A Night Out by mardel I'm not sure where this one is going, if you have a preference let me know… Claire sighed and straighten up from the computer. She'd been working for six hours in a row with out so much as a coffee break. But when she got a idea about something she just had to work out the details. She stood up and twisted her lower back, to ease the stiffness. She really knew better, it was never a good idea to remain nearly motionless for such a long period of time. As she was in mid stretch, the door to the lab slide open and Bobby strolled in. "Hey, Claire I was afraid you would still be here." He sauntered over to her. "Bobby are you and Darien done for the day then?" She checked her watch it was past their usual report in time but that hadn't been why she was still working. "Yeah, we just got back. Fawkes should be here any minute for his shot." Bobby had noticed her behaving like her back was bothering her, he moved in behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders and began to massage her tight muscles. "Oh, Bobby that feels wonderful." Claire sighed, his hands were working wonders with her tension and stiffness. "You shouldn't work so hard. Take a break every once in awhile." Bobby continued to rub her shoulders. His thumbs working circles at the base of her neck, while his fingers kneaded her back and shoulders. Claire sighed, again and enjoyed the attention. She'd been fighting off her feelings for Bobby ever since his 'funeral' months before. She also had rules about becoming involved with the people she worked with. Bobby was so different from any man she had ever cared for in her past. But different was good, especially the differences Bobby possessed, strength, caring, he wasn't afraid to let his emotions show. Her past partners had been rather cool scientist types. Bobby was smart but he was far from cool. No, he was calm under fire, high spirited, hot-blooded. Whoa Claire easy there, don't start that line of thinking again. "I haven't been working all this time, I did take a break a few hours ago." She lied. "Your back is very tense, do you do anything as a stress reliever? You're always after Fawkes and I to do those yoga techniques you showed us?" Bobby was using one hand to massaged her neck and the other to walked up her back, pressing on each vertebrae as he went. "Ah, I haven't had time this week. But usually I do practice the yoga techniques. yes." She leaned into Bobby's probing fingers and sighed again. Bobby was smiling to himself, he was loving those sighs of pleasure she was allowing to escape. If he wasn't so used to having to control his reactions to things, lets just say he'd be a little embarrassed himself at the moment. He knew knowing massage would come in handy one day. "Thank you Bobby, I feel much more relaxed now." Claire attempted to end back rub, not that she wanted him to stop, far from it. But it was starting to feel much, too good. " Anytime," Bobby added a few more squeezes then stopped. "You know, Fawkes and I were planning on going to a movie tonight. Want to come with us?" Bobby expected a quick refusal, she always turned him down. "That would be nice, Bobby. Thank you for the invitation." She smiled at him. Darien entered the Keep then, his usual loose limbed gait, eating up the distance from the door to the exam table. "Hey, how are ya doin' there Claire?" He took his usual place on the exam table and began to role up his sleeve. "Darien, how much quicksilver did you use today?" "Not much but it's been almost a week since I had a shot, so…" He showed her his monitor. It only three green and the rest red. "Yes, you do need a shot, hang on." She examined his tattoo, then turned back towards the cold cabinet for the counteragent. "I invited Claire to go the movie with us Partner. She said yes." Bobby lifted an eyebrow at Darien as if to say, do you believe that? "Great, I'll have someone to talk to besides you during the coming attractions." Darien nodded and smiled at his Keeper. "What film are you planning on seeing?" Claire wasn't much up on current entertainment. But she enjoyed a good movie. "I want to see The Mummy part two." Darien grinned, " But Hobbes wants to see Pearl Harbor how about if we leave up to Claire to decide?" Darien made a face at his partner. "Fine, with me. Claire which one sounds good to you?" Bobby was sure she would much rather see Pearl Harbor than the Mummy. "Well they both sound interesting. Are you sure you want me to choose?" She had a feeling Bobby wouldn't be happy if she choose Darien's film over his. "Yeah, sure we won't pout or talk during the movie, go ahead and pick." Darien was confident she would pick his choice. "No, either one if fine." Bobby crossed his arms over his chest and waited for her to make up her mind, still sure she would pick a drama over a horror film. Claire finished giving Darien his counteragent shot, and put her supplies away. "I think I'd like to see the Mummy, I've always rather liked horror film." She turned back to face her two friends, a shy grin on her face. "Yes!" Darien threw his hand up in the air. Bobby, frowned. Then remembered Claire was still going with them. So what difference did it make? " Do you want to ride with us or meet us there?" Bobby asked, his arms still crossed over his chest. He was thinking ahead to the dark theater, possibility of Claire grabbing his arm during the scary part of the movie. This could be a fun evening. "I'll meet you there, I'd like to have my car handy for afterwards." Claire turned to write down information about Darien's most recent shot. "Great meet us at the Palm in an hour? You know where that is right?" Bobby was still standing in the middle of the lab. "Yes, it's off of 805 right?" Claire remembered seeing the new theater as it was being built. "Right, we already checked on show times, it starts at seven-fifteen." Darien added. "I'll be there, thank you both." Claire nodded. Bobby finally uncrossed his arms and moved towards the door. "Don't be late, you want a good seat." "I promise, I'll finish this up in a minute." Claire waved to them as they left. