Well...everything was fine and he had been doing well, so far, had not he? Observing around and examining Helena's current features, even the usually pedant Ryan who never missed the littlest details good or bad, could not see any flaw which was (a little bit) hard to believe considering his last adventures with other...stuff. Hopefully this was not a private investigating case or any other similar job so he needed stop thinking that way...immediately...

...especially after seeing her in that dress. ''You look lovely'' he said in a sudden. This sight, of course, helped him to focus his 'i-think-of-a-million-things-at-one-time fox brain' back on the woman. But also it took half of his great self confidence with himself which he needed to regain...immediately. Yes, regain it Ryan Chambers. Okay. ''What would you like to eat, dear?''

Helena smiled at Ryan. Only this time it wasn't a shy smile, or an embarrassed smile. It was a genuine smile. She knew that Ryan had tried hard today, to compliment her, but that was the first compliment of his that she'd truely believed, "Thank you, Ryan." She smiled, "You look very handsome, too." It was true. That suit he had on right now really brought out his blue eyes...

Helena realised that she'd zoned out, looking at Ryan, whilst thinking about how blue Ryan's eyes looked tonight when he spoke again, "Uh.. Actually, I don't mind. So long as it isn't fish. Or garlic." Helena picked up one of the menus and looked at it, "What dishes do they do best? Do you know?" She asked Ryan, looking up at him.

Nikos chuckled softly as she started to eat, sticking his tounge out playfully before starting on his soup. It wasn't good as tha soup he made, but it was still pretty good for muggle soup. His eyes flickered around the resturant that seemed to fill up with Ministry workers within a few minutes, making him feel a little more at ease. Not that he didn't like muggles, just that being surrounded by them sometimes made him nervious.

Chewing his food, he shrugged his shoulders at her question."He's kids cute, he seems....nice I guess, but I haven't spent much time with him. Seems kinda distant...why do you ask?" He looked at her curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"Well" she said, spinning her fork slowly between her fingers, looking absently into the distance " he's sorta of good looking I guess.. " she commented, and peeked at Nikos from under her lashes, trying to see his reaction. She didn't mean for it to be like that, but Nikos had grown a little on her.

She too had noticed how the restaurant had filled up with ministry workers. She wondered if the muggles could tell who they were.

Calla walked into the restaurant to pick up her order that she had placed an hour ago. She could cook dinner tonight, but why? Calla made her way to the 'To-Go Pick-up' window and she noticed a few people from work. That one new girl he had yet to meet and oh! What was this? Ryan on a date?!

The woman he was with was very pretty, and Ryan looked nervous maybe? Possibly. Now Calla was torn. Was she to be nice and not bother him, ooorrr be her normal sarcasm self and interrupt? The temptation was too much.

She marched toward Ryan and his date, snatched a chair from another table and scooted it between the would be lovers. "Ryan." She nodded acknowledging him, and then turned to the woman in the brown dress. "So, how long did they allow him out of St Mungo's for tonight? Usually it's just a couple hours." She leaned toward the woman, "His mental capabilities can't handle more than a bit of stimulation. I'm really surprised he's able to deal with all this." She motioned to the restaurant.

Leaning back in the chair she looked to Ryan, speaking to the woman she continued, "Although he has gotten better with his social skills. They're allowing him to work part time at the ministry even. Gave him a cute title of division head or something to make him feel better about himself. I think it helps build him up ya know?" She nodded, agreeing with herself.

Calla looked back at Ryan and spoke slow and very pronounced, "How.are.you.feeling.tonight?" She placed her hand his upper arm and did her best to look concerned. It took ever bit of her will not to laugh, but she held it in and held a very serious face the entire time.

Ryan watched Helena's pretty smile only moving his gaze when the woman thanked for his compliment. Obviously, from the way she did that and the expression her face, he observed that she sensed that one was different from the others. It even surprised the man himself for he believed he was never going to be taken away out his world of investigation and analysing again like that.

