Johnny took a deep breath and knocked on Vanessa's door. The door soon swung open, and she greeted him with a warm smile. "Hi, John. Come on in."

"Thanks." He took her in as he closed the door behind him. She was a knockout, no doubt about it.

No wonder he was so nervous. Women like her just didn't go for guys like him, not for long, anyway. It would only be a matter of time before she ditched him.

Well, he supposed he'd take this for however long it lasted. There were worse ways to spend an evening.

"Ready whenever you are." Vanessa's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Great." Johnny answered with a nod as they left the apartment, and he waited while Vanessa locked up before they headed out to the Rover and climbed in. "You like Chinese food, right?"

"Right." Vanessa replied.

"Okay, good." Johnny told her as he backed out of the space and drove out of the parking lot. "Found this place by the movie theater. Figured we could hit it after the movie."

"If we're not full of popcorn by then." Vanessa answered with a laugh.

"If you're not full of popcorn." Johnny countered. "I don't recall having any problems enjoying lunch after the movie last time."

Vanessa merely laughed and swatted his arm. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt for me to cut back a little."

Johnny reached for her hand, squeezing lightly. "Trust me, there's no need."

Vanessa looked a little baffled but didn't let go of Johnny's hand. "Is that supposed to be a compliment or…?"

Johnny let out a huff as he let go. Not a great way to start the evening. "Never mind."

He found a place to park, and they made their way to the theater, picking up tickets and walking past the concession stand. "Do you want something?"

Vanessa took his arm. "I think I'll hold out for Chinese food."

Johnny stopped for a moment. "You know I was just kidding. If you want something—"

"It's fine." Vanessa responded in a casual tone. "I'm not offended. Now, how about this movie?"

They found their seats and settled in, though Johnny couldn't help second guessing himself and the whole conversation. Surely this evening would spell the end of things between him and Vanessa.

What the hell was wrong with him? Why couldn't he just get it right with a woman?

He barely paid attention to the movie and was somewhat surprised when the lights came up afterward. Vanessa regarded him with a concerned look. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine." Johnny answered quickly. "Just ready for something to eat."

Vanessa smiled at that, and they made their way out of the theater and started down the street to the Chinese place that was nearby. It was busy, but not packed, and they were soon guided to a booth, and they each picked up a menu.

"Everything sounds so good." Vanessa commented. "What do you usually get?"

"Um…I don't really have a usual order." Johnny answered, scanning the menu. "Doesn't occur to me to get Chinese that often."

Vanessa tilted her head and regarded him with a curious look. "Well, how about we just order a variety? If you don't mind."

"I don't mind." Johnny was slightly taken aback but hoped it didn't show. "Seems like you know more about what's good than I do."

Vanessa seemed to pause, looking thoughtful. "I don't mean to take over."

Johnny managed a short chuckle. "It's no big deal. Kind of like a take-charge woman."

Well, that wasn't strictly true, but he would do whatever was necessary to smooth over what was becoming an awkward evening.

After some discussion, they agreed on a few dishes, and once the waiter came to their table, Vanessa placed the order. "Would you bring chopsticks as well, please?"

"Yes, of course." The waiter smiled and nodded, leaving the two of them alone again.

"So, what did you think of the movie?" Vanessa asked as she plucked a fried wonton from the bowl between them.

Johnny froze, scrambling to think of anything he remembered from the film. Had he really been so out of it that he hadn't paid any attention at all?

It must have shown, because Vanessa raised her eyebrows before continuing. "The ending was intense. Don't you think?"

"Uh, yeah." Johnny answered, trying to recover. "Yeah, hell of a way to end it, right?"

The waiter soon arrived with their food, setting down plates and saving Johnny from trying to remember the movie. "And your chopsticks, as requested."

"Thank you." Vanessa smiled briefly before snapping the chopsticks apart and placing them between her fingers.

Johnny followed suit but found it to be incredibly awkward. He huffed irritably. "Maybe I should just stick to a fork."

"Oh, it's not that hard." Vanessa replied. "See, you rest one here, and move the other. Like this."

She demonstrated, tapping the chopsticks together before reaching for a snow pea and popping it in her mouth.

"Okay, you make that look easy." Johnny fumbled a bit with the chopsticks before Vanessa reached across the table, gently guiding his hands into position.

Something sparked in him at her touch, although she pulled back almost immediately. "There I go again, taking over."

"I don't mind." Johnny quickly replied. "Pretty obvious I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe you could show me again?"

Vanessa eyed him with a skeptical expression before picking up her own chopsticks again. "See, like this. Bottom one stays still, top one moves."

