Dinner with a History Lesson ((Jeremiah))

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa sighed as she put down her pen and leaned her head back against the chair. She had spent the filling out the applications she had picked up. She stared at the ceiling thinking. She still hadn’t heard from Jeremiah and she had no way of getting in touch with him short of going down to the station and asking for him, which she really didn’t want to do. Rubbing her hands along her face she sat up and looked at the application sitting in front of her. It was the last one, the one she had picked up from the Italian restaurant that Jeremiah had told her about. Filling out the last bit she put the pen down and picked up her phone. She’d been watching it all day, hoping for a call from Jeremiah. She had so many questions for him. Sighing she set the phone back on the table and went off to shower.

Wrapping herself in a towel as she stepped out of the shower, Lisa rang most of the water out of her hair before leaving the bathroom. Walking back to her desk she glanced down at her phone. It was blinking a missed call at her. Of course it would happen like that. Shaking her head she picked up the phone hoping it was Jeremiah and that he had left a message. He had. She listened to it fully before adding him to her contact and calling him back. The phone rang twice before he picked up. Glad that he had she spoke quickly. “Hey Jeremiah, It’s Lisa. I’m so sorry I missed your call. I’d love to meet you for dinner there. Do you want to do it tonight?” She asked glancing at the clock. It was only just turning 6:30pm; there was still time for dinner and a walk. She bit her lip as she waited for him to reply. She wanted to know more about him, the wolf and the man. Some small part of her was starting to like the guy.

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

All that was left to do after leaving the message was to wait. If she didn’t call him back and accept his invitation to go out, he would probably just end up staying in. He loved to go out, but his only desire to leave the apartment now was if it was going to dinner with Lisa. He had been thinking about her since they’d met. His mind kept wandering on why she had acted so surprised and shocked when she learned what he was. Had she really never met another werewolf? If not, that would surprise him. It wasn’t often werewolves didn’t run into each other. They were the most common thread of lycanthropy…it seemed to just be bound to happen sooner or later.

Looking at the time, he noticed it nearing six thirty and he sighed. He had already taken a shower and was lounging around shirtless in some polar bear pajama pants. Truth be told, he loved the holidays and already he had a decorated tree in his apartment…gifts that he’d bought for others placed under the tree. Sure, it was still about a month away, but there was something about Christmas lights and pine that relaxed him. Flicking through a few channels on the television, he heard his phone ring and his heart raced. As he looked down he saw her name and her number below it and he smiled. Pressing the send button, he casually picked up and answered with a warm, “Hello?” And then he listened to her speak. A smile remained on his lips as she had answered yes to going to dinner with him tonight. “Sure, tonight sounds wonderful. I’ll see you there, say around…eight?” He asked. He wasn’t sure if she had already showered and prepared, but he figured he would give her ample time. Besides, eight seemed like an appropriate date time. When she agreed, he hung up the phone and smiled to himself. Then a string of nerves began to run through him as he realized he hadn’t been on a date in years.

Clicking the television off, he stretched out for a moment before heading back to his bedroom. He was thankful to be getting out of his apartment. It was spacious, but it wasn’t spacious enough. Currently, he was waiting for his credit to be approved so he could buy the manor he was currently looking into. He knew if he met many more werewolves, his apartment and the auto shop wouldn’t be enough space for all of them. And besides, he was tired of not having his luxuries.

Moving to the closet, he quickly put on a pair of nice black dress pants and a crimson button up shirt. He left the top button open, giving him a more relaxed than refined look. He wanted to look nice, but he also wanted her to feel comfortable. He hoped maybe seeing him a second time would calm down her nerves. Spraying some of his expensive cologne, he put on some black dress shoes. Looking at the clock he saw it was seven thirty. Perfect.

He then made his way out of the apartment and began walking down the streets. If they were going for a walk afterwards, he didn’t want to have to run back to his car before he went home. That would just seem pointless. Besides, the restaurant wasn’t too far away from his house. Ten blocks at max. When he finally arrived, he waited outside…the smell of delicious Italian food filling his lungs.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

A grin lit her face when he agreed to dinner that night. “Eight sounds great. See you there!” Pulling the phone away from her ear she clicked the end button and spun around. She hadn’t gone out at all since James had left her alone. Thinking of James she paused and the smile faded. She stared off for a moment before shaking her head. ‘No, I won’t think about him…This is my time to move on…He left me alone…’ She thought as her wet hair smacked her in the face. Blinking quickly she plastered the smile back on her face as she was so used to doing and moved to her bedroom.

