“Thanks for taking us shooting with you Buck, and for the ride home" Ryan said as I pulled in front of his house.

“No problem."

“Are you sure you don't want to spend the night here like these two?"

“I'm sure, thanks for offering though."

“Alright then, see you later" he said as they all got out of my truck.

“See ya." I pulled away from the curb and made my way down the road, no destination in mind. I was startled by my phone when it started ringing all of a sudden.

'Who'd be calling me at midnight?' I though as I pulled the device from my pocket and placed it to my ear after hitting the answer button.

“Hello"

“Hey Buck" I heard Lacy say on the other end.

“Hey Lacy, what's up?"

“I didn't wake you, did I?"

“Nah, your fine, I was just driving around."

“I can't sleep, maybe you could pick me up and we could sneak off to the park." That's my little rebel.

“I'll be there in five."

“See you then."

*****************************

“Come on, I gotcha" I whispered to the fox looking down at me from the second floor window of her house.

She took a deep breath before jumping out and falling into my waiting arms. I smiled down at her and our lips met as I carried her to my truck. I placed her in the passenger seat and closed her in before hopping into the driver's side and we rode off without a sound.

*****************************

“So why'd you wanna sneak off so badly?" I asked her after about 3 minutes of driving.

“I wanted to watch the stars"

“Could have done that from your window, couldn't you?"

“Then I wouldn't have been able to watch them with you." She smiled and grabbed my hand that was resting on the center console. I smiled back and came to a stop near a sign saying 'Austin City Community Park'.

I got out then quickly made my way over to her side and opened up the door. She took my offered hand and stepped out of the truck. I led her over to a nearby bench where we sat down next to each other and I watched as she lifted her eyes to the heavens and all of their beauty.

“Here, it's cold" I placed my jacket and arm over her shoulders and pulled her closer while she hugged the jacket tightly and snuggled up close to me.

“Thank you…won't you get cold?" She asked worriedly.

“You're all the warmth I need, my adorable little fuzzball" I smiled and stared into those crystal blue eyes that I loved so much.

“Glad I could be of service love" she said as she leaned her head on my shoulder.

'How'd I get so lucky?' I thought as I let my eyes rest on the gorgeous vixen sitting next to me.

“Their beautiful, aren't they?"

“Not as beautiful as you." I kissed the top of her head and let mine rest on that same spot.

“I wish we could just stay like this forever."

“…Me too…but for now, let's just enjoy the time we have together now." I said before we fell into a comfortable silence and simply enjoyed each other's company. I wish I had asked her out sooner than I did. We could have been doing this instead of simply sitting next to each other during the other times we snuck out together, then again, that was 7 years ago and she moved back to Australia after 2 years. I was too scared of her rejecting me, so I never could ask her. I barely had the guts to do it in the lab.

“Buck, are you alright, you're shivering." She looked at with concern and maybe guilt for depriving me of my jacket and staying cozy warm while I sat, unprotected, from the nights icy chill.

“Don't worry about me baby, I'm used to weather like this" I said in an attempt to ease her worries.

“Well I don't think it's fair that you give me your jacket and you don't even have fur to keep you warm."

“Your comfort is more important than mine."

“Not to me it isn't, here" she tried to give me my jacket back, but I adamantly refused to take it from her.

“I'm fine, I promise." She continued her actions, which were denied every time, until she suddenly perked up like she just had an epiphany.

“Perhaps we could come to a compromise" she said and opened the jacket, putting it over the both of us, and cuddling closer to me than before. “There, now we can both stay warm…but of a tight fit though, isn't it?"

“Won't hear any complaints from me" I laughed and began rubbing the silky soft fur on her arm.

“So…what have you been doing all day?"

“Driving, shooting, hanging with an old friend, nothing much…you?"

“Nothing really…just walking around town with a few friends." I was about to respond, but was cut-off by my phone alarm.

“Time to get you home" I said and tried to stand up, but I was being held down on the bench by the vixen.

“Just a little longer" she begged.

“Sorry baby, I wish we could stay, but yer dad would have my hide if he found out that you were sneaking off at night with me."

“…Okay" she sighed in disappointment and tried standing up herself, but I wouldn't let her feet touch the dirt.

“Doesn't mean I gotta let you go yet." She laughed at my antics while I held her bridal-style and nuzzled into my chest.

“I can walk you know"

“I know…is me holding ya a problem?" I asked while carrying her back to the truck.

“No…not a problem at all." I placed her in the truck like before and hopped into my side and took her home.

*****************************

“I had a wonderful time with you tonight" Lacy said while we walked towards her house window.

“Me too…I ain't got any plans tomorrow, you wanna fill that empty timeslot?"

“I'd love to" she smiled and hugged me to her. I lifted her chin up and pulled her into a quick kiss before separating from her and kneeling right below her window.

“Up you go." I felt pressure along my back until it was mainly on my shoulders and, when I was sure she was on safe, slowly straightened out my knees and back and lifted her until she was on her tiptoes. I grabbed her ankles to secure her before placing my hands under her feet and pushing her up the rest of the way. She climbed into the opening and poked her head out to smile down at me.

“Good night Buck" she whispered sweetly.