"Hey," Aaron said, stopping in the row next to Cadence.
She looked up, smiling. "Hey! How are you?" she asked, happy that he had come up to talk to her.
"Good. Sorry to interrupt," he said, looking at Jamie.
"No, it's fine," Jamie replied. "Actually, I needed to go ask Elliott about that new safety we were thinking about putting on the Glocks. Do you want to sit here?"
It was obvious that Jamie was being polite. He would have nothing to do with the after-market safety they added to their most popular weapons choice, but Aaron appreciated his politeness. "That would be great. Thanks, Jamie," he said.
Jamie slid out of the seat and over Cadence, who then slid over next to the window so that Aaron could have her seat. It was a bit awkward, but they made it work.
"Sorry I didn't pick you up this morning," Aaron said quietly, aware that Laney and Laura could probably hear if either one of them really wanted to listen in.
"It's okay," Cadence said, folding her hands in her lap. "I know you're busy."
"I just wanted to make sure you knew it had nothing to do with... anything that you said last night," he said, cautiously.
Cadence looked down at her hands. "No, of course not," she said shrugging.
"Because it didn't," he continued. "I didn't even get a chance to tell you good night, you were out of there so fast."
"It's not a big deal," Cadence replied shortly.
"It is a big deal," Aaron replied, leaning on the arm rest between them.
"No, it's really not," Cadence said, remembering her mother's words and wishing she could take her statement back.
"It is. And I want you to know you can say anything to me and not have to worry about how I'll react. You really didn't have to take off," he insisted, finally catching her eyes.
Cadence stared into his piercing blue eyes for a moment before saying, "Okay. Thanks."
Aaron nodded. "Any idea where you want to go Wednesday?" he asked, changing the subject.
Cadence was glad to have something else to talk about. "No," she admitted. "Are places open on Christmas Eve in Kansas City? Are we going to end up at a Denny's?"
Aaron laughed "Places are open on Christmas Eve in Kansas City. I've got a few ideas though."
"Well, I'll let you --and Grandma--handle that, then," she said.
"Okay, sounds like a plan. We'll figure it out," he said, leaning back in his seat.
"Just let me know what I need to wear. You know, jeans or something formal. I don't want to wear heels to a rodeo."
He laughed. "Do I look like I go to many rodeos?"
"No, not even a little bit," she chuckled. "But you know what I mean. I want to be prepared."
"Okay, well, whatever you wear, I'm sure you'll look amazing," he said, glancing over at her.
"Thanks," she smiled. "It's been a long time since I've been on a real date."
"Me, too," he admitted. Her hand was right next to his on the arm rest now, and so he gave in and placed his hand on top of hers, despite the fact that he was trying to be discreet in front of the rest of the team.
"Yeah?" she asked a bit surprised by his reply.
"Yeah, Eliza and I didn't really go out much, honestly. Maybe that was part of the problem," he said looking away, for a moment, this being the first time he had considered the possibility. "Anyway, I haven't been out with anyone since we broke up either, and that's been... a while."
"Jack wasn't much for formal dating either. He'd rather just stay home and watch a movie. I went out with a couple of dudes in college, but hanging out at Taco Bell on a Friday night is not exactly my idea of a romantic time," Cadence explained.
"How about on a Wednesday night?" Aaron asked, looking at her, a mock expression of hope on his face. She shook her head. "Damn, plan B it is."
She couldn't help but laugh. "If you take me to Taco Bell, I'm afraid I might have to spend New Year's Eve with someone a little classier," Cadence teased.
"Is that a threat?" he asked leaning toward her. She nodded, not saying anything, and he was very aware of how easy it would be to lean in and kiss her. "Okay, I'll find something better, like a KFC."
"Oh, thank God!" Cadence said, smiling.
Aaron collected his thoughts for a second before broaching the next subject. He was still holding her hand and was hopeful that it would be enough to assure her that what he was going to tell her next really was no big deal. "So, Eliza is going with me tonight," he said, only looking at her when he was done speaking.
Cadence's eyebrows went up. "Oh?" she asked.
"Yeah, I know. I didn't want her to come, but she made some good arguments, so I decided to take her."
"Okay," Cadence replied. She was quiet for a few moments before she finally said, "Tell me why it is that I can't go?"
Aaron had known she would ask, one way or another. "Mostly because I think you'll get involved. And they don't want us involved. Not directly. And I really want you back at LIGHTS, trying to talk some sense into Laura."
"What does Laura want to do?" Cadence asked, a questioning expression on her face.
"Leave," Aaron replied, honestly.
"Oh," Cadence said. "What about Giovani?"
"She thinks she can get him on her own," he replied.
"What about Jack?"
"Him, too."
"And do what with him?"
"I think you know the answer to that question," Aaron stated.
Cadence was quiet in thought again. "What makes her think that they can do it alone when there's two of them when they haven't been able to catch just Giovani?"
"I don't know. But I need you to convince them to stay and work with us on this, okay?"
Cadence nodded. If anyone was going to bring in Jack, it was going to be her, and no one else.
