Legend

Date night

I'd gotten the results of all the inquiries I'd made for Colonel Rhodes and had talked to Tony about the exoskeleton and the War Machine suits. The news wasn't good. Even with supportive therapies like physical therapy, massage, and acupuncture, his superheroing days were coming to a close unless he chose the nanotech treatment in Korea, and even that wasn't a sure thing. Tony came down to be with his friend when I broke the news. He took the news stoically and went upstairs to double-check with the doctors and think about what I'd said. I sent the information on the treatment to his email and sighed.

Tony had stayed behind. "Do we have any massage therapists on staff?" he asked. We did not. "Acupuncturists?" I shook my head.

"But I can make some recommendations," I said. Tony frowned and took out his phone. I waited patiently. He started flicking things from his phone to the areas defined by projectors and I sighed as I saw details for educational programs and accreditations pop up.

"Look here," he said. Like I had a choice. Panels of data now filled my treatment room. "Pacific College of Oriental Medicine has a campus in the city. They have one of the best programs in the country for acupuncture. You could probably get credit for anatomy and physiology, it wouldn't take quite as long."

"It is going to take time, though," I said gently. "Colonel Rhodes is still going to have to find some specialists."

"Yeah, but if you get started, you could take over his care. Plus it would be good for your business. I'll pay for the courses of study and any licensure fees," he said intensely. Tony's loyalty is the thing I like best about him, even ahead of the ideas that gestate in that brain of his and spring forth fairly well planned. And while part of his concern was to keep his bestie in the War Machine suit--both as his most trusted comrade but also because Colonel Rhodes was clinging to it--he would also want to ease his transition out of the suit and maintain as much quality of life as possible.

I caved. "You do realize that it's too late to apply for this semester," I warned. "Damn. I was just starting to really enjoy being out of school."

Tony smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I'll take care of the application. Most of the information is in your personnel file, I'll call for the rest," he said, and bounced to his feet and out the door before I could say anything. And damned if he didn't have it ready for submitting in under an hour.

The next night I walked into the Bar Room of the 21 Club; Damian had already been seated. He was early; I checked my watch discreetly to be sure. He jumped to his feet with a smile on his face which brought a smile to mine; it's always nice when somebody is so glad to see you. He held my chair after kissing my cheek, cutting out the maitre d', who perhaps wasn't best pleased at the usurption of his duty but wasn't about to make a fuss.

"You look beautiful as always," he said, watching me over his menu. I'd raced upstairs after work and was wearing an LBD, a little cliched but appropriate for the room.

"Thank you," I said. "That's a lovely tie." It really was, I wasn't being superficial. It had been woven of lustrous silk and shaded through blues and purples through the length of the tie. He patted it a little self-consciously. We ordered oysters and clams for an appetizer and discussed our days. When the waiter returned, I ordered the famous creamy chicken hash and Damian the 21 burger with a side of sauteed spinach.

"So somehow Tony got the school to expedite my application," I said ruefully, loosening an oyster. "I start next week with massage classes, since that will be a lot faster than the acupuncture." I slurped the oyster and reached for a clam. Damian was staring at me.

"No more oysters," he said hoarsely. "It's ridiculous to be this turned on by the sight of you swallowing seafood." Attempting to control my laughter, I choked on my clam. He got up to pat my back and I was able to observe the tenting effect a little more closely than he realized. I stored the information away in case I wanted to rile him up some time.