"When I told you you could really slap me, and to give it your best," Frank began, placing an ice pack on his cheek. "I did not expect that. Please, someone tell me we're keeping that in! I don't think I can do another take!"

"I am so sorry!" Emily giggled, cheeks flushed from embarrassment.

They had just finished filming the Sobel mutiny and Alice's confrontation with Bill.

Filming was done for Emily for the day, so she made her way back to her trailer to change into her civilian clothes.

Shane was leaning against her trailer when she got there.

"Are you done for the day as well?" Emily asked.

Shane nodded, gesturing to his civilian attire.

"I'll be ready in 20 minutes." Emily promised.


Freshened up, face clean of all makeup except a touch of eyeliner and lip gloss; and changed into casual denim jeans and baby tee with faux leather jacket and doc martin boots, Emily exited her trailer to find Shane still waiting for her.

Shane checked his watch. "Twenty minutes exactly. Impressive."

"I did theater before this, remember?" Emily reminded with faux annoyance.

Shane stuck out his arm for her to take, and she accepted. "To coffee, then?"

"Certainly!" She agreed.

--

Sitting at the coffee house, lattes in front of them with half eaten cake slices, the two took time to catch up on life in between their last phone conversation and Emily's arrival in England.

"You removed a fishbone?" Emily asked, trying not to screech it in her surprise.

"Yes, from Nixon- erm, Ron's throat. He got it caught sideways." Shane laughed.

"How the hell did you get it out?" Emily asked with a muffled voice. She had covered her mouth with her hands in shock.

"Vigilance, my dear." Shane bragged before winking. "But also luck. I made a little extraction contraption. It's honestly a miracle it worked."

"Why didn't he go to a clinic?" Emily asked, finally calm enough to take a sip of her latte.

"Everyone was getting so dinged up during boot camp that the company was getting worried and almost threatened to shut down the whole thing." Shane sighed. "So, I guess I became the medic in real life."

Emily snorted. "Have you been fixing up anyone else?"

Shane nodded. "Ross's ankle one time, Donnie had some ammunition burns... everyone, really. Bummed knees, twisted ankles, minor fractures, sprained feet. You name it."

"All during boot camp?" Emily asked, eyes widening.

Shane winked before taking a long gulp of his latte.

"Jeez, how hard did they work you?" Emily asked, trying to comprehend the information.

"It was to resemble authentic American military combat training. So an iota of what the real men got. An iota about the size of a grain of salt." He sat up straighter, looking quite proud of the experience. "I've also had the same medic training Eugene Roe had, so I have some semblance of competence in the matter."

"It explains how fit all of you look." Emily quipped, letting her eyes examine him in a not so subtle fashion.

Shane leaned back in his seat, indicating that he was letting her get a better view.

"Daily 5 mile runs along with press ups and sit-ups and other training." He said. "This is probably as fit as I will get, enjoy it." He winked.

"Is that an invitation?" Emily surprised herself by flirting back.

Shane bit his lip with a smirk. "Let me buy you dinner first."

"Would that be a date?" Emily asked innocently.

Their eyes met, both dark from attraction and desire.

"Maybe." He husked.

"Is this a date?" She whispered, gesturing to their surroundings.

"That depends." Shane leaned forward, keeping eye contact, voice lowered.

"On what?" Emily leaned forward as well, folding her hands on the table.

"Whether or not you want it to be." He whispered, studying her face.

Emily thought for a moment.

"I guess I do now." She said with shining eyes and a sweet smile.

Shane felt as if he was about to melt under that gaze.

"Well, if this is indeed a date, then we should think of something else to do to continue it." He wriggled his eyebrows.

"Now now! Down boy." Emily giggled, her face turning pink. "Not on the first date, no matter how long we've known each other."

"Bugger." Shane tutted.


They finished their coffees and cake and decided to walk, arm in arm, slowly, the long way to the hotel they were staying at.

"So..." Shane began, "Alice and Eugene were rather... affectionate?"

Emily nodded. "Even in their old age, they never strayed far from each other if they were in the same room. They barely argued from what I had noticed.. at least, as they got older. According to Bill, the most they argued was when they first married."

"What were the arguments about?" Shane asked, curious.

"I don't know." Emily thought hard. "From what I guessed, Alice's cooking. Her being Irish and English, her tastes in food were pretty different from his. I did overhear one argument when I was a child. They didn't know I was there."

"Do you remember any of it?" Shane pressed.

"It was mainly Eugene yelling at Alice. Eugene never yelled at Alice, so this was extremely unusual."

"What was he yelling?" Shane asked, stopping them in their tracks.

Emily thought for a moment and began to laugh.

Shane started laughing with her, confused.

"He- He was *snort* yelling *giggle* : 'don't ever put Irish sausage in gumbo! Are you out of your mind, woman?'" Emily burst into a fit of laughter, bringing Shane with her.

"Sh-She had been using Irish sausage instead of andouille for years and he hadn't noticed! The gumbo was plenty spicy without it but she couldn't handle the heat with andouille in the mix."

"He's a passionate man, wasn't he?" Shane chuckled.

"Oh definitely." Emily nodded, whiping tears from laughter from her eyes. "He was a quiet soul but, yes, indeed, very passionate."

Shane pulled her to him, their faces now inches apart. "May I 'practice' some of that passion?"

Emily reached up and played with his hair. "Well, when you put it that way..." she teased. "Why not?"

Shane closed the gap, kissing her passionately. His hands cupped her face, holding her to him.

Emily snaked her arms up and round his neck. He hummed before breaking it.

"We should probably stop." He breathed, resting his forehead against hers, eyes closed.

"Mm-Hmm." Emily could only reply.

They continued on in a companionable silence, holding hands.

When they reached the door to Emily's room, Shane kissed her gently goodnight.

"See you tomorrow, Love." He murmured against her lips.

"See you then." Emily whispered back.

They shared and lingering look as Shane departed for his room.

When they entered their respective temporary homes for the evening, they both pinched themselves to make sure they hadn't been dreaming.