The apartment was a mess. Technically it was clean, but still messy. There were clothes everywhere and *Max* the dog had found an old pair of shoes to which she claimed as her own or what was left of them.

"Is this going to happen every time I leave for an assignment?"

"We could always stay home and make-up?", a seductive grin crossing his face.

"We're going to the barbeque remember", September said acknowledging her husband's attempt to be seductive, but remembering how long it had been since they had spent a romantic afternoon at home.

"You know I'm not comfortable around those government people."

"Excuse me?"

"Besides you, I mean. I bet everyone will have on suits and ties. You guys don't even use first names. What is that about?"

"They're not your *usual* government people. You'll have a good time as long as you relax and stop worrying."

Letting out a big sigh, he finally gave in, "Okay, we'll stay a few hours and then you're mine, agreed?"

"Agreed. Wait a minute . . . you're not going dressed like that are you?"

"What's wrong with how I'm dressed?", looking down, doing a quick once over of his carefully chosen ensemble. "It took me all day to pick out this outfit."

"You're not seriously going out with those shorts on? You know what they say, you never get a second chance to make a first impression."

"Watch me", he said smiling as he patted the dog and walked out the door.

"Give me strength . . ."

The drive to Kate's apartment was relatively traffic-free. The weather was perfect. September got out of the car, leaving Michael inside and walked up to Kate's front door.

"Hi September, what'd you bring?"

"Vegetarian Lasagna and Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake."

"Sounds good. Where's your husband, I thought you were bringing him?"

"Yeah, he's coming", September let out a loud sigh, darting her eyes out to see her husband walking up the driveway with two cases of beer in tow.

"He had to bring something and he felt beer would be masculine."

Kate looked at Michael Eric Foster walking up the front walk and almost burst a vessel trying not to laugh.

"Kate, this is my husband Michael."

"Hi Michael, nice to meet you. Uhmm . . . nice ensemble", Kate said sarcastically, but Mike didn't get it.

"Thanks nice to meet you too", Mike turned and grinned a *see someone appreciates my good taste* grin at September.

"There's a cooler out back, you can put the beer in there."

Michael walked into the apartment, leaving the vision of his red bermuda shorts with bright yellow happy faces printed all over the fabric firmly implanted in Kate's mind.

"I tried burning them once, but they wouldn't ignite."

"Today, may be your lucky day", September laughed and followed Kate inside.


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