Bobby took his seat and looked over at his partner. Darien was busy  
eating, his 
hot dog half gone, and a sizeable dent in his popcorn. 
 
Claire was nibbling on the popcorn Bobby had gotten for them to share. 
"You know some time things tastes so much better when you haven't had  
it for a while."  
 
"What was the last movie you saw?" Bobby reached for a handful of  
popcorn. 
 
"I'm not sure I remember. It's been awhile. The Piano, I think."  
 
"It's been that long since you went to the movies?" Darien was  
surprised. 
 
"Well yes, I've been busy." Claire defended herself. 
 
"Hey, Fawkes everyone doesn't have as much time on their hands as you  
do." 
Bobby jumped in to defend her also. 
 
"I'm not saying she has to spend her free time going to the movies.  
Man take it 
easy, I was just surprised, that's all." Darien gave Bobby a look  
like chill out 
partner.  
 
"I like movies, we used to watch the late show on Friday nights when  
I was in 
college. They were usually horror films, but sometimes they would  
show the 
classic films, Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy,  
Cary Grant 
and Gregory Peck, and Jimmy Stewart."  
"Oh, who did you like best?" Bobby was pretty good at imitations he  
was hoping 
she mentioned one that he did.  
 
"I'll bet I know," Darien chimed in.  
 
"Oh really you think you know who I like out of the actors I just  
mentioned?" 
Claire challenged him.  
 
"Sure it's easy." Darien opened his box of rasinetts and offered her  
some. 
 
"No, thank you. Who do you think then?"  
 
"I'd bet on Cary Grant." Darien nodded, "He's suave, sophisticated,  
handsome." 
Darien rubbed his fingers on his shirt and then looked at them in a  
parody of 
a rich stuck up playboy.  
 
"Ha, you're wrong. He isn't my favorite." Claire looked smug that  
he'd guessed 
wrong. 
 
 
"How do I know he isn't maybe you're just saying that because you  
don't want me 
to be right."  
 
"Don't be silly Darien, why would I care if you guessed  
correctly?"  
 
"Don't mind him, who is your favorite?" Bobby tried to keep them for  
getting into 
an argument. 
 
"I always had a soft spot for Humphrey Bogart."  
 
Bobby smiled, he did Bogie, but just as he was about to demonstrate  
the music for 
the coming attractions came up and the lights went down.  
 
They all turned their attention to the screen, the trailers for the  
movies coming soon 
only lasted for a few minutes. Then the music for the Mummy Returns  
began.  
 
"This is going to be good." Darien whispered.  
 
"Shhh." Bobby hated it when people talked during the movie.  
 
Claire got more comfortable in her seat and nibbled the popcorn.  
 
Bobby had seen the first one, but he'd sort of forgotten the heroine  
was British. 
There was a lot of action at the beginning of the film and about a  
half an hour 
into the movie Claire jumped when there was a scary part. She didn't  
grab for 
him like he'd hoped. But she hadn't grabbed for Fawkes either.  
 
There was a rather long fight scene between the two female characters  
with all  
kinds of fancy moves and sword like daggers. Bobby was reacting, he  
was  
studying their form they were pretending martial arts were around in  
ancient 
Egypt.  
 
Then when the mummy himself finally showed up again, he had to regain  
his 
different body parts so he could live again, the good guys were  
searching for 
clues to defend themselves from him. There was a unexpected scare and  
Claire gasped and turned towards Bobby. Her reaction perfectly normal, 
she was seeking protection. She grabbed for Bobby's arm and kind of  
leaned 
into him for a half a minute. Bobby placed his hand over the hand  
she'd grabbed 
his arm with. Then only a few minutes later there was a second  
surprise and  
Claire jumped again. More of Bobby's attention was now on her than  
on the 
screen.  
 
Darien had noticed her reaction he was grinning in the dark, glad  
she'd grabbed 
for Bobby. Not that he wasn't willing to be her protector, but Bobby  
had been 
born for that role.  
 
There was a let up in the scary portion of the film, and Claire  
relaxed. Bobby expected 
her to retreat from him, but her shoulder stayed pressed into his,  
her hand on his arm 
shifted slipping down to clasp his hand.  
 