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Bobby drove home to make a quick change. He put on a pair of tan jeans and a blue shirt that he thought he looked good in. He considered adding cologne, but decided that would be pushing things. Darien for once had driven himself to work so he also went home to change. He did a quick shave, since he'd skipped it that morning and pulled on a pair black jeans and a gray sweater he fond of. He's need a change of clothes as he'd gotten his a little scuffed during the mission that afternoon. He also wanted to mess with is partner a little, he knew Bobby liked Claire even if he wouldn't consider her as dating material. Bobby was due to swing by and pick him up in a few minutes. Claire didn't have time to drive home. So she repaired her make up, which was hard since she wore very little, fluffed up her hair some and changed into her regular shoes. She was wearing a dress, as it was often quiet warm in lab. She needed to maintain a median temperature for most of her lab animals. So dressing for the heat was her main concern. She was the first to the Palm theater, she was just parking her SUV when Bobby pulled up behind her. "I'm going to park over by the exit, we'll be right back." Bobby rolled down his window and waved at her. "Alright." Claire waved back. "So do you want me to get lost during the movie? So you and Claire can have sometime alone?" Darien asked just get a rise out of his partner. Bobby had noticed his fresh appearance when he'd entered the van but he'd kept quiet about it. "No, I'm not looking for anything to happen between Claire and me. Not like some people I know who shaved, and put on clothes that fit." Bobby groused. "Ah, what's wrong with a guy trying to look good once in a while." Darien grinned. They both climbed out of the van and walked towards Claire who was waiting beside her vehicle. "Hey, I see you kept your promise." Darien lifted his hand in a small wave. "Hi, may I escort you to the theater me lady?" Bobby did a mock bow and offered Claire his arm. She giggled and took it. " So if I haven't seen the first film will it matter?" "No, it's the same group of characters, but this time the mummy comes after them in stead of them digging him up." Darien explained. Bobby was walking slowly towards the entrance, he was enjoying escorting Claire. Darien paid for all of their ticket, he owed Hobbes for the last time they had gone. "Would you care for a drink or a snack, popcorn anything?" Bobby offered. "May I have a soda and some popcorn?" "Of course, my pleasure." Bobby nodded and went to stand in the line for refreshments. Darien was there already, he couldn't go two hours with out eating. Claire watched the people milling about the lobby. It was a rather large multiplex and there were over a hundred people moving back and forth. She smiled at the guys, Darien was talking with a young woman in the line beside his, she was flirting with him and giggling. Bobby was studying the selection board above the refreshment stand, and scanning the crowd. He was never completely at ease, he was always on duty. "You got all that there Partner?" Bobby eyed the collection of snacks Darien had just purchased. He had a cardboard carrier to hold it all, drink, soda, a hot dog and a box of some kind of candy. Not that Bobby wasn't used to Darien doing this he just liked to kid him about it. "Yeah, I'm good." Darien grinned with a mouth full of popcorn. Bobby returned to Claire with a large tub of popcorn and two sodas. "If you don't mind I thought we could share a popcorn." He handed her the tub and they all walked up the isle to the ticket taker lady. Bobby handed over his and Claire's tickets. "Yes, Sir theater number 6 to your left, enjoy the show." Bobby motioned to Claire to go first. Darien was looming behind him digging his ticket out of his pocket. "I'm with them." "Yes, Sir to your left, enjoy the show." She smiled at him. Man he was tall and cute. "Do you want front or back?" Claire asked her friends as they stood at the rear of the modern slanted up from the screen theater. The place was about a third full, so they had their pick of seats. "Where ever you like." Bobby told her. "How about here." Darien knew Bobby had a few rules about where he sat but he probably wouldn't bring them up with Claire. He chose near the middle and the three seats on the end. He went in first followed by Claire then Bobby on the outside seat. "Hey, this it great. We still have time before the movie starts." Darien took a big bite out of his hot dog and chewed happily. Claire giggled at him, she was starting to feel like a teenager out on a date. Only she was with two guys who couldn't be more different from one another. Bobby just rolled his eyes and passed Claire her soda. Then he flatten the cardboard thing and walked it up to the trash bin. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::