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Jake didn't really need to say anything, Sherry got the hint. As his hand left hers, a twinge of familiar ache tugged at her chest, tainted with a hint of shame. Too touchy-feely again. She realized that on some level she'd been pushing at a boundary on purpose, just to see where the line was. She could have just asked, especially with her talk of honesty, but it was too late for that. Now she knew, and now wasn't the time for such conversations anyway.

So she smiled and raised an eye-brow. All of the costs?
"I want to go and get you some real lunch." Standing she added, "I'll be outside while you finish up with the bill." No time was wasted as she smiled and turned, heading for the door.

The street was still very touristy and filled with tourists. "Nice being off the island," Sherry muttered. Too bad she was going to mess things up.

Sherry smiled, accepting the bag with a curious glance towards Jake before leaning against him, both loving that fact that he was being affectionate and slightly confused by it. She was more than okay with it. Just like she was more than okay with letting him initiate such contact. She could handle that, she reminded herself. It was all alright.

"Come on," she said, stepping out to lead them down the street, "time to find lunch." She would peek into that bag as they walked, of course. Snacks? Yes, please.

--

So it was that a short time later, with the sun still rather high in the sky, the two were strolling down a quiet path in a park that boasted some rather nice flower beds. Not quite a garden, but the man in shop where they'd found lunch food had recommended it when asked about gardens.

They'd bought hot-dogs. Well, more sausage than anything, but still in a bun. Sherry had to admit they were quite delicious, and she handed the bag with the second one she'd ordered to Jake. "I can't eat this. You should." She'd ordered it for him, after all. No way he was going hungry.

"You paid for mine, I can pay for yours."

It was nice, the walking in the fairly quiet park. Relaxing and all that. The place wasn't super green, it still being wintertime, but the winter flowers were out, and the things that stayed green year round were rather lovely.

"Um," Sherry stopped and turned to look at Jake. She shrugged. "Whenever you want to? I don't mind wandering around a bit more, but I know it's not very exciting." She laughed. She wasn't sure what else there was to do. But she had made sure to take the entire twenty-four hour block of vacation time just in case.

"When did you need to be back?"

She smiled back at him. And then she was hugging him; she didn't even care if it was a tiny bit awkward cause he'd had a hold of her hand. "You're a wonderful date, Jake. If our version of interesting usually involves something trying to kill us, then I'll take a boring stroll through a park any day." She left a small kiss on his cheek. "As long as I get to do it with you."

The hug was held a moment longer, and then Sherry was stepping back, reminding herself not to be all touchy-feely. She was trying, Jake, she was trying.

It was her turn to be surprised by an embrace. Pleasantly surprised, without a doubt. It didn't stop her from frowning at him, even though Jake touching her face like that made if very difficult not to smile. "Give me one good reason why I can't shower you with affection, then we can go shopping."

She saw it coming, and it was what she wanted, so gratefully accepted the kiss, even returned it- for a moment. "That's not a reason." Her whisper seemed a little to quiet to her own ears, and Sherry shifted her weight back. She was smiling at him, even if she was still confused. "Just tell me to stop next time I make you uncomfortable." That had to be it, right? That was the only thing that made sense.

Her words were followed with a short 'done with that' sigh. She could kick herself for making as big a deal out of it as she already had. He was being sweet and charming and utterly nice, and he'd apologized. She'd gone and made him feel uncomfortable, and she was making it all worse in her own head- but she had no intention of ruining the date.

"Anywhere special you want to shop?"

She did smile, genuinely, at his response. It was sweet and amusing, even if Armagnac scoffed at it. Admittedly, Sherry was still a bit confused as to why he should be doing all the affection giving and she couldn't.

Jake seemed happy, though, and Sherry didn't want to press the issue. It was a minor issue, anyway, a minor incident. So she smiled. "It doesn't hurt at all."


---


She'd always enjoyed shopping, her love of trinkets was obvious. And without the stress of a list and other...annoyances, it was actually rather relaxing. Besides, playing tourist was always fun, especially when she was with Jake.

For her part, she looked out over the water, noting how it swayed in it's never ceasing motion. No wonder people found it calming. The whole scene was incredible, really. The sky, the city, the waves. Refreshing and quiet, and something she'd never thought she'd see.

"Hm?" A look full of curiosity was sent in Jake's direction. "I can." She looked at him for another long moment before placing her hands on the railing and firmly shutting her eyes. "Why?"

She had been hoping for a surprise. Of course she had been, that was the only reason to ask someone to close their eyes, right? Hopefully it would be a good a surprise (despite Armagnac's musings), maybe just something small like another kiss or more snacks. As she felt something that was neither of those placed in her hand, her heart sped up. What was it? A little bit heavy, but not too big... She hoped Jake didn't mind her opening her eyes to stare at it.

Obviously a bit stunned, Sherry did take a peek inside. It was lovely, too lovely- her fingers ran over her name and she wondered when he'd gotten it. Jake was given a shocked glance before she did take a moment to open the box. The music was light and unmistakable, and Sherry could feel happy tears forming in her eyes while she listened to the notes.

It was then she noticed the rings, and she picked up one, seeing her name on the inside. Jake was given another quizzical look; they'd been dating something like three days, and where she came from rings of any sort meant some kind of commitment.

The music was still playing, and she was still holding the ring with her name it, and Sherry might have been crying and had questions to ask, but she still took that moment to hug him.