Author's Note: I do not own Grey's Anatomy or this character (though I wish I had bc then I wouldn't have killed him off...) Anyway, I used dialogue from one of the episodes for this chapter, so it may seem a bit familiar!

Enjoy! :)

"What am I supposed to wear? It's a lunch date!" I say over the phone, hearing my best friend's voice on the other line. I had woken up early to figure out what to wear and also to calm my nerves. It had been a long time since I went on a date.

"Calm down, Jess. Breathe. You've got an hour before he picks you up. Just go casual. Don't overthink it," she says.

I sigh. She was right. I didn't want to seem like I was trying too hard, but I also didn't want to seem like I wasn't trying enough. Ugh. Now I remembered why dating was so difficult.

"Right, right. I'm overthinking. I can't help it! You should see how hot this guy is, Meg. And he's funny, and sweet and… Damn it. He can be a sociopath for all I know." I lie back on my bed, clad in my black matching undergarments.

"Okay, Jess? You're freaking yourself out. You've got this, girl. He came up to you for a reason and he asked you out for a reason. Just have fun! Let loose, remember?"

"Yeah, I remember. Fine. Okay. I think I can manage to figure out what to wear.

"Great. I'll see you tonight! I want all the details!" Meg laughs and I shake my head. It was fun to be able to work with your best friend.

Once the call ends, I stand up and stare at my closet. I had just the right amount of clothes, but at this particular moment, I felt like I had nothing.

After about twenty minutes, I manage to pull on my black jeans, folding it just above my ankle. I slip on an olive-green sweater and look over myself in the mirror. It wasn't much, but it was perfect for a lunch date. A casual lunch date.

I straighten my hair and apply a light amount of makeup. When I hear the doorbell ring following a knock, I had to immediately glance at the clock.

He's early!

I manage to slip on my ankle boots, letting the fold of my pants rest just above it before grabbing my coat. I run to the door, skidding to a quiet stop as I try to regain my composure.

With one deep breath, I slowly unlock the door and open it to reveal a very cute Denny on the other side.

"Hi." He grins.

Those dimples. Wow.

I clear my throat, biting my lower lip as I stare at him.

Find your voice, woman. Speak. He's staring at you.

Suddenly, "Oh, hi!"

Denny chuckles, a deep grumbling sound coming from his chest at his laughter. I let my eyes rake over his frame. Dark brown coat, jeans, boots… He looked just as good as he did last night.

"Distracted?" He asks.

"More like surprised. You're a bit early."

Denny grins, "I don't like being late."

I narrow my eyes. What a clever, clever man.

"You're funny," I tease, pulling on my coat. I grab my bag from the couch and walk out of my apartment with him behind me. Locking the door, I glance up at him to see his eyes staring straight at me.

When he notices that I caught him, there was a mischievous grin that lined his beautiful lips, once more revealing his dimples.

"That's a compliment… I'd say we're getting somewhere, Jess." Denny holds the door open for you, leading you out of the warm building and out into the cold.

"Don't count on it," I quip back, biting my lower lip to prevent myself from smiling.

"I was thinking we go to this diner downtown. Good food. Good coffee."

"I'd like that," I nod, following him to his car. Once again, he holds the door open for me and I couldn't help but blush at how much of a gentleman he was. I didn't think that there were still men out there who believed in chivalry.

The ride to the diner was quiet, but it was surprisingly comfortable and not at all awkward. Denny's arm rested on the armrest between the both of us and I could feel his hand hover against my upper arm.

It wasn't raining, but the clouds casted a gloomy presence in the city of Seattle. I didn't mind, though. I had gotten used to the weather.

Denny helps me out of the car, resting a hand on my lower back. I look up at him, but his gaze remains straight ahead. He looked like he was thinking, but I didn't know what.

Maybe your date, duh.

I shake my thoughts away before stepping inside the diner, grinning at how homey it felt. It also seemed like the people here knew Denny.

"The usual booth, handsome?" The older woman says, walking up to Denny and gently cupping his cheek.

He grins, releasing his hold on me to hug the older woman. "That would be great, Betty."

I could tell she was looking at me as if she was trying to figure out who I was without asking the obvious question. At the booth, Denny lets me sit first before deciding to sit across from me. He looks up at me and I catch his eyes, biting my lower lip instantly.

He caught you staring. Be cool. Be cool.

"What?" He asks.

"Nothing. It's nice. The diner, I mean." I remove my coat, setting it aside as I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear to look over the menu. I could feel Denny's eyes on me and when I look up, I notice that he was sporting that same dimpled smile.

"You know what you want to get?" He asks.

"Kinda. I don't know if I want a late breakfast for lunch. What do you think?"

"Well, their burgers are amazing, but I'm actually going to go for breakfast food for lunch."

"Then it seems like I've made up my mind. Scrambled eggs with a side of toast, bacon, and sausage."

Denny arches a brow, grinning. "You can eat."

"I love food," I reply almost instantly.

"I like that."

A younger girl comes by the table, taking down our orders before setting down a pot of coffee and two small cups along with each a glass of water.

"Thank you," I tell her, watching her walk away.

Denny pours coffee into each of our cups, setting it aside once both cups were filled. He adds a packet of sugar and just a splash of milk.

"How was the movie? Cry a lot?" Denny asks, breaking me out of my thoughts once I pour a good amount of milk into my cup of coffee with two packets of sugar.

