"I think this will go down as the worst date in history."

Melanie giggled as they sat on the picnic bench and ate their Chinese takeaway. Joel had reserved them a table at an Italian restaurant but whoever had taken the call forgot to put it in the book and they had arrived to a full restaurant and no table. Instead, they were sitting at a picnic bench and eating their take out under a sky full of stars, it wasn't the night she had imagined but it wasn't terrible either. She had been so excited when he had phoned and asked her out on a date. Charlene and Daisy had helped her pick out an outfit and done her hair and make-up.

"He'll be speechless when he sees you sweetie," Daisy had gushed "You look freakin' gorgeous!"

Joel had been speechless, his eyes flickered down her black dress that hugged her curves down to her high heels and she had blushed at the look in his eyes. He looked incredibly handsome with his grey shirt and black jeans.

"Don't be so dramatic," Melanie said, sipping from the bottle of wine they had bought and decided to share, "I'm enjoying myself."

"You don't have to say that to try and make me feel better."

She shook her head and waved her hand at their surroundings, "We've got a sky full of stars, good food and booze…plus we're completely alone up here, no annoying people having loud, pointless conversations near us," Melanie pointed out giving him a smile, "I would call this a success."

"Well, when you put it like that, it don't sound too bad," Joel chuckled, he rooted around in the take-out bag and handed her a fortune cookie, "Here, see what yours says."

Cracking the cookie open, Melanie found the small piece of paper and smiled at the words upon it, "The one you love…is closer than you think," she said out-loud, looking up at Joel with a smile, "ooh…spooky. Wonder where he is?"

"You're so funny," Joel said sarcastically and opened up his and grinned "You will be rewarded for your efforts…wonder what my reward is."

Melanie blushed and took another drink of wine, "Suppose you'll just need to wait and find out, won't you?" she said coyly.

"I can't wait."

"Just as well I came along," Tommy said leaning against the porch as Melanie tended to another wound on her arm, "you two just seem to attract trouble."

Joel snorted, "Don't I know it," he glanced over at Ellie who was looking out sadly at the horses "don't I just know it…"

"Thanks for bringing along some supplies," Melanie said quietly, noticing the look on Joel's face "it's gonna be a long journey so they'll come in handy."

Looking at her seriously, Tommy sighed "You still sure about this?" he asked slightly concerned, "You don't have to be the one to take the girl to the Fireflies…I can do it."

"And leave Maria?" Melanie shook her head as she pulled her black jumper back on, "I can't do that to my best friend, Tommy, she needs you."

"She needs you too."

Smiling softly, Melanie put a hand on his arm, "I'll be back before you know it," she said reassuringly "I've got luck on my side, remember?"

"So, where will you go brother?" Tommy asked, glancing at the other man as he shouldered his pack "Back to Boston?"

Joel shook his head, "Ain't nothin' but bad memories for me there," he thought for a moment, "but I've got a rough idea of my next move."

His eyes flickered to Melanie and she seen a deep emotion in them and wondered what his next move was. It was strange to think that even after twenty years apart, he still could make her heart stop when he looked at her with those eyes. It hurt too much to think about living life without him again and she averted her eyes and quickly wiped them. She needed to get a grip. She and Ellie had a long and dangerous road ahead of them.

"Well, you can come back to the plant tonight and head out in the morning…if that's what you want," Tommy added, giving his brother a small smile, "be good to catch the breeze with you properly before you go."

Melanie glanced over at Ellie who had begun heading over to join them, "We'll come too," she suggested, "let you and Ellie say goodbye."

"Thought we already said goodbye," Ellie muttered, folding her arms and refusing to look at Joel.

"Ellie-"

Melanie shook her head, "We'll need to take back a horse," she said "you and me are light. We'll be able to share one."

"You're the boss," Ellie said and then looked over at the horse she had ran away with, "can we take mine? I've kinda got attached to him?"

"Sure thing."

Melanie walked over to her horse and with a helping hand from Tommy, she got into the saddle and took the reins.

"You want a hand up?" Tommy asked the young girl and she shook her head.

"No thanks, I got it."

There was a strange look in Joel's eyes as Tommy led them back to the plant, slowing her horse down to a walk, Melanie glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. "You were kinda harsh on her before," she said softly, looking ahead at Ellie who was talking to Tommy, "I hope you're gonna apologize before you clear off."

"If she even talks to me," Joel muttered, tightening his grip on the reins, "I just…I just seen red when she mentioned…Sarah."

"I can understand but…you can't take it out on her," Melanie whispered, "she's gone through shitty times too. We all have."

Joel looked at her and shook his head, "I don't know how I got through all these years without you," he said quietly, "no one else tells me when I'm being an asshole."

"I doubt that," Melanie joked, smiling weakly and he chuckled at her comment, "just remember, she may act like a grown up but she's still a kid."

"You're right, you're right," Joel paused "I'm glad she's with you…you'll treat her right, keep her safe."

Nodding, Melanie looked ahead at the younger girl "I'll try to do as good a job as you have."

"I know you will."

The four of them continued on in silence, the sky had darkened a little and it looked to be a beautiful sunset. Melanie couldn't help but grin as widely as Tommy when the lit up town came into view, "There she is," Tommy said happily, "Kids will be watching' movies tonight."

