"You did what?"

Satine waves a hand at Ben's wide-eyed expression. The worry and slight awe radiating from the man didn't phase her.

"I set you up with your Prince Charming." Her smile was bright, but it did nothing to quell the panic in Ben's body.

Swallowing thickly, Ben leaned back against the counter and placed a hand over his mouth. Satine managed to find Cody and get a date for him. Ben closes his eyes and groans.

"How?" He asks, voice muffled by his hand.

Satine's eyebrow is raised and the look she gives him has him rolling his eyes. He sighs and waves a hand, motioning for her to get on with it.

Satine rolls her eyes and sighs as well which earns her an unamused look from the frazzled man.

"A Lady never tells." At Ben's dull blink, Satine continues. "I found him through a series of contacts. I met up with his brother, who told me Cody talked about you to him." Her smile doesn't dim as she informs Ben about what occurred just a day ago.

"You found Cody, then managed to find his brother and somehow meet up and what? Swap stories?"

Satine tilts her head in a so-so manner and shrugs her shoulders.

"You could say that."

Ben drops his head and closes his eyes. He rubs his fingers into his temple to fight the headache that threatens to rage.

Satine's petite hand grasps his trembling left hand and tugs him carefully away from the counter and into the living room. She drops next to him on the couch and tilts his head up to meet her gaze. Her eyes are full of love and Ben's heart warms at the sight.

"I know you're worried. I know you think something could go wrong. You're worried he doesn't feel the same way as you feel about him, but Ben, he loves you."

Ben gives her a look full of disbelief and Satine's heart cracks at the sight.

"It's not too soon, y'know."

Ben flinches and pulls his hands into his lap, curling in on himself as far as he can.

"You're worried about loving him. You're worried about what would happen when he learns about Quin."

"He knows about Quin." Ben whispers, eyes trained on his hands. "He knows he died in the accident."

"That's not what I mean. You know that." It's silent save for the sound of the dishwasher in the kitchen doing its job. "You're scared to love him the way you did Quin."

"I don't want to lose someone I love again." His voice cracks as he holds back tears. "I don't think my heart could take it."

"You won't lose him."

"You don't know that."

It's true. Satine doesn't know that. Accidents happen every day.

"Just try?" Satine desperately wants to force his head up once more, but she knows this is something she shouldn't do right now. "He makes you happy. You've met him once but he makes you so happy. His brother says he's head over heels for you."

Ben snorts and shakes his head.

"It's true. I know you don't believe me, but it's true. He'll just have to tell you himself tomorrow."

Ben's head shoots up and the wild look in his eyes is back.

"Tomorrow?" His voice shakes with panic. "That's not enough time! I-I need time to prepare. I can't just dive headfirst into another relationship! It's been a month!"

Satine grasps his hands and quiets him with soft shushing noises.

"Just try."


"A date?" Cody's voice is flat as he stares his brother down. Rex is on the couch shoving nachos down his throat as he keeps his eyes trained on the television screen in front of him. "You set me up on a date with a man I've met once?" Still no reply. "How did you even manage that?"

Rex risks a glance at his brother and sees the stormy look in his eyes. Rex quickly chews the food in his mouth before swallowing, brushing his hands off on his pants and pausing the movie. He gives his brother his full attention as he begins his tale.

"This woman, her name's Satine by the way,"

Cody rolls his eyes.

"She managed to find you through different people. Instead of contacting you, she contacted me."

"Obviously." Came the dry response from Cody.

"Yeah, so we met up and she told me Ben's fond of you," Rex says with a smile. He relishes in the light blush that dusts his brother's cheeks. "She even showed me a picture." He lets that sink in before bulldozing his way through the rest of the story. "I can see why you like him."

Cody growls and Rex laughs at the response.

"Don't worry, I'm not gonna steal your man."

"He's not my-"

"I told Satine what you told me about Ben."

"Vod-"

"I told her you love Ben and that you care for him. You know what she said?" No answer. "She said he felt the same."

Cody's face softens and Rex's heart lifts just a bit at the expression on his brother's face.

"He does?"

The vulnerable tone the question is asked with hits Rex hard. He rises from the couch and wanders to his brother. He wraps him in a soft hug and Cody melts in his grasp.

"Give it a try," Rex whispers in his brother's ear. Cody nods against his shoulder. "You excited?" Another nod. "Good. 'Cause the date's tomorrow."

Rex barely misses the punch thrown at his head as he ducks with a wide grin on his face.