Friday night came way too fast. Jack sat on the couch with a bouquet of red roses in his hand. He was getting dizzy from looking down at his watch too much. It was seven. She should be arriving soon. Jack felt the nerves in his stomach tighten when it turned to five after seven.

Where is she?

Did she forget?

What if I was supposed to meet her somewhere?

What if she's sick? Or hurt?

What if she was already here and I didn't answer the door because…

"You were sleeping?" the minibot finished for him.

Yes, sleeping. That was what Jack did when he wasn't working.

The tiny toy had on a plastered suit. Jack sat in his regular black coat with black pants and a black top underneath. He felt so ashamed, but he didn't exactly have a suit and with the extra job, he had no time to pick one up. He hoped that she wouldn't be dressed too seriously.

A knock came to the door and Jack nearly flew out of his seat. He slowed down as he approached the door; he didn't want to seem too desperate. Reaching out tenderly, he turned the knob. Bright red flooded his eyes. He took a step back.

"Hi," it was her.

She was wearing a red slip with limited accessories and make-up. Her hair was red again, only this time tied up in a bun on the back of her head.

"You ready?" she laughed.

"Y-Yeah sure. Just a sec."

Kimiko waited patiently at the door as Jack ran back in to grab the minibot.

"Okay," he breathed, "Let's go."

Jack shut the door and Kimiko opened her purse. Out of it slithered Dojo.

"I want to go someplace special…"

"Special," Jack froze, "I-I'm not… no… I can't go somewhere special."

"Why not?" she giggled.

"Because this is all I have that isn't work clothes. I couldn't possibly…"

Kimiko grabbed his arm firmly.

"I said 'special' not 'formal'. Now come on."

Dojo took them to a small restaurant in the suburbs of Tokyo.

They walked in to meet head waiter.

"Tohomiko," Jack heard her whisper.

Reservations! Oh shit… Where am I?

Kimiko caught the look of terror in Jack's eyes, "Don't worry," she giggled, "It's just a formality."

Jack chuckled nervously as they were lead to a room in the back of the building. They were seated at a table for two against a wall. A small candle shed light across the table from its center. Jack was nearly panicking. Once they were seated, they were each given a menu. A few minutes later, a basket of bread appeared on the table. Jack shook in his seat.

"Calm down," she murmured, "It's okay."

There was a moment of silence before Kimiko put down her menu.

"I know what I want," she announced.

"Oh," Jack mumbled, "Good."

It was an Italian restaurant. Jack never though to look for one in Tokyo. That just proved how much better Kimiko knew the area.

As Jack read the menu cover to cover for the third time, he felt something moving against his leg. Looking across at Kimiko, she was leaning back in her seat and slumped down a bit. At first Jack grinned, but when he felt it again, he lifted the table cloth to find Kimiko's bare foot rubbing the inside of his leg.

"N-no, no," he chuckled as he pushed it away, "That's okay."

He could tell that she was partially disappointed.

Their food came and they ate in silence. Jack sat trying to avoid eye contact, but Kimiko made it very hard. She reached out and scratched the back of the hand he had resting on the table. Pulling it back slowly, Jack picked up his napkin and wiped his mouth. Kimiko sat back and continued to eat her food. More than once did she make eating more provocative than it should've been. The way she looked up from her sausage and peppers was all too much. The fact that she ordered sausage and peppers just so she could suck on it and drive him insane was unbearable. He tried to ignore it. He tried so hard. But the noises! Finally, she gave up on subliminal. She stood up from her chair and reached across the table to kiss him, but he stopped her.

"Kimiko," he murmured with his hand in her face, "Not here, please."

"Oh," he heard her voice crack.

She slowly withdrew to her seat.

Jack had done something wrong. Not even an hour into the evening, he had messed everything up. He just wanted to be with her, not have her all over him. He already had a bad feeling about the rest of the night.

After dinner, Jack paid the bill and turned to Kimiko.

"So what now?" he smiled.

"N-nothing," she murmured, "Let's go."

Jack felt his heart shatter. It was a painful feeling as if his heart had actually skipped a vital beat. Fear, despair, and self-hatred filled his mind.

"I'm sorry," he murmured to her back, but she didn't heat him, "So sorry."