Claire had really jumped at the scary part of the movie. Both times,  
then she noticed  
he was accepting his role as protector. She began to become aware of  
details, his arm  
was very solid beneath her fingers. The shoulder she was leaning on  
was substantial,  
there was heat enveloping her from the contact. She glanced towards  
him during a  
daylight scene. His attention was on the film. He wasn't trying to  
take 
advantage of her having grabbed him. She moved her hold on his arm to  
his hand, she 
couldn't remember holding hands with anyone since college. It was  
nice.  
 
When the dramatic climax of the film began, Darien was leaning  
forward in his 
seat watching intently. Claire was involved, but she was considering  
the feelings 
skipping up her spine as well. She'd known Bobby for almost two  
years. As often 
as he flirted with her, she never took him seriously. When he and  
Darien had come 
to her rescue over the sleep programing, she'd been surprised. When  
they hadn't 
told her Bobby's funeral was fake, she'd been very angry with them.  
She'd hadn't 
known her feelings for him were so strong. But it was still  
friendship. The thrill she 
was getting from the small amount of contact with him now was  
different.  
 
Bobby Hobbes was a lot of things, brave, loyal, dependable. He was a  
very skilled 
agent who took his role as Darien's protector very seriously. He was  
also troubled, 
his past experiences having changed his personality. He was always on  
guard, always 
wary, always on edge. Claire trusted Bobby, but she'd never  
considered him as a man. 
 
She was beginning to now. She studied his profile in the darkness. He  
was good looking 
a strong jaw, expressive brown eyes, the slight dimple in his chin.  
He was exactly as tall 
as she was, and she was noticing more, and more very strong and  
agile.  
Her hand in his felt perfectly at home.  
 
Bobby was happy she hadn't removed her hand completely. You had to  
walk before 
you could run, and holding her hand was a start. Having her be  
comfortable with him 
was a good first step. The movie was coming to and end, he was  
wishing they still 
showed double features. The credits began to role, and Fawkes was  
standing up, 
stretching.  
 
"That was great, aren't you glad you decided to join us?" Darien  
turned towards Claire 
and Bobby.  
 
"Yes, that was very entertaining." She nodded. Bobby released her  
hand, not wanting to 
push his luck once the lights were up.  
 
"Thanks you for suggesting I come along Bobby." She turned to face  
him.  
 
"Anytime Claire, I'm glad you enjoyed the movie." Bobby grinned.  
 
"I'll meet you guys out front." Darien excused himself, he needed a  
bathroom break 
after that large soda.  
 
The theater was emptying quickly, Bobby was scanning the crowd as he  
always did.  
Claire felt like she should say something to him. But she was  
suddenly feeling very 
tongue tied. She slipped her hand into his again.  
"You didn't have to release my hand just because Darien could see."  
 
" I wasn't sure." Bobby's eyes locked on her face. He swallowed.  
 
"Thank you for the use of your shoulder." 
 
"You're welcome, anytime."  
 
"How often do you two do this? See a movie together, I mean?"  
 
"Two, three times a month. Sometimes we go bowling too." Bobby  
shrugged.  
 
They were standing in an empty theater, everyone else had gone.  
 
"I guess we should go." Claire hated to end the closeness she was  
feeling with him. 
 
Bobby was trying to interpret the signals, he wanted to kiss her, but  
wasn't sure. 
With any other woman he would just go for it, but this was Claire, he  
didn't want 
to make a mistake.  
 
Darien was waiting for them out front. He knew they were still at the  
theater because 
he could see the van still in the parking lot. Two young woman  
stopped to talk to  
him. One had long hair in that braids mixed with curls style, the  
other had a short 
curled bob with a pink tint to it. They looked to be about college  
age. 
 
" Hi, can I ask you a question?"  
 
"Hi, sure what do you want to know?" Darien smiled.  
 
"We attend beauty school, have you ever been a model in men's hair  
styles?"  
 
"Yes, I was." Darien had only been recognized once before for the  
modeling work 
he'd done years ago.  
 
