Horatio, Calleigh, Eric, and Frank occupied one of the many tables outside at Mckenna's Sports Bar and Grille. It was a picture perfect evening.

Frank looked at his watch. The time was pushing half past nine. He was starving. "What the hell is Speedle doing? I thought he was going to be quick. It's almost nine-thirty," Frank huffed.

Calleigh rolled her eyes and said, "Frank! Relax. He'll be here soon, and we haven't been here that long."

"I'm hungry, Calleigh. I haven't eaten since breakfast, and I've been dealing with stupid all day."

"Well, Frank you won't have to wait anymore. I see Speed heading over here now. It looks like someone is with him," Eric stated seeing Speed walk out onto the patio.

"What the hell took you so long, Speedle?" Frank huffed.

"It's my fault. I'm sorry everyone. Work took longer than I thought," Lauren explained popping out from behind Speed. Frank accepted her apology. Speed pulled a chair out for Lauren and himself.

Their server, Matthew came by and took their drink orders. Speed ordered a beer, and Lauren ordered a vodka and cranberry. Frank asked for another beer. Matthew with a tray of drinks, and took their dinner orders.

"So, how did you two meet?" Frank asked taking a sip of his freshly poured beer.

Both Speed and Lauren looked at each other and laughed. Lauren explained, "We met a couple days ago when my dog ran off. He stopped, and sat down next to, Tim. It was strange. He's never done anything like that before."

"They say dogs can sense things. Maybe your dog is telling you something," Calleigh added.

Lauren shrugged her shoulders, and looked up at Speed. She smiled and said, "Maybe."

Their food soon arrived, and they continued to share stories. Lauren couldn't remember the last time she had had this much fun, and either could Speed.

It was almost midnight. They had been talking and laughing for nearly three hours. Matthew returned to asked how they were going to split up the check, but Horatio said that wouldn't be necessary. He'd paid everyone's bill.

Out in the parking lot, everyone said their goodbyes, and went their separate ways, except Speed and Lauren. "Thank you for rescuing me tonight. I really had a great time. You have some awesome friends," Lauren said looking up at Speed. "I honestly thought I'd be working all night."

"You're welcome. I'm glad you had a great time," he smiled. Speed leaned forward capturing her lips with his. This kiss was different from the first. It was soft and gentle.

Lauren pulled back a little. She looked up at him and smiled. She kissed him again before breaking the embrace. "If you're not doing anything the rest of the night…"

Lauren didn't need to finish her sentence. Speed knew. "I would love to," Speed said steeling on last kiss. "Shall we?"

"We shall!" Lauren hopped in her car and Speed on his motorcycle. This time it was Lauren's turn to lead the way. They didn't know it, but Speed and Lauren were falling head over heels for each other.

Lauren pulled into her driveway, opened her garage door, drove in, and parked her car. She motioned for Speed to park there too. It was two-car garage. The forecast called for rain over night. Speed appreciated the thought and accepted her offer.

Lauren warned Speed about the inside of her house. It wasn't as bad as she made it out to be, but in her eyes it was embarrassing. Her floors had no flooring. They were gray concrete. Her furniture was old, but comfortable. The coffee table and side tables came with house, and were worn and rickety. The drapes were black sheets she bought at a cheap price, and the only true working appliances were the refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven. There were a couple cook plates sitting out on the old laminate countertops. A couple of the doors on her old worn out oak cabinets had fallen off.

"Your place is nice. It's just under construction," Speed said walking into the living room. Lauren continued walking into the kitchen. Speed heard the sound of the back door open and close. It was followed by the sound of dog paws hitting the concrete floors. Lauren had let Rocky in.

"Under construction is just a nice way of saying, it's a hot mess," Lauren smirked resting her hands on her hips.

Speed laughed. "Under construction isn't such a bad thing. Your work keeps you busy, and you've been through a lot this past year. Give yourself a break." Speed walked up to her, cupped both sides of her face, and softly kissed her lips.

"I could get used to that," Lauren whispered. "This has been such a whirlwind of a week. It started off shaky…" Lauren trailed off as she plopped down on her sofa. She looked up at Speed and smiled. "Then you came into my life." Rocky barked obnoxiously. "And Rocky made it all happen didn't you, boy." Rocky groaned as he jumped up on the sofa and sat down next to Lauren.

Speed sat down next to Lauren. She linked her arm with his, resting her head on his shoulder. Her voice full of sadness, Lauren said, "Tonight is the first night I've gone out, and genuinely had fun since, you know…"

"I know it's hard, but it will get better even if it doesn't seem like it," Speed said thinking about Andy. "After Andy died, I packed up my clothes, dropped out of college, and left New York without telling anyone for a year."

Lauren lifted her head up, and looked at Speed. "You just straight up left without telling your family?" Lauren asked perplexed.

Speed half laughed. "Yeah. I couldn't deal with it. At that time my relationship with my family wasn't great, especially my younger brother. Our thirteen-year age difference didn't help things either. After Harry was born my relationship with my parent went downhill."

Lauren frowned. "I'm sorry, Tim."

"Don't be. It was partly my fault. I kept quiet about how I felt. Andy dying was the last straw for me, I guess."

"Where did you go?" Lauren asked.

Speed looked at Lauren and said, "I came here, to Florida. I got to know a few people, made some connections, went back home, finished college, and moved back down here."

Lauren sat up and faced Speed. "How's everything with your family now?"

Speed shrugged his shoulders. "It's okay. We talk more, but that's really only during birthdays and holidays." He paused for a moment. "After hearing your story, I told myself I would call them more often, and mend our broken relationship. Family is important." Speed laughed and added, "My mom will be happy that I've meant someone special."

Lauren's cheeks turned a bright shade of red. She didn't know what to say other than she felt the same way about, Speed.

They decided to open the champagne from Michelle's event, and watch some TV. It didn't last long though. Sleep won them over.