Chaos was sitting in a booth in a private area of the Veridian. The restaurant was a stand-alone in one of the high-end areas of the city. He was confused about why he was there or why Charles insisted on dressing him. Chaos had to admit that the outfit did look pretty good on him. He almost fell over when he saw Lisa come through the door. She looked around until she noticed him, making her way to the table. He clumsily stood up so she could pick her seat. "Thank you, Spencer. You look particularly handsome today!" Lisa complimented. "S-sure!" Chaos was reeling. When Lisa settled into her seat in the booth, Chaos made his way to the opposite side of the table. “Wait!” Lisa said, “I prefer if you sat on my side if that’s okay with you.” “Um, okay...” Chaos replied stiffly. Chaos sat next to her. He didn’t expect to be so close. The floral scent she often gave off was intoxicating. Lisa preferred being close to someone instead of being across from each other. It is easier to hear each other during a conversation, plus she likes seeing Chaos squirm a little. "I was a little surprised when Charles came by the shop telling me you wanted to meet me here," Lisa smiled. "He did what?" Chaos asked. Lisa chuckled and shook her head, "You had no idea I was the one who was going to be meeting you here this evening?" Chaos shook his head. "Well, I guess I can leave if you're uncomfortable. I'm sorry Charles and Lector sprung me on you," Lisa sighed. "No! Stay!" Chaos shouted, then covered his mouth. Lisa tilted her head to the side and said, "Okay, I'll stay?" Chaos nodded. "Cat got your tongue, Spencer?" Lisa asked, noting how stiff he was and how profusely he was blushing. "No! I don't even like cats!" he replied, then kicked himself. He loves cats. "Okay! Okay! Calm down," Lisa touched his hand, "Let's just have fun, okay?" Chaos nodded. Lisa thought to herself, "I think if I had gone with what Veronica picked, he might have died." The waiter came by to take their drink order. "I-- need a minute to look at the menu. I've never been here before," Lisa replied nervously. The waiter nodded and left them to look. "I don't-- recognize anything on this menu," Lisa furrowed her brow, looking it over. "Do you like wine?" Chaos managed. "I mean. I buy the cheap Moscato from the grocery store. Usually, I shoot tequila and drink beer, though," Lisa explained. "Ah, I see," Chaos stroked his chin, "Do you like margaritas?" "I love margaritas!" Lisa nodded. "Well, I think the bartender can whip something up. This place is known for its wine selection, and most guests come here for that purpose. I think Merle will be ecstatic to do something other than pour wine," Chaos nodded. Chaos told the waiter to have Merle surprise them with the best margaritas he could manage. He came back with two of the most oversized margarita glasses Lisa had ever seen in her whole life. "Wow!" Lisa breathed. "How about the food?" Chaos asked. "I'm not too picky, and as I've said, I don't recognize very many things on this menu," Lisa sighed. Chaos smirked, "Then you're in for a treat, little flower." Chaos put in their entire order from appetizer to the dessert and left it up to the waiter to time when he'd bring each course. Lisa was blown away by the appetizer. "This is so good! I didn't think it would be possible!" "Oh, the chefs here are world-class," Chaos nodded, "it is a requirement that they study cuisine in their native areas before even applying." "That's a pretty stiff expectation," Lisa was shocked. "Well, there's a reason Veridian is the best of the best," Chaos explained. Lisa nodded, still eating and sipping her margarita. "She's so adorable when she eats. Not dangerous at all," Chaos thought, "That's what makes her dangerous. Don't get swallowed up." "Penny, for your thoughts?" Lisa asked. "Just thinking about how adorable you are," Chaos smiled, then immediately kicked himself. "Awe, thank you, Spencer! You're pretty adorable too when you're lost in thought," Lisa nodded. "Well, I'm-- not supposed to be adorable," Chaos stammered. Lisa rolled her eyes, "I know. Villain. You weirdly have to justify that when you're around me. I don't know if you're trying to convince yourself or me." "Both!" Chaos stated. "Wow. It seems like you have accumulated a lot of wealth, resources, and friends just to let yourself be miserable," Lisa put her cheek on her hand as she stared at him. "What's that supposed to mean? And they aren't my friends! They are my lackeys," Chaos insisted. "I don't know. Lackeys