She was the first one to break their embrace. She always was, he never let her go until he had to.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said pulling herself completely out of his arms and taking a few steps back.
"Do you really think we can do this?" She asked uncertainly. She wanted to believe that they could and yet...
"Togther we can do anything, remember we're the dinamic duo." He winked at her.
"Wasn't that Batman and Robin?"
"Batman and Catwoman in our case, I think."
"Weren't they enemies?"
"They were lovers."
"What kind of comic books were you reading as a kid?"
"It was implied Tash."
"Okay fine but that still doesn't help us."
"Are we actually trying to define our relationship by a comic book?" He knew that the only reason they were having this conversation was because she was nervous. When she became nervous she was willing to talk about almost anything in order to avoid the real issue.
"You're right, I guess I'm just tired."
"You must be, you didn't even lecture me on Catwoman as a sexual symbol perpetuating the male stereotype of women."
"See if you know that why do you say it?"
"Because I like it when you get flustered."
"Sometimes I find it almost impossible to believe that your not still nine years old." She mused in exasperation
"Well I am pretty cute." He offered displaying his dimples to their fullest potential. "So, do you want to have dinner tonight, catch up." She actually giggled.
"You can't be serious."
"Afraid I'll ruin your reputation?"
"Actually yes. I've been in town two weeks Michael, how would it look if I were to be seen having dinner with..."
"The Godfather of Port Charles?"
"That's not funny."
"I'm sorry, it's just... I'm not asking you to walk into the Grille on my arm, I wouldn't do that to you. I was thinking we could eat here, or at my place." She was figuring out a way to refuse but before she could speak he took her hand in his and continued. "This is me Michael asking my best friend Natasha to have dinner with me, that's all" He could tell she was wavering and took quick advantage. "Come on say yes, Tash, please." He gave her the puppy dog eyes and he knew he had won. It was the same look he had used to make her agree to go with him to the school dance.
She had been terribly shy and refused to dance with anyone but him, not that he minded. It was their first dance. She had come over early and his mother had helped her do her hair. She wore it loose in curls that fell down her back. And his mother had applied a light pink lipstick on her perfect lips. She was the most beautiful girl at the dance, and he wasn't the only one who thought so. The other boys had practically surrounded her when he went to get them some punch. Coming back to find her he saw that she was on the verge of a panic attack. He had seen it happen before, whenever she felt trapped, something else they shared in common. He broke through the crowd and grabbed her hand pulling her onto the dance floor which was practically empty. Holding her at a distance in the formal manner that they had been taught he soothed her with his movements.
"Thanks Michael."
"I'll always take care of you Tash."
"I'm not a baby, Michael, you don't need to look after me."
"I know I just meant that we'll always be there for each other." She hated it when he implied that she was weak or unable to take care of herself. He knew first hand that she was anything but weak but still felt the need to protect her. He wanted to make sure nothing bad could ever touch her, never again.
"Anyway it was just some stupid boys, I could have handled it."
"I told you you were the most beautiful girl here Tasha." She looked away from him then, as she always did when he tried to compliment her. She never seemed able to believe him no matter how many times he told her. He kept telling her anyway because he hoped someday she would learn to believe him.
They stood there, looking into each others eyes, remembering.
"Fine we can have dinner, but here. We'll order room service."
"Great, I'll see you at seven?" He was suddenly anxious to go, before she could change her mind.
"All right, and Michael... I've missed you."
"Me too." More than you can imagine he thought as he took her into his arms one last time before kissing her cheek. And then he was gone and Alexis was left to wonder what on earth she was doing.