These two are perfect together. Joe has the nicest smile and is obviously smitten with Sylvie and she needs a guy who treats her right. Voila = OTP!

"Sylvie!" Joe saw that she was walking out of the firehouse and wanted to ask her something before he lost his nerve.

"Hi Joe" Sylvie turned when she heard him call out her name, a smile naturally enhancing her welcoming look.

In a couple of steps Joe was standing right in front of her, his own smile a bit hesitant as he took a deep breath,, trying to bolster his courage and ask the question. He could dodge Chicago traffic with less fear than what he experiencing now – before this absolutely beautiful wisp of a woman.

"Sylvie, will you go out with me tomorrow night?" His heart pounded as the words left his lips. He almost wished he could take it back... "what if she says no?"

"Out?" Sylvie looked a little taken aback but the smile never left her face as she continued. "You want to grab a drink somewhere? Molly's?"

Gathering his courage once again, Joe placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "No, not a drink and definitely not Molly's. I want to take you on a real date, you know how it goes. Pick you up at 7, dinner and a movie, walk along the mile and then I'll take you home. What do you say?"

"A date?" Sylvie considered the possibility as her smile softened and her eyes grew pensive. "Sure, I'll go on a date with you, Joe Cruz. Where are we going for dinner?"

"Now that would be telling but wear something nice." His smile of both relief and happiness spread across his face as he moved his hands from her shoulders to skim along her arms. "See you tomorrow and Sylvie...thanks."

She watched him walk out of the firehouse, bemused at what just happened. "I really like Joe but do I like him that way, as a date, a possible boyfriend? Maybe...maybe. He's sweet, charming and we're already friends. Guess I'll have to wait and see how it goes." As she continued to ponder the idea of a date, it occurred to her that some dates ended with a make out session. That thought sent a pleasant shiver down her spine and that surprised her...pleasantly.

The next day Sylvie decided to treat herself. After all, this was a first date...an occasion she hadn't experienced in awhile. Plus the mani/pedi would take up some time. She was a little surprised how much she was looking forward to this date. The anticipation created a delicious feeling of butterflies in her stomach. She mentally shook herself. "Calm down Sylvie – it's not as if you've never dated."

She heard the doorbell chime and glanced at the clock...7PM...right on time. Taking a breath, she tried to calm her racing heart. She couldn't believe how nervous she felt. "What is going on with me...it's Joe!" Her mirror told her she looked fine – thank goodness her sister insisted she buy this little black dress last year. It hugged her curves, the glittery shoulder straps enticing with their sparkle. She had curled her hair and the strappy sandals on her feet completed the look.

Joe's eyes widened when the door opened. Sylvie was always beautiful to him, but tonight, standing right in front of him, he saw an absolute vision, so lovely that she took his breath away. Not trusting himself to speak, he handed her a single rose, while taking her other hand he slowly twirled her in a circle. Finally his vocal cords loosened and he whispered... "Sylvie, I didn't think you could surprise me but here you are...more amazing than I could ever imagine and I can imagine a lot." He brought her hand to his lips and brushed a gentle kiss against her knuckles.

To her surprise, Sylvie blushed at his words. She thought blushing had been left behind when cynicism had colored her opinion of the opposite sex. This Joe Cruz was definitely different and she couldn't wait to find out more. "Thank you for the compliment. You don't look too shabby either." She took in his elegant suit, thinking this look was definitely both sexy and sophisticated. "And thank you for the rose. You didn't have to bring me anything."

"I have my reasons." He smiled at her with a little smirk. "Tomorrow, when you see that rose, you'll be reminded of this date and what a good time you had."

Sylvie couldn't help but laugh out loud as she placed the rose on a side table beside the door. "What if I don't have a good time?"

Joe reached for her hand as she closed the door to her home. "If you don't, then the rose can be an apology, but you will. Trust me."

As they walked along the sidewalk to his car, Sylvie leaned against the warmth of Joe's body, surprised at how right that felt. He squeezed her hand gently as he opened the car door for her, making sure she was safely inside. Already she missed the warmth of him beside her but there was another warmth growing in her, growing in leaps and bounds. Whatever happened she knew this date would be special.

Another surprise awaited for Sylvie when they arrived at their destination... Grace... one of the premier restaurants in Chicago. From the parking attendant to the host to the wait staff, everyone was friendly, solicitous and made them feel right at home.

Conversation was easy. Joe talked about his brother and how he tried to save him from the gangs. Sylvie told him about life in a small town and how she would have been expected to be a stay at home wife and mother had she married her fiance. They talked about what working at Firehouse 51 meant to them. They kept reaching for each others hands when the conversation grew serious and finally just kept them linked.

The surprises kept on coming. Joe had picked a romantic comedy for them to view. Neither of them opted for popcorn so they held hands though out the movie, leaning close to each other to make silly comments, laughing at the scenes when the onscreen couple found themselves in unbelievable situations that were hilarious. Sylvie couldn't remember when she enjoyed watching a movie more.

As promised they ended their evening doing some window shopping, walking side by side companionably. Without even realizing what happened, Sylvie discovered they were no longer holding hands. Joe's arm had slipped around her shoulders, holding her close, running his fingers along her arm from time to time. She shivered and when he asked if she was cold, she shook her head and snaked her arm around his waist. "This has been the perfect date"... she thought to herself.

All too soon, they were standing at her door, arms around each other loosely. "You were right." Sylvie commented with a sigh. "I had a good time tonight."

"So did I. How could I not with you as my date." He lowered his head and captured her lips in a gentle kiss that explored her mouth tentatively as if asking permission. Reluctant to end the kiss, he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss when he felt her respond. Sylvie had never been kissed like this – the tenderness & gentle possession was so unexpected and felt so right with Joe.

Breathless, she murmured against his neck when they finally parted. "Do you want to come in?"

Joe was running his hands up and down her back, creating shivers and a deep craving in both of them. "Yeah, I do but I won't, not tonight."

Leaning away a bit to look in his eyes, she smiled in understanding. She laid her hand against the side of face, not in the least surprised when he pressed a soft kiss against her palm. Then, as if he couldn't help himself, he buried his hands in her curls and pulled her in for another kiss, this one a bit shorter but nonetheless filled with passion and need.

:"Good night Sylvie. Some things are worth waiting for."