AN: Now the fun begins. I would like to recommend to those who have not previously read Cat-tastophe to check it out before reading any further. It gives a little insight to how this date came about.

Chapter 3: Date Disaster—Part 1

February 14…

Everything is going exactly as planned, Eros mused to himself. He had just finished pairing another couple on Valentine's list and was now admiring his handiwork. He adored watching as the couple before him fell into each other's arms. Another satisfied pair. He was pleased with himself!

"Well, with that out of the way, time to check in on my special mission." Eros quickly flew off toward the city. He was just flying over the destined neighborhood when he spotted a tomato soup colored Isuzu Rodeo pulling into the driveway of an apartment. He smiled as he saw a familiar red ponytail and quickly flew down.

Slamming the car door, Al trudged up the stairs to the apartment. It had been another exhausting day. Everything that could have gone wrong had happened. Someone had double booked at least three birthday parties so Al had to play referee between the different groups. On top of that, she had been called in to open after another coworker did not show up when Al had already closed the night before. But despite the trials, it would all be worth it soon. It was Valentine's Day! Now, normally Al would cuddle up under a blanket with a tub of ice cream and a good romantic comedy, but this was one of the few times that she and Zack were not working on a major holiday. Zack had even promised that if their date went to hell, he would join her under a blanket and buy the ice cream. All she had to do was shower and put on something that would turn her boyfriend's head. She was just putting the key in the lock when she heard a commotion going on inside.

"Would you just drop it! It's NOT HAPPENING!"

Either the rent is due or someone is trying to take Will's truck, Al thought as she opened the door. Instead of being greeted like usual by her furry friends, Mogwai and Crepe were trembling together on the couch. Even Kat's new Great Alaskan Husky/German Shepard Mix puppy, Whiskey, had somehow crammed himself under the coffee table and was cowering like he had gotten in trouble for jumping on people again. Meanwhile, the ruckus Al heard seemed to be coming from the back of the apartment.

Al turned to Crepe and asked the feline, "What's happening, Kitten?"

Crepe looked up at her with her crossed eyes. The yellow haired one is upset, the cat replied, tucking closer to Mogwai. There be something coming, Human.

SLAM!

Al looked up to see Will stomping toward her. Her hair was in a loose ponytail and she was wearing a graphic T-shirt and sweatpants. Her eyes were hard and her jaw was so tight Al thought she might be grinding her teeth. Without a word, Will plopped down on the couch and switched on the television.

Who spit in her cereal? Al thought. Maybe the rent really was due… She set her things down and began her normal greeting. "What up, sugar pop?" Al asked.

Will did not respond. She kept her eyes focused on the screen. Though it was clear by her expression that she was not actually paying attention to whatever show was on. Now Al was getting frustrated. She did not like being ignored, even when someone was mad, so she decided if Will was not going to talk then she was gonna make her talk. Al violently kicked the couch.

"I'm going to start speaking in third person if you don't start talking, Willa," she demanded, crossing her arms. "Al does not like being ignored!"

"Not in the mood, Alice," Will nearly barked. "It's been a bad day, so please, just leave me alone before someone does something she might regret."

"Willa has had a bad day?" Al asked, a slight scoff in her voice. "Al has had bad days too. And has Willa let Al have these bad days without talking? No way! So, Willa better start talking or Al will get hyped up on sugar and start doing what the kids at the bowling alley were doing with the cake, and Kat would then have to clean up the mess. And believe Al, you do NOT want to see how far a child can stick a piece of cake up their mother's nose."

Will growled, closing her eyes. "Al, next time I'll let you go off on a rant, but right now–"

"THERE you are!"

"Crap!" Will slumped back into the couch folding her arms. Kat entered the room. Like Will, she was wearing casual clothing, however, her long dark hair was pulled back into a bun, but she was not wearing glasses, which she usually did when the girls were relaxing at home. That meant Kat was getting ready to go out. Only Al noticed that Kat was about as steamed as Will, but before Al could ask what was wrong, Kat bumped her out of the way and stood in front of Will.