Opening the closet door she stared. It was times like these that she thought she might just have a few too many clothes. Grinning at the thought she began flicking through the shirts. Pulling a few out that she liked she threw them on the bed. Looking through her pants and skirts she only found one skirt that she liked for that night. Pulling it out she laid it out on the bed and started comparing the tops to the skirt she had picked. Settling on an outfit she put the other tops away and went to the bathroom to do her hair.

Normally she would have let her hair dry on its own but she couldn’t do anything with it then. Pulling out her hair dryer she plugged it in and set it down on the counter. She quickly brushed the knots from her hair before picking up the hair dryer and blowing her hair dry and brushing it at the same time. When it was all dry she sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. She had no idea what to do with it. Looking around the counter she spotted a large brown hair clip. Grabbing it she stuck it between her lips as she bushed her hair back, pulling it half up, taking the clip from her mouth she clipped it there. Looking at herself in the mirror she nodded, liking how it looked and went back to the bedroom. She quickly changed into the outfit she had picked out, a light gray skirt that was flowly and hung to the middle of her calves and a black off the shoulder short sleeve shirt. The top band of the shirt was made of lace.

Glancing down made a face. ‘Shoes…Need shoes…’ She moved to her closest and opened it again looking at the floor. Searching through them she found her black slouch boots. Tugging them on, she glanced in the mirror. She liked the way she looked, but she was still missing something she thought. ‘Makeup and jewelry.’ She thought as she moved back to the bathroom. She picked out a short white gold chain with a small wolf pendent on it, putting that on she pulled out her makeup bag and settled about putting on the light gray smoky look she liked so much.

Finishing she glanced at the clock. “Shit!” She said jumping and putting the makeup away. It was 7:45 already. She was going to be late! Flicking the light off as she left the bathroom she dashed out to the living room and grabbed her cell phone, bag and keys. Quickly locking the door as she left the apartment she dropped her keys into her bag along with her cell phone. Skipping down the steps she hurried on her way to the restaurant. Lisa’s pace slowed as she reached the street where the restaurant was located. A smile lit her face as she saw him waiting outside the door for her. He looked good in the crimson button up shirt, very good. Her smile grew a bit as she thought about it and she moved up to him smiling. “Hey there. Sorry I’m a little late.” She said as they moved into though the door. “How have you been?” She asked, making small talk as she let him get the door and tell the hostess what she needed to know.

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

He was waiting for about fifteen minutes before he finally caught sight of Lisa. A warm, charming smile played on his lips as he couldn’t help but let his eyes linger on her. She was absolutely breathtaking in that outfit. Her hair was nicely done and her jewelry complimented everything it intended. When she approached and began to apologize, his smile remained and he shook his head. “Hey! No worries, you didn’t keep me waiting too long.” There was a spark in eyes as he spoke those words, letting her know he was being a bit playful. As any gentleman would, he got the door for her and then told the waitress his name and how many. Even though they were booked, his name alone was enough to get them in right away.

As he motioned for her to follow him, he heard her ask him how he was. “I’m doing alright…just been busy with work. How about yourself?” He asked, as they were escorted to one of the more private tables in the restaurant. Keeping up his charm, he pulled out the seat for her and then scooted her in before sitting across from her. Light music was playing in the background, and the lights were nicely dimmed. It was the perfect atmosphere for a date: calm, serene, but with just enough people around to make it not awkward. He smiled as the waiter came and gave him a friendly greeting. The two obviously knew each other.

“What can I start you off with to drink?” The waiter asked, with a slight Italian accent. Jeremiah glanced at Lisa. He wasn’t sure if she drank so he would let her order her own. For now, he just ordered his. He was in a Grey Goose kind of mood. Vodka always suited him well when he wasn’t craving wine or beer. “I’ll have a Kamikaze with Grey Goose. And could I also get a water on the side?” He said, ordering his drink. It was the closest thing they had to what he was craving. The waiter nodded and then turned towards Lisa and smiled, “And what can I get for the lady?” He asked, a friendly smile on his face.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

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She was about to say something about her being late when she saw the spark in his eye. She laughed a little as she followed him. “I’ve been ok. Busy filling things out and getting settled in.” On the first things she had unpacked were her clothes and things she absolutely needed to live in her apartment. She still had about 3 boxes of things to unpack and set up around her new place. Lisa glanced around the place as they were lead to their table. The place was packed, and the fact that they got a table instantly didn’t get past her. Her eyes looked him over once more, wondering just how much pull he had here and if he could really get her a job.

