Bunnii: My lovelies! I've returned! School has been a bummer and I wanted to make your day better than mine. Having a rough time but I'll pull through. This will be a long one because I wanna make it up to you guys for being gone so long. Hope you're all excited about Zack's date ^^! I'm sure he is. I wonder how it'll all go? Please review?

Niva smiled as she showered in her apartment. Zack seemed pretty happy about her letting him take her out for a drink. What would she wear? A skirt seemed too flirty and a dress was too formal for her tastes. She didn't want to be too nonchalant and wear baggy clothes. She smiled when the perfect outfit came to mind.

After getting out and drying herself, she put on her bra and panties and slipped on some tight black leather pants and a form fitting beige flannel shirt over a white camisole that showed off her midriff.

"Perfect." She beamed brightly before she put on her makeup and brushed her long wavy copper locks. Eyeliner, eye shadow to accent her bright eyes and some lip gloss would suffice. She checked herself in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction.

The ringing of her phone distracted her and she picked it up from her coffee table.

"Hello?"

"You should really start taking care of yourself, little fawn." Genesis. She knew what he was talking about. ANIMA treatments.

"Sorry, Gen. You know how much I hate those treatments."

"Well, have you received my gift yet?"

"Oh, yeah, it came today." She had nearly forgotten about the box that lay on her coffee table. She quietly opened it. Inside were 2 Banora apples and a small vial of juice. Genesis's special Banora apple juice.

"It's wonderful, Gen. I love dumb apples." She smiled although she knew he couldn't see it. "I love it. Consider yourself forgiven."

"Take a picture of yourself with the apples. You used to be so innocent when you would eat them when you came to Banora as a child."

She laughed and huffed a little. "What's the difference between then and now?"

She could feel his devious smirk. "Because when you were younger, there was nothing wrong with you sitting on my lap. Now you're not so innocent with them anymore."

Laughing at him, she quickly snapped a picture of herself with a smile while holding the apples. She sent it and waited with silence.

After a moment, Genesis finally spoke. "Got it…. My, my, why so dolled up, love?"

She flushed lightly. "Going for a drink with some ANIMAs tonight." Why did she just lie? "Nothing big."

"Don't drink too much and don't stay out too late." Was his only comment. "I only wanted to remind you of the importance of the treatments. Goodnight, little fawn."

"Night, Gen." He hung up right after he said it. Sighing, she put the device in her pocket. It was about 30 minutes until 6. Zack would be here soon. She put the apples and juice in the fridge and sat on her couch while flipping through a magazine.

There were pictures of beautiful women in beautiful dresses and outfits. Did Niva even own a dress? She couldn't remember.

"Haven't thought about dresses since I was in Banora with Genesis." How odd she'd be thinking of dresses anyway. She was in SOLDIER, not a Miss Midgar pageant. She laughed at the thought of all the fake girls fighting to wear a tiara and sash and hold a bouquet of flowers. Girls could be so petty sometimes.

Zack was pacing back and force nervously. What was he going to do? He had a place to take her for drinks, he had a nice ride to take her there, and he was dressed in denim jeans and a blue button shirt. He knew he looked good but he wanted to make an impression. So, he did the unthinkable. He called Angeal.

"Hello?"

"Angeal, it's Zack! I need your help!" he pleaded miserably.

Angeal seemed worried instantly. "What is it, Zack?"

"Niva's letting me take her out for a drink tonight and I want to make an impression. My mind is drawing a blank! Please tell me you can help!"

Angeal chuckled, much to the displeasure of his pupil's displeasure. "Something so trivial, puppy? I'm sure you can pull off something romantic. Usually it's the simple things that catch the attention."

Zack frowned. "You're so old fashioned, Angeal! What do you mean…. Wait! I got an idea! Thanks, Angeal!" He hung up and quickly rain to the elevators. He had 20 minutes and he'd make it count.

It was a few minutes after 6 when a knock sounded on Niva's door. She opened the door after applying a little more lip gloss. Zack stood on the other side of the door, looking really good and a signature smile on his face.