"Would you stop being so difficult!" she shouted.

"I'm being difficult?" Will retorted. "I'm being difficult!" Her voice increased in volume and anger. "You're the one trying to force me into this. I told you, it's not what you think."

"Al's dirty mind has gone to a dark place involving marriage…" Al interrupted. "Al wants to know what is going on RIGHT BLOODY NOW!"

Kat turned around, finally noticing their other roommate. Taking a deep breath in, Kat closed her eyes to cool down. "I am trying to get Will to stop being stubborn. But alas…" She turned back to Will still sulking on the couch. "… It is not going smoothly." Kat crossed her arms, annoyed with Will.

"About what? Al has just gotten home and her brain may or may not be turned off," Al said, quirking her lips.

Kat groaned. "I'm trying to get Will ready for her date tonight, but she's being more stubborn than the pets on Bath Day." Kat was very animated during this explanation. She had not been this agitated since her annual Mexican vacation was canceled last year.

"How many times do I have I told you. It's. Not. A. DATE!" Will shouted. She stood up and began walking away. "Honestly, I'd hardly call being forced to spend a night with a guy I can't stand a date."

Al blinked, raised her hands and walked toward the kitchen. "Al needs coffee. Let us pause for a refueling break." She wandered into the kitchen and made a small cup of coffee. She reentered the room, spinning a spoon in her coffee and taking a small sip. She noted that Kat had grabbed Will and was keeping a hold on her shoulder to make her remain in the room.

"Now, what is this about our Little Willa being on a date? Al has not met this boy, nor has he asked for Al's permission on this matter," she said, tapping her spoon and then licking it.

"Al, you're not my dad, so stop pulling a Joey Tribbiani," Will commented. She sighed and walked back over to her friends. "Look… Sorry for being a pain. I'm just really peeved right now. Kat, I know you're excited but this isn't a date. It's more a pity thing really. Besides, I was outnumbered and had no choice." Kat scoffed at her poor excuse.

"Is this the aftermath of the spin the bottle thing? If it is, I am suddenly very excited!" Al interjected while bring her hands together as if she had evil plan in mind.

"OKAY, hold up!" Kat uncrossed then raised her arms interjecting the conversation, pausing for a moment. "Spin the bottle? Is THAT how this all happened? HA!" She quickly covered her mouth. Will's jaw dropped a little, whether is was out of shock or embarrassment, Kat was unsure, but her friend's cheeks were starting to turn a light pink. The laugh just spat out of her mouth. "I sorry…" Kat said through a whispered laugh. "Spin the bottle? WHY?! Also, how did I not know this?"

"It happened on Movie Night last week," Will explained, closing her eyes as she recalled the incident. "You were out to dinner with your family and Al invited her boyfriend and his new buddy over. Only, Zack's buddy happened to be this guy I know who tried to make a pass at me. There was a power outage and we ended up playing Truth or Dare. Do to someone–" She glared specifically at Al. "–being a poor sport, I got suckered into going on a date with this guy."

"Oppies!" Al quickly said spreading, a tentative smile on her face.

Will rolled her eyes. "Point is, I'm only doing this because the alternative was Seven Minutes in Heaven," she explained. "I'm just hoping this fake date will suck and maybe be the push that will finally get the guy off my back once he sees I'm not interested. That's why I would prefer you and Al not making a big hoopla out of the matter, okay?"

"You're still going on a date, Will," Kat interrupted. "I don't care if it's because of a dare, or if it is a pity date. I'm letting you know right now that you are not leaving here looking like a bum. You need to at least try to look nice. Now, turn around and go in the bathroom. The flat iron has been on for thirty minutes and we do not need to set another fire in here." Kat moved her hand to Will's shoulder to make her turn around.

Will batted her away as though she were swatting flies. "Jeans and a T-shirt are fine."

"Sadly, I gotta side with the Kat on this one," Al said, crossing her arms. "I bet you hate Bat Boy's guts and would rather unalive him, but he did have specifics, which included date dress."

