Patric met Jason at his house around 6:00. The plan was to walk together to the restaurant and have a quiet meal with enjoyable company. When Jason opened his door to greet his date his breath hitched in his throat. Patric had his hair lightly styled and was wearing a grey knit top that brought out his eyes and a pair of delicious looking pants that he was sure hugged Patric's ass fantastically. Jay had also spent time making himself look presentable. He had actually brushed his hair, which never happened, and he was using the same trick as Patric, wearing a blue button-down that he was told made his baby blues pop, along with a comfortable well-fitting pair of kakis.

"You look amazing," Jay complimented.

Patric practically preened under the praise. "You clean up nicely yourself," Patric threw back at him.

"Ready to go?" Jason asked closing his house door and meeting Patric on the front steps.

"Sure, let's go!"

They walked down the sidewalk in a companionable silence. After a couple of minutes of walking Patric turned to Jay, "So where are we eating anyway?"

"I'm not sure what it's called," Jay shrugged.

"You're kidding me."

"Nope," he popped the p like a period to the sentence.

Patric rolled his eyes and allowed Jason to lead on. They arrived at a little Italian restaurant called Dominick's and were immediately ushered to a table that was near the kitchen area. They'd be able to watch as the food was prepared.

"Welcome," their waiter greeted walking up to their table, "May I interest you gentlemen in a beverage?"

"Yes, I'd like a water," Jason said to the man then looked over to Patric. "What would you like?"

Well, at least Jay hadn't ordered for him. That was a no-no. "I'll have a tea with lemon," Patric ordered looking at the waiter.

After the man left Jason snickered.

"What?" Patric asked unable to keep the small smile off of his face. Jay's laugh was infectious.

"Tea, how pretentious," Jay laughed.

"It's iced tea you jerk," Patric laughed kicking his feet under the table.

They ordered their food. Patric getting cheese rigatoni and Jason ordering lasagna.

"So, what do people usually talk about on dates?" Jay asked as they waited for their food.

"You're kidding?" Patric asked not sure if he could believe that Jay was incapable of small talk.

"Yup," Jason laughed.

"This is nice. You laugh a lot more," Patric commented.

"Yeah well, my job's not exactly the most cheerful thing in the world," was Jay's dark reply.

Patric opened his mouth to say something about Jason's chosen profession but was interrupted by a high pitched squeal, "Stop, thief!"

He saw a person running, really riding the struggle bus, as they tried to carry a whole cash register out of the restaurant. Those things were heavy, and for some reason everyone was just watching the thief scurry away. Patric passed a fleeting look to Jason and decided, "I'll be right back."

He ran out the door and after the slow-moving thief. In no time at all he had caught up to them and stopped them by grabbing onto their arm. There was a brief moment when he had considered grabbing the hood of their sweatshirt, but he decided they would probably just slip out of the clothing.

"You know, there are definitely easier ways to make money, kid," he spoke to the struggling thief.

"Don't call me kid," the thief growled out trying to shake him off.

"Then what should I call you?" he asked pleasantly.

"Lydia," the thief growled out and dropped the heavy cash register onto the ground.

"Hi Lydia, I'm Patric," he greeted the young girl. Really she couldn't have been more than fifteen or sixteen years old. "How 'bout we take this cask box back to the restaurant and I treat you to a nice meal, free of charge," he smiled kindly after, barely containing a chuckle when he heard her stomach growl.

She nodded her head agreeing with the officer. They walked back to the restaurant, Patric carrying the cash box. Before they entered Dominick's Lydia stopped in her tracks and fixed and fixed a calculating gaze on Patric. "I'm not going to get in trouble for this, am I?" she asked cautiously.

"No, let me handle it," Patric promised.

They headed inside. Patric handed the cash register to an employee. "Found it out there on the ground. It must have gotten too heavy for the thief to carry," he told the restaurant staff who, for their credit, nodded. He knew that they knew it had been Lydia that had taken the register, but nobody pushed the matter which was awesome because he really hated to bring his father's name into conversations to help people. But if he had to, he would have done it for Lydia.

He led Lydia back to his and Jason's table and introduced the two. Another chair was quickly set up for her. She ordered food and the three of them ate together. After Lydia was finished with her food, she bid them good luck on the rest of their date and said goodbye.

"Lydia," Patric called, "If you're ever hungry again come to the kitchen on Fifth Street. I volunteer there."

The girl broke out into a huge grin, nodded in thanks and left.

Soon after, Patric was paying for the bill with a grumbling James swearing that he's be fronting the bill next time.

There'd be a next time!

On the walk home Patric apologized to Jason for inviting Lydia to eat with them on their date.

To his surprise, Jay laughed, "It's fine. I get it. You can't help it. You're a bleeding heart. That's what I like about you."

Patric dimly realized they had stopped walking and Jay was way up in his personal space. He didn't mind one bit. "I thought you liked my quick wit and sarcasm." He swayed a step closer to Jay. Their noses were practically touching and they were grinning like fools.

"Now that," Jay decided, "that I could do without," with that last quip their lips pet in a gently kiss.