01/15/09

Please note that I have never lived or visited Seattle. The tidbits of information in this chapter were attained by researching online to find an angle that would make this chapter entertaining. While I appreciate your constructive criticism regarding my writing skills (or lack there of), please do not leave comments in the review section about me having a street name or highway or location name incorrect. This story is fictional. Only in my head. If you are unable to read my story without being able to over look the small details, then please don't read it.

Firsts- Chapter 4

Owen had showered and changed into his jeans and sweatshirt. He couldn't help but feel excited. Their first date. He couldn't wait to see her and spend time with her alone. Away from the prying eyes and ears of the hospital. Somewhere he didn't have to worry about how he looked at her or worry if someone would catch him watching her.

He slid into the seat of his car and headed across the street. He parked in front of her building as he was most certain she would be ready. He found himself almost running up the stairs; taking them two at a time and did a double check on his watch to make sure he wasn't late as instructed.

He rang her doorbell and leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed across his chest. It only took her a few seconds to open the door. "Hi" she said with a smile. "Hi.. You look fantastic" he whispered huskily.

"I'm in jeans and a sweatshirt. How fantastic can I possibly look?"

He grabbed her quickly and lifted her into his arms. He heatedly kissed her lips while supporting her back with both of his hands. He could feel that she was not wearing a bra and found this extremely sexy.

"Wow….did you miss me?"

"Every second were apart"

She playfully slapped his shoulder so he would release her. He gently sat her down and thankfully did not release her waist, as she was feeling a bit unsteady.

"You ready?"

"Absolutely. Lead the way"

He took her by the hand as they headed down the stairs to his waiting car. He opened her door and closed it behind her and attempted not to run around the car to join her. He was a bit nervous but very much excited.

"Where are we going?"

"You will know when we get there. Patience Cristina. Have patience."

"I don't know what that is" she jokingly replied, but honestly knew that she was not blessed with the luxury of having patience.

Owen turned onto the I-5 heading North and reached to turn on the radio. The speakers let a very light jazzy melody fill the car and Cristina couldn't help but smile. She felt his hand cover her own that she had resting on her thigh. She rotated her wrist to intertwine their fingers and lay her head back to relax and enjoy the music and his company.

It was a short drive when he exited at Madison Street and turned left. Cristina had lived in Seattle for 5 years now but had to admit that she knew nothing about this city. She loved it, but simply did not have time to explore it and enjoy the attractions that it offered. Thus when she saw the bright red neon sign that read "Public Market Center" she still had no idea where they were or what he had planned.

"What is this place?" as he turned into the attached parking garage.

"Don't tell me that you have never been here"

"Uh………ok, I won't tell you"

"Cristina…………this place is an institution of Seattle. I can't believe you have never been here. I have been here every week since I got back"

"What is it?"

He laughed as they pulled into a parking spot. "Come on……you'll find out"

Again he took her by the hand and headed into the open-air market. They walked slowly, hand in hand, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. She had never seen such a variety of stuff. Vegetables, fruits, fish, and a lot of hand made wares. She was fascinated. It was like a different world. They walked several blocks until Cristina's eyes landed on a sign that she recognized. Starbucks. Owen watched as her eyes lit up.

"Do you want some coffee?"

"I would LOVE some"

"Do you know which Starbuck's this is?"

"Who care's…it's a Starbucks"

He laughed as he led her by the small of her back into the coffee shop. "This is the first Starbuck's. The one that made them all famous"

"Really?" she asked with the fascination of a child. "I did not know that"

"You don't get out much, do you?"

"No. Not really. The life of a surgeon"

"I am going to see if I can't change that" he smiled down at her.

He took her order and told her to grab a table on the outside patio that had just opened up. He returned with their order and they sat and talked and laughed and people watched for almost an hour. They both felt so comfortable and were thoroughly enjoying each other's company.

Owen had taken her feet onto his lap and had absent-mindedly begun to rub her calves through her jeans. Just the touch of his hands on her was making it difficult for her to concentrate on their conversation.

"Is this bothering you?"

"Uh……no, not at all"

He laughed at her again while gently lowering her feet to the ground while he bent in to kiss her.

"Come on, the best part is yet to come"

She hoped he was talking about what she was thinking, but knew better when he headed in the opposite direction of the car.

A large crowd had gathered around a vendor up ahead but Cristina could not see what the bustle was about. She hoped it was not someone in need of medical attention because she was simply having too much fun to be a doctor right now. At that moment she saw an object fly over the crowd followed by a jovial cry. Was that a fish, she thought to herself.

"Were here"

"Where?"

"Here. This is it"

She looked from side to side and behind her before looking back at him confused.

"Fish throwing. We are going to throw fish"

"What??"

"Cristina. Seattle is famous for fish throwing. You have lived here over 5 years and have never been here. You cannot live in Seattle and not know how to throw a fish"

"What are we throwing them at?"

His shoulders shook with his laughter. "You pick a fish that you want and you throw it to those guys standing behind the counter and they wrap it up for us. But………unless you throw it just right, they will throw it back to you until you get it right"

"Are you kidding me???"

"No. I'm not. Try it"

"Uh………no" she said to him as she felt herself backing away.

Head's up everyone!! It looks like we have a newbie among us!!!

Cristina immediately realized that the bearded young man behind the counter was referring to her. She looked to Owen for help, but he was simply grinning at her along with the rest of the 50 plus crowd of people.

"How do you know which one to pick?"

"They are all fresh. Just pick one with eyes that are not cloudy and one that looks like something you would like to eat for dinner"

"We have to cook it???"

"Yes" he replied smiling. "Don't worry…I will cook it for us"

The thought of touching the fish did not bother her at all, but the thought of one slapping her in the face when this guy threw it back to her, made her shiver. So she knew she needed to get the throw right on the first attempt. She carefully selected a fish and picked it up. She looked back at Owen, who was standing directly behind her with a large grin on his handsome face. What the hell she thought, how hard can it be? Cristina released the fish only to see it land on the front of the glass case with a thud and slowly slide down to the floor beneath it. The crowd released a loud cheer and before she knew it the fish was coming back at her, but appeared to be flying about 10 miles faster than when she had thrown it. To her dismay, the fish slapped her directly in the chest before landing at her feet with a loud thud.

She could hear Owen's deep laughter behind her and couldn't help but laugh herself. "Let me help you" he whispered into her ear.

She was fascinated as Owen grabbed a fish and heaved it over the cart to the guy standing behind the glass counter. It landed directly into the paper the guy held up and the crowd released a loud, approving cheer. Go figure, she thought. Something else perfect about this guy.

"Do you want to try it again?" he asked her through his laughter.

"Yes. Yeah, I do" she replied having already selected another fish.

Cristina attempted 3 more throws before landing the perfect one and receiving her approving cheer. She had laughed so hard that her stomach and cheeks had begun to ache.

They gathered their purchased fish and headed to the car. "Did you have fun?"

"Oh my god. I don't remember the last time I had that much fun!"

He smiled down at her dancing eyes and placed a gentle kiss on her waiting lips. "Cristina…………you stink"