"Hahahaha!" Kat chuckled. "I'm sorry… This is just too funny. Specifics? Are you sure this isn't an arranged marriage that we are shipping you off too? I'm starting to get the impression that Al and I are going to get a goat in exchange for you, Will. Who is this guy anyway?" Will groaned as she was then dragged into the bathroom. The last thing Al heard was Kat reprimanding Will about finding some garlic oil in place of the perfume.

Outside the window, Eros gave a big sigh. "Why is that girl being so stubborn?" he wondered aloud. "This is her first date and on Valentine's Day no less. Her heart should be bursting with joy, not wallowing in dread. This calls for drastic measures!"

With a flap of his wings, Eros raced off to the other side of town. He flew until he landed at Zack's apartment complex. He then found Zack's door number, Apt. 10, and knocked on the door.

"Easy on the knocking! Some of us shower like normal people." When the door opened, Zack stood there soaking wet, wearing only a towel. It was only natural that he seemed surprised to find Eros standing at his door. "Oh… Hey Eros. What's hangin', man?" he asked, relaxing a bit.

"Afternoon Zackary. I realize my arrival is a tad inconvenient at the moment," Eros apologized, "but I was hoping to inquire you to the whereabout of one of your fellow tenants?"

"Who are you looking for?" Zack asked, crossing his arms across his chest.

"I'm referring to the fellow you met at the Halloween Town New Year's party. Puck is his name."

"Puck? You mean that smooth criminal? Ha! I thought you were here for Gus. That man needs some loving," Zack said, leaning on the doorframe. "He's just three doors down. Not sure what he's been up to, but he's been making a racket all day. Good thing, I guess. Otherwise Al would've killed me for being late for our date."

"Ah! That reminds me…" Eros reached for a vial on his belt and handed it to Zack. "As I recall, your lovely Alice adores the fragrance of apples and roses. Use a drop or two tonight and she'll remain by your side the entire evening." He gave Zack a wink.

Zack took the vile and chuckled. "Thanks man. And hey, whatever you got planned for Puck, take it easy on him. He was all sorts of moving when he came home last."

"Moving?"

"Ya know, constantly in motion. I don't think that boy has slowed down doing whatever he is doing since he rolled in last night."

"I don't doubt that. I know very well what he has in store for his outing this evening," Eros added. "I'm just here to offer him a bit of advice to make sure things go as planned."

Suddenly, the two were joined by another young man. He was slightly taller than Eros but shorter than Zack, and like Zack, he wore little clothing. In fact, the man only wore a pair of pants, no shoes, and he was carrying an open button-down shirt in his left hand. What made him further stand out were the large black wings on his back.

"Hey Puck," Zack greeted. He noted his friend's his hair was a mess. "Did your comb go crazy?" he joked.

Puck just rolled his eyes. "Hey Zack, could you drive me to the auto shop?" he asked, slightly panicked as he struggled to slip the shirt over his wings. "The guy was supposed to have my car ready today."

"If you mean the one that keeps calling my number instead of yours, you just missed him," Zack reported. "Murray said he'd have to order a special part. Won't be ready till Monday. Sorry man."

"Damn! I really need my car tonight," he hissed. Then he looked to his friend. "Is there any chance I could borrow your truck?"

"Sadly no. Ol' Rusty is my ride tonight," Zack explained. "Why don't you just take your bike?"

Puck glared at him. "Because it would ruin the entire evening," he stated. "I'm trying to impress her, remember? How can I do that if I show up for our date on that thing? A lady can't ride on a bike if she's in a skirt and heels."

"Pardon me," Eros interrupted, "but perhaps I might make a suggestion?"

Puck finally took notice of the other member of the group. "Oh, I remember you," he said. "Cupid, from the New's Years party, right?" Suddenly, Puck got rather irritated. "Thanks a lot for your so-called advice! Because of you, Will hates me!"

"Whatever are you talking about?" Eros implied, hoping he could charm his way out of this.

"Am I missing something here?" Zack asked, getting a little confused by the conversation.

