A/N: Well, I'm finally back. Sorry about the long absence but I had a lovely case of writer's block when it came to this story. But I'm back now! This will take place during Roger's childhood.

Disclaimer: Do I really have to keep doing this? I don't own it. Really.

I'm Ready For My Close Up!

The Date

Ah… I can remember my first date like it was yesterday. I was thirteen and the girl's name was Francesca. Yes… the girl who I tried to fight Pedro off to see again who sat in front of me in Biology. I suppose my near death experience gave me the courage to ask her out.

What a nightmare.

(Flashback!)

There she was, sitting just in front of Roger.

He fiddled with his pencil and stared down at his notes, trying to comprehend them. What was mitosis? Did it have something to do with… Francesca? No.

Roger glanced up from his paper to the back of her head and hastily looked down again. So he flipped his paper over that he was supposed to be taking notes on and began to make a list on the back. It was a list of Pros and Cons.

Pros:

I really like her

She's really funny

She's so pretty

She's helped me pass Biology

I've been wanting to ask her out since I met her

Roger surveyed his list and his lips tugged upward into a smile. Okay… so far so good.

Cons:

She might laugh at me

She might not like me

She might think I'm stupid

She might say 'no'

Roger grimaced at these prospects and felt like crumpling the paper up. But then the bell rang so he simply stuffed the paper in his bag, wondering if he would be able to actually do it or not. Would he be able to ask Francesca out on a date?

"Umm… Roger?" a small, female voice asked. Roger nearly jumped out of his seat when he saw that Francesca herself was staring back at him, brown eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay? You've been really distant during class today." Roger just blushed a little and brushed the concern away.

"Just had a rough night is all," he explained which wasn't exactly a lie. He had been up all night trying to think of ways to ask her but now he was thinking it was in vain. "Thanks," he muttered and made for the door. As he got closer though Francesca called out to him again.

"Roger!" she shouted and ran a couple steps closer to him. Roger stopped and turned around, trying to keep his cool. "Umm… I was wondering…" she stammered and fingered her shirt nervously. "Do you want to sit with me at lunch?" Roger stared at her blankly before his clearing his throat. His mind was once more at a crossroads but he didn't have time to think. He just had time to blurt out what he knew was right.

"Yes… I would like that very much," Roger agreed and smiled widely at her. Francesca beamed back and grabbed her bag.

"Great!" Roger smiled and nodded. "Walk me to my next class?" Roger's smile widened and he nodded, waiting for her at the door. Francesca skipped over and continued smiling.

"Great," Roger grinned, echoing Francesca's sentiment.

(End flashback!)

Okay… so Francesca made the first move. What can I say? I was thirteen and shy with girls! I can't help it that I'm attracted to really outgoing and confident women…

Anyway, lunch was really just us getting to know each other. We didn't go on an official date until I asked her on Friday. Well… I more like stammered a few sentence fragments but apparently Francesca could understand because she agreed to go with me. That or she was just really nice.

(Flashback)

"What movie do you want to see?" Roger asked as the two squinted up at various movie posters and their times. Francesca shrugged a little.

"That one looks good," she said, pointing to one with a noncommittal shrug. "What do you think?" Roger was just relieved to have someone make a decision already.

"I heard it was really good," he said with an approving nod. "Let's see that one then." Francesca smiled and followed Roger over to the ticket booth. Roger was just wondering if he should be holding her hand or not.

"Can I help you?" a teenage boy asked from behind the ticket booth, looking a little bored.

"Two tickets for…" Roger's voice trailed away and he glanced towards Francesca hopefully. She just rolled her eyes but smiled at him.

"That one," she said and pointed to the correct film. The boy just nodded offhandedly and handed them their tickets.

"There's refreshments further down in the lobby," the boy instructed mechanically, "And your theater is to the left. Enjoy your film." Francesca raised her eyebrows and shared a little smirk with Roger.

"Thank you!" they both chirped and tried not to laugh when the boy just gave them a bored wave.

"Well he was friendly," Roger muttered and the two laughed all the way into the theater.

This was the most natural and easy part of their date.

(End flashback!)

I cringe to even think about the rest of the date. We were both anything but smooth. Francesca tried several times to save the date but I remember thinking it was too late to change it. It wasn't exactly our last date… but it was one heck of an experience.

