Disclaimer: Not mine. This is carried on straight after Reaction, so I hope it's okay. Another one in the romance drabbles, hope you all enjoy. Angel Mouse, October 2005.

Ars Amatoria Challenge: Gift

By Angel Mouse

Couple: Bridge/Z

Set: The next day after Reaction

Bridge looked at the items in the display case, trying to decide which one would be perfect. He didn't want anything over board but he wanted something special for their first date. Finally he spotted it and smiled to himself. He pointed it out to the sales girl and she nodded, grabbing it out of the case and he went inside to pay for his purchase.

An hour later he was getting ready for his date. He'd asked Z yesterday afternoon would she like to go to the movies and a picnic with him and she'd made his day by saying yes. So, here he was, dressed in a long green and white sleeved shirt and dark blue trousers. He brushed his hair and took a last look and nodding to himself, he headed out, grabbing the small box in his gloved hands.

Z had been taken completely by surprise by Bridge asking her out yesterday but she had been really pleased he had. She really liked Bridge and was looking forward to spending the afternoon together. Syd and Sky had gotten together and had swapped shifts with them both so they could have the afternoon off. She was dressed in a short sleeved yellow sundress with a small brown jacket on the top of it. There was a knock on her door and she ran a hand through her hair again, it was perfect and then she nodded.

"Doors open." The door opened and Bridge stepped into her room, smiling gently at her.

"Hi Z. Wow, you look beautiful." She smiled shyly at him.

"Thank you." They stood there a moment and then Bridge laughed, shaking his head and then held out a box for her.

"Here, I got this for you. It's something I think sums you up perfectly. Well, I mean, I don't know you as well as I'd like but I'd like to get to know better. Well, at least I hope it does. Oh, I don't know what I mean. I hope you do." Z smiled gently at him as she took the box wrapped in a gentle yellow ribbon. She looked up at him and grinned.

"Bridge, thank you." She opened it carefully and gasped in surprise. Inside there was a pair of silver earrings shaped in the letter z. She was amazed and touched to the core by Bridge's gesture. She looked up and smiled gently at him. She reached up with her hand and placed it against his cheek. "Thank you Bridge. This is beautiful." He looked her in the eye and smiled at her.

"Just like you." She smiled and standing up slightly she pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek and stood back down. She quickly put the earrings in and took his hand in hers.

"Thank you for your beautiful gift Bridge. Shall we go?" Bridge's smile was wide and his heart was in his eyes.

"That we shall." Laughing, the two of them headed out for what promised to be a wonderful afternoon.