An Outting of Awkwardness (Closed)

[Pine]

"This one has pasta."

Pine cocked an eyebrow when she said that. He looked at the menu and flipped to the page with the Chicken Parmesan. He quickly read the description and closed the menu. He looked back up at Liberty and allowed a small smirk to cross the left side of his face.

"I was just testing you..." He began and bit his lower lip to keep from smiling. "Congratulations you pass."

Pine had to think quickly as to how he could change the subject quickly. There was a strong doubt that Liberty would start cracking jokes at his expense but you never knew. It was hard to know when Bix might come out to poke fun at him. Though the sword would find this as a relief. Someone to fight with was easy to deal with, someone who didn't want to fight wasn't. If Bix were smart, which she clearly was, all she had to do to make Pine suffer was just stay in there. So what did Pine do? He asked her what she did in her spare time.

She gave the answer he expected, a loner who studied magic. Then she asked him what interesting things he did. She also made the assumption that he did actual fun stuff. He began to laugh as he answered.

"You give me far too much credit. I spend my spare time working out, sleeping, eating, maybe watching T.V. with some of the other people in the home...might go out to a movie here and there. I really don't do much in terms of anything." He replied in honesty as the waitress came over.

They ordered their food and as the waitress walked away Pine's eyes were drawn yet again to his surroundings. The people having a good time with their families and friends.

"You have a family Liberty? You know mother, father, siblings?"

[bix]

A test?
Cute

Bix looked up. As he told her it was a test. Only to see a smirk. Crossing his face. And behind it. What looked. Like an actual smile. She gave him a smile. of her own. She enjoyed. It when. He seemed happy. It was as though. He was slowly. Letting his guard down. And so was she. He had yet. To see the Liberty. That she could be. But he was seeing. More of it. Than anyone had. Since bix had been. Created. He told her. That it had been. A test. She chuckled softly. As he said. That she had passed. Shaking her head. their drinks. Were brought. Bix's water. Lay on the table. Picking up the straw. She tapped the paper. From the end. And placed the straw. In her water. Taking a long sip.

Exercise, slumber, consuming, and digital entertaiment. Those seemed. To be just what he did. Sometimes. With other people. In 'the' home. Her mind. Went into overdrive. The home. She w ondered. What that meant. Exactly. It wasn't just home. So the home. could have. Many meanings. Orphan? Or perhaps a shelter? Maybe some sort of. Homeless. Outreach center. Or a foster home. The list compiled. But she doubted. She knew him well enough. To ask him. What exactly. That meant. Just yet. But she would. Hold onto. The question. For later.

When they ordered. Their food. She waited. Til the watiress. Was done. and Pine. Asked her. Another question. About her family. Bix's eyes flashed back. To that. Of Bix. Immediatly. Liberty panicked. And Bix. took over. For the moment. She straightened. Her back. For a moment.

"Correct, you are, family I do have, in name alone." Bix explained. In once more. Bix's voice. Not Liberty. But if you looked. You could see Liberty. Beneath the surface. Waiting. To come out again. Perhaps then. Family was why. Bix was created. "Brothers two, mother one, father.. one."

"Family, you have as well, Pine?" Bix asked. Her eyes. Looking at him. Liberty. Begging him. To pull her back out. Once more. She was not done. With this date. But family. It was .. Like a trigger.

[Pine]

Liberty smiled as he tried to play the whole situation off as a test. Considering his own actions, he doubted his little ploy had fooled the girl. When it came to being observant Bix could not be the only one with a high level of intelligence because that would not make sense. Intelligence was generally shared between both entities and not just hoarded by one.

His question about her family was met by something he should have expected. Bix. It was no longer Liberty he was talking to but Bix. Her eyes had changed, the smile had faded, her body became rigid and her speech changed. Pine ran his fingers through his hair in annoyance and groaned. It was clear family was a topic he should avoid with Liberty whenever possible. So it was pretty clear what happened to the back of her neck now. The question was, was it the mother, the father, or a sibling? When it came to familial abuse it would surprise people how many mothers actually take part. There have been many cases where the father has been the accomplice and the mother the dominant abuser. Another example of this is when you look at figures for spousal abuse. The amount of male victims with female spouses continues to climb every year as more and more men swallow their pride and report it.