"Hey," he greeted. "I um, got this for you…. I just happened to pass a place and saw it…." He looked away with a light blush as he handed something to her.

It was a pink rose. Cotton candy pink like her eyes.

"Oh, thank you," she beamed, sniffing it lightly. Flowers were becoming easier to find in places like Banora and the other parts of country. "Why don't you come in while I put this in some water?"

Zack muttered a nervous 'alright' and stepped in, taking his shoes off at the door. "Nice place," he complimented.

"Thanks. I'm thinking about rearranging some things or something later." She didn't like the room really. The walls were so boring and she didn't like the way the furniture was arranged. She needed to fix that soon.

"So, um, just your opinion, but do you prefer bars or clubs?" He was hoping she'd like the place he picked.

"Hm… Personally, I like both. I'm sure whatever place you picked will be great." She walked back from the kitchen and placed the flower (now in a small vase of water) on the coffee able. "Alrighty, I'm set." She had her phone and keycard in her pocket.

"Alright, then." Zack smiled brightly. "Shall we make our leave?"

"We shall." They left the apartment and she locked the door.

Zack was really excited to say the least. He'd told her a corny joke and she had laughed! And thanks to Angeal, he was going to take her around on one of the ShinRa motorcycles. Everything was going so well! When they got to the bike, he handed her a helmet with his signature smirk.

She was sure surprised. "Wow, Zack, you sure do go all out." Was that good?

Maybe cracking a joke would help. "All the better to win a second date from you, my dear."

She giggled in reply. "Well, aren't you a cute big bad wolf?"

"Always." She was laughing, that was a good sign. He put on his own helmet and got on. She got on behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Ready when you are," she said playfully.

Oh this was going to be a good night.

He started the bike and drove out of the ShinRa lot.

They arrived at the club a few minutes later and were just walking in. The music was blaring and it was alive with dancing people.

"You sure can pick them, Zack," Niva complimented.

"Thanks. C'mon, I'll buy you that drink I owe you." He led her over to the bar. "What are you going to drink?"

"Whatever you're having." Niva was no lightweight.

"Nice, a girl that can party." Zack ordered drinks from the bartender and returned his attention to her. "So, tell me where you're from. I want to know more about you."

"You first." Niva smiled through the discomfort. She didn't like talking about her past. It was irrelevant to her life now.

"Okay, then. I'm a country boy through and through. I lived in the country until I decided to enlist in SOLDIER. Right now it's only me and my mom. She's really nice but worries a lot." He smiled thoughtfully. "Okay, your turn."

Niva just sighed inwardly. She could lie, but that would be unfair to Zack. "Alright. I was born in a small town about one hundred miles from Banora. It's called Melidon. I lived there with both my parents until they separated and my mom took me to Banora. I met Genesis and clung to him until he went to join SOLDIER. It wasn't too bad. And after my mom passed away when I was either eighteen or nineteen, I enlisted in SOLDIER myself and entered the ANIMA project. Not really too interesting."

"What about your dad? Do you two keep in touch?"

"Nah, he and I never really got along much." She noticed the bartender had brought them their drinks and she sipped at hers.

"Wanna talk about it?" Zack asked sincerely.

"Nope." She smiled. There was nothing really bothering her about her father. He wasn't big in her mind anyway. "How about you tell me why you joined SOLDIER?"

Zack smiled at that. "That's easy. To be a hero!"

Niva laughed at his excitement. "That's a good reason. I just wanted to see what it was like. It sounded fun in Genesis's letters. Turns out, he lied. It's only fun if you're with fun people." She laughed at her own childishness.

Zack saw this as an opportunity to flirt. "Am I fun?"

She saw the glint in his eye. The challenge was on. "Of course, Zack. I haven't had so much fun in forever." She downed the rest of her drink.

He downed the rest of his and set the glass down. "Care to dance, Niva?"

The way he said her name made her heart flutter. It wasn't flirty or seductive. It was a warm sincerity. That made her realize something. Genesis rarely ever called her by her named. Mostly "little fawn."

