14553/Shore Leave

Shore Leave
Date of Scene:	30 September 2022
Location:	Ferragudo, Portugal
Synopsis:	Natasha & Alexander go inland for dinner. Only to learn Natasha is evil and likes to try to start fights.
Cast of Characters:	Phobos, Black Widow (Romanoff)

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Phobos has posed:
    It's not a long walk, and after all that time at sea it was good for them. Not that their time out on the waves was spent idly, since for people like them it was rarely good to break up their exercise routine. Though they did a lot more swimming than before. Still a walk was nice.
    The evening had come, crept up on them as the night sky chased after the sun. A handful of stars were out and this far off in the countryside one could see them clearly. They strode up the dirt and clay road just to the south of Ferragudo. An old fishing village that had turned tourist spot, though they were on the outskirts able to see it off across the bay's waters. The town they were walking through was more rural, residential, with a handful of white walled stone buildings and hardly any vehicles. Just bicycles in main on the sides of the streets and livestock prevalent in yards.
    It was in the direction of the bar and restaurant called Rei Das Praias that they wandered, or simply... King of the Beach. Not much foot traffic, and this time of the season not many vehicles were around. Though to any aware of the travelers walking up the hill and along the street they'd recognize the tourists. Since they spoke English.
    "Could you imagine us doing this if we were like sixty?" Knowing full well she was a good bit older than that. "I mean like a normal sixty. Would I be complaining? Would you be complaining? Would I be carrying around a tripadvisor?"
    As the young Greek man says that while walking he's grinning to his companion and himself in equal measure. A pair of flip flops fnip and fnap on his feet as he walks, red and white swim trunks hang loose on his hips and a black t-shirt that proclaims 'THE RAMONES' covers his athletic frame.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
It was kind of nice to be on land though it felt strange. Natasha had her sea legs now and she was pretty sure the world was still moving with the waves. Or maybe it was just in her head since the ground was sitting firm.

She was dressed comfortably. A pair of blue shorts, which had been pulled over her bathing suit. Thankfully the suit was dry when she had, so no weird water marks. Her shirt was a tank top in a lighter shade of blue. She also had on sandals instead of flip flops so same effect but a lot less noise than he was making.

"At least it isn't like the old days where you would be carrying a map. Or buying one from one of the tourist traps, which never really were any good." The voice of experience. Spoken as though she was just theorizing about that silly old past that she absolutely had not lived through! She eyed him a moment. "Hard to imagine you at 60. With silver hair and wrinkles."

Phobos has posed:
    "Would I look distinguished you think? Silver at the temples? A goatee or beard?" Alexander lifts his chin as he walks, running fingers along his chin as if to emphasize the possible look. Then he looks sidelong at her, "And you'd have a babushka."
    A wicked grin lights his features as he slows a step to stroll along beside her, slipping an arm around her back and resting a hand on her far hip as they walk along in sync, just that casual stride of a couple utterly at ease with each other.
    "Or a furry scarf pulled over your head with big red cheeks as you chide me for finding it chilly, and then tell me all about the Blizzard of 63." A nod is given as he walks then he leans over to kiss the top of her head, "And I would play at being all grumpy about it and give you a hard time, while inside be secretly laughing and adoring you."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Not sure on the goatee or beard. I've never seen you with one. Would be very strange." Natasha looked up at him, eyeing him critically. Trying to imagine him. "Maybe you should grow one so I can decide if I like it or hate it. But if I hate it, you have to shave. Cause ugh."

But at the babushka, she shook her head negative vehemently. "Oh hell no. I am going to be one of those cool old women. You have been watching too many movies. I'll have a motorcycle and wear weird t-shirts still."