And he was about to remark one of the sentences built by his chosen words on not thanking for the truth again when she had said he was handsome which had surprised him. He knew mostly women considered him handsome but they never said it directly like that using words. They were implying it by their actions. Words were different though since using them was generally beyond expressing simple physical attraction. ''Thank you'' he repeated the woman's words and picked up the menu like she did.

''Mmmm actually, i have no idea but i can find out if you'd like me to.'' he laughed ''I'm pretty good at investigation and that...'' the blond man halted immediately when he saw, heard, sensed Calla there. '...would be so easy for me' And what was she saying? Groan. He should have guessed that. He should have foreseen that Calla would try to have revenge or try to do something she considered funny. And ruining a date of his, of course, would be a good opportunity for that.

Ryan simply laughed at the red-headed woman once she was done and responded ''I am fine Calla. Thank you. And you look fine too, if you have your full sense of humour. Noe can you please leave us alone? We are busy.''

Nikos was watching the rain outside while he ate, listening to her speak. So when she said that Theron was cute his initial reaction was a vacant expression, how was he suppose to respond to that? After a moment he looked at her with a small smirk on his face. "I guess? Well if you were hoping for some sort of affirmative feedback then your talking to the wrong person Kat." He winked at her before his eyes settled on a passing bus outside.

Katherine chuckled " I guess you're right too..." she wrinkled her nose while she stuck her tongue out at him, then decided to get the subject around " What about Sapphire? She's beautiful right?" she asked, looking for confirmation. She had to know what his deal was with girls. Did he have a girlfriend, was he seeing someone currently... Her eyes followed the same bus he was looking at.

She smiled to herself as Ryan spoke, and looked up from the menu, "Yes, you could do that, if you wanted to..." She raised her eyebrow playfully as he said that he was good at investigating things, with a look that said, 'Yes, I know you are.' Smirk.

Helena looked away from Ryan as a woman that she didn't know came over and pulled herself up a seat. She looked at her and listened to what she was saying. Helena glanced to Ryan with a slightly confused look, then looked back to the woman and frowned. "Is saying things like that really appropriate? My son had to spend two years in Mungo's when he was younger, and I think I know Ryan well enough to know that he doesn't have to stay in St. Mungo's." The soft tones that Helena had been using all evening were completely gone, and her voice was plain and dry. She could tell right away that this woman wasn't worth talking to.

She looked to Ryan as he spoke up, and she looked away from the woman, whom Ryan called 'Calla', and looked out of the window, at the quickly darkening sky. She smirked to herself as he asked Calla to leave. Helena looked to her with a look in her eye that agreed with what Ryan said to her.

He watched the bus pass as the subject was now turned on him. Nikos squirmed slightly in his seat. He never was too comfortable speaking with females about other females. "Um...she beautiful too I guess." He stool a glace at Katherine while she looked out the window, she reminded him of Marcy with her boldness. Taking a sip of his coffee he turned to look her in the eyes. "So...do you like men like Theron? Or is he...not your type?" He looked at her curious to find out more about his roomate, relationship wise.

Calla could tell Ryan knew she was up to no good, but the woman was to say the least not half as fun. Dry, not playful, formal, probably a serious bore. Not Ryan's type at all.

She cocked her head to the side when the woman tried to make her feel bad for the joke. Calla felt sorry for her, the woman in brown must have stepped out of line when they were handing out a sense of humor. Bless her heart.

Calla didn't take kindly to the rude woman. (Not considering that she herself intruded on the date in the first place). I mean seriously, she could have been not so annoying. But then again, her being annoying pared nicely with Ryan’s annoyingness.

Torn again. She wanted to set the woman straight, because obviously the woman didn't know Ryan at all but she didn't want to ruin Ryan's chances of winning over the silly woman. The woman looked like easy prey for Ryan, maybe that’s why he’s on a date with her.

Calla looked at Ryan coolly with an air of where did you find this one?, and then turned and smirked at the woman. "Of course you know him well enough. Of course." She nodded in sarcastic agreement. "I'm sure you know all about him." She stopped there... although she wanted to continue. Ruining Ryan's chances entirely was not what she wanted.

