Chapter 7: A 'Friendly' Date Part II
After a beer-drinking competition, Fiona wants to know more about Terry...who she hopes will one day be her boyfriend. Guess what? He hopes for the same thing.
Fiona's POV
"I was born in 1971...near Kensington...the Royal Borough. My family have always been...very middle class. However, me and my brother turned out to be a little more common than the norm. I spent my youth obeying the rules...whilst making time to have fun with friends at the weekend. I suppose that's why I joined the Metropolitan Police...I followed the law. Then...I fell in love..." he told me. A hundred questions were running through my mind. Who did he fall in love with? Why did he move over here? And where the fuck is Kensington?
"Emily was her name. A beautiful, blonde haired hedgehog...with a wealthy family. Unfortunately, she feared her parents would find me 'too common' to date their daughter...so we met in secret. It went great for the first year...but then it all started to go downhill. 1999...the New Year's party at the local pub...a happy night...until I found out what had been happening." his expression suddenly turned to sadness. I could tell he didn't wanna talk about it...but I had to know the end of this story. "Go on, Terry. I'm listening." I reassured him.
"Emily...had been cheating on me for months. I didn't confront her about it...I just...went home...and cried. Whilst the fireworks were going off, outside...and the new century began...I was burying my face in a pillow...just sobbing. After that, I stayed in the force...until I wanted a change. London...reminded me of Emily and me. So...I hopped on a plane...and got a job here...where I met you, Fiona." he finished his story. Poor guy...I understood exactly how he must have felt when Emily did that to him. Scourge had done the same thing to me.
Then, I did something...silly. I grabbed hold of his hand, which had been lying on the table...doing nothing. I suppose I was comforting him...but I wanted a chance to have some close contact with him. He looked at me...looking surprised that I had grabbed his hand...but he didn't say 'let go'...or ask what I was doing. Instead...he just...smiled. "Don't worry, Terry. I'm sure you'll...meet someone new...and she'll love you even more than Emily did. I'm sure of it..." I told him...referring mostly to myself...but I hid all that.
"Thank you. What's...your story, Fiona?" he asked me...with me still holding his hand. "I had a boyfriend, once...and I thought he loved me. But...one day...I caught him cheating on me with some random girl...and it broke my heart. I was stupid to fall for him...he was such a douche...a real prick. I came here to...forget about all that...and get on with my life. I'm kinda like you...in a way." I told him. Of course...I left out all the Destructix stuff...and the violence...and the crime. But...I didn't want my past to ruin my chances with him.
"No one should ever treat you like that. You don't deserve that...You're too...gorgeous...and kind." Terry looked into my eyes...and I saw myself in his. Awwwwww...I just wanna hug him like a teddy bear, now! Such a sweet guy...but...I can't let on too much. It's too early...so I'd have to wait for my moment. "Thanks, Terry. You're...a really nice guy." I thanked him...and smiled...and gave him a cheeky wink. I don't think he noticed the wink...it was quite subtle, really. I still had hold of his hand...and I didn't wanna let go.
Terry's POV
Fiona had been holding my hand for quite some time, now. I didn't mind, of course...I was just a little confused. I know she grabbed hold of my hand to comfort me when I was talking about Emily...but I can't work out why she would still have hold of it. Unless...she...likes me, the same way I like her? No...couldn't be. Probably just a mistake...forgot to let it go, afterwards. We all make mistakes...and that's normal. So...why does it feel like more than that?
Then, she looked down at her hand, touching my own...and blushed. "Oops...sorry." she giggled, lightly, before letting go. That was admittedly very cute of her...I almost didn't mind that the moment was over. "Another drink, Terry?" Fiona changed the subject. "Not for me. A pint is all I need, really. You have anything you like...I'll pay." I offered...and I almost approached the realms of 'gentleman on a date'...but I hoped I was more subtle than that. "Uh...thanks. But...if you're not having anything, it's kinda unfair to take money from you." Fiona told me.
Fiona opted for a bottle of Babycham...kind of an unexpected choice. I remember drinking that in the 80's...and my mother certainly did in the 70's. Fiona paid for the bottle, herself...politely refusing my offer to pay. After that, we played a match of darts...which she won. I was trying my best, mind you...so she completely wiped the floor with me! You know what? I didn't mind that she beat me...I was having such a good time with her, I really couldn't care less. It was fast approaching 10PM, though, by the time we'd finished. Time flies when you're having fun.
