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.

"Lucky is the man who is the first love of a woman but luckier is the woman who is the last love of a man."

Chapter 3

Dinner had been perfect and they both knew they had to eventually get up and break the spell. Leaving the restaurant with his arm wrapped around her they laughed over Roy telling the latest prank the Phantom had managed to pull on Johnny. When they found themselves back at the car she leaned against the passenger door blocking the handle. He propped beside her as he watched a sneaky look come across her face.

"So what's next for this wonderful evening?" She asked him as she stood back up and moved a step closer to him. Going home was definitely not what she wanted yet.

He raised his eyebrows, "Looks like you already have something on your mind Dr. Gage." Did she have any idea what she did to him?

"I have a great place I'd like to take you."

"And where would that be?" He asked with quiet anticipation.

"Mind if I drive?"

"You lead and I'll follow," he said while thinking, anywhere.

She climbed in the driver's seat and without hesitation he let her take him to the unknown destination.

The other vechicle pulled out into the road, quite unnoticed, and proceeded to follow the convertible.

Roy knew they were heading to the coast but he didn't know exactly where. "Is this another one of your secret places?"

"I'm full of surprises," she said with a wink.

"I bet you are."

"This is a little place I found shortly after moving to LA. I loved growing up near the mountains but I couldn't wait to see the ocean. I came down here whenever I could and after a few tries I found this great little spot. It's where I come when things get overwhelming. I came here a lot while waiting for Johnny to be ready to see me. And after Allen was gone."

He heard the subtle change in her voice, "I'm sorry that you had to go through that."

She gave him a little smile. "It's alright. That was over five years ago and it already seems like another lifetime. He was a good man but I married young, too young. I didn't even know what love was then. He took care of me, encouraged me to go to school, and taught me how to take care of the ranch."

"I married young too," he said knowing his marriage had been fraught with turmoil also.

"You were childhood sweethearts though right?"

"Yea, we had known each other since elementary school." Those were long time memories for him that seemed to be fading now as he moved on with this life.

"At least you loved her when you got married," she said softly with some hint of sadness.

Roy was perplexed now, "You didn't love him?"

"You have to understand. I was really young when I ran away from home. Allen just showed up in my life and took care of me until I was well enough to take care of myself. But I never loved him," she hesitated at what she really wanted to tell him. She wanted to say the words 'I've never loved anyone until now' but she was afraid to. What if he didn't feel the same way?

Roy's heart broke for her and what she must have gone through. Marriage was hard enough when two people loved each other but he couldn't image it when it wasn't based on love. He also thought of the many times he had spent talking to Johnny about his time of the reservation. It was the same pain that was coming through from her.

Suddenly she looked at him, her eyes sparkled with excitement. "We're here."

They pulled into a little gravel lot that was just off the road and parked. Looking around Roy knew they had come up the coastal highway and were now just outside the main city. There was nothing as far as the eye could see but ocean and coastline. It was one of the most beautiful parts of California. She climbed out of the car and motioned for him to follow her as she headed for what seemed to be the very edge of a cliff. "Come on, if we hurry we won't miss it."

He had to jog to catch up to her as she disappeared from his view quickly. The little trail started with one step down but he noted how narrow and steep it was. It was dirt covered with scattered rocks and pebbles over it. The width was no more than his own width and having one side with cliff beside him was not completely reassuring since the other side was nothing but…well…down. Johnny would love this, seeing him chase a girl down the side of a mountain knowing how much he loved heights. But he continued to follow her and every few steps she turned back to him with a big smile to make sure he was keeping up. Gradually they wound their way down the crooked little path until to his utmost relief they set foot on sand.

She immediately reached down and pulled off her shoes, "That wasn't so bad was it?"

"Guess I've never told you how much I love heights huh?"

She knew from the smile on his face he wasn't upset about the trip down. Maybe a little nervous but not upset. "Over here," she said with excitement. She loved this spot and this time of day was perfect but more than anything she wanted to share it with him.

Likewise he pulled off his shoes and tucked his socks into them as she grabbed his hand and pulled on him again. When she reached the water line she tossed her shoes and let go of him as she let the waves gently lap against her feet. He sat down in the sand, just shy of the surf reaching him and leaned against his bent knees while watching her enjoy the water.

She blushed when she realized he was staring at her, "What?"

He just shook his head, "You." He nudged his head at her. "Come here."

She walked over and sat down in front of him feeling his arms reach around her and pull her back to lean against him. As he pulled her closer he soaked in how quiet and peaceful it was. The only sound was the crashing of the surf against the rocks in the distance and the gentle lapping of the waves in front of them.

"Watch," she said without looking at him as she laid her head against his chest, feeling his arms wrapped around her waist. He decided to soak in her pure excitement over something that he took for granted living near the coast his whole life. A sunset. But this time he watched it through her eyes as he held her close and breathed in the sweet strawberry smell of her hair. Together they watched the vibrant hues of orange, deep yellow and crimson red touch the sea and seemingly melt into a kaleidoscope of colors.

She pulled sideways a little to find his blue eyes locked onto hers, "Isn't that the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?"

"I wouldn't exactly say that," he said softly.

Momentarily taken aback by the look in his eyes she found a grin and nudged him with her elbow, "Might help if you looked at it you know." That look, could it possibly mean that he felt the same way about her?

He looked back as the last of the rays sank below the horizon leaving only the moonlight streaking the water in white shimmery blazes. Feeling her weight against him he realized how content he was, how comfortable he was right this very minute and for the first time in a long time he knew he had found what he wanted and needed. Taking one hand he lightly pushed the few strands of hair from her forehead and reaching down he kissed her on the top of her head.

"Thanks," he whispered.

She moved back again so she could see his face, "For what?" Her heart was now fluttering in her chest with anticipation. Please, she hoped.

"For bringing us here."

His depth of compassion and gentleness just made her want to melt in his arms. There had never been anyone in her life that made her feel this way. That made her feel truly loved. As he shifted her weight to her side she felt his hand come up on the side of her face, then he pulled her closer. When their lips met she closed her eyes wanting this moment to last forever. It was soft and passionate and full of love. It was everything she had dreamt it would be.

The moment was perfect until it was shattered by the loud clanking of chains that startled them from up above. Roy helped her up as he backed up into the water trying to see what was going on up there. He could make out, in the moonlight, the silhouette of a tow truck.

"Oh no, come on." He growled as he made a beeline for his shoes then headed for the narrow, long way up path.

He didn't even slow down long enough to put his shoes back on. Not enough time, was all he could think , as he heard the lift working in preparation to take his car away. He worked his way back up the path as quickly as he could without making himself fall. The ground was loose and unforgiving under his bare feet.

"ROY!" He looked back at her cry to see that she had fallen and was now sliding backwards down the slope. They were now up high enough that if she went over the side he knew she would be seriously hurt. Without hesitation he lunged for her outstretched hand.