"Dually noted..." Victoria said with a smile. "Dessert at home, then.."

She took a sip of wine.

"That portrait on the gas tank of your bike is fantastic. I am immensely flattered."

  Andy smiled, and said "I always did like to sketch, and draw, and one thing I got to do, although I had limited media, while in Hell, was practice, when I had quiet time.  I know which cavern there is 'mine', and it's rather like a safe-haven, but I didn't exactly like venturing out of it.  That's when I ended up involved in some of the 'games' that Demons play."

"A harrowing experience, I'm sure. I'm glad that you're here.....with me..."

Victoria smiled, taking another sip of the wine, setting the glass down.

  He shrugged, and said "I got used to it.  But it is absolutely my pleasure, my love, to be here, with you, making you feel like the most special, pampered, beloved woman on this earth."

"I do feel that....and I'm grateful for all the trouble you've gone through for me," Victoria said. "I hope I've made you feel as special, if not moreso."

  Andy smiled, and tugged her close enough to kiss her.  That kiss put it more clearly than words ever could, how much she made him happy.

Victoria embraced Andy, pulling away reluctantly.

"Well....it doesn't take a magician to figure out how you feel," she said with a smile.

  Andy chuckled, and said "You are my Lady, my solace, my comfort and my sanity, and my most precious treasure in all the world, Vic.  You are my heaven."

Victoria blushed slightly, then smiled back at Andy.

"And you are my Protector...my Savior....my Knight. I'm honored that you are with me."

  He smiled, and said affectionately "Not to mention you don't mind when  I come home all greasy from working on engines and have to take a shower before I'll lay a hand on you, unless you want greasy-handprints all over your lovely self."

"I love how considerate you are...even if it does cause a small bit of inconvenience," Victoria said, glancing briefly at the waitersn her stomach rumbling.

  Andy laughed as the waiters deposited their trays on the table, and he said "Well, you don't LIKE having motor oil all over you, and it doesn't bother ME."

Victoria smiled as their meals were set before them, then waited for the waiters to make their exit.

"This is probably just me being impartial....but you do look good and rugged in oil."

  He chuckled, and cut a bite of steak to offer her as he added "Not to mention it is proof I am earning an honest living like every other hard-working, red blooded man?  Even if I am not a red-blooded man?"

She accepted the offered steak, smiling.

"You work hard in so many ways. Not only as a mechanic, but as my Protector, not to mention keeping me sustained and nourished."

  He smiled, and said "I never have minded cooking for people who appreciate it.  It's the ungrateful people that get on my nerves.  You have never been ungrateful for anything that I do."

"My parents taught me to always care for those who care about you. Consider it my way of paying it forward," Victoria said, now looking at the food.

"It looks amazing," she added, taking a bite of spaghetti.

  He chuckled, and offered her a bite of his steak while he took a bite of the seafood, knowing she'd appreciate the sampler.  He could devour huge amounts of food now, but he tended to try and break it up and space it out.

"Delicious....I could live inside this moment for a long time," Victoria said, clearly enjoying the "sampling."

  Andy smiled, and said "So could zip, because you're happy, and so am I."

Victoria smiled, her brown eyes alight with love and loyalty as she looked in to Andy's own eyes.

  Andy leaned over and kissed her lovingly.

Victoria soon stepped back from the kiss, albeit reluctantly.

"I could live inside that moment too..."

  Andy grinned, and said "That's a moment worth savoring, my love.  And so many, many more.   You really are my delight, Vic."

"Mr. Black, you're the consummate pamperer. You're doing a fantastic job, of keeping me grounded, both as a woman as a Defender."

She kissed him again, then looked to her plate.

"The sooner we finish with dinner, the sooner we can go on to more...fun...things."