Tom arrived at the Sun Ray Grill and noticed Ioki, Penhall and Blowfish already seated outside.
"Hey guys." Tom greeted. "Penhall, I can't believe you are here early."
"Well, it was this or deal with Dorothy, so here I am."
"Why didn't you invite her too?" Ioki asked.
"Because I want to enjoy myself, Iokage."
Captain Fuller and Judy walked up at the same time.
"Look who I found in the parking lot." Capt. Fuller joked.
The guys simultaneously greeted Judy with happy birthday as they showered her with hugs and compliments on her stunning outfit. Judy was wearing a lavender low-cut top and her tight black capris with her hair up in curly ringlets. Tom was amazed with her beauty as always, but he didn't want to be the first to say anything. Penhall waved for the waitress and ordered the first round of beers.
"I need six beers. No make that two pitchers and six glasses."
"Why thank you kind sir." Judy said as Ioki pulled a chair out for her to sit.
"How does it feel to be...? How old are you again?" Blowfish questioned.
"A lady never reveals her age." Judy teased.
Tom moved his chair closer to the table. "I bet I know." Tom said looking at Judy. "But I won't "reveal" the lady's secret."
Judy gave Tom a not-so-nice look and Tom knew that she was still holding a grudge about their earlier conversation, so he decided to cut verbal contact with Judy until she cooled off and got a few drinks in her.
After three hours of laughing and telling stories about this past week's cases, the group found themselves inside at the bar. Fuller and Blowfish were the first to call it a night, so it left the four young officers: Ioki and Penhall at one end of the bar and the secret couple at the other.
Judy slammed the shot glass on the bar before Tom did and smiled with victory. "I beat you again. Next drink is on you!" She said with enjoyment.
"Two tequilas please" Hanson commanded.
"Tequila?"
"Well, I need to get you into bed somehow." Tom said with his usual cute smirk.
"A hospital bed." Judy retorted.
They downed the shots and this horrible look came over their faces. They looked at each other and started laughing hysterically.
"Well that's it for me, you guys be safe getting home." Ioki said putting his arms around Judy and Tom's shoulders.
"I'll keep an eye on her." Tom assured him giving Judy a wink.
"I need to go home too. Dorothy probably has changed the locks by now." Penhall stated as he stood up.
Harry and Doug took off leaving Tom and Judy at the bar. They sat there looking at each other for the longest time before Judy jumped on the next order of shots.
"How about…two shots of bourbon?" she ordered.
"Bourbon? You don't look like a bourbon girl." Tom teased.
"Well, I am tonight." Judy downed the bourbon and slammed the glass down before Tom once again. "I'm on fire!"
Tom smiled as they shared another uncomfortable silence. Judy couldn't help looking into his beautiful brown eyes as he stared back.
"Wanna get out of here?"
"Tom, I'm still mad at you."
"Ok fine, let's just go to your place."
"Tom!"
"You have a dirty little mind birthday girl. I wanted to leave, so we could talk in private."
"Well ok, just as long as you behave yourself tonight."
"I'll try my best, but I doubt I can control myself, especially with you wearing that top."
Judy and Tom left the bartender a generous tip and walk outside to their cars. As they walked out of the bar, Tom felt like someone was watching them. Tom clenched his arm around Judy's waist and walked her to her car.
"What are you doing?" a confused Judy asked.
"I'm trying to make up. I don't want any funny vibes between us."
"I know how you feel. When you left this afternoon, I felt so horrible about the way I have been avoiding your feelings about this situation. I…."
Tom kissed Judy gently. "We can finish this conversation at your place." Tom added.
Tom watched Judy drive away and took a long glance of the parking lot before getting into his car. As soon as Tom and Judy walked into the apartment, they were all over each other. As they made their way to the couch, Judy paused to say something.
"Tom, I'm ready to become serious. We should let the world know."
A smile spread across Tom's face as he moved in for another kiss. Judy paused again.
"Well, what do you think?"
"I've always been there; I was waiting for you to come around."
Judy smiled and resumed kissing the man she called "boyfriend" now. After their sexual encounter, Tom got dressed in expectation of going home that night.
"Please stay tonight, Tom." Judy said trying to plead with him.
"You know I want to, but I have to do some laundry and it's already 10 o'clock. I'll see you at the Chapel tomorrow. Come walk me out."
Judy walked Tom to the door and kissed him softly good night. Little did Tom know that the man he saw earlier was at the end of the hallway. Judy was putting the chain on the door, when she heard a light knock. Figuring it was Tom changing his mind, she quickly opened the door to see the mystery guy standing behind it. The familiar face killed the smile on her face.