A/N: Okay this is where we left off last time. We're still in Steph's POV. And now on with the rest of their first date. ~~~~ J

We still hadn't gotten to some of the better rides at the beach. There was an insane looking roller coaster that I just had to try out, even though I was scared out of my wits by the sheer size and dominating look of it. It seemed to be at least 100 feet tall, but more than likely it was more like 50 to 60; maybe three stories or so high. It had a wicked looking loop around the middle area and a 50 some degree drop off at one point. Yikes!

It was a blast though, just like the bungee jumping earlier. I loved it! But alas after it, I had to go for something a little more tame so we hit the large carousel. We rode it twice sitting on one of the benches instead of riding on one of the animal shaped seats, Bobby's arm resting behind my shoulders along the back the whole time.

As we were walking through the gate at the carousel my stomach made itself known once more. Bobby laughed out loud when my face heated up with a blush. It was loud this time!

"Time to offer up some sustenance to that un-Godly beast I see." He joked.

"Yes feed me please. Those sandwiched and fruit must not have did it for me. I need real food." I teased him back. "Then again," I said when I looked at my watch. "That was hours ago. It's nearly 7:30 now."

"You feel like seafood? There's a great little restaurant around the corner from here." He suggested.

"Of course. Seafood at the beach, makes sense to me." I giggled.

Bobby took my hand in his as we strolled the short distance. He gallantly held the door open for me when we arrived, his hand at my back protectively.

The smells coming from the kitchen as we waited at the hostess podium were amazing. This was sure to be a treat, if the aromas were anything to go by. The hostess led us to a table near the rear of the restaurant. Bobby took the chair against the wall, ever aware of his surroundings. She gave us our menus and informed us a member of the wait staff would be with us shortly.

"I want something fried and dripping in fat and calories." I told Bobby. He just rolled his eyes and shook his head at me. Did he really just roll his eyes at me?! I guess he's been hanging around me too long. My bad habits are rubbing off on him.

The waitress decided to show up before he could scold me for my poor eating habits. "What can I get for you tonight folks?" She said, pad in hand and pen poised and ready to jot down our order. Bobby spoke up first since he knew I wasn't quite ready yet; I was still perusing the menu thoughtfully, undecided temporarily.

"I'll have the grilled mahi mahi and steamed veggie plate and I'll just stick with the water already here for us." I scrunched up my nose in disgust and thought to myself 'Ick!'.

The waitress turned her attention to me. "I guess I'll take the sampler plate with a Coke." I summed up. The sampler consisted of several different fried seafoods, (flounder, scallops, and shrimp) crab legs, hush puppies, french fries, and coleslaw. I hope I can eat it all.

The waitress nodded and told us she would be back soon with our food. While we were waiting we chatted a bit about small stuff. It was so easy to talk to Bobby and he was eager to share his life with me. A nice change to what I was used to with most of the men in my life. It was a breath of fresh air.

We opened up even more during dinner. The conversation flowed seamlessly between us. I was reluctant to see the meal end. I also was getting stuffed! Bobby must have seen the discomfort on my face because he offered some help.

"Maybe if we dance you will have a chance to digest some of that fried mess and maybe even make room for some dessert." The grin on his face told me he was jesting about the food, but not the dance, and I hope not the dessert. It was also then that I realized there was a dance floor off to the side and a slow tune being played by a pianist.

He stood by the table and held his hand out to me. I took it immediately with a smile on my face.

Before I knew it we had swayed our way through three of four songs. Each dance more enticing than the previous one. I felt so comforted being in Bobby's arms. His hold gentle, never tight or forceful as though I was as fragile as porcelain. It made me feel welcome and safe. At home.

I sighed in contentment at the end of our fourth dance. The pianist announced a short break which drew us back to the table once again. I was ready for dessert anyway.

It was already waiting for us when we got back to the table. Sitting on two plates was the most decadent looking fudge brownie drizzled with chocolate sauce with two scoops of ice cream resting next to it. When did he order this?

He lowered me to my seat before taking his again. I just had to tease him a little more. "I guess the temple is on break tonight by the looks of your plate."

"It is a special night after all." He said simply. I smiled back with a tint of red in my cheeks. Then he had to be even sweeter by lightening the mood so I didn't feel embarrassed. "Besides I can work it off in the gym in the morning."

"Of course." I said laughing.

The first bite was absolutely delicious. I closed my eyes to enjoy the flavor fully. When I opened them again Bobby was looking at me intently, like he was waiting for something. I knew he was eager to hear one of my trade mark moans, but I didn't want to crush him by telling him I wasn't there yet. I still wasn't comfortable enough with myself to let loose in that way. Not quite yet. He smiled softly at me as if he understood.

Once the last trace of chocolatey goodness was scraped off of my plate I groaned in satisfaction, completely and utterly filled to the brim with glorious food. "Now I need to walk some of this food off. Or take a nap." I confessed to my wonderful date.

"I have just the plan. Come with me Tiger." Bobby said with mystery in his voice. Another surprise perhaps?

We walked out of the restaurant and back towards the boardwalk area. But instead of stopping Bobby kept walking past the boardwalk to the beach itself.

The moonlight was glimmering on the water's surface and making the sand sparkle like tiny diamonds. We strolled hand-in-hand down the shore line chatting about anything and everything. I officially did not want this night to ever end.

We walked about a mile down the beach and then turned to walk back. Bobby was right. This was a splendid idea for a way to get rid of some of those 'empty calories' as he calls them and make me feel less like a balloon about to pop. I just had to tell him so too.

"This was a great idea. I'm working dinner down and it's so sweet and romantic too."

