Ocean Spray (D12, EE Beachview Fine Dining)

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"If you look in the back of the break room fridge there is a jar of spicy garlic paste that I like to put on my eggs or in my ramen, you should try it some time." She put her spoon down and placed a hand on his thigh. "But my favorite thing is sweet and creamy not spicy."

[John Slaktare]

"Then we'll need to see if they got ice cream for dessert," Butcher replies with a serious nod.

"I definitely want to fill you with your favorite treat. As much as you like. Anything you want tonight."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

She gave him a knowing look and then went back to her soup.

"So do you know what Ducky has been up to lately? I keep meaning to take her for a ride but I was so out of sorts the past few days that I made promises that I couldn't keep."

[John Slaktare]

"She's been staying busy in the hangar. Been trying to learn a bit more about mechanic stuff from her."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"She's such a different person than I am used to, I don't know how to act around her; everything is weird."

[John Slaktare]

"I imagine I ain't too much what you are used to either. Most of your friends are prolly a bit more social than I am. And she's way more social than me. I've prolly said fewer words in my life than she does in a week," John jokes.

"But she's great. Don't really expect anything from me and doesn't mind my quiet."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Not really. Richard and Turtle, Alex and Gianna, most of my friends are quiet; I'm the loud one. I've never really been sure how that works, why any of you put up with my crazy ass but I'm glad you do. And I don't really mind if you are quiet, though there are some sounds you make I am very fond of, as long as I am with you you could be mute and I would still be happy."

[John Slaktare]

"You certainly can be loud, but that is okay. I mean, some of the time it's my fault anyway, so I can't really complain."

He takes a bite of his meal and chews while thinking.

"I definitely like the noise we make together. The music of Mei-Ling and John is pretty great after all."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"We make great music together, beautiful even. I'm still surprised that no one has complained about it but it's been a few days."

Mei continued to eat her soup.

"This really is good, I like this place a lot. Great view, great food, great you; this is pretty perfect."

[John Slaktare]

"We can come back again if you like. It's nice here, the kinda place I like. Plus, it's more time with you if we do come back. Or did you wanna explore a bit instead?"

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"I'm happy doing anything with you. I would love to come back here and I would love to see what the other town has to offer. What would you like to do?"

[John Slaktare]

"I'd like to go on a hike I think. Always loved running around the outdoors on the farm. Days are getting warm enough for it."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"That sounds like a great idea! I love to run and you can show off those outdoorsy skills to me. We can ford a river and fight a bear." Despite her ridiculous statement she sounded genuinely excited. I've never done a REAL hike before not up mountains and though valleys, my idea of hiking has been walking around a park in spandex shorts."

[John Slaktare]

John eats a few more bites and nods. "We'll go then. That definitely sounds fun to me. I got camping gear if you want to make it an overnight thing. I'd love to get you out in nature for a night or two..." he quiets a bit as he leans in to whisper to her. When he finishes his thought he kisses her cheek.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"That sounds wonderful to me, I can't wait. " She said a she set her spoon down and pushed her nearly empty bowl away. "Part of me was hoping that after dinner we would take a walk along the beach and dip our toes in the water but I think we're both a bit too "sleepy" for that tonight."

[John Slaktare]

"If you want to go for a beach walk, we can do that. That'd be real nice. We got all night to get some sleep," he responds, taking the last few bites of his own meal.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"That sounds great." She said and leaned into him. "A little walk to let dinner settle then we can go home and have dessert."

[John Slaktare]

"Perfect," he agrees with a nod. "Did you want anything else here? A drink or dessert?"

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"I'm fine with my water and unless you wanna split something I'm happy having you for dessert."

[John Slaktare]

"Only thing I wanna split right now is you, in half," he replies, his hand moving to rest on her thigh. The other waves down the waiter so they can pay, which is handled quickly.