She smiled softly at him as he pulled out her chair and scooted it in for her. A perfect gentleman. Her senses took in the light music and the dimmed lights and caused her heart to beat just a little bit faster. She tried to calm it down with no luck. She knew he more than likely would have noticed if he was paying attention and she blushed lightly. She was nervous; she hadn’t been on a date in almost a year. Her eyes flicked from him to the waiter that came to their table. She watched the two great each other, he seemed to know the young man who was to wait on them. Lisa waited for him to order his drink, not knowing it. Looking to the waiter she smiled softly at him. “Could I get a Long Island Iced Tea? And also a water please.” The waiter nodded writing down her order before nodding. “I’ll have them right over.” He said as he left and went to get the drinks. Turning back to Jeremiah she picked up the menu and started looking over it. “So..you come here a lot?” She asked, looking at him over the top of her menu. “What would you suggest?” She asked looking over the menu herself.

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

Even as he ordered his drink, his eyes flickered at Lisa as he sensed her heart beat quickening. Being a lycan, he could practically hear a heartbeat if he was tuned in enough to the person. And he was more than focused on the woman who sat before him. He saw the blush spread across her cheeks and he couldn’t help but smile as he thought how adorable she looked. There was something about women blushing that always made him smile. He attributed it to the fact that it usually meant they were nervous or their thoughts had been wandering. In either sense, the reaction of a blush when they realized that the man might catch on was simply cute. Men had their moments too, but it wasn’t quite as noticed as when women did.

His eyes lingered on Lisa for a moment, taking in her entire image. She was slender, yet she looked strong. Definitely physically because of her werewolf abilities, but the strong he saw was more in her aura. She had determination and will, and from the energy that rolled off of her, he figured she didn’t wound too easily. Yet, if the blow was hard enough, he was sure it would devastate her. While she appeared strong-willed, there was something quite vulnerable about her. And even now he could see it. She was nervous, of course. But, he couldn’t help but wonder if it was more than just first date jitters.

She brought him back to reality as her words finally registered. Smiling warmly, he glanced down at the menu and looked through it. “Often enough. Italian food is my favorite. And this place is the only restaurant in town that has authentic food.” It was a little place, but those who knew of it, loved it. There were actually quite a few regulars in here, and Jeremiah was one of them. Smiling a the thought, he too another glance at him menu. “Personally, I enjoy the Penne All’Arrabbiata, but it’s a little spicy. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. And, if you’re craving seafood, the Peppered Shrimp Alfredo is to die for.” He spoke, listing off a couple of suggestion. “Everything’s delicious though, it really just depends on what you’re craving.” He finished, glancing over his menu at her. She truly was beautiful.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa could feel his eyes on him and the blush across her cheeks increased. A soft smile slowly allowed the blush to begin to fade as they looked over the menu. Lisa’s face and look was intent as she skimmed the menu for something that sounded just right to her. She had picked three things out. One she ended up dismissing. It had garlic, she really didn’t want her breath to smell of garlic when they were out talking later that night. Thinking about the talk they were going to have she bit at her lower lip gently, she was scared of it. She had known of other werewolves, she knew she wasn’t alone with everything, or at least part of her believed that. She had never actually talked to or met another wolf face to face. And James had been so different, she would never have told him but he had found out on his own and shown her his own animal inside.

Shaking the thoughts from her head she closed her eyes for a moment and sighed softly. The smile never left her face. The thing with her was that she had learned how to keep her smile on her face always. There were times though that it never truly reached her eyes. Opening her eyes to look at Jeremiah, this wasn’t one of those times. Her smile reached her eyes as she glanced down at her menu again. “I think I’m going to go with the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.”