Johnny followed her direction, fumbling a bit, but finally managing to slowly tap the chopsticks together. "Like that?"

"You've got it." Vanessa told him, her expression changing to that slight smile as she picked up a piece of beef. "Now you just need to start using them. It gets easier."

"Suppose a lot of things do." Johnny answered as he reached for a piece of carrot. It took him a couple of tries, but he finally picked it up and got it to his mouth. "Is it normal for my fingers to cramp up using these things?"

"At first." Vanessa laughed softly. "You'll get used to it."

"Maybe." Johnny kept at it, and he finally got to a point where he didn't feel like he was going to drop everything he picked up.

The two of them settled into casual conversation, coming back around to the subject of the movie. "It's okay to just say you didn't like it, you know." Vanessa told him.

"It's not that I didn't like it." Johnny answered. "It's just…well, I guess it was a little heavier than I expected, you know?"

"It was." Vanessa agreed. "Maybe it wasn't such a great date movie."

"I could do with something a little lighter next time." Johnny commented. "I mean…assuming there's a next time."

Vanessa looked puzzled. "Why wouldn't there be? Unless you don't want there to be a next time."

Christ, he was really fumbling this. "'Course I want there to be a next time."

"Good." Vanessa's expression smoothed out. "Glad we got that settled."

Johnny had to admit he felt a little more relaxed as the evening went on. Vanessa was so easy to talk to, and the conversation flowed from one topic to the next so easily that he lost track of time.

It was only when the waiter presented them with their bill and a few takeout containers that Johnny realized the restaurant had cleared out, leaving just him and Vanessa. He laid down cash to cover the bill and the tip and helped Vanessa pack up their leftovers, and after some lighthearted arguing and teasing, figured out how to divide them up between them.

They left the restaurant and returned to the Rover, and it was a relatively short drive back to Vanessa's. Johnny wasn't entirely sure what Vanessa expected from him, and he didn't want to get too far ahead of himself.

He parked the Rover and reached for her hand. "I did have a good time. Wouldn't mind seeing you again."

Vanessa squeezed his hand in response. "I did, too. And yes, let's do this again."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek, and the simple move sparked something in Johnny. Before she could pull back, he reached out and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her in close for a quick kiss.

Not only did she not pull away, she leaned further into him, catching him off guard as the kiss lingered and deepened before she finally pulled back with a hint of a smile on her face.

She was obviously attracted to him, and hell, he definitely found her attractive. And she was a damn good kisser to boot.

So why wasn't he making a move to go farther? What was wrong with him?

It was an unsettling feeling.

He took a deep breath and reached over to thread his fingers through hers, his thumb stroking the back of her hand. "Well, hey, kinda hate to leave this here but…I've got an early day tomorrow. My partner's…I mean, my old partner's kid has a soccer game."

Vanessa immediately seemed interested. "Really? That sounds fun."

"Do you wanna go with me?" The words came out before Johnny could stop them. "I mean, if you don't want to, that's okay, too. I get it."

"I'd love to go." Vanessa replied, squeezing his hand lightly.

"Great!" Johnny managed what he hoped was a quick smile. What had he gotten himself into? "Game's at ten, so I'll pick you up, say, around nine-thirty?"

"I'll be ready." Vanessa replied.

"Good, good." Johnny nodded. "So, hey, I guess I'll walk you to your door, huh?"

"If you want."

They climbed down from the Rover, and Johnny followed her up the steps to her apartment and waited while she found her keys. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, you will." Johnny leaned over to give her one more quick kiss on the cheek, squeezing her hand briefly before letting go, and Vanessa let herself into the apartment, closing the door behind her.

Johnny trotted down the steps and climbed back into the Rover, sitting for a moment. He wasn't sure what he'd been thinking, exactly, and he was surprised she had accepted the invitation.

Well, what was done was done, and hopefully it would end up being just a normal morning. And if not, he supposed he'd cross that bridge when he got to it.

# # #

Johnny pulled into the parking lot at the sports field, still a little on edge about having invited Vanessa. He hadn't had a chance to talk to Joanne the night before, and while he didn't think it'd be a big deal, there was always a possibility that he was stepping over a line that he didn't know existed.

They climbed down from the Rover and started toward the bleachers, families and young players alike in the crowd, and Johnny started to look around for Joanne and Chris.

"Oh, you didn't tell me this was girls' soccer." Vanessa's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "I didn't even know there were any girls' teams."

"Yeah, Jenny played last year, too." Johnny told her. "Liked it so much she wanted to take another crack at it."

"That's amazing." Vanessa commented as they arrived at the bleachers. "I suppose girls really can do anything."

