First Date

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'm done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"Kids say the darndest things."

Chapter 2

It was a perfect evening to ride with the top down on his car as he navigated the streets of Carson in search of the little restaurant. Hank was the one that actually recommended the place after taking Emily, his wife, out for their recent anniversary. He talked about it being very romantic complete with candle light and music. It was even approved by Dixie as she caught wind of the 'date' pretty quickly. Apparently there were few things that stayed quiet in a hospital.

Actually Roy had to give it to the guys at the station. Ever since the party at Kanda's they have been giving him suggestions on great 'date' places. It was almost as bad as when he was trying to plan a vacation and he had been drowned with brochures and advice. But he knew they only had good intentions. His divorce had been turmoil for not only him but everyone he worked with so they seemed to enjoy sharing in this new found romance. Amazingly even Chet had been supportive especially knowing that it was Johnny's sister. Roy had expected the king of teasing to not let Johnny hear the end of it but somehow he had actually managed to behave.

"What are you smiling about?" Kanda quizzed him as she watched him deep in thought.

Startled out of his revere he realized that as usual his thoughts were of her. "Oh nothing, sorry. My mind wandered. How was work today?"

"You know Adler. He keeps me hopping. He's determined that my last week is going to be the busiest one so far. He wanted me to work extra tonight but I told him I had a family crisis," she laughed. "If I told him I had a date he would of come up with something to keep me there."

"I thought it was supposed to get a little easier at the end," he said knowing she had worked so hard to finish up her fellowship.

"Oh it's not that bad. He's just been a little possessive of my time recently but it's helped me get through this last part easier. Besides, I'm almost done." She loved how Roy never seemed bothered by her pursuing her medical degree or the amount of time it took from her life. He just accepted her for who she was. Not all men would do that.

"Is everything going alright at the ranch?"

She frowned a little, "Some issues I'm working on with Paul." Paul was her long time ranch hand. Originally a friend of her husband he had stayed around following his death to help run the ranch.

"Between the two of you I'm sure you will get it straightened out." Roy didn't really know her ranch hands very well but he did know that she trusted them with one of the most important things in her life, the ranch.

"I guess so," she said in a not so reassuring voice.

"There it is," he said as they approached the little brick building. Something was bothering her and he made a mental noted to talk to her about it later.

The restaurant was charming with arched windows, white lights in the trees and bushes, and of course a full parking lot. After finding a parking place Roy hopped out and moved to her side. Opening the door for her he took her hand to help her out.

"Wow, good thing we have reservations," she said.

Slipping his arm behind her back they walked to the doorway to find a waiting line. "Maybe it won't be too long," he said.

"I don't mind. It's a gorgeous evening." She leaned against the wall of the building and looked up into the night sky. "Look, I can actually see a couple of stars."

"Now that's a miracle," he replied sarcastically making her laugh. Looking at her he couldn't believe that they actually made it this far. It seemed like something kept going wrong every time they planned time together. Her schedule had been terrible at work and things kept coming up at the ranch. He had worked overtime helping cover two medics's being injured in the last month and when he was home, in that rare time when their schedules had matched up, something would happen.

Unfortunately that something for him was a someone. Joanne. First she walked out of his life, then reappeared only trying to manipulate circumstances to get things to go her way. When that didn't happen she was again out the door. They had managed to work in a peaceable manner over managing the children and their needs but recently her interactions with him had changed. It began with simple things. He would drop off the kids and she would ask for something quick and simple like checking a leaky drain, or reaching a high up light bulb. When he started saying no it changed to being late with the kids or a sudden change in plans disrupting his days off. Of course she was playing a game, he knew that, but he was trying his best to avoid it affecting his time with Jenny and Chris. It had been Johnny that pointed out how every time he had something planned with Kanda, Joanne would want something and manage to disrupt the plans. So this time they worked together and planned the date on a night he had the kids and Joanne had plans to go out of town to see her sister.

"You seem lost in thought," she said.

He tilted his head a little, "Just thinking about some of the obstacles we crossed just to get here."

She knew exactly what she he meant. There had been too many interruptions from her end also. "I knew we'd eventually make it."

