First Love

The music ends as I pull Cherie close.  We smile at each other, our breath misting.  Wait a minute.  Mist?  I frown and look up, puffing.  About 30 degrees, from the look of it.  Cherie shivers suddenly and wraps her arms tightly around my waist, burrowing into my vest.  

"Mon ami, where's your coat?"  

"Did...dn't bring one."  Her teeth are starting to chatter.  I shake my head and sweep my cloak off.  

"Let go, Cherie."  

"Don'ttt wanna.  Cccold."  

"You need my cloak, silly woman.  Let go so I can wrap you up."  She releases me and I quickly wrap the cloak around her shoulders, pulling it snug around her.  She grins sheepishly.  I sigh and guide her to my bike.

"Hey!  Where's Tuxie?"

"I saw him leave with Moon.  Look for long blonde ponytails."

"Damn.  I wanted a rose."  I shudder at the drunken female voices coming from the building.  

"I ccan tttake 'em."  Cherie mutters, turning back.  I yank her around and hustle her to the Harley.  

"Not in your condition.  I need to get you someplace warm, fast."

"Cccould go bback insside."  She says knowingly as I cram a helmet on past her odangos.

"Not on your life.  I'll be mobbed."

"Poor Tttuxie.  All tthat female attttenttttion."

"Get on the bike, Cherie."  She climbs on.  I help her tuck the cloak firmly around her legs, swap my hat for my helmet, and swing on in front of her.  As soon as I'm seated, she snuggles close.  "Hold on, mon ami."  The Harley roars to life.

"There they are!"  I glance up to see a Melfina, a B5 tech and two Jedi knights running in our direction.  I squeeze the throttle and speed away from the curb.

"Cccould've thrown a rose."  

"Hush, you."