"Hey, Mike..where's Vinny' I want to walk with him to the fight. Haven't had the chance to see him in the arena or annex or whatever it is yet. Has he left the tower yet?" She'd been so busy trying to put the finishing touches on a couple of important projects, that Kenzie hadn't stuck her head out of the apartment for awhile. She'd took just enough time to take a quick shower, put on a pair of tight blue jeans, a red sweater and a black leather jacket since it was so cold out now. All of which took less than ten minutes. "I'll hurry and catch up with him so we can go together."

There was a short, silent pause as if the AI did not know the right answer. 'The fight has already taken place, Miss Quinn. I'm sorry to inform you that he has lost the match.'

"No, no, that's not possible. I looked at my watch and still had over an hour before it should have started. I couldn't have missed it.." When painting, one does have a way of losing track of time; but, could she truly have been so focused that the entire match was over" "Oh god, he must hate me now." I am unable to confirm or deny the answer to said question, Miss Quinn.

"I know you can't, Mike. That's OK. I'll go try to find him at the tower."

I shall see that the door is open for you, Miss Quinn.

Her mind was spinning. How could she be so stupid as to let this happen. She had to be the worst girlfriend..or potential girlfriend ever! Luckily, she had a good pair of running shoes on to get her across town. But, she'd be out of breathe upon skidding through Mike's open door. "How much trouble am I in, Mike?"

I am unable to ..

"Never mind, Mike. I'll find out soon enough."

Walking up to a place which was once full of light and now sat eerily dark felt a bit unnerving. As if a shroud of death now encompassed the place. Maybe Kenzie didn't fully understand the importance placed on these bouts. In her world, where she'd trained and competed in martial arts, you win or lose. Losing was painful; but, time didn't allow her to brood overly long over any one competition. Life has a way of moving forward even if you want to go back and make corrections.

She remembered the sting of losing a few matches very clearly. Just as clearly, she remembered her father's words that always followed. "If you've got time to sulk, you've got plenty of time to muck out the barns. I suggest you choose the latter." Hard labor made you sweat and made you forget because it changed the focus. Her father used the sweat equity method to keep life in perspective and it worked more than most other ways of disciplining his hellion of a daughter.

Sounds like Vinny could use a different perspective about now.

Before she could say a single word to Mike, the AI had already opened the door. "Hey, Vinny.." Kenz had a pretty good nose on her and instantly detected the smell of alcohol. He didn't seem like someone who might lose his temper after soaking in the drink; but, she'd tread lightly at first just in case. As her eyes focused more easily in the low light, he would see her wince at the bruises. "Oh wow, yeah that has to hurt. A little ice can make it feel better." Before she'd leave him to grab it, her first stop was to take a seat beside him for a better look while leaning in, speaking softly. "You know what? I've fought fights and lost more than once. It happens. No one is indestructible. Life is more about how you get up than how you fall down." Pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"I'm pretty sure your stance on losing is pretty high up there with anyone else's opinion of doing so. But, it still happens." Heading towards the freezer to get an ice pack or two. While there, Kenzie discovered the ice cream. One chocolate and one vanilla. Whether he indulged himself or maybe it was a member of his staff, those two cartons would still be 'borrowed' along with the spoons while balancing the ice. She'd even make him scoot so there was room for them both.

The idea of spending the night earned an arched brow. "It's possible. I'm fairly good at keeping people company."

"If you were to complain, I'd just shove a huge ball of ice cream in your mouth. Though, I doubt you'd stay silent once that cold bite gave you a headache." Kenzie was sweet enough most days; but, she also had quite a bit of devilry to keep life interesting.

As she settled beside him on the couch, both brows raised at his taste in movies. "I've heard of only one of those movies; but, never seen any of them." The last movie she'd watched had been a Thor movie in a huge theater. "So it's best that you choose which ones and in what order."

"I go in, you go in." Arching her brow right back at Vinny. Kenzie may seem like a wispy little thing; but, he shouldn't let that fool him. On the bright side, with her around, he wouldn't find too many times where he'd have the chance to be bored.