don't revere their leader, nor do they go out of their way to try to help them be happy," Lisa pushed back. "I'm plenty happy!" Chaos crossed his arms. "Sure," Lisa sat back in her spot. Chaos downed his margarita and waved the waiter down for another. "What about you?" "What do you mean?" Lisa asked. "I've watched you, even before you stepped into a super-powered firefight like a maniac. You manage that shop by yourself, every day. Even on your days off, I'm sure you're in your secret greenhouse tending your flowers. You don't have any friends or family over. What's up with that?" Chaos asked. "Well, Mr. Spencer, I'm flattered that you've taken that much of an interest in me," Lisa blinked. "I have not! Okay, maybe a little. Will you stop smirking at me like that and answer my question," Chaos crossed his arms. "Well, I don't have any living relatives anymore," Lisa began, "And-- well, I have my flowers." "You seem to get along with my men well enough," Chaos eyed her. "They are just my customers! I mean, yes, I have been known to have a drink with Charles on occasion, and I've spent more time with Veronica because I'm the flower arranger for her wedding, but that's it," Lisa explained. "That doesn't seem like you're trying to be happy either," Chaos muttered. "I'm plenty happy with how things are. At least I was before my shop kept getting destroyed repeatedly, and I had to replace a bunch of stuff that's irreplaceable sixty years into the future. Though I am grateful that Bosco was the first thing destroyed," Lisa shivered. "The taxidermy bear? That has been bugging me too. Why have that knowing what happened?" "Well, that was the bear that killed mom and dad. Grandma became furious and hunted the bear down herself. She kept Bosco as a reminder to customers to not hurt her family, or they'll turn out like Bosco," Lisa chuckled though her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Your grandma was-- an interesting person," Chaos tilted his head to the side. "Well, she lived a long life, full of adventures. Even the flower shop was an adventure to her," Lisa smiled for real as she explained that. "I see," Chaos nodded, listening. "You know, Spencer. I've had my eye on you for a while, believe it or not," Lisa said. "Really?" "Yeah. I have many women come to my shop gushing over the Jet. He always came off as an ass to me. I had to kick him out of my shop yesterday," Lisa explained, "but you-- You try to be as menacing as possible, even seem like a maniac, but there is something sad about you. It gets smaller when you're around your friends, but the sadness is still there." "Well, you know," Chaos stammered, "I didn't become a villain because I like being bad, and I certainly didn't go crazy because mommy didn't hug me enough." Lisa nodded, encouraging him to go on. "It's just-- everything I touch goes to hell fast. So, since nothing good came from me doing good," Chaos explained. "You decided being evil was best," Lisa finished. "Here are your entrees," the waiter set their food in front of them, taking away the appetizer plates, swapping out the empty margarita glasses for full ones. They both thanked the waiter. "I imagine most of those instances were things that were out of your control," Lisa nodded, "I know what that's like. I guess my flowers are comforting because they live based on the environment I make for them and the care that I provide." "Do you?" Chaos's eyebrow twitched. "Well, I can't say that I know your situation specifically, but-- I can agree with the sentiment of it," Lisa said. "So, with your line of thinking, you could have become a bad guy, too?" Chaos questioned. "It's certainly a possibility," Lisa nodded, sipping her margarita. "I can't picture it," Chaos put his face to his hand, "You're too kind-hearted." "Thank you!" "I didn't exactly mean it as a compliment," Chaos retorted. "Well, I chose to take it as one," Lisa smirked. "You can be so impossible sometimes," Chaos groaned. "I'll take that as a compliment, too." Their dinner continued with good conversation about many things, though each of them avoided too many details about their pasts. As they were finishing dessert, Chaos said, "I didn't tell you how beautiful you looked tonight. I was kind of knocked out when you came in." Lisa blushed, "I'm glad you liked my outfit that much. Lector put quite a bit of thought into it." "Well, Lector has an eye for these things. Though your beauty carries itself," Chaos smiled. "I do declare, Spencer, that you are trying to woo me