When he picked her up, Steelbeak swept her with his eyes as he got out to open the passenger side door for her. She had shiny black round-toed wedges with little rhinestone buckles on the straps just above her ankles, pale cream stockings and an over sized black parka with a fur-lined hood. Along the bottom edge of the parka, a baby blue satin fringe of a skirt played peek-a-boo with him when she shrugged shyly.

Steelbeak smiled. Nothing appraising or lecherous. Just a simple smile.

Tegwen thought he looked immensely happy. "Good evening."

"You look beautiful tonight," he replied, gesturing to her seat as he held the door open for her.

"You asked me to look nice," said Tegwen, gracefully getting into the car. "I had to oblige."

The ride to the restaurant was fairly long but filled with jokes and plenty of giggles. As they approached and drove over the Audubon Bay Bridge, Steelbeak couldn't miss that Tegwen grew somber and silent. She bowed her head, curls falling slightly forward. She looked confused.

"What's de matter?" He asked slowly, hand slipping from the steering wheel and hovering over her left knee. When she regarded him warily, he withdrew, gripping the steering wheel tightly to keep from making that mistake again.

She shook her head. "I feel like. . . Like. . . Like I'm forgetting something?" Tegwen paused. "No. Like I've forgotten."

Steelbeak stiffened, saying nothing.

She forced a smile at him, debating putting her cold hand on his as it kneaded the steering wheel. They were on Duckburg soil and a little less than twenty minutes from the restaurant. "Wow," she commented, trying to rub the blush from her cheeks. "Way to destroy the mood, huh?"

"No, no," Steelbeak insisted. "I jest wanted ta make sure yer okay."

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