Title: The Evening Went Swimmingly
Author: Percei

Pairings: Damon/Lana
Warnings: None
Rating: PG
Spoilers: Possible Minor 1-5
Summary: After a long day at work, Lana plans to go home and do nothing of interest, but Gant comes by and offers her dinner. The whole thing turns into a delightful evening at the ritziest place Gant (with three months worth of savings) can afford. This takes place 3 years before SL-9 (thusly 5 years before 1-5)

I dedicate this to Emily and Mallory, I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Detective Lana Skye sighed. The paperwork was never her favorite part of the job. She had just wrapped up a case with her partner and writing the closing report took up most of her day. She finished putting away the excess clutter on her desk and stood. Her workspace was organized but conservative. She turned and surveyed the quiet office. Her partner’s organ stood in the middle of the large, cathedral-esque office. She of course, had only twice embellished herself by playing the instrument, but she was never as good as her office mate.
Lana walked over to the other side of the office. She made not a sound, save the clacking of her shoes as she crossed the marble floor, with its mural depicting the rarely seen prosecutor’s badge. She stopped at the ornately carved mahogany desk that was the workspace of her much more... "exquisite" partner. She laid her report down on his desk, taking a sticky note from his supplies and wrote with a black Sharpie 'Turn in to Chief'. Lana capped the marker and put it back in her co-workers pen cup. She was about to head home, but stopped for a moment to gaze out of the large window on her fellow detective's side. It offered a great view of the bay area. She marveled for a couple of minutes at the sun setting over the sea, but was then distracted at the sound of footsteps and an opening door.
"Ohohoho! Why LONNIE dearest, you're still here!?" Gant said, his powerful voice echoing about the room. Lana turned; she smiled pleasantly at her partner. Gant stood tall, his posture impeccable. He was donned in one of his finely tailored orange, two-piece suits, a red tie, and a tasteful black dress shirt beneath to coincide with the buttons on his jacket sleeves. His ever beaming face showcased his unique hairstyle and beard, and was accessorized with pink shades, which Detective Skye secretly found adorable.
"Oh, hello Damon," Lana replied, "I had to finish up the report on that last case."
"Report? AH, Ohohoho! Those are quite drab, and while I was out giving a meeting and briefings," Gant boomed.
"Well, it comes with the territory, and I lead the last meeting"
"Lonnie dearest! Don't make excuses, I was at horrible fault, and I should make it up to you! How would you like to go to dinner with me?" Gant said, beaming, and clapping his hands together once. Lana chuckled. It was only a Tuesday night, so she didn't have anything planned. Gant did seem sincere enough. And, hell, how long had it been since she'd had a night on the town?
"Alright Damon, why not?"
"MARVELOUS!" Gant cried, glee practically flowing off of him. He turned and opened the door, "We shall set out at once! Come with me."
"N-now? But I... I haven't even had time to get ready or dress up." Lana said, looking surprised.
"Ohohoho! Why get any dressier, you look splendid already! And we have no time to waste, being it a weeknight and such!" Gant proclaimed. Lana only smiled and followed. She was actually anticipating this. They entered the elevator as Gant pressed the P3 button with a gloved hand. It was going to be an interesting night indeed.

