Scotty Pierson could not remember the last time he was this nervous, and it had a lot to do with tonight's date, the date he was due to start in just a few minutes. 'Might as well go over this again, since I've got a little time to kill anyways.' He originally agreed because he was intrigued why Jade West, one of the so called 'Main people' of Hollywood Arts, as well as someone who only seemed to care about herself, was willing to recommend Trina Vega. Trina Vega, a girl who was seen as undatable, was getting recommended by the one person no one would guess would ever set anyone up. The whole thing intrigued him, so Scotty took the time to investigate. His uncle was a cop, and he intended to follow that tradition and join the police force once he was out of collage. 'Okay, just an AA in criminal justice, but it's a start.' he reminded himself. A soft beep from his phone broke him out of this thoughts. It was time.

A quick walk from his car, and Scotty knocked on the door, anxious about more than impressing a lady. Tonight was about impressing the family. Seconds later the door opened to reveal Trina, garbed in a purple dress that flattered her figure nicely. "Scotty, right on time. Let me get my coat and we can go." He couldn't help notice how she didn't invite him in, and was disappointed. He really wanted to meat her parents, especially her father.

While looking into the Vega family, he heard the rumors that their father was a cop. He looked further, trying to learn more, and was thrilled by what he discovered. Trina's father was indeed a cop, as he'd been told. In fact, David Vega was a highly respected Detective who willingly transferred from Homicide to a branch of Public Relations so he could spend more time with his family. Yes, both he and his partner would help out on investigations when they could, but their primary job was working with the Police Athletics League as part of the anti-gang task force, often working in a community center that acted as an alternative to gang violence. The first rule of the center was that the area around the it was controlled by the police, their color being police blue, and any gang that challenged that could lose use of the place. That made the whole area neutral ground, and encouraged those of different gangs who used the center to find alternative methods of settling their differences. They even had dance contests, going back to the origins of break dancing, that helped settle minor territorial disputes. The whole thing fascinated Scotty, and Detective David Vega was a major part of it.

"Can I come in? I've really been looking forward to meeting your father. Besides, I want him to know your in good hands." Scotty said. "You know, my good intentions, that kind of chiz." He smiled, burying his hopes in humor.

Scotty had also looked into the others involved in his date. Like Trina. Trina's reputation said she was high maintenance, picky, untalented (a huge sin at Hollywood Arts) and desperate. Most guys seemed to think it was crazy to want to date her, and even if a guy genuinely wanted to be with the voluptuous beauty, often other guys would question their sanity until they changed their minds. Tori, her sister, was considered a better choose to date. But the younger girl, another of the so called 'Main people', was seen as unapproachable. With her looks and friends, she was only available to those guys who were themselves highly desirable. Add to that the fact that she seemed to be attracted to users and bad boys, and Tori Vega was often single.

"I'm sorry, but he's not here." Trina told him, almost hiding the hurt in her voice. Scotty wondered if it was his desire to meet her father, or that the man wasn't there. Glancing past her as she walked back in to get her coat, he saw Jade and a couple of other girls in the background.

Scotty hated to admit it, but before Jade's intervention he'd been thinking of asking Tori out. Or rather he'd been told with his looks he should go for it. Compared to her sister Tori was taller, thinner, with great cheekbones that made many consider her more classically beautiful. She was sweet matured girl, but the whole 'Main people' thing seemed to reflect not just her grade, but the whole school. As juniors, they were still getting the leads in most of the plays, and depended on to run things like the Full Moon Jam. And these 'Main people' held the only sports team at school to win a single trophy. The jocks kept telling Scotty what a great power couple the two would make. They emphasized that Scotty should have no trouble fadoodling her, based on her two previous boyfriends who'd used her. They were guessing she'd be up for anything.

"That's okay, I guess. Just let him know I want to meet him, so that next time, if there is one, I can introduce myself." Scotty sounded so sure of himself, but Jade's presence was unnerving. The pseudo-goth seemed to be taking the fathers role, playing the heavy, the implied threat that if he didn't treat Trina with respect there would be trouble. He didn't mind. Tonight his intentions were honorable. Jade did scare him though, just a little.

Fortunately, Jade's threats gave him an excuse to try dating Trina instead of Tori. He found Trina's more voluptuous figure more to his tastes, and he loved her athleticism. He just hoped that something in her personality would click with him. He hoped under her need to be seen, she could be real. Adding in Jade's words, that she was worth the effort, made him want to try.

"So you ready to go, or do I have to pass muster from the girls?" Scotty asked.

Scotty's biggest desire, the reason he fled from his last school when he got the chance, was his need for his next girlfriend to be someone who wasn't part of the schools elite. He'd been there, done that, and while his father was proud of it, he was getting sick of the pretense. He didn't like his former girlfriend, but was supposed to love that she was pretty, popular, and would look the other way if he discreetly wanted to kiss some other girl. That was the problem with Tori. Tori was sweet, but he'd seen sweet popular girls turn ruthless once they thought no one was looking. If Trina was worth the effort, and could get past the pretense, then she'd be exactly what he was looking for. He had even considered asking Jade out, since she seemed to have some of the qualities he was looking for, but the jocks had reclassified Jade from 'girl' to 'scarier than Grendel' a while ago, so he decided to leave Jade for braver people. He kinda liked his small intestines where they were.

