It was a fairly normal night at the Waterfront bar. Mike Kellerman and Meldrick Lewis sat at a table in the corner.

"So tell me again what we're doing here," Mike grumbled to his partner.

"What, I can't take my partner out for a drink without having to provide an explanation?" asked Lewis.

"It just seems like we're on a date or something," said Kellerman.

"Mikey," said Meldrick tolerantly, "if we were on a date we'd be doing a lot more than having drinks."

"Oh yeah?" asked the blonde detective. "Other things like what?"

Meldrick cleared his throat nervously. "Uh, well, like holding hands," he answered.

Kellerman reached across the table and took hold of his partner's hand. "Okay, we're holding hands," he said. "Are we on a date now?"

Meldrick decided that some bluffing was in order. "Man, if we were on a date, we would be having dinner!" he said.

"Okay," said Mike. He signalled the waiter and ordered two of Meldrick's favourite meal from the menu.

"No, no, no, Mikey!" exclaimed Lewis. "If we were on a date, I'd be the one ordering!"

Kellerman smiled. "Don't you believe in women's lib, Meldrick?" he asked.

"You ain't a woman, Kellerman," growled his friend.

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

"Very funny, Mikey," Lewis muttered.

At the bar, John Munch turned to Tim Bayliss. "Exactly what is going on with Lewis and Kellerman over there?" he asked.

"I think they're on a date," replied Tim.

"A date? Why does nobody tell me these things?" grumbled John.

"Maybe because it's none of your business," put in Frank Pembleton from his seat at the bar.

"Give them a break, John," put in Sergeant Kay Howard. "It's only their first date."

"Really?" asked John curiously. "How can you tell?"

"Oh, by the look on Meldrick's face when Mike started holding his hand. Pleased and shocked at the same time," she answered.

"What a detective," said Frank. "No wonder they made you a sergeant."

Back in the corner, Mike and Meldrick were finished their meal. Meldrick tossed some money on the table.

"You don't have to pay," Kellerman admonished. "It is your bar, after all. Well, one-third yours."

"If we are on a date, I am going to pay," replied Lewis.

"Oh, an old-fashioned kinda guy, are you?" asked Mike.

"Damn right," said his partner.

The two men rose and walked out of the bar. Standing in front of Meldrick's car, the two hesitated.

"Aren't you going to kiss me goodnight?" Mike teased his 'date.'

"You mean here?"

"Where else?" asked Kellerman. "I don't think we're going to be gay-bashed right across the street from the station."

"Oh," answered Meldrick, temporarily speechless.

"Well, where else would you kiss me goodnight?" Kellerman asked.

"Uh, how about your boat?"

"Really, Detective Lewis, do you think I'm the kind of girl who would take a man home with her on the first date?" Mike teased.

"Like I said, you ain't a girl, Mikey." He leaned forward and kissed Mike firmly. "Definitely not a girl. Girls don't got five o'clock shadows."

Mike took a moment to get his breath back. "Um, Meldrick.... Do you really want to continue this on my boat?"

"Sure do, Mikey," answered Meldrick with a grin. "I want to see what else I can find that proves you're not a girl."

"Oh, well, since you put it like that...." said Mike.

Meldrick unlocked the car door and held it open for his partner.

"A gentleman!" Mike exclaimed cheerfully.

"Only 'till we get to your boat, Mikey," Meldrick replied.

END