"Yes, I'd love to." She grabbed his hand and followed him onto the dance floor. The music was pumping and she recognized it as "Freaxx" by BrokenCYDE.

"I love this song!" She shouted over the loudness. She barely caught his reply as they started dancing. She was rolling her hips as he danced in front of her. He was a good dancer. He kept his mako blue eyes on her body and she moved to the rhythm perfectly. Her hips rolled and swayed and the rest of her body just moved along smoothly after it. The lights shone on her skin and hair and made her look colorful and bright. Amazing.

After a good 45 minutes of dancing to the loudness, they both moved through the crowd and to the bar, laughing.

"I didn't know you danced," Zack commented, laughing.

"I can do a lot of things," was her reply. They ordered two more drinks and went back to their engrossment in each other.

"You're so different from when you're in the ShinRa building," he commented. "You're so professional and polite."

She took a sip of the drink that was set down in front of her. "I know. I've got a work face and a play face. I'm not a stick in the mud."

"Never said that." He took a drink himself. "It's good to know you're having so much fun." He downed the rest.

"I really am." She took another drink. "You're a really nice guy, Zack."

"Thanks. I try." He smiled brightly at the compliment.

Niva drank the last of the liquor in her glass and stood up. "C'mon, Zack. Let's go dance a little more."

He smiled more and stood. So far, a little over an hour of absolute fun and he was just getting started.

The two were dancing for almost 30 minutes and it was the time of Zack's life. Suddenly though, nature called.

"I'll be right back," he called over the music. "I'm going to the restroom."

Niva smiled and kissed his cheek. "Hurry back."

The blue eyed SOLDIER grinned from ear to ear and went through the crowd. He easily found the restroom and went in. After relieving himself and washing his hands, he exited the restroom. Niva had kissed his cheek! He was so excited and happy! She might possibly like him! He saw her in the crowd of people and his good mood dissipated. A man was making attempts to dance with her and she just showed an irritated expression. He was trying to grind on her like some animal in heat and he just looked disgusting doing it. There was no finesse in his movements. Just the jerking of his hips in attempts to attract her.

Zack moved through the crowd and addressed the guy. "Is there a problem here?"

The guy looked at him with disinterest. "No, what's it to you, buddy?"

"It just so happens you're making moves on my girlfriend, buddy." He looked to Niva. "He bugging you, Niva?"

Niva's response was her walking over and holding onto his arm lightly. "Not anymore."

The intimidating look in his eyes was breathtaking and she couldn't take her eyes off him. His mako blue eyes set in a hard stare and his normally upturned mouth was set in a firm line. So intimidating but so alluring all the same.

The guy quickly backed off and Niva smirked at Zack.

"Girlfriend, huh?" she mused.

He turned to her suddenly. "Huh? Oh! I was… Um…. Sorry. It was the only thing I could think of." He rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Uh, why don't we go back to the bar for some drinks?"

She simply followed him back and kept looking at him as he ordered some more drinks.

"That was some face. You looked super pissed."

Zack flushed nervously. "I… kinda was. He was just all over you and it just made me super mad. Sorry, heh…"

"Don't be." She sipped her drink. "It was cute."

He flushed more in reply.

After 4 more drinks each and 3 hours of dancing, it was getting close to about 11 and the two SOLDIER members were laughing loudly. Niva had wanted one more dance before they went back to the bar for a rest before he took her back to ShinRa. The lights were flashing different colors on the two of them and Zack watched the light layer of sweat on her body. There was a slight pink tinge on her cheeks as she smiled at him. Probably from the alcohol. He was glad he wasn't really feeling too drunk. He had to drive.

Niva leaned back into him and grinded against him while he held onto her hips as they moved to the music.

"Zack!" Niva called over the pumping beat. "This is my first time at a club! I love it!" She laughed and marveled at the colors dancing on his face. "I haven't been this bold in years!" She giggled more.

Zack pressed her back to his chest a little firmer and spoke into her ear, "I think bold is good." He spoke loud enough for her to hear. "In fact, I'm about to be bold too." Here it goes.