Pine was surprised by this also, back when he was in juvenile hall he spent a good amount of time reading about abuse, bulling, gang activity and law in general. Yet before he could finish his thought Bix shot the question right back at him. Pine let a small smile appear across his face before he replied.

"Not anymore." He said and leaned over the table closer to Bix. "Disowned after they found out I was involved in gang activity. It's what I woke up to in the hospital. Parents flipped out, disowned me, and right after they left I was charged and taken to a holding facility." Pine took his left hand and moved it across the table so it was resting under Bix's chin. He wanted to make sure he had her full attention.

"Now you know my dirty little secret Bix. So if you would be so kind as to give me back my date...I mean Liberty I would greatly appreciate it. I promise not to ask her anymore about her family."

[bix]

The Return
To Him

Bix listened. And watched. As the frustrated Pine. Began to speak. Telling her. That he had been disowned. There were times. When Bix herself. Wished that she. Was able to be. disowned. Afterall. She wished. That her family. Had nothing. To do. With her at all. Home. Was torture. School. Was a nightmare. She fit in. No where. And yet. Wished instead. To just be. Accepted. For what she was. Instead. Of what people. Wanted her to be. People thought. She should open. And change. Evolve. Into a normal person. Part of normal. Society. The only reason. That she had been. Taken to a psychiatrist. Was only because. The school. She had attended before. Made her parents. Do this. For her. And the doctor. Had decided. She would never. Be completely fit. Though never. Had he. Been able to breath through. Bix and find. The girl within. Like Pine had.

When Pine had. Leaned forward. Bix had. Just slightly. So as his hand. Reached up. And took her chin. Making sure. That her attention. Was on him. Her eyes. Met his. And when he. Told her. That he wanted. His date back. Bix chuckled. Even if. He said after. He meant Liberty. Bix knew. That he was not here. For her. But for Liberty. Liberty ws the one. That he was interested in. Because she was the one. That encompassed both. Personalities. Without having. To be so strange. Bix nodded.

"Painful, it is for her, to remember, hate."

Bix said. Crypitcally. Before her eyes. Averted. And her right hand rose. Touching his hand. Softly. As Liberty's eyes. Looked up at the guy. She was falling for. Much more than. She had ever thought she would. Liberty looked up. With that softness. In her eyes. Watching him. And giving him. A shy smile. As her hand moved. From the hand. That was at her chin. And to his face. She knew. That he had to. Like her somehow. Though whether. It was enough. Or now was. The bigger question. She smiled.

"Thank you, for.. for putting up with my idiosyncracies. I know, that they cannot be easy but.. but I appreciate it because .. because well.. I .. am.. am lonely and you.. are.. are sweet."

She did not. Want to mention. How attracted. She was to him. And she was not. Going to mention. That she adored. The times. That they. Were spending. Together. Her hand fell. And she moved A bit back. IN her seat. Once more. She smiled though. Back to Liberty. Their food. Was dropped off. Soon after. And Liberty. Took a few moments. To cut up. The chicken. And mix it in. Carefully. With the pasta. It looked delicious. It was going. To be Wonderful. She could tell. Already.

Taking a bite. She smiled as the food. Lay on her tongue. it was. Fantastic.

"I hope. Your own food is as delicious as my own." Liberty smiled at him. "How long.. have you been going to the high school?" Bix asked him to create more. Conversation.

[Pine]

~Painful to remember hate...you know what else is painful having to deal with an annoying version of Yoda.~ The sword said as Bix adverted her eyes and Liberty came back out to play.

Her hand came up and rested on his own again and he figured the one he was here with had returned. It was either that or Bix was out to play a little prank. If she did he would make sure it was painful for her to even consider screwing with him. She began to speak again and thank him for putting up with her. She also called him sweet which made him laugh uncomfortably as they both sat back in their seats.