Puck just continued to glare. "This idiot gave me the brilliant idea that Will was attracted to me, and when I tried to court her, she rejected me."

"Now, now. Don't be so hasty, young prince," Eros interjected. "After all, I told you how to win the girl's heart. You were just a bit too hasty in the approach. I told you she had a type."

"Yeah, and it still backfired!" Puck shouted.

"No need to yell. I assure you that tonight will change everything."

"Oh yeah, how?" Puck asked.

"Simple…" Eros explained. "After all, I am the Master of Romance! I know the way to win any woman's heart. All you have to do to is exactly what I tell you…"

XXX

As the hour drew closer to seven, Al and Kat were both getting ready to go out. Unlike Al, Kat knew exactly how her date would pan out. She was going out with a guy one of her coworkers knew. A friend of a friend, you could say. They had been flirting for weeks. His name was Val and he was a professional dancer. He was originally from the Ukraine, but had lived in the United States for years. His accent was just subtle enough to make Kat weak in the knees. So, she made sure to dress extra special tonight. Kat had gotten dressed in light wash blue straight leg jeans, a plain white T-shirt paired with peach colored scarf. In a chair by the door lay her tan jacket with a cross body zipper and ballet flats the same color as her scarf. Kat had her hair colored the day before and now had a dark brown, almost black shade with deep burgundy pieces mixed between the layers of her hair. It was wavy and styled to perfection while her makeup was a simple brown smoky-eye with cat-eye eyeliner and a mauve lipstick, complimenting her brown eyes and bronze skin.

Likewise, Al had picked out a short strapless red satin dress with a black lace overlay. Attached at the natural waist was a black and red satin high-low skirt and a vivid red rose accent. She wore little makeup, enough to highlight her features as Zack preferred the natural look. Now, she paced with six-inch black satin heels. As always, she was ready extremely early and was now starting to panic. Zack had been very cryptic in his explanation of their date and, while Al liked surprises, she wondered if she was over or underdressed for their location where they would be spending a romantic evening.

"Where is that boy in his Rust Bucket truck? He should know I get ready stupid early," Al complained, watching the window for Zack. She sat on the couch and began bouncing her leg, forcing Crepe to move to find another place to nap.

"Calm down, he is never late and you are always ready WAY too early," Kat said, clearly annoyed. Al quickly snapped her head to glare at her as Kat was looking at her phone. "Val is on his way. Now, where is Will?"

"Right here." Both girl's turned to find Will standing in the hallway. Kat had been unsuccessful in finding a dress—Will had conveniently stored all of her dresses and skirts secretly in the attic of Skellington Manor—and neither the dresses or skirts Al and Kat owned would fit her, but that had not stopped Kat. She still managed to change Will into a pair of black stonewashed jeans, a black peasant top with a deep midnight tank top underneath, and a pair of fashionable black boots. Kat had also managed to do her hair and makeup without a flaw. Will's hair was now straight which flattered her face and a simple light dusting of foundations, a warm cream color for eye shadow, a bit of eye liner in the corners of her eye, mascara, and red lipstick to tie it all together. She looked beautiful.

However, the expression on Will's face was more like she was about to have a dental work without any Novocain.

Kat frowned. "Would you stop acting like this is the worst thing in the world," she said. "You look more unhappy than when Al and I made you get a pedicure."

"Hey! I prefer doing that to this," Will stated, holding her hand up to stop Kat from suggesting something. "Never again, Katerina! Much as I hate the idea of going out with Puck, I NEVER want to do that again. It was like they were using sandpaper to scrape off my skin, and don't even get me started on that weird goop that nearly burned off my feet…"

"How would I know you would be the Grumpy Cat of pedicures? It's not normal, Will. Not normal…" Kat sounded defensive. She was only trying to help, even though Will was being difficult. She did like a challenge though.

Will rolled her eyes. "Look, this just isn't how I pictured my first date, okay? To be honest, I really thought I'd either find a guy I liked—and I'm emphasizing like here—or you would try setting me up on another blind date with some guy you met at work."

