<<<<<left to the edge of shadows>>>>>

---------->> From Tanaka Dojo

  Aaron laughed, and said, as they appeared "Here I was going to actually drive us, so you could rest and relax more.  I'm paying though, no ifs ands or buts, okay?"

Katy giggled as well. "Well, if you insist," Katy responded with a light kiss on the cheek as they walked inside. As they were seated, Katy smiled. At least he wasn't furious at her for withholding the truth from him.

"So, how's the dojo going?" she asked.

  Aaron smiled, and said "It's going well.  Not too bad, not too good.  Easy business."

Katy smiled, nodding. Business like that made it easy to have free time. She could see how both Aaron and Lucas appreciated that side of their jobs. "That's good," she said, casually flicking through the menu absentmindedly. "And what about your...other job?"

  Aaron admitted quietly "Things there are beginning to heat up.  Perhaps to a point where I may have to suspend classes for a bit.  We shall see."

------->> From Sutra's Apartments

  Andy pulled up into a nice parking space that had been half double parked in, and told Vic "Nice thing about a bike, you can park them in much narrower spaces than you can the cars."

Victoria shook her head.

"You would think that people could fit their vehicles in between two light-colored lines. Truly amazing."

  Andy chuckled, and said "You would think, but humans constantly amaze one another, and they constantly amaze me.  I mean, you can find someone doing the most compassionate thing you can think of for some animal that can't tell right from wrong, but they have no pity at all for the human beings who are less fortunate than they are."  He picked her up, giving her a hot kiss, then set her on her feet and offered her his elbow.

Victoria grinned as she accepted the offered elbow.

  He smiled, and led her into the restaurant, then told the maitre'd that they needed a table for two.  He told Vic softly "My lady, take your pick, we can have any delicacy you like off the menu."

"I've always loved this place," Victoria said as they were about to be seated. "Everything here is good."

  He chuckled, and said "You can have anything you want on the menu, love.  Enjoy it."

"Spaghetti and meatballs.....I just love the sweetness of their spaghetti sauce..." Victoria said, grinning with anticipation.

  He chuckled, and said "Make sure you tell the waiter, love.  I think I'm going to indulge, and have the Italian Steak carbonera with the seafood platter."

"That sounds delicious," Victoria said as they waited for the waiter.

  He chuckled as the waiter arrived to take their orders, and he gave the fellow his request, then indicated to Vic that she should place her order as well.

Victoria looked up at the waiter.

"I'll take the Spaghetti and Meatballs. I'd like the salad with Caesar dressing, and a side of breadsticks..."

  Andy smiled as the waiter nodded, and said "Certainly, sir, Madam.  We shall bring those out for you, did you want a wine to go with dinner?  And would you like to order dessert now, or wait?"

"Maybe a little wine. As for dessert, let's wait on that please..."

Victoria smiled, then looked back to Andy.

  He chuckled, and said "We will wait, yes, but I'm thinking about something decadently chocolate.  What do you think?"

"Decadent....and chocolate....that sounds delicious..' Victoria said as she put her chin on her hand, still looking intently at Andy.

  Andy chuckled, and asked "Are you thinking of dessert at home?"

"I'm good with dessert here. I thought we were going to see Desolation of Smaug after this," Victoria said, sitting back comfortably.

  Andy smiled, and said "That doesn't mean that you won't have dessert after the movie and at home."