It was finally their turn and they moved up to the podium where the host was waiting on them.

"Do you have a reservation Sir?"

"Yes, DeSoto."

The man looked through his list, flipped pages and looked again. "I'm sorry sir I do not see that name."

Roy leaned forward, "I called a week ago to make it. Can you check again?"

Kanda moved up closer to him as they both were leaning trying to see the list.

"Yes, here it is."

Roy took a deep breath, thank goodness. He had worked hard to get this reservation knowing how popular this little place had become. The flat tire had been enough so naturally he wanted the rest of the date to be perfect.

"Follow me please."

They followed the man through the quaint little restaurant. The ambiance was wonderful as the low lighting set the mood right from the start. They were led to a little table by the fireplace, for two, and seated. The candle between them was lit, soft romantic music played around them and for a moment they were the only ones there.

"Taste it."

Johnny looked at the odd concoction of frosting, sprinkles, gummy bears, red hots and something orange that he couldn't quite identify. "Well Jennybear it looks so yummy I'm going to save it for you," he said with a big ole smile, very proud of himself for avoiding the scary looking dessert.

She wrinkled up her little forehead and gave him a very sad look, "But I made it for you."

That's just not fair, he thought as blue eyes just melted down his resolve. Taking a spoon full of the sugary nightmare he put it into his mouth and swallowed. Hey, not bad, he thought. "That's pretty darn good. You're a very good little chef."

She just beamed at her Uncle Johnny's compliment. "Thank you! More?" She said as she held up a huge spoonful of the stuff.

He quickly waved his hand, "That's enough for me before bedtime." He picked her up off the table, "Enough for you too I think. Run upstairs now, put on your pajamas and brush those teeth."

She giggled as she ran in circles twirling all the way up the stairs. And what exactly possessed him to serve sugar before bedtime? Johnny was a little concerned as Chris's quiet mood continued into the evening. He wasn't sure if it was school, friends, home or possibly tonight's date that was bothering him. "So Chris, how's school going?"

He was poking more at his cupcake than eating it, "Fine."

Okay, he thought. "Just seems like something is bothering you. Want to talk about?"

Chris just shrugged. Johnny didn't want to push him but he was one to hold things in and brew. It took gently prodding to get him to come forth with what was bothering him. Chris was his dad all over again. "Will dad be out late?"

So that was it. "I don't know. Tonight's important to him to spend some time with Kanda. Is that alright?" Johnny didn't speak harshly to him at all but he wanted to know what was bothering the young man.

"I guess so."

"Is this date okay with you?" Johnny decided to put it out on the table.

Chris's head popped up, "Yea. I really like Kanda. A lot." The young boy still looked troubled. "I'm just…well…"

"What Chris?" Johnny didn't see any anger in his face. It seemed more like worry that he was reading in the young boy's face.

"They would call if something happened right?"

That caught Johnny off guard, "Yes, they would. Are you worried that something's going to happen?"

This time Chris closed down and excused himself from the table but he now had Johnny's full attention. "Chris, why would you think something would happen to them?" He asked as he followed the boy into the living room.

He sat down and held his head low, "It just seems like not everyone wants them to date."

Johnny had already started to feel Joanne was a little jealous that Roy had a new interest in his life. That was when the annoying 'honey do list' had resurfaced like he was still her honey. But this was concerning. Chris really seemed to be worried about his dad. "Chris it's kinda normal for your mom to feel be a little upset that your dad has found someone new in his life."

"I guess so but she's not sad Uncle Johnny." He paused, "She's really mad and besides it's not just her saying things."

They both looked up to see Jenny bound down the stairs with her teddy bear in her arms. She went straight for Johnny's lap. "Will you read me a bedtime story Uncle Johnny?"

Johnny stood up with Jenny in his arms as he patted Chris on the shoulder. "It'll be alright Chris. I'm going to tuck her in and if you want to talk some more I'll be right back down."

But when Johnny returned he found the living room empty. Chris was already in bed, sound asleep, leaving Johnny alone to replay the strange conversation in his head.