[/color] She spoke softly, keeping with the calm atmosphere of the place. She took the moment to look around. There weren’t that many people around but it was enough to keep the waiters and waitresses busy. She looked over the uniform that the waitress was wearing, thinking about it she thought she would be able to stand wearing it. Looking back to Jeremiah she gave him a soft smile as she fiddled with the edge of the menu. “So catch any bad guys lately?”[/color] She asked him will a small teasing smirk. Her eyes took in him more as they sat there.

He truly looked good in crimson, then again he had also looked amazing in his uniform. Her smile twitched a little as she thought about it, the blush starting a again a bit. Her eyes met his and for a moment she felt like the entire restaurant disappeared and she was standing on a cliff staring out into the vast blue ocean. The thought of staring into his eyes for long moments made her mouth twitch again, with no more blush this time though. Blinking quickly she glanced away from him, realizing she had been staring. Part of her wished the lights were just that much darker to hide her blush but at the same time she knew his wolf senses of hunting at night and seeing with ease would kick in, just as hers would and had in situations where it was too dark for human eyes to pick everything up.
[/center]

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

As she read through the menu, Jeremiah let his eyes wander around the little Italian restaurant. Everything was perfect. The lights were dim, and soft music filled the background. It was the perfect atmosphere for a date. It was relaxed and friendly, yet it still had quite a classy side to it. That was perhaps why Jeremiah liked it the most after a hard days work. He could come and order a couple glasses of wine and let the aura of the place take hold. It was a nice change of pace from his chaotic job; that was for sure.

“The Chicken Alfredo is always a delicious choice.” He commented, as he glanced down at the menu one more time, deciding on the Penne All’Arrabbiata. He rather enjoyed spicy food and it was the perfect level of heat for him. Closing the menu, he set it down on the table as their waiter brought their drinks. He then proceeded to take their order, and then vanished into the back to place the order. That was another thing Jeremiah liked about this place. The waiters and waitresses were always prompt and polite. He was sure Lisa would be an excellent addition to their staff.

Moving and taking a sip of his drink, he savored the taste for a moment. It was a delicious blend of fruits and the finest vodka. Not so much a manly drink, but a delicious one at that. At least the name sounded pretty masculine. A small smile fell on his lips at the thought as he took another drink before setting it down on the table as she asked about his job. “As a matter of fact, I caught one just the other day.” He said proudly, smiling and laughing a bit. “Some guy decided it would be a good idea to rob a jewelry store.” He spoke, his eyes on Lisa the entire time. “Needless to say, he didn’t last long on the escape run.” There was a small playful tint in his eyes at his reference to his lycan speed compared to the human’s. That was one tremendous benefit of working at the police station. He was at the top because of his inner wolf. That wasn’t something a lot of lycans could say. At least he was putting his powers to good use.

“Of course, that’s the first excitement I’ve seen in weeks. Usually things are pretty slow around here.” He added, smiling at her. That was when he felt her eyes lingering on him and then he saw the blush after realizing. He chuckled softly, as he leaned in on the table a bit, gazing into her eyes. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” He asked, his natural charm showing through as he looked a little deeper into her eyes, noticing the small flicker of pain within them. Something was troubling her; that much was obvious. He could only hope his compliments would cheer her up. He knew how sensitive the inner workings of a woman’s heart were, so he tried his best to keep her focus on their date. “Tell me, Lisa. What do you like to do for fun?” He asked, genuinely curious as to what she liked to do in her spare time. After all, there was no better time to learn about her than the present.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa folded her menu as she nodded with his comment about the Alfredo. It was one of her favorite Italian dishes. She smiled at the waiter and accepted her drinks. She took a sip of the long island iced tea and let the sweet taste of it flow down her throat. It had been the first drink of her life and had quickly become her favorite. It was a classic but she enjoyed it. She smiled at Jeremiah as he ordered their food. The fact that he ordered for her made her happy.

She listened as he told her about the bad guy he had caught. Seeing him smile with pride reassured her that he truly enjoyed his job and did it for a good reason. She chuckled lightly at his comment about the guy not lasting long on the run. She knew instantly why he hadn’t made it very far. The speed of a lycan far outweighed the speed of a human. She was proud that he seemed so proud of his work. To see a lycan using their powers for the benefit of others was a shining light in her eyes. She laughed softly again as he mentioned it being the first excitement he’d seen in weeks. The city not having a high crime rate made her relax about living there.

