Candy said quietly "Trust me, it's a thank-you in advance for wanting to meet my Mom.  We might stop in on the way back.  Mom's . . . a trip."

"Um...ok...I guess I will be prepared for...a trip.." Jeff said as they walked along.

  She said quietly "She's got major issues with accepting what happened to Dad.  She keeps insisting he's just missing, not dead.  You get my drift?"

Jeff nodded in understanding. "Don't worry...I promise to be cool during our visit. I just hope that she likes me."

  She hugged him, and said "You're not a cop, so she won't freak.  That's why I said not to mention super heroing work though, or she WILL freak."

Jeff hugged her back, and replied "I've gotta keep up a secret identity, so that won't be a problem."

  She kissed him, and said softly "Then we should be golden.  You tell her what your day job is, and I don't tell her I'm about to learn heroing!"

Jeff smiled as he listened to Candy.

"Well, I don't think working at a bookstore is that dangerous."

  "Working anywhere but Weston, it probably isn't!"  She giggled and leaned against his shoulder.

They soon made their way to a hibachi steakhouse, which translated into "Kyoto's Divine Wind."

"Candy..I just want you to know that I'm not perfect. There will be times that I mess up..sometimes more than once. Just remember that I really do like you..and I'm looking forward to exploring this path that we are on."

  Candy smiled, and said softly "You're only human, Jeff.  And so am I.  I even come with a Mom who probably could be committed, if someone felt nasty.  But I'll do my best, and that's all I can ask of you."

Jeff blushed as he kissed her on the cheek.

"I only ask the same, Candy..."

  She smiled, and said "Order two of the best steaks in the house for us, Jeff.  I can't do it because I don't speak the Japanese."  She gave him a one armed hug, and added Let's see what we can do, Jeff, to make tonight a night to remember."

Jeff nodded as the host came and sat them at the table. In Japanese, Jeff ordered drinks for them both (non alcoholic) and two of the best steaks in the house.

He looked at her, smiling intently. "I'd like this to be a night that I'll remember fondly for the rest of my life."

  She smiled, and said "I hope so.  Shopping, dinner, and a good night kiss included.  Sound fair?"

Jeff smiled at Candy.

"I will be more than happy to honor that request, Candy."

  Candy smiled, and said "I thought it was a reasonable request."

"More than reasonable," Jeff said, grinning.

  Candy grinned, and teased him gently "Aren't you glad you had to go to Nepal now?"

Jeff nodded.

"Yeah..I am. I found out a lot about myself...A LOT..and I also met you too. A two for one."

  Candy blushed, and said softly "We'll have plenty of time to see how our chemistry works, if I move to Weston.  Not like I can't get to work anywhere in the world that I've seen if I commute!!"

Jeff grinned and blushed.

"I'd like to see where this goes too. Though I'm liking where its going so far."

  Candy said "I like what this is heading towards so far too!"

Jeff smiled, and raised his drink glass in a toast.

"A toast then..to fire and ice.."

  She tapped her glass to his, and said softly "To Fire and Ice, a beautiful match."