Even with Michelle's directions, Danny had no idea where he was driving until they pulled up on Fifth Street.
"The Fifth Street Pool Hall!" he burst out laughing. It was getting to be habit around Michelle. "But, Michelle..."
"Come on!" She tugged on his arm, leading him into the dimly lit hall. "It'll be fun."
"But Michelle..." That was getting to be habit also, although any real authority was undercut by a hint of suppressed chuckles. "This isn't a good part of town, and things could get rough, and..."
"Michelle, Michelle!" A portly, balding gentleman trotted from behind the counter to greet her with open arms. "You don't come around here like you used to. You should! We've..."
The words trailed off as he recognized Danny. "Senor Santos, we have already paid for the month, but..."
Danny took the man's hand and shook it. The man disappeared behind the counter without a word.
Michelle looked up at Danny, opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again.
Taking him arm again, she led him to the far table. She chose two cue sticks from the racks on the walls, and tossed one to Danny which he caught easily in his left hand.
"Rack 'em up, Santos."
She perched herself on the end of the table, and watched him as he gathered the balls. "So what are we playing for?"
Danny almost dropped the balls he was holding. "We're playing for something?"
"Of course, silly. It's no fun unless you play for something."
Danny could hear the gears in his own brain whirring, as he methodically placed the last balls on the table. Finally, he could avoid looking at Michelle no longer. "I'll think of something."
"Shoot."
Michelle raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't we flip a coin or something?"
"You're the girl. You should go first." He didn't know why he said it. Perhaps he enjoyed watching the rise in her.
"I'll have you know..." She hopped off the table and then stopped. "Well, your loss I guess."
Watching her lean over the table for the first shot, he couldn't bring himself to agree.
A few hours later, he had long since realized his tactical error, but couldn't remember a time he had enjoyed himself more.
He leaned against a wall as he chalked up his cue for the final game, watching Michelle rack up the balls. Appreciating the sight far too much, he shook himself, "Let's see. You have me down for a donation to the hospital AIDS fund, Sunday at the soup kitchen and a day with the build-a-home people."
Michelle smiled wryly, "And you have hit me up for lunch with your grandmother, a shopping trip with your sister, and an invitation to the Bauer barbecue." She paused. "You know you would have gotten that anyway."
He nodded.
As Danny leaned in to take the first shot, he looked up, "So what are we playing for this time?"
Michelle leaned in next him. "I don't know, Danny. What do you want?" she asked quietly.
The cue went skidding off the balls.
Casa Bauer
"I had a really good time tonight." She couldn't bring herself to open the door.
"I had a really good time, too." He didn't turn to go back to the car either.
"Would you like to come in?" she gestured vaguely at the door.
"Don't you think we should give the Christians and the lions a night off?"
She chuckled a bit. "I'm sorry. I know Rick gets overprotective at times. I hope..."
"I had a really good time."
"I did too." she paused, and then, "We should do it again sometime."
"We should." He paused. "Of course, since you won that last game... dinner and a movie next week?"
She nodded.
"Good night." It hung between a statement and a question.
"Good night." She paused a split second.
And then she reached up and he leaned down.
Later, she watched him walk to his car from the porch. "We definitely should do this again," she whispered.
He turned to look at her one more time as he opened the car door. "Definitely."