"Yeah...So what's and idiosyncrasy?" Pine asked puzzled by the rather large word he had never heard.

After the explanation they both got to eating. Of course Pine not being one overly concerned with table manners ripped into his steak. By the time Liberty asked him about how his steak was, Pine was already wiping the grease from his lips.

"It was pretty good I must say." He said with a large smile and put the napkin down on the table.

It was pretty clear that Pine should have taken his time with the food. Liberty had probably only taken a few bites from hers. Pine ate fast because in Juvenile detention centers, or when out with a gang speed was key. The last thing you ever wanted was to get jumped while you were in the middle of eating. Also it helped that he did have siblings and if you wanted seconds you needed to make sure you were the first done.

So Pine leaned back in the chair and digested the food as he did the second question. "Not long at all...I got here around the same time as the other transfers. Though, I am not from 259 I came right out of a detention center. This is actually my first year in high school. I'm a year behind the rest of my age but I can live with that. It isn't a crime to be 15 and a freshmen...So they tell me. What about you? How long have you been at Moral?"

[bix]

The Date
Continues

Everything. Was better now. She was back. And he was there. Once more. With a smile. On his face. And she too. Was happy to. Be here with him. Gently. She began to eat. And began. To enjoy her pasta. It was extremely. Tasty. And the chicken. Was cooked. Just right. And the sauce. Was perfect. As it was mixed. In the pasta. And covered the chicken. It was perfect. And she knew. That she would. Be unable. to eat it all. But she would. Eat at least. Half of it. He asked her thought. What an idiosyncracie was. She grinned. But it was a soft one.

"A.. quirk."

They continued to eat. Or inhale. As the case were. For the young. Pine that sat. Across from her. he was done. In no time flat. And she smiled. As she continued to eat. And listened. As he told her. Several things. About himself. About how he was. Still new over all. He had just transfered in. From a school. Of 259. Something that she. Had not heard of. But then of course. Bix did not. Get aorund. Nor was she worried. About meeting other people. Or even trying. To get on. To a friendship. Or a clique. Bix preferred. to stay mainly to herself. Though that all. Seemed to change. When she met. Pine.

"Myself? I have been here only a month or so. I have zero friends and a few acqaintences. I came here because no other school will have me with my obvious personality issues."

Finished. With her meal. Bix put her fork down. On the plate and tapped. Her lips gently. To remove. Any sauce. When Bix ate. She had manners. And was very neat. Very tidy. As she was. With many things. That happened around. Her. Her room. Her schooling. Her homework. Everything in her life. Was as orderly. As she could possibly. Make it. Her hands pushed. Her plate away. And she placed. Her thin hands. Placed in front ofher. And holding. One another. Gently. The ticket came. And he paid. As he said. That he would. And gently. They both rose. Her hand. Took his own. She figured. They were beyond. Just an arm hold now. Unless. He proved. Differently.

"Which game, do you think, we should start with?"

The game room. Was loud. And the noise. Of all the games. Were amazing. Her eyes. Looked around. The entire room. And she was shocked. That there. Were so many. And all the people. She felt. Panic rising. But her hand. Held his. And it was a tie. To reality. and knowing. That he would. Keep her safe. He had before. And he would. Again.

[Pine]

~ A Quirk?~ The sword thought confused by her choice of words.

He understood what a quirk was, the concept itself was a simple one. What Pine didn't understood was what quirk she was referencing to. He didn't notice any behavior he would consider a quirk. Biting ones nails was a quirk, fidgeting was a quirk, twirling ones hair was a quirk but he saw nothing here he would consider a quirk in relation to this girl. Unless she was considering her unceasing need to blush in front of him a quirk. If that were the case then he couldn't understand why she would be apologizing for it. He hadn't made a comment about it or anything for that matter. Except her need to eat but that was not a quirk.