"Just about." Johnny answered. "Haven't seen a girl firefighter yet."

"Just you wait." Vanessa told him. "Won't be long and you'll be working with them."

Johnny had his doubts but chose to keep them to himself. The day was off to a good start. No sense ruining it.

"Johnny!" Joanne called out, standing up and waving at him.

"Hey, Jo!" Johnny called back. "Be right there!"

He spotted Chris sitting next to her, and he squeezed the boy's shoulder lightly. "Hey, Chris. Good of you to come out and cheer Jenny on."

"Yeah." Chris smiled slightly.

"Johnny, who's your friend?" Joanne asked.

"Oh, hey, sorry." Johnny was slightly embarrassed. "This is Vanessa Perez. She's a friend of Reggie's wife."

"Charlene, of course." Joanne rose to meet Vanessa. "Vanessa it's lovely to meet you. I hope this isn't Johnny's idea of a date."

Vanessa laughed softly, accepting Joanne's outstretched hand. "No, Johnny was just kind enough to invite me along. It's very nice to meet you."

"And this is my son, Chris." Joanne continued. "Jenny's warming up right now. Her team's about to take the field."

"Chris, it's nice to meet you as well." Vanessa addressed Chris.

Chris smiled a little more widely as he rose to meet her. "Nice to meet you."

"And this is my friend Alan Richardson." Joanne touched the shoulder of the man next to her.

Something tightened in Johnny's chest. He hadn't counted on Alan being here.

Alan turned and spotted them, rising to his feet and nodding to them. "Johnny, it's good to see you under better circumstances."

"This is Johnny's friend, Vanessa Perez." Joanne continued the introductions.

"Vanessa, it's a pleasure." Alan replied smoothly, gently grasping her hand in both of his.

"You as well." Vanessa responded with a warm smile.

"And this is my daughter, Michelle." Alan gestured to the girl sitting beside him. "Michelle, these are friends of Joanne. This is Johnny and Vanessa."

Michelle smiled shyly and nodded. "It's very nice to meet you."

"You as well." Vanessa replied.

"Yeah, nice to meet you." Johnny agreed, though his mind was working over the whole situation. Things must be more serious than he thought if the kids had all gotten acquainted.

It didn't matter, he had to remind himself as the announcement for the national anthem rang out over the loudspeaker. He stood at attention, every so often sneaking glances over at Alan and Joanne.

He should be happy for Joanne. Wasn't that what he had told her? But that was before, before things had apparently gotten far more serious between them.

No, this was ridiculous. He had no business being bothered. Joanne was clearly perfectly content, and he had Vanessa at his side, a woman anyone would give their eyeteeth to be near.

Everything was working out just as it should. So what was the problem?

The anthem ended, and everyone took their seats as the girls took the field. Soon enough, Johnny was caught up in the action and barely thinking about Joanne and Alan at all.

At the halfway point, Vanessa gently touched Johnny's arm. "I'm going to find a bathroom. I'll be right back."

"Okay." Johnny answered with a nod. Almost as soon as she left, Joanne made her way down to him.

"I'm so glad you invited her." She told him. "She seems lovely."

"Yeah, she is." Johnny nodded. "We've only been out a couple of times. I didn't plan on inviting her. It just kinda…came up."

"Oh, it's fine." Joanne assured him, glancing down the row, where Alan and the other two kids were talking.

"Alan sure seems to get along with Chris." Johnny commented.

"He has been making a bit of an extra effort." Joanne replied. "You know, the girls get together and he feels a bit left out."

"I'm sure he does." Johnny almost wanted to offer to spend some time with him, but no, at this point it would seem like an intrusion into whatever was developing. "It's good, though, right? That Alan wants to do that. Pretty good of him, really."

Joanne placed her hand over Johnny's. "Don't worry, I don't think anyone will replace his Uncle Johnny."

"Hope not." Johnny tried to answer with a lightness he didn't feel.

Joanne's expression turned more serious. "Johnny, you'll always be important to the kids. And to me. You will always be part of our family, no matter what."

Johnny had his doubts. He couldn't help feeling that he was being pushed aside, but he wasn't going to tell Joanne that. Instead, he squeezed her hand. "That's good to hear. Because I wasn't planning on going anywhere."

Joanne smiled broadly at that, squeezing in response before letting go and returning to where Alan and the kids were sitting, and Alan almost immediately put his arm around her.

Johnny let out a long sigh and turned his attention back to the field. He'd have to get used to this, but he sure as hell didn't like it.

"I'll tell you what, those girls are something else." Vanessa commented as she sat down next to him. "Do you know how many games are going on here today? Nothing but little wild things as far as the eye can see."