* * *

Damon Gant had been planning the dinner since the first meeting had ended; he figured Lana would have been overworked and that she needed to have some fun. He promptly prepared reservations at one of the ritziest places to dine in the city, Viola Hall at the Gatewater. They only catered to the highest paying customers. And he got one of the best tables. He knew Lana would still be in the office, as she had a habit of watching the sunset after long days.
Detective Gant’s car was expensive, and you could tell. A Cadillac by brand, but Gant’s steed at heart. It was custom painted orange to match Damon’s suit, and had tinted windows so no one could gaze in at Gant. On the inside it was the finest of white leather, with light brown wood finishing anywhere you looked. The colors offset each other quite nicely. The stereo was finest for sale, a top of the line Bose model. Eighteen disk CD changer, satellite radio, GPS navigation, a video screen for those long traffic jams, and more. Was Gant being excessive? He sure didn’t think so.
Gant started the car and headed to the exit ramp. He flipped through his stations as he exited the Parking Lot. He would stay for one or two songs, and then flip to the next. They drove down the busy city streets, choosing to take beach lanes for the view. The car blocked out most of the outside noise, save for the sirens that echoed throughout the area. Damon flipped to a new station when Lana spoke up,
"Hold on Damon... I love this song." Gant stopped as the music played. He immediately recognized it as a progressive rock band Lana enjoyed, though the name escaped him. Time flew by as the station stayed the same; Lana occasionally sang to a tune, but through most of the trip the duo remained silent. Eventually Gant reached their destination. He drove down to Venice Avenue, and parked in the massive parking lot in front of the hotel, in a space reserved for him. He got out of his custom ordered orange car and circled to Lana's side opening her door.
She thanked him and they entered the hotel. The two huge front doors took them into the large lobby. It was carved from pristine white marble and accented with gold and polished wood. Across from the entrance was a large fountain on the back wall, between two curving staircases. The fountain was a waterfall style, which cascaded over a mosaic depicting a starry night over a Roman or Greek town.
In front of the fountain was a large mahogany desk, also accented with gold inlays. It spanned from one staircase to the other, and was dotted with hotel employees. Gant and Lana walked up to the desk to confirm the reservation and pay for the initial fee. Lana took in her surroundings as people bustled around the lobby. What truly caught her eye, though, was a large ceiling light which resembled a seashell made of thousands of crystals, which projected light from a source above it.
“Lets go Lonnie, our table awaits is.” Damon called, breaking Lana from her trance. She’d never been to the Gatewater before. The two detectives continued arm in arm to the restaurant. They passed through to exquisite doors and arrived in Viola Hall. It was gorgeous; the gold colored wooden walls were tall and entered into an arc, reminding her of her office or her church. There were at least two-hundred tables on the ground floor, and around fifty balcony tables that were raised above with an excellent view of the hall.
They continued to A glass stand where a busy looking man was standing. Gant went to him and said,
“We have a reservation; it should be under Damon Gant.” The Maître D' quickly checked through his reservations and found Damon’s.
“Very well sir, you shall be seated momentarily.” He said, and beckoned to an open server, and told him “Zey ‘ave booked table 307, please escort zem to there.” The server nodded and led them to a door off to the side, and up three flights of stairs, into a balcony. Where he seated them. The table had been prepared with a white table cloth, and a large ornate candlestick which held two candles and a glass flower pot with two roses. Lana gaped, she was absolutely astounded at the class of this plase, it was of its on caliber.
“Gant... this, is amazing, you did all this...?"
"Just for you Lonnie my dear!" Gant replied, smiling. They removed their silver wear and put their napkins in their lap as the waiter came.
"Good evening Detective Gant, Detective Skye, how are you tonight, and may I get you anything to drink?" the waiter said, reading off of the notes he was given by the Maître D'. Lana pondered for a moment, looking over her menu, and then answered.
"I’m fine, and… I'll just have water, with a lemon wedge please."
"Very well... and you sir?" The waiter replied after jotting down Lana's order.
"Ohohoho! Well, I do say I'll have the same as the fair dame across from me!" he said cheerily "And also, I'd like a bottle of the finest red wine in your establishment."
"Very well, I shall return momentarily." the waiter replied again. He exited the booth and headed down towards the kitchen. Lana and Damon both opened their menus and started to decide on their meals. Lana looked over their selection of pastas, while Damon gleaned the hardier meals.
"I think we should get Shrimp Kebabs for an appetizer..." Lana said, voicing her thoughts.
'Ohohoho! That’s a splendid idea, Kebabs it is!" Gant agreed. The next couple of minutes were passed in silence as the two reviewed the menu. The waiter appeared with two glasses of water, a second one trailing behind with a wine stand and a bottle of red vintage wine. The second server set the wine stand down, making sure it was convenient for both of the patrons, and then placed the wine next to a chilled platter of Havarti cheese and club crackers, with a few herbs in the center. The second server left as the first opened his note pad and asked,
"Are you ready to order?” Gant nodded his head towards Lana, signaling her to order first, like a polite gentleman.
Lana waited for a moment then ordered,
"I'll take a Chicken Alfredo with a Caesar Side Salad and the Soup of the Day."
"A fine choice madam and you good sir?" the waiter replied, jotting down the order.
"Well, Sir Server, I'll take a T-Bone steak, medium rare please, served with a side of steamed vegetables and a baked potato." Gant said, beaming at the server.
"Would you like it topped with mushrooms good sir?"
"Ohohoho! Why not?" Gant replied.
"Very well, we shall begin your orders promptly." The waiter bowed slightly, and left. Gant reached over and took the bottle of wine, uncorking it and pouring himself and Lana a glass. He then served it to her.
"So how’s life my deary Lonnie?" Gant asked before sipping the vintage.
"Oh... same old same old..." Lana replied, also sipping the wine, "Ema's been excelling in school, she seems to be making a lot of friends in the school. She's quite social for a 6th grader. And work has been the same as well..." she finished.
"Well, as long as all is well." Gant said back, as he sipped his wine. He took a slice of the chilled cheese and ate it, he then made a gleeful expression and said "Why, this wine and cheese is exquisite! I must know what it's called!" Gant looked at the label, and read aloud, "Estancia Pinot Noir… sounds fancy!” Lana chuckled at Gant, and began a conversation about fine dining until their food came.