Liberty then answered his question about how long she had been here. Like him, she had only been at the school a few months, she also had zero friends and a few acquaintances. Though he doubted she had been in half the amount of fights he had been in since coming to 42. Still he grinned slightly when she mentioned no other school would take her because of her obvious anti-social issues.

~Don't you two just make a nice couple...I mean the five of us.~ The shield joked.

~Oh so now I get included.~ The little voice thrust in.

~Fuck off both of you~ The sword snapped.

"I guess in a sense we have that in common. No other school would take us...Just for different reasons."

After they finished eating Pine got the bill and looked at it. He went into his wallet and left 60 at the table before they got up and left. Pine yet again went rigid when she took his hand and they walked toward the game room.

The room itself was really noisy and well packed. After Liberty asked what game they should start with Pine let out a small laugh.

"Someone seems a little eager. First we have to buy a players card and fill it up. Then we'll look around and pick a game. I generally like to start with a shooter to warm up before I go to win some tokens. I'll pay for the first rounds and you can cover the next round when the cards run out."

Pine gave her hand a gentle tug and pulled her over to the game kiosk where he bought the cards and charged them. He led her around the game room pointing out the games and keeping an eye out for a free one. When his eyes fell on House of the Dead 4 he pulled her over to it.

"One of my personal favorites and a good place to start. Nothing like shooting zombies to get the gaming mood started...Or something like that...Unless you want to play something else?"

[bix]

Games
&& Fun times

He paid. For the dinner. And they rose. Together. And her hand. Took his own. But he seemed. To become stiff. And she could. Understand. It in a way. But she also. Decided. That there was. No way. She was going. to let go. Because he would never. Get used to. What she. Was hoping to. Develop. Unless. She continued. To keep showing. Him. That she wanted. What he had. And that. She was not. Going to give up. Nor. Was she going. to let him. Pull away. She liked him. And Liberty had not. Opened up. To someone. In so very long. he was special. Even if. He did not. Think that was so. It was. And at some point. She would prove it so.

They began. To walk down. The hall. That led. To the game room. She sighed softly. It was filled. With people. And people. Made her uncomfortable. Especially. Because none of them. Would ever. Understand her. She clasped his hand. A bit more. And he explained. to her that. There were things. That they had. to do first. Apparently. One could not just. Up and begin. To play games. They had to buy. A card. And that. Would allow them. to play the games. She smiled at him. Giving him a nod. Even as he told her. That he. would buy one. And then. When it was empty. She could buy. The next one. She nodded. Thankful. That she had brought. Some money. Of her own.

"Sounds like fun."

They traded his money. Into a card. And she wondered. If you could. Get your money back. If you really wanted to. But they turned. And began. To look at. All the games. That were shown. To the both of them. That were available. To play here. There were so many. She was somewhat. Interested. In the electric. Chair that they. Had in one. Of the corners. It looked. Like it could. Be most interesting. But Pine mentioned. That it was usually best. If they started off. With a shooting game. Because when they did. It was like a warm up. Bix was not sure. If she would be. Any good. At something like that. But she wanted. to try. And this was. Afterall a date. There was nothing wrong. With trying. And if she was bad. Maybe he could. Teach her. And maybe. She would learn. To play a game.

"Lets try that one then."

Liberty followed him. To the game. One red. One blue gun. Sat there in holsters. She stepped up. And shyly. Took one of the guns. In her hand. And she smiled softly. Looking over at him. With a shy smile. She was hoping. That she would. Be able to. Do this well. But she also hoped. That he would. Show her how to play. Swiping the card. She stepped up. To the game and she waited. For him to. Press the start button. That was when....

ZOMBIES ATTACKED!!!!!

"ah! They're attacking!"

Bix quickly. Began trying to shoot. Crap! Out of bullets. Already! She began shooting. At the screen. And yet. She was out. Of bullets. What was she. Suposed to do. Now?!

"Oh no! I'm gonna die!"