That doesn't mean she didn't want to cause trouble. Calla smirked at Ryan, a smirk that he had seen at least 2 times before.

She rose from her set, placed the chair back where it belonged and returned to the table to say one last thing. Placed her hand on the woman's shoulder and continued, "Make you never leave your drink unattended around him love." Calla spoke in an overly sugary tone. "He likes to add things to drinks when he gets rejected. I should know." Explain that one Ryan.

With a shrug she started to turn away, "But I'm sure you already knew that, since you know him well enough."

She knew as she walked away that Ryan would be able to convince the woman of whatever he wanted, and he'd probably explain he had no idea what Calla was talking about. It just proved her theory of her being an easy prey for him. Bless her heart.

Calla made her way to the ‘To-Go’ window to retrieve her order.

Nathan was nervous. It was the first time he and Egypt were spending time alone without the kids since she and the family returned to London.

He'd arrived stupidly early, deciding to get the tube into London and misjudging how long it would take to get here. He hovered outside the restaurant watching passers by and listening vaguely to the busker across the road, not really taking in how apt the song being sung was.

He dusted some invisible fluff from his jacket, deciding to go inside. At least he could have a drink while he waited for Egypt. The alcohol may help him to relax a bit. How silly it was to be nervous of your own wife! It would be understandible if she was a dragon-woman but she was quite the reverse - Egypt was the kindest most gentle woman he had ever met.

He was looking tired around the eyes, but he had made an effort for this occasion, donning a tailored suit with a crisp white shirt, but no tie. He thought that would be too formal.. but then Nathan had never been a very good judge of what to wear for what occasion. He'd always left that sort of thing up to Egypt who was an expert in the field.

He was shown to the table. Candlelit and secluded – just as he'd asked for. Not quite as spectacular as that date he and his wife had had at the top of the Eiffel Tower, but it was still nice... and they didn't need such bravado when tonight was about just being together and being able to talk things through.

He ordered a bottle of red wine and was sipping at it nervously, drinking a lot faster than he intended. He topped up his glass and started fidgeting with his napkin instead. Guh. 'Come on, mate. Pull it together you idiot.' He told himself. He forced himself to look relaxed, placing his hands on his knees under the table to stop his nervous fideting - it didn't work and he went back to sipping at his wine again. Oh dear.

She smiled at his curiosity " I think Theron is an handsome man, but I have no idea if he's my type or not I don't really look on the outside, and since he's a quiet man I have no idea.. plus I haven't dated since I left Hogwarts.." that last part slipped from her lips, but she didn't react to it. It wasn't really attractive to man a woman that had been alone for so long, something must have been wrong with her right?

She paused for a moment, finishing her meal and wiping her mouth clean.
"And.. is Sapphire your type?" she asked. This was taking a awkward turn, since when did they share these kinds of information? Since when did she ever share these kind of information with anyone other than herself? Guess having a roomate was all about sharing experiences.

Ryan smirked slightly when Helena did not sound like she took what Calla said seriously. Well, it was obvious that she was trying to mess around with him but considering how out of balance women were even someone like Ryan who was a good reader of human nature could not predict their behaviour and thoughts for 100% sure. Like they seemed to support each other in most awkward times.

He nodded at Helena with a warm smile on his face in order to thank for her remark of his defense. But that warm smile and look did not last for too long, not even the cunning ones that he had given to Calla, when he heard what the other woman started to spill out as she touched Helena's shoulder giving the message that she was trying to help by body language. *cough cough* ''All right, Calla. Thank you for reminding your precious presence'' He looked after her as she walked away. That woman was really a Slytherin. And looked back at Helena. ''I think i am going to eat mmm...'' *short glance at the menu* ''...a steak dish.''

Helena looked at this Calla and just glared at her, not liking her at all. As the woman stood up, Helena glanced to Ryan, "Thanks for the advice, love." she replied sarcastically. As the woman walked away, Helena looked back to Ryan with an odd expression on her face. She ignored the remark that Calla made on her way out.

