A/N: Hey all. Figured it was time to unearth this thing. Still blowing at the suffocating dust caking it, but this much seems clean enough.

Previously in Chapter Three:

"I am really glad I met you."

A single moment of unchecked happiness took the reins and, trying my best to temper my smile, I admitted in all honesty, "I'm really glad I met you too."

Chapter Four

A tease of a smile passed over her lips before being controlled even as her gaze roamed free and dropped straight to my lips.

My eyes flickered down to hers just in time to see her smoothly biting her bottom lip, her eyes blinking away a heavy stare.

Does- Does she want me to kiss her?

She abruptly straightened herself, looking forward and pointedly not at me. "…I should go."

Christ. There went that opportunity. "Okay…" I made my own readjustment, tempted to take another sip just to ease the passing of the moment.

Instead, her cheeks tinged a pastel pink as she lowered her gaze to her lap, almost imperceptibly turning back towards me. She flashed her eyes back to mine, the corners crinkling in question. "Am I going to see you again?"

I couldn't help my pleased tone, fairly confident in her answer before I asked, "Do you want to see me again?"

She backpedalled a little, our progress slowly fading as she stubbornly reminded herself, "I mean, I'm- I'm breaking like, eight federal statutes being here with you right now…"

I rolled my eyes, slight exasperation taking over. "Yes, I know." I took another sip, and then an extra moment to remind myself that she probably never did anything she wasn't supposed to, joke from earlier aside. Glancing at her, I realized this was a pretty big fall from the fence she was sitting on. With an inward smile, I agreed to offer her a little help.

Queuing back into the conversation, she mumbled something about getting kicked out of the DEBS for this.

My inward smile grew, overtaking my lips in a gentle grin.

"For what?" I baited her.

I chanced a quick glance to her lips, getting rewarded with another illusive smile after a moment. If I lingered, I knew I'd lose the slight opening, so I threw caution to the wind and went for it, leaning in closer, watching her eyes and slightly parted lips as she realized my intention and leaned a fraction of an inch closer too… I tilted my head, closing my eyes as her scent mingled with my breath. Closer…

"Oh my God!"

My eyes snapped open, finding the source of the interruption. Janice. No, Janet.

"She almost kissed you!"

I refrained from remarking that was kind of the point, sighing when Amy slid out of the booth like I was the devil tempting her into sin for the first time.

She lingered near Janet, fleeing after the accusing shout. "You almost let her!"

It took a split moment to slide out of the booth too, rolling my eyes at Janet before following the blue track suit awkwardly bumping through the crowd. I hurried and caught up with her in a slight clearing, reaching for her arm. "Amy—"

She whirled, dislodging my hand. "Take me home."

With a blink, I started damage control. "It's okay…"

"Take. Me home," she all but growled.

I numbly nodded, watching her stalk off to the car. God, could this- this… I didn't even know what to call tonight, but it couldn't get worse.

Scud was already looking my way when I tried finding him to gesture back to the car. I turned to leave before he even acknowledged me. He could escort Miss Priss himself.

My quasi date didn't look any more promising as she shot me a glare from beside the car door, waiting for Janet.

"Look…"

"Don't." The word had the finality of a slammed door.

Again, the very, very hopeful side of me was crossing its fingers that she just needed a moment to understand all of the—

I pursed my lips to stop a slight growl. Understand all of the, what, feelings? Because any government agent is going to have those in spades for you, my sarcastic, defensive side shot back.

Mood officially soured, I unlocked the car and turned to lean against the driver's door as I waited for Scud, giving Amy the distance she probably wanted.

Well, whatever. I never liked horses anyway. Who said you need to get back on them to live your life.

I could all but hear Scud snort at that, but then I turned slightly, finding he was snorting at me. "What?" I practically snarled.

"Your sad puppy face, it's just— " He wisely cleared his throat at the glare I shot him that promised burnt bingo balls when we got home. "It's just… she didn't actually reject you, did she?"

Almost scowling, I looked to the side to notice both plaid-wearers were in the car, waiting and either annoyingly jabbering or looking out the far window. Relaxing slightly, I curved in my eyebrows at that. "It was pretty obvious—"

"—That her smiles and laughter with you were cut short. As much as I want to see this thing fall flat, because hello… she's a DEB…" He paused as if he wasn't sure if whatever was next was allowed to come out of his mouth, but it slipped out anyway, like usual. "You're not allowed to quit. Not yet."

I'll admit that my mouth dropped open slightly. I closed it, pursing my lips again. He was always mouthy, but not allowed to quit?

"You knew before I did that she was into you. Just think about it, hm?" He grinned, supremely proud of himself as he parroted, "Love is harder than crime." With that, he dislodged my spot and our slim privacy, opening the door to climb in back. I huffed to myself before shoving the seat back into place and climbing in too. Knowing I shouldn't, I looked her way as I started my baby's purring. If anything, her look out the window was even more closed off than her crossed arms and glares on the way here.

I inwardly sighed. Into me, my ass…