Disclaimer: I do not own The 6th Day.

"Hmm… What are you going to get, Johnny?" Sentia asked, peeking over the top of her menu. They were now sitting in a small Italian restaurant, having sat at the park for a while before Sentia convinced him to go see a movie with her.

Johnny looked up at her. "I'm not sure. I was thinking of the…" He took a moment to glance back at the menu. "…The three cheese ravioli. What about you?"

Sentia grinned, thankful she wouldn't have to choose his meal for him this time. "Chicken fettuccine alfredo, of course."

"Of course," came a vaguely familiar voice from behind him. He turned to face the man who had spoken. The tall man was glaring at him. It was Sentia's older brother. He had the same chocolaty hair, cut short, and the same blue eyes. "Hello there, Johnny boy. Finally showing your ugly face again?" he snarled.

"Adam!" Sentia scolded.

Adam let out a harsh laugh. "She's still speaking for you, huh?"

Johnny didn't say anything, just stared at him impassively.

"Go away, Adam," Sentia pleaded.

"No. I need to talk to you."

"We'll talk later. I'm busy now, as you can see."

Adam's face softened. "Please, Sen? It's about Taylor."

Sentia's eyes widened. "Why? What happened?"

Adam glanced at Johnny, who was quite possibly Adam's least favorite person on the planet.

Sentia sighed. "Johnny, I'm going to step outside for a minute. Will you order for me?"

"Of course," Johnny replied.

"That means you'll actually have to speak to someone besides my sister, Johnny boy. You know that, right?" Adam was ferocious when it came to Johnny, for he shared the belief that Johnny Phoenix ruined Sentia's life.

"Adam! If you want to talk to me, talk to me. Leave. Johnny. Alone."

"Fine," Adam barked, stalking out the door. Sentia held up one finger, signaling she'd be back in a minute.

Johnny watched her walk out after her brother. He smiled as he saw her yelling at Adam again.

He knew why Adam hated him so much, and to be perfectly honest, he didn't blame him a bit. Most of what Adam thought about him was true. But Johnny couldn't help the anger that bubbled up whenever Adam insulted him in front of Sentia. Not only did it hurt what little pride he had left, but it also added a few more pounds to the load of stress piled on her shoulders. He had to do something about that.

As he was pondering what he could possibly do, he heard the door open and close. Looking up, he saw Sentia walking hurriedly back to him. That was when he noticed the annoyed waitress standing at his table, staring at him with a hateful look.

"So sorry to keep you waiting, Johnny," Sentia said, taking her seat once again. She turned to the waitress. "Sorry. I would like the chicken fettuccine alfredo and… Johnny, what did you decide on?"

His voice was barely audible when he spoke. Sentia cleared her throat and he repeated himself louder. "I'd like the cheese raviolis."

Johnny had offended the waitress by annoying her, even if it wasn't intentional. They knew this because their food took an hour to come out, and when they did, both dishes were cold. For fear of being starved, they didn't request their plates to be heated. When they had finished eating, they sat for another half hour waiting for the bill. Finally, Sentia went up to the counter, but as soon as she got to her feet, it seemed there wasn't an employee in the place. She stood waiting for another twenty minutes before she felt someone put his hand on her shoulder. She turned to see Johnny… holding the bill.

"How long?" she asked.

"Just now," he answered.

Sentia took it and sighed. "It's wrong."

"Pardon?" Their waitress had appeared behind her.

"Wrong bill." Sentia was growing tired of this.

"Oh! I'm so sorry."

Yeah, sure, sorry you have to do it right this time because we're standing here watching you, Johnny thought.

Sentia didn't bother being polite. She took the new bill and looked at it for a short while, calculating to make sure everything was right. She nodded and reached for her purse. Johnny scowled, remembering how she had told him this was her treat, and he couldn't argue because she hid his wallet.

When their meals were paid for, they hurried out the door. Sentia laughed. "You sure all you did was ignore her? Seemed more like you ran over her cat."

Johnny smiled slightly. "I didn't even notice she was standing there."

Sentia took his hand again and they began walking back to his apartment. "I'm staying at your place tonight," she stated suddenly.

Johnny turned to her, surprised. He had offered to let her stay quite a few times, but she had always refused, saying she was his friend, not his wife and she had her own home. "Why?"

"Because I don't trust you anymore, Johnny."

He stared at her, confused.

"You are sleeping in your room tonight and I am sleeping on the couch. I will not allow you to use your death as a lullaby. It has to end."

He thought he should be angry, but what he felt was a huge surge of affection for his best friend. He pulled her into a hug, and she returned the embrace after a brief moment of shock. She was his friend. She would always be there to help him through this. His thoughts returned to how he could possibly return the favor.