"What a charming fellow!" Harry rolled his eyes at Caitlin - once they were both safe inside his car and a fair distance from the restaurant. "Who set that up? An enemy?"

Caitlin laughed harder than the weak joke called for - shivering as her chuckles died. "Thank you so much for that - I panicked."

"It happens." Harry made a random turn and realized he was back near the supermarket. "D'you think you could eat?"

"Not right now…"

"You called when I was picking up groceries, and I'm still out of what I went to the store for."

"Oh." Caitlin flushed, her hands playing with the top of her shirt, plucking at one of her rose-shaped buttons. "I caught you trying to do shopping, I didn't even think you'd be busy - but that's also why you got to me so fast…"

"You're my friend and it'll be a cold day in Hell before I ignore anyone who needs my help." Harry smiled. "This won't take long."

Harry pushed the cart behind Caitlin who read every label of every product she handled - regardless if it was something he wanted. He caught himself smiling, knowing it was a goofy, unguarded smile - and shrugged. It was a nice change of pace to hang out with a friend doing normal, everyday type things. Harry didn't kid himself - Caitlin saying he was her boyfriend was only to make it easier to get rid of Tony.

"Oh wow! I haven't had zebra cakes since I was a kid!" Caitlin turned and held up a package, waving it at Harry. "Nothing but empty calories and regret." She set it down and sighed. "I loved them so much."

"Then what are you doing? Toss'em in, you need a little something to get you back to happy after that dismal date with Tony. Better make it two boxes, I bet you won't want to share."

Caitlin watched Harry swiftly put away the groceries, leaving the two packages of zebra cakes on the counter. He looked over his shoulder and asked, "Want some tea to go with?"

"Huh?"

"Tea with those amazing zebra cakes." Harry slouched on the counter. "Let's have dessert first. C'mon, live a little, ruin your appetite for dinner. You probably didn't enjoy much at the tavern, right?"

"Um, no. Not much enjoyment there." Caitlin bit the corner of her lips as she considered her choices. "Don't you have plans or something? I don't want to cramp your style."

"Excellent, tea for two coming up." Harry pulled the kettle off the stove and filled it with water. His back to Caitlin he asked, "What kind of tea goes with empty calories and regret?" Caitlin giggled like Harry had intended and his shoulders relaxed, his goofy smile growing. "Blueberry? Orange pekoe? Earl Grey?" He turned on the burner and rummaged for cups and pulled out an assortment of tea.

"Mmm, you're missing the obvious match - got any mint?"

Harry stopped pawing through his tea collection and gave Caitlin a bewildered look. "How is that obvious?"

"Mint soothes the stomach - and I know I'm not sharing any of mine." Caitlin arched one brow, her playful smile lighting her whole face. "Mint makes it possible to eat them all."

"Allrighty then." Harry placed milk, a sugar bowl and a pair of spoons next to Caitlin. The kettle whistled and he poured hot water into the brown betty teapot he'd prepared. "This is gonna be good." Harry settled himself on the barstool next to Caitlin and ripped open his box of mass-produced cake, taking a cautious bite - then chewing with enjoyment and cramming the rest into his mouth. "Mmff! Mmm!"

Caitlin hugged her own box to her chest and opened it, drawing out a set of zebra cakes and ripping open the plastic. "Remember, I don't share." She gave Harry a mock glare, ruined by a light-hearted giggle. "Thanks for indulging me with these, Harry."

Judging the tea had steeped enough, he poured them each a cup. After taking a restorative sip of mint tea, Harry attacked his second piece - his elbow pointed at Caitlin should she decide to attempt to thieve. "I should thank you, these are delightful." He sighed and drank more tea, wiping his mouth. "But, I'd rather fill up on a decent meal instead - and have another set of zebra cakes after."

"You know, that sounds like a plan." Caitlin licked icing and crumbs from her fingers. "I'm suddenly feeling much hungrier for proper food."

"Does spaghetti sound proper?"

With a regal nod of her head, Caitlin agreed. "Yes, it does." She closed her package of snack cakes and set it far out of Harry's reach (just in case). "What can I do to help?"

"First things first," said Harry, "Do you like merlot?"

"Will you be disappointed if I say I'd rather not have a headache?" Caitlin offered Harry a gamin smile. "Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc would be my preference."

