#fenixtj

And so Jessica, two hours later... is sitting down for lunch with Duff. Of course, whether she's wearing a dress or not is up to her. It's doubtful she was 'perfumed ' for his pleasure.

Actually..... She is wearing a dress. And there might have been a dab of perfume applied.

Duff admits as he sees her, "You look amazing in that dress" He pulls out a chair for her

"Thank you." She lavenders slightly but takes the seat. "For the compliment, and lunch."

"Well, thank you for being here. I know your time is precious, and you are busy." He lays out some food. It doesn't look like Rosa or Maria's usual fare. It's a pasta dish, one of her favorite pastas in fact.

"Apparently the going rate is $100." She says dryly.

"To clear your schedule up so I might enjoy your company? Totally worth it. I'm lucky Diego's not more expensive"

"You could have asked me." She points out, not ungently.

"I was remembering all the times I had only to find out your schedule, which I will now refer to as 'the enemy' , prevented you from partaking" He pours her a drink and watches her carefully

she suspects waiting for her to.. try the pasta?

A guilty look. "I have been trying to do better about that."

"True, and it does show. Maybe that's why I paid Diego, figured just assuming would be pushing my luck."

"With fate perhaps." She takes a bite.

It's Jessica's favorite pasta, so bonus points there. It's definitely not Maria or Rosas... it's.. wait, this is Kerri's recipe but not from Kerri.

A curious head tilt. "Where did this come from?"

"I ah.. cooked it" He says

She stops. "You.... made this? Where?"

"Rosa and Maria let me use the kitchen.. I got the recipe from your sister who , of course, got it from Kerri. I know it's not as good but I figured I'd give it a shot " a masculine shrug

"That bad huh?" Amused look

"No, Duff, this is.... really good." Another bite. "Thank you."

"Glad you like it. You seemed happy to have Tig over so I thought perhaps you were missing home"

"Tig and I go way back. To my Dream Dance." She eats.

"He was there when it happened?" He looks curious "Is he the one who brought you to the lodge?"

"No, it happened in the Dreaming... well kind of at a Rath. My mom brought me into the Lodge."

"I met Tig and Lut when we got back."

"You're lucky to be alive" He says

"Oh, I know. But, I was with mom."

"Which explains the survival" He nods "It's just... I heard about unchrystalid popping in the dreaming. On their own they don't know to stay on the silver. Good thing you had someone."

"Well.... at a Rath, it started just before we entered the Dreaming when she Enchanted me."

"I bet she was surprised" A chuckle of amusment

"Oh, yes. I havent told you about this before?"

"I don't think so" He says "or if you did it was very.. brief mention" Curious "Go on."

So she does, between mouthfuls. Her father goes missing. Brekke's years-long vigil. Jessica's search for a vagrant father, and meeting his second wife. Thier trip to the Dreaming to seek him, and vague memories of the quest. Three Kithain who joined forces with them to retreive Frank, and the tragedy and triumph of thier return.

"I knew you rescued your father... but I ddin't realize... it was all so interconnected"

"Oh, no, Ididn't rescue him. Not alone, I couldn't have done it by myself."

"I suppose I should say 'plural' you" He nods

"Oh! Yes."

"No wonder you just casually liberate whole cities"

"Again, I had help." She reminds him tartly.

"I suppose I'll have to be exacting in my praise... 'no wonder you just casually liberate whole cities... with help'"

"Just.... credit where it is due, right?"

"Fair. And I assure you, your mother's exploits are legend even overhere."

"And Rigger has his own reputation"

She nods. "Of course, I didn't know that at the time. "

"Wow. I guess I didn't realize how hungry I was...... and this was very good, Duff. Thank you."

"You're welcome" He kisses her, "Alas, I can't linger long. Business awaits"

"You won't get shot?"

"No, I'm pretty sure the guy will like his tatoo. It's big one though so there goes my afternoon"

"If you would like you can have the rest of your 2 hours as a raincheck." She offers.

"I would love that" And he kisses her, before departing