Vincent and Catherine walked hand in hand through the busy streets of New York city. He admired the bright lights and the attractions that kept the tourists coming back as she watched him quietly from the corner of her eye. Now and then he'd look at her and catch her smiling. Usually she avoided Time Square and its crowded street but tonight there was something special about the place. It never occured to her just how breathtaking the can be until she saw it from his perspective.

"Did you see that? He's naked," Vincent grimaced at the thought. He only got a second peek but it was enough for him.

"They don't call him the Naked Cowboy for nothing," Catherine replied while suppressing her laughter. "It's his gimmick. He's the Naked Cowboy who sings and plays guitar although he's not really naked. He would get arrested if he was."

"A lot sure has changed since I left," Vincent look on sadly as he looked arouns from building to building. It wasn't the same New York city he grew up in though it may have looked the same it didn't feel the same.

"Thank you," Catherine squeezed his hand and he turned his attention to her. "Thank you for your selflessness, your bravery, your courage and most of all, your sacrifices."

"If only you knew," he thought to himself but didn't dare utter a word. Vincent sacrificed more than just his life and lost more than he could ever gain back in lifetime or two. There was nothing he could do to bring his two older brothers back and give his parents the happiness they deserved. He couldn't risk their lives for a chance to hug them and tell them how much he loved them. Everyday he thought about how their reunion and how it would be but the risk was far too dangerous for either of them and he just couldn't bear the thought of losing another loved one when he already lost too many. "Let's get out of here," he said in a quiet and saddened tone.

"We'll come back some other time," Catherine replied, reassuringly.

"Sure," Vincent nodded. "On our next date," he added with a smile. "Come on, where's this diner you keep raving about?"

"Right this way," Catherine tugged his arm gently and walked away from the crowd and the bright lights of Time Square that made it so well known and liked by many.

BATB

Catherine stopped in front of an old freight train that was converted to a restaurant. It sat between a small floral stand and a newsstand that withstood multiple recessions through the decades.

"Here it is. It's not much on the outside but believe me the food makes up for the lack of decor."

Vincent looked at the place and it didn't strike him as anything special but all that mattered was the company he was with. He smiled and opened the door for her. "After you, my lady."

"Ever the gentleman," Catherine returned his smile and held his hand tighter as she walked in to her favorite diner. She was met with a smile from the hostess, who she knew from past visits.

"Hi Cat! Have a seat anywhere on the counter," the hostess pointed at the empty seats.

"Hi Rachel, actually I need a table for two," Catherine said while blushing as she turned to Vincent who was staring at the rose he gave her that she was holding on to as tightly as his hand.

"A date! He's cute, Cat! Lucky girl," Rachel gushed and smiled approvingly of Catherine's date. "Pick any empty booth. Here's a couple of menu and a waitress will be with you shortly."

"Thanks," Vincent replied and grabbed the menus with his free hand. "Actually, I'm the lucky one."

The rose paled in comparison to the color of her cheeks as Catherine blushed at his words. No matter how hard she tried she just couldn't keep her heart in control as it started to race once more. Catherine looked away from Rachel who was beaming with joy.

"Aww, how cute. Enjoy your date!"

"Thanks," Catherine replied in a whisper as her cheeks continued to blush and her heart to race.

"Shall we," Vincent pointed towards the back of the restaurant with dim lighting. "Or would you rather sit somewhere else?"

Catherine looked at him and understood why he choose the spot. "There," she pointed at the same booth he did. "Is fine," she answered and led the way as he guided her with his hand on the small of her back. "They're well-known for their apple pie and homemade cinnamon ice cream. Even my friends who don't like cinnamon swears by it," she smiled as they passed by the display of dessert. "There's also their berry coffee cake which is my favorite but I usually get that in the morning."

Vincent smiled at her and wondered where she put all the food Given her size he would never guess just how much she loved food. "We can get both if you want."

"Oh no," Catherine shook her head. "I didn't mean to imply anything."

"Apple pie is my favorite but I don't think anyone can top my Nana's pie," Vincent said in a teasing manner.

"Then we'll just have to see," she replied and stopped in front of the empty booth. "Do you want to sit together or," she pointed to the opposite seat from her.

Vincent smiled and nodded. "Only if you want to."

Catherine mirrored his reaction and added her colorful rosy cheeks as she blushed. "I like sitting by the window."

"Okay, but let's sit on that side. It has a better view," he said as he pointed at the dark window that showed her reflection but in truth he would be able to see the front door and the people coming in to the restaurant.

Catherine covered her cheeks with her hand and looked down. "Thanks," she barely whispered as she sat on the empty seat and slid towards the tinted window. She didn't dare look at her reflection or turn to look at him as she felt the seat sink next to her.

"You're beautiful," he whispered in her ear. "I don't mind having to tell you every minute because you are beautiful, Catherine. I don't want to take any second with you for granted. And I know just how lucky I am to have you here with me."

Her heart started to race more frantically. For a moment it felt as if it could pierce a hole through her chest and reveal her deepest emotions for him. Catherine hesitated before turning her head to look at him shyly.

"I don't mean to be too forward but it astonishes me that you don't see just how beautiful you are."

Catherine shrugged her shoulders and gave him a shy smile. "I just never thought of myself that way. Not that I have a low self-esteem or anything. I've been concentrating more on my academics and education. Since I was little I knew I wanted to be a lawyer like my father and most of my time was spent on making sure that I would get accepted into Law School. I haven't had much time for anything else besides my studies and job at the bar."

Vincent stared at her in a state of awe. He too was an ambitious young man and wanted to be a doctor since he could remember. Before joining the Army, after the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11, Vincent was starting his first year of residency and was engaged to his high sweetheart but in a short moment his life path would forever change and all of his life goals were altered. He no longer wished to be a doctor but he did all he could to save lives. It was something he always wanted to do since he was a young boy when he witnessed his childhood best friend die of cancer. It was then he vowed no other kid would suffer and die.

"Lawyer? That's very ambitious. And has this dream of yours come true?"

"Hopefully soon. I'm studying for the LSAT and I'm hoping to pass it the first time I take it."

"Is this why your bag is so heavy?" Vincent cracked a smile as he slid the bag off his shoulder and placed it between them.

"Guilty," Catherine smiled. "It's quieter in the library and I get a lot more studying done when I'm not constantly distracted but this is also a nice break. I rarely get a chance to go out and have time for other things."

"Other things?" Vincent teased.

"Dates," Catherine whispered in return.

Vincent leaned closer and looked her in the eye. "Just for clarification, we're on a date?"

Her lips softly brushed against his as she nodded slowly. "Yes, it's a date," Catherine exhaled as she gazed into his golden eyes.

"Ahem," a female voice interrupted.

Vincent could barely control his beast. "We'll continue this conversation later," he said before hesitantly turning away from Catherine.

"Cat!" the waitress gasped.

"Hi Tess," Catherine replied shyly as her cheeks turned brighter.