Niva looked back curiously. "Really? What?"

Pink and blue swirled and the world seemed to go in slow motion. He spoke in here ear again. "I'm about to kiss the prettiest girl I've ever met in my entire life." And he slowly dipped his head down to kiss the copper haired ANIMA.

Niva thought if any man other than Genesis ever kissed her in her lifetime, she'd slap them and leave immediately.

Boy, was she wrong.

The little fawn found herself kissing the puppy back, weither it was it was the butterflies that flew in her stomach or something from the alcohol. His lips weren't soft and smooth like Genesis', but instead slightly chapped and firm. Her lips conformed to his, rather than just pressing together like hers and Genesis's. It was addicting and she felt herself wanting more.

She wrapped her arms up and around his neck, letting him explore the parts of her mouth only Genesis knew. It was exciting and she felt a flare go off inside her body, rather than the flame she felt with her red haired mentor. It was the difference between a spark and a firework.

They pulled apart for much needed air and Niva smiled.

"You're corny."

The puppy smiled a cheesy grin. "Thanks. So, wanna head out of here?" When she nodded, he grabbed her hand and led her out of the club.

They walked over to the motorcycle and Zack put her helmet on himself, after giving her lips a quick peck. "Safety first, right?"

"Yeah." Once he put his own helmet on and got on the bike, she got on and wrapped her arms around his waist. She smiled when he put one hand on hers and she leaned her head on his back. He smiled himself and started the bike. What a great night.

They got back to the ShinRa building and Zack had set up the bike. He walked her through the building and up to her apartment floor. The two were laughing all the way through the hallways as quietly as they could manage. He was helping he stand as she tried to take off her high heeled shoes.

"These are so hard to take off," she muttered, giggling.

"Then why did you wear them?"

"Because I'm so short," she slurred. "And I would have to jump to do this." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

Zack in turn wrapped his arms around her waist and listed her up. "I like this." He kissed her lips lightly. "I like this a lot."

She smiled at him and tried to get down.

"C'mon, Zack. Lemme' down. I wanna take my shoes off," she whined playfully.

"Nah, I'll carry the drunken maiden to her room," Zack suggested with a smile.

"You're drunk too, you ham."

"I'm no ham. I'm Zack." He grinned childishly.

They stopped in front of her apartment door and he let her down gently. She pulled out her keycard to unlock the door and turned back to Zack with a smile.

"I had so much fun, Zack. You're so funny and super sweet. I'm really glad I came out tonight. I needed some fun."

His face was sweet and the air about him was gentle, but his eyes were smoldering. Niva loved that smoldering blue fire in his eyes. Like a flaming sky.

"I'm glad you let me take you out. You're a really amazing person. I'm glad you had so much fun." Smoothly and gently, the dark haired man placed a hand on the door behind her and leaned down for a chaste kiss. Again with the delightfully chapped lips and the fluttering sensation in her belly.

Niva didn't even feel trapped by the hand on her door. She actually felt secure and safe. She wanted more of it. More of what he could offer. One hand rested on his chest as the kiss heated up and the other reached back to grab the doorknob and open the door. The hand on his chest gripped the material of his shirt and she pulled him into her apartment. He chuckled lightly and she giggled as the door closed with a soft 'click'.

Bunnii: How was THAT for an update? I worked hella hard to type all this up and it took me so long because of school and everything. I liked this chapter a lot. I love that cute love sick puppy like attitude of Zack's. My friend who proofread this said Zack was out of character but that's not true. He was confident, sweet, and a gentleman, just like his mommy brought him up to be. (: Anyway, please review and tell me what you think. My friend (whom shall remain unnamed) keeps telling me to make a lemon for the next chappie but I dunno. Does this story even need it? I think the implied is enough,. But whatever. I give my viewers what they want haha

Btw, thanks to the people who favorited me or the story, and/or added me or my story to their update lists. I was so touched that people liked this so much -sniffle-. Anyway, I'm happy to answer any questions or comments. Much love 3.