Lisa averted her gaze as she blushed. His chuckle told her that he had realized she had been gazing at him, maybe a bit too much. She felt him lean in on the table and glanced back at him, the pain of seeing James’s face in his lingering too much for her heart. Her blushed deepened as he told her how beautiful she was. A smile flowed to her face all the same and she pushed away the thoughts of James. That was for later, when she was alone. Looking into his eyes she knew he wasn’t lying and just trying to make her feel better when he told her how beautiful she looked. “You’re not too bad looking yourself.” She teased, grinning at him. She was starting to open up to him the more time she spent around him. It was somewhat scaring her how easily she was opening up with him. She’d never opened up this easily with most people. In fact she could only think of one other she had connected with this quickly. James. Pain slashed her heart at the thought of him.

She had gotten lost in her thoughts for a moment and blinked at his next question and thought. What did she like to do for fun? Most of the time she kept herself busy with working. Bring her hands from her lap to sit on the table she thought. “Hmmm…Well I like to run in the mornings and at night. And… umm I like working with my hands. I’ve tried a few different crafts like jewelry making and knitting and such. Ummm….” She paused thinking. What else did she do? What else did she do that she actually enjoyed? “Reading…I like to read too.” She said softly. Laughing a little she leaned in a little and looked him in the eyes. “What about you? What do you do when you’re not catching bad guys?” She smiled at him as she waited for his answer.

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

A sly smirk fell on his lips as she returned his compliment with her own. It was a cute gesture, and he couldn’t help his reaction. Normally, women were all over him when he ventured through the nightlife of Seattle, but it was nice to be told. It was also nice to actually speak and talk with a woman before any physical contact. He was always a gentleman and would never take advantage of a woman, but being a police officer required time, which left his love life very limited. The warmth of a woman’s touch was needed at certain times, though he was always left feeling more alone than when he began when all was said and done. He hated one night stands, just for the mere fact that they gave false illusions of what could be. But, at the same time, he was a man, and like any man, he had needs.

Letting his gaze linger with hers as she spoke of her what she enjoyed to do, he couldn’t help but think she was a catch. Of course, they weren’t quite dating or together, but he could see a small glimpse of them working out quite well. She enjoyed simple things, which meant she was free spirited and lived in the moment. He wondered though if she had a wild side. Most women that listed the hobbies she did tended to be a little more spontaneous when it came to more risqué things. Not even with intimacy, but just with life in general. Traveling overseas for a random weekend vacation or buying the next plane ticket out. Something told him she had a few secrets that only those closest to her knew.

“Reading is always a favorite past-time.” He remarked after she had asked her question. Though he didn’t look like the type of guy to read, he loved a good crime or mystery novel. They were always nice when he needed an escape from reality. “Hmm, what do I like to do?” He thought for a moment, pondering over what exactly he did when he wasn’t in the office. Honestly, he was pretty boring. “Well, I love working on cars. I’ve got a auto shop in Forks that me and one of my buddies owns. I enjoy racing when the opportunity presents itself.” He paused for a moment, thinking what else he did for fun. “I like to explore the nightlife occasionally, drinking and dancing always yield a good time.” He really wasn’t that exciting. Aside from being a guy, he didn’t do anything too spectacular. “And apart from that, I like just lounging around in my pajamas at the apartment.” He spoke, laughing a bit at how childish that sounded. It was good to have fun every now and then. That was what made life exciting and worth living. But, even as he tried to make her smile, he still saw the flicker of pain beneath her eyes. He wondered just how much the two of them would talk tonight. He was anxious and nervous. While he was charming and a gentleman, there were some things he just didn’t know how to react to. Somehow he had a strange feeling the talk with her would be one of them.

Forcing the thoughts back, he smiled up at her and took another sip of his drink. As a lycan, it took a lot more to get him drunk than most which is why he wasn’t too worried at the pace he was drinking. A part of him wanted to get a small buzz going…it just felt right. He was sharing the evening with a beautiful woman in a nice restaurant, and he felt surprisingly relaxed. It was a nice change of pace from the chaos of his job. “You said you like to read. Got any favorite books?” He asked, just trying to make general conversation with her. After all, that was always the first step in getting to know someone better.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

Lisa kept the smile one her face as she took another sip of her drink. Like he, it would take quite a bit to get her drunk. And at the moment she wasn’t sure just how tipsy she wanted to get tonight. She knew that once they left the restaurant things would change. Their topic of conversation would be one that he knew more about than her. It was going to be talk that she truly wanted to remember everything about. “Racing huh?”

