"That’s what you’re wearing tonight?" Colin asked her, a bit surprised by her choice of clothing.

She turned, raised an eyebrow, then replied, sarcastically, "That’s what you’re wearing???"

He looked down at his faded blue jeans and black t-shirt. "Yeah, well...don’t you think you’re dressing a bit too sexy for this bloke?"

Kate put down her hairbrush and walked up to him, standing between his legs and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Who said I’m wearing this for him?" she teased, leaning into him and letting her lips linger just close enough to his without touching.

Colin reached around to cup her bottom and she giggled and managed to move just out of his reach, slapping at his hand as she did so. "Oh no you don’t," she giggled, stepping into her sling-back shoes. "Not before dinner."

Colin tilted his head and watched her put on her shoes. "Well, you know me, sweetheart," he told her, as he checked out her legs with a sly grin on his face, "always like to go for a bit of dessert first."

Kate grinned and shook her head, and walked over to the closet. "Here, put this on before he gets here," she told him, tossing a button-down denim shirt at him, hitting him square in the face.

Colin let out an exaggerated sigh, "Why do I have to get all fancied up just because Mr. Armani doesn’t seem to own a pair of jeans or t-shirt?" he complained, putting the shirt on over his t-shirt and tucking the ends of it into his jeans.

"Because this is my dinner party and I said so," Kate scolded him, teasingly, then added, "and don’t call him that. His name is Sid. Do try and be nice tonight – if you want any of that dessert you mentioned before."

A wide smile spread across Colin’s face. "Yes ma’am," he replied, sarcastically, then followed her out of the bedroom and down the stairs.

Sid stood outside for a moment, looking at the lighted windows, the drawn curtains obscuring what lay beyond. Katherine was beyond. He smiled at the thought, remembering the evening of Australia Day when they'd made love in the meadow grass...twice. Colin hadn't thrown her out so he must not know. He liked a woman who could keep a secret, especially from her man. He'd chosen wisely. Katherine was not only beautiful and responsive, but also a bit of a player in this game of life.

A woman who couldn't play his games with him was of no lasting interest to him.

He'd loved and left more of those than he could count. But Katherine...well, she knew it didn't matter which side of the bread her butter was on. She ate the whole slice, both sides, and if he just happened to be on the underside, well too bad for the garageman. Should be an interesting dinner.

He rang the bell, then took a step back, adjusting his burgundy silk tie as he waited, curious to see if Colin or Katherine would open the door.

"He's here!" Kate shouted, as she ran to the door, eager to greet their guest. Colin stood back, across the room, as Kate undid the lock and quickly flung open the door.  "Sid! I'm so happy you could make it. Please, come in," she told him, a wide smile spread across her face and she stepped aside to allow him to enter the house.

"Good evening, Katherine," he said, feeling his body respond to the sight of her. He wanted her there and now, in the doorway. His eyes tracked down her body, appreciating the lines of it in her dress. "You are quite splendid, you know."  Reluctantly, at the sound of Colin clearing his throat, he briefly moved his gaze to the far side of the room where Colin stood rather awkwardly. "Colin," he acknowledged with a slight lowering of his eyelids.

"Sid," Colin replied, his face completely impassive. His jaw tightened as he watched Sid casually walk through the room and brush past him. Colin looked him up and down, stifled a snort, then said, "Nice suit."

Kate shot Colin a look then quickly cut in, "Yes, Sid, you look dashing as always." She smiled warmly to him, remembering how his naked body had looked underneath his fancy suit and secretly hoping that she might get another chance to see him like that.  "Please, come and have a seat on the couch. Dinner is nearly done."

Sid took a seat on the couch, flicking a small piece of lint off its arm as he settled himself. This was not how he wished to see Katherine, not here in Colin's dwelling with Colin present. But he would bide his time, as much as he could, anyway. He wasn't sure just how long that might be. A game that was tiresome ceased to be a game for him. And Colin was more than tiresome. He let his eyes rest on the man. "Fond of Elvis, were you?" he asked, looking at the ridiculous sideburns defacing Colin's cheeks.

