"So what's with all the liquor tonight, Em?" Grace asked cautiously, still self-conscience of hers and Zac's acts last night.
   Emma shrugged, "Celebration tools." She murmured dryly as she stood up only to add another case of Coors to the other varieties of beer, wine, and margarita mixes she had in the freezer.
   "Oh?" Grace asked softly. "What're you celebrating?"
   "We, Gracie." Emma answered warily. "We are celebrating tonight, and once I get back, I'll tell you all of what we're celebrating."
   The tone and conversation just wasn't right between them, and they both knew it, but ignored it anyway. As everything else in the world, it would pass as well.
   "Isaac's going to be here in a few minutes." Grace calmly stated as she started picking up her own stuff, getting ready to leave.
   Emma shook her head, "Stay, Grace." She didn't ask it, but hoped her friend would agree anyway. "Stay until I get back. So we can get back to us."
   Almost declining the invitation, Grace noticed the unusual somberness in her friend and reluctantly agreed. "Alright, Em. But you better not take forever."
   Stretching her tightening muscles, Emma shook her head again. "No, it won't take long tonight. I say about an hour, hour and a half at the most."
   "Short date?" Grace asked curiously as she went to move to the lumpy couch.
   Emma watched her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Yeah, something like that." She sighed and hoped Grace didn't notice. "I'm gonna go get ready."
   Grace nodded absently and flicked the TV on.
   Isaac showed up before she was done, and Grace let him in to wait patiently as Emma took her time and took great pains to look as good as possible. Which was not lost on Isaac when she appeared in her slip dress, polished and pampered and ready to go.
   "See you later, Gracie." Emma called over her shoulder as she was being escorted out.
   Grace waved as she stared at the tube, trying hard not to cry.
   "Grace okay?" Isaac asked when they started down the walkway.
   Emma shook her head, "No. She's really upset over last night." She gave a small smile. "Her and Zac decided to call it quits evidently."
   Isaac nodded, "I know. Zac's actually acting the same way."
   She shrugged carelessly, "Forgive me if I don't break down crying for him."
   He smiled weakly, "Forgiven. But only because of Tay."
   Nodding, Emma allowed him to help her into his car and waited patiently for him to get in the driver's side. Tonight was going to be great.
   Smiling to herself, Emma slid as close t him as possible, considering the center consol was in the way. "So where are we going?" She asked, threading her arm around his and pressing his elbow into her.
   Grinning, Isaac kissed her, then again when she kissed him back. Pulling away he finally managed to answer, "Surprise."
   Accepting that meager line, Emma sat back some, but still kept the physical contact with Isaac as they drove through the city and talked amicably. She could hear, see, and feel Isaac relaxing and opening up so much to her.
   And she had to admit, she liked it.
   They ended up pulling into the parking lot of The Olive Garden, and Emma confessed her deep appreciation of the fine Italian food they served. Especially their wine.
   Clinging to each other, they stepped inside the cool and dimly lit restaurant, breathing in the scents that made the mouth water.
   The headwaiter immediately asked for their name, and as Isaac cordially explained they had reservations, smiled when they were taken away but a waiter in white dress shirt, black dress pants, and a black bow tie.
   Smiling again as Isaac held her chair out for her, Emma slowly sank onto the red leathered seat and took in the area around her before focusing on Isaac once he sat down across from her.
   Their waiter, Tony, had laid out their menu's and wine lists and waited expectantly for their drink order.
   "What do you think you'll be having tonight?" Emma murmured as she eyed the wine list greedily.
   She saw him shrug as he looked at the menu, "probably chicken scampi."
   Nodding in approval, Emma ordered them two glasses of ice water, and two glasses of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio white wine.
   When Isaac looked at her questioningly she shrugged as daintily as possible, "The water will cleanse the palate, and the wine will go great with our meals."
   When their drinks came, and they ordered their meals, Emma smiled brightly and chatted warmly as she watched him sit back, relaxing again, and watching her through half closed lids. She knew he was enjoying this night with her.
   Cleverly checking her watch for the time, Emma dazzled him with her charm and wit for the remainder of their wait and throughout their meal.
   Towards the end, and they were eating their complimentary mints, Isaac slid his chair next to her and nuzzled her cheek. "I've had a really great time tonight, Em."
   Emma grinned against his neck and gave kissed his warm skin gently. She felt him shudder and her grin widened. "I did too."
