Protective Arms (Completed)

39. Dinner Date

Sneaking up on Athena priceless and if her cameras caught that, I want a copy to look back on this day. Not only did I buy the ring this morning, I got a couple hours of sleep and first thoughts were of my sweet precious.

Thankfully, Chas and Bethany were on my side when I walked in and put my fingers to my lips with a smile when I seen Athena's back to me at the wash area. It was all to easy.

My heart flutters when she agrees to dinner with me. Helping where I could I watched her lock up and we bid the others a goodnight.

I tug on Athena's hand and she follows me to my truck.

"Where would you like to eat at?"

"Well, you're the one that asked me out and honestly all I care about is if the place has good food." Athena laughs.

My jaw slacks and this just got harder.

"In the mood for any particular food?"

"Uh, no? I am just hungry."

I laugh myself because it should seem neither of us care.

"How about this we drive until the smell of a place calls to us?"

"Oh let's! That sounds like fun." Athena smiles.

With the truck started we make way to where most of the resturants are. Athena points one out and I can easily agree with her. Some pasta sounds amazing right now.

I get out and round the truck to open the door, making her laugh as she gets out.

The hostess gives us a table in the corner and makes it feel romantic, even if I wasn't going for this setting right now. I don't even have the ring and didn't think to bring it to dinner but it would be the perfect timing. Granted may be cheesy but the glow of the lights here make her just shine bright.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?" I look up at Athena who is holding a menu.

"You're awfully quiet and just seem like something is on your mind."

That puts me in awe over how she already seems to know me in just this short amount of time together.

"No, I am all good. Better than good being with you, I am perfect."

Athena blushes and looks back at the menu. I do the same but still going to go with the classic lasagna dish.

By time the waiter comes for our drink order we know the food we want too. Both of us pass up the appetizers and go straight for the plates of pasta. Athena is getting a grilled chicken alfredo and I got the normal for me.

"How did it go with the case?" Athena brings back the conversation.

I let out a small sigh.

"Honestly, I have never worked a case where the suspect has done all of this. Sure when going through seminars and everything you read and hear about them. Never thought I would work one."

"What do you mean?" Athena asks right when our drinks are brought out.

"This is a good size town but in the last couple of years I have been a Detective and even since being a cop we haven't worked a serial case. Sure there has been murders but they were just one crime things nothing to this extent."

"So he done it more to be labeled as 'Serial' or is it becasue of the victim seven years ago then me."

"Athena, you have no clue how happy I am that we got you and was able to save you. After going to the house he inherited, we found he never stopped but just got homeless girls from the looks of it all. Each one he wrote down things and then they had a horrible end."

"How many?" She whispers.

I rub my hands down my face, not sure if she should know it all but she will once court happens. We all will have to be there during and I know she will be subpoena as a victim.

"Eleven in total for what we found just on the property."

Athena gasps and holds her mouth. Our food is brought out and we slowly work on it.

"I am sorry you had to find that there."

"Precious, I am just glad he is behind bars right now."

Athena nods and eats more, seeming to come back from hearing it. If anyone was around I wouldn't have said anything but the place is pretty empty currently and I know she won't say anything.

"How was girls night?" I steer back to something different.

"It was fun although Chasity is not one for scary or thriller type movies."

I let out a gut laugh, because Chas has never handled those well.

"I used to pick on her about that."

"We let Bethany choose the movies and she choose that first and it was hard not to laugh at her reaction. After it was over Bethany stuck a random one in to where the thriller wasn't the one watched right before we all went to sleep."

"How did that arrangement go?"

"Oh here I got a pic of us! We all ended up in my large bed instead of slumbering in the living room area." Athena hands her phone over and I chuckle seeing them all laying their heads on one pillow just for the picture.

"That looks like you ladies had fun together." I smile.

"We did but I still thought of you through it all."

"Would you like to come back to the house tonight?"

I don't even have it in me to just call it my place because I am hope it will become ours soon.

"I would love too. Could we go by my apartment to where I can get some clothes?"

"Of course and honestly you can pack as many clothes as you can to bring and keep at the house." I smirk.

Athena smiles and peaks at me through her eyelashes.

We get the check and I pay it quickly, before we get in the truck and head towards her apartment. I should just downright ask her to move in.

A/N---
Hey Hey Guys!!!

Should he come out and ask?

Zack seems ready to propose. Will he make it a big thing?