Disclaimer: Not mine.

She lifted her head to the water, let it hit her face and run down her body. She thought of those shampoo commercials that were always on TV, here the woman was always in the shower running her fingers through her hair and then some smooth voice would come in the background, advertising the shampoo. She always laughed at those commercials, the thought of washing you hair to make a buck.

Then again, taking out the garbage wasn't much better.

The bathroom was filled with steam as she let the hot water flow over her. Taking a shower, at the end of a hard day especially, made her feel free. Made her feel clean. After what she went through all day, she thought she may never be clean, but for fifteen minutes, just to stand and let water cascade over her... it gave her a sense of being clean for a while at least.

Finally, she turned off the tap, pulling back the shower curtain. She jumped slightly at the sight of him sitting on the toilet. There was a box in his hands, as well as a towel, which he handed to her.

"Trying to give me a heart attack, are you?"

He chuckled. "No, but I was beginning to think you might never come out of there."

She wrapped the towel around her, trying off as she did so. "How long have you been sitting there?"

"Five minutes, at the most." At her disbelieving look, he held up a hand, "I swear."

She rolled her eyes. "What's in the box?"

"A present."

"Am I going to find out what this present is?"

"Perhaps."

She hit him lightly with the edge of the towel. "Get out."

"Oh, come on, Liv," he whined. "I've seen it all before."

She laughed, hitting his arm again. "Out!"

He ducked and left, laughing as well.

"So what is this present?" she asked, coming out of the bathroom, hair dry and wrapped in a robe.

"Open it." He held out the box.

Taking it, she sat down on the bed next to him. He watched as she opened it. "John..." she said, pulling the red dress from the box carefully. "John... it's beautiful."

"Wear it. Tonight. I got reservations."

She looked up at him, holding his gaze with her own. Leaning over, she kissed him. She pulled away, but he pulled her back, bringing his hand to her cheek. He let her go after a moment, and her eyes remained closed. He traced her lips with his thumb. "The reservations are for eight. You better hurry," he whispered.

"Mmm."

"Later... I promise."

"I'll hold you to it."

"You do that."

"I will."

A pause. "Good."