Bix winced. As her screen. Began coming up. With that broken glass. Look as if. She was being shot. She looked over. At Pine. When the count down. Started.

"I uhhh.. I'm sorry.. I .. I ran out.. of my bullets..." Bix looked. down at her gun. And then. Back up at him.

[Pine]

Liberty agreed with Pine's suggestion of House of the dead and he was relieved. He loaded her up first and then himself. As the zombies attacked Pine got into a firing stance and took aim. One after another the zombies fell to his awesome shooting skills. Liberty on the other hand was not having such luck and Pine saw a flashing on her side of the screen. Then he heard her say she died from lack of bullets. His eyebrow cocked as the words left her mouth. Pine shrugged and lowered his gun and allowed the zombies kill him.

"I guess I should have explained how the game works beforehand...That's my bad." He said and placed his gun back in it's holster.

Pine then moved over to Liberty and placed his hand over the hand she had on the toy gun.

"We'll I guess I'll just have to teach you. Let's start with the reload...when you run out of bullets turn your gun away from the screen and pull the trigger to reload. Now how to shoot."


Pine gently turned her toward the screen and loaded her up again. Pine then wrapped himself around her so his arms were overlapping her own. Liberty was about the same height but her slender frame made it easy for him to do this. Pine's chin rested on her shoulder and he took both her hands in his own and placed them around the gun.

"Keep both eyes open and the gun in front of you. Look down the barrel and line it up with your target." He said into her ear loud enough that she could hear him but soft enough so he was not yelling in her ear.

Pine moved close to her then so his body was right against hers and used his feet to carefully reposition her own. Now that she was in a firm stance he would continue with his lesson on shooting.

~She smells nice~ The shield said as Pine pulled her closer against himself.

"Now Zombie on the left is close so lets aim for it's head and say goodbye to it." Pine lined up the shot and pulled the trigger watching the zombie fall off the screen.

"Good girl...now the one on the far right." Pine allowed Liberty to line up the shot and fire. It got the Zombie right in the head.

"Nice shot now let's try a reload shall we?" The question was rhetorical in nature. Pine took over again and dispatched the last few zombies with ease. He then pulled the gun up to her right and helped her pull the trigger and watched the ammo replenish.

"There you go, nothing too it. Stick with me and I'll make a marksman out of you." Pine said jokingly but continued to hold her and help her dispatch Zombies until she felt confident enough that he could join her on the second gun.

[bix]

Bravery
&& Chance

Pine. He let his character. Or himself. As it were. Die on the screen. The zombies. Taking him out. She figured. That he would. Have been able. To play more. She would have. Watched. And supported him. As best. That she could. She wouldn't have. Asked him to purposefully. Kill himself off. For any real reason. But it seemed. He had something. Different in mind. Her blue eyes. Looked up at him. As he told her. That he should. Have told her. How to play. Before they began. Bix had never before. Actually played. A video game. She did not. Even watch television. So this was all. Very new to the girl. She was not. Quite techno savy.

He put his gun. Back into. The plastic holster. And came to her. Standing behind him. Taking her gun hand. Her blush. Grew deep. As he stepped up. And began. To explain things. His chest. Was against her back. His every breath. Moved against. Her body. And every breath. Tickled her hair. And her lip. Tucked into her teeth. And she felt. As though. She was going. to faint. If she did not. Move or remember. To breathe. Pine's hands. Were on her own. And his words. In her ear. Telling her. What to do. About loading her gun. Off the screen. Showing her. How to point the gun. Off the screen. And he showed her. to pull the trigger. As they slid. The card again. The game. Began to play. One player. This time. And her eyes. Watched everything. What he was doing. What he was. Teaching her. Showing her. How to line up. The sights. And how to pull the trigger. How to kill. The zombie. And showed her. Allowing her to. Follow his guidance. But take the shots. Herself.