The broad grin on his face made my heart swell. "I'm really glad you're enjoying yourself. I wanted to make it special for you." He told me.

"You succeeded. This has been the best date of my life." I honestly spoke from my heart.

"It's not quite over yet. We still haven't been on the ferris wheel and I know you wanted to do that." He said.

"That's the perfect way to end this fabulous evening." I agreed.

So that's where we ended up next, in line for the ferris wheel ride. It was a short wait being there were not too many people left around. It was nearing 11:00 at night by now. We only had to stand for ten minutes before we were being seated in our own car, but they were only big enough for two any how.

Bobby placed his arm on the back of the seat then he must have decided better because he dropped it down to my shoulder and pulled me closer to him. I snuggled into his side and rested my head on his upper arm.

I lifted my head once I felt the ride begin to move. I enjoyed the sight of the people on the ground moving nearer and further away and the view of the beach and ocean scenery once we reached the highest point at the top. Then I almost freaked out when it stopped all of a sudden at that apex. The view was spectacular from this vantage point.

I turned to Bobby, wondering if he way as enthralled by the view as I was. When I looked at him, I first saw the same look of wonderment in his eyes. The thing is he wasn't looking at the view around us. He was gazing at me.

I should have known what was going to happen next. But for some reason unbeknownst to me it took my by surprise when his lips pressed against mine. The kiss was gentle, sweet, a mere brushing of his lips to mine. A small taste leading to a slight change in pressure. But I still felt a spark.

All too soon he pulled back like he didn't want to startle me or scare me. I appreciated his gallantry. I know I'm not ready for anything physical like actual sex yet. That doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy that small kiss. A sample of what could be yet to come.

HPOV (Hal)

Working the front desk in the lobby wasn't too bad of an assignment. It was a shit load better than watching the monitors, I loathe the monitors; as does every other man here at Rangeman I assume.

The phones had been quiet so far. It usually is less busy on the weekend than it is throughout the week. As for visitors, well that is sometimes a little more lively. That depends on the guys really. If they have been seeing someone, then they get visitors of the female variety. I find it hilarious fun to fend off the numerous women that Santos loves and leaves when they come here looking for him. Is he really stupid enough to tell them where he works? Idiot!

A buzz at the front door draws my attention there. Oh hell! Mrs. Plum is standing on the other side of the glass looking in warily. This should be fun.

HPOV (Helen)

Good Lord, I would rather not be here at the moment. I would rather be in some out of the way hotel room having my 'lady needs' taken care of in a most satisfying way and by a most talented lover. He is the best I've ever had by far. But I need information, so here I stand at this unassuming building waiting for one of those thugs in black to realize I'm here and let me in.

Finally I hear a buzzing sound and a click. Assuming the door is now open, I pull on the chrome handle. It is open. Good.

I walk in the lobby. It too looks unassuming and much like a legitimate business should. I scoff internally. They're not fooling me.

I look around and see a desk of sorts with a huge man sitting behind it with a smile on his face, trying to pass himself off as the friendly sort. But I know better than that. Thugs and hooligans one and all they are to me.

I plaster an even brighter smile to my face and call upon my 'Burg manners to see me through. I really need to find out where Stephanie is and I'll need to sweet talk this one to do that.

"Hello. You may not know me, but I'm Helen Plum; Stephanie's mother." I try in my most soothing thick-as-molasses voice.

"I know who you are." He tersely replies.

"Good. I'm glad. I'm terribly worried about Stephanie. I have not heard from her in ages." I start while ringing my hands in front of me to look more distraught. "Do you know where she is?"

"No I don't. And even if I did, I wouldn't tell you. Steph's safety is the most important thing to us. And we all know how strained your relationship is with your daughter ma'am." He says.

"I'm worried about her safety too." I dig up some crocodile tears to make it look more convincing. "I don't want anything to happen to her either. She's my daughter and I love her." I plead my case.

"She's perfectly safe and sound. Brown would never let anything happen to her." He admits.

I sigh in apparent defeat. I shake my head and mumble my thanks to him anyway before I turn to leave. "Thank-you anyway."

I walk back out the glass door with a malicious grin on my face. He may have not realized it, but he gave me a small clue to where my daughter is. Joesph knows all of the men that work in that building and I'm sure he will know just exactly who this 'Brown' person is. I stroll to my car with a little more pep in my step.

As soon as I reach my Buick, I pull out my cell phone and call Joseph. It rings only twice before he picks up.

"Yeah."

"Joseph dear, I went to that Rangeman place and talked to one of the thugs that work there." I open with. "At first he didn't want to tell me anything." I continue.

"Of course not." He scoffs.

"He kept saying that they only want to protect her. Protect her from her own mother and her husband though, really!" I grumble.

"They're always trying to protect her. Manoso and his band of misfit outlaws. Makes me sick! But you said you may have something. What is it?" He asks.

"Oh, sorry. I got carried away there. He let it slip I think that someone called 'Brown' would never let anything happen to her. Do you know who he was talking about?" I wonder aloud.

"Yea, I know him. He's one of what Ranger calls his 'core team'. One of the four in charge. He's also the company medic." Joe informs me.

"So you know where she is. I have no idea where these people live. I wouldn't want to know either." I exclaim.

"I got it covered. Don't you worry your pretty little head about anything else now. I'll put your information to good use. I gurarantee you that." He brags.

"Good then. I'm glad I could help. Do I get a reward now?" I tease playfully.

"You more than earned it Mrs. Plum. Meet me at our special place in an hour." Joseph says before hanging up. I giggle inside. I can hardly wait. ##############