"We've verified his identity," Machiko said to Shadow in the conference room. "His parents knew he went out on a date and assumed he was at a restaurant or a cinema. His being at the meeting place at the exact right time seems to be nothing but a coincidence."

That is such a relief! Shadow nodded, turned back to Darwin, and grinned. "See? You're off the hook."

"Thanks." He looked up at Machiko and added, "Thank all of you. I was getting nervous for a while there."

"What I'd like to know," Otto said after taking four bottles of RC from the vending machine in the corner and passing three of them to Shakira, Shadow, and Darwin, "is how you knew the passcode. I mean, word for word."

"Thanks." Darwin accepted the drink and shrugged. "It's like I told Shadow -- I'm a dork. I've seen every episode of every Star Trek series more times than I can count. I'm amazed that anyone else in the world had even heard that phrase before. Most Trek fans don't even remember anything about that episode except the Orion woman." He chuckled. "I just assumed Darius told Shadow what kinds of things I'm into or she was showing off her geek cred."

Machiko shook her head slowly. "I certainly never expected anyone to know it."

"Wow." Shadow turned a wide-eyed stare on Darwin. "If anyone else had been there instead of you, they wouldn't have known the passcode and I would've just gone back to the car and hauled ass outta there."

"I guess we were lucky, then." Darwin smiled back at her.

"I guess so."

"So, Mr. Madigan, you're free to go. I can arrange a ride for you. Or your parents can pick you up if that's what you'd prefer."

"Well …" He grinned at Shadow. "Would you mind flying me back home? Maybe after an actual date?"

"Well, the night is young." She slipped her hand into his. "I'd be happy to."

"I won't keep you from it, then." Machiko bowed. "Once again, I apologize for your being caught up in all of this."

"No need. It was fun."

She smiled. "Shadow, Mr. Madigan, enjoy the rest of your evening."

"Thanks, boss." Shadow led him out of the room, keeping her hand in his, and they walked through the corridors toward the huge door leading to the surface. "You really had a good time?"

"Yep. This was the most interesting thing that's ever happened to me."

Glad it didn't scare him off.

"So … the Justice Foundation. What kinds of work do you do?"

"It's different from day to day. In my case, it's usually non-combat stuff. Gathering information, acquiring items needed during investigations, making contact with informants, and so on."

"How'd you get started here?"

Shadow swiped her badge through the lock and tapped her passcode into the keypad, then replied while waiting for the enormous door to open.

"I was a thief. Did a lot of B&E, picking pockets, that kind of thing. I got caught robbing someone and would've gone to prison if Machiko hadn't intervened. She said she could use someone with my skills, so she gave me a choice."

"Work for her or go to prison?"

"Exactly. So here I am." She grinned and walked with him up the paved ramp. "It changed my life. I probably would've remained a petty thief and ended up spending half of my life in jail or maybe getting shot and killed while slipping into someone's house. She still has me using some of my old skills, but only to help people. I've made friends here and what I'm doing matters."

"I'm glad you were able to turn your life around." He laughed softly. "And you found your purpose at such a young age. I'm still trying to figure out what to do with my life."

"Well, there's plenty of time for that. It's probably better to work it out at a natural pace, rather than have it forced on you, anyway." She chuckled as they stepped out of the "maw" and onto a grass lot. They kept walking and the maw closed.

"I'll focus on what's directly in front of me, then." Darwin tried to meet her gaze, blushed for what might have been the millionth time tonight, and leaned closer to her. He hesitated, finally made eye contact, and said, "Um … may I?"

Sure, why not? She leaned in to meet him halfway and they kissed. When they parted, both of them grinned from ear to ear and her face turned hot, but at least her blush didn't show thanks to her obsidian skin.

"So," he finally said. "I figure we've got time for a movie before I have to be back home. Or we can just hang out."

"That sounds nice. No one chasing us, no risk of being shot at, just a nice walk around town."

"Yep. I mean, that stuff was fun, but other stuff can be fun, too." He fired off another goofy grin and she laughed. They walked on in silence for a moment, then he said, "I'll do my best not to make a fool of myself again. Like, the tickling thing."

"Heh. I've never really been ticklish. I was just reacting to being grabbed suddenly." She shrugged and giggled. "As I said earlier, next time you wanna grope me, go for my tits."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Cool." She smiled and marveled at how things had turned out tonight.

Sometimes you just get lucky.