seeing, Jackson," she said. "Do I look okay?"

"You look great," I said.

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," I said, walking to the door. I answered it. Craig was standing in the doorway. He was wearing a white tee-shirt and his leather jacket with a dark pair of jeans. He wasn't wearing anything special but he looked really classy.

"You look amazing," he said after a moment of silence.

"Thank you," I told him.

"So...I was thinking we could go to this cute little diner I know of and then maybe go for a walk on the beach?" he said.

"Sounds perfect," I said as we walked out the door.

We walked to the diner, talking softly about school and music. We sat at a booth in the back. He sat across from me, taking his leather jacket off and resting it next to him. I sat my purse down next to me, picking up the menu that sat in front of me.

"Can I take your order?" that voice sounded so familiar. I looked up. Dean.

"Uh..." I looked at Craig.

He returned a confused look. "I'll have a cheeseburger and a milkshake," Craig said. "And, Paige, what do you want?"

"Yeah, Spirit, what do you want?" Dean asked.

It seemed to click in Craig's mind. His eyes widened, and he went to stand up.

"Craig, no," I said, touching his arm. "I think I want a different waiter," I said to Dean.

"And what makes you think I would agree to that?" he asked.

"Do you want your boss to know that he has a rapist working for him? I'm not that naïve, stupid girl you manipulated, Dean. And I want you to leave me alone...for good."

He sighed and walked off.

"Go, Paige! You stood up to him, I'm proud of you!"

"I did...didn't I?" I asked with a slight blush.

"Can I take your order?" a woman's voice asked.

I looked up and smiled at the pretty, black haired woman. "Yeah...I'll have a salad and a milkshake."

"And you, sir?"

"I'll have a cheeseburger and a milkshake."

"What flavor?"

"Vanilla," Craig and I said in unison. Our eyes met and we giggled.

"So, how have things at home been?" I asked Craig.

"Good...kind of lonely, though. Caitlin and Joey are almost always spending time with Angie."

"I'm sorry. I know what you mean. Mom is with her new boyfriend and Dylan is, well....Dylan," I tried to laugh lightly.

"It gets lonely, doesn't it?" he asked.

"Very."

"So, this guy that your mom is seeing...do you like him?"

"I don't remember meeting him.. I mean, this is just one in her list of many."

"Oh...I see. If you don't mind me asking...what happened to your dad?"

I swallowed hard. A knot formed in my throat. "He...uh...He's not around," I said finally.

He nodded, understanding.

"So, anyway, I think they met at a singles bar or something. That's a really promising relationship, isn't it?"

"Yeah, really," he said.

"How's your little sister?"

"More adorable than ever. She's so sweet...but she kind of misses Manny."

"Why would she miss Manny?"

"Because, Manny would play dress-up with her, or do her make-up or something. She really misses having a girl to play with."

"Aw, that's so sweet."

"Yeah, it is." He reached over and took my hand in his. "I want to thank you...for always being there for me. when I was down you would cheer me up...when I was hurt you would help me heal. Thank you, Paige."

"You were the one who was always there for me. I mean...I could call you in the middle of the night and count on you to be there to comfort me. that was something I really needed."

He smiled.

Just then the waitress sat our food down in front of us. Our hands parted and I picked up the fork to start eating.

"Craig?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm having a really good time tonight."

"Me too." he smiled and took a bite of his burger.

Later that night, when he dropped me off at home...I didn't want the night to end. Being with him, spending time with him, it was so amazing.

"I had an awesome time tonight, Craig," I said, lightly touching his arm.

"So did I," he said, smiling.

"So...uh...I hope we can do it again sometime?"

"You read my mind."

I brought my hand up to brush a strand of curls from his eyes. I let the hand gently stroke his cheek, bringing us closer together. before I knew what was happening, we were kissing. His hand lightly cradled the back of my neck. When we parted we said goodnight and I went inside.

"Paige, I'm glad you're home," Mom said when I leaned against the door.

I looked at her, a little puzzled. Just then a man came from the living room. He was tall, dark hair. He looked really familiar.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I'm your father, Paige."