When it came to his love of the old..old movies, she'd be way out of her element. "I watch It's a Wonderful Life each Christmas. That's about the oldest movie I've seen. My own favorites are somewhat newer. A Knight's Tale and The Replacements. The latter had lousy reviews; but, it's so funny that I'll stop and watch it every time."

Once they had settled in and the first movie started, he'd find she did have the ability to be quiet and that she seemed fascinated with the movie Casablanca.

She did enjoy the movie; but, watching more than one might be a bit much. Especially after the yawn which followed the movies ending. There was an almost cat like stretch from head to toe before an idea came to mind.

You know, it's almost Christmas and you don't have a tree. Here you are in the big space with no lights, no decorations..nothing.

Have you ever had one?

"I've never celebrated Christmas here before either. Guess we'll both be on the same page." There's nothing like brightly strung lights on a tree and spread around a room to make the holidays come to life. It would give some semblance of home.

"It'd be nice if you won't be playing Scrooge this year. Even if it's just for one night. No presents required.." Kenz didn't want to ever give him a reason to think her motives for being with him were dishonest. She was pretty sure he'd been stung enough by those with bad intentions in the past.

Seems he was reading her mind when Vinny just happened to suggest they add a tree to make his place more festive. "Sounds like a great idea to me."

What was he signing himself up for? Glad he didn't say that out loud or she'd be highly disappointed. Christmas was one of her favorite holidays. The tree, the lights and the snow on the rare occasion that happens.

"It's just a small tree.." Gauging his interest or lack there of. "A few lights on it. Maybe some ornaments. If that's not to your liking, I'll just put one in my apartment." Which is also where she'd sleep so he wouldn't have any need to figure out who goes where. Obviously they were both two very different people with very different views of the holidays.

"How long has it been since you celebrated a holiday of any kind, Vinny' You don't have to be a kid to enjoy yourself. Besides, I'm not really tired at the moment.."

"So, what you're saying is that you've forgotten what it's like to live a real life. Sure, the AI is great for many things in this tower; but, think of how much you have missed out on in twenty years of hiding away here." While it suddenly dawned on her that means there is rather sizable age difference, living in a place like this seemed to have a way of freezing time. Even if they were miles apart in age, she didn't mind. However, he'd have to be accommodating to getting out more. It was important for her to have friends and a social life so it'd be nice if Vinny would be a part of it.

For now, baby steps.

"How about we start over with the basics. Tomorrow we can get a tree and a few lights in your place or mine."

"Tonight, You can share your favorite drink with me, we'll watch the Charlie Brown movie. When that's over, we can play some nice music.." Growing up with grandparents who loved records, she'd be familiar with songs from his era pretty well. "If we happen to fall asleep on the couch, so be it. I'll try not to take up all the room." Draping her arm over his chest while resting her head on his shoulder. "This is a good movie by the way..I love Woodstock."

What is life? That was a deep question. "Life is what?s spinning around you every single day. All those things you've not left your tower long enough to notice. The moon, stars the beauty of the universe itself. Drinking a cold beer on a hot day..snuggling in a warm blanket on a cold night. Sledding down a hill at break neck speed. Give me a few weeks, I'll make you remember."

Envisioning the scene in her mind.

"Buuuuuut, it starts with a tree, a few ornaments, some hot chocolate and mistletoe. The later may be the hardest to find."

When he pulled out those London sours, she'd pop the top on hers and offer a clink to his own glass before taking a sip. "Oooo..that's pretty good." chuckling at he statement about the universe. "Well, you can't control the masses. But, you can watch a peanut's movie.."

Sometimes the crux of the problem is you're just thinking it through too much. That's what she believed anyway. It's often better to undo the shackles and burdens of life and just remember what it's like to live in the now. Put up a tree, put on some lights and a few ornaments, get out in the snow and remember what it's like to be five or ten sliding down the hills on a trash can lid or whatever you could ride on.

