How it be yo? (Even I have to roll my eyes at that one) I'll make this short. My English teacher (who believes I lack the creative skills to be a writer) is giving us piles of work every night so updating might be harder than I expected.

Disclaimer: yeah right

Mr. Brightside

Chapter 11

How Many Licks

Kiera led then on towards the port, chatting animatedly to Torn who, although not using excessive hand motions, talked back with nearly as much enthusiasm. He enjoyed talking to her; she was always friendly and cheerful but not to the point of being annoying. And she was smart too, a definite plus over Tess (not that he thought she was stupid, just a little...blonde). When he talked, she seemed generally interested in what he was saying and he found that attractive. In a totally legal way! Really!

She enjoyed talking to him as well. They shared similar views on a lot of things, like morals and Daxter and they both liked the movies no one else seemed to like (you know those ones), though he didn't get to watch many. And he had a strange, sarcastic sense of humor that was charming in its own way.

When they neared the port, Torn asked, "So, where are we going any ways?"

"Well, there's this great seafood place no far from the Naughty Ottsel. You didn't object when I mentioned is earlier...you do like fish don't you?" she asked with a slightly nervous glance his way. Why she was nervous was a mystery to her, but she really hoped he would like where she was taking him.

"I like it well enough," he answered, "Do they have good coleslaw?"

The look on his face was dead serious and made her laugh.

"Yes," she said when she'd finally calmed down enough to answer to his confused look, "they have good coleslaw."

"What's so funny?" he asked, slightly offended that she was laughing at him.

"Nothing, nothing," she replied with a grin. He was cute when he pouted. "Hey, we're here!"

Torn looked up to see a familiar sign, a large fish to be exact, bearing the words 'The Fighting Fish' under it. The fish's fins were fanned out and elegant, but pretty fierce looking for a sign. He'd walked by the place before but had never gone into it. The aroma of seafood wafted out from the door.

Kiera stepped in and he followed her through the door. Inside it was dim and cool, decorated in different shades of blue, which gave it an aquatic feel. A large fish tank was against the wall, housing a monstrous eel that glanced lazily at the people moving around. They took a seat in one of the booths that lined the wall.

"Are you sure you don't mind seafood? 'Cause if you do, we could always–"

He interrupted her concerned rambling.

"Actually, I've been in the mood for haddock lately. And coleslaw..."

She smiled at him again as the waitress came to take their orders. 'Linda', as her name take stated, gave Torn a once over (unknown to him of course) and asked in a voice of the utmost enthusiasm, "What can I get for yas today?"

"I'll have the grilled cob salad, with olive oil dressing, and a small strawberry daiquiri, please," Kiera ordered with forced politeness. This girl's wandering eyes were getting on her nerves.

"And for you, hun?" she asked the other occupant of the booth with a flutter of her heavily mascaraed eyelashes.

Torn was flipping through the menu trying to decide what he wanted.

"How about the deep fried haddock and fries, a side of linguini and crab, and the biggest bowl of coleslaw you've got. Oh, and a large iced tea too."

"Sure thing, sug. I'll get your drinks out in a minute."

She bustled away, leaving them alone. Kiera looked over at Torn, who was trying to wrestle the menu back into its holder, and studied him for a moment.

He looked so tired, the bags under his eyes had more bags under them. His normally warm skin looked pale and sickly showing his lack of sleep even more. What worried her the most though, was how baggy his clothes were. Normally, they were loose on his thin frame, but now they were just hanging from his thin body. 'Has he been eating at all?' she thought.

The worry must have shown on her face because he said, "What's wrong? You look troubled."

She didn't hesitate.

"Torn, have you been eating enough? Seriously," she added as he began to roll his eyes, "you look a little thin."

"Like I said before, I'm fine," he told her. Why couldn't she just except that like everyone else had? Why did she have to be difficult?

She sighed. "Okay. I'll quit pestering you now. Just make sure you don't get sick, okay? I don't want to think about the state the city would be in if you did."

He gave her a reassuring smile. "Yes, that's a scary scenario."

He was relieved she had dropped the subject of his health. A small part of him like how she fussed over him, but a bigger part, aka his ego, didn't like anyone to think of him as less than immortal.

Their drinks came then and Torn raised an eyebrow and said, "A strawberry daiquiri? You do realize you're seventeen years old and sitting across from the commander of the FL, right?"

Kiera smiled at him coyly and lowered her lashes.

"Now, you wouldn't really arrest me, would you?"

"Of course I would," he replied mischievously, "I'd love to see you in hand cuffs."

"Was that a come on?" Kiera asked with an eyebrow raised, a grin on her face. Was he talking dirty to her?

Torn, who hadn't meant to say that at all, said innocently, "No! I only meant that the look on your father's face would be priceless."

He was able to keep the blush from his cheeks, but there was one thing he couldn't suppress: his mind. The Voice was back with a vengeance.

Kiera's dirty mind had a few ideas of its own, some she herself wouldn't mind, but she pushed these thoughts to the back of her brain and said, "I don't get these very often," she gestured to her drink, "just when I want something fruity."

"Ever try a mudslide?" he asked.

"A what?"

"A mudslide. It's like a chocolate smoothie with alcohol in it. They use those chocolate cookie things with the cream in the center. I think you'd like it."

"Sounds good, but aren't you supposed to be telling me not to drink, not suggesting different mixed drinks? Couldn't you arrest yourself for that?" she asked.

"Well technically–"

He was interrupted by the arrival of their food, which smelled heavenly to him. He began to shovel his coleslaw into his mouth (which was wonderful), while Kiera laughed at his antics.

They ate their food and talked about the rebuilding of the city. It was coming along well despite having low man power and inadequate equipment, much to the credit of Torn. He'd never admit it, but he was the one that was practically building all of the buildings, fixing all the broken water lines, and restarting all the schools. Well, not literally but you get my drift. Without his drive the city would be screwed.

They left the pub a little while later, both full with good food. But not too full for dessert.

"Chocolate Almond Truffle or Strawberry Cheesecake?"

"I don't know, why don't you get both?"

"Can I do that? I thought a double scoop was only of one flavor."

Kiera giggled and said to the man at the counter, "Can we do that?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Okay then. We'll take two large cones then with those two flavors," she told the guy, who was relieved that they had finally ordered.

They got their ice cream cones and headed out of the little parlour. They didn't say anything, just enjoyed the nice, comfortable silence. Torn could see her out of the corner of his eye and had trouble taking his eyes off her tongue. It was gently licking the ice cream off the cone in a most innocent manner. And it was kinda hot.

'She's eating ice cream you imbecile! Stop thinking that kind of stuff!' one voice said.

'And it looks hot!' another retorted.

'I really should see a doctor about this.' Torn thought as they walked back to HQ.

That was sooo cliche! But effective. Hmm... any ways, R&R! Oh, and I have another chapter of Why They Really... which should be up soon, so read that if you want some mindless humor!