now." "Maybe," Chaos replied, "but it's true." "I think that's the tequila talking," Lisa chuckled. Chaos took her hand and looked her in the eye, "No, I'm serious." He wondered if she tasted as good as she looked. He usually didn't need liquid courage, but he may not have done this if he wasn't a little tipsy. He leaned over to kiss her. This was something Lisa was honestly waiting for. She was a little curious. Their lips almost met when suddenly a familiar voice put a dagger between them at that moment. "So, I see that you're out with--him," the Jet sauntered up with some women attached to his arm. "I see you're out with an entourage again," Lisa sneered. She was pretty pissed that he dared to approach them when they had a moment. Chaos chuckled, shaking his head. "You know he's a villain, right? A stain on society?" the Jet cocked his head back. Lisa glared at him, "I don't know. He's been more helpful in clearing up the collateral damage from your piss poor choices. I have to wonder who is the hero here." "Watch it," the Jet and Chaos warned at the same time. "I can't believe you're wasting your time on this trash, Jet," one of the girls tugged his arm. "I mean, she did ditch you in the middle of a date," another girl leered at Lisa. "I ditched HIM?" Lisa stood up, "more as he ditched me!" "Now, now, Lisa," the Jet backtracked, "No reason to bring up the past." "Yeah, that's super convenient now that you have these women fooled," Lisa muttered. "Why are you being such a bitch?" one of the girls rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry," Lisa's face twitch, "I didn't quite hear that." "So you're deaf on top of being a bit--" she couldn't finish her sentence because Lisa decked her. Lisa was fuming, "I dare you to call me out of my name like that again." "Gross, she hits like a man," the first girl said, hiding behind the Jet. "I should have you arrested for assaulting one of my dates," the Jet glared. "You're about to have to get me arrested for beating the tar out of your sorry ass," Lisa sneered, then flinched back as the second girl slapped her. "You apologize," the second girl demanded. Lisa slowly stood back up, putting a hand on her cheek. She was bleeding because the woman's hands scratched her face. Lisa licked the blood off her fingers and gave them a look that sent a chill through even the Jet. "I'll let that one slide since I lost my composure and hit your friend," Lisa's voice was a little too relaxed, "I have let a lot of things slide when it comes to you. However, my patience is wearing pretty thin." The woman whom Lisa hit regained consciousness and lunged at her again. Lisa held out a hand, keeping the woman at a distance with a grip on her face. "Let her go, Lisa," the Jet warned. "I will if she stops coming at me looking for a fight. She's already provoked me once and obviously hasn't learned her lesson," Lisa glared at him. The Jet picked the woman up and started walking away, followed by the other two women. The Jet said, "It's pretty clear to me why you get along with him so well." "Careful, Jet. You're already out of line for letting your skanks treat Lisa about how you've treated her," Chaos was awoken from his reverie. He was pretty sure he fell in love with Lisa over this exchange, or at least he may have gotten a hardon for it. "Interesting that you intervene now, Chaos," the Jet leered. "You were just as taken aback as I was just now. You're just as much in the wrong here as I am, if not more," Chaos leered back. "Listen well, Lisa, so you don't end up burning up like your shop. Don't associate with this clown, and learn to act more like a lady. You do kind of hit like a man," the Jet walked out. Chaos was holding Lisa back, "Lisa, that is not a fight you can win. Lisa?" “Let me go! That ass-whooping has been a long time coming,” Lisa yelled, but she was shorter than Chaos, so he was able to hold her off the floor. “Will you stop struggling?” Chaos was barely having an issue keeping a hold of her. “How the hell did she hip toss Lector?” he thought. “This is why I don’t have close friends,” Lisa huffed, “I hit like a man because that’s how grandma taught me to defend myself. She couldn’t be a captain if she acted like a damn damsel in distress.” Lisa was still kicking her feet, trying to walk away. “I hear you, dangerous flower,” Chaos was still holding onto her, “and I think it’s kind of cool that you can swing like that, though maybe we should have taken that one out on the street.” "I'm sorry. I ruined our