"I think Mike needs a break now and then don't you? We can get our own little tree, put on a few strands of light and find our own mistletoe." Hopefully, he'd find some fun in the whole adventure. "Probably too early for you to get a real dog; but, I bet you could build one. Might be more your style."

"My family always got a tree the tried and true way. By walking through two feet of snow, or more, to find the perfect one. By that, I mean it was usually more of an imperfect tree. Not the Charlie Brown tree so much; but, pretty close. Even those trees that most see as ugly can beautiful with some tinsel and a few candy canes. It was always a cedar because my dad would create things from the heart wood once the wood had been left to season good enough. It has the best smell of any tree around." Made her smile just thinking about it.

As far as animals go, you either love them or you didn't. "I grew up with plenty of animals around. Chickens, ducks, bulls, turkeys, horses...lots of horses. I always had a dog. Not big on cats. They can be unpredictable. A dog can be trained. But, I guess you can train a mechanical one much easier though." Giggling softly. He was a different kind of guy.

Her head titled a bit at the idea of a truth or truth game. That doesn't leave much room for much. "And if you don't like the answer?" Everyone has a side they'd rather not talk about.

When it came to sleeping arrangements, he'd find she was amicable to share the bed; but..and it was a big but..if Vinny was expecting to have a romp, he hadn't earned the goodies yet. Would he ever" Perhaps. The age difference does make a difference. Couple that with that fact that, despite the tattoos and red hair which most men seem to believe is an open invitation for her to be loose, Kenzie had a family. A family that hammered a certain amount of moral values into her head.

She could also hear her mother's words on replay in her head every time she was about to go out on a date. 'If there's an 'oops' and you pregnant all of your dreams will be ruined.' Which seems a little harsh since kids are kind of cute. But, Kenzie had never aspired to have children. At least not until she was forty or more. There was a whole world..actually, more than one world as she knew now. Being latched to a kid would surely put a kink in her personal aspirations.

But, she didn't see Vinny as someone who wanted to tie her down or be heavy handed. Could she claim to know him enough to be sure"

______________________

Once the holidays were over, Kenzie had picked up a few jobs and stayed quite busy in her own apartment to do her work which took place in the span of about three weeks. If he wanted to come over, the door was always open for Vinny. Then he'd find her trying to complete a few paintings which would probably leave him bored. But, when they were apart, she'd always manage to send a little note his way..with Mike's help of course.

It was always just a short quote so he'd know she was still around.

"Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw

Smart move. A very smart move on his part. Though it left Vinny barely hanging on to his side of the bed most of the night after sharing a smooch or two. Hopefully, he'd be pleasantly surprised to wake up the next morning with her back pressed against his own. To turn ones back on someone, especially before falling asleep, meant putting a great deal of trust in that person.

Kenzie was proud to see how Vinny threw himself into the holiday decorations. From the tree to the lights, mistletoe and decorations, there was no one complaint. If she didn't know better, Kenz would swear he might even be enjoying himself a wee bit. After going through all that trouble to create their own little winter wonderland, she was perfectly content. Then he slipped a present into the mix as well. The stained glass heart was stunning. "That's not fair." Admiring the gift all the same. "I didn't get you anything."

_____

As the holidays wound to a close, she'd done well with her paintings and made enough to pay the bills and put a bit away. So his suggestion of a night out was perfectly timed.

Sending a message. "Sounds like a great idea. You fix the dinner and I'll bring dessert."

It would be nice not to be surprised and suddenly put a fist to his face. That would be a bad start to a what should be a good night. She was quite surprised how he went all out for the occasion. Was sweet of him to put so much effort into it.

Once the portal opened to her apartment, she was ready and, for once, not dressed so casually. In fact, she'd taken that the long gown from the auction and turn it into one that stopped just below the knee. More comfortable and now reusable. A win-win.

"Wow..this place smells wonderful. ..hi, by the way." Giving a sheepish little wave.