Chapter 18: Want to go to lunch

Rocket was trying his best to listen to what Tia was trying to tell him but it was kind of hard to listen to what she was shouting down the phone and was speaking to fast in excitement over something. He waited patiently for her to stop before he asked,

"Could you repeat that again but slower this down and quieter?" Rocket asked her, hoping he didn't hurt her feelings or something by not being able to listen the first time. He heard girls were sensitive (even though Tia was like no other girl he had ever met) he didn't want to take any chances. But thankfully he just heard her laugh down the other end of the receiver; allowing Rocket to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Sorry, a little excited." She giggled, making Rocket's heart melt at the cuteness; her laughter was just as sweet as the passionate kiss they had shared last night. "I got into college!" She yelled done the phone, since she was unable to contain her happiness. After the ringing in his ear had stopped, it took Rocket a moment to realise what she had just said.

"No way! Are you serious? Which college? What courses are you taking? What..." Rocket continued to ramble on with random questions until he was out of breathe; at least he would have done if Tia hadn't spoken up half way through.

"Rocket calm done I can't answer all these questions at once." She finally managed to interrupt. Rocket could feel himself blushing red in embarrassment but a sudden idea hit him.

"Then how abut we talk about it over lunch or something?" He dared to ask, crossing his fingers like a ten year old and quietly chanting 'please' over and over again.

"Yeah I love to." She cheered, earning Rocket to make a childish fist punch into the air but quickly regained his composer.

"Cool, I'll pick you up around twelve. He smiled, unable to get the look of joy off his face.

Tia was so excited. She was going on a date with Rocket; at least she thought it was date, their relationship had taken an interesting turn last night and now she wasn't sure where it was going. I guess I'll just have to confront him about it at lunch, Tia told herself, as she looked through her wardrobe. It had been so long since she had been on a date that she had no idea what to wear and not knowing where Rocket was taking her made her more nervous, she wasn't sure if she should dress casually or dress herself up a bit or go somewhere in the middle. Please God send some help, Tia cried out, almost going mentally insane.

"Need some help?" Mei chirped in as she skipped into the room with Rosie on her hip, rattling her rattle around and laughed with glee at the mystical sounds it made. Tearing her attention away from the cute scene, Tia happily nodded to Mei; for once God had actually answered her prayers quickly.

"I could use a lot of help!" Tia exclaimed, directing her hand towards the cupboard that was filled with clothes that had been mostly picked out by Mei; if anyone needed help in situations like these, it was Mei you would want for help. Placing Rosie into Tia's capable hands, Mei took two seconds looking at her wardrobe before pulling out a nice pair of denim jeans, a creamy summer blouse that had not sleeves with no back and a small pair of comfy but pretty looking heels (which Tia was pretty sure Mei had slipped into her bags when she hadn't been looking) and handed the pile of clothes over to her. Causal and yet a bit formal, Tia admired as she examined the pieces of material that Mei had just hand to her. Sitting in her other arm, Rosie cheered in agreement with her mother's choices. Seeing how Mei had quickly picked out her clothes so fast made Tia start to wonder... "How would you know if this is good enough for where Rocket's taking me?" She question, suspiciously eyeing the woman who was grinning back like crazy at her.

"Let's just say, being a spymaster has his advantages." She smirked back. Before Tia could comment of her friend spying on her love life, Mei dragged to a chair with a mirror in front of it. "Now, what to do with your hair?" Tia could hear Mei quietly mumble herself. Rolling her eyes she allowed Mei to play with her hair, allowing Tia to sit back and day dream about what he date would be like.

Rocket was having similar problems, as soon as he had put down the phone but he also had to pick a place to go and have a nice lunch. He wanted some place causal but nice, then he thought of the little cafe that he sometimes stopped at to get coffee after his jog; which had a nice view of the ocean. It was perfect; at least, he hoped it was. Rocket wasn't sure since he was no expert in the love department. Putting his doubts to the side he searched his closet until he found a causal pair of trousers with a shirt, he looked down at his watch to see he still had two hours before he had to pick Tia up. I guess I can drop off those reports first and maybe stop by my parents place to pick up some flowers for Tia, He wondered to himself. He had just grabbed his reports off his desk and was putting on his shoes when the door bell went. Who could that be? Rocket thought since he wasn't excepting anyone. Opening his door he found D'jok, Micro-Ice, Thran and Ahito (sleeping on his brothers' shoulder) standing outside his apartment.

"Well don't you look handsome?" D'jok joked with the others muffling laughs in agreement, Rocket only responded by rolling his eyes at them. How did I become friends with them? I mumbled to myself.