   Pulling away slightly, he looked down into her upturn face and stared intently into her eyes. Taking a breath, he took the plunge. "I really like you, Em."
   Giggling almost breathlessly, Emma nodded. "I really like you too, Ike."
   His smile was bright and confident as he put his arms around her. "Date me, Em. Really date me from here on out. Just me."
   Emma swallowed hard, this didn't happen quite as she had planned. Still, she smiled up at him and kissed him gently. Getting him to kiss her back with little reluctance. "Why, Ike?" She asked quietly. "Why do you want me too? I need to know, Ike."
   His eyes darkened slightly, and his arms tightened reflexively. "I told you I liked you."
   Emma smiled at his roughened voice and touched his cheek with a light caress. "And I like you too, but you don't ask for commitment like that just for liking someone."
   She saw the muscles work in his jaw and throat and pressed more warm kisses against them, causing a low moan from him. Quickly, she took another look at her watch and smiled when she saw whom she'd been waiting for.
   "I think I've fallen in love with you." The words were almost ripped from him, but they made her heart trip and stumble before settling back to normal again.
   Kissing his lips once, then again, Emma gently untangled herself and stood up.
   When Isaac looked up at her in confusion, she smiled down at him and kissed his forehead as well. Pushing his hair back as she did.
   She took a step back and watched as her guests hesitantly started towards them. "I win, Isaac."
   His expression didn't clear up suddenly, but his eyes did harden noticeably before his lips tightened into a thin line before he stood up as well.
   Taking another step back, Emma smiled enigmatically. "Sorry, Isaac. I told you I would win."
   Shaking her head, she past by her guest and left him staring at Isaac. "I told you, you should have quit."
   Glaring at his brothers, Isaac tossed money down on the table and went to go after her when Zac and Taylor stopped him. "Don't. It's not worth it. She's not worth it."
   The words were from Zac this time, and Isaac stopped in mid-step, nodding in agreement. "You're right." He rasped, "she just isn't."
   Removing the plastic smile from her lips, Emma worked her stiff facial muscles and willed herself not to cry. This game had taken too much out of her. Too much time, too much money, too much effort, and sadly enough too much emotion.
   The drive soothed her, and the cool breeze from her opened window cleared her head and allowed her to think more clearly. Though she fought pretty damn hard to stop the mental image of Isaac's drawn face from her mind.
   She started when the taxi stopped in front of her place and she sent a prayer of gratitude, before handing over a wad of cash she stared forlornly at and hoped that she could keep her next job. No matter how disgusting it might be.
   Pushing herself up the steps, and slamming into her door to get it open, she honestly grinned at Grace who was already drinking a bottle of Mike's Hard Lemonade.
   Passing through the room she kicked off her shoes, "Lemme get into some real clothes, girl and we will celebrate!"
   Grace tilted her head back and watched her friend step into her bedroom closing the door halfway. "What are we celebrating?"
   "My victory over Isaac Hanson! My new job! And…" she stepped out of her room in her flannel pajama's and smiled weakly. "Our most righteous screwed up love lives."
   Grace lifted her bottle, "I will definitely drink to all that then!" She wrinkled her nose after a huge swallow, "but mainly for the last one."
   She watched her for a moment, "Why do you do it, Em?" She asked softly. "Play with these guys and walk on when it's over?"
   Pulling out bottles and cups and a tray of ice, Emma set up her own tiny bar and sat down on the floor, leaning against one of the chair cushions she pulled down.
   She eyed her friend, "I do it all for the love of the game." She shrugged, "It's fun, I enjoy it and love it, and teach guys they can't hurt me just because I'm female."
   Grace nodded, and opened a bottle of beer this time. Grimacing at the taste, she shook her head and took another sip. "I want you to teach me something, Em."
   Laughing, Emma leaned back, reached for her pack of no-name-brand cigarette and pulled one out. "You do know there's not much that I do actually know."
   Grace nodded slowly, avoiding eye contact for now. "Teach me the game."
   Emma drew in a sharp breath. Seconds passed, and then minutes before she could make her mouth move. "Why?"
   She looked up then, and Emma saw the determination in her already bloodshot eyes. "Revenge."
   Slowly, Emma nodded in agreement. "Let's get started then." She murmured dryly, wishing like hell Grace would change her mind.