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]

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.

[iamhismummy]

"True. Fully covered up, at least, and with the way the door can just show up anywhere..."

[thesupersmeller]

He laughs again, shaking his head; "Well, I mean... it's not like I walk around naked or anything." Shawn would, but modesty even when alone is a place where they tend to differ.

"Though now I think twice about coming out of the shower without a towel."

[iamhismummy]

"Probably a good idea." She laughs. "And keep a close eye when you're actually stepping through to where the towel is."

[thesupersmeller]

"Hey, I'm a hoopy frood who knows where his towel is." He joked, shaking his head when it hit him that she probably has no idea what he's talking about.

"I mean, you're right - of course."

It doesn't take long before they're pulling up into the parking garage of a small, but nice apartment complex.

[iamhismummy]

She glances around with obvious approval.

"Nice place you've got here. All the paint's even fresh."

[thesupersmeller]

Gus smiles and puts an easy arm around her as he leads her up to his apartment. "It's not bad, the neighborhood used to be pretty rough when I moved in but some of the other tenants started up a renter's association that really helps keep the bad element out. And, makes sure that the building is up to snuff."

When he opens the door to his apartment it's obvious that he's either got a whole lot of free time or is pretty close to 'neat freak' territory - in reality it's a little of both. His hardwood floor is well kept and he maintains a flawless black/tan/white color scheme offset with dark wood furniture accents and a few well cared for plants.

Really, the only things that seem out of place are two sets of softball gear (one rather neat - the other jammed halfway into a duffel bag covered in grass stains) on the end of his couch.

"Would you like a drink? Water, soda, wine, pineapple juice?" He asks, taking off his coat and hanging before setting his keys, wallet, and phone down on a table by the door.

[iamhismummy]

She considers this, hovering a little awkwardly near the door while she waits for him to finish what he's doing.

"I'd want to go for something that's scarce at home, but pineapple juice or wine... hard choice."

[thesupersmeller]

He gestures for her to make herself comfortable as he steps out of his shoes and pads toward the kitchen.

"If you like we can do wine tonight and I can send you home with some juice? I always keep some on hand because Shawn drinks it like it's water."

[iamhismummy]

On the invitation, Nancy makes for the couch, watching as he goes.

"Good idea. Then Jamie can have some too, get some vitamins in him."

[thesupersmeller]

Gus couldn't help but smile as he ducked into the small kitchen - whipping up a couple of ice cream sundaes before returning with them on a tray joined by a bottle of sweet dessert wine and two glasses.

"I took the liberty of getting the ice cream ready." Of course 'ice cream' is putting it loosely - it's the same thing he usually makes - vanilla ice cream in a nest of crushed Oreos with chocolate sprinkles and gummy worms all doused liberally in chocolate sauce. A diabetic nightmare, but just what his recent sweet tooth is craving.

"And, I was thinking probably something Disney for our movie... I've got the whole collection - minus most of the really poorly written sequels." Which he only had about half of.