* * *

A few minutes after they started their conversation, the Kebabs were brought along with cocktail sauce and two plates. They each took a kebab and began to eat that, Lana continued,
“I have to say, this is one of the classiest places I’ve ever eaten at,” she took a bite of shrimp, “Good lord, this is good food!”
“And good wine to boot!” Damon added, sipping his wine and eating a few pieces of shrimp from his kebab. They ate and discussed, it was a good time. Twenty minutes after they had arrived, Lana’s soup was brought.
“The Soup of the Day, Pasta Faigoli!” he said, removing the cover from the silver platter. He took the soup and set it down in front of Lana, who thanked him as he also set down a basket of four breadsticks.
“Your meals should be ready in another twenty minutes,” he said as he left with a flourish. Lana delved into the soup, as they began conversation after conversation, the twenty minutes flew by.
Detective Skye was having a delightful evening. At that moment, she was enjoying the last of her soup by dipping the breadsticks in it, while Gant debated with her the necessity of shallowness in public pools.
"But Lonnie dearest, shallow pools allow less swimming area, and more wading area, and you know I'm not one who wades particularly often." Gant chuckled heartily.
"Damon, there ARE other swimmers, I particularly enjoy the shallow area," Lana ate a bite off of the breadstick, "it allows me to adjust to the water temperature easily."
"Ohohoho! But you must live life to its fullest, jump in and your body will adjust faster if you jump in!" Gant finished off his third Kebab, and the debate, as the two servers from earlier came in with platters of food. Server two gave Lana her pasta dish and side salad, while server one laid a large plate of Steak, a baked Potato and a mixture of Steamed Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Carrots.
Lana's dish was served in a basin plate, the Fettuccine curled beneath nine cuts of chicken topped with fresh Alfredo sauce and oregano. While Damon’s was a large plate, the stake placed in the center and covered in a premium sauce, topped with mushrooms and a sprig of mint. The vegetables were on one side of the dish, while the potato had its on plant and a stick of butter to itself.
The pair began to eat, discussing current events, Lana would cut a piece of her chicken, and Gant his steak, and the topics would go on. They ate their meal slowly but steadily, dining into the late hours, until they were the only ones left in the restaurant. The only thing left was a warm brownie topped with ice cream, chocolate sauce, and caramel they were sharing for dessert.
"Gant, I can never understand your way of thinking," Lana chortled, eating a spoonful of brownie.
"Blacks, Greens, Blues... they go in and out of fashion, but orange, my dear Lonnie, will ALWAYS be in style..." Gant said, finishing off the dessert.
The waiter came and gave them their check, and Gant handed the man his card. The server returned a few minutes after with the second waiter trailing behind. Gant gave them each a one-hundred dollar tip and they proceeded down the stairs. They were about to go into the lobby when Damon stopped and turned to the waiter.
"Ohohoho! Sir waiter, could you do one last thing for me?"
"Um... why certainly sir, what is it?" the server asked, looking a little peeved. Gant removed a digital camera from his pocket and handed it to him,
"It should be obvious Sir Waiter!" he beamed.
Gant took Lana into a bear hug with one arm and smiled, Lana grinned as well, and the camera flashed, capturing the happy evening on film. Gant took the camera back, went to his car along with Lana, and proceeded towards their homes. After they had been driving awhile, Gant looked at the clock. 11:41 it read. Lana was dozing quietly in the passenger seat, and Damon didn't wake her until they arrived at her house.
"Damon... this, was some of the most fun I've had in ages..."
"I have to say, it was the same with me... Lana, if I do say so myself, I think this evening went swimmingly!" Lana laughed, then smiled, and gave Damon a hug, then; she looked into his eyes, and kissed him. They stood there for not but two minutes, but to the pair, it seemed like eons. They finally parted, and Lana smiled again, went into her house. Damon stood, dazed, for a moment, and got into his car to head home, both of them, filled with an inner glee, and butterflies in their stomachs.