She was. Getting better. She was. But she wanted. Something else. Even while. She was here. The way. That his arms. Were around her. One of them. Around her waist. HOlding her to him. Gently. And yet securely. She felt his breath. Heard his breathing. She felt his heartbeat. And every movement. She loved. The way that. His cheek. Was in her hair. And her own hearbeat. Were accellerated. And she felt. Her breathing. Deepen slightly. He admitted. That he would. Make a marksman out of her. Yet with. His help. And she smiled. Blushing. Even more. She turned her head. The gun. Lowering just. Slightly. so that she. Could see his eyes. Looking into hers.

"Thank you... Pine."

Courage. Was what this moment. Took. Bravery. Was something. That was indeed. Important. And there. Looking into. His lovely eyes. She knew. That this. Was the moment. The moment. To make her move. To show him. T hat she wanted. Something more. Than a friendship. Than a single date. She wanted. To be around him. More and more. And she wanted him. To understand. That she liked him. Wanting more. Than what. She had already. Before. She could. Give it more thought. She moved in. Gently. and softly. And pressed her lips. Against his. Kissing him. Softly. Her lips. Moving with his. Hoping. He wouldn't. Shun her. After a move. As bold as this.

[Pine]

Pine wasn't paying attention to Liberty's body language. He never saw her biting her lip, he didn't notice the erratic beating of her heart, her breathing, how everything was off. Had he not been so oblivious to what was going on he would have seen what happened next.

Pine was fully concentrating on the game when the gun lowered. He felt the whole thing and followed the sight to see it was pointing at nothing. He felt her turn and his eyes shot up. Liberty's face was not only a hairs breath from his own. Not even his hair could hide the shock and confusion plastered on his face. A simple thank you was said and Pine eased up a little. It was easily understood that for a thank you to mean something you needed to face the person. It didn't end with the thank you as a soft kiss placed itself on his lips. Pine didn't breath and went rigid. As soon as the shock wore off he pulled back from the kiss and just looked at Liberty. His arms fell from her and he was about a step back. His mind a jumble of thoughts.

~Holy shit son I think it likes you~ The little voice said jokingly.

~No shit Sherlock now what do I do?~ The sword replied.

~Who are you asking?~ The shield asked.

~YOU DAMMIT~

~Testy aren't we well what do you want to do?~

~I don't know..~

~How did it feel?~

~What kind of fucked up question is that?~

~The right one~

The sword began to think for a second on what he felt. Besides the shock he had to admit it felt kind of nice. It felt nice to be wanted by someone. It felt nice to feel wanted by someone. Suddenly it dawned on the sword what he needed to do. He wanted that feeling again. So he moved right back against Liberty and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.

[bix]

Rejected
&& Vindicated

the kiss. Was not recieved well. In fact. The only way. It could have possibly. Gone worse. Would have been. If he had just. Walked away. And never looked back. Leaving the blue haired witch. There standing. In the building. alone. But as her lips. Met his own. She felt him freeze. His entire body. Seemed to have gone. Rigid. something that. She had not. Really expected. Though to be honest. She was not sure. What it was. She had actually expected. Though she had hoped. For a great deal. And that was that. He might acutally. Kiss her back. That he might. Take her within. HIs arms. Holding her close. To his body. And show her. That she was not. Worthless. And that he too. Enjoyed her company As much as she. Enjoyed his own.

However. That was not. To happen. As he pulled back. And his arms fell. From her waist. As well as. Her hand. Fear and rejection. Flooded her eyes. Painful emotions. Seemed to fill them. Moving from the bottom up. From the back to the front. Taking such hopeful blue eyes. He however. Would only see them. For a second. Before she closed them. Trying to hide. How vulnerable. She had made herself. And how painful. His rejection could be. She could almost. Hear her heart. Tearing apart. Feel her emotions. Closing off. And she could barely feel. Herself anymore. Liberty felt. Bix's grasp. Growing stronger. With every second. That he stood there. Beside her. She knew. That she had. Ruined anything. That they might have had.