Phobos has posed:
    "I've had a sorta beard," Alexander says as he strolls along though he grins at the idea of her with weird t-shirts, "Like when I've not shaved for a bit, but I suppose that's just scruffery." Again he strokes his chin then murmurs, "We'll see."
    Though it doesn't take them too long as they wend their way through the outskirts of the town, a casual stroll and when people wander in their direction he gives a nod and/or a smile. Likely coming across as the friendlier of the couple. The return looks they get are usually friendly as well, polite, because there's no shortage of tourists in the area during the season. Though it being so out of season for them those looks might hedge toward the curious.
    "One of those t-shirts where it'll be an arrow pointing at me and will say, 'I'm with stupid?' or will it be one of those really crazy t-shirts that has bird poop painted on it and will say, 'Damn Sea Gulls.' Stuff like that?"
    Though not too far ahead they can see the light from the bar and grille, the sidewalk still leading upward and past a variety of white stone buildings as they head that way.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"That was not even close to a beard. That's called stubble. I appreciate that as a young man, perhaps you do not have a ..." She paused, tilting her head slightly. "Nevermind. You've been around your father. And family. You certainly know what a beard looks like. You just are being delusional that stubble counts."

As they pass people, she does give a small smile. But he is definitely the more friendly of the pair. Or perhaps just the more outgoing. She isn't looking at them like she wants to kill them or anything. She's just more reserved.

At the seagull shirt description, the distaste showed clearly on her face. "That sounds horrible. No. Definitely no seagull poop shirts. Not the arrow one either. More like our Mewtiny shirts." Which were truly one of those things that she would probably be putting in a box so she had it as a memento in her future. It was something she didn't do very often. Keeping stuff from her past.

Phobos has posed:
    "Aww," Is all he says at first about the mention of the mewtiny t-shirts, since they do have a special place in his heart. "Who could have imagined that one of my cheapskate dad's el cheapo purchases would be this thing that makes me smile so much?"
    He eases to the side, dropping his hand from her hip but entwining his fingers with hers so they're walking hand in hand. "That... and the snuggy." A nod is given to her sidelong as he recalls that silly piece of americana that she actually ended up enjoying.
    "That poor couch," He then adds, shaking his head. "Going to have to throw it out some day, or if the apocalypse comes toss it in the middle of the mushroom cloud." Yet as he says that last they're reaching the front door of the restaurant/bar though he stops yammering long enough to pull the door opena nd hold it for her.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
And that has Natasha giving a huge smile. The mention of the snuggy. It and those silly t-shirts were very much part of their life together. Happy memories. Things she wanted to have with her for the rest of her life. She squeezed his hand tightly and then dropped her gaze, that moment of vulnerability that so few really got to see. Unless it was feigned. Only here, it was not fake. It was a genuine emotion with him.

"The couch we will need to burn. So mushroom cloud it is. Unless it gives out before then. We can just burn it in the backyard and scare everyone."

As the entered, there was a lot of noise from conversation. The bar was obviously more a locals place instead of for tourists. The interior had a lot of wood and the obligatory nautical theme this close to the ocean. Driftwood art was here or there in the place. As they entered, the noise dipped lower for a moment as a lot of eyes turned to the strangers. But then it was back ot normal. The furniture was wood and heavy. The bar with a variety of barstools, all standalone tables and no booths.

She motioned toward a table near the window to see if it appealed to him.

Phobos has posed:
    By this point they knew each other so well. The table was the obvious choice. Due to the sight lines, the position of the chairs, the proximity to the bar it gave the best tactical position for this particular lay out. Only two of the seats were suitable, the one angled to the corner and the one angled toward the bar, each with their backs covered and clear view of the place. He left the more secure spot for the corner to her, he took the one nearer to the bar as they both walked across the way.
    Drawing out the chair for her, he then takes a seat in his and settles in, smiling to the waitress as she stops by in a rush just long enough to give their menus and a smile. Then he's looking back toward her, "So we're just going to take it easy tonight, have a few drinks, maybe eat something nice that we haven't had before?" Though that's easier for him since Natasha has traveled the world so much.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Sounds perfect. If they have something new, I'm all for trying it," Natasha said. Though he was right, it sometimes was challenging. But she hadn't spent years in every country so there likely was something local she'd never had. She smiled politely to the waitress but didn't really say anything to the woman. Not yet. Maybe after she had time to look over the menu a little. Though this place mostly focused on the bar side of things, they did have a few specialty dishes. And though Natasha had a good angle on the room, she was more interested in him right now. "I'm so glad we took this time. The trip. Just us." She reached over to take his hand and squeeze it gently. "Thank you, baby."

