This fic picks up where "The Impossible Mission" leaves off. Max and 99 celebrate their engagement...at least Max thinks they do. Max and 99 were strolling down the studios steps arm in arm. After finally proposing to the love of his life, Max couldn't have felt happier or relieved, for that matter. The fact that he just had his life snatched from the grips of death didn't hurt his mood either. "Well 99, I must congratulate you. Your idea to use the double-door deception trick worked like a charm." "My idea?" 99 was so used to Max taking the credit for her ideas, she wasn't sure she had heard him correctly. "You mean your idea?" she added hesitantly. "No, I mean your idea, 99. After all, I would only marry a woman who has superior intelligence much like myself. I have high standards, you know." There was the arrogant Max she knew and loved. Although, she didn't see it as arrogance -- she saw it as highly augmented self-esteem. Anyways, he had just paid her a huge compliment -- who was she to complain? "Well, thank you Max. You know, your ingenuity helped us too." "Ingenuity? Who are you kidding? It was my "ingenuity" that almost got us killed! It was your plan that saved us!" "Don't forget Max, were a team -- you help me, and I help you. Partners, remember?" "Yeah, partners..." His eyes were fixed on 99s left hand. "That reminds me. Were going out to dinner tonight to celebrate." He brought her hand to his lips. "I'm sure the Chief will give us the night off. I mean, after all, we did save the world." "That sounds delightful! In fact, there's the Chief now." She motioned to the studio entrance. The Chief and Larabee were walking towards them. "Max, 99! Are you all right?" "Were fine Chief, thanks to 99." The Chief couldn't believe Max wasn't hoarding 99s credit. "You mean, thanks to you...right?" "God no! I almost got us killed! It was 99 who saved us! Isn't that right, 99?" "Uh, well, it was nothing really." "Nothing? Geez 99, you can be modest, but I wont. You should have seen her in action, Chief. This woman is definitely one of the best agents at Control, right up there with me. Yeah, Id say were Controls most valuable agents." He beamed proudly at 99. The Chief had to stop his jaw from falling to the ground. Max never gave credit to anyone...save himself. And here, he's equating himself with 99? He really does care about her, to say the least, for making such a remark. "Well, a congratulations is in order for the both of you. The Theory of Helmanivity is safe, and so are you two. For doing such an excellent job, I'm giving you tonight and tomorrow off." "Tomorrow, really Chief?" "Sure Max. You two did save the world..." "What about our reports, Chief?" 99 questioned. "Just give me verbal reports now, and Ill get formal reports later." Max and 99 stayed for half an hour, giving pretty thorough verbal reports and answering questions. When they were finished, they walked hand in hand to Max's car. "Well my sweet, were off to dinner, dancing, and whatever else you want to do to celebrate." "We need to get out of these clothes first." "But that happens at the end of the date, 99." 99 blushed. "Max! You know what I mean! We can't go out wearing these ridiculous Charlie Chaplin ensembles!" "You're right 99. Well stop by your place first, then mine." "Sounds good Max. Lets go." Two stops later, a dashing Max and gorgeous 99 were ready for dinner. Max took 99 to one of the most expensive French restaurants in town. Instead of dining in, they took their meal to go, which surprised 99. Max reassured her he had something special planned as he reached for the bottle of wine he had ordered. "Tonight is a special night, and it should be celebrated in a special way." 99 was thrilled. Today was the best day of her life. Three long years -- waiting, hoping, wanting, wishing -- it was all worth it. In the end, her knight in shining armor came to whisk her away. She looked at the microphone ring on her finger. She knew Max had something special planned, but she would soon see how much she had underestimated what was to be. They drove up to a secluded hillside overlooking a lake. It was a beautiful starry night. Not a cloud in the sky, and a bright and shining moon bathed them in soft light. "Max! What a beautiful place! How come we've never been here before?" "I've known about this place for quite some time, but I vowed I would bring you here on a night that meant something to both of us. Its such a perfect little place, I promised myself Id bring you here..." "Yes, Max?" "Well, I promised myself Id bring you here, well, on the day you'd be mine." 99 was deeply touched by his sentiment. "That is so sweet Max. But you know, I was always yours." "Somehow...I thought you were...but I was in denial. I couldn't believe it...for the longest time, I was so afraid to tell you...if you said no, I knew Id wither away and die...but...well...that doesn't matter now. What matters now is that you've made me the happiest guy on Earth today. No more longing and loneliness..." His voice trailed off. "Well, I'm sure you're hungry, so let me set up dinner." Max opened the trunk of his car and pulled out a blanket. He spread it on a grassy knoll with a perfect view of the lake. He grabbed the food and laid it out on a plate, then filled two glasses with the wine he bought. Taking 99 by the hand, he gently set her beside him. Gazing at the reflection of the moon glistening in the lake, they both said: "What a beautiful view." They chuckled, and 99 put her head on Max's shoulder as he put his arm around her. The loud growling of Max's stomach interrupted the moment. "Well," he said as he gave his stomach a pat, "its chow time!" "Good, I'm starving!" He picked up the plate in one hand and a fork in the other and began feeding 99. Every few bites, Max would give himself a bite as well. They quickly polished off the plate of food and half a bottle of wine. When they were finished, Max walked over to his car and turned on the radio. He tuned it to 99s favorite stations, and soft love songs drifted from the speakers. He walked back to her, gently took her hand and began to slow dance. At first, they were silently gazing into each other's eyes. Soon enough, Max began to whisper sweet nothings into her ear, and gently kissed her neck. She reached up and gave him a tender kiss. Max congratulated himself for stepping on her feet only two times -- and each time 99 pretended not to notice. Their dancing slowed to a standing embrace. Gazing dreamily into her eyes, Max kissed her tenderly. "My God...you're so beautiful..." his voice trailed off. 99 was flattered, to say the least, but to end awkward silence, she sat down, pulling Max down with her. "I'm so glad were getting married, Max." "Me too 99. Say, why don't we take a stroll by the lake?" "Max. Max. Max! SMART!!" "Huh? What?" "Max!!" The Chief was growing more impatient by the second. "You still haven't finished your report! You told me about them discovering your computer trumpet, and how you and 99 were trapped. Max, Max! Are you listening to me?" "Yes Chief. I was just a little preoccupied." "A little preoccupied? Max, you spent the majority of the report explaining, in detail, about your proposal! After that, your words became irrelevant to the case, and you launched yourself into a daydream. I kept telling you to finish telling me what happened on the case, but you kept talking about music and a lake!" "Yeah...doesn't that sound great, Chief? 99 will love it!" The Chief let out a heavy sigh. "Listen, Max. Take the rest of the night off. Tell 99 she can too. You obviously can't focus on the report right now, so its useless keeping you here." "Gee, thanks Chief. See you tomorrow morning then." "I can hardly wait. Goodbye, Max." Max ran down to 99s office, where she was busy filling out her own report. "99, we're off to dinner, dancing, and whatever else you want to do to celebrate. The Chief gave both of us the night off." "That sounds delightful! Where are we going?" "Well, first well stop by this French restaurant I've heard about. Then, well drive over to a lakeside I've been dying to show you..." The End