"Both good choices - and lucky you - I get headaches from merlot too. That was a fake-out question. I don't have any in the house." Harry chuckled. "I'll stick a bottle in the fridge to chill for a bit and get started on dinner."

Caitlin refilled her tea cup. "On to the second thing, huh? What can I do to help?" Already with his head inside the fridge, Harry didn't answer - and Caitlin, wanting to be a good guest asked again. "What can I do for you?"

'How about what you can do to me?' Harry imagined saying this - and immediately wanted to punish himself. "Let me make a start on a meat sauce and then we can work on a salad."

"Salad is totally my speed in cooking." Caitlin clapped her hands in delight. "I make an awesome balsamic dressing."

"Beauty and talent." Harry set a pack of ground beef on the counter along with assorted salad greens. "You're so much more than just a pretty face."

"You think I'm pretty!" Caitlin was too amused to realize Harry had tensed his shoulders and bitten his lips. "Most actresses are you know, but I bring so much more to the table. Not only pretty - I'm adorable." She grinned to show she was being facetious.

"And funny," Harry interjected, thinking how best to deflect his inadvertent admission. "All your scenes with Julian make me want to laugh." He set a large sauce pan on the stove, adding some oil, lots of chopped onion and dumping the ground meat after it began to brown.

"Most likely because it's crazy to think my character would be interested in an idiot like him." Caitlin snorted, mopping up the tea she'd splashed with a paper towel. "As a person, he's not too bad, but the way he's been written, just, ugh."

"I hear you on that. Sometimes the writers miss the obvious."

"Or they take the obvious and go with it, instead of actually considering the better possibility." Caitlin rose from her seat and joined Harry at the counter, taking a carrot and peeling it. "Your character and mine work together and work extremely well together - inside and outside of work. Why not pursue that relationship instead of pairing me with Julian?"

Harry pulled out a stainless steel bowl, setting it in front of Caitlin. "Most likely because I'm quite older."

"Pfft. Age, smage." Caitlin continued to peel carrots.

"I'm fifty-two, you're not even forty."

"True. But I'm not that far off forty. I may look to be mid to low thirties, but I'm thirty-seven." Caitlin shot Harry a smug look. "Genetics, bitch." Her frank laughter cushioned the blow. "As if script writers care about ageism anyway. Most leading men have leading women who're twenty years younger as a matter of fact. Gah, sometimes oh so much more!"

"Still, that makes it fifteen years age difference."

"Fifteen. Big effing Deal." Caitlin shrugged. "Ever read the bible? Fifteen is nothing. For me, it's all about who I'm interested in, them as a person - not their damn age."

"Noted." Harry slid a cucumber towards Caitlin. "But the script is what it is - your character ends up paired with Julian." He stirred his nascent sauce, adding salt and pepper, adding a basic tomato sauce into the pan.

Caitlin dropped the peeler and grabbed a paring knife, slicing the cucumber into even pieces. "We both know Julian couldn't make even Julian happy."

"You got me there." Harry laughed. "Julian's character is poorly written at best."

"I know!" Caitlin grinned at Harry. "The writers could have done so much, but they didn't." She continued slicing the cucumber, scooping what she'd cut into the bowl, and next working on the peeled carrots, adding fine slices into the stainless steel bowl. "They're following a predetermined avenue, not even looking at the honest character interactions between mine and yours." She waved her hand holding the paring knife. "Tom C. has been working with Danielle P. for over five years - and they've made a lot of good scientific breakthroughs. Why would Danielle confide in Julian's character Tom F.? Why go there? Danielle shouldn't be talking to that Tom at all. If I was her, I'd only confide in you." Caitlin blushed and giggled. "Sorry. I get a little worked up over character motivations."

"Ever consider directing?"

"Only all the time!" Caitlin smiled. "If I ever get the chance!"

"You will." Harry nodded, sure in his own mind. "You will."

"Thanks. The first thing I'd do is nix the Tom F. and Danielle P. ending."

Harry let his brows rise sky high. "And what's the end pairing you'd go for?"

"Duh." Caitlin snickered her amusement. "You'n'me! Or rather, Danielle P. and Tom C..! It's only obvious!"

"What makes you say that?" Harry scowled, hiding it inside the fridge, pretending to look for more salad ingredients. "They're just co-workers."

