For Phoebe

[keepurshirtonlt]

After consulting two of the people whose opinions mattered most to him on the island (Jon and Kate), Trip finally decided to take the plunge. It still took him about half a day to work up the nerve but here he was, heading down the streets of New York to ask Phoebe Halliwell out on a date.

While he hadn't gone the full suit route that Caffrey had used to floor Kate, Trip had looked for a nice bouquet of flowers to bring with him. The vendor had had the perfect thing: colorful sub-tropical flowers that reminded him of home. Just holding them was calming in a way and gave him courage.

Or at least until he got to the door of her apartment building. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths...then reminded himself that he wasn't in high school and he was being ridiculous. He pushed the buzzer and waited.

Comments

[blackb3ltbarbie]

"It's a great place for a date." Phoebe agreed. "A lot of different restaurants to choose from with eclectic tastes. Literally. And then dancing afterward if you wanted to do that." She had thought Trip's comment was general rather than specific.

[keepurshirtonlt]

"Huh. Good to know." Trip said with relief as she seemed to play it off. "Any places that were your favorites?"

[blackb3ltbarbie]

"Il Buco." Phoebe said without much thought. "It's adorable. It started out as a small antique shop that the owners began sharing their meals and then it morphed into a sort of antique store and restaurant. It's so different and yet is perfect reflection of the district."

[keepurshirtonlt]

"Uh huh. Sure sounds unique." Well, that was definitely worth making a mental note over. "What about dancing? What good places are there to have a little fun?"

[blackb3ltbarbie]

"Oh man, you can close your eyes and just pick in that part of the city. What type of music do you like? Uh you know in your past since they won't have anything after the 21st century." Phoebe said with a soft laugh.

[keepurshirtonlt]

Trip laughed with her. "It's alright, I always liked jazz which is frankly timeless. We used to go to New Orleans all the time and listen to old men play the classics."

He played with his wine glass for a moment before he looked over and reached over to take her hand. A small curious smile on his face as spoke. "So, what would you say to a night of Il Buco and jazz clubs? With me?"

[blackb3ltbarbie]

"I'd love it." Phoebe said easily and quickly squeezing his hand back. It wasn't until after he asked and she responded that it dawned on her he meant more than just hang out. Her smile turned warm and a little shy which was not the usual expression that she wore when she reiterated. "I'd really like that."

[keepurshirtonlt]

"You have no idea how glad I am to hear you say that." Trip had waited until it had dawned on her what he was asking before letting out a relieved laugh. "I had to get some sense talked into me before I could even ask."

[blackb3ltbarbie]

Phoebe laughed at that and her eyebrows rose to her hairline. "I'm not sure if I find that flattering or not. I'll go with flattering. Someone give you a kick in the ass?"

[keepurshirtonlt]

"You should be flattered." It was more him being neurotic thanks to T'Pol screwing with his head but he wasn't going to tell her that. Jon had been reassuring enough on that front. "It was definitely me needing a kick in the pants. When you realize you feel for a girl while she's kicking alien butt...a guy needs a little help sorting himself out."

[blackb3ltbarbie]

Phoebe barked out a laugh. "It was the naughty nurse comment wasn't it?" She teased him with a grin. "And it was more that the girl was getting her buck kicked by aliens but your version sounds nicer."

[keepurshirtonlt]

"It was before that, I promise." Trip assured as he joined in on the laughing. "Though I'll admit, it didn't hurt." Well, if they were being honest...

"My version's the truth. I'd be dust if you hadn't interrupted. And we still kicked butt in the end so who care."

[blackb3ltbarbie]

Phoebe squeezed his hand with a smile, "there was no way that I would let you be taken and hurt. Witches or maybe just Phoebes, rush in where angels fear to tread."

[keepurshirtonlt]

"Well, turns out I like fool hardy witches. They're a good match for fool hardy engineers, just ask the Cap'n. He'll tell ya." Trip reassured her, squeezing the hand in return before using it to slide towards her. "I know we've done this before, but would it hurt to seal the date with a kiss?" It would be different this time.

[blackb3ltbarbie]

"Kissing never hurt anything." Phoebe shakes her head and meets him part of the way, her other hand moving to rest against his shoulder.

[keepurshirtonlt]

He set his wine glass aside so he could cup her cheek, keeping the kiss soft and easy. Like hopefully a precedent of what was to come.

[blackb3ltbarbie]

Phoebe's lips softened in response to the kiss and a small shudder when down her spine. She could honestly say that it had been well over a year since she'd had a kiss like that. It was nice.

[keepurshirtonlt]

Trip sighed happily. It had been longer then that for him, probably not since he'd left Natalie in space dock when the Enterprise took off for the first time, four years now. It had certainly not felt like that with T'Pol.

"I think I could get used to that."

[blackb3ltbarbie]

Phoebe smiled and leaned her forehead against his. "Yeah, that's definitely something could become addicting."

[keepurshirtonlt]

"So it's a date?" Trip asked, though he wasn't exactly worried about the answer as he leaned against her. He pulled her closer, practically in his lap, enjoying the closeness, hoping this would become a frequent thing.

[blackb3ltbarbie]

Phoebe curved her arm around Trip's chest, getting comfortable where she was. She smiled with a nod, "yeah, it's a date."