I forgot to add this in the last chapter, but the anemones that are on the table tops in Isabella's bakery mean fragile. I just completely forgot, but now you know. J

Pay attention for small hints about what Isabella really is. And to answer thephoenixandthedragon4ever, I can't answer that AMAZING question right now, but just know that there is more to the panther-human relationship than meets the eye.

I can't be more cryptic from that, I promise.

Warning: Cuss word or two.

Now, ON WITH THE DAY AFTER THE FIRST DATE!

Previously

After the movie, Loki drove her back to her apartment and walked up to the door with her. After an awkward moment, he kissed her cheek goodnight and waited until she went inside to leave.

All in all, both thought the evening turned out to be a successful date.

Right?

Chapter 6

At the bakery

"Tell me, tell me, tell me EVERTHING that happened last night!" Samantha demands as soon as she puts on her apron, practically running to where Isabella is kneading the dough for the bread, pies, and cakes that will be on sale that day, "Did you kiss? Did he pay for everything? Did he bring you roses? Did you like the roses? What movie did you see? Did he laugh or crawl into a ball? Does he even have a sense of humor? Did he ask you on another one? Are you going to ask him on another one? And DID YOU KISS?"

"Yes he paid for everything, no, kinda, Bad Teacher, absolutely not to the second option, yes to the first, yes he does, no, and maybe." Isabella answers, spraying and putting the dough into the different sized pans.

"But did you kiss?" Samantha asks, tearing Isa away from the dough and looking her in the eye, her eyes bugging out, her face completely serious.

"…"

"What?"

"He… me…"

"What?!"

"He kissed me on the cheek!" Isabella bursts out, her face completely red, burrowing her face in her hands.

"The cheek? Only the cheek?" Samantha asks, confused as to why that would bring out such a reaction.

"He just smelled really good the whole night, and whenever we were in the movie theater would say these hilarious little sarcastic quips in that rich voice of his, and all I wanted to do was sit on his lap and cuddle him into oblivion. Then he walks me back up into my apartment and we stand there awkwardly until he leans over and kisses me on the cheek. Isn't that a good sign? He even brought me the strangest bunch of flowers.."

"Ah, I see." Samantha says, rolling her eyes, "Did he at least hold your hand?"

"Actually, he was driving a tall truck and I wasn't able to get up on it, so he lifted me completely off the ground and placed me on the seat." She murmurs, her neck turning as red as her face as her blush travels down. "Can I go back to doing my job?"

"Yes, but one more question," Samantha says slyly.

"What is it?" Isabella asks, finally calming down some.

"How big are his hands and feet?" She says, Isa's face burning up again as she lays her head on the table, her shoulders shaking with embarrassed laughter.


At the Clan's Cave

"You looked happy when you finally crawled in last night." Dean comments as he works on a run-down car a "holy tax accountant" brought in after it broke-down on the road.

Loki hums in agreement, working on a 1989 Acura Legend Coupe's gas tank which was practically torn when the owner tried to replace a wire to the sides of the gas tank.

"What happened last night?" Sam asks after the two brothers nudge each other for a few minutes, Sam losing.

"Well, I picked her up, gave her the flowers, took her to a movie and brought her back." Loki says with a shrug, trying to calm his hands as he remembers the night before.

"Did she bite your head off for not buying her a whole bouquet of roses?" Dean snorts, referring to his belief that Isabella is a spoiled Ice Queen.

Sam chuckles with him and they go back and forth with the slight insults about her.

"I wonder if she's as frigid as she looks."

"She probably is, not only does she have a cold heart, but something down under is probably just as cold if you kn-"

"Would you two stop?" Loki finally bursts out, slamming his tools on the bench next to him. "Why are you making judgments about her if you do not even know her? What has she ever done to you besides not want to enter into an unstable relationship with you? Does that really earn your scorn and distaste?"

Both the boys are silent, all not knowing Bobby is standing behind them in the doorway that connects the garage to the office/reception space.

"If you will both excuse me." He seethes, fixing his tools and the car before removing his belt. He starts to walk out of the door, but stops when he sees Bobby, asking, "Do you mind if I take a slightly longer lunch break than usual?"

Bobby nods, patting his shoulder before turning to the pair of brothers.

They look at each other, both thinking, Oh shit.


Corner of South Broadwick Street

During a slower time of the bakery, Isabella is wiping some of the tables off and clearing the coffee and smoothie cups when Loki comes in in a huff, stalking over to her.

Feeling her heart rate pick up as she starts to feel a bit afraid of Loki's anger, vivid memories starting to rise from the cloudy web where she had kept them locked up.

Samantha, noticing the angry Loki, keeps her eye on them to make sure nothing happens to her friend like before.

He walks up to Isabella, noting her slightly shaking form and reigns in his anger, though still clearly pissed and grinds out, "Go to the park with me, now please."

She nods slightly as she looks down at the ground, whispering softly, "Just give me a moment."

She quickly walks to the counter where Samantha is, Samantha telling her not to go just in case Loki's anger gets too out of control. Isabella shakes her head quickly and whispering, "I'll be fine, and you are on my speed dial. Don't worry, he won't hurt me."

Samantha give her the 'Uh-huh' face before handing Isa her small journalist-type bag.

Isabella goes to where Loki is, who by now is a bit calmer and a bit apologetic for being so angry in front of her though still angry, walking with him as they walk to the park a block away.

There are not a lot of children at that hour, so the two are left in silence; Loki still fuming, and Isabella trying to not have an all-out panic attack as she tries to repress the memories surfacing. And failing.

There! Chapter Six and I will be posting another later today... Probably in a few hours, review to remind me so I don't forget!

Hope you enjoyed and please spread the word about the story! Readers & Reviews are life :)