AN: Well, I'm finally back. I think I might try to finish this story before continuing any of my others. So hopefully updates will come faster. That's really just a hope, though. Sorry. Also, this chapter is much shorter, so I'm really winning, but maybe that will help the speed of updates. The next one is mostly written. Let me know what you thought. And, seriously, thank you so much for all of those still hanging on even though I honestly suck at updating. Thank you and have an awesome day.

"No."

Pause.

"No."

Pause.

"No."

Pause, cocked head, a glance down.

"No."

Huffing with prickling frustration, I swiped my phone that had sunk into the growing pile. Jabbing the screen a few times, I pressed it to my ear. Three mocking rings sounded before a voice came from the other end, "Hey."

"I can't do it."

"Okay."

I frowned into the phone, "Okay? Do you even know what I'm talking about?"

I could practically hear Teddy shrug over the phone, "No, but I figured I'd just roll with it and see where this rant was going."

"What makes you think I'm going to rant?" I mumbled as I tossed another shirt over my shoulder.

"You've got a tone. So, go ahead." Teddy replied, a following crunch indicating she was likely eating.

"I have nothing to wear." I whined in manner un-befitting of my age.

"Well, I've seen you wear clothes, so I know that's not a literal statement. Can I ask what the occasion is that you think you have no clothes for?" Teddy drawled, obviously not in the mood to play to my self pity routine.

I hesitated, I really wasn't in the mood to hear a 'I told you so', but I needed to panic to someone. "I'm having dinner with Callie tonight. Well, actually I'm supposed to pick her up in twenty-five minutes, but I don't have anything to wear."

"I told you so."

"Wow, not helpful, Teddy." I groaned. "Never mind. I'll talk to you later."

Before I could disconnect the call, her voice stopped me, "Alright, I'm just kidding. I just meant that it's about time you give it a real try with Callie."

I sighed and perched on the edge of my bed. "Yeah, I think it is. But..."

"You're scared." Teddy provided confidently.

"Terrified." My whisper barely left my lips, but I knew she heard it. In a slightly louder voice I admitted, "She kissed me again."

A sharp breath preceded her next words, "Wow, I kind of thought she'd be scared off after last time..."

Blushing lightly, I mumbled, "Well, I kinda asked- well, told- her to kiss me."

Another light gasp, "Well, wow, again. How was it?"

Biting my lip, I barely held in a small grin, "Fantastic."

"What are you scared of?" Her voice no longer sounded teasing or light, only understanding and supportive.

"A lot of things, I guess. I'm scared of what I'm feeling for her. I'm still not comfortable with myself, and that makes me scared of stupid things, like being around a lot of people, especially in situations that already make me feel vulnerable. I'm scared of not being who I used to be, and scared of who I might be now. I'm scared I won't be able to figure out how to fit Callie into my life now, and I'll lose her." I ran a hand over my face, then let out a mirthless laugh, "Is that enough?"

Teddy chuckled and let out a low whistle, "Damn, you really have changed. For the better, I mean. I've never heard you that open before. And, those are all perfectly healthy, normal things to be afraid of. The trick is not letting them hold you back."

I rolled my eyes, "Obviously, any advice on how to do that?"

Teddy hummed for a moment, "Yes. Go to dinner. Enjoy yourself. Don't over think it. Callie already knows you, the best and worst parts of you, and knowing all of that wants to be with you. Wear something you're comfortable in, Callie won't care. Get dressed and go get her. Call me later."

The dial tone met my ears, my friend never giving me the chance to argue. Grunting, I slammed my phone down and scanned the mess of discarded clothing. Cute, short dresses were out of the question. None of my long dresses seemed right. I contemplated slacks, but really just wasn't excited about the prospect. That left jeans, but that option annoyed me as well. I wanted the night to go well, but not even being able to find something suitable to wear, was not a good sign.