"You could always create an account on Tinder? HAHA!"

"He's here!" Al cheered, cutting Kat off. She sprung up from the couch and rushed to the door as Zack's rusty black truck pulled up to the curb. Al watched him from the open door.

Once the truck came to a standstill and the engine died, Zack stepped out. He had donned a three piece black tuxedo with a black bow-tie. A small rose bloom rested in the lapel of his coat. He had ruffled his hair before combing it into a tamable looking hair style. But, despite his elegant appearance, he finished the look of with black Converse One-Star high-top sneakers.

Al stepped onto the porch as he walked up the sidewalk. "Hey Loveling," he said with a smile.

"Hey-ya handsome." She smiled breathlessly. "Ready to go?"

"I've been looking forward to this all day," Zack said, taking her hand and kissing the knuckles.

"Crepe, come back here!" Will yelled as Al's cat crept out the front door with Al's purse clenched in her mouth.

"What a good kitty!" Al smiled, taking the purse from Crepe and patting her head before the skittish cat scampered into the apartment.

"Come on!" Zack said, hoisting Al onto his shoulder fireman style and heading to his truck.

Al gave a small yelp before laughing. "Don't wait up you guys!" she called to her friends as Zack carried her off into the night.

"And then there were two…" Will sighed and closed the door. She stepped back inside and flopped down on the couch. "So, when's your date showing up again?" she asked Kat.

"Val is going to be here soon," she replied. A smitten smile pulled at her painted lips as she sank into the couch cushions. "He's going to take me to this place by the water. It's not fancy or anything, but it has a nice view of the ocean, and the dining area is under an open gazebo with beach trees that have those twinkly lights wrapped around them… I'm nervous though."

"Well, least one of us is sort of excited," Will said. The sound of another car engine filled her ears. "And now it seems you're next to go out. Remind me what's so hot about this Val guy again?"

"I don't know…" Kat said calmly, trying to reflect on why she did really like her date. "To be honest Will, I didn't like him at first. I thought he was a prude know-it-all with rich parents who acts like a player. Marcie was the one who begged me to go out with him, and I was miserable the entire time. It was almost like he knew how uncomfortable I was and that fueled his inner jerk. He was so smug…"

She paused to control herself. "What was I saying again? Oh yes, Val. At the end of the first date he took me to the hill in Seattle where you can see the entire city. He told me that when he was younger his brother would take him and his siblings there when their parents would get in bad fights. And then he told me about how his Dad would treat him and his youngest brother. After that I looked at him differently. He's a good guy, Will."

Suddenly, the door bell rang. "I got it!" Kat began to walk toward the door.

"RUFF RUFF!" The loud bark made Crepe jump from the couch to hide in the empty fire place. There was a scrapping sound of nails and feet trying to get traction on the hardwood floor as Kat's ten month old pup raced into the room. Whiskey barked somewhat aggressively at the door. Kat quickly put her shoes on, grabbed her coat and purse, then got ahold of Whiskey's collar before she opened the door. Even though Kat was strong, Will still cringed watching Whiskey rear up on his hind legs and pawing the air at who she assumed was Val—Will and Al had not formally met him yet.

The man at the door stepped back with his hand up as if being approached by police. From Will's perspective, the guy was cute. Muscular like a model and at least six feet tall, but he looked like he had just stepped out of Night at the Roxbury. Green eyes wide and an obvious worried look on his face, Kattrina tried to assure him Whiskey would not hurt a flea. Which was true because last week he and a fly got into it, and Whiskey have wiped out an entire bookshelf as he was trying to run away from the damn thing.

Seeing she had the dog under control, Val took a tentative step inside the apartment. He could not take his eyes off her. "Wow! Y-You… You look great. R-Ready to go, babe?" Val asked tentatively.

"Yeah, just let me put him back in the house. Come on in." Kat led Whiskey to the back and made him go in his crate. When she reentered the living room, Val and Will were awkwardly smiling and nodding at each other.