"Yes… Yes, I did. It was a really good movie." I bring the cup to my lips, carefully taking a sip of the hot liquid.

"I would think so. It won an award or something like that."

I nod, biting my lower lip.

"I bet you wish you took up my offer to cry on my shoulder, huh?" He grins teasingly.

"I think the tissues did just the job," I reply.

It was odd how easy it was to slip into such a banter with him. It was as if we had been friends for years. This didn't feel like a date and somehow, I think it's a good thing. It made me less nervous and more relaxed.

"So, tell me about yourself," he asks, stirring the small spoon inside his cup of coffee.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything," Denny smiles. He sounded serious. He looked serious.

"Well, that's a bit much for the first date, don't you think?"

"So, this is a date?" There goes his damn smirk again.

"It can be… Unless you don't want it to be and we can call it acquaintances getting to know each other."

"No, no. It's a date." Denny smiles. I glance over to see the waitress set the food down in front of us, but I couldn't help but see that Denny was still staring at me. It was odd, but at the same time, I loved when he was staring at me. I felt special.

"This smells and looks delicious," I say, grinning.

"Just wait until you dig in."

Halfway through our meals, I managed to tell Denny that I was the only child of two successful lawyers. I was still in school to pursue a career in child development – I always loved kids, but I didn't want to become a teacher. It was more along the lines of a career in social work.

"Huh. Future social worker. Currently a bartender and student. Only child who loves sports, movies, and ice cream. I'd say we're a match made in heaven," Denny says, grinning to himself.

I almost choked on my water, looking up at him. He quietly chuckles, taking a bite of his eggs.

"A match made in heaven?" I repeat.

He nods. "Yeah. You're going to fall in love with me, Jess. I see it."

I arch a brow, "You're so sure of yourself."

"Well, let's see. I'm well off, but not into money. I'm smart, but I'm not a know-it-all. I'm funny. And I'm hot. I am a catch. I'm really nice. I love animals," he grins.

I let a look of amusement flash over my features, resting a hand on the table as I keep a hold of my fork.

"You're right. I'm definitely going to fall in love with you," I playfully roll my eyes.

We end up both laughing and for once, I felt like nothing could bother me. Not work. Not school. Not my parents. Being in Denny's presence definitely helped my mood.

"Alright. I think I'm stuffed," I say, wiping my lips and setting aside my empty plate. He looks up at me and chuckles.

"Well, let's hope not. I got dessert."

"Dessert? Denny, I don't even think I have enough room for dessert."

"Nonsense. We're sharing. It's not just for you, jeez." Denny laughs as the waitress sets a small bowl of cookies and crème ice cream onto the table with two spoons. Denny stands up, sitting next to me and I instantly scoot over to give him space.

This would be the first time that we were this close to one another and his arm drapes over the back of the booth to allow me to scoot closer.

I glance up at him, biting my lower lip and taking a chance.

Move closer. He practically wants you pressed against him.

Once again, I shake my thoughts away and take a small scoop of the ice cream.

"What was that about not having enough room?"

"Oh, shut up."

When we both finished eating, I pull my wallet from my bag before I feel Denny's warm hand rest over mine. I stop all movements to look up at him, seeing him use his free hand to grab his wallet.

"It's a date and I'm going to pay."

"Hopeless romantic," I quip.

He looks down at me and winks, "You don't even know the half of it, Jess."

Denny climbs out of the booth to allow me to step out as well. I slip on my coat and glance over at him, smiling to myself before I hear the sound of rain coming from outside.

"We both don't have hoods or an umbrella… I say we make a run for it." Denny suggests. I grin.

"Let's go." I take his hand, leading him out of the diner and out into the pouring rain. He releases my hand to wrap his arm tightly around my waist, pulling me to him as the rain completely soaks the both of us.

We both quickly run to the car, climbing inside with wet clothes staining his seats. He turns on the heater immediately and looks over at me, laughing to himself.

He was out of breath, trying to regain his composure as I turn to look at him.

Maybe he's just out of shape.

"Next time, we're bringing an umbrella," I tell him.

"Probably a good idea. Though, bring a small one that we can share." He says, pulling out of the parking lot.

"So you can be close to me?" I reply.

He grins. "Exactly.

Denny arrives to my apartment within fifteen minutes. We were still both soaked, but he mentioned earlier that he had an appointment that he needed to get to. Though, that didn't seem to stop him from escorting me back to my apartment like a gentleman.

We both stand outside my door, staring at one another. The tension was thick in the air and it was obvious that the first date went well aside from the sudden rainstorm.

"Maybe next time we can do dinner?" He asks, putting a hand in his pocket.

I look up at him, taking note of the slight stubble of facial hair, his shaggy hair, his hazel eyes, the dimples… There was no way I was going to turn him down for a second date.

"Dinner would be nice," I smile.

"Great. It's a date," Denny returns my smile with one of his own.

"Sounds like a plan."

Just as Denny was going to walk away; I take his wrist to turn him around before placing a light kiss on his cheek. I had to stand on my toes to reach him, but still, the gesture was innocent enough that it gave him the clear message that I liked him too.

He simply grins down at me, bringing a hand to tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear and out of my face.

"Text me when your next days off are and we'll plan accordingly. I'll talk to you later." Denny asks.

"I've got work tonight, so… If you're feeling like getting a drink, feel free to stop by at the bar. First drink will be on me." I tell him, unlocking my door before Denny nods.

He flashes me another dimpled grin before walking away.