[/color] She said with a slight eyebrow raise and a small grin. It sounded interesting to her, something she might enjoy watching him do at some point in the future. She nodded as he spoke about going out and enjoying the nightlife of a city. It was something she herself had enjoyed quite a bit for a time. Things had happened in her life that had changed that but it had been long enough now that she was starting to open herself back up to going out. She was a shy person to most people until she began to know them.

She giggled a little at his comment about lounging around his apartment in his pajamas. Her mind drifted for a moment wondering just what his pajamas were. Biting her lips she shook her head slightly, pushing the images of him shirtless and in baggy pants out of her mind. Now was not the time to being thinking of those things. They were just friends. Though she already knew she would be hoping for more than just friends with him. She needed to move on, and like people had always told her, there’s no time like the present. She made a promise to herself at that moment to forget James, at least for that night. She would live in the present and not dwell in the past. Smiling at Jeremiah she realized that she was easily keeping a smile on her face. That was not the unusual part though, she could feel the smile reaching her eyes. For so many of her years she had plastered a smile across her face to hide the pain within her.

‘You said you like to read. Got any favorite books?’ She thought for a moment. What were some of her favorite books? “Hmmm well I like to read a lot of plays. Older ones, Shakespeare and the likes. As you like it would have to be my favorite from him.”[/color] She grinned a little thinking of the play. “Hmmm…for books…I don’t really have favorite books, more so authors. Some of them would have to be...Carolyn Keene. Gotta say I loved reading those Nancy Drew books as I grew up.”[/color] She chuckled a little and shook her head at herself a bit. Taking another sip she thought of any more of the authors that stood out to her. “Oh, Douglas Adams and C.S. Lewis too.”[/color] Setting her drink back on the table she leaned back in her seat and folded her hands in her lap. “What about you? What genre of books do you like the most?”[/color] She herself also enjoyed a good romance novel. Ones that mixed the world of fantasy with romance were her favorite. But that was something she didn’t want to share with him just yet.
[/center]

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

As the conversation rolled back and forth across the dinner table, Jeremiah could see the barricade in the young woman’s eyes slowly begin to fall and become genuine. The smile illuminated her entire frame, making her look more gorgeous in the dim light than he had ever seen. It didn’t take much to realize there was a definitely spark between them, and it made Jeremiah’s cautious wolf anxious. He always had to be careful about who he let in and who he got close to. It was easy to fall prey to the wrong kind of people and especially in his line of work; he needed to stay away from the sort.

He smiled warmly as she seemed to take an interest in his racing. Saving the moment in his mind, he made a mental note of a potential future date or just random adventure for the two of them. He had an invigorating feeling that the two of them would be spending much more time together than any of his other pack members. Of course, she wasn’t part of the Lukoi just yet, but if they kept progressing in the direction they were, he was sure it wouldn’t be too much longer. For a moment, his mind passed over the thought of her as his possible Lupa and his heart beat just a little faster. It was a thought that really shouldn’t be entering his mind, but he honestly couldn’t help it. Something within him told him she would end up being his perfect match.

Listening to her speak of the books and authors she read, he was quite interested. Usually, casual ‘get to you know’ talk wasn’t his favorite part of dating, but tonight it just seemed to flow naturally. He found it intriguing that she liked to read plays…that was definitely unusual for this day and age. Usually, kids were just forced to read and learn them during school as a way to fulfill diversity requirements. She truly was something else.

Then the tables once more turned to him when she asked what type of books he usually read. “I’ve always been a fan of a good mystery or crime.” He paused for a moment, letting a soft chuckle emit from him. “You’d think I’d be sick of that with my job, but there’s something about the adrenaline behind it that gets me every time.” He spoke, glancing up at her with a sincere look…wondering just what she thought of him. But before he had any time to ask, the waitress appeared once more with their food. Both dishes were prepared to taste as good as they looked and Jeremiah knew it would be as such. The waiter asked if they needed anything else and Jeremiah ordered just one more drink after giving Lisa the option to do so as well. The young Italian man nodded, smiled, and scurried off to fill their order.

