As Hux jogged down the street trying to keep up with his three misbehaving charges, he wondered in disbelief how he had plucked up the courage to ask Rose out. Hux never asked out women. Usually Hux never even talked to women. Apart from FlowerPower49. But somehow talking to Rose had felt comfortable and easy and when she had mentioned her sister it had touched his heart.

She was like a shot of sunshine straight into his veins. That beautiful smile of hers made him light up on the inside. It was the same feeling he got when he talked to FlowerPower49 online. Curious.

He felt somewhat guilty about refusing to meet FP and then asking out Rose. But he hadn't planned to do it. Before he could stop himself, the words had just came flying out of his mouth. And she said yes, which surprised him even more. There was nothing wrong with going out with Rose. It would be...good practice. Maybe it would give him the confidence he needed to meet FlowerPower once and for all.

'Uncle Army's got a girlfriend,' Louis sang.

'No I don't,' Hux replied.

'Yes you do,' Dom chimed in.

'You want to hug her and kiss her and get married and have lots of babies!' Louis shouted.

'Hey who wants a McDonald's?' Hux offered, hoping to change the subject.

'Me!' Shouted the children.

'Excellent, hopefully stuffing your faces with food will keep those little mouths busy for a while,' Hux mumbled.

'I can't believe you stood there and told me nothing was going on and now you're going on a date with him!' Rey yelled as she tidied away the craft supplies.

'How was I to know he was going to ask me out?'

'How were you to know? Are you serious? Have you looked in a mirror recently, Rose? You're gorgeous!'

'Not to mention god damn adorable,' Finn added.

Rose blushed.

'You're both too nice.'

'It's the truth and he sees it too. So what are you going to wear?'

Rose considered Rey's question. What was she going to wear?

'I may have to go shopping on my lunch break.'

Rey looked at her with excited eyes.

'I'll come too! Finn can watch the shop can't you?'

Finn nodded.

'Yeah, I can manage it. You gals go have fun.'

Rose smiled. It felt good to have a reason to be excited. She still felt a little bad about her online crush though, but Finn and Rey were right she didn't know anything about him and Hux was handsome and tall and...available. Maybe this was the wake up call she needed to stop fantasising about unattainable men and start noticing what was right in front of her nose. She started to feel giddy as she inputted the mobile number Hux had given her into her phone. She wondered where Hux would take her.

'I bet he takes you to rebels retreat! It's the best restaurant in town,' Rey announced.

Rose furrowed her brow.

'Do you think so? Surely not. Not for a first date. That's too fancy.'

'He looks like he's into fancy though.'

'Yeah that Hugo Boss suit didn't look cheap. Sure looked good on him though,' Finn smirked.

Rey rolled her eyes.

'What about your online mystery man?'

Rose shrugged.

'Just because I go on one date with one man doesn't mean we're getting married.'

'Ooooh look at our girl playing the field! I couldn't be prouder!' Finn gushed.

Rey laughed.

'Yeah but I know my Rosey, she acts tough but she's all gooey marshmallows on the inside. Bet you'll have your children's names picked out before you even order dessert.'

Rose laughed.

'I will not!'

'We shall see,' Rey said with a grin.

Hux tried on ten different shirts before settling on the first shirt he tried on. Milli had been no help at all, simply answering 'Meow' at each choice.

He fretted over which tie to wear. Or perhaps, no tie? But perhaps no tie would be too casual and suggest he was being too nonchalant? And now he was sweating again. Why was this so hard?

He needed to calm down. He sat on the edge of the bed next to Milli. He thought about Rose. He thought about her smile, he thought about the little heart he had peeled from her cheek, the heart he had purposely put into his pocket, he thought about how good she was with his niece and nephews, most of all he focused on how he felt when he was with her. It worked. His heartbeat slowed and he felt more relaxed. He stood up and texted Rose to let her know he was on his way and kissed Milli's furry head before heading for the door.

'Are you sure about this?' Rose asked as she gazed into her full length mirror.

'Absolutely!' Rey replied as she put away her make up.

'He'll be all over you in that, you're a knockout.'

Rose took another look at the expensive dress she would never normally have bought but Rey had persuaded her into buying.

'It's just a bit different to what I'm used to.'

'I know, but trust me. You look stunning.'

The dress had a nude underlay with an additional striped black layer. It was tight fitting and flared out at her waist. She liked the frill detail near her shoulders, but the neckline was a little lower than she would usually have chosen. As the dress stopped at her knees it didn't show too much leg which made her feel a little better about the amount of cleavage. Rey had put her hair up for her and helped with her make up.

