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Straightening his tie in the reflection of the mirror, Robert Banks craned his neck upwards to get a better view from where the mirror sat, behind the crowded bar. Rows and rows of bottles peppered the stands, the barkeeper busying himself with the couple that had just arrived to Rob's left.

The bar had been a nice, neutral spot to meet a woman. Or so the messages had said.

Three days ago, Robert's cell phone pinged with an email reminder of a date he'd set up precisely eight days, four hours and twenty-two minutes prior. Only, Rob didn't remember setting up any sort of date, much less signing up for an account on MatchMe.com.

Maybe he was hitting the whiskey a little too hard after work. Maybe the stress of running his own firm was addling his brain. He was too young to be having serious bouts of memory loss... but who else in the house could have done it but himself? His fat, lazy cat? Pft.

So there he was, holding up his end of the promised date at one of the local pubs. Whiskey already in hand, hazel eyes scanned the room as he waited for the white haired beauty who'd looked rather stunning in her profile. Bellatrix. He'd flipped a coin as to whether or not it was worth looking into this mysterious date he'd apparently forgotten about and it would seem that Fate had it in store for Robert to get back out into the playing field.

God, he really hoped this wasn't some sort of catfish prank.

The door opened and with it, a flash of bright afternoon sunlight that blinded him from seeing anything beyond a silhouette. A rather slender, attractive silhouette, but one's shape could only take them so far in life....

The lawyer unconsciously sucked in a breath as the door closed, revealing the young looking woman who'd stepped into the bar. Could it be... was it possible?

Standing tall in a pair of heels and a sharp looking outfit, she was a sight for sore eyes. If she hadn't looked like her profile, with the addition of a hairpiece and sunglasses, he might have written her off as coming in to meet someone else. But no, this attractive little number was for him and his afternoon to spend.

The barkeeper slid a glass in front of Rob's seat, but the lawyer didn't need liquid courage as the woman spotted, smiled and approached him. He was confident enough in his own talents to stand strong on his own. After all, it was his job.

"Bellatrix! The pleasure is mine." His hand moved out to take hold of hers, the man sliding off his stool in respect to the presence of his date. "If I'm allowed to say so, you look even more beautiful in person than on your profile."

Profile. What a weird way to phrase it.

Rob was still adjusting to the idea of finding dates online as opposed to out and about, at bars, parties, crime scenes.... but he wasn't opposed to the notion. He just simply never saw himself participating in such newfangled ways to meet a date.

One hand gestured towards the array of empty tables and booths around them. "Did you want to eat here? Or we can head elsewhere, if you'd prefer?"

He wasn't even sure what the plans had been, not realizing that they'd have had to talk about it, prior to setting up the actual date. Whoops.

"Scotch on the rocks, if you're sure?" One eyebrow quirked as he leaned over to retrieve his drink before their departure. Well, he wasn't one to judge if a lady preferred being a straight shooter as opposed to having one of the more girly mixed drinks offered on the menu. "You're welcome to have mine."

He ushered them both to a nearby booth, allowing her to take her seat first before scooting in across from her. The waitress was close by, ready and prepared with the menus in hopes of having found a new couple that looked as if they were decent tippers.

Sliding the glass towards her, he picked up the menu and glanced over the first page. "I haven't been here before - you? Any recommendations?"

He was hesitant to ask her any personal questions, on the off chance they'd previously discussed it in one of the few messages they'd tossed between each other in the past. Would it be considered rude to re-ask something he should probably already know? And why was it that he couldn't remember any prior interactions with someone so attractive?

Sigh. Since when had dating become so difficult?

Eyes glanced up from above the menu, studying her delicate features. Deep breath - go time.

"So how long have you been in Destiny City, Bella...trix? I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me. May I call you Bella?"

He felt as though he were in an out of body experience.

He'd... told her he'd been there before? He liked the fries? And the pasta? He didn't even eat pasta if there was a steak on the menu as a choice...

Rob found himself distracted from his confused train of thought as a loud HONK erupted from the parking lout right outside of the door. Crazy drivers, clearly there was something going on out there and despite his growing urge to investigate, to slip his card into an accident victim's pocket....

He stayed.

The smile he returned was charming because he'd practiced his charm. In front of the mirror for at least ten minutes every day.

"I've actually only been around the city for close to a year now." An entire year. The firm hadn't grown exponentially like he had expected it would but they were still floating with their heads above water, so he had to give himself (and Steele) credit for that. "So I'm still getting to know my way around here, sadly."

Deciding on a steak and fries (because pasta, really?), he ordered an additional Scotch for himself and a water on the side before turning his full attention back to the woman in front of him. Bella.