---

The two continued to talk and get to know each other as they ate, enjoying a couple more drinks before Jeremiah introduced her to the manager of the establishment. He politely told her to bring in the application, and he’d be happy to schedule an interview. This made Jeremiah feel a bit proud, but he’d never openly show it. He always loved helping other people. That’s just the way he was. Being a gentleman, he paid for the dinner and the two of them left the restaurant to begin their more important talk of the evening.

They walked down the somewhat crowded streets of Seattle towards the local park that held the forest’s edge. He knew they would eventually end up there, but the park was a nice start. There was a small lake and was usually always empty around this time of night. Thankfully, tonight was no exception, and as the two of them walked, he looked over at her. “You seemed too surprised when I told you I was a werewolf like yourself. Have you never met another?” His voice was calm and at a normal tone. He would know immediately if someone was within five hundred yards of them. It was finally safe for them to talk and be at ease.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

As the night rolled on Lisa became more confident in herself. She was opening up to Jeremiah more than she had with anyone in a while. It helped that she was finding herself attracted to him. Though weather that was just because of him also being a werewolf or because he was an attractive guy she was not yet sure. Maybe it was both. How was she to know? But it helped her to relax and force James out of her head for the night. Tonight was about enjoying herself. Her wolf paced within her, making her slightly anxious. She had no reason to but when her wolf got started it was hard to calm it. She wouldn’t shift or anything, she had control over that, but her heart raced and she could feel the blood rushing through her body.

She hoped he’d picked up on her interest in his racing. She liked cars to a point. Working on them wasn’t her thing, watching a beautiful guy like Jeremiah work on one, preferably shirtless, now that was a different story. She cursed herself gently for her thoughts and felt a light blush reach her cheeks. She shouldn’t be thinking about things like that. They were only friends after. ‘For now…’ Her mind thought on its own, causing her blush to deepen. She pushed all her thoughts into listening to him talking about the books he liked to take her mind off the things she had been thinking. She chuckled a little as he mentioned liking crime novels and how someone would think with his job he would be sick of it. She didn’t think that but didn’t say anything about it. She liked the fact that he even read. So many guys in today’s world wouldn’t lift a finger to look at a book. Now a certain magazine would be a different story. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was one of those guys on the side. It wouldn’t bother her if he was. She knew guys had needs that couldn’t be met all the time. She was shy in that area herself.

