Laughing, Beverly opened the door to her apartment, and Chance followed her in. "You can't be serious!" she giggled.

"Whadda ya mean?"

"No one with half a brain could've liked that movie."

"Oh, c'mon, it weren't that bad."

"Oh, please! That young guy couldn't act at all! And even though he was a real jerk, the girl falls in love with him anyway."

Chance got a defiant look in his eye. "Happens all the time."

"Does not." Bev sat down in a chair, and waved Chance towards the sofa.

"Well, it's a movie. It don't have to be realistic."

Bev waved her hand. "Ah, it was awful."

Chance glanced down at his feet. "Well, sorry you had such a rotten time."

Bev's voice softened considerably. "I didn't say I had a rotten time. Not at all."

For a minute, neither Chance nor Beverly spoke. Chance just sat looking at Beverly with a silly grin on his face. Finally, to break the silence, Beverly asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Sure." Bev started to get up, but Chance jumped up first. "No, sit - I'll get 'em. Where are they?"

"In the kitchen," Bev pointed.

"Oh. Duh. Whatcha want?" Chance asked, halfway thru the kitchen door.

"Whatever."

"Um, all right. One whatever comin' up." He grinned again and headed into the kitchen.

Bev leaned back in her chair, smiled, and shook her head. This was going much faster than she was used to. Usually she met someone, talked with them in a friendly way for several months, slowly getting to know them. But this one night with Chance was completely different. All the rules she had set for herself seemed to have been tossed out the window. Heck, Chance wasn't even someone she'd normally date. He was...well, he was a mechanic, for heaven's sake. Honestly, though, he was proving to be a refreshing change from the scholarly and businesskat types she normally dated. She drew a deep breath and finally faced the question that had been nagging at the back of her brain for the last hour or so - what if Chance wanted to spend the night?

She had only just begun considering the question when the front door to her apartment opened. In stepped a middle-sized dark brown kat who seemed to be in constant motion. He had loosened his tie but otherwise looked fresh from the office.

"Hey, babe. Sorry I couldn't make it - something came up. Looks like the Fortinbras deal is back on." He walked by her chair, kissing her on the forehead. He appeared not to notice her shrinking from his touch. "Hope you weren't too lonely without me." He grinned, then tossed himself on the sofa. "I'm starving - mind if I grab something outta your fridge?"

"Um, Peter..."

He looked up at Bev. "What? What is it?"

Chance re-entered the room, holding two glasses of creme soda. "Jeez, I can't remember the last time I had..." Spotting Peter sprawled on the sofa, Chance stopped for a second, then quickly recovered himself. "Heya," he said, deciding to play it cool.

Peter jumped to his feet, glared at Chance, then back at Bev. "Who is this?"

Bev didn't - couldn't - answer, so Chance interceded. "Chance. Chance Furlong." He put the glasses down and walked over with his hand outstretched. Peter knocked it away with the back of his hand, and stormed over to Bev's chair. Bev looked up, scared but defiant.

"You two-timing..." he yelled. "I leave you alone for one night..."

Chance didn't want to hear anymore. He hadn't known Bev for all that long, but he liked her enough to want to protect her. He grabbed Peter's shoulder and wheeled him back around to face him. "Listen, you...Peter, right? Lemme see if I got this right. You left Bev sitting at It'l Do waiting for you, right?"

Peter tried to free himself from Chance's grasp, but failed. "Something came up at work, you..."

"Where ya work where they ain't got no phones?" asked Chance sarcastically.

"I got tied up with the guys..."

"And if I've got this right, this ain't the first time this li'l scene's taken place."

"Listen, musclehead, my relationship with Bev isn't your concern."

"Yeah, well, I decided I kinda like her, and so I'm makin' it my concern." Chance finally released Peter, to his relief. He spun around to face Bev.

"Bev, kindly tell this...this freak to buzz off."

Bev stood up. "No, Peter, I won't. I'm tired of being treated like...like an afterthought."

"Oh, come on, babe..."

"No, you come on. I'm sick of it."

"Bev, you can't mean that."

