Joker on the Beach

Chapter four: The Dinner

Shaggy rose, helping MJ up. MJ was disappointed in his answer but accepted it.'for now' she thought.
He placed his arms around her waist, holding her close..."I know you aren't satisfied with my answer.
Peter Pan still needs to grow up some more. I will tell you in time...I promise."

"It's Ok..I do understand. It's just I..." she stamped her foot into the sand. "Darn it Shaggy! I'm falling in love with you and I'm not talking about you saving me on Spooky Island! I'm falling in love with you! It's scary and exciting at the same time...and I don't want anything kept secret between us...and I'll hold you to that promise."

She rose up on tiptoe to kiss his lips.
"MJ...I feel the same way...do you think we are exclusive?"
"Shaggy Rogers!! As far as I'm concerned, we have been since our first kiss on the pier!!"

The rest of the day was spent sightseeing, MJ pointing out landmarks and the way the town was laid out. They dropped by Joe's for something cold, introduce Shaggy and warn Joe that the gang would be in for breakfast. Shaggy liked the old gray haired owner/cook and made a mental note to return.

They returned home in time to shower and dress for dinner. Shaggy wore the navy blue dress pants paired with the navy/turquoise fine stripped dress shirt and tie MJ and the salesman had helped pick out during their afternoon of sightseeing. Shaggy and her parents waited in the living room for MJ to make her appearance before leaving for the restraunt.

The wait was worth it...

She walked casually into the room, wearing black dress pants with a form fitting, v-neck, corn flower blue satin blouse, the same color as her formal on Spooky Island. The blouse shimmered in each fold as her hips swayed to and fro. The silver neckless with sapphire birth stone pendant lay just above a hint of cleavage. The last time Shaggy had seen her, she had worn her hair up, now her long hair flowed to mid back giving the illusion of a blond veil.

"You're...You're beautiful" was all Shaggy could think to say.
"Thank you...and you men are quite handsome...I think I'm ready" MJ replied.

Soft music composed of classic favorites, low lighting from chandeliers and deep rich burgundy carpeting welcomed them to "The Safe Harbor" restaurant. MJ took his arm as the hostess led them to their table, the waiter taking their drink order as they scrutinized their menu's, conversing in low tones as each contemplated what they would like to order.

"I hear their steaks are excellent" Matt said.
"Everything sounds so good, it's hard to choose" Gennie added.

The waiter returned with their drinks, taking the food orders. Matt ordering a appetizer of crab stuffed mushrooms (which he and Gennie would share) and his 12 oz. Rib eye, medium with baked potato.
Gennie finally settled on a chicken and Penne Alfredo dish. MJ and Shaggy decided they would each order an appetizer which they could share, MJ ordering mushrooms stuffed with a cream cheese-chive mix, while Shaggy would order the restaurant's Asparagus and Parmesan rolls. To this MJ added a vegetarian Wellington over pasta and Shaggy thought their Eggplant Parmesan over angel hair pasta sounded excellent.

"Stop staring at me, Shaggy. You're making me blush" MJ whispered.
"You are always beautiful, but tonight you are radiantly beautiful, every guy in here is staring, envious of me" Shaggy whispered back.

"And you are enjoying every minute aren't you?"
"Every second!"

When their food was delivered the conversation lessened as they concentrated on their dinners.
About half way through the meal MJ spotted a friend, waving him and his date over to their table,

Matt and Shaggy rose as Jon's date approached the table.
"Jon, so good to see you, will you be at Shipwreck tomorrow?"MJ asked.
"Planning on it...this is my date, Linda. This is Mary Jane and her parents. I don't think I've met your date."
"This is Shaggy. Meet Jon and Linda. Jon is part of our little group." MJ made the introductions. Shaggy and Matt shook hands with Linda. Shaggy then offered to shake hands with Jon.

"Glad to meet you Shaggy" Jon said, shaking Shaggy's hand. "You a friend of MJ's?"
The unexpected squeezing of his hand made Shaggy wince inwardly. Jon only saw the surprised look, then Shaggy smiled. "Glad to meet you too, Jon" Shaggy replied. " Yes, visiting a few days."

The war only lasted 5 seconds.
In the first second, a challenge was lain down.
In the second and third, the challenge was accepted, and a decision made.
In the fourth, Shaggy thought "so you want to play school yard games, eh? Let's play by my rules!"
In the fifth, Shaggy's hands were strong from the gymnastics and all he did with Mystery Inc., now he returned the pressure, twisting Jon's arm in a little trick he'd picked up on the school yard.

Jon was surprised at this attack and the vise he found his hand in. He tried to pull his hand away but found he couldn't, Shaggy's grip was too strong. The pain was radiating throughout his hand.

"I'm looking forward to trying my luck with the waves" Shaggy smiled.
"Yes, should have some good waves" Jon managed to say between clinched teeth.

The message 'MJ is on my territory, stay away or pay the price' was sent and received, Shaggy released his grip, Jon pulling his hand free. Moving away he said," See you tomorrow" the threat clear.
"Anytime" Shaggy replied to the retreating figure.

Shaggy sat back down, MJ leaned over to whisper "What was that all about? Two little boys seeing who could pee the furtherest?"
"More serious...you were wrong..an old boyfriend is still around" Shaggy whispered back.
"Jon?...he was never a boyfriend!" MJ was adamant.
"Jon had other ideas...We need to talk..don't want to ruin dinner...later" he whispered.

"What are you love birds whispering about?" Gennie said, smiling.
"My apologies, bad manners on my part" Shaggy answered. "MJ wants me to run with her tomorrow" he squeezed her hand gently. The message 'go with this' clear.
"Yes, I want to see if he can keep up" MJ returned the squeeze.

Later in the meal, Shaggy noticed Jon staring at he and MJ. He picked up his wine glass and saluted, Jon quickly averted his eyes.

What Shaggy didn't see were the eyes that watched from a darkened table.
"Great!" the diner thought when the Crowley's were seated earlier in the evening, the brat with them. This was unexpected, but not a problem. The eyes glared at the exchange between Jon and the brat. Something would have to said at the next committee meeting.

"Let's get out of here!" the diner said to the person sitting across the table, throwing the linen napkin on the table, rising and walking off.
"Too bad about MJ—maybe I'll throw in the brat for free!"