A/N: I don't own the band Disturbed or the song "Sound of Silence".

We stopped at a coffee shop about 2 blocks from Quigley Field. It was a nice little place. Like a ma and pa type coffee shop. We got off the bike and put the helmets in the saddle bags.

"I don't remember this place being here, but then again, I haven't lived in Chicago for very long. How'd you know about this place?"

"I come by here every morning before the guys get up. It wakes me up. Come on." He took my hand in his and lead me inside. He waved to the owner as we walked inside.

"Take a seat anywhere, Throttle. The usual cup of coffee?"

"Of course, James. And one for my lady friend, please."

I looked at Throttle as we sat down at a booth. "Since when do you know the owner, Throttle? And why is he not scared of you, considering what you are?"

"A while back, the bros and I saved this place from Limburger and his goons from strip mining it. James told me that anytime I come in, anything I want to eat or drink is on the house."

"Nice. How long has he been in business?"

"About 2 yrs., I think."

I looked around the place and saw some pretty cool pictures of Harley's and muscle cars. "Is this how you got into muscle cars, Throttle? Coming in here every day?"

"Yep. James and I sit and talk about bikes and cars every morning."

Just then, James brought over 2 cups of coffee. One with cream and one black. "I prefer my first cup of coffee black. Sorry."

"Don't be. This is how I like my coffee. I get one with cream and one black." Then he looked at James. "Please don't forget my lady friend. Straight black."

"I would never forget someone as pretty as her, Throttle. Say, how's Charley doing?"

"Trying to catch up with work. But if I know Modo as well as I think, he's probably giving Charley-girl a hand with work."

"And Vinnie giving her problems, no doubt."

"Ain't that the truth, brotha."

After James brought over my cup of coffee, Throttle and I started talking.

"You mentioned this Limburger fella. Who is he exactly?"

"He's a Plutarkian. They are humanoid looking fish that are named after the smelliest cheeses in the universe."

"I was asking cause I saw his tower come down the other day. That happen a lot?"

"We do it on a daily basis. We bring it down in creative ways, too. I wonder if Charley has any footage of it coming down?" Throttle stroked his chin in thought.

"May I ask why you wear those sick shades?"

"I'm partially blind thanks to Limburger's deranged doctor, Karbunkle. All 3 of us were experimented on. Modo lost his right arm during it, too. That's why he has a bionic arm."

"So, the glasses help you to see?"

"To some degree, yeah. Sometimes I can see without them, but not for very long. I occasionally lift them up to see."

"Would you mind lifting them up right now? I'd like to see your eyes."

Throttle lifted up his glasses and revealed his eyes. I was surprised at how gorgeous they were. I was mesmerized by them.

"Heh. Looks like we both like each others eyes. You sure do have beautiful blue eyes, Mike."

"Your eyes a pretty beautiful, too."

"I know we just met, but…."

"I know what you're feeling, Throttle. I'm feeling the same way about you, too."

"I'm thinking maybe Vinnie might have been right."

"About what?"

"Moving too fast into a relationship."

"Do you think its too fast?"

"Not really. Can I be honest with you, Mike? Really honest?"

"Of course, Throttle. I would expect nothing but honesty from you."

"Shortly after rolling into the garage with the guys, I laid my eyes on you and instantly fell in love with you."

I grabbed a hold of his hand and brought it closer to me and rubbed the top of it with my thumb. He got up, came around to my side of the table and sat down next to me and wrapped his left arm around my shoulders, then brought me closer to him.

James noticed this from the kitchen. He smiled. 'Bout damn time, Throttle.' James thought.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Several hours later, we headed for the garage to see if Charley managed to finish up her work. We planned to keep our relationship a secret until it was time to tell the everyone.

"So how you wanna play this? You know they're going to figure it out sooner or later."

"I know, but if we play it cool, they won't suspect a thing. Would you like to stay at the scoreboard tonight? Vinnie would have to give up the hammock, though."

"I have a better idea. Why don't you stay at my place tonight, Throttle? Then in the morning, we can head over to the coffee shop for a cup and maybe some breakfast."

"I like that idea better, babe. Is your place big enough?"

"It's a one bedroom apartment on the other side of town. In fact, we could sleep in tomorrow morning and let everyone else deal with the day's problems."

"It has been quiet since lard butt has hatched anything sinister. Why not. I could use the extra sleep, anyway. You don't mind sharing your bed with me?"

"If I did, I wouldn't have invited you over, fuzzy."

Then he decided to see what was on the radio. A Disturbed song had just come on.

"I know this song. Turn it up, babe."

" Hello darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains

Within the sound of silence

In restless dreams I walked alone

Narrow streets of cobblestone

'Neath the halo of a street lamp

I turned my collar to the cold and damp

When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light

That split the night

And touched the sound of silence

And in the naked light I saw

Ten thousand people, maybe more

People talking without speaking

People hearing without listening

People writing songs that voices never share

And no one dared

Disturb the sound of silence

"Fools", said I, "You do not know

Silence like a cancer grows

Hear my words that I might teach you

Take my arms that I might reach you"

But my words, like silent raindrops fell

And echoed

In the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls

And tenement halls"

And whispered in the sounds of silence"

Throttle couldn't believe that I could sing well.

"Damn. What a voice you have."

"Thanks. Years of practice. Not sure if I wanna know if you can sing."

"Not as good as you, that's for sure. Sing for me tonight?"

"Maybe. Depends on how tired I am."

"Understandable."

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

We just pulled up to the garage and sure enough, Modo was helping out Charley with her work. I noticed Vinnie and his bike were gone.

"Guess Vinnie left after Charley was done with it. Probably a good thing, too."

"I hear that. Hey Charley. Hey Modo."

They looked towards us and waved, then Charley walked over to us just as we were getting off the bike.

"Where did you go for coffee? Detroit?"

"Nope. There's a coffee shop about 2 blocks from Quigley Field. We spent the whole time there, just getting to know each other. It just happens that we like a lot of the same things. Throttle even put a shirt on before we left for coffee."

Modo looked over at us when I mentioned Throttle wearing a shirt. "Yes, Modo. Throttle is wearing a shirt. His idea, not mine."

"You have any idea how long I have been trying to get them to wear shirts, Mike? And Throttle just decides to put one on for you without you asking? Am I missing something here?"

"Nope. Nothing wrong with him deciding to wear shirts. Black looks good on him. Don't you think, Charley?"

"Actually it does look good on him. And he chose it? You didn't choose it for him?"

"He chose it himself. I give you my word, Charley." Then I looked at my phone for the time.

"Damn. I didn't realize the time. I have an appt. in 30 mins. on the other side of town. Can I get a ride, Throttle?"

"Yeah, no problem, Mike. I'll get you there with time to spare."

"Awesome. Afterwhich, I have to get back to my place for the night. Would you like to come over for dinner, Throttle?"

"I would love to. Let's get you to that appt."

We got back on the bike and headed for the other side of town. Both Charley and Modo looked at each other in total confusion.

"What just happened? Mike is already inviting him over to her place for dinner?"