Chance put his hand back on Peter's shoulder. "Sounds like you blew it, bub." He started to lead him to the door, and his voice got almost kind. "Listen, lemme give you a bit of advice. No, really. I may not be the swiftest plane in formation, as my partner likes to say, but even I know you can't treat a girl like that." They had reached the door. Chance dropped his hands to his sides. "Look, I'm sorry." And he actually sounded like he was. Peter stared at him for a few seconds, then walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

Chance looked at the closed door for a second, took a deep breath, then hesitantly turned around. He wasn't sure how Bev was going to react to all that. She was standing still in the middle of the living room, and Chance couldn't figure out her expression. After a pause that seemed like forever, she reached over and picked up the two creme sodas that Chance had poured. She walked over and handed one to him, and held up hers in a toast. With a wry smile that was also rather sad, she said, "To a new start?"

Chance grinned, took the glass from her, and clinked it against hers. After taking a sip, he looked down at her. She put her glass down, then unexpectedly, she put her arms around Chance and hugged him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Hey, hey..." Chance said quietly. He put his hand under her chin, and, tilting her head up to face him, was surprised to see a few tears on her cheeks. "Hey, there, don't cry."

She shook her head slightly. "I'm sorry."

"It'll be OK. You'll see." Impulsively, Chance bent down and put his lips against hers. A few seconds later, Bev put her arms back around him and began kissing back with earnest. Chance felt his hormones kick into high gear. It'd been ages since he'd slept with someone - not since...Chance's brain immediately blocked the rest of that thought.

They finally separated, and Bev looked up with a mischevious grin. "So...should we retire to the bedroom?"

Chance had an internal argument, with his upper half finally winning. "Nah, better not."

Bev looked surprised, and a bit hurt. "Really?"

"Don't think I ain't tempted. It's just..." Chance closed his eyes and shook his head. "This is so dumb."

"What?"

"I don't wanna...'cause...'cause I like ya."

"Huh?"

"I know, I know. But...it's like...I want to...to know you before...aw, heck!" Chance sat down with his head hanging down for a second, then looked back up at Bev. "You know, you make me wanna say 'yes' just so I won't hafta explain."

"Well, there's a good reason."

"I'm kidding. Look...Bev..." He had her sit next to him, and he looked earnestly at her. "You're a great gal. And I wanna...get to know you better, y'know?" Bev nodded. "'K, see, but I think if you 'n' me start off...that way, it might spoil things, y'know?" Bev again nodded, but more unsurely. "So, let's...sorta save that. Somethin' to look forward to, right?" She nodded, smiling. Chance smiled back, and let out his breath. "Whew. I ain't so good at explainin' stuff."

"You were good at explaining that, Chance."

"Well, if you get it, I guess I did." Chance stood up, and helped Bev to her feet. "I better get back. You free for

lunch tomorrow?"

"If I can get away..." Bev shook her head. "Forget that. I'll get away somehow."

"Heh. Already got you slackin'."

Again, Bev hugged Chance unexpectedly. "Thanks," she whispered.

Chance entered the garage quietly, and was surprised to see Jake asleep on the couch, the TV quietly on. He tried to quietly shut it off, but Jake suddenly opened his eyes.

"Sorry," said Chance.

"Mm. S'OK," Jake sat up a bit stiffly and yawned. "What time is it?"

"Um...one."

"What's her name?"

"Bev," Chance answered without thinking, then suddenly shot Jake a look. Jake just grinned. Chance growled, "I hate it when you do that."

"You make it easy." Jake jumped to his feet and tried to get some circulation into his legs by walking around. "Well, you came back the same night, so she must've said 'no'."

Chance busied himself with his jacket, and mumbled, "Nah. I did."

Jake stopped. "Wait a second. Katsanova Chance turned down an offer to spend the night with a she-kat?"

Angrily, Chance said, "Yeah, s'what's wrong with that?"

"Nothin', buddy. I guess there's a first time for everything, that's all. Everything OK?"

Chance smiled. "Yeah. Better'n OK."

Jake stretched, then looked intently at Chance. "Sounds like an interesting night."

"Yep. See what you miss?"