Trina smiled, then made quick introductions, pointing as she spoke. "You know Jade and Cat, and the blond's Sam. She's Cats roommate and the second scariest girl in LA, after Jade. Now lets go, they can wait up for us, but I'm not taking them with us." Trina said, more to the girls in the house than Scotty. Then she focused back on him. "Play your cards right, and I'll take you to meet my dad tomorrow."

Scotty wanted to impress her and let Trina know he was going to be an old fashion guy. Not just tonight, but for the rest of his life. So he opened the passenger door to his car for her. Then he raced around to get in and drive. He spared her time for light conversation on the drive to the restaurant, talking about her current school projects, her favorite music, etc. Nothing heavy, nothing that might distract from the drive.

Once they arrived at their destination, a small hole in the wall diner that Scotty knew had good food, they walked in and waited to be seated.

"I've been here before." Trina told him. It had been years, but Trina knew the place.

"I'm a little surprised. I know this is owned by a retired police man, so I tend to think of it as police hangout more than a family restaurant." Scotty said.

"That explains it. Cops like their own places. We were probably was seated in a cop friendly part, away from the regular dinner crowd." Trina conjectured. They didn't have much more time to speculate, instead moving towards their seats and looking at the menu. The diner served a variety of American classic foods, pretty standard for a diner. They each chose something so they'd be ready when the waitress came, and resumed talking.

Trina covered all the basics within the first fifteen minutes. By the time their food arrived, they'd covered the list of each others favorites, and started discussing their career goals. Trina did what she could to try and sound less self centered, but it was hard. She felt the need to impress him. Still, she held back.

"Trina, I don't want this to come across as an accusation, but I feel like you're holding back. Please, I want to know they real you." He said.

"Which one?" She replied. "The girl who wants to be famous, and is willing to work her ass off just to get it? The simple girl who loves stuffed animals and is afraid that one day people will find out my favorite musician is my kid sister? The insecure girl who's aware just how hot her competition for the attention of the boys is, and tries anything to look and be better?" Trina listed. "Or the girl who's dedicated her life to the idea that hard work can overcome a lack of perceived talent? Cause I'm all of them, and at different times I'm the gank, the caring older sister, and anything else that might come up."

"So the real you is complicated?" He asked.

"Scotty, Any girl, if real, is complicated. My sister is so sweet she gives people cavities, but she's vengeful and sometimes lets her pride get her into situations she shouldn't be in. We have layers, and I just added a few so I could compete." Trina told him.

"Scott." He said. The statement was strange and unexpected.

"What?" She asked.

"Just call me Scott. Scotty's a nickname." he said.

"So this is formal?" Trina asked.

"This is real. Trina, I appreciate that you could be honest with me, tell me just who you are, even if who you are isn't consistent. I want to know everything about you, and it looks like I'll have to experience your moods to better know you. And if it's real, then you can call me Scott, because while I give my nickname out to everybody, I only give me given name out to those I respect." He said.

"I don't put out." Trina replied.

"I'm not ready for that either. Trust me, if that's what I was looking for, I could get it. Plenty of girls are willing to throw themselves at someone like me. No, I'm looking for someone who is willing to build a relationship. And in fairness, I should tell you that once I get my AA in criminal justice, I'm going to go to the police academy. I'm going to serve and protect this city." Scotty told her. "So, as a police officers daughter, if you don't think you can handle it, this is where you get off. I'll drop you off after dinner, and we can call it a pleasant experiment that didn't click."

"I can handle it. I know how scary it can be, and have seen the ruined marriages that come from marrying a police officer, but I won't stand in the way of your dream. Lets keep dating, and see where this gets us." Trina told him. There was a long pause, as Trina tried to decide if she should say something. Scotty might have said something, but she was so engrossed in her thoughts she didn't notice. Finally, after a short eternity, she spoke. "In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm part of a plot to set Jade West up with my sister. Tori's on board, and is already naming their children. Do you hate me?"

"Depends, why don't you tell me why your doing it." Scotty told her. Trina then told him the story of why she was setting Jade up, of Jade's interest, even the bit about Shelby Marx. By the time she finished, he knew everything she did. "Okay, I understand why your doing it, and I won't judge you. Just know this, my instincts tell me that it's going to blow up in your face. Hopefully, Jade will understand, but we need a contingency plan. I'll help, but only to make sure no one gets hurt."

:}

Scotty's instincts don't know about Andre's involvement. Still, gotta love a cop who's willing to help.

I had to rewrite this to start the date, just so no one would hunt me down and skin me alive. See you next time.