Colin knew what Sid was doing and he wasn't going to let him get to him this time. Not if he could help it. He promised Kate he'd be on his best behavior tonight and that's what he was aiming to do. He owed Kate for starting the fight on Australian Day and to make amends he had agreed to go ahead with this dinner.  It took all the restraint he could manage not to come back with a sarcastic reply, but he'd somehow been successful and just quietly grinned at Sid.

Kate narrowed her eyes at Colin. "Good," she thought to herself, "he's keeping his smart-ass comments to himself for a change." She could tell that she was going to have to step in and get the conversation going before Colin decided to say something he shouldn't. Her heart was pounding just being in the same room with Sid again, and it took her a moment to gather her thoughts enough to speak.
 "So, Sid, I don't think you ever mentioned to us before...do you live very close to here?"

"I've built myself a modest place just a bit out of the Glen, rather over the ridge from General Meridius'. I'd love for you to see it some time. It's rather...unique as Glen dwellings go."  How long would the polite chit chat have to go on? Well, he'd be patient. He studied the curve of Katherine's breasts. She was worth it. Had a good face, too. He liked her face, liked the dark hair, the nicely-winged brows. What had ever possessed her to link up with a lunk like Colin?

Before he knew what he was saying, Colin replied, "You mean that thing that looks like a fucking flying-saucer crashed landed in the middle of a meadow?" he couldn't help himself but giggle. "Always wondered what kind of a bloke would go and build an eye-sore that like here in the Glen. Now I know."

"Colin!" Kate shouted. "Sid, please ignore Colin's rudeness. Just his attempt at being humorous." She glared at Colin, letting him know that he had gone too far with that remark. Turning back to Sid, she said, "I think it's...amazing and I'd love to see the inside of it sometime."

"It...is...somewhat more modern than the typical Glen cottage," Sid smiled, his lips curving though his eyes were not a match for them. "But those who spend their days in garages are not really expected to have the taste required to appreciate such things."  He turned his gaze back to Katherine, his eyes warming. "It has an absolutely amazing sound system. I think you might enjoy it, Katherine."

"I'm sure I would, Sid," she nearly purred, as she stared into his eyes - momentarily mesmerized by his gaze.

Colin clenched his fists and opened his mouth to say something, when Kate spoke up just in time to stop him, "Colin, why don't you bring us all something to drink from the kitchen."

Colin realized she was trying to get him to go cool down before things got out of hand, so he nodded, though still glaring at Sid, "Can I get you a beer, Sid?" he nearly spat, as he stood in front of him.

A beer? What on earth would he do with a beer? "Sure," he responded. He'd figure out what to do with it when the time came. He watched Colin walking toward the kitchen and when he was around the corner, looked quickly back at Katherine, wondering how she intended to play out this scenario of deception. She'd been pretty cool about it so far. "You're doing all right with this?" he asked softly.

Kate smiled nervously, then looked off towards the kitchen to make sure Colin was out of earshot. "Umm...I'm not sure, really. It is a bit...awkward, I guess," she let out a slight nervous giggle. "I just really wanted to see you again, and, well, since we had already planned this dinner...before....I just figured I'd see what happened."

"I guess we'll be seeing that," he replied, then looked away as Colin approached, a beer bottle in his hand. "Thank you," he said, deliberately fumbling the transfer and letting the bottle drop to the floor. Feigning a startled look, he added quickly, "Oops, sorry about that. Don't worry about replacing it, Colin. I really wasn't all that thirsty."  Acting the good guest, he whipped out a silk handkerchief and began mopping up the spill near his feet. Damn beer looked like pee mixed with soap bubbles and some of it had splashed the cuff of his suit.

Colin glared at Sid. He knew he'd probably dropped the bottle on purpose. What was this guy playing at, anyway? He bent down to pick up the bottle when Kate took it from him. "It's fine, Sid, really," she said. "I'll just go throw this away for you and peek in on dinner. Back in two ticks." As she was walking towards the kitchen she stopped and whispered in Colin's ear, "Be nice." then disappeared through the doorway.

Colin just stood there, drinking his own beer and quietly watching Sid.

