The Date

[jackkelly]

Jack sat across from Stagey nervously tapping his finger against the table. He couldn't help it. He found that it was actually harder to talk to her and be himself once he'd put the label of date on it.

[Stagey]

Not knowing too terribly much about Italian cuisine, Stagey had ordered a small plate of pasta marinara. It was going to be a while before it came to the table, and it already felt like an eternity. Jack had scarcely said three words to her since he got her (the most notable of which were "Hi" and "Let's go").

She felt a little queasy at the nerves, and the nagging sense that this was only a pity date. Jack, as kind as he was, must not have wanted to let Stagey down. This irritated her - after all, she wore her prettiest outfit and took extra care to doll herself up. And for what, an act of pity?

[jackkelly]

(Gotta love awkward dates lol)

"You look really pretty," Jack finally said, smiling at her. "You ever been here before?"

[Stagey]

"Thanks, Cowboy." She warmed at the nice words, even if they felt just as forced as her response. "I don't think I've had food from Little Italy in the longest time." Swirling her glass a little, she felt the gumption to ask: "Are you always this quiet when you take girls someplace nice?"

[jackkelly]

"Sometimes...I guess, dates are always a little awkward," Jack admitted with a smile. "The food here is so good, its my favorite place."

[Stagey]

"That a fact?" She smiled at this, but her mind churned. How many girls had he brought here? Was she any different than any of them? "We'll have to go here again sometime-- I mean, I'll have to." No pressure or anything.

[jackkelly]

"We'll definitely come back, if you like the food." He said with a laugh. "So how's the work going at Irving Hall?"

[Stagey]

"It's fine," she replied politely, bristling a little. "Done sewing the chorus girls' new costumes for the fall show." What was with this formality, this stilted language? Was he keeping up appearances? It wasn't the Jack Kelly she knew and cared about.

Maybe this date WAS a bad idea. Served her right for thinking she'd ever be doted upon by someone as carefree as Jack. "Do you... do you want to get out of here?" she offered. "Would that make things better?"

[jackkelly]

"Oh God yes," He said and let out a deep breath. He paid the bill and then led her from the restaurant. "I dunno what the hell is wrong with me, but whenever I take a girl out on a real date I just get all stupid and clam up. Look my hands are sweating," he held them out to her.

((LOL))

[Stagey]

It was always strange for Stagey to see Jack in a vulnerable, very human state of being. "Aw Cowboy." Her brow furrowed worriedly. "Tell you what," she said as they left the restaurant and out into the night air. "We aren't on a date any more. This is just you and me walking nowhere in particular and doing nothing in particular." She hoped that helped.

[jackkelly]

Jack grinned at her and looped his arm over her shoulder. Yep, it made it so much easier actually. No pressure this way.

[Stagey]

It was easy to see that he was visibly relaxed at not living up to the potential of having a real date with her, and Stagey was still uncertain if that was a compliment to her or not. "Penny for your thoughts," she asked meekly after an eternity of silence had passed.

[jackkelly]

"This just feels so much more natural...don't ya think?" He smiled down at her.

[Stagey]

"That's about a half-penny's worth," she teased. She knew him well enough to know when the wheels were turning and he wasn't disclosing the full information he had stored up in there. "Come on," she pried, tugging his shirt sleeve. "That's nice and all, but what are you really thinking about?"

[jackkelly]

"Really?" He asked her. He took a deep breath. "That sometimes you make me nervous. Don't give me that look." He said with a laugh, "No you do. I mean I just don't wanna disappoint you."