"See I told you it was him." The second girl told her friend.  
 
"We go through all the old books, your picture is one of our  
favorites."  
 
"Thank you. Which movie did you see?"  
 
"Pearl Harbor, it was amazing." The second girl said.  
 
" It was great, romance, drama, the battle scene was really scary."  
 
"I'll have to see it next time." Darien nodded.  
 
"We're going for pizza, want to come with us?" The first girl said.  
 
Darien considered their offer, but since he was with Claire and Bobby 
he didn't think he should accept. "Thanks for asking, but I'm waiting 
for my friends."  
 
"Oh, OK sure." She looked disappointed.  
 
"Come on Trish, he's probably hooked up with a cover girl anyway."  
 
The two young women hurried off towards their car.  
 
Darien had been nice, he didn't understand her attitude. He checked  
the lobby 
and still didn't see any sign of Bobby and Claire.  
 
Claire's eyes were locked with his, there was defiantly something  
happening 
between them. But still he hesitated, he didn't want to risk their  
friendship by 
kissing her, if that wasn't what she wanted. This was the reason he  
didn't normally 
even consider dating people he worked with. 
 
Claire's gazed shifted ever so slightly from his dark eyes, to his  
mouth. She was 
wondering what it would be like to kiss him.  
 
Bobby noticed her eyes, they were dilated slightly. He lifted his  
free hand to her  
upper arm and leaned the few inches forward, his lips covered hers.  
Claire welcomed 
the kiss, responding to his lead. He'd intended for it to be tender,  
but already she 
was reacting more strongly than he expected. Her hands slipped around  
his shoulders 
there was a soft moan as the kiss continued. Bobby was surprised by  
her response. 
He was thrilled, but they couldn't continue, not here. He ended the  
kiss and looked 
into her eyes.  
 
"We'd better go find Fawkes."  
 
Claire swallowed, "Ah, yes I'm sure he is wondering what happened to  
us."  
She was dazed, Bobby was a magnificent kisser. She needed to think.  
 
Bobby was glad he'd kissed her, but he should have chosen a better  
location 
for their first kiss.  
 
He escorted Claire to the lobby, they were both quiet. He didn't know  
what to 
say, it was much to soon to confess his love for her. He saw Darien  
waiting for 
them in front of the theater. He knew he had to say something to  
Claire.  
 
Claire stopped him, " I think we owe it to each other to find out  
what this is 
between us." 
 
"I agree, but there is no rush. We can take things slow." Bobby  
offered.  
 
"I loved watching the film with you." Claire smiled. 
 
" Would you like to come with us next week?"  
 
"Yes, that would be nice." Claire felt silly, they didn't need Darien  
as a buffer. 
But if he'd just asked her to go to dinner with him, she would have  
panicked. 
 
"Great, it's a date then."  
 
"What happened to you guys?" Darien opened the door, he'd seen them  
stop in 
the lobby. He noticed Bobby's attitude, it was less tense. Something  
had happened. 
Claire looked happy, relaxed.  
 
"Nothing, just taking our time." Bobby told his partner. He held the  
door for Claire 
and they all walked towards her SUV.  
 
"Thank you both, it was a very pleasant evening. I'll see you  
tomorrow."  
Claire said as she opened her door.  
 
"Hey, next time we can see Pearl Harbor." Darien told her.  
 
"Goodnight Claire. Drive safe." Bobby smiled and closed her door for  
her, then 
waved.  
 
"What happened in there?" Darien asked as soon as they were in the  
van. 
 
"Nothing happened Partner." Bobby refused to kiss and tell.  
 
"Don't give me that, I saw that smile. Something happened." Darien  
prodded, he 
knew Claire and Bobby had discovered a mutual attraction or something  
during the 
movie.  
 
"I asked Claire to join us again next week. She said she'd love to."  
Bobby pulled the 
van out into traffic.  
 
" Yeah, alright, don't tell me I'll find out. They don't call my the  
invisible man for 
nothing." Darien nodded and sat back in his seat, crossing his arms  
over his chest.  
 
end