He stood back a bit. Her beautiful form stood out in the darkness of the night. He caressed every bit of her with his eyes. He even lifted his hand to softly stroke her hair that was beyond his reach. It was as it should be. He had saddened her and he would pay for it, but at least… at least he could find comfort in knowing that he couldn't hurt her anymore.

Jack got onto Dojo's back and absently wrapped his arms around he supple waist. At first, he felt her tense up, but soon enough, she was relaxed again.

Dojo carried them back to his apartment. Jack slid of onto the fire escape. He didn't want to, but he looked back at his dear Kimiko. She glowed ever brighter on the dragon's back.

"I-I'm sorry, Kimiko," she looked down at him, "I'm sorry I ruined our night together."

"'Ruined'?" she whispered.

"Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

He was soon regretting those words.

Kimiko slid off dojo slowly. Approaching Jack, she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck.

"How about here, then?"

Jack was lost.

"You said not at the restaurant. What about here?"

She scratched the back of his head.

"Kimiko," he murmured, "This isn't a good idea…"

She leaned in close, "How so?" she breathed across his lips.

"Kimiko, I-"

Kimiko planted a small kiss on his pale lips.

"Kimiko…" he whispered as he leaned in to kiss again.

He wrapped his arms around her in desperation. His legs wanted to give out, but he clung to her for dear life. He clung tightly to her dress at the small of her back. His other hand weaved through her beautiful hair.

"I can't," he breathed into her kiss.

"Why not?" She pulled back a bit.

Jack looked down at the ground. Releasing her dress and hair, he stepped back a bit. Opening his coat, he revealed his battered tail wrapped around his waist.

"I'm not human," he sighed, "Not anymore."

"Oh Jack," she gasped, "What happened to it?"

"Nothing," Jack sighed, "It's pretty broken though."

Kimiko crouched down and reached out to the furry object. She touched it gently and it withdrew from his waist and hid behind his back.

"It's really hurt," she said as she looked up into Jack's eyes.

Her eyes… In them, he saw love and understanding. He saw an unfamiliar form of acceptance.

She reached out to him and brushed the side of his face gently.

"It's okay," she breathed, "I understand now," she moved in closer, "I'll keep you company for now, if you don't mind…"

"What do you understand?" he sighed.

"That bastard roommate of yours. I had a bad feeling about him from the start…"

"The start?"

"Yes, the start. He's abusive. I mean, he's so much bigger than you. Crushing someone like you must come easy to a brainless brute like him…"

"Kimiko!" he gasped.

How could she know all that? How did she figure it out? Who cares? That means she understands my situation! We can still have a good night without sex!

Jack smiled and wrapped his arms around her. He hadn't felt this happy in so long. Knowing that his dearest Kimiko understood him was wonderful.

Jack opened the door to the apartment and led her in. They sat on the couch commiserating for a while. Talking to someone felt so good to Jack. It was better than anything physical. He never wanted the conversation to end.

With a yawn, Kimiko looked down at her watch.

"Oh geeze," she sighed, "It's late. Could I stay here tonight? I'll leave first thing in the morning, promise."

Jack thought a moment. There was no extra bed in the apartment, but there was the couch.

"Sure, you can sleep out here," he offered.

"Okay," he could hear mild disappointment in her voice. Seemed like he could never say quite the right thing. "Why don't you head back, Dojo?" she asked as she let the dragon out of her purse.

"Great idea," the dragon said sarcastically, "Don't mess the place up," he warned the dragon of fire.

"Don't worry, Dojo," Kimiko laughed, "Everything'll be just fine."

Looking back at Jack, he stood up and walked over to open the door for Dojo. The dragon slithered out and took off into the night.

Jack set up the couch for her to sleep on. Once she was settled in, jack retreated to his own room. Undressing to his boxers, Jack slid under his covers. They had had a wonderful night together. Jack was overjoyed with his success. He hadn't let his emotions ruin the evening. Not entirely, anyway. He was just drifting off to sleep when he felt something soft and warm join him in bed. It wrapped its arms around him and kissed him on the nape of his neck. Jack sighed with pleasure.

"I love you…" she whispered into his hair.

"I love you too," he mumbled into his pillow.

Sitting on the back of his desk chair, the minibot continued to record everything.