date," Lisa looked down. "That was absolutely not your fault," Chaos reassured her. “Spencer?” “Yeah?” “I stopped struggling a little while ago,” Lisa smirked. “Yeah, so?” Chaos looked confused. Lisa wiggled, “You’re still holding me up.” “Oops,” Chaos set her down. “I mean, I’m not complaining. It’s not often someone sweeps me off my feet— even if it is to stop me from getting into an unwinnable fight,” Lisa smiled. Chaos scratched the back of his neck. “Yeah, well,” he was trying to figure out how to change the subject, “this scratch looks pretty bad. Let's get out of here and get that cleaned up, yeah?" Lisa pouted, “Okay.” “Why does she look so disappointed,” Chaos thought. The manager approached Lisa and Chaos. "So-- normally, we'd ban people for stuff like that, but since it's you, Spence, I'll let it slide.” "Thanks, Carl," Chaos said, steering Lisa out of the restaurant. Lisa waved at Carl, who smiled and shook his head. Neither of them was sober enough to drive. Fortunately, Charles was waiting for them after a text from Chaos. "Lisa! What happened?" Charles was surprised then glared at Chaos. "Charles, you know good and damn well I'd never hit a woman, villain or not," Chaos lectured, "the Jet came in." "Boss! Are you okay? Did he hit Lisa?" Charles panicked. "He might as well have. Can we take her home, and can you pass me the first aid kit while you drive us there," Chaos asked. "Sure thing, boss," Charles passed him the first aid kit from the glove compartment before driving off. "Bet he walked in right when they were about to kiss," Charles fumed as he thought to himself, "I hate that guy." Lisa winced as he applied a disinfectant to the wound. "I know. I know," Chaos sighed, “I have to admit, I would never have guessed you would have decked that woman.” Lisa touched a hand to her bandage, “Yeah, well, she called me a bitch, so I couldn’t let that one slide.” “She in the hospital?” Charles asked. “I have learned to exercise restraint, Charles,” Lisa crossed her arms and pouted. “Wait… you put someone in the hospital?” Chaos raised his eyebrows. “Yeah, some idiot came in the bar and started to get derogatory towards me, so Lisa stepped in,” Charles explained, “the guy turned to her and said, ‘What are you? His bitch?’ I’ve never seen Lisa come that unglued.” “I don’t understand. She couldn’t get away from me when I was holding her back just now,” Chaos looked between the two of them. “You naughty girl,” Charles smirked in the rearview mirror. Lisa turned up her nose, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Charles.” “Sure,” Charles said slowly. “Wait, what are you talking about?” Chaos was lost. “Boss,” Charles began. “No, no, Charles. Let him stew on that one,” Lisa waved a hand, “it’ll come to our villainous man with two eyes eventually.” Chaos thought about it, “Oh… Oh! Well, you’re pretty nice to hold on to, or whatever. Stop smirking at me like that! You too, Charles! Sheesh.” Charles and Lisa chuckled as they pulled in front of the shop. Chaos asked sheepishly, “Would you like me to walk you to your door?” “Sure!” Lisa smiled as she hopped out of the car. Chaos went in to check around and make sure everything was okay. "You don't have to do that. I could have secured it after you left," Lisa reassured him. "Well, I'll sleep better knowing for sure it's all good in here," Chaos said, "especially after that. Who knows what the Jet and those chicks would do," Chaos sighed in relief for just how secure the shop is when it's standing in one piece. “I’m not too worried about it,” Lisa shrugged, “Hopefully, now he will stop treating me like I’m a prize to be won.” "You know. I kind of like you a little more, knowing you can throw a punch like that," Chaos half-joked. "Don't lie. The only thing lady-like about me is the fact that I own a flower shop," Lisa crossed her arms, “And the fact that I like sundresses.” Chaos replied, "I'm not lying." He grabbed her shoulders, getting her to look him in the eyes, “I mean it….” They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment. Then they leaned in, kissing each other briefly. Then they did it again. Lisa wrapped her arms around his shoulders and Chaos around her waist. She ran her fingers through his hair as his hands pressed against her back. When they broke the kiss, they panted, looking into each other's eyes. Chaos pulled away. "We can't do this now." Lisa blinked, "What?" "We've both had quite a bit to drink," Chaos insisted. "And?" "I'd rather do this with you-- when we're both