Johnny couldn't help laughing as he lightly rubbed her between the shoulder blades. "Sounds like you barely survived."

"I've got to say, it's great seeing them so full of fire." Vanessa replied. "I wish this had been around when I was a little girl. I was always told I couldn't play with the boys."

"Well, hey, maybe you and Jenny can meet and kick the ball around." Johnny told her.

"Oh, I can't wait to meet her." Vanessa answered.

"She's a little firecracker, that's for sure." Johnny responded. "Looks like the game's starting again."

The second half was nearly as exciting as the first, and Johnny spotted Jenny moving the ball down the field, deftly avoiding the other girls that were trying to get the ball away from her as she got closer to the goal.

She kicked the ball hard and sent it flying into the net, both fists in the air as she jumped up and down in excitement. Johnny was caught up in it as well. "Way to go, Jenny!" He hollered, though he was pretty sure she couldn't hear him.

"That's Jenny?" Vanessa asked him. "I'm pretty sure she was one of the wild things I ran into in the bathroom."

"Yeah, that's her." Johnny was bursting with pride. "Man, that was a hell of a play."

He happened to glance down the bench and met Joanne's glance. She seemed equally proud, beaming as she nodded at Johnny. If Roy was here, no doubt he'd be just as proud, if not more so.

A twinge of sadness went through him at that. There were still moments when he felt Roy's absence deeply, and this was one of them.

The remainder of the game played out, and once it was over, the bleachers started to clear out. Johnny waited while Joanne, Alan, and the kids caught up to them.

"Man, did you see that goal Jenny scored?" Johnny asked. "Kid's got some talent."

"She does." Joanne agreed. "I didn't want her to play soccer, but she's just absolutely flourished."

"She's quite good." Alan spoke up, his arm around Michelle. "I've tried to encourage Michelle to play, but she has other interests."

"Every kid's different, right?" Johnny replied. "Gotta let them find their own way."

"That's true." Alan nodded.

"Uncle Johnny!" Jenny shrieked, all but launching herself at Johnny. "Did you see me?"

"I sure did." Johnny bent down slightly to hug her. "You did great. Nailed that kick."

She suddenly seemed to notice Vanessa. "Who are you?"

"Jenny, mind your manners." Joanne scolded her.

"It's okay." Vanessa assured her. "I'm Vanessa Perez. I'm a friend of your Uncle Johnny."

Jenny's expression changed slightly. "I'm sorry I bumped into you in the bathroom."

"I accept your apology." Vanessa told her with a slight laugh. "You're very talented. I hope you keep playing."

"Oh, I'm not gonna quit." Jenny replied. "I'm gonna be like Pele."

"You can't be like Pele." Chris told her, rolling his eyes. "Pele's a guy."

"You just wait." Jenny shot back, that familiar stubborn tilt to her chin. "By the time I'm grown up, there's gonna be girls' soccer teams, just like there's boys' soccer teams. Isn't that right, Uncle Johnny?"

"Uh…" Johnny hated being put on the spot. "You might be right. And hey, as long as you're having fun, that's all that matters."

Jenny scowled at that. "I don't wanna just have fun. I wanna be good."

"And you will be." Vanessa assured her. "You're well on your way."

Jenny suddenly lit up, and Johnny realized that Vanessa was going to be her new favorite person. "Thanks, Van…I mean, Miss Perez."

"Vanessa's just fine." Vanessa told her.

Joanne sighed quietly, though she had a smile on her face. "Well, I suppose we'd best get these kids home. Johnny, it was good to see you. We should all get together soon. And Vanessa, it was nice to meet you. I hope we get to see you more often."

There was suddenly a flurry of hugs and goodbyes before they all went their separate ways, and Johnny watched Joanne walk away with Alan and all three of the kids.

He wished he could be as sure as Joanne was that they would continue to be family. He just didn't see how that was going to happen.

Vanessa's arm slipped through his, bringing his attention back to her. Johnny placed his hand over hers. "So, hey, are you free for lunch?"

"I still have all those Chinese leftovers." Vanessa told him. "I suppose we could go back to my place and heat them up if you want."

"I don't see why not." Johnny answered. "And hey, maybe something else'll heat up, too."

Vanessa merely laughed and shook her head as they returned to the Rover and drove back to her apartment. This had the potential to be a good afternoon, and Johnny wasn't going to ruin it.

Everything was working out just as it should. Joanne was moving forward with Alan, and he supposed he could do the same with Vanessa.

Everything was going to be just fine, or fine enough.

So why wouldn't that little voice of doubt shut up?