"Oh, they're good. I finally tricked Donna into dating and I think she's happy. Not that she'll ever say it out loud, because that would be admitting I was right, and Fearless Leader will /never/ admit I was right out loud." Alex smiles, going to open her door for her.

Once she's seated, he'll go and get in himself. They have a good forty-five minutes of drive time before they get to Star City. Alex decides to create some conversation of his own.

"How are your parents? They doing okay?" he asks.

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"Of course not," she says as she sits with an appreciative smile.

"They're doing well. Between the littles and sermons and pastoral stuff and making ends meet, they're always keeping busy."

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"Younger siblings are always a joy, aren't they? Fish-Face says hi, by the way." Alex says.

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"The storied tradition of the little sister is rich and fraught with Helpful Apperances -- lucky thing I'm not still at home, or the littles wouldn't have let us out the door. Mom says it runs in the family. So do tell. How, exactly, did you manage to get Donna on a date?"

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"Like I said, I tricked her. I found a guy I thought would like and told him that she wanted to date him. I told Donna the same thing...a few hours before he was supposed to show up. I did this about two or three times until she started smiling when he called." Alex says.

"I'm pretty good at getting people to see things my way, eventually." he says.

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"So who's the lucky guy?"

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"Scott Stewart. He's a good guy and a Blue Lantern." he says.

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"Aww, that's sweet. It should be good for her."

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"I hope so. She needs this like the Sahara Desert needs a monsoon. That's to say, badly." Alex grins.

"So, what else do you like to do besides magic, Abby-Kadabara?" Alex asks, seeking conversational topics.

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"Anthropology," she says, smiling. "Occasional church volunteering with Mom when I can find the time."

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"Ah, church. The place that bursts into flames when I get too near." Alex chuckles. He's mostly joking.

Although, the last time he stood near a church, it /did/ explode...because someone tried to kill him with a rocket launcher and missed. Thankfully, there was no service at the time. When he told Donna, they both agreed not to consider the fact that this happened because they were the children of the Demon's Head. The irony was just too much.

"Anthropology is one of my hobbies, actually." Alex says.

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"Hey, UU, not Catholic or anything," she says in an amusedly cautionary tone. "All our flames are on the altar."

"So what's your favorite? Forensic, biological, linguistic, cultural?"

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"Okay, I wasn't being completely honest. I know /nothing/ about Anthropology. I was hoping to impress you and I failed miserably." Alex admits.

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Abby chuckles slightly. "I can lend you a few books if you want to give it a try some time. Just don't trust anything by those nutty Von Daeniken fans... unless you want to hear about how Superman was worshipped in ancient Sumeria."

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"I'd like that. Maybe you can tutor me?" Alex suggests. "I'm a very good teacher's pet."

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"I'll take you up in the literal sense. In the innuendo-filled sense, we shall wait and see."

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"Innuendo? Me? I think you have me confused with...some other Alex Harper." he says, trying to fight down a smile. Though, Abby's words encouraged him a little.

Maybe she'd even consent to another date, one where he wasn't simply trying to prove that he could be a normal guy hanging out with a normal girl.

A bit later, they arrive at the Star City Garden Club and Alex drives the car to the valet area. Both doors are opened for them, and soon, Alex is offering Abby his arm.

"So, I just looked around and it's official. You are the most beautiful woman here. I'm glad you said yes, Abby." he smiles.

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Abby takes it with a smile. "Very sweet, thank you. I'm glad, too. It's a lovely night."

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He walks her inside and the pair are instantly lead to a private booth in the back of the restaurant. There were certainly times it paid to be a member of a Star City's most well-known family.

"So, how are things with the helmet going?" he asks.

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"This probably sounds ridiculous, but sometimes, it's like talking to my Aunt Clara. Nabu's more opinionated than people give him credit for, and sometimes I just have to make it clear that with all due respect, I have boundaries."

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"What, does he insist that you only speak Latin when you do spells, rather than...whatever other language you might use?" Alex teases.

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"He needs to be constantly reminded that my legs are mine and no means no. I object to somnambulating."

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Even for one whose mind is /constantly/ in the gutter, Alex isn't quite sure he wants clarification of what Abby meant by that statement.

Then again, Alex is not the type to let caution or shame be an issue.

"The helmet doesn't try to control you, does it?" he asks.

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"He's certainly not above trying. Ancient cosmic entities have such an entitlement complex sometimes. Fortunately, it was in the warning booklet Mark gave me when I took up the mantle, and I've laid down the law as best I could."

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"If I was Nabu, I wouldn't cross you, Abby-Kadabara. It could get ugly...for him." Alex laughs.

The waitress comes by and takes their orders, smiling at Alex the whole time. He seems to be trying to not pay attention to her, ordering his lobster without looking up.

Abby is a girl that deserves his Complete Attention. If she were anyone else, he'd act differently, maybe.

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"Thank you, Alex." And she'll have the fish.

"So how did you find yourself being so last minute about whom to go with tonight?"

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"Well, I wasn't going to go, but I drew the short straw on coming to this event. I realized I needed a date and your came to mind." Alex tells her.

Then he decides on honesty as a course of action.

"It's been suggested that I can go on a date with a nice, normal girl, because I thrive on abnormal. I don't feel that's true, so I asked a nice, normal girl on a date and she said yes.

She's having the fish." Alex grins.

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