Game Date: 04.05.2002

The Average Date with Helena

Chris liked coffee bars, and fortunately, so did Helena. Anything from Starbuck's to Guillermo's in the alley would do. As long as Helena had something to read, which she nearly always did, and Chris could get something non-caffeinated, which was a little more difficult, things usually turned out okay.

Chris had this idea that paranormals didn't drink caffeine. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't, he really didn't know. His guess was that Frank and Ally definitely didn't, Frank just because and Ally, well, with those hormones, who needed caffeine? As for Eve, who knew? But his idea was no; with Tom, she didn't even need chocolate. Do cats even eat chocolate?

So they would find a dark corner and snuggle with their drinks within reach. Chris would read Helena's interest of the day over her shoulder. Mostly it was the New York Times. So she would keep up with world events and ask him about the Wardens. Chris would ask why Helena didn't read any San Francisco papers. She worked in a bookshop with all the periodical links to the outside world, for Christ's sake. She would reply that she had a perfectly intelligent and yummy boyfriend to do that for her, and she doubted anyone had an inside scoop on the Wardens like he did.

Chris could think of several other people that Helena could talk to, but he let her hold to her conviction. Besides, he preferred to think that he was the yummiest Warden. Well, to non-cats, anyway. Come to think of it, Eve was very sexy for someone covered in fur. Chris began to think of Helena covered in fur and started nibbling her ear.

Chris would then give her the news of the day, the civilian consumption version, with a few details of how the Wardens looked going about their day-to-day activities. Helena would give an approving comment, then talk about her day.

Brilliant red hair, sea green eyes and fair skin could make filing sound so exciting...

Chris would keep track of what she filed, and ask pertinent questions. You put the book on dimensional travel in the science fiction section, and you have 23 different books on Olmetec Gods in the mythology section, right? Helena would be pleased with his attention span, which to her was unusual for a male. They would then snuggle tightly for about an hour, getting used to each other and basking in each other's aura.

Chris somehow retained the fact that women just want to be held most times; maybe this was part of being paranormal or possibly this was a pleasant side effect of having a perfect memory and a mother who always scolded him that he never cuddled enough or showed his sensitive side enough. If only she didn't do that during football games when the coaches were in earshot... but we digress.

Helena would ask what was wrong with his mother demanding that he have a sensitive side. Chris would roll his eyes and blush, then reply that there weren't any sensitive sides in football. Helena would reply that she was sure there were. Chris would reply that he never met a defensive coordinator with one at which Helena replied that if he didn't embarrass their secondaries, the coaches wouldn't be so irritated. Chris would respond by passionately kissing her, thus reminding himself that being in the paranormal business was so much better than being drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals. Maybe it was even better than getting drafted by the Oakland Raiders... nah, it would be just as good because he would still be in the Bay area and thus still with Helena.

After the cuddle hour, they would walk to Helena's apartment where they would once again kiss passionately before telling each other goodnight.