The movie wasn't too bad. Not interesting enough to keep his mind off Shawn's mom and his weird dream, though – which he replayed in his mind over and over again as the actors on the screen went through their motions. He knew the female voice was Dotty, but he also knew that he had no idea who the male was, and knew for a fact he hadn't heard that voice before. The fact that he had no way of finding out who it was – unless Dotty told him, and he had a feeling she wouldn't – was frustrating, and that was just as distracting.

But it wasn't frightening. Not like the nightmares. Even knowing that she was in his head wasn't scary – because he knew who she was, and unlike with the Ashrak, there was no faceless enemy. He didn't know for sure that she wasn't a danger – although he rather thought she wasn't, because in his dreams she'd been on friendly speaking terms with the male, who had tried to help him (he knew that now, although then he'd been to frightened to listen to what he'd been saying). If the male was trying to help, then Dotty must have been as well. One of those friend of my friend type deals, he supposed.

All in all, though, add the dream to all that he'd learned from Jack and Sam the night before – and weren't wormhole theories just fascinating? – it was no surprise that he couldn't keep his full attention on the movie he was watching.

Cassie, too, was having trouble paying attention to the movie. She was seated between River and Ian, close enough in the crowded theater and cramped seats that she could feel the warmth of both of them, although River was more of a distraction than Ian was.

The blonde cadet was between Gina and Cassie, and since Gina was taken, his attention for the duration of the movie was on Cassie. Which was enjoyable, she had to admit. He didn't do anything too blatant – a simple touch of his arm against hers for a moment, or he'd let his hand rest against hers for a while, or his leg would press against hers. Nothing all that open and obvious, but added together and even Cassie – who was not all that experienced in such matters – knew that it could be an invitation to more.

Which was something that she wasn't sure how to handle. On the one hand, she was attracted to River – you'd have to be blind not to be. He was charming, and sweet, and absolutely delicious. And obviously interested in her. Which was flattering and gratifying to someone Cassie's age. On the other hand, though, she had seen him flirting with pretty much everyone else he'd come into contact with – which told her that he wasn't head over heels in love with just her. And that wasn't quite so pleasing. She didn't want to be one of many; she wanted to be The One. And she wasn't positive from what she'd seen so far that River was capable of only being interested in one.

And then there was Ian. Cassie looked over to her right at the dark haired cadet, and noticed that he didn't seem to be paying attention to the movie. He was looking at the screen, but he seemed distracted, and it made her wonder what he was thinking about. She didn't know what to make of Ian, really. He seemed so sober and introverted all the time, but she'd seen him with Jack and Sam and knew that under that brooding exterior he had a very good sense of humor, and a playfulness that you'd never expect from looking at him. It was just a matter of getting him to open up to her – and he hadn't really done it, yet.

She touched his hand, drawing his attention to her. She leaned over so she wouldn't annoy any of the people around her, and he leaned closer in response.

"Are you having a good time?"

What she really wanted to ask was what was on his mind, but she couldn't – not in the quiet theater. And if it was personal, chances were he wasn't going to tell her anyways.

He flashed her a smile – that didn't exactly reach his eyes – but rested his hand on hers for just a moment, and nodded.

"I'm good. You?"

She nodded, too, and he turned his attention back to whatever it was he'd been thinking about, and Cassie leaned back in her seat and went back to watching the movie, her leg brushing River's – accidentally.

OOOOOOOOO

"So what'd you think?" River asked her as they were walking out of the theater once the movie ended. The Californian had his arm lightly around her waist once more and was guiding her easily through the crowded lobby to where they were going to meet up with the others, who'd had to stop and use the bathroom before heading out the door.

"About the movie?"

He grinned – God, he was beautiful when he smiled. She'd never really understood the term animal magnetism until she'd met River Hayden.

"Yeah."

"It was good."

"I'm glad you came."

She blushed, but tried to hide it behind a smile as they stopped next to a post to wait for the others.

"Me, too."

River started to say something else, but Ian walked up just then, and Hayden acknowledged him with a grin.

"Hey, Brooks, why don't you let me take Cassie home? You can take Shawn and Gina." The hand around her waist tightened just a little, and Cassie felt a shiver go through her. There was nothing subtle about that request!

Ian didn't miss the hand around her waist, or the blush on Cassie's cheeks, and he wasn't sure exactly how she wanted him to respond to that request, but there was only one way he could answer.

"I told her mother I'd bring her home, Hayden."

"I'd get her home safely, you know I would."

"I know. But she's my responsibility, right now. That means I take her home."

Bah.

River was too easy going to really be annoyed, but it was obvious to Ian that he'd had high hopes that he'd be given a chance for a little alone time with Cassie. The arm dropped from around her waist, and Ian wondered if it was relief or disappointment in Cassie's expression. He didn't know her well enough to read her all that well.

"We ready?"

They all turned and saw Shawn walking over with Gina, who was talking to a girl that was walking beside them. Obviously, Cassie wasn't the only one who'd run into a friend at the movies, and the girl waved a goodbye when a car pulled up to the curb and honked.

River nodded in response to Shawn's question, and pulled the keys to the Jeep out of his pocket.

"We'll probably give you a call tomorrow," he told Ian. "If we get bored and need some comic relief."

"We'd have to be really really bored, though," Shawn said, grinning.

Ian flipped him the bird, causing Gina to giggle – she'd already figured Ian to be a bit less of a jerk than he acted, and knew by Shawn's reaction that he was used to being treated this way.

"If I don't see you then, I'll see you on Monday." Ian told them. Then he turned to Cassie. "You ready?"

She nodded, and they said their goodbyes and headed for the truck.

"Thanks for inviting me to come," she said when they'd both gotten in and buckled up.

"I'm glad you came."

She looked over at him, smiling slightly. A compliment like that meant a lot more coming from him than it did coming from River.

"Really?"

"Sure."

He pulled the truck out of the parking lot, and Cassie debated a ride home in silence, or trying to make small talk. She opted for small talk – but then blurted out the one question that had been in her mind, but she really hadn't intended to ask.

"Why didn't you let River take me home?"

She flushed; realizing that he could take that to mean that she'd wanted to be taken home by River – and all that that entailed. And she wasn't so sure that she had – although the attention had definitely been flattering.

He pulled the truck over to the side of the road, into a parking lot, and Cassie thought for a moment that he was going to turn around and take her back. Instead, he turned the engine off and looked over at her, his dark eyes completely unreadable.

"Did you want me to let him take you home?"

She hesitated, and shrugged.

"I don't know," she finally answered.

"You know he was talking about more than just driving you home, right?"

"Yes." She wasn't dumb, after all.

"When you can say yes – without hesitating like you just did – that's when it's time for you to let him take you home, Cassandra. Not until then, and not just because he's a smooth talker with a good smile."

"You said he's a nice guy," she said, thinking about what he'd just said, and finding the truth in the statement.

"He is a nice guy," Ian said, starting the truck once more. "I'd trust him with my life. But not with your heart. Not until you were sure of him – and I know that you're not."