Then she looked at the menu again and forced herself to consider. Many of the dishes she'd had but one stood out to her. "Polvo a Lagareiro." It was actually a popular dish in Portugal, she simply had never had it. The star of this one was octopus. Boiled, cut into pieces, grilled, then brushed with olive oil. Lagariero was more the style and could be used for many seafood dishes. It would should be something new and daring for her. She'd had octopus, just never in this style.

And as she was waiting for him to decide, she scanned the room. A handful or patrons were already pretty deep in their cups and seemed to be enjoying the soccer game on the one tv over at the far end of the bar.

Phobos has posed:
    He had been doing similarly, a quick glance around the room, gauging their surroundings. Then he looked back at her and she got him. That casual use of the word 'baby' made him laugh a little, but then blush as he shook his head slightly. Still perhaps not entirely used to that term of endearment and seeing it come from her, for various reasons it gave a twist inside for him. Which might be why she does it, to tease, egg on, but also that affection was what put him off balance so easily.
    So much so that he hadn't even looked at the menu when the waitress returns and he says, "I'll have the same," Which thankfully worked well though he did say, "And a bottle of the house white wine?" Which would go well with octopus he imagined.
    Then it was back to her, reaching over to give her hand a squeeze. "Yeah, it's been fantastic. Taking our time, following our whims."
    Then his brow knit a little, "You going to be ok getting back into work? Feel like we'll be those people who keep wearing hawaiian shirts and talking about our vacation when we get back for a few weeks while all the co-workers roll their eyes."

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"See, that's the difference between us," Natasha pointed out with a soft laugh. "You will talk to your co-workers. I'll just walk around all mysterious. Maybe Skye or Clint will get to hear the tale but everyone else will just have to wonder. I do have a reputation to uphold and the mystery is a big part of that."

Which was true. Most people didn't know her. They might want to but it wasn't that easy to get close to Natasha. She could trick people, make them think they were close. And she had a few teammates who were friends outside SHIELD, like Steve, Tony, Thor. But sometimes she still kept things from them. It wasn't that she meant to. It was just...habit.

"Although lately with SHIELD you are doing more the mystery man thing." Which is when something occurs to her. "What do you tell your old SHIELD teammates when you get together now? For what you are doing for a living?"

Phobos has posed:
    "I tell them contract work," Alexander says lightly, though she can read him so well that she can feel that touch of gravity to his words. "Security consulting, occasional bodyguard work. Which I think they don't buy really, but they accept it out of courtesy."
    There's a pause as he smiles up to the hostess when she brings them their bread, a dark grain with a small dish of oil for dipping. He takes up a piece and tears it in half. He looks sidelong at her, "Though Nelson says I should just live as a kept man, let you pay all the bills whlie I lie on the couch all day and eat bon bons." A nod is given.
    Then he half-smiles, "There's some thought to that." As if weighing that as an option.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Nelson obviously needs some extra training time," Natasha mutters half under her breath. "Remind me to take care of that when we get back."

She does take up a piece of the bread, tearing off a bite-size piece to dip into the oil and spices. There was just something about it that was far superior to when she'd been in the States. Or maybe it was just their adventure and the lovely company she was keepping.

"Maybe when you are 60, you can settle on the couch and eat bon-bons. Right now, I am a selfish woman. I want you the way you are now. Able to keep up with me on the mats." Because that was something they both truly enjoyed, something that was fun for them while other people would think it was a little bit on the crazy side to literally kick their significant other in the face.

She glanced to the sound of the guys at the bar raising their voices as their team made a goal. Then back over to Alexander. "And tell me we won't be sitting around watching sports for the next few decades either, please?"

Phobos has posed:
    A low chortle escapes him as he imagines poor Nelson, but he crinkles his nose across the way at Natasha, that smile warm and his expression pleased. He reaches out a hand to rest it on hers, giving a gentle squeeze. "I don't think I could just sit around with nothing to do."
    That said his lips twist as he takes up a bite of his bread, then adds. "I'd need a hobby or something. Like philately." Then he's merrily chewing that bit of bread, grinning to himself at the idea.
    His attention, however, is diverted over to the side toward the loud voices and the shout of a goal which has him smiling back as he looks toward her. It's clear that between the two of them that Alexander is the nicer one, for he casually makes the excuse. "There's nothing wrong with cheering for your team and getting all excited, so long as you don't directly connect your ego to it. People have been doing that for ages."
    Another dip of bread into the oil, "I remember you being all smug and cheering when Jen was doing that..." A tilt of his head as he tries to recall, "That arm-wrestling thing with Mr. Stark." Amusing that Jen is Jen, but Tony Stark is still Mr. Stark.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Well that was different. I wasn't supporting some random team made up of people that I didn't select. I knew Jen had that in the bag the moment he challenged her." Because of course it was Tony's ego that led to it. Which had made it all that much sweeter. Sometimes she missed Jen being around, as she tended to spend more time lawyering now instead of heroing.