"Well, Bella, is there anything else that you'd care to share about yourself?"

There. Finally, a safe question!

Sliding into his role, he nodded his head, as though he knew exactly what she was speaking of. In truth, he hadn't the faintest clue who Millie was or what her business was.... for all he knew Millie could be a great aunt she took care of or some fat cat that she spoils rotten.

That was... until she mentioned her age.

Sixteen was an awful long time for a cat to live. Nor did felines tend to help out with dating advice. So.

Now confirming that she had a sixteen year old (but if she was his age, that would mean... ), his plastered smile didn't falter. It didn't even waver. But the inside of his head was screaming what is going on to the point that he had to stop the charade.

It just wasn't working anymore.


"Look, Bella." His hand moved up to adjust his burgundy tie, the first real sign of the lawyer being anything but cool and confident. "I have to be honest with you. I..."

As soon as he spoke, the new glass of Scotch arrived. Perfect.

Without waiting, he tossed the drink he'd have normally savored, forcing the burning liquid back for the liquid courage he'd at one time prided himself on never relying on. Setting the glass down, he continued.

"I'm going to confess. While you know my name and details about me... I'm afraid I don't know anything about you. I don't even remember signing up for a dating site." He paused, his smile turning rather sheepish, for a lawyer. "When I saw who I was meeting, I wanted to give it a shot for the sake of trying but... I understand if you want to just drop it here."

He gave her a sheepish look (was Robert Banks actually blushing?) and reached over to give her hand a confident shake. The woman hadn't been wrong, but as much as Rob enjoyed owning a computer, he knew little to nothing when it came to forums and instant messaging. He'd gotten the texting part down pat when he was still married to his ex, but she'd been the one who primarily used the internet.

"Bellatrix. I apologize. I.. would have cancelled, but I..."

Well, this was quickly spiraling into one of the most awkward conversations he'd had in a long time.

"I didn't want to miss a chance at happiness."

That sounded far more Hallmark than he'd have liked, but he also noticed the sadness in her eyes and couldn't help but feel completely responsible for any disappointment she was experiencing. On that note, he was going to murder Eugene when he saw his partner next.

"So I would love to learn more about you," he finished, straightening his shoulders up as he flagged the bartender for another Scotch. Might as well, right? "So tell me more about... you said her name was Millie? Is she your only daughter?"

The smile faded as Bella began talking about her daughter - not because she was describing her child, but because she'd mentioned the word lawyer and his figurative lawyer cap slipped right into place. He listened intently to her explanation. Millie had been born to Bella at a young age - a barely legal age - but it sounded as though she'd been raised by Bella for the majority of the time....

"I would be happy to give the case a look over." Family court was not his practice, but sifting through all the legal terms and paperwork was no issue for the slick suited man. "If needed, of course. Though you could probably sue for back-child support, if you were up for the challenge."

The lawyer cap came off, though, as she reiterated his cheesy phrase right back at her. Instead, he winced and laughed....a sound Robert hadn't bothered making in longer than he could remember.

Her cheeks were flushed and it was cute. He wouldn't dare admit it, but it brought a twinkle to his eye as he smiled back.

"I'll remember your name first if we're ever in need of catering, then." He said pleasantly, moving to sit back in the booth as their food arrived. He'd have to give credit to Steele - the food did look rather divine.

One more Scotch down and he was going into detail of his move to the city, the rough divorce and what he expected out of his future in Destiny City... or what he hoped for, at least.

Another Scotch in and he found himself rather flushed as well, his steak half eaten and his stomach almost to the point of aching from laughing so much.

Whatever came of the rest of the night... well, Rob realized that he might have to change his opinion on internet dating sites.

As the check came, he swooped in and planted his credit card down before his date had a chance to protest (if she were the type to protest - he didn't give them time to find out). As the waiter dismissed himself to go ring the amount, Rob found himself oddly... not wanting the date to end, just yet.

"So what are yours and Millie's plans for the rest of the evening, Miss Bella?"

His eyebrow rose at her offer, something that seemed both hopeful and promising. If there's one thing he knew how to do, it was to work a television remote... well, among other things. He opened his mouth to make a comment in regards to her daughter being away when the statement about pigs caught him completely off guard.

"Pigs."

It took him a moment to process that. Pigs. Mud rolling, slop eating, fat little pigs?

Well...everyone had a quirk, right?

Sliding his card back into his wallet and then his wallet back into his back pocket, he slipped out from the booth and offered his hand to the lovely, if not equally flushed, Bellatrix Spendel.

"The pleasure has been all mine this evening, Bella." He grinned, giving her a wink. "Even if it wasn't planned. Now, I'd be happy to drive us back to your place, if you'd like?"