"Jay, move me to one of those tables," said Drew as he pointed to a vacant table in the V.I.P. Section.

"It's Jake, sir, and I can't do that. Those tables are currently taken."

"But there's no one-"

"Then they're obviously reserved. Unless you would like to eat in the men's room, I can't help you any further."

"Whatever, Jaden. Just bring me some calamari. Make sure that it's still hot when you bring it to me, so you'll have to hurry up. I'm expecting a guest and I want her to start her meal with a delectable appetizer."

"It's Jake," the disgruntled, yet courteous waiter said under his breath as he walked away.

He placed the order and waited for the chef to prepare it. When he had completed the appetizer, Jake took a bottle of tobasco sauce and poured a quarter of it into the marinara sauce.

That hot enough for you, pretty boy?!

Ash looked nervously at May who was admiring the lights on the ceiling. They resembled the night sky and looked somewhat like yellow and white Christmas lights. Tonight, this room's theme was "An Evening in Roma" complete with various music from artists such as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to provide the ambiance for the night. Pictures of buildings in Rome adorned the walls. This restaurant was truly an international eatery because not only did it serve food from around the world, but each room was themed for a different part of the world. Tonight the themes were Rome, Tokyo, Barcelona and France.

May had always wanted to visit Rome and have dinner and dance under the stars. There was something so romantic about the idea of sharing a meal with her lover in the most beautiful city in the world and dance under the gaze of the stars.

She was slightly tapping her head to the beat of "That's Amore" by Dean Martin, and Ash quite enjoyed watching her. He also enjoyed listening to the lyrics of the song as they confirmed what his feelings for her pointed to.

"Whatcha looking at, Ash?"

"Um. Well, it's just that you look very pretty tonight, May."

May couldn't help but blush.

"Thanks. You don't look to bad yourself."

May was wearing a blue dress on which the top and bottom of the dress had a large blue stripe. The dress was strapless but long at the top so that it flowed down to the middle of her back. She wore it under the advice of Joanne who had frequented this dress during certain formal dinners/dates.

The waiter came up to take their drink orders. Ash courteously smiled, but quickly ordered whatever May ordered because he didn't want to break his gaze for too long. This night wouldn't last forever, and Ash was more than happy to be taken in by her beauty.

"JOE! WATER!!!!! THIS CALAMARI IS TOO SPICY!! WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THIS THING?!!?!"

"Nothing out of the ordinary, sir. And it's Jake, by the way," said the coordinator's waiter indifferently.

"MORE WATER!!!!!! NOW! OR I'LL DIE!!!!!"

You promise?

-----------

Jake walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a pitcher of water. He almost bumped into the chef as he made his way out.

"Sorry about that sir."

"No worries."

Jake was about to leave the kitchen until he caught a glance of the chef's face.

"Brock! The Pewter City gym leader!"

"Yes? Well, I'm not really the gym leader any more. I went back home for a bit and decided to dedicate my time to cooking for a while. And you are?"

"Jake. Pleased to meet you. I've actually just made friends with Ash Ketchum."

"Really? He here?"

"Yup, with May."

"How'd that happen?"

Jake quickly relayed the story to him about the past few days.

"WHERE IS THAT WAITER?!"

Drew stopped a waitress carrying a water jug for another table and drank almost half of the contents.

"Excuse me sir, but that was actually for the soap dishes that people dip their hands in before they eat. I don't think that it's a very good idea to drink that."

Immediately disgusted Drew rushed to the bathroom hoping to wash out the soap water with sink water.

Stupid waiter.

"Ah, I see. Well, I'll be sure to make them something special."

"Thanks, I better get back to pretty boy. I'm sure he misses me. It was nice to meet you, Brock."

"Take care, Jake."

Jake walked out to see Drew rushing to the bathroom, and Jake couldn't help but laugh.

-------------

After the waiter returned with Ash and May's drinks, he placed two cards on the table that said "Yes" on one side and "No" on the other. These sides corresponded to whether or not the customer wanted to have the next dish. Since the room's theme was Rome, they started off with some Italian pastas. The dish in the middle held the spaghetti.

"Oh, wow this is delicious, but May, doesn't this remind you of someone?"

"Yeah. For some reason, I distinctly remember Brock's pasta tasting like this. Nevertheless, this is so good. We definitely owe Jake one."

"Oh, yeah for more than this."

"What?"

"I said, 'I'm definitely eating more than this.'"

"Same here."

Both agreed and ate to their hearts' content. When they finished there was one piece of spaghetti left. Ash's mind lingered on the possible Lady and the Tramp moment, but his timidity got the best of him and dissuaded him from taking the other end.

Next came the Japanese dish with authentic sushi, and after the American dish with mini burgers and hotdogs. Although the two of them loved every bite. They decided to turn their cards over.

Taking a break from the Martin and Sinatra music theme, the music turned to King's Harvest for the next song. The lights dimmed so that only the small lights on the ceiling.

"Everybody here is out of site..."

"I love this song. Let's dance a bit Ash!"

May grabbed his hand and took him into dance position. Ash had been prepared for formal dance, but he didn't frame up or do anything that was required in ballroom. This was just a fun night out. May connected her hands behind his neck and he placed his around her waist.

They moved to the rhythm of the song and both enjoyed the dance despite the fact that many people had begun to watch them. Ash didn't notice. Who else did he have to look at?

------

"Welcome back to your table, sir."

"NEXT TIME WHEN I SAY WATER, BE QUICK ABOUT IT!"

"I'm terribly sorry sir. The servers will begin serving your food momentarily. Escargots are the first on the menu, and here is your card."

"With the way you've been serving me, they're sure to be live snails."

"I can order that for you sir in a bit."

"Don't be smart with me. I'm going to see what they're eating in the V.I.P. Room since the theme is Rome."

Jake stopped him by extending his arm.

"I would assume Italian food since Roman is in Italy, sir."

"I know that. I want to see what kind."

"The menu will make its rotation and you will eventually receive what that section is having."

"Let me go, John."

"It's Jake, sir, and I'm afraid I can't let you go because I don't want you to disturb our guests."

"I am a V.I.P. !"

"That does not give you the right to disturb their meals, sir."

"Who's your supervisor? I'm filing a complaint. In the meantime, I'll see what they're eating."

"Please sir. I'll tell you where my supervisor's office is. It's down the hall and through that doorway. The third door on the left."

"Couldn't you just lead me there?"

"I have to attend to other customers," Jake said somewhat indignantly and left.

Drew followed Jake's directions and ended up at a door with a sign that read "Employee Bathroom."

-----

I suppose Drew isn't enjoying his dinner too much, but Ash and May seem to be doing well.

By the way, Pyramus is a nod to the Greek myth Pyramus and Thisbe, the precursor to Romeo and Juliet. Both two of my favorite stories.

I'll try to update tomorrow. I apologize for the wait. Please read and review and thanks to all who have.