We sat back down at our table...and Fiona started staring at me. "You know what? I think I've had more fun, here with you, than I ever have in my whole life! We should...do this more often, huh?" she smiled...twirling a few stray strands of hair around her finger. "I think so, too. I'm glad you decided to go to a bar, tonight. I've had a lovely time." I told her...returning the smile. Then, a small yawn came from Fiona. She's tired...and we have work, tomorrow. Best call it a night.
Fiona's POV
I'd had so much fun...but once again, the needs of my body came along to interrupt it. It started with a little yawn...and then a bigger one. Man, I'm bushed. "Why don't we call it a night, Fiona? I can...walk you home...if you'd like." Terry offered. That sounded soooo sweet...how could I say no? "Sure...you can walk me back to Amy's. But...ain't you gotta go home, too?" I asked. Terry must live in the complete opposite direction to Amy...and fuck knows how many miles away. "I'll manage. You come first...that's how I see it when I take friends out on a night." Terry smiled...holding his hand out for me to take it.
Again...how could I say no? He was just giving me his hand to hold...to touch...to feel his soft fur. "Aw, thanks. You're a good friend, Terry." I told him...before yawning once more. We left the bar and entered the world of Central City...late at night. Usually, it would be pretty dangerous after dark...but I think I handle anything. If a guy tries to do anything to me, he'll get his balls cut off before he even realises my foot is buried in his chest! I'm a tough girl...with a soft side that no one knows about...except Terry, of course.
But, fuck me! Was it cold out, tonight! Jeez...I regret not bringing a jacket, now. Terry noticed my shivering...and acted like a true gentleman. "Here...take my jacket, Fiona. You need it more than I do." he took off his leather jacket...and lightly placed it over my shoulders...and it was a little big for me. I didn't put my arms in the sleeves...it was warm enough. "Thanks...But...you'll be cold, now." I thought I pointed out a flaw in the whole solution...not that I minded wearing his jacket to keep me warm. "I have my fur...and I'm naturally warm." he reassured me that he would be fine.
We walked past a couple places I recognised from when I was here, 10 years ago...or was it 11? Didn't really keep track. The park hadn't changed...it was still a popular spot, complete with a huge fountain and some classy looking lamps lighting the pathways up. Future date spot, anyone? "You know...you don't have to walk me home...I can take care of myself." I giggled. Yes...I could...but I think I could make an exception for him. "That's what friends are for. Spending time, together...no matter what." he told me. We're friends, then...cool. I want more, though.
Pretty soon, we arrived at Amy's apartment...where she was waiting for us on the doorstep. "Fiona! You're back! Where WERE you? You've been gone for almost four hours!" Amy seemed to scold me...but I didn't give a shit. I had fun...and that was the end of it. "We went to a random bar...and just had fun." I told her. "Thanks for walking her home, Terry. It was great to meet you!" Amy called to him, going inside her apartment...and I followed. I waved goodbye...and almost shut the door. I realised something...I still had his jacket around me.
I ran back out to him. "Sorry...I forgot to give you this back..." I told him, blushing, handing him the jacket. As he took it from my hand...I took a risk. It happened so fast, you would miss it if you blinked. It was stupid...but hey, I wanted to do it...so fuck it. I gave him a kiss on the cheek before going back up the stairs to Amy's apartment. "I had fun, tonight. Don't be a stranger, OK, Terry?" I smiled at him, before disappearing inside. Oh. My. God. I can't believe I just did that! I felt so...warm inside. Just the feeling of his furry muzzle on my lips...it was to die for! Did I get away with that?!
I looked outside a window that faced the street...and I saw Terry...still clutching his jacket. Only...he was very still. A rosy red blush was painted on his muzzle...and he was touching the spot where my lips had met him. I bet he couldn't believe that had actually happened. Such a cutie! He has no idea...I love him. Seconds later...he shook his head...and just walked down the street, back to his home. All the while, I was sure he still had that blush...and I'll bet a million dollars he's thinking about me, right now.
End Of Chapter 7