'How awkward' I thought bitterly, sitting in the corner of the bar, away from everyone, yet close enough to the door for me to make a quick exit if things got too rowdy. It was weird that I am in a sports bar. It was weird that there were so many off duty cops there. It was weird that I am in Gotham again. The situation was just weird.

I dropped my gaze down to my worn tennis shoes and jeans. I wasn't accustomed to being dressed so simply out in public. My job required me to dress exquisitely, calling for business attire, and I usually lounged around my home in sweats and a t-shirt. However today I was sporting a pair of white Converse, blue jeans, a white v-neck with a black cardigan over top. My hair was not in the nice tidy curls nor was it stick straight. The brunette waves fell to my shoulders. My blue eyes glanced around the bar particularly nervously.

I wasn't sure why I had agreed to meet him here. I sent him a rather ambiguous e-mail a few days before about how I was in Gotham again and extended an invitation for coffee sometime. That invitation was warped into me meeting him after his shift at this particular sports bar. He probably didn't want it to be awkward just the two of us, but to say I felt uncomfortable was an understatement.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but another group entered the bar, laughter coming with them. They obviously were younger guys; newer to the force, but then a glimmer of recognition caught my eye. Those brown eyes, that facial structure, those freaking dimples. John.

He began to scan the room, looking at each individual until his curious brown eyes connected with my blue. The result caused him to smile as he hopped into the chair across from he, "It's been a while," he greeted.

"It has indeed," I agreed, "You've grown up since the last I saw you."

"I could say the same about you, Lore." The nickname seeping into conversation again, "Though it has only been a few years."

"Right," I agreed awkwardly, a silence settling over us, "It's been five years, hasn't it?"

He nodded, "Sorry, I'm being totally awkward right now."

"I'm not helping that," I responded quietly, "How are you liking the job?"

"I love it," Blunt answer. "Makes me feel like I'm actually doing something, you know?"

"Yes," I sighed, "My job is not nearly as interesting as yours is though."

"You're in business, right?"

"Communications specialist is my title," I murmured, eyeing the group of guys that seemed to be inching closer to our table, "Traveling a lot, though I seem to be staying here for a while."

"How long is a while?"

"Forever," I muttered plainly, "Who are they?"

"Oh," he glared at the group, "They're some of the guys on the force."

"Invite them over here," I urged, a little desperate to try to make this whole ordeal less awkward.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, please." He gestured for them to come over, and instantaneously several chairs filled around the table.

"So who is the pretty lady, Blake?" one of them asked, eyeing me.

"My name is Lorelei," I retorted.

"How'd you get stuck with such a hard head like John here?" Another one asked.

"We grew up together. Actually, I feel bad for him if all of his friends are very prying people," They stared at me blankly before I cracked a smile, "Apparently no one has heard of a joke before."

And instantly the mood lightened. There was laughter as I was introduced to the handful of people whose names I couldn't remember. Did that make me a bad person? It was all a bit too much to take in. The hours winded down and it was particularly late. I bit my lip, eyeing my watch.

"I think I better get going," I said, standing up, "I have work in the morning. It was nice meeting you all," I said with a smile.

"I'll walk you home," John volunteered, standing up with me.

"Um," I sighed, as he followed me outside. It was a lot colder than I had anticipated. I could visibly see my breath whenever I exhaled. It made me seem like a chain smoker.

"So where do you live?" John asked, focusing his brown eyes on me.

"Um," I hesitated, "A hotel…It's a ways away."

"And you were going to walk?" John asked incredibly, "Lorelei, you of all people know how the streets are here. Why would you have walked?"

"I guess I wasn't really thinking…"

"I'll say," he paused, "I'll drive you. Come on," he put his arm around my shoulders to steer me the other way, "My car is over here."

It was a beat up car, nothing too special about it, though I wasn't sure what I had been expecting. I mumbled the directions to my hotel as we drove in silence for the most part.

"Any leads on any apartments here? The hotel has to be expensive," John said pointedly, and my stomach dropped.

"Um, no. I haven't been accepted anywhere I've applied," I sighed, "I got my last rejection before I met you at the bar. The market really sucks here, and the hotel is expensive. The company stopped paying for it a few days ago."

"Oh," John was paused, as if unsure of what to say, "I'm sure something will come up."

"Yeah," I nodded, "I have a couple more places left to try…"

He pulled up alongside the hotel I was staying in. It was rather nice, although the street wasn't nearly as bustling as someone of my stature would hope for at night, for the lights were pretty dim on the street itself.

"So, um, this was fun," I said softly, "We should definitely do it again."

"I agree. I'll shoot you a call when I'm free next, okay?"

"Sounds good," Suddenly, I felt his arms pull me into an embrace.

"It's really great to have you back, Lore."

"You too, John."