Kat smiled and made quick introductions. "Will, this is Val. Val, Will." Will and Val smiled at each other.

"Hi."

"Hey…"

The silence in the room was enough to hear Whiskey whining from the back room. Somehow it was even more awkward than before when everyone didn't know each other.

"Ready to go, Val?" Kat asked quickly, wanting to break the tension.

"Yeah," he replied. They both turned toward the door when Will let out a sigh that caught Kat's attention. A sigh of boredom? she thought. How? She just met the guy! Or was it a sigh of relief that Whiskey didn't kill anyone today? Probably… Val gently hovered his hand over the small of Kat's back.

"We should probably go," Val whispered in Kat's ear. "The reservations are at eight and it'll be an hour before we get there." He started leading her out the door. They were halfway to Val's car when Will stepped outside. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest as she watched them.

"Hey, I get enough PDA from Al and Zack," Will called out. "Just be sure to behave, you two."

Kat quickly turned around and shouted sharply, "WILL!"

A small smile creeped onto Val's face as he looked at Kat. His hand began to inch a bit lower.

"Stop…" Kat warned. She swatted his arm, making Val laugh. He removed his hand to unlock his car, opened the passenger door and held his hand out to Kattrina to get in. Before she did, Kat turned back toward the apartment.

"I don't need to stay to make sure you go on this date, do I?" she yelled, a slightly teasing tone in her voice. She grinned wickedly at the blush burning through Will's foundation.

"Haha, real cute! I give the creep fifteen minutes. If he doesn't show, then our deal is off. When that happens, I'm gonna get some popcorn and curl up with my new book."

"Oh, he will so be here!" Kat said confidently. Will just rolled her eyes and retreated back into the house, leaving Kat to mutter curses under her breath.

Seeing his date was stressed, Val placed both hands on her shoulders and gently massaged them. He was about to ask Kat if she wanted to wait a little longer when the sound of a loud engine caused him to look down the road. "Oh, is this the guy?" he asked, removing one hand and pointing over his shoulder.

They both turned just as a 2014 Harley-Davidson Street 750 pulled into the driveway. The rider wore a wine CL-MAX II Modular helmet with tinted visor, black jacket, black denim pants and charcoal leather boots. When the engine turned off, the rider removed his full-face helmet to reveal a tanned young man in his twenties. He walked over toward Kat and Val. His helmet tucked under one arm, he bowed halfway at the waist.

"Good evening," he greeted. "You must be the famous Kat I've heard so much about. Willa and Alice mention you often." He took her hand in his and kissed the back. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Umm…" Kat said unimpressed. Val tried to prevent himself from laughing but was unsuccessful. The guy looked ridiculous. Who wore leather anymore? Val held a fist up to his mouth, biting one of his knuckles.

"Shh!" Kat shushed, trying to quiet him down.

"Pardon me, I guess I got carried away. My name is Puck," he introduced himself, "and I am here to call on Willa tonight. Perhaps you could let me know if she is ready?"

"Umm… Okay. Well, Puck is it?" Kat said with a sly smile. "She's in the house. Just ring the doorbell…"

"But what about your do–" Val started to say but was cut off by the motion of Kat's hand telling him to be silent. They watched as Puck walked up to the house before they both getting in the car and heading out.

Meanwhile, Puck was trying to be as confident as he looked. When he got to the door, he paused before knocking. He ran a hand through his hair nervously. "Oh, I don't know about this…"

"What's the issue, young prince?" Puck turned around to find Eros fluttering behind him. "Honestly, I go through the trouble of coaching you for this date, and you're backing out now?" he demanded, crossing his arms over his chest.

Puck rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, it's just this doesn't seem to be the right approach," he said. "I've been going about the way you said, but it just makes her hate me more."

"My young prince, she doesn't hate you. She simply doesn't realize yet what a catch you are," Eros explained. He then patted the young man's shoulder. "I promise, after tonight, you and Willa will be together. Isn't that what you want?"