His arms though. Were what woke her. The ones that. Made her eyes. Open again. And with. A bit of. Renewed hope within them. And his arms. Were what gave her. The slightest bit. Of an idea. That maybe. Maybe she wasn't. Wrong afterall. Maybe there was. Something special there. It was just. Hard to find it. Bix's face looked up. Liberty's eyes there. Waiting for him. Watching him. As he leaned in. And this time. It was he. Who kissed her. The tape began. To close the wound. IN her heart. And her soul. Filled with hope. That she had not known. In so very long. Her lips. Danced with his. It was nice. That he was. The same height. AS she was. Because she did not. Have to stretch to kiss. The boy. That she really liked. The one that. Had caught her interest. When no one else. Ever had.

As the kiss. Broke. Liberty felt. A slight sigh. Escape her lips. And her eyes. Stayed closed. For a moment. Savoring. That kiss. The tingle upon her lips. The blood racing. Through her veins. The feeling. Of someone. Wanting her. Needing her. Accepting her. So many things. Came with. That kiss. And it was. Something she wished. She could savor. Forever. Her eyes. Slowly opened. And there was something. He would see. Within them. That had not. Been there before.

Happiness.

A smile. and a blush. Crossed her pale face. But Liberty. Was just glad. That they had. Been able. To share this moment. With one another. That it was something. She would never forget. And she hoped. It would certainly. Not be their last. Now he would know. That she wanted to be more. That she dreamed. About finding that. Someone special. And she believed. It to be Pine.

"We should try another game...."

Might as well. Change the subject. From the first kiss. She could tell. There would not. Be many more. At least tonight. Though she could hope. There would be one. When they said goodbye.

"What might you suggest?"

[Pine]

Pine didn't notice how upset he had made Liberty when he pulled away. Closed eyes and distant person were all lost to the internal conflict. It seemed like hours before Pine had internally worked it out his little conflict when really only a minute or two had actually passed. Arms wrapped a slender frame and two sets of lips met once again. The only difference was that it was of own initiative and not her this time.

Pine enjoyed the feeling for the second time. This time there was no hesitation, no rigidity, no pulling away, and no voice asking what was going on. There was however that little voice making some vulgar comments about what he should do next. Pine of course ignored those thoughts for the moment, he was not going to do anything else yet.

When the kiss broke both sets of eyes met and Pine swore something was different in hers. As to if the something was good or bad was unknown. Judging by the smile and the blush he was going to assume it was something good. Considering Bix was in charge probably most of Liberty`s life it was safe to say this was her first kiss.

Liberty asked what game they should play next. Pine turned his head slowly to see he had been killed again. He shrugged and looked back at Liberty.

``Let`s play a game for tokens I`m sure there is a prize I could win for you.`` He said and pulled her over to the ski ball game.

Pine put the card in and received his ten balls. Pine took aim and began to toss the balls into the holes. First he hit 5, then 10, then 50, 50, 50, 100, and the list goes on. Pine looked down as the tokens came out the machine. He then turned to Liberty as he put the card back in and handed her the first ball.

``Your turn.``

[bix]

Moving
Along

The kiss. It broke. And her eyes. Looked over. Into his. For the first time. She felt. Almost whole. As he looked. Into her own. It was nice. To be the same height. As he was. For then. There was no. discomfort. To see his eyes. Any time. That she wished. So long that his hair. Was not. In the way. She smiled. Up at him. The blush. On her cheeks. She asked him then. What they should do now. And he mentioned. That they should win. Some tickets. So that they would be able. To get a prize. Of some kind. That way she could. Remember the night. She beamed at him. Never, had Bix. Been happier. Even Liberty was hard pressed. To think of a time. That was better. Than now. It was just nice. To be around him. And know that. Everything was alright.