Their food came out then and the waiter asked if they needed anything else. Lisa ordered another drink for herself before looking down at her food. It looked so good. As the waiter left to fill their orders Lisa took a bite and relished the taste. It was as good as it looked and smelled. Jeremiah certainly knew how to pick a great place. She could see why he liked the place and she could see herself working there. Now she just had to land the job. Lisa enjoyed the rest of the meal with Jeremiah, drinking a little more and making small talk over their food. She had enough to drink to just give her an edge. She knew it would wear off in about an hour but the lightheaded and free feeling she had made her smile more.

~~~

The edge allowed her to remain calm as she talked to the manager. She told him she would see him in the morning with the filled out application and thanked him for giving her the opportunity. She smiled gently at Jeremiah and thanked him for the meal as they walked out of the restaurant. This was going to be the more important part of the night. Not that she hadn’t enjoyed having dinner with him. She had, and hoped to do it again, but learning about herself and what came with it was important. As they walked down the streets of Seattle she took the clip from her hair and shook out her long golden brown locks. They were naturally highlighted and the golden shimmered in the street lights of the city. She slipped the clip into her bag, hoping it wouldn’t get broken. As they walked towards the park she wrapped her arms over her chest and looked up at the sky. In the city it was hard to see the stars but she knew that as soon as they got to the forest and the city lights died away they would make the sky sparkle.

She turned her attention to Jeremiah as they reached the park and he asked her the question she had been dreading answering. Sighing lightly she opened her senses up to the world around her. She was sure Jeremiah had done the same and the two would know if anyone came close enough to them to hear them talking. Breathing out she glanced at him for a moment and then looked out over the small lake and shook her head. “No, I’ve heard of others but never actually met another werewolf. I keep to myself usually.”

[/color] She said slowly. She knew she would have to bring up James and now was as good a time as any. It was like taking a band-aid off. “I did meet someone kind of like us though. But he wasn’t a werewolf. A shapeshifter, that’s what he said he was. A bear shapeshifter.”[/color] She felt the pain stab at her heart and she knew that the last of her words had been dribbled with the pain. She kept her gaze on the lake, fighting back tears. She hadn’t talked about James out loud to anyone since he had left.
[/center]

[JEREMIAH EVANS]

It was amazing how refreshing the cool air could be. More than anything Jeremiah’s wolf wanted to roam free…running through the forest, adrenaline peaking in his blood. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful night. In the distance, he could still hear the bass from the surrounding night life, but it was quickly fading off. The world around them was being brushed away, leaving just the two of them…surrounding in a blanket of stars and a bright crescent moon. Her hair flowing and shimmer had caught his eye, only escalating how beautiful he thought she was. But, he moved those thoughts aside, knowing there was a time and place for everything. And now certainly wasn’t the time. The subject had changed from a casual dating to a very serious one. The leader in Jeremiah was slowly starting to come out, but he made sure to keep his gentleman appearance and genuine concern present. After all, they were still on a date.

He let the space between them close a bit as he heard her begin to speak. It surprised him that she’d never met another wolf. Usually, they were the ones most likely to be spotted. Then, he wondered if she had ever met another lycan period. Shape-shifters were closely related, but the two species had severe differences. He would be sure to ask later, but for now he let her speak. Her words were soft, and held several emotions. Jeremiah wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, but he definitely heard the pain lingering at the end of her sentence. He felt it in her energy and he sensed it in her being. Being the protector he was, he placed a reassuring arm around her. She still had her distance if she wanted it, but he was sure to at least try to comfort her.

“Well you’re one step ahead of me. I’ve never met a shape-shifter.” He spoke, looking over at her and casting her a warm smile. He was trying to keep the conversation light because he could feel the hurt coursing through her. “Well I’m glad I met you. You’re…different…than other wolves I’ve met.” He chose his words wisely, letting her know in the tone of his voice that it was a good thing. The two walked in silence for a moment, his hand slowly rubbing across her back. The lake shimmered with the moonlight and he couldn’t help but somewhat feel at peace. He knew the shape-shifter she was talking about must have been an old love that ended sorely. Of course, didn’t most loves end bad? Exhaling into the night, he turned towards her once more. “So, you must have dozens of questions.” His eyes flickered around; making sure no one was in earshot. “Ask away.” He could feel himself drawn to her, wanting to be closer to her. He wanted to pull her into an embrace and tell her everything would be fine. But, he also didn’t want to cross the boundaries of a first date. That was why he had settled on the reassuring hand on her back. It was a serene gesture, but it wasn’t strictly romantic. But, even then…there was something nagging at him, and so far he was doing his best to ignore it. If the night kept going the way it was though, he was sure it would end in just the kiss he wanted.

[LISA FAIRHEART]

~~~~~~~~~~

The night was stunning. It was almost like it was trying to comfort her along with the man who stood by her. She appreciated the arm he place around her and leaned into him slightly, blinking back the tears in her eyes. Lisa continued to stare out over the lake until she felt she had control over her tears. It was still a date and she didn’t want him to see her crying on their first date. Thoughts drifted through her head about when their next one would be and even if he liked her enough for another date.

Looking up at him as he spoke, Lisa couldnt help but return his warm smile of her own. He had this odd effect on her. Like no matter what he'd help her with anything. She liked it and she feared it. Ever since James she had been afraid of loving anyone else. All those she loved seemed to leave her behind. A little chuckled escaped her at his next words. The words themselves had been a bit odd but the tone of his voice told her it wasnt a bad comment. They started walking againand his hand trailing over her back calmed her more than she realized at the moment. Her eyes darted around as he told her to ask any questions she might have. Seeing no one she began wondering where to even start. She knew the basics but not much more. "Well....Let's start with you. What are you? Like I know werewolf but like...is there a pack or something? Like regular wolves?"

She glanced at him and waited for an answer. She had another question but wasnt sure how well it'd go over. For now she would hold on to it. She watched him as they walked, wondering what was going through his head. It was as she was watching him that she tripped over something in the grass. Stumbling, Lisa quickly regained her balance and hid her face from him. She was no longer right at his side but walking a little away. She was bright red. How had she managed to go the whole night so far without making a fool of herself only to trip on a stick.