Helen and Elena had been planning their date for weeks. With Helen's busy schedules and the constant chaos that tended to follow Helen around, finding time for each other was not impossible but finding more than a day to spend to gether was always a challenge. But tonight was different. Tonight, they were determined to make the most of their time together.
They had chosen a cozy little café tucked away on a quiet street corner. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with soft jazz music playing in the background and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. Not the synthetic crap but actual real coffee, it was something exceedingly rare and expensive. As they settled into their seats, Helen couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her. This was a date night, their chance to forget about the outside world and focus solely on each other.
Elena reached across the table, her fingers brushing against Helen's as she smiled warmly. "I'm so glad we could do this," she said softly. "It feels like it's been forever since we've had a chance to just be together just us, although I still do miss the cat."
Helen returned her smile, feeling a surge of affection for the woman sitting across from her. "Me too," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've missed moments like this, I mean we haven't had time like this since you went to see Neuro? Like a month ago."
As they perused the menu, Elena couldn't help but glance up at Helen with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "You know, Helen," she began, her voice low with excitement, "I've been working on a new hacking project lately. It's been consuming most of my free time, but I think I'm onto something big."
Helen raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Tell me more," she encouraged, leaning in closer to hear Elena's explanation.
Elena grinned, a sense of pride evident in her voice. "Well, you know how I've always had a knack for getting into places I shouldn't be?" she teased, nudging Helen playfully.
Helen chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yes, you definitely have a way with computers," she acknowledged, a slight smirk on her lips, afterall the Reaper was no slouch herself.
Elena's smile widened as she continued. "Exactly. So, I've been working on this new program that will allow me to bypass even the most advanced Arasaka security systems. It's still a work in progress, but I have a feeling it's going to be big."
Helen's interest was piqued, her curiosity evident as she leaned in even closer. "That sounds impressive, Elena. I can't wait to see what you come up with, although I dont feel I need to tell you to be careful. Araska is a rather vain company," Helen states reaching out to squeeze Elena's hand in support.
Elena blushed, grateful for Helen's encouragement. "Thanks, Helen. It means a lot coming from you," she replied, her voice soft.
As the conversation shifted, Helen hesitated for a moment before deciding to share her own thoughts. "You know, Elena, I've been thinking a lot about my work with MaxTac lately," she admitted, her expression serious.
Elena's gaze softened, sensing the weight behind Helen's words. "What's on your mind?" she asked gently, reaching out to offer Helen a comforting smile.
Helen took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts before continuing. "It's just...sometimes I wonder if I'm making a real difference," she confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I joined MaxTac not because of the money but because it was an easy retirement job, but now I find myself knowing i could make better use of my time."
"I feel like you are certainly helping people although… Your reputation precedes you and to be completely honest. You do whatever you want to do I'll support you." Elena states
"Doing, whatever I want to do huh?" Helen says looking off to ponder "What if I want to do what ever you do?"
Elena gazed at Helen with a soft smile. "You know, I've always wanted to go stargazing," she admitted, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Just lying under the night sky, watching the stars twinkle above us... It sounds magical, doesn't it?"
Helen nodded, a smile adroning her lips "It does," reaching across the table to Helen takes Elena's hand in hers. "And I know just the perfect spot."
After finishing their meal and paying the bill, they stepped out into the cool night air, hand in hand. Helen led Elena to a car the cat girl had never seen before. It's a sleek black car so dark that it's almost impossible to spot in the low light in which it is currently parked.
The harsh angles on it is something manufactures today try to mimic the asthetics on and its headlights gave it a new type of life as the halogen almost gave it a soul.
Elena couldn't hide her awe as she admired the sleek black car before them, its vintage design exuding an undeniable charm. "Wow, it's beautiful," she breathed, running her hand along the smooth surface of the car.
Helen grinned, a twinkle of pride in her eyes. "It's a 1969 Mustang Mach 1. Classic American muscle," she explained, a hint of nostalgia coloring her tone. "I've always had a soft spot for vintage cars."
Elena's eyes widened in surprise. "I had no idea, something like that was still around."
"I have my ways" Helen states opening up the passenger door for her. Before sliding across the hood hopping into the driverseat.
With a rev of the engine, Helen pulled out of the parking lot and onto the open road, the wind whipping through their hair as they sped off into the night. As they drove, Elena couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom and exhilaration, the thrill of the open road beckoning them forward. With that Helen floored it.
====================================================
Eventually, they reached their destination—a secluded spot far from the city lights, where the stars shone bright against the velvet sky. Helen parked the car and turned off the engine, the only sound the soft hum of crickets in the distance.
Helen stepped out pulling a blanket out of the back seat and tossing it on to the ground before plopping down and patting besides her.
======================================
As they lay side by side on a blanket spread out on the grass, Helen couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over her. The night sky stretched out above them, a vast expanse of darkness punctuated by the twinkling of distant stars.
Elena snuggled closer to Helen, resting her head on her shoulder. "This is perfect," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle rustle of the wind in the trees.
Helen wrapped her arm around Elena, pulling her close. "It really is," she agreed, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Elena's head. "And do you know what makes it even more perfect?"
Elena looked up at her, her eyes shining with curiosity. "What?"
Helen smiled down at her, You," she said simply. "Being here with you, under the stars... It's everything I've ever wanted… To love again." Helen whispers to herself.
Only for Elena to suddenly hug her, turns out her hearing was better than average.
And as they lay there together, lost in each other's embrace, the world faded away around them, leaving nothing but the two of them and the endless expanse of the night sky stretching out above.
===========================================
"This just in, waffle house has announced the closure of all Night City Branches."
Isabella polishes her gun a mad giggle escaping her lips.