OOM: Surprise Blind Date with Nancy

[thesupersmeller]

After his heart to heart with Demeter, as they were always heart to heart with her, and all the confusion he's felt between his body, mind, and most of all his heart, Gus is more at ease than before but without any answers. He's already told The Devil once and for all it's off, he doesn't want to be that guy that keeps an open option - especially not an open option that could destroy him... and maybe still would. He's not that guy at all. Instead, he's been going through the motions; closing the case and helping get everything ready for the impending party.

The day after Juliet's birthday party, he gets a text message from Shawn telling him to be at Milliways as soon as possible at a bench by the lake. Later, it would occur to him that Shawn was clearly up to something - but as he walks a slow circle around the bench in the pink silk shirt and black slacks he'd worn to work for the day and waits for his friend to show it's more annoying than anything.

Comments

[thesupersmeller]

Already gathering their trash, Gus replies; "Not far, just a couple minutes in my car."

It occurs to him that she may have never ridden in a car - and definitely not in anything like his car - and he quickly adds; "If that's all right with you."

[iamhismummy]

"It's fine", she assures him. "My parents had a car, when... when I was little. It's been a while, but I did ride in it then."

[thesupersmeller]

He nods easily again and smooths out the wrinkle in his shirt as he stands up, offering her his hand.

"Sure, my car's back up at the office."

[iamhismummy]

She takes his hand and pulls herself back to her feet.

"Then let's go."

[thesupersmeller]

Amicably taking the lead, Gus walks her back up the sandy beach to the boardwalk - letting his pace get a little bit faster than before.

"Do you like ice cream? Or popcorn? Or candy? I've got different kinds of movie snacks at my place..." Different kinds of non-movie snacks, between him and Shawn they go through a lot of snacks.

[iamhismummy]

Nancy brightens even further. "I like ice cream. Don't think I've had popcorn before, and sweets... not in years."

[thesupersmeller]

"Girl..." Gus laughs pleasantly under his breath; "I couldn't live without my daily candy fix."

More lately than normal... since Shawn and Juliet got together it's sort of been his way of coping with being alone.

"I'll hook you up."

Outside the office in it's only marked space sits the the Blueberry in it's small, blue glory. He hits the remote keyless entry and the headlights flash briefly - followed by the interior lights coming on. "Hop on in."

[iamhismummy]

Nancy's eyes widen at this unfamiliar - and, to her, so advanced as to be almost unthinkable - technology, but then she smiles slowly.

"Cars that switch themselves on too? I think I like your time."

[thesupersmeller]

"There's an upgrade that even turns the engine on before you get in - but I couldn't justify it when Santa Barbra's never really too hot or too cold to get in the car and start it up with much discomfort."

He opens her door and offers another warm smile, "I gotta admit, it's a good time to be alive. And best of all... no Nazis."

[iamhismummy]

She slides in, studying the interior of the car, but looks up at him with a wry grin at that.

"No Nazis, the best selling point yet."

[thesupersmeller]

He couldn't help but laugh and lowered his eyes before closing the door and quickly slipping in the drivers' side and buckling his seatbelt.

"A lot of people still think it's pretty bad for a lot of folks, but I know I can't complain... and thanks to Shawn I get shot at at least once a month."

It's an exaggeration, slightly. Though, Shawn is pretty good at almost getting them killed.

[iamhismummy]

That gets him a Look.

"Should I get you one of those armoured jackets?"

[thesupersmeller]

A usually well earned look at that. Gus shrugs it off and turns the key on the quiet vehicle, pulling away from the curb and headed toward downtown before he answers.

"I'm pretty sure the department would issue me one if I asked, but I'd never where it when I need to." He laughs, but without much humor. "Like a few months back, I met this girl in a bar, right? And I really thought she was into me and we hit it off... turns out, she drugged me and all my friends and then tried to kill us! I invited her to my apartment because I thought we were, you know... good to go... and then next thing I know I'm being shot at."

[iamhismummy]

"Nice", she says dryly. "You need to start choosing your girls better, sounds like. Or get someone to vet them."

...which is basically what Shawn and Juliette have been doing.

[thesupersmeller]

After the last couple months, between being drugged and... well, The Devil... he pretty much agrees completely.

"Believe me, if I thought it'd work - I would. But I've got to be honest with... you're probably the first woman I've taken out on a date that hasn't proven to be dangerous in one way or another - yet. I'm still waiting to find out you're secretly a psychopathic killer or dead or something."

He glances at her with a genuine, honest smile. "I mean, I hope you're not because I'm really having a good time right now - but my luck has been right about zero when it comes to dating. With or without help."

[iamhismummy]

"I promise I'm not a psychopathic killer", she says solemnly. "Or dead. And I'm pure human, so... not so much dangerous to you."

[thesupersmeller]

He's not so sure about that - humans can be pretty damn dangerous in his reasoning - but it's reassuring to hear no less.

Gus offers her another weak smile as he stops at a light and replies; "I'm glad to hear that, and for what it's worth - I'm as human as they come, and I try to be a gentleman."

[iamhismummy]

Nancy glances at him sideways, uncertain if she did or said something wrong to earn only a weak smile, and nods.

"That's the impression I'm getting. Gentleman, I mean, not human, even I can't tell that."

[thesupersmeller]

Nobody but a human would be as nervous as he is when there's probably no reason at all to be.

He chuckles lightly and nods; "Fair enough, when we get back to my place - I'm thinking ice cream sundaes and a movie, kicking it and relaxing until - doing anything you like until I've got to get you back home."

[iamhismummy]

"Sounds lovely." She smiles at him reassuringly. "And the time's not so important, but I probably shouldn't stay too late. Do you only come to Milliways from your office?"

[thesupersmeller]

Not unless she plans on spending the night, she shouldn't stay too late... not that Gus would ever admit to having such thoughts.

"No, well... sort of. I mean, it's the only stable door I know of but I've had them appear at the police station and my apartment before."

[iamhismummy]

Thaaat will not be happening. Not yet, anyway.

She nods. "So maybe if I try a few doors there when it's time to go, we could save you driving me back."

[thesupersmeller]

"I hope so, from what I understand it sometimes just shows up." He chuckles under his breath; "Just a few days ago it showed up for me while I was coming out of the bathroom ready for bed - in my jammies and everything."

He shrugs; "Of course, my favorite guy there was cooking - so I aint complainin'."

[iamhismummy]

"That must've been awkward", she says with a grin. "Or maybe not, I mean, it's Milliways, you probably weren't the strangest sight there."

[thesupersmeller]

He nods a little and laughs under his breath - already close to the apartment building.

"Probably not, but yea - it was kind of weird." He shrugs; "People are pretty cool about that, though - at least it was nothing embarrassing like I've seen some people in there."

Though, admittedly he's not too fond of wearing his fireman pajamas in public - people always look at him a little funny.