"Well, I'm jealous," Ellie sighed, "I've not watched a movie in years!"

"Hopefully the Fireflies will have movies for you," Melanie pointed out "they had electricity when we left."

"Here's hoping."

Tommy chuckled as he shook his head, "Yeah, you might get lucky," he hesitated before looking at Melanie seriously "make sure your luck doesn't run out. I'm expecting you back."

"I will be…I'll be able to have a hot shower now that we have electricity," she grinned, "think I'm gonna miss out on that?"

"That's true," Tommy looked at Ellie "take care of her?"

Ellie smiled at Melanie before nodding at Tommy, "Don't worry I will, we girls need to stick together."

"Where is this lab of theirs again?"

Looking surprised at his brother's question, Tommy frowned a little "It's all the way out – University of Eastern Colorado."

"Go Big Horns," he paused for a while before turning to Melanie, "get off your horse. Give it on back to Tommy."

Melanie frowned, "Joel, what are you…" she stopped when he smiled a little, "…oh."

The other two looked confused as Melanie got off the horse and handed the reins back to a confused Tommy, "Take care of Maria for me," she said, squeezing his hand.

"We're gonna hang onto these two fella's…if that's alright with you?" Joel asked, raising an eyebrow at Tommy.

Narrowing his eyes at Joel, Tommy shook his head "What are you doing?"

"Your wife kinda scares me," Joel admitted, as Melanie got on Ellie's horse, sitting behind the young girl, "and I don't doubt that if something happened to Mel, then she would make good on her promise. I don't want her coming after me so…I'm gonna tag along with these two and make sure nothing happens."

Tommy looked worried as he realized that Melanie was still leaving even though Joel was going to the Fireflies now, "Look, let's all go back to town. Discuss this at least."

"You know me, Tommy," Melanie said smiling at him "I'm a stubborn bitch when I make up my mind. Least I'm not as bad as your brother."

"Eh, you know me. My minds all made up," Joel added, shrugging a little before nodding at his brother, "You take care of that wife of yours."

Tommy smiled faintly, "As long as you take care of those girls."

"I will."

Both brothers looked at each other and Tommy sighed, "There's a place for you here, you know," he said quietly, his eyes sincere.

Joel nodded, unable to say the words and Tommy returned the nod with one of his own, before turning to Ellie and Melanie, "You girls good?"

"We're good," Ellie smiled, glancing behind at Melanie with a grin on her face "right?"

"Right," Melanie gave Tommy a wink, "Don't miss me too much you hear?"

Tommy chuckled, "I'll try my dandiest not too."

"Sorry for stealing your horse," Ellie said a little awkwardly "I'll take good care of him don't worry."

Nodding at her, Tommy looked to Joel "See you when I see you, brother."

"Adios, little brother."

Melanie smiled as Joel opened her door for her and held out a hand to help her out, "Such a gentleman," she smiled as he shut the door behind her "can I expect this treatment all the time, then?"

"Play your cards right," Joel said, not letting go of her hand as they walked up to her front door "I'm sorry you got all dressed up for nothing…next time, hopefully, we'll actually be able to sit in the restaurant and eat."

"Stop apologising," Melanie said, stopping in front of her door, "I enjoyed myself…I really did."

Joel looked down at her with a small smile "Well, I'm glad that you're willing to go on another date with me," he said "I enjoyed myself too."

Feeling nervous all of a sudden as if she was a teenager again, Melanie ran a hand through her hair "You know that saying, 'Don't kiss a boy on a first date'? Do you think it's a general rule or…just a guideline?"

"I think…I think it's just a reminder to take things slow…savour the moment," Joel whispered, despite leaning into her a little more, "you know what I mean?"

Melanie smiled "I do…" she said and glanced down at the ground, "it's not every day that you meet a man willing to take things slow. Thank you."

"I think its best," Joel said, taking a step back, "don't wanna rush things do we?"

"You're right," Melanie agreed although she had an urge to just grab him and kiss him, "well, thank you for a wonderful night…I mean it, I hope you don't play hard to get and not call me for weeks."

Joel grinned "As if I could do that. Good night Melanie,"

"Good night Joel."

Walking inside her flat, Melanie sighed and leaned against the door, Christ, it was embarrassing at how much she liked Joel. Never before had she felt such a need to be with someone. He seemed too good to be true and she just hoped he was as good as his word and called her soon.

Before she had even taken a step, there was a knock on the door and she was surprised to see Joel on the other side. "You know…we wouldn't be breaking any rules If, me being here, counts as a second date," he said quietly, his eyes intense as he gazed at her.

"You know you're right," Melanie said quickly, "we'd not be breaking any rules at all."

"Glad you're on the same wavelength as me."

Joel took one step towards her and slipped a hand onto her neck and kissed her deeply. Melanie could only hold onto his chest as she kissed him back hard, she felt dizzyingly amazing as they shared this moment and her eyes fluttered open when he broke the kiss.

"Well, that's a perfect ending to my day," he said a little breathlessly.

Melanie grinned and cupped his cheek, "Looks like your fortune cookie was right," she whispered before kissing him once again.