He motioned to a game. One that Bix knew. From her child hood. They moved. Together over to it. and she stood there. Beside him. Watching. As he slid his card. In the reader. And the balls. Fell down into the area. She smiled. As she watched him. Moving tossing the balls. Up the ramp. And so they would hop. At just the right moment. And fall. Into one of the slots. Creating points. Which gave them tickets. That rolled out. Of the machine. He wasn't bad. But Bix moved. To the side. Her eyes studying. The angle of the ramp. Studying the way. That the ball. Jumped on the incline. And how the angle. Of the board. Was set in the back. It was set. So that if you hit it. Just right. It would be something. Not too difficult to. Gain points from. However. If you mindlessly threw balls. Up the ramp. You would not. Gain much. But a few tickets.

Pine was done. His tickets were. In his hand. And she found. That he wanted her. To give it a shot. Not a problem. She had just. Gotten. All the information. That she needed. From watching Pine play. As he slid the card. Liberty took the heavy ball. Heavier than it looked. Estimating it's weight, in her hand. Her eyes shifted. To the board. And from her angle. She adjusted herself. At about a 35 degree angle. And then. Just slightly. to the left. Since she was right. Handed. There. She tossed her ball. Juuust right. BING! Right in 100. Bix grinned. This stuff was. Much too easy. When you knew. What to look for. Again and again. She hit the hundred. Actually good. At this sort of thing. Considering it. Was more physics. Than it was luck. Over and over again. The ball went. Into the slot. The points racked up. Earning her. A couple extra balls. And as the machine. Spit out the tickets. She gathered up. The other balls. And she tossed them. Up into the 100 as well. A smile. On her face. Hoping that. he was not upset. But instead. Impressed.

When it was done. And the game declared. Her balls were finished. She looked ove.r At him. And then down. At the amount. Of tickets. Gathered on. The floor. She figured. They alone. Would get them nothing. But if they. could play. Something else. Perhaps then? But then again. She had never been there. So maybe. Maybe there was a chance yet. To get something. Out of this pile. Right here.

"This is enough to get a prize?" she asked. Reaching down. She picked up. Her massive. Handful of tickets. And offered them. To pIne with. A giant smile. On her face.

[Pine]

Pine's mouth dropped open as he watched all Liberty's balls hit the 100 mark. Impressed was not the word he would use for what just happened. Beginners luck would explain the first shot even the second shot but all the balls. Suddenly Pine felt very small compared to her. She couldn't shoot when playing house of the dead but she could hit all shots when playing ski ball. Something about this whole situation seemed a little off.

"This is enough to get a prize?" Liberty asked and looked at him.

Pine shrugged. "Something small...Nice shooting by the way...Where did you learn to aim like that?"

Pine took the tokens and waited for the reply before he got an idea as to what they could do next. Taking Liberty's hand he pulled her along to the little photo booth. Pine figured that if the best he could give her was a little toy she should at least get something else. Besides, Pine wanted a little momento of the night and what better than a picture.

"I hope your not camera shy. [\i] Pine said and pulled her into the booth. As he sat down he pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist. Pine saw her blush as he put the card into the machine and punched everything in.

The timer began to count down when Pine got a great idea. He slid his hands so they were resting on her sides and began to tickle her. Pine could feel her begin to squirm but there was no way she could escape his grasp. It only took a second before Liberty broke out laughing and then there was the flash of the camera. Pine stopped tickling her and moved her off his lap.

Pine then jumped on her lap lightly positioning himself on her slender thighs and wrapped his arms around her neck in an embrace. He smiled for the camera and after the picture was taken lost his balance and fell on the floor. He was sure to let go of Liberty as he fell so not to hurt her.

He jumped up and back n the bench. Pine then pulled her close with his left hand and then slid it behind her head as to giver her bunny ears. Liberty looked over and figured out what he was doing. With a small grin she put her hand behind his head and did the same.

After the flash Pine put Liberty back on his lap. It was kind of hard to figure out what to do next but with only a second to spare an idea popped into his head. Pine turned and quickly kissed her on the cheek and held the kiss until the flash had gone off.

As Pine began to pull away he was desperately trying to figure out what do to for the next picture. He needed to do something so fit in with all the fun pictures he was taking. The only problem was he only had 5 more seconds to figure it out.