Nashville, TN, Friday night

[blessed_twice]

Twelve or so hours of driving (including stops for gas, food, cheesy tourist attractions, and other necessities) brought Wyatt and Isabel from Alexandria to Nashville. Driving cross-country was going to take a lot longer than orbing, but it was worth it for the experience and the company. And, of course, stopping at every Guy Fieri-endorsed diner they could find along the way.

Wyatt actually had a destination in mind for a late dinner, one he'd found recommended on the Food Network website. So after they'd checked into their motel, Wyatt led Isabel on the short walk to the Tin Angel.

"Dork," Isabel laughed.

"C'mon, I had to," Wyatt said, opening up the door and holding it for her.


[For great slowplay with the GF.]

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It was positively required, I know," she said, walking through the door and checking out the restaurant.

"It's perfect."

[blessed_twice]

"Found it on the Food Network website," Wyatt said, following her in. "Thought it would be fun to check out."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"With no amusingly ironic motives whatsoever," Isabel laughed as she reached for him hand. "So six hundred miles down, only twelve hundred more to go?"

[blessed_twice]

"I figure we can take the rest more slowly," Wyatt said. "I just wanted to make a good start." He told the hostess there were two of them, and she started to lead them to a table.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel took her seat at the quiet corner table the hostess led them to. "Slow is good. It'll give us time to go to Opryland in the morning."

[blessed_twice]

"Are you going to make us stop at every big hotel on the way?" Wyatt teased.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Maybe every third," she said after a moment of pretend consideration. "Otherwise it'll take forever."

[blessed_twice]

"I'll volunteer to check out the pools and saunas," Wyatt offered.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll be following along right behind you. Just to make sure you use sunscreen." It had nothing to do with making sure some teeny bopper didn't throw herself at him.

[blessed_twice]

"Can't say no to that," Wyatt said. He looked down at the menu. "Want to get an appetizer? I hear the Angel Wings are good."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Not going to say a thing. Not going to say a thing," she snickered. "But if I were? It would be way dirty."

Of course the waitress picked that minute to walk up to the table, causing Isabel to turn several shade so pink. "I'll have an ice tea. He can pick the appetizers."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt ordered a beer for himself, and Angel Wings and Crab Cakes as appetizers. He snickered as the waitress walked away. "At least you weren't in mid-sentence about aliens or insane Greek gods or jello dragons," he said.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'm sure that'll get me some weird looks," she agreed. "Welcome back to the real world."

[blessed_twice]

"It's going to be hard not to orb everywhere," Wyatt said. "It's just instinctive now. Another reason driving was a good idea."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That and I didn't want to see you knocked on your ass trying to move something as big as my car."

[blessed_twice]

"Bet I could do it," Wyatt said, because he had to be macho about it.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Maybe. Probably," she considered. "But we're not going to find out. I wouldn't want to see something important. Like the engine, get left behind."

[blessed_twice]

"Some assembly required after transport," Wyatt said gravely.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I know you have mad skillz," Isabel said with a sly grin. "But how mechanically inclined are you?

[blessed_twice]

"I could try to heal the car," Wyatt said. "Apparently Whitelighters can sometimes heal inanimate objects when the script calls for it. Other than that, my mechanical skills are mostly knowing how to call AAA and ask for a two truck."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Which is why we'll just keep driving. I don't want to try explaining how the car wound up like that." Reaching across the table she took his hand. "Besides, I like spending time like this with you. It's fun."

[blessed_twice]

"Definitely," Wyatt said, squeezing her hand. "Can't think of any one I'd rather drive a couple thousand miles with."

The waitress returned with their appetizers and drinks. "Aww, y'all are cute," she said.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It's because we haven't gotten lost yet," Isabel told her. "Just wait till we're in the middle of no where and he won't as for directions."

[blessed_twice]

"Hey, I won't get lost!" Wyatt protested.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"That's what they all say honey," the waitress laughed. "Make sure to have a good map."

Amused, Isabel nodded. "I have several. Don't worry." But just to sooth a potentially sensitive male ego. "Not that I think I'll need them."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt gave her a wounded look. "Just for that, you're paying for dinner," he said.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She shrugged and stole a piece of angel wing. "Which means I can order something completely decadent for dessert and not feel guilty."

[blessed_twice]

"And you'll share, right?" Wyatt said with the right touch of puppy dog eyes. He glanced down at the menu. "I think I'll try the Seared Beef Tenderloin," he said.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Foiled by the puppy eyes. "Of course I will."

"That does look yummy. But I think I'll go for the Angel Louie. And just steal bits off your plate," Isabel grinned. "It's weird to think we won't be there to terrorize the newbies tomorrow."

[blessed_twice]

Wyatt waited a moment for the waitress to get a safe distance away before he responded. "It's always so much fun to see the looks on their innocent faces when you tell them about what's waiting for them."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Like gremlins, gender-swapping, being wee tiny, or invasions of weetiny future children?" she listed, shaking her head. "Really! It happens! I have pictures to prove it."

[blessed_twice]

"They're so cute when they laugh and say 'yeah, right,'" Wyatt said, nibbling on an angel wing.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"And then a week later you find them singing show tunes in the common room because they got gremlin bit," Isabel snickered. "Think though, in a few weeks we'll be the newbies. Fortunately I think we'll only get tormented with evil professors."

[blessed_twice]

"Or hazed if I join a frat," Wyatt said thoughtfully, as if he was seriously considering it.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

She could picture Wyatt in a fraternity easily enough. Isabel wasn't sure she liked that picture because it involved bimbos in skimpy clothes. "You'd consider pledging? Really?"

[blessed_twice]

"Because I'm such a jock," Wyatt snorted. "Nah, I don't really have much of a wish to go through hazing and groveling for admittance."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You've got a point. And tossing someone across the room because they pissed you off is not a good way to keep a low profile," she replied. "Besides, you might be busy. Are you going to have to take up the family business?"

[blessed_twice]

"And I can't really see myself bending over and saying 'Thank you, sir, may I have another,'" Wyatt snickered. "As for the family business, I'll keep an eye out for anything I need to deal with. Maybe go hunting when I can."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"I'll worry," Isabel admitted. "Just a bit. Since I'm not going to be there to watch your back."

[blessed_twice]

"I promise I won't do anything stupid," Wyatt said, reaching across the table to put his hand over hers. "If I need backup, I'll get it."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"You'd better," she warned, turning her hand over and lacing her fingers through his. "Because otherwise, I'll kick your ass. And then I'll tell Piper."

[blessed_twice]

"Which one?" Wyatt said, squeezing her fingers.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel slowly stroked her thumb over the back of Wyatt's hand, while under the table, she toed off her sandal and rubbed her foot over his ankle. If only the tables had table clothes.

"Probably Fandom Piper," she admitted. "Only because I know her better. Plus she'll tell Phoebe. Who'll probably tell Bel. And then I'll have two worried witches and a cranky demon to help me."