(Flashback!)

All throughout the movie Roger inwardly panicked. Should he hold her hand? Would she be freaked out if he did? Did she expect him to? Is he supposed to share his soda with her? Does she just want to drink from her own soda? Should he offer her candy yet? Will the offer of chocolate just offend her? Should he put his arms around her shoulders? Should he just watch the movie?

So many questions with so few obvious answers.

It didn't help much that Francesca looked cool as a cucumber. She just munched contentedly on popcorn as the opening trailers plugged on, smiling cutely at him every now and then.

Roger just knew that he was going to screw this up.

Roger didn't want to let her down but he didn't want to freak her out either. He gnawed on his lower lip, hardly paying attention to the opening attractions. He should probably just start with something easy and simple. Candy.

"Do you want some candy?" Roger asked quietly and Francesca nodded.

"Thanks Roger!" she beamed and settled further back into her chair, eyes fixed ahead again. Roger grinned and felt his emotions soar. He had passed the first test! So he reached a little distractedly into a small bag to pull out the sugary sweets. He was still nervous that he would screw something up, despite his success.

So it was with nervous fingers that he pried open the cardboard box. And the box ripped right down the middle when he tugged at the opening. Small pieces of candy flew everywhere, including Francesca's lap.

Francesca emitted a quiet squeak of surprise and looked down at her knees and shoes. Then she looked over at Roger questioningly, not looking angry but merely alarmed. Roger sheepishly held up the ripped box and grimaced. Francesca just gave a small smile, getting over her shock, and picked up a couple pieces from her knees.

"It's okay," she whispered across to him. "I like strong guys." Roger just grinned sheepishly and silently rammed his head against the back of his seat. Not to mention the glares he was getting from the various audience members around him.

"Idiot," he hissed under his breath under the blaring opening theme for the movie. He was so ashamed of his mistake that he was silent and withdrawn through most of the first half of the movie. That was, until he noticed Francesca looking at him out of the corner of his eye.

Great. Now his girlfriend of one week was concerned about him. He flashed her a smile and moved in a little closer to her seat. Francesca smiled back and turned most of her attention back to the movie screen. She still looked though.

Roger suddenly wanted to try again. He wanted to hold her hand in the theater. His hand reached over to where he knew hers was waiting, nervous and worrying himself into a heartattack But he forgot about the soda holders and soon his palm connected with Francesca's Coca Cola. He quickly withdrew his hand before he could knock it over but couldn't forget the look of disappointment on Francesca's face. He inwardly cursed and squinted in the dark theater. What else was there that he didn't know about?

"You okay?" Francesca asked, eyes still facing ahead but her voice showing concern. Roger sighed and whispered back.

"I'm afraid so." Francesca just smiled a little but didn't look over at him. Roger was afraid that he had offended her… again. But this time, he was not so discouraged. He was actually eager to try something else to make it up to Francesca.

Palms sweating, Roger contemplated what the safest move would be. Should he try to grab her hand again? He didn't think he should. It was like a cave in this theater and he was bound to knock the soda over. More candy? Yeah… right. He thought maybe he should offer some of his soda to her but decided that was just gross. So what else was there?

Roger looked slyly over at Francesca's face, illuminated by the glow of the movie screen. Roger was suddenly inspired by something he saw in a T.V. show. Maybe it would work. His stomach squirmed uncomfortably and each moment he began to believe he would do it the worms in his gut would only wiggle around more. So there were two choices. Throw up or just do the darn thing.

Roger nearly threw his arm around Francesca's shoulders. Luckily, his arm made it but he could fell Francesca start at the impact. Her eyes widened and her head whipped around to find out what had jumped on her. When she saw that the arm belonged to the body of Roger Davis she just placed a hand against her thumping heart but smiled through the adrenaline rush. She was already a little happier.

Roger pretended not to notice her looking at him but inwardly he celebrated. He finally earned a point for his team.

(End flashback)

I remember swearing to myself that I was never going on a first date again. It was just THAT horribly awkward for me and for Francesca but somehow I managed through it. And though our relationship didn't last as long as others I still never regret finally going out with her. She was really an amazing person and I'm sure she went on to do great things.

She was still involved in the worst first date I ever had.

A/N: I'm not quite so proud of this one but I still like it. Please review!