"What do you guys want?" He almost hissed, wanting to get rid of them as soon as possible so he could go and do his few jobs and then go and pick up Tia.

"We were going to ask if you wanted to go to the gym and get something to drink afterwards but it seems you have other plans." Thran grinned unpleasantly, forcing Rocket to suppress a shiver.

"It wouldn't have to do with a certain blond with bright green eyes and cute dimples." Micro-Ice suggested with a glint of evil in his eyes.

"No." Rocket shot back at his small friend but he could feel his cheeks warming up, giving away what he was really thinking.

"Liar, the blushing just sold you out." Thran laughed out loud, including everyone else around him (even Ahito, who had been sleeping the whole time) making Rocket blush even more; which then made the guys laugh even more. This made Rocket think how could he ever be friends with these crazy people even more.

"So where are you going to take her?" D'jok asked, being the first to recover from all the laughter.

"The Art House, you know the one with the great view of the sea?" He answered just wanting to get rid of his friends, so he could leave.

"Nice Choice." All of the guys chorused –apart from Ahito because he had falling asleep again- taking this as a good sign he weaved his way past his mates and almost ran to his car but was able to contain himself. Slumping into his car seat with relief, Rocket threw his eyes into the keyhole and switched on the engine. Taking his sunglasses off the dash board he and then sped off to the office.

"What are you doing D'jok?" Micro-Ice asked his best friend, as the red head took out his phone and dialled in a number.

"Do think I would live if Mei found out I didn't instantly tell her that Rocket had a date with Tia?" D'jok answered with the twins muttering in agreement and Micro-Ice only shaking his head in disbelief. "Hey honey, are you popping over to mum and dad's house... Cool, no reason just thought you like to know that Tia might need some help to get herself ready with her date with Rocket..."

Tia couldn't wait. She was so nervous and excited, even though it wasn't twelve yet she was already sitting at the window, waiting for him to come. As she waited, the same questions kept repeating themselves in her head. Did she look ok? Would he like it? Where was he taking her? The possibilities of random questions were endless. However, Mei was on the floor playing with Rosie and was being driven mad by Tia's foot constantly tapping.

"Will you cut that out?" Mei finally demanded, not able to take Tia's annoyance anymore. Tia nearly jumped out of her skin at Mei's sudden outburst.

"Sorry Mei, I'm just really excited." She smiled sweetly, hoping that her friend would forgive her. Despite how annoyed she was early, Mei couldn't help but smile at her friends' happiness. Suddenly, just as the clock struck noon, both girls heard the roar of a SUV engine. "He's here!" Tia squeaked, jumping off the seat and racing towards the door; only to block by Sonny.

"Hang on a second tiger." Sonny laughed, as he tossed her a small object. After a quick examination of the small device, she recognised it as a small button; similar to the one Rocket had given her. "I want you to be happy Tia but my first job is to insure you protection and since I won't be there with you, I want you to have that just encase anything happens." The older man explained as he helped Tia strap the panic button under the wrist band of her watch, so it was easy to reach but still hidden from view.

"Thanks, I promise I'll be careful." Tia smiled sweetly and gave Sonny a warm embrace before heading towards the door. As soon as she opened it she saw Rocket standing at the door with his arm rise since he had been about to ring the bell. His mouth moved for a second -as if he was about to say something- but froze when his eyes took in her full complexion. Tia was just able to hold back the laugh she had nearly released but could not stop the smug look on her face. She knew Mei had done a good job...

Rocket was finding it hard to drive to their destination since his eyes kept leaning back to the stunning angel that was sitting behind him. He was still quite upset with himself for bringing her flowers, since a colleague distracted him and somehow managed to convince him to help him out with some stuff; barely made it to Tia's on time. Again, he found his eyes moving away from the road in front of him and back to Tia. She was dressed in stylish jeans with a cream top that showed off a back and also had her hair down up (something Mei probably helped her with) and had a little bit of make-up on. His gazed turned back just in time to dodge a truck that had tried to overtake them. He was tempted to shove his finger out the window to him but remembered he had a beautiful lady sitting next to him.

"You look beautiful." Rocket stated, trying to break the silence. Tia turned away from the window she was day dreaming out of to him.

"I know, you've said that three times now." She smiled back at him, making Rocket mentally slapped himself.

"So, what's this place that you're taking me to like?" Tia questioned, trying to help change the subject from Rocket's embarrassing moment, which Rocket was happy to oblige.

"It's this little cafe with a great ocean view. Here it is now." He pointed. A large small grew on Rocket's face, as he watched Tia's reaction. Her mouth almost fell off her face when her mouth when she saw the view that Rocket was talking about. "Tia, welcome to Pearl Beach."