Natalie fidgeted with the fork he'd placed on the table earlier. "Are relationships hard for Immortals?"

"It depends on whom you ask," Lance answered simply. "For some, who shag their way through the centuries, their answer would be no."

"You don't seem that type," she observed.

Lance smiled. "No, I'm not, but there are some who are what was once called 'light-loves.'"

Natalie nodded. "I think the term nowadays is 'wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am.'"

He shook his head in mild disgust. "The longer I live, the more vulgar people get."

"So, you really are a knight in shining armor?" she asked in disbelief.

"If you're willing to go with me to Tuscany, I'll show it to you."

"Tuscany?" Natalie blinked in surprise. "But I thought we were going to Scotland."

"We are, after Tuscany. After all this, I could use a bit of a holiday. Besides, it's been awhile since I've been home."

"Tell me about it," she said, genuinely interested.

Lance thought for a bit while he finished dinner. Only when two steaming plates of meat-sauce covered pasta were set on the table and grace was said, did Lance finally answer.

"The house sits on a small rise with a terrific view of the valley," he started. "There are olives, of course, but also a small vineyard, figs, apples, a few pears. There's a kitchen garden full of herbs. Roses climb up the north side of the house. There's a small stable and paddock. And the village is just two miles down the road. You can hear the bells ringing for Mass. Mist covers the ground in the early morning. Nightingales sing in the evening."

Natalie smiled at the wistful note in his voice. "And you haven't been back...?"

"Since I moved here."

"Do they... know about you?"

"It's my home," Lance answered finally. "Even though I may disappear for a few years here and there, there is always someone who remembers me, and recognizes that I haven't changed. The village itself is pretty far off the tourist track anyway."

Natalie smiled as she took a bite of pasta. They fell into a companionable silence after that. She was nearly finished with her dinner when Lance spoke again.

"With this weekend being Memorial Day, what would you say to a big old-fashioned cookout?" he asked. "Hotdogs, hamburgers, maybe a few fireworks. What do you say?"

Natalie couldn't help grinning. "Make it a barbecue and you're on."

Lance looked at her in confusion. "What's the difference?"

She stared at him. "You've never had barbecue?"

"Of course I have," he replied with a wry smile before taking their dishes over to the sink. "But I still don't see the difference."

Natalie rolled her eyes. "You're talking to a Texan, Lance. Barbecue is our second language. Cookouts involve burgers and dogs over direct heat, probably a propane grill. Barbecue is ribs or brisket slow smoked over cool coals. Then, there's the sauce."

She continued to wax culinary on the different types of sauces. Lance couldn't help but grin as she talked about the food, football and friends. He wasn't surprised Natalie had been very popular and gregarious. And it sounded like she hadn't had much to celebrate since her adopted parents' deaths during her junior year of high school.

"Alright, alright!" he laughed, throwing up his hands in defeat. "I surrender! Barbecue it is."

Natalie laughed at his gesture and stood to give him a hug. "Y'know, you're not such a bad guy after all."

Lance pretended to be offended before replying. "Well, I'm glad someone thinks so."

She smiled and the tilt of her head was an open invitation he was more than happy to indulge in. It was soon clear that they both wanted more than just a simple kiss, but Lance didn't want to rush things too much too soon. Given that they were both now Immortal, there would be plenty of time for that later. Reluctantly, he pulled away.

"As much as I hate ruining the moment," he said softly. "We still need to do something about your clothes."

Natalie raised an eyebrow and gave him a siren's smile. "Oh, well, if you insist."