Rose added ruby red lipstick to her lips and pressed them together.

'Perfect!' Rey announced.

'Thank You, Rey.'

'No problem, I'll make myself scarce.'

Rose walked her to the door of her tiny flat above Pages. They hugged on the threshold.

'Have fun, text me later and let me know how it went.'

'I will.'

Rose closed the door and shivered with anticipation. She hadn't been on a date in so long. She was looking forward to the evening. She jumped as the intercom buzzed. She pressed the button to answer the call.

'Hello?'

'Rose?'

It was him. Rose smiled.

'I'll be right down!' she sang before grabbing her keys and her handbag and heading down the stairs.

Rose opened the door and noted that Armitage was wearing a different suit to earlier, this one was blue. He wore a crisp white shirt underneath left open at the collar. His hair was swept away from his face but a few wisps fell around his forehead. It was a good look for him. Rose almost sighed at the sight of him, but caught herself.

His mouth fell open when he looked at her.

'You look beautiful.'

'Thank You,' she flushed.

His eyes settled on her cleavage briefly then he swallowed awkwardly and dragged his eyes away. She silently thanked Rey for her fashion advice.

'I've made reservations at Rebels Retreat,' he announced.

Rey was right again. How did she do that?

'Wow! How did you manage that? They're booked months in advance!'

'I know a few people,' he murmured intriguingly.

'Shall we walk? It's not far.'

Rose agreed because she didn't want to seem awkward, but she was somewhat worried about her choice of footwear. She wasn't used to walking in heels and she suspected the red three inch stilettos she was wearing could turn on her at any moment. Rose rubbed her arms as they walked. It was a chilly evening.

Armitage noticed.

'Oh gosh! I'm so insensitive! Of course, you're cold. Here.'

Armitage shrugged out of his jacket and helped Rose into it. The jacket was warm and soft and smelt delicious.

'Thank you,' she said shyly.

Armitage smiled and gave her a little nod.

'So where do you work?' Rose asked.

'Ahhh, let's not talk shop tonight. Tell me all about yourself.'

Rose shrugged.

'Well there's not much to tell.'

'I don't believe that. I'll start you off. What do you like to do in your spare time?'

'Read,' she said with a smirk.

'Okay that was an easy one. Let me think for a moment…'

Rose was enjoying the way Armitage's nose scrunched up while he considered his next question, when her foot caught on a loose paving stone and sent her flying through the air. She braced for impact, whilst cursing her impractical shoes...but she didn't hit the ground.

Armitage caught her in his arms and looked down at her with concern.

Rose's heart thumped in her chest.

'T-t-thank you,' she stammered.

'Are you alright?' Armitage asked, shifting his hands slightly to gain a tighter grip on her waist.

Rose swallowed hard as the contact between them sent a tingle down her spine.

'Ah, yes. I think so. Thanks to you.'

They looked at each other. The air between them felt heavy. She caught the scent of his aftershave and leaned forward a little. His eyes went to her lips.

'You can probably let go of me now,' Rose said gently.

'Of course. Sorry,' Armitage shook his head and helped her into an upright position.

Rose mentally kicked herself. Why did she have to spoil the moment? He had looked as if he was going to kiss her, and she had wanted him to. More than she had ever wanted anything. She bit her lip and decided to be bold.

'Could you, hold my hand? I'm not used to wearing heels. It's just a precaution in case the pavement decides to attack me again.'

Armitage smiled at her and held out his hand. Rose took it. It was so warm. They walked hand in hand the rest of the way to the restaurant. Sneaking glances at each other when they thought it was safe to do so. Armitage held the door open for her, and she entered the restaurant still wrapped in a haze of romantic musings, when...

'Rose!'

A familiar voice caught her attention. She spun around and saw Beaumont Kin sitting at a small table with someone she recognised as one of his work colleagues. She smiled awkwardly. Oh God, that was inconvenient. She knew Beaumont still had feelings for her. She would have to go through the social etiquette of introducing them as much as she wished she could avoid the situation.

' Armitage, do you know Bea-'

She stopped talking when she saw his face. He was frozen in fear.

'What's wrong?' she asked.

'Ahhh, we have to go,' he said holding out his hand.

'But we just got here.'

'I know, I'm sorry. I just saw someone I want to avoid.'

Did he mean Beaumont or someone else? Rose decided that she didn't mind too much, she wasn't relishing the thought of having Beaumont sneak looks at them throughout the meal or worse ask to join them.

'Let's go then,' she said taking his hand.