Late on that Friday night, Spencer pulled his car up to the front of Maggie's house. She sat quiet in the passenger's seat but smiled contentedly. Things had apparently gone well. Once the car was stopped and turned off, Spencer bounds out determined to open her door for her. With the car door shut securely behind her, Maggie curtsied grandly to her suitor.

"Why thank you, kind sir," she said in an over-exaggerated southern drawl.

Reid bowed and offered an arm to escort her to her door. Once on the porch, Maggie released Reid's arm and sauntered off to the porch swing. She sat down and meekly patted the spot next to her. Spencer obliged and was soon seated stiffly to her left. Maggie bit her lip nervously while Spencer fidgeted with the buttons on his vest.

"It's a lovely night, isn't it, Spencer?"

Spencer nods.

"It's nice here on the porch. Do you spend a lot of time here?"

"As much as I can."

Then silence for a few more agonizing moments. Finally Maggie stood up and simply said, "I'm sorry."

"I don't understand."

Spencer was genuinely confused by her words. He hoped for an answer from this captivating woman but certainly did not expect the flood that poured from her at that moment.

"I bored you to death. I do that when I'm nervous. I just babble on and on about the Browning's. Just look at you there; like you can't wait to be free. And now I'm acting crazy. I'm sure you get quite enough of that at the office. What was I even thinking talking to you? Smart, well-traveled and with a job that brings such excitement. And you have been saddled with me all night? Dumpy, ugly Maggie who just rants on about dead writers and their loves, not really having had one of her own. Not really anyway."

By now Maggie was pacing the porch wringing her hands.

"You don't have to stay. You can leave if you want. You can go on your way and pretend this night never happened."

Tears welled in her eyes and spilled over her lids catching in her long lashes. But she stood tall to let him know he could be free of his crazy date and she would be okay.

Spencer wasn't sure what to do exactly. He stood and took a cautious step toward her.

"Maggie, I don't want to leave. I don't want to forget a single moment of this night. Not ever. I only wish you knew how much your eyes dance when you talk about Robert and Elizabeth. How adorable it is that you refer to them like they are friends you invite over for tea. I could sit and listen for hours just to be captivated by your eyes, your joy."

By this time they were just inches from each other. Although he was very unsure of himself, Spencer felt compelled to reach out and dry the single tear that was suspended on Maggie's cheek.

"Maggie, I'm the one that's not good at this. I can count the number of dates I've had in my life on one hand. I have you crying on our first date."

"Second"

"What was that?"

"Second. We had coffee, remember?"

"That was a date?"

"It took every bit of courage I could muster to go over and talk to you, it damned, oh shoot, darned, oh hell, damned better have been a date. Screw the resolution."

"You were nervous about talking to me?"

"You may not know this but you are a very handsome man."

Spencer was not sure how to respond to the compliment so he just leaned on the porch railing looking out into the clear night sky. Maggie walked over and placed her hand over his. He tensed for a moment but then intertwined his fingers with hers. She leaned her head over to rest against his shoulder.

"Maggie, you don't honestly think you're ugly do you?"

"Well I'm certainly no great beauty."

"I think you are."

Maggie snuggled even closer to him and sighed as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"You're freezing Maggie."

"I hadn't noticed."

"That's flattering but you really need to get inside. It's not summer yet you know."

"This really has to end?"

"Yes, dear. But I think we should do this again sometime. What do you think?"

"Definitely."

Maggie turned to enter her home and found her wrist held by Reid. She looked back at him a bit surprised. To be honest, Spencer was just as surprised by his action as she was.

"Maggie, I would very much like to kiss you goodnight."

"On a first date? What kind of girl do you think I am?"

"Second date, remember?"

"Oh well, that makes all the difference. Carry on then my brave knight."

Reid pulled Maggie close to him and bent his head to ever so gently press his lips to hers.

"Goodnight my fair maiden."

"Goodnight my sweet prince."