A/N: River may seem out of character but this is how the show portrayed him until the final episodes.

" Are you alright?" Parker asked Travis after neither of them had said a word for five minutes. They sat and stared at the white screen in front of them; the lights hadn't even dimmed yet.

" I'm fine," he answered. " And I apologize, I must be the worst date you've ever had," he said jokingly.

" No," Parker said " The worst date I've ever had was Nanny Haynes taking me to the circus." She gave Travis a serious look " She gave me some good advice that day. She told me that if a man can't be entertaining and a gentleman, then he is not worth your time."

Travis smiled, cocking his brow.

" Of course, she was talking about the clown that helped her into her seat at the time."

That earned a laugh from Travis and Parker giggled back. " I really would like some popcorn," she said " Thinking about the circus made me crave it.

" I'll be right back," Travis smiled as he stood up to go to the concession stand. "Would you care for anything else?" he asked, then took her hand and kissed it briefly. " My lady?" he smiled and looked up at her " See? I can be a gentleman and entertaining too."

" Hmmm...While you're at it, I could use a drink to go with that," she laughed as Travis winked back at her.

" I'll be back in a moment," he said before he turned to leave.
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Lily and River had gotten to their seats at the same time Travis and Parker had began talking. Lily watched as Travis kissed Parker's hand and then saw the two of them laughing and enjoying one another like no one else in the world existed.

" Have I told you how lovely you look tonight?" River ventured, still taking in Lily's new look and enjoying it.

" Yeah," she answered " Thanks." She stood as she saw Travis leave the theater. " I have to go to the restroom. I'll be back in a minute," she said and left before River has a chance to respond.

" And I'm having a wonderful evening with you too River," he sneered as she walked away.
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She caught up with him easily as he wasn't very far ahead of her. " Travis," she hissed the second she was within earshot.

He could feel the anger rising but forced it back and turned to face her. " Lily," he said in an even voice.

" How in the hell can you do this?" she snapped. " You're on a date. With one of my friends!"

" And you're on a date with River Pierce," he responded, then turned away from her, not wanting a scene in front of everyone.

" Travis," she repeated and grabbed his arm " I'm here with him beca...,"

" Stop it, Lily," Travis growled in a dangerous tone. " This is not the time nor the place," he said as he jerked his arm away from her.

" Tonight," she said, feeling as if he had just slapped her. " At the station. Be there at 12:00. I have a lot to say to you."

" Don't order me around," he answered, astounded that she thought she had the right to be angry when he was out with a friend while she was with the enemy. " I will meet you there but do not order me around."

" Fine," she pouted " I will see you there." She turned and stalked off, feeling wounded.

Lily took her seat beside River, noting that he was staring straight ahead, not even acknowledging her presence.

She leaned back in her chair and saw Travis walking down the aisle with refreshments for him and Parker. He started to turn her way and she quickly turned to River. " I'm sorry," she said, her hand sliding under his chin to make him turn to her. " I will be a better date the rest of the night," she said quickly before she kissed him. She could taste the mint from his gum and felt his tongue slide over hers. It was all she could do not to cringe. She hadn't had that much experience with kissing but she knew that this was a bad one. River, you may be perfect in everyone else's eyes, but you certainly can't kiss, she thought, Or maybe it's just the fact that you aren't the one I want to kiss.

Travis looked up to see Lily practically in River's lap and had to steady his hand to keep from dropping the popcorn he was holding. Bitch, he thought. You know that I am watching you. He handed Parker the popcorn " As I promised," he said, not able to smile though he wanted to. He tore his eyes away from Lily and River. " I'm a man of my word," he said, this time smiling though it took every once of energy he had.

" I never doubted you for a second," Parker grinned, then the movie began. " Ahhh, food, a movie and a shoulder to lean on," she said as she rested her head on Travis's arm.

Travis was glad that Parker couldn't see his face and hoped that she didn't want to talk about the movie when it was over. He seriously doubted that he would absorb any of it.

River stood before the credits even began to roll. He was tiring of this game and wanted to be alone with Lily. " Where would you like to go now?" he asked after he took her hand and she stood up.

" Actually, I'm feeling kind of tired," she said as she tried to keep from rolling her eyes. " I think I'm ready to call it a night." She gave him a fake yawn and stretched a little.

River took the opportunity to appreciate her form in her silk cami and short skirt. " Come on," he said " The night is still young and I'm sure that I can think of something to keep you awake."

She caught him gaping at her and did roll her eyes. " No, really, I'm ready to home," she said, not caring about niceties anymore.

" Fine," he shrugged as if he could care less " Let's go. I would have had a better time by myself.
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Travis and Parker walk out of the theater, neither saying a word. Parker looked at Travis " Was it something I did?" she asked, quietly.

Travis was still angry and couldn't get the image of Lily and River kissing out of his mind. He looked back at Parker and could feel his heart drop. She was serious and he had never seen her look so sad before.

" I'm sorry, Parker," he said and reached out to touch her arm " No, it's not you. It's definitely not you." He sighed and squeezed her arm gently " I don't have an explanation." Not a reasonable one anyway. " Forgive me?" he asked sincerely " I wanted to make you feel better but instead I've ruined your evening."

" No you haven't," she said and covered his hand with hers " I'm fine, it's you that I'm worried about."

" Don't be," he answered, " And I will make this up to you ok?"

" I'll hold you to that," Parker said as they walked toward her house.

She didn't expect a kiss from him when the reached her door and she knew better than to invite him in. She had known him long enough to realize that something was truly bothering him and that he needed time alone. She had a feeling that "something" was Lily Randall. Still, she couldn't be angry with her friend. If Travis had feelings for Lily, then she would just have to live with it.

" Good night Travis," she said as she opened the door. " If you need a friend, you know where to find me ok?"

" Yes I do," he said, his tone serious. He felt relief when the sadness disappeared from her eyes. " And I thank you. Good night Parker," he said then waited for her to close the door before he turned to leave.