"I presume it is Portugal versus someone." She hadn't really tired to see the tv clearly to figure it out. Not that it really mattered in the grand scheme of things.

She munched her bite of bread, swallowing it and pulling off another chunk to dip before speaking again. "Philately. Why don't I know this word?" He was very amusted by it, she just wasn't familiar with it personally. Though once she found out, there was no doubt she was going to be amused as well. It didn't really fit the Alexander she knew.

Though? They had a lot of time ahead of them. So why not?

"We should set up a jar with a lot of hobbies. Pick one at random and do it for a time. Then move on to the next."

Phobos has posed:
    "Stamps!" Alexander supplies oh so helpfully, though it was one of those words that one could recall easily, conjure back, but seemed to slip from the mind at times being so innocuous. "Little books and all, though I'd probably be bad at it. I'd go out and collect whatever stamp I found and slap it into a scrap book."
    Since apparently that's how you Philate.
    Once their wine is poured he abandons the last bite of bread in lieu of that, curling a hand around the base of the glass and raising it to give a little clink in silent toast if she likes. Then he takes a sip.
    "What would you write for the list of hobbies? I imagine if we had Clint go through all the suggestions he could pick out yours over mine." Since on Alex's list would be things like fishing, camping, woodworking. While Natasha's would be something like, 'topple a government,' or 'seize the means or production.'

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I think something like knitting."

And she takes another sip of her wine, after having her first after the clink of glasses in that pseudo toast to stamp collecting. Or whatever it was to. It was more just for fun.

She even managed to keep a straight face as she said it. "I'd be curious to see which of us decided to see how durable the needles were as weapons." Now that made far more sense! It would be something interesting to find out though she was sure they were not sturdy enough to last past an initial strike.

"I honestly don't know what I'd put in the jar. But things that are out of our comfort zones. Make us try stuff that is different. I mean, I have some skills of varying types that I picked up through the years for assignments but that isn't the same."

Phobos has posed:
    "Salsa dancing?" Alexander offers as a suggestion, then he takes another sip of the wine. His gaze does stray across the room, taking in their surroundings as he smiles a little sidelong. Then those pale hazel eyes slip back toward her, "Cooking dishes we're not familiar with? There's that... Red Apron thing? That could be fun."
    He leans to the side and slouches a little in his seat, resting his other arm over the back of the chair and looking so very comfortable. "Competitive line dancing?" As he says that his grin broadens a little.
    Then his eyes lift upwards as he considers, "Bronco busting?" And as his attention returns to her he waggles his eyebrows, "Tantric yoga techniques?"
    That last one might seem a little indulgent.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Sure, all of those." Though Natasha has to smile and shake her head a little at the last one. "Pretty sure that isn't a hobby. That's more...well, maybe it's a hobby?" And she has to laugh at herself now.

"I don't think competitive line dancing is a thing. But if it is, I will completely kick your ass." Because of course she would. Though calling that dancing was--generous. Considering anyone could do it, it wasn't particularly challenging in her mind. Though she didn't actually know any line dances so she might learn otherwise.

"I like you cooking but yes, the Red Apron thing would be interesting. Salsa dancing I already know. But would be fun for us to do together once you do."