Sid stared back at Colin. How did one engage an oaf in conversation anyway? Did he like Debussy? Did he collect Picasso? "So, Colin, what's your favorite motor oil?"

"Gee, I don't know, Sid," replied Colin, sarcastically, "What kind do you use in your hair?"

Kate, emerging from the kitchen, could sense the tension that was in the room. "Why did you agree to go ahead with this, Kate," she thought to herself, as she nervously looked from Sid to Colin. She cleared her throat, then announced, "Gentlemen, dinner is served." Colin quickly turned and started for the dining room.

Colin sat at the end of the small table, with Sid facing Kate across it. Dinner. What an awkward time for a nanotech! He could tell she'd spent a lot of time in preparation. From what he'd discerned of human food, this looked to be excellently and painstakingly-done. "Very nice," he commented softly, smiling at her. "You must be an excellent cook."

"Why thank-you, Sid," replied Kate, smiling at him. "I do hope it's all to your liking. Please, help yourself to some chicken." She handed the platter off to him, just as Colin managed to grab a piece for himself.

Sid carefully chose the smallest piece of chicken, the smallest helping of everything and quickly began to move the items around on his plate, merging things, mashing some together so that perhaps Katherine wouldn't notice he wasn't actually eating. "It all smells wonderful," he said to add to the diversion.

Kate smiled, pleased that Sid seemed to be enjoying the dinner she had worked so hard to prepare for him. She glanced over at Colin, who was busily digging into his dinner, then back to Sid. She lowered her eyes and grinned at him, replaying the events from a few nights earlier in her mind. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn't help herself. She wanted him - again. She bit her lip and casually let her right shoe slide off her foot, then slid it up the inside of Sid's legs.

Sid was surprised. He hadn't expected Katherine to be quite so bold a game player. He tried not to smile at the clear message she was sending, but one corner of his mouth quirked up in spite of himself. His legs closed, briefly trapping her foot as though in promise of future pleasures. Colin seemed completely unaware as he chewed a large chunk of chicken. Each man to his own pleasures at the dinner table!

Kate grinned when she felt Sid close his legs. She knew that nothing could happen here with Colin in the room, but she wanted Sid to know what she was thinking. She glanced over at Colin again, only this time his gaze met hers. She smiled at him, then turned back to Sid. "So, Sid, what do you like to do for fun around here?"

"Oh," he replied, keeping his voice very casual, "there's a particular meadow I like to lie down in. It's rather off the beaten track, so to speak, and has the softest grass. I find myself turning into quite the nature lover now that I'm here in the Glen. Do you like...nature...Katherine?"

Kate nearly spit out a mouthful of her wine. A wide smile spread across her face and she replied, "Yeah, I seem to have developed quite the...attraction...to meadows myself, Sid, since moving here."

Colin couldn't help but let out a giggle. "Sounds like something a poofter would do to me, Sid."

"Quite to the contrary," Sid smiled benignly, "quite to the contrary, I assure you."  He stirred his food some more, looking down at his plate to avoid revealing too much on his face. Given the circumstances, he could afford to let the poofter remark pass.

Kate, too, looked down at her plate - a wide knowing grin spread across her face. "Yes, definitely quite to the contrary," she thought to herself, thoughts of returning to that meadow going through her mind.

Colin caught Kate's grin and smiled, assuming she was grinning at his comment, and he smiled even wider.

After a moment, Kate cleared her throat. "Well, if we're all done with our food, I'll just clear off our plates now." She stood up and grabbed Colin's plate, as well as her own, then turned to Sid, "Are you still eating, Sid, or should I take your plate now?" she asked, noticing there was still quite a bit of food left on his plate, though it was all mixed together and smashed around.

"I'm done, Katherine, thank you. It was delicious. But then, I knew it would be. I imagine anything you decide to, um, to put your hands to, is all the better for it."
He smiled innocently, pushing back his chair. Standing, he began to carry serving dishes to the counter. The more quickly one got rid of the foodstuffs, the better, as far as he was concerned.

Pausing near the kitchen window, he looked out for a moment. "I should probably be getting home soon. The stars are quite brilliant tonight and I have a viewing platform with a telescope just...," he glanced at Katherine, "aching for my touch."