The look on Helena's face really was an odd one... It was somewhere inbetween confusion, annoyance and a kind softness. She looked at Ryan as he said what he was going to order. Helena looked back to where the woman was stood and looked back to Ryan, "Ryan ... Who was she? And why ... Why did she feel the need to make comments like that?" She thought back to some of them. The more believeable ones, anyway. "Nothing she said was true, was it?" She added, quietly.

Helena then picked up her menu and looked through it, "I think I'll get a ... Y'know ... I think a steak dish sounds really good. I think I'll get that, too."

Calla watched from a distance. Examining the body language it seemed as if Ryan was trying to ignore the situation, maybe in hopes the woman wouldn't question it. She'd be stupid not to question him on everything Calla said.

The couple seemed to be enjoying their meal. Calla was sure she'd hear about the mess she caused later. She was headed to Gavin and Ryan's place so unless Ryan didn't come home she'd certainly get an earful. Smirk.

Calla payed for the food, made her way to the door and out on to the street.

Leaning back in his chair, Nikos fiddled with his coffee mug while listening to her speak. It was a good thing to hear that she looked past a person's physical appearance. The last bit caught him by surprise, he figured that a woman like her would have someone special in her life. Nikos shruged his shoulders at her question, "Same as you, don't really know her to well. Guess the only one I really know anything about is you." He took a sip of his coffee. "Haven't been in a relationship for a couple of years now." Nikos didn't elaborate on the subject still finding it difficult to openly talk about Marcy. Maybe he would tell he more when they met back at the appartment, or when they got to know more about each other.

Apparently Ryan was never going to see two women get along well while he was around. Except in the offices, of course, where tension mostly rose directly because of his attitude instead of his indirect effect. Avoiding making any further comments on the incident he ordered their meals and remained silent for a moment or so as Helena asked about the things Calla had uttered.

''She is my flatmate's girlfriend. So, a friend of mine. Well...she just likes to make fun of me like that. Nothing more.'' He stopped again in order to consider what he should say for her last question 'Nothing she said was true, was it?' . This was a hard decision to make even for him or it seemed hard just for that evening. He was not sure. He seemed to lack most of his skills that evening after all so there was nothing else to say except...''No. She was just kidding. Hmm. Instead of bothering about that why don't you tell me what your favourite colour is?''

She smiled, deciding not to push on the subject anymore " Well, is nice to talk with someone like this" she gestured towards both of them, sitting peacefully enjoying a nice muggle meal, among muggles. She finished her juice and stretched her arms above her head. " I like our building it has a homey feeling to it doesn't it?" she leaned forward and whispered " I was thinking we could make a little party for our ministry co-workers..like a welcome party to the new ministry set up, muggle proof of course.. what do you think?" that had occurred to her a few days back, but only now she had the chance to pass it through Nikos.

Egypt was nervous and she didn't understand why. She was meeting her husband after all, but things were different between them. And she hated that, she really did. She wanted her husband back and she wanted their marriage back to the way it was.

She was early she knew that but she didn't want to be late for this date. It was going to be the first time they had spent any time alone in months. Well since that first night at the Leaky Cauldron. Egypt had played that night over and over again in her head. Trying to remember his touch, his scent. Its what got her through most days. She didn't know if this date was to tell her he was coming home or to tell her if he wasn't coming back. She was excited about the date and dreading it all at the same time.

The cab pulled up to the curb and she paid the driver and stepped out. She was holding the bottom of her dress, she didn't want to get it dirty. It was totally white and she did want to wear it again.

She took a few deep breaths to steady her nerves. "Pull yourself together Greenwood," she told herself. This was Nathan, your husband, your soulmate. The man you gave your heart and life too. There was no need to be nervous about going to see him.

She was positively glowing, her make up perfect thanks to Paris and her long hair pulled back and away from her face. She wore a simple pair of diamond earrings and a large emerald ring on her hand. The color or Nathan's eyes.

