Blink slouched in a booth in Tibby's. He checked the wall clock. Five o' two. When are they gonna get here? His glance darted between the door and the clock. Finally he compromised staring at his defizzing soda in front of him and listening for the little tinkle of the bell over the door.

He slid down in his seat. How in the world did he allow Jack to set him up like this? He gave you money for dinner. That's why. And he threatened to throw you in the river after revealing to the world your security item. Not many people, not even the newsboys in the ward, knew he still slept with the purple sheep he called Monkey. Psh. Blind date. With a half-blind guy…oh, the irony of it all. He sighed. Red would be laughing at him, without a word between them.

Blink was jarred out of his musings by a tinkle above the door. A body slipped into the seat across from him silently. Blond hair, blue eyes, porcelain complexion, could lose some weight, endowed. He sighed. Nothing like Red.

The beanpole lifted her head. There was a flicker of recognition. She studied him in less than ten seconds.

He shoved his hand across the table. "'Ey, I'm Kid Blink, can I buy ya a drink 'er dinna 'er sumptin?"

She shook her head. "It's not what you can get for me. It's what I can get for you."

Blink raised one eyebrow. "Hey, I ain't heah lookin' for no hooker if dat's what ya're."

She shook her head again. "I know where Red is."

The girl found herself pressed against the wall as Blink pushed her for information. "What? How do you know?"

She sighed. "Don't you recognize me?"

His mind flashed back.

Red groaned, loudly sighing. "Hey all, dis heah's my half-sista, Dominique."

Dominique pulled away from Red, disgustedly. She stepped forward, smiling. "Torii calls me Nikki."

Red flushed. "I'll jist be at me step-muddah's house, I'll be back by tanight, fellas."

Jack spoke from the back of the room. "We'll be waiting."

Nikki dragged Red out the door.

He weakly wagged a finger at her, his jaw moving up and down. "You…you're Nikki. Her kid sista."

Nikki made a fist and gently closed his mouth. "Don't keep that open too long. You'll catch flies."

The waiter came to the end of their table, tablet and pencil in hand, his mustache twitching disdainfully. "May I take your order?"

Blink backed away from Nikki, nodding while he pasted a smile on his face. "Yeah, two specials please. Ya want sumptin' ta drink, Nikki?"

She straightened, also plastering a smile. "Yes, sweet tea please."

The waiter moved off. Blink returned across the table. "Well, where is she?"

Nikki sighed, setting her head on a hand and teasingly extending an arm towards the center of the table. "Don't you pay any attention, street rat? She's working at my mother's house."

Blink bristled at being called a street rat. Infuriated, he pinned her arm to the faux marble surface. "Doing what?"

Nikki shrank back. "Working. She's a maid. What else?"

Blink released her hand, visibly relaxing. "So, how's she doin'?"

"I thought I came here for a date."

A look came over his face. "Ya did. It's jist; I haven't seen 'er in ages it seems. Actually only a mon't or so." He sighed, his eye downcast and a melt seemed to run down his body. When he looked up, a resigned look had settled into his face. "So, how do you fit into all dis?"

She gently reached across the table, touched his cheek, and set her hand down. "It's okay, I understand." A small smile unwittingly crossed her face. "Torii is fine. A little skinnier maybe, but fine." The smile flickered. Torii may be fine physically, but mentally was a different matter. She leaned in a little. "I may be able to get you to her. Only a few minutes, lover boy, but you can see her for yourself."

Two plates of steaming broccoli, celery, corn, mashed potatoes, and turkey slammed onto the table. Gravy almost dripped off the sides of the plates. The two teenagers looked up. The waiter was already gone. A tall glass of iced tea sat at the side. They looked at each other and started giggling.

The rest of the evening was spent in planning, laughter, and chat. Blink walked away that night a little happier, a lot anxious, and a niggle of fear settling in his belly.

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Yup. 'Nother chappie up. Yes, thank you. Thank you. bows to imaginary applause Thank you reviewers! You make my day brighter than a popsicle! -rj