Despite her words, my limbs began to tremble with the knowledge of the night ahead of me. I believed I was ready to slowly start something with Callie, but the pressure of an actual date weighed heavily on me. We had been essentially having dates for a while, but we could pretend they weren't and that seemed to make a difference. Actually asking her to dinner made it real. It meant we were fully acknowledging that something was happening. It was scary as hell, and I could feel my strength waning. I absentmindedly picked at the edge of my prothesis. It itched and throbbed, though whether the sensations were real or by-products of my anxiety, I wasn't sure. A bead of sweat slowly rolled down my spine, and my throat seemed to be tightening. I wasn't ready; I could feel myself folding, giving in to the fear.

My stomach knotted painfully as I realized what I was about to do. Just as I picked up my phone again, a knock at the door stopped me. Frowning and glancing at the clock, I wondered who would be coming to see me. I was supposed to be getting Callie in fifteen minutes and didn't have time for anyone. Walking as quickly as I could to the door, I threw it open, my breath catching, "Callie?"

Her mouth opened to respond, but cut off briefly as her eyes fell down my body, then back up. "Well, I feel over dressed."

Suddenly incredibly self conscious, I fidgeted with the belt of my silk robe and shifted my weight. "I hadn't decided what to wear yet...but, you look great." Dark skinny jeans made her legs look impossibly long. A dark red, sleeveless shirt accented her skin tone and raven hair. She had left her hair down, falling in gentle waves over her bare shoulders, and resting on her breasts. Just a hint of cleavage could be seen between the curtains of dark tresses. I had only managed to finish my hair and make-up, then slipped on my white, silky robe while I looked through my closet. I felt exposed as nothing covered my legs, my prosthesis on full display. That was not how I imagined the night starting. Clearing my throat, I noticed a few bags in her hands, and my brain caught up with the situation, "Um, what are you doing here? I thought I was picking you up?"

"I, um...Ok, don't get mad." Callie started, her hands starting to move with her speech, but where impeded by the bags. "Do you mind?" She gestured behind me to my apartment. Wordlessly, I nodded and stepped aside for her to enter.

"What don't you want me to get mad about?" I asked cautiously as I watched her stride over and deposit the bags on the kitchen island.

She turned and eyed me carefully, "I don't want you to take this the wrong way. It might seem like I'm telling you how you're feeling, or trying to make decisions for you, but I'm not. I'm simply came to offer a choice." When she saw my hesitant nod, she continued, "I thought that you might be having second thoughts about this evening. The plan happened very quickly only a few hours ago, and I know that might have been a little fast. Judging by the fact that you are not yet dressed and you're holding your phone, I'm guessing you were considering backing out."

I opened my mouth to object, but closed it again, then nodded, "I was. It just felt like too much all of a sudden." Watching her eyes dull just a little bit, I added, "But, I do want it."

Callie grinned, "I know. Me, too. So, I came here to propose something. We can either go through with our original plan to go out to dinner, or we can stay in and I'll cook. That way we can take one step at a time, in a place we're both comfortable. Or, if you really want to, we can reschedule." As I opened my mouth to answer, she held up a hand, "However, I do want to make it perfectly clear that whether we go out or stay in, this is a date. No hang out, or friends having dinner. This is me and you, on a date, spending time together at a time we chose to, not out of convenience because we work together. I'm not cooking for you to take care of you, I'm cooking for you because I want to do something special and nice for you. So, all you have to do is make a choice where this date is happening." She leaned back against the counter, giving me mental and physical space to make my decision.

It took me a moment to absorb everything she had said, but when I finally did, I nodded, "I think I'd prefer to stay in. You're right, I was feeling a little overwhelmed with everything, and dinner with just us sounds perfect. Plus, I like to watch you cook."

Callie grinned, "Good. I was hoping you'd say that, because I like cooking for you."

As she turned around to start unloading contents of the bag, I gestured toward my bedroom, "I'm going to go change."

She looked at me over her shoulder, "Don't. I like your outfit." A mischievous grin spread across her face.

I smirked at her as I walked away, "That may be, but it's hardly appropriate for a first date... Maybe the second."

Callie laughed, "So, you're already planning on a second?"

As I entered my room, I tossed over my shoulder, "I have a sneaking suspicion there will be one." The door shut between us as she winked and smiled.

AN: Alright, there it is finally. The next chapter will be their date, so don't worry. I just was writing and decided to cut the chapter in half so I could get something out. It's about 70% written, so I'm really hoping to have it out by next week.