I'm always early for every appointment. Most people would call it ridiculously early, but it goes with the line of work. I arrived at the restaurant an hour and a half ago, and there's still 20 minutes to go before our reservation time. I skulked around the building, twice, circled the block, climbed up to the top of the two tallest buildings that overlook this place. I got my high powered binoculars out and peered into every window and alleyway and rooftop, every fire escape and parked car. I walked right into the kitchen through the back door and made a note of the exits. I don't usually appear out in public in Washington, DC, and it's making me nervous. But I now know a number of escape routes.

I had been worried that I was going to become a fool for this woman. This afternoon my worries ceased, though. It's happened already. It's done, so there's no need to waste time worrying about it anymore. I'm a fool, officially, and it's probably going to get me killed. Thus, those escape routes help me feel a little more prepared.

When I laid eyes on her this afternoon in the parking garage I felt like a man stepping out of a deep, lonely cave who was seeing the sun for the first time in months. When she made eye contact it was all I could do to stay put. I had to force myself to actually lean back against her car, away from the gravitational pull of her, in order to not move. I managed to stop my feet, but I couldn't stop my smile. It had been wonderful, two weeks ago, to hear her voice, all exasperation and indignation, on the phone. She sounded THIS close to telling me to kiss her ass. I'm chuckling just thinking about it. But seeing her today...watching her glide through that grey, winter parking garage with her auburn hair being blown back by the wind, and her blue suit and azure eyes flashing...I don't remember seeing any color in that place except her.

I stepped into the shadows as her eyes shifted to study the traffic, and I watched from a mere 20 feet away as she hunted around for me, looking-dare I hope?-disappointed in my disappearance. I watched her find and read my note. I was worried that, like the phone call, she would take umbrage with me, and basically toss the paper aside with a roll of her eyes. I was prepared to be dismissed.

But instead she utterly surprised me.

From the moment her eyes landed on the folded piece of paper on her car, to the moment she drove away, she looked flushed and nervous. But she was also smiling. I'm pretty sure her hands were shaking when she read the words I'd written, inviting her to dinner, asking for her help. She looked pleased, and she started looking around, eyes wide, trying again to catch sight of me. Then she read the note again, and her smile grew.

She stunned me. She stunned me in the best possible way.

So much so that I went shopping. I bought myself a whole new set of clothes just for tonight. I suddenly didn't want to wear my leather jacket or my well-worn boots to the restaurant. I wanted to show her a different version of me. It may not work at all, but I'm going to try to stun her right back.

I'm now dressed in the most expensive suit I've ever owned, with shirt, sweater, shoes and overcoat that work impeccably with it. When I walked out of the dressing room to take a look in the three way mirror I caught a glimpse of the two sales girls who had helped me pick the items out. The pretty, dark one was openly smiling, and the cute little blonde one was biting her lip. I winked at them in the mirror. The dark one just shook her head as if to softly admonish me, but the blonde dipped her head and hid her eyes as she blushed. I'm not the least bit interested in either of the girls. But, if this suit can make my favorite redhead blush and bite her lip, then it will have been worth every penny.

The girls in the shop may have just been putting on an act, though. That's how they earn their commission, after all. But the hostess at the restaurant, she had nothing to gain from that appreciative look she gave me before showing me to my table. I flash her a smile as she leaves and she gives me another look. One that says, "If your date doesn't work out, you know where to find me." I quirk an eyebrow back and although I find no interest in her, either, I'm grateful for the approval. It's always nice to have the old ego boosted.

The waiter comes around and I order a bottle of wine and then peruse the menu, feeling self-assured and even a bit cocky. I'm imagining Scully walking in here and reacting like the other females have. I'm imagining her swooning, unable to resist my charms. Until I look up towards the doorway.

The hostess is blocking most of her from view, but I know that hair, I know it's her. She's helping Scully remove her coat, then she walks away with it, allowing me to see her fully. She's in ¾ profile and that fitted, curve-hugging, dusky purple dress is my new favorite thing in the world. She spots something on her knee and bends to brushes it off, and as the hostess returns, she stands straight again, giving her hair a little toss to get it out of her face.

Fuck me.

One of us is swooning here, but it's not her.

I stand up and when she spots me I smile widely. I can't believe my luck, that I get to sit across from this stunning creature for an evening. She smiles back, and it nearly gives me a heart attack.

As the hostess approaches, with Scully just a pace behind, I pull her chair out. She cocks her head, and shakes it a bit, as if seeing me playing the role of a gentleman is amusing her. She takes her seat, I push the chair in, and as I sit the waiter arrives with the wine. He pours the requisite taster and I nod my approval. He fills our glasses while telling us about the specials, and then takes his leave.

I raise my glass, nodding to her with another smile, before I take another sip. She mirrors me with her own nod, then, with a sardonic tone, asks, "Are you actually going to talk to me, Krycek, or are we just going to stare at each other?"

That makes me smile the biggest, goofiest, widest smile I can. I think my face might be sore tomorrow from it. "You should feel free to talk all you want. But you and that dress have rendered me speechless. Are you trying to kill me, Scully?"

She rolls her eyes, but smiles and rises to the occasion. "For the record, you should always assume I'm trying to kill you, Krycek."

I laugh and smile wide again. "Well then, Scully, you should know that this is my very favorite assassination attempt of all time."

She shakes her head at me again and pulls the menu up in front of face. Her shy smile and that warm blush are now hidden from my view, but as I watch her eyes drift across the menu, not focussing, trying desperately to NOT dart up to my face, I know they're still there.

I'm so glad I bought this suit.