"Yeah, but co-workers who value each other, and neither has a significant other outside of work." Caitlin crossed her arms, advancing into Harry's personal space. "Why wouldn't they begin to lust after each other? They're both attractive."

"So says you." Harry licked his lips. "There's still a big age gap."

"Seriously? Age gap? Hollywood don't care 'bout no age gap, and it's only fifteen years between us - not that we look like that big of a gap, now do we?"

Harry fought against sighing - and lost. "I'm wicked older and I do look older."

"God! How many times do I have to say looks aren't everything?"

"Obviously more than what you have." Harry began to assemble ingredients for a balsamic dressing, sparing a moment to give Caitlin a gentle smile. "But how about you make the best dressing you can?"

"Challenge accepted!" Caitlin picked up the olive oil and whisk. "I got this."

Harry slumped into his chair and gave in to the impulse to watch Caitlin as she whisked the oil and vinegar for the dressing together. She exuded youth and enthusiasm. He, on the other hand - was mature - and that was the kindest thing he could say. Old. Withered. Ancient. Those were the words he dreaded hearing from Caitlin.

"Done!" Caitlin smiled. "Though, how about a fresh splash of lemon? To brighten the taste?"

"Good idea." Harry rolled a lemon on the cutting board and then sliced it in two, offering Caitlin half and giving her a reamer. "Have at. How does it taste?"

Caitlin dug the implement into the lemon, allowing the juice to run into the bowl, dipped her finger into the dressing and stuck it in Harry's mouth without any warning. "Good?"

In the grand scheme of things, Harry was delighted and horrified - though he'd have to replay that memory privately and much later. He wanted to answer that question on several levels. First on a personal note - yeah, I don't mind your finger in my mouth, AT ALL. Second, there's better things you could stick in there and Thirdly - would you like me to return the favour? He kept the urge to be truthful to himself - and so Harry merely agreed the dressing was good.

"I'm pretty awesome at that, if I do say so myself." Caitlin smiled.

"Yup." Harry inwardly raged at himself. That had been a 'dear diary' moment. Along the lines of 'Dear diary, today my crush stuck her finger in my mouth and all I could think was, do not let her know I'm going to be thinking about that for ages.' Harry opted to keep his inner thoughts to himself. "Delicious, but maybe it could use some garlic?"

"Yes!" Caitlin's smile lit her face. "Italian food needs garlic or what's the point?"

Harry was already rummaging for his garlic press, having had to yank and jimmy the full drawer open. He held it high in victory, turned and saw Caitlin had already taken his cleaver and was pressing several cloves flat. "Hey, I've got a press."

"My kitchen skills are all over the map." Caitlin winked. "But I truly love garlic and I like to do it old school. I think this is called pasting?"

"You're gonna want the kosher salt then, right?" Harry went to offer his guest the container, lifting it and discovering it was almost empty. "One minute."

"Fine." Caitlin didn't mean to ogle Harry - but his salt supply was on the top shelf and his arms raised also raised the hem of his shirt - exposing an intriguing amount of tanned skin on his back.

"Wanna do some more?"

She blinked her eyes rapidly and then the penny dropped. Harry was alas, not offering to let her keep looking at his body - he held the salt and more garlic in his hands. "Definitely!"

He put his burden next to Caitlin. "Garlic in everything then." Harry stirred the sauce on the stove and then withdrew the wine from the fridge. "Except our drinks, ha. I'll have this open in a jiffy." Jiffy? Was he trying to sound like an old fogey? Apparently.

"Good call. There's enough here to chase away a squad of vampires." Caitlin finished turning the garlic into a paste, set down the cleaver and considered her sticky hands. "Where's the bathroom?"

"You'll have to use my en suite - the main floor bathroom is in a state of disrepair."

Caitlin nodded solemnly to Harry's grave announcement. When no further information was forthcoming, she giggled and tried again. "Uh huh, but I still don't know where your bedroom is to find your en suite."

"D'oh." Harry shook his head and rubbed his forehead, smearing a tiny bit of sauce near his hairline. "At the end of the hall, you can't miss it, there's a sign actually, my ... Um, you'll know it when you see it." Harry looked as if he wanted to explain further, but Caitlin hopped off her chair and began to waltz away.