sober," Chaos said slowly. "So you do want to do me," Lisa smirked. "Of course I do! Don't look at me like that," Chaos scratched the back of his neck, "I mean, who wouldn't." "Lots of people. You know, since everything I do is pretty emasculating or whatever," Lisa muttered. "A real man loves a woman who can do shit for herself. A woman who wants but doesn't need him," Chaos said, then covered his mouth. "Why the fuck did I admit that out loud," he thought, "it's the liquor talking. Totally the liquor talking. She probably thought that was weird." "I think that's probably the nicest thing anyone has ever implied about me," Lisa kissed him on the cheek, "I guess we can continue this when we aren't toasted." Chaos nodded, "Are you going to make it up the stairs, okay?" "Yeah," she said, "Good night, Spencer." "Good night, little flower," Chaos waved as he exited the shop. He waited to hear the door click before approaching the car. "That was pretty fast, boss," Charles looked at him through the rearview mirror, "though you look pretty satisfied." "We didn't do anything, Charles. At least not anything someone would regret in the morning," Chaos smiled, touching a hand to his cheek. "You're a real gentleman, boss," Charles nodded as he drove off. "Watch it," Chaos warned. "Yes, boss. Sorry,” Charles was silent for a moment, “So you forgot you were holding onto her, huh?” “No!” Chaos said, but Charles’s face was flat, “Maybe.” Charles roared with laughter, “You know, you’ve become a hard ass over the years, boss, but it’s still nice to see my friend who needed me to kill spiders for him every once in a while.” Chaos pouted, “Shut up, Charles… you still have to kill the spiders anyway.” Charles smirked and thought to himself, “That’s not quite what I meant, Spencer, but he did always have the penchant for taking things literally until he thinks about them.” “You know I can’t do this, Charles.” “Boss…” “The Jet is right. I will burn her if I get too close,” Chaos muttered. “Well, you know what they say, boss, the more intense the conditions, the hotter the pepper,” Charles nodded. “She’s— a flower, Charles,” Chaos said slowly. “Ghost peppers have flowers before they become peppers,” Charles smirked, “and that’s what makes them dangerous.” “Whatever, Charles. I cannot let myself entertain this,” Chaos argued. “Spencer,” Charles was stern, “do you, or do you not like our little ghost pepper?” Chaos flinched. It had been years since Charles called him by his name, “I like her! But…” “Did you like holding her?” “I mean, she’s soft, and I feel comfortable, but….” “And did you enjoy kissing her?” “Yes! But how did you we kiss—“ “Do you also know that our little ghost pepper is about ready to climb you like a tree?” “Charles, that’s—“ “Did you like that thought that popped in your head just now?” “Well, yes… but….” “No more buts, Spencer,” Charles declared, “You are going to be the ghost pepper’s oak tree until you both legitimately decide you don’t want to be. Not because you’re afraid of your circumstances burning her, not because that douchebag Jet is talking nonsense— which you never listen to that guy, so I don’t know why you’re about to start. Not because you have to continue to hold up your appearance of being Creator Chaos the hard ass. It will be because Spencer Hendrix decides in his heart of hearts after trying, legitimately trying, that she isn’t the one.” “Charles, I don’t know if I know how to do that anymore,” Chaos put his head in his hands. “Yes, Spence, you can. I believe in you,” Charles said, “And if you don’t, I’m going to let Lector get the pet tarantula he’s always wanted.” “Okay! Okay! You don’t have to take it that far, Charles,” Chaos waved his hands, “Did she say that?” “Oh yeah. We were at the bar a couple of days ago, and she said, and I quote,” Charles began his best Lisa impression, “‘If he weren’t so wrapped up in being scared of me, I’d climb that man like a tree,’” Charles nodded. “No way.” “Yes way,” Charles continued his Lisa impersonation, “‘It’s also super adorable how he blushes and gets irritated with me. That Spencer is just too sweet.’” “You’re bull shitting me,” Chaos crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “I can call her right now,” Charles reached to press the auto-dial on the car. “That— won’t be necessary, Charles,” Chaos leaned forward, “And I’m not scared of that dangerous little flower.” “Sure, boss. Whatever you say,” Charles rolled his eyes as he pulled into the skyscraper. “I’m not!” “Right…” “Damn it, Charles!”