She walked in and took a deep breath, "Reservation for Greenwood," she told the host. He smiled at her and motioned for her cashmere jacket. She smiled and handed him her jacket. She really hoped Nathan liked her dress. It had taken her like 4 hours of shopping to find it. Not that she minded the shopping it helped clear her head.

She walked back to the secluded booth where Nathan was already sitting sipping on a glass of wine. "Good evening Nathan," Egypt said lightly.

Nathan glanced at his watch. He'd been so stupid leaving the Leaky Cauldron and making his way into London so early. More wine was consumed and he topped up his large glass for a second time. He signalled for the waiter to get rid of the half empty bottle and bring another. He didn't want Egypt to know he had been drinking so much before she arrived.. but it had helped and he was feeling less nervous than when he arrived. But he was still a bit jittery from the butterflies in his stomach.

He was busy studying the menu to give himself something to do when a shadow was cast over the table. He looked up and there she was looking elegant. He smiled warmly at her and stood, taking her hand, he kissed her lightly on the lips. “You look stunning, love.” He said softly looking into her eyes. He pulled out her chair for her. “M' lady.” He said with a smile and gestured for her to sit.

She was surprised to see how early Nathan was. She thought she would have had a few moments to compose herself before he showed up, but he had beaten her there. She wanted to hope this was a good sign. She was glad to see that he was nervous as well, at least they were on the same page. She smiled at him as he stood, she could see he was looking a bit tired and it pained her heart. She wanted to get back to taking care of him like he needed.

She was lost in her thoughts as he took her hand and leaned forward to kiss her. The kiss took her by surprise, a nice surprise and she closed her eyes at the contact, wishing it would last forever. "You look smashing as well," she told him. He did look good, really good. Merlin she was missing her husband. She smiled as held his gaze as she sat down. The waiter was right at her elbow. "Can I have a sparkling water please?" she asked him softly. She hadn't taken her eyes off Nathan as she spoke to the waiter. "I'm really glad you asked me to dinner Nathan," she told him honestly.

Nathan smiled at Egypt when she complimented him. She looked so glamorous – he just hoped he looked like he belonged at her side.. and not like some chauffeur or something.

He ordered a whiskey when Egypt ordered a sparkling water. Some things just never changed. He smiled over the table at her. “I'm glad you accepted my invite.” He winked playfully. It was lovely to be alone with her for once. “How are things? Is Emily with the kids?” He asked. It wasn't easy being in the dark about things when it came to family life. He missed it terribly but it had been his choice to keep his distance.

He was looking so good just sitting there cool as cucumber. She wanted to grab him up into her arms and show him how much she had missed him and how much she loved him.

She smiled as she opened the menu. It had some nice sounding dishes, "Of course I would have accepted," she told him. She saw him wink and she sent him one back. She settled on the Caesar salad to start and then she would have the lobster risotto.

She tried to hide the disappointment on her face that he just wanted to talk about the kids. She had hoped they could talk about their relationship. But of course he wanted to know about his children. "Oh yes Emily is with them now. Ben and Devon have come down with something called chicken pox. The muggle doctor told me to bath them in oatmeal and no one can be near them but Tweet. He said they were really contagious." She had no idea what chicken pox was but it was par for the course when they went to muggle primary school. "Willow got the lead in Wicked. She is playing Glinda." She was so proud of Willow and she couldn't wait to see the play.

Nodding in agreement his eyes slowly glided around the resturant. He did enjoy being around muggles from time to time, having always found them fascinating.

"It does, never really had a place that nice. My parents house in Greece is quite small. The livingroom is beautiful, I love the view." It really was the best place he had lived in, not counting the hotels he stayed in with Marcy. She paid for those places and this was the first place he ever had to pay for. "You know this is my first place I've had since leaving Hogwarts." He took a sip of his coffee while pondering her offer, a party sounded nice and he still didn't know alot of people at the Ministry. "I think its a great idea. I could cook a few things for the party as well."