Phobos has posed:
    Eyebrows climbing as he smiles, Alexander offers, "We could have other people make a list of suggestions." Leaning to the side he half-grins, "And then we can guess at who suggested it. Archery, Clint. Sketching, Cap. Yogic Meditation, Bruce."
    Though he pushes himself to his feet and smiles, "I'm going to step away for a bit and wash my hands. Try not to set fire to the bar while I'm gone." Which is not too far out there considering who she is.
    The chair scrapes along the floor as he rises and he leans over to touch a kiss to her cheek before he turns and moves into the aisle, slipping around the approaching waitress as she heads to another table, his footsteps carrying him past the bar and toward the facilities in the back.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I try not to burn things down unless there is too much DNA evidence to clean up," Natasha mutters. Which may be a joke. Maybe.

As soon as he was gone, she rose to her feet and started toward the bar. She did see their server and made sure to let her know they were not done or leaving, they'd be back in just a moment. It would be awkward to come back and find their table cleared.

Then she moves to where she is near the group of men cheering on their team. A glance to the tv to determine who was playing. Who was winning. Which the team they were rooting for were one goal behind.

A moment later, she moved back toward the table and settled in. Picking up her wine to sip. She was smiling to herself as she waited for Alexander to return to the table.

Phobos has posed:
    It doesn't take long, a few minutes while he's departed and she's reconning the area. After that time he reemerges from the hallway in the back, walking along that lane of traffic between the bar and the sitting room proper, his flip-flops going fnip-fnap-fnip-fnap as he maintains that oh so casual strll. Then he's dropping into the seat near her and greeting her with another cheek smooch.
    "What'd I miss?" He asks as he takes a sip of his wine, then takes up the bottle to refill his glass, offering to refill hers by asking with a silent quirk of his eyebrow.
    "Ninja attack?"

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"You were right," Natasha says in a voice that is a tad too loud. "Spain is going to wipe the floor with Portugal today." Then she gave a bright smile to Alexander.

Even as the men at the bar glance their direction. A few muttered words in their native language, a few glares and narrowed eyes. Then the men went back to what they were doing.

At which point Natasha continued conversationally, "We could have others pick the hobbies. But I fear that Clint and some others would be trying to one-up for the most outrageous. I have no idea what it might be but maybe something like Bubble Soccer Rodeo. He told me about that. I've not been able to unsee the videos." Which may or may not lead him down that particular rabbit hole later.

Phobos has posed:
    At first he tilts his head curiously at Natasha, blinking a little as he considers. Was he right? Did he mention such? It's enough to earn her a slight furrowed brow look as if asking what she's up to, but that smile is a lovely thing, so he answers, "Yeah?"
    It's enough to get him to consider their surroundings again as if seeking whatever she might really be meaning with such a statement, perhaps some sort of code phrase.
    "Bubble soccer rodeo?" Which that does get from him some look of incredulity as he murmurs, "That sounds like a made up thing to me." His eyes narrow a little as he leans closer, lower, as if trying to see what's behind her eyes and the secrets there.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"It is a made up thing. Though most sports are, in some way. Just most of them have been around a while so people just accept. You're familiar with bulls in rodeos? Riding them? And rodeo clowns?"

She waited for some sort of acknowledgement and when she got it, Natasha gave another nod. "Now imagine a giant inflatable ball. And you have to either make a soccer goal. Or run from one end of the arena to the other. Seems simple enough. Now add the bull in that likes to attack moving things. Fun ensues. Or chaos. Or a nightmare. Depends on one's point of view."

Which is when the groan went up from the men at the bar. And Natasha suddenly clapped in delight. "You were right, love! They are idiots! Supporting Portugal when Real Madrid is far superior on the pitch." Only she said it all in Portuguese.

Phobos has posed:
    "Well ultimately everything is a made up thing when you think about it," Alexander says as he leans back in his chair, taking another sip of wine and looking oh so thoughtful, but when she starts explaining it... well she has his attention.
    As she continues to offer her explanation his eyes turn a little wild, widening just a touch as he laughs then nodding slowly as she explains the possibilities of such a game. "Oh that sounds great. I mean, not like I'd want to play it. But that sounds crazy."
    Of course that's the moment when Natasha pipes up loudly speaking and clapping...
    Such a thing has Alex sitting back in his chair and then saying with that sudden deadpan tone. "What are you doing?"
    It's that tone of voice one uses when a parent discovers the evil transgressions of a mischievous child which seems to reflect her oh so innocent expression. Though that does leave his attention on her and not on the men behind him.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"You best shut the fuck up, boy!" Came the snarl from one of the men in the group. Which drew the eyes of the others over toward Alexander again as well. Not his lovely redheaded companion with the big mouth. No, all eyes were on him.

