Tonya sat at her vanity, looking in the mirror, and making faces at her reflection.  Since it was so cold outside, she had dropped the idea of the black skirt and had dug out her black dress slacks.  Coupled with a deep amethyst long sleeved shirt and her fancy black snow boots, she looked good.  All the jewelry she wore was silver, or silver with amethyst stones, even though it was just a watch and her normal earrings.  But something was missing from the outfit and nothing she had seemed to fix it.  A knock on the door brought her out of her daydream.

 

 "Who is it?" she called looking at the door.

 

 "Zarbon." replied her visitor. "May I come in?"

 

 "Sure."

 

 He shut the door behind him and walked up to stand behind her.  "Do you buy new clothes everytime we have a date?" he asked teasingly.  "They look good on you though."

 

 "This is only our second date, and I'd bought that skirt for something else," she retorted with a smirk.  "I have more clothes than you think I have.  I just don't wear some of them very often."  She grinned at him suggestively and wiggled her eyebrows.  You should see some of the stuff I've got hidden away."

 

 She giggled as that suggestion sank in and Zarbon blushed deeply.  "I *coff* like your outfit, Koi." he said trying to change the subject.  "But I think it needs something."

 

 Tonya sighed and cocked her head at her reflection.  "I know, but I can't find anything," she said.

 

 "Hmm," Zarbon mused as his hand slipped into his jacket pocket.  "I have an idea...close your eyes."
 
 Tonya turned to look at him.  "Close my eyes?  How's that going to help?"

 

 "Just trust me on this, okay?" he replied with a smile.

 

 "Okay," she said and turned back to the mirror.

 

 "No peeking," he warned playfully as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

 

 "All right, but what are you going to do to me?"

 

 "You'll see," he answered as he pulled a thin box from his pocket.  Opening it, he deftly removed the necklace.  She shivered as he deliberately brushed her neck as he put it on her and fastened the clasp.  "You can open them now."

 

 She opened her eyes slowly and look in the mirror.  Her mouth dropped and her eyes widened in surprise, before a smile lit her face.  A hand slowly reached up to touch the pendant, almost as if she thought it would disappear if she moved to fast.

 

 "Happy birthday, Tonya," Zarbon said smiling.

 

 Tonya jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him down for a quick kiss.  "Thank you, Zarbon," she said.  "It's beautiful."

 

 Zarbons hand cupped her cheek.  "No love, you're beautiful," he corrected her softly.  "Well... shall we get going?"

 

 "You never did tell me where we are going," she said.  "Do you intend every date to be a secret?"

 

 "Maybe," he mused as they left the room.

- - - - - - - -
 
 "I think recognize this area," Tonya said.  "Are we near McPherson?" Zarbon glanced at her, but didn't reply.  "Well, phhhht on you too," she said with a grin. "I spent half my childhood in and around this area so don't act surprised if I guess where were going before we get there."

 

 "You won't," he answered cryptically.

 

 "Don't bet on that," she said as the passed the city limit sign.  "Ah ha!  I was right!"

 

 "Mmmhmm, now close your eyes."

 

 "What?  Again?  Why?" she asked pouting.

 

 "It's for a surprise," he replied.

 

 "All right, but I doubt it could top the necklace."

 

 They drove through most of the town both Zarbon turned off the main road.  Ten minutes later, she felt the car come to a stop and heard Zarbon turn the engine off.

 

 "Now?"

 

 "Not yet.  Don't peek!"  He came around and opened her door for her, then helped her get out.  He stood next to her so he could see her face.  "Okay." 

 

 She opened her eyes with a skeptical look already firmly in place.  She blinked as she realized what she was looking at and the new look she wore rivaled the one she'd had at the ice cream factory on all you can eat day.  Tonya slowly turned to look at him and he raised his eyebrows in an innocent expression.

 

 "Applegate's Landing closed at least ten years ago," she said.  "How..."

 

 "They reopened just last month.  Same building, same menu, new management," he replied.  "So shall we go inside?"

 

 She kissed him deeply.  "Yes," she nodded enthusiastically.  She tugged on his sleeve to get him to follow her.  Zarbon decided right then, and there that surprising her was a REALLY good idea.