"Intriguing!" Caitlin was going to ask if the sign said 'X amount of people served' but realized that would be in very poor taste. "I'm gonna go wash my hands now."

Harry busied himself with tinkering with the pasta sauce, adding the garlic Caitlin had so kindly mashed and a helping of sugar - a trick given to him by an actress he'd worked with, oh, maybe four movies ago? He was absorbed in domesticity and flinched when Caitlin spoke, her voice loud and perhaps a tiny bit accusing.

"So, when were you going to tell me you have a daughter?" Caitlin was a little bit disappointed Harry hadn't told her already. They'd been becoming good friends - she'd thought. But in the several weeks of filming, hanging out on set together, sharing rides, idle chat at the kraft table - Harry had never mentioned having a daughter.

"Now?" Harry set down the wooden spoon, turned down the heat of the burner and moved to take a gulp of wine, doing his best to read Caitlin's expression. "Well, I like to keep my private life…private."

"Children in my experience, are typically public." Caitlin blinked slowly, hunched over her wine, her feet kicking the kitchen island she sat behind. "And a very big part of their parents' lives." Her eyes grew wide and gleamed with a sudden unwelcome thought. "You're not still married, are you?"

"And if I was?" Harry felt no small amount of satisfaction when Caitlin sat up straight and immediately frowned. "Are you worried a jealous wife is going to swoop in and toss you to the curb?"

Harry was matter of fact with his questions. That in itself gave Caitlin the biggest clue; he was not currently married - and maybe he'd never been for all she knew. "You got me, I've been lusting after you for some time now and was going to make my big move tonight... And it would've worked too if it wasn't for that meddling kid!"

Thankful the counter supported his weight, Harry grinned feebly as Caitlin's facetious and joking words made his knees weak. Mustering his acting skills, he made his voice deadpan. "Jesse will be happy to know she's ruined our budding love affair."

"So, how old is she?" Caitlin decided to keep asking questions and do her best to forget she'd flippantly admitted lusting after Harry - there was no way he could tell she actually felt interest, was there? "Does she live full time with you? Is she in school? Working? Or -"

Harry help up a hand in a gesture for silence and was mercifully granted his wish. He softened the interruption with a smile, the dimple in his cheek making an appearance. "Nineteen, summers only, yes and yes."

Caitlin licked her lips and blushed. "Sorry. I went overboard, didn't I?"

"It's a bit much to process all at once and it's my fault for not sharing the fact of her existence sooner." Harry gave the sauce another stir and turned down the heat even further. "Jesse is my only child and I never got the chance to marry her mother. It's a long story and I'd share that some other day if you didn't mind."

"Oh." Caitlin knew she sounded hurt - but the truth was, she was hurt - not exactly emotionally, but in that direction. "I can respect that."

Being on the opposite side of the kitchen island was too far. Harry felt compelled to move and so sat next to his guest after grabbing the bottle of wine, pouring healthy measures. "Life is wild at times."

"I'll drink to that." Caitlin raised her glass and clinked it with Harry's glass. "Here's to a wild life."

She winked and Harry grinned, shaking his head. "Jesse designed that sign as a Christmas present - or should I say joke?" He gulped wine and continued. "It's not like I have hordes of visitors to my boudoir so I put it up, more for Jesse to get a kick out of it than anything else."

"Well it wasn't just what the sign said - but the picture of you and her on the sign." Caitlin ran the tip of her index finger on the rim of the glass, making it sing. "She's got your eyes."

"And my sense of humour too."

"Did I ruin dinner?"

Honestly surprised, Harry jerked upright and frowned - making an effort to smooth his expression because Caitlin flinched as soon as he had frowned. "Of course not - dinner is only ruined if I burn it - and I've cleverly turned down the heat."

"You know exactly what I mean." Caitlin rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry I weirded out on you. Should I go?"

"No!" Harry knew his cheeks had to be flushed, but it was important to continue. "You wouldn't be so cruel, would you? How'm I gonna eat this much spaghetti by myself?"

Harry's joking words and tone sent the rest of Caitlin's anxiety away. "It would be cruel and massively rude, yeah?" She tested her composure with a small smile. "I don't want to ruin our friendship."

"Yeah, our friendship." Harry nodded, raising his drink. "To our friendship!"

"I'll drink to that!"