The Light In The Unknown.

Chapter 4: Dinner.

The restaurant Eric led Ashley to was a rather classy one. Eric had changed to a plain, but elegant shirt and trousers, one that made Ashley's suit seem ancient.

"You said this wasn't a date," Ashley said, smiling as she looked at the menu. Needless to say, it was a very expensive restaurant, enough to make Ashley slightly uncomfortable.

Ashley wasn't from a poor home. Actually her parents were fairly rich, but definitely not rich enough to come to this restaurant for lunch.

"Yes it's not. I just like this place."

Ashley looked around. The entire place was filled with people who looked like business men and women. Some were probably dirty, Ashley thought to herself.

"Today's the first day we're meeting and you're already taking me to your favourite place huh?" Ashley smirked, looking back at Eric. He sighed and replied, "just order something."

When they were done eating, Ashley remembered a question she wanted to ask him. "Eric, um... Earlier today in class, when the coach asked a question, which you answered...." She paused, looking at Eric who was paying rapt attention. "You said that the purpose of our secret identities was to protect our loved ones, but you didn't look like you agreed..."

"I don't." Eric answered plainly.

"Why not?"

"I mean... If you look at police officers for example, they fight criminals every day yet do not have secret identities. And their families don't really suffer from it, do they?"

Ashley tilted her head a bit. "What do you think being undercover in their world means? The cops don't need secret identities because what they deal with on a daily basis isn't that serious. But if you look at federal agents, especially when talking to civilians, don't you usually hear 'its classified?' "

Ashley paused then continued, "when police officers go undercover for a serious business, they literally change their identities. That's the definition of undercover. We deal with world wide threats, WHEN we are needed. It's a necessity to have two identities, if we don't want the people we fight, or even those we protect, to infect our personal lives."

"I hear you." Eric said simply, taking a sip of his drink.

Awkward silence.

"Umm so..." Eric started, trying to break the silence. "Any siblings?" "No, God no!" Ashley said, contorting her face in an irritated way. Eric was a little taken aback by her reaction.

"I mean, wouldn't you have preferred growing up with a brother... You know, to while away times which were excruciatingly lonely?" Eric asked. "I mean, not really. I don't think I could cope with taking care of a younger sibling..." Ashley said, to which Eric thought, I mean, you wouldn't be the one to take care of him... Your parents would do that...

"... and the idea of an older person bossing me around... No way." Eric decided it was best not to comment. "I always wanted a pet though..." Ashley concluded.

Finally something we agree on, Eric thought.

"Yeah definitely me too. I've always loved dogs." Eric said. Ashley's face lit up. "Yeah, especially when they're still pups... Cute little things." Ashley replied, laughing a little. "Why didn't you ever get one though? I mean you have the money..." She asked.

"Well, I don't think I'd be able to take care of it effectively. What about you?" Eric asked back. "Oh my mom hates pets. With passion." Ashley answered him. "I'll be sure to get one though when I'm done with school."

"Speaking of, Eric, what made you enter the academy?" Eric sighed. "Honestly? I was bored." He said with a smile. Ashley nodded a bit in agreement. Eric continued, "pretty sure I can guess yours..."