"Well, yes, but…"

"Then what are you waiting for?" In his excitement, Eros rang the doorbell and quickly disappeared, leaving Puck to stand alone.

Damn that Eros! Puck thought bitterly. He had half a mind to chase after him, until the door opened. His eyes fell on Will and the breath caught in his throat. She had removed a majority of the eyeliner and wiped off the red lipstick for some subtle light-purple lip gloss. She was just about to change out of the clothes Kat and Al selected when the doorbell rang. Will now looked at Puck with disdain.

"Wow… Y-You look…quite fetching, Willa," Puck tried to say, his voice raising a little as he remained ignorant of the cold glare being directed at him.

Will just rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Can we just get this over with."

"Oh, yes, but I'm afraid we have a slight problem," Puck said. "You see, my car needed repairs which left us without transportation."

"So this mean the date's off!" Will exclaimed, a bright smile on her face. "Oh well, too bad. Have a nice night!" She tried closing the door but Puck put his foot in the doorframe.

"I never said this evening's outing was canceled, my flustered little bat," Puck countered, a crooked smile crossing his lips. "It just means we will be requiring another mode of transportation."

"Okay…"

"The car rental office is not too far from here," Puck explained. "I'll lend you my helmet and drive us down there."

"Not a chance, pal," Will retorted. "Much as I'd love to see you arrested, I prefer not having you getting a ticket on my conscience. Besides, you already have wheels so I don't see what you're complaining about."

"I am afraid I do not understand. Whatever are you inquiring about?" Will pointed to the helmet in Puck's hand. His eyes widened in shock. "Absolutely not!" he protested.

"Why not? Seems pointless to whine about a car when you have a bike," Will rationalized. "Besides, they get better gas and make parking easier."

"But, my dear, my plans for this evening require quite a distance to travel," Puck quickly countered, "and I only have one helmet for you to wear."

"Like I would wear your helmet. I have my own," Will said. "It's in my room."

"You have a motorcycle helmet? I didn't know you rode."

"My dad rides a motorbike, though I'm studying to get my motorcycle license this summer,"

She opened the door wider. "It'll take me a minute to change. Just wait in the living room while I grab my gear, then we can go. And stay put!" she warned, watching as Puck stepped inside the apartment. "I can hear you, so don't even think about trying to check on me, got it!"

"Humph. Give me some credit, Willa. I would never dream of intruding upon a lady's boudoir."

Will just rolled her eyes and disappeared into the back. Left alone, Puck nervously went over the plans in his head. Talking with Eros had really helped. Okay, his original plan was less eccentric and the angel's advice had not worked out so well before, but looking over it, there was no way things would not go well. He was confident that by the end of the night, Will would fall in love with him. And if he struggled, Eros promised to help him out. Who better to help with a Valentines date than the deity of love?

"Ruff! Ruff, ruff!"

"Whiskey, get back here!"

Hearing Will call out, Puck started to make his way toward the back when a large furry object ran towards him. "WHOA!" he cried as he was crushed under one hundred pound pounds of fur and slobber. "Mary, Mother of God! What is that thing?!"

Will ran back into the living room and grabbed the dog by its collar. "Whiskey slipped out when I went to give him fresh water. Kat forgot again." She dragged him to the back, though Puck missed the silent smirk on the girl's face. "Good boy, Whisk," she whispered. "I'll have a special bone biscuit for you. Though next time, try to knock him back outside and down the steps."

She put the dog back in his crate, then checked on the other pets before reentering the living room. She noticed the while Puck had straightened himself out, he was still slightly frazzled. "You okay there, tuff guy?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Haha, very funny. I would like to see you remain calm with that mongrel pouncing all over you!"

"Lets just go, Mr. Macho," Will groaned. She pushed Puck out the door and they both suited up in their motorcycle gear.

From his hiding spot under the porch, Eros practically giggled with glee. He could not believe his own brilliance. It was also rather fortunate the young man's car had been troubled. He normally did not approve of a motorcycle for a first date, but that girl needed a push. Now all he had to do was make sure this date went perfectly.

After all, how hard could it be?