Natasha smiled innocently at Alexander, which should be enough to warn him right there. And she continued. This time in English. "I mean, we can only spar so much on the boat. Need to be sure you're staying on top of your training. Though I don't think our friends appreciate your taste in teams. Seems you have insulted them in some way. Oh my."

Then she was looking back toward the others. And back into the language of the land once more. "He doesn't speak the langauge so I will translate. Shut your own mouth! Your own fault for backing a shit team. Don't make me--well, him--kick your ass in front of your friends."

And that had the guy rising off his barstool.

Phobos has posed:
    Now that's just plain rude.
    Alexander looks at her as he blinks slowly with his head tilted to the side, lips parted and clearly taken aback or incredulous. Yet his smile is a wry crooked thing that he fights to maintain that incredulity. He points at her, "You are..."
    He doesn't get a chance to explain exactly what she is, when she's talking again to the other men and pointing out where he stands on various issues apparently.
    "You couldn't wait til after dinner?" He finally says, still shaking his head a little and just looking at her.
    But then the guy is standing up and Alexander turns as he looks at the other fellow, attempting to cover Natasha's mouth with one hand, but not doing a very good job of it as she could get clear of it easily. "Hey fella. My significant other thinks it's funny to start fights when we go traveling. You know how it is, a girl wants to see how much you love her by fighting for her. Right?" Though maybe he doesn't understand English.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"Well, that might give you a tummy ache. Getting all worked up with a full stomach. Or worse! What if you got kicked there? A waste of good octopus." Since he might end up giving it's freedom back! In a really gross way.

She starts to open her mouth again, "You're go..." And that was the end of that as a hand was slapped over her mouth. She glanced over at Alexander and he could tell just how amused she was in her green eyes. But when she cut those eyes back to the approaching man, she narrowed them as though daring him to continue forward and challenge her man!

The man approaching didn't seem to understand. But the smaller friend at his right paused, rattling off in rapid Portuguese to his annoyed friend. Which brought that friend to a stop right in front of their table. He looked from Alexander to Natasha and back again. "Crazy bitch." Muttered in perfect English.

Then they both turned to walk back the way they came.

Phobos has posed:
    "There," Alexander turns back and looks at Natasha, dropping his hand sloooowly as he gives her an eyeballing. "That was mean of you, wanting me to mess that guy up just so you could have something to watch before dinner comes. Rude girl."
    That tone of his is warm, playful, and sounding a little like he's admonishing her, but also amused. And alright a little in love. Maybe.
    But then he shakes his head and leans over to kiss the top of hers before he gets ready to retake his seat. "See this is why they keep you so busy at work, so you don't get up to... to mischief. And shenanigans." Because that is Natasha Romanoff. Trickster.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
"I should kick his ass myself," she muttered as she slumped in her seat a little. Oh So Disappointed that she failed on getting her entertainment. "And rather rude of you to presume you'd win, you know? He might be better than you. He might even be better than me!"

She leaned forward slightly and to pick up her wine, taking a quick sip as she watched the pair of men return to their friends.

She gave a little shrug and nudged his leg with her own. "This is exactly why they keep me busy. I am far more frightening than a bored god of mischief."

Phobos has posed:
    "Yes so rude of me to defuse a situation by talking sense to the guy trying to enjoy his sportsball. Clearly I should have let the evil and bored villainess get her way." But his smile is warm, and he's not angry at all, amused. And adoring her.
    "And hey if he coulda beat us up then we just dodged a bullet and I'm even smarter. So there." Which makes him look all smug and self-assured, though when she nudges his leg with her own he drops a hand down under the table to rest on her thigh and give a gentle squeeze.
    "You are, terribly frightening. I see I should keep you more occupied." Which has him tilting his head to the side, "So we should get our meals to go." He quirks an eyebrow as he asks a silent question of her.

Black Widow (Romanoff) has posed:
That had Natasha laughing again but she gave a nod. "Dinner to go. And the bottle of wine."

She squeezed his hand. "And I'll try not to start any fights on the way back to the boat."