Who: Derrick and Lee
When: Late tonight
What: Some food and conversation

Lee hoists the last of the chairs up and flips it over, resting the seat on the table. He walks over to the wall and grabs the broom, ready to start sweeping the floor. He enjoys this part of the evening because the monotonous movements back and forth give him time to think.

It's been a week now, and Derrick hasn't fired him or kicked him off the couch. Lee considers that a victory. Of course he doesn't see him much either, and while Lee would like to see a lot more of him, he knows he can't push things and risk losing what he's got.

Yes, the course he needs to take is just laying low and letting Derrick realize he can't live without him. Yeah right, he thinks. If he hasn't come on to me by now it's not gonna happen so quit dreaming.

Derrick comes out of his office and looks around the club, spotting Lee on the other side of the dance floor. "Hey, you just about finished?"

"Just about," Lee calls out, snapping out of his reverie. "Sweeping is almost done then just gotta pull the chairs down and take out the trash."

"I'll take care of the trash while you finish with the sweeping and the chairs. I'm starving and I wanna get out of here and get something to eat," Derrick tells him.

"Thanks boss," Lee says with a grin, happy to not have to deal with the trash. He makes quick work of the rest of the sweeping and starts in on the chairs, wanting to be done before Derrick gets back so the other man doesn't have to wait on him.

"Okay, let's go," Derrick says as he heads toward the front entrance, the keys in his hand. He waits for Lee to come outside with him then locks the doors. "You hungry, kid?" he asks as he heads down the street.

"Always. Why, you buying?" Lee falls into step beside Derrick as they start down the sidewalk.

"Sure. There's a late night place not far from here. Burgers and stuff like that." Derrick sidesteps a large dip in the sidewalk, bumping into Lee as he avoids it. "Sorry," he mumbles as he straightens up again.

"S'ok," Lee says, not wanting to admit he liked even that brief bit of contact. "Don't want you breaking anything. I'd have to wait on you hand and foot."

"I wouldn't mind that. The waiting on me hand and foot part," Derrick clarifies with a soft laugh.

"Well I would," Lee jokes. "So no falling and breaking anything."

"Falling isn't usually the cause of my injuries, so I don't think you have to worry about that one. This way," Derrick says as he gestures toward the next corner.

Lee wants to ask what that means but he's learned with Derrick the best way to find things out is to keep his mouth shut and let the other man talk.

"So how's your first week been treating you?" asks Derrick.

"Good. Hoping I haven't screwed anything up, but I figured you'd happily let me know if I did."

"Nah. Not happily." Derrick tugs on Lee's arm and nods his head toward the restaurant. "This is it."

Lee pulls open the door and holds it for Derrick to go through before following him in. "You sick of having me on your couch yet?"

Deciding to use Lee's tactic of answering a question with a question, Derrick smiles and asks. "You sick of being on my couch yet?"

"As far as couches go it's pretty comfortable. I'm hoping to have enough money by the end of the month to start looking for a place so I can get out of your hair."

Sliding into one of the booths near the back, Derrick wonders why this bit of news doesn't make him happy. He shrugs and looks around for an ash tray. "Whatever. No hurry," he murmurs.

"Yeah?" Lee says, surprised at Derrick's response. "I figured you couldn't wait to have your place back."

"It's just a place to sleep and take a shower. I spend most of my time at the club lately anyway."

"Yeah I noticed." Lee pulls one of the laminated menus from the rack and slides the ashtray over toward Derrick. "So what's good here?"

"They make a good cheeseburger. Onion rings are pretty good, too. The chocolate shakes are killer though. Best in the city." Derrick actually smiles just thinking of it.

"You and your sweet tooth," Lee teases. "Figures you'd know the places to go."

Derrick's smile slips a little at Lee's comment. The kid's only been living with him for a week, but apparently he's been paying attention to some of his habits. "Yeah..." he says with another shrug. "Stick with me," he jokes, lighting his cigarette.

"It's worked out well for me so far." Lee gives his order to the waitress and puts away his menu.