Keith was about to say something but Andy grabs his arm and speaks for him. "He doesn't always treat women the way they should be but he doesn't insult, belittle, or make them feel beneath him. Yes, he left a bad first impression but was willing to do the right thing and make it up to your friend. Keith doesn't take the easy way out. He admits his faults and takes whatever he has coming. I'm proud to call him my friend and I'm a better person since I met him my freshman year of college. So before you go off on him in public and embarrass yourself and Jackie, get to know him first and tell if he is still an asshole."

Melissa looks stunned at what just happened to her. She didn't know what to say but thankfully she didn't need to worry because the chef came out ready to make their food.

The chef quickly pointed to each person at the table and made sure he had everything he needed for everyone's entrée order. He starts off by putting a huge pile of rice on the flat top and cooking it. On the other side of the top he starts cutting onions for the fried rice but first makes a little mountain out of the rings. He pours some liquid into it, lights it on fire and makes an onion volcano. Everyone smiles and Melissa claps in appreciate of the show. Next the chef cracks a few eggs and mixes them in with the rice. A few minutes later he serves everyone their rice. Next he starts making everyone's entrées and enough shrimp for each person to have two. After he cooks everything to perfection, he serves everyone their food and everyone enjoys what is served.

"Melissa, you should try this salmon, it is delicious," Jackie says with a piece of her salmon on her fork. Melissa opens up her mouth and takes the bite.

"Oh my! That is delicious!"

"Can I try a piece?" asks Keith.

Jackie turns to him surprised. "Umm, sure." She puts another piece on her fork and puts it on Keith's plate. Keith uses his fork to scoop it up and puts the piece in his mouth.

"That is pretty good. Maybe I'll get this next time."

Andy looks over at Keith with a grin on his face. "You never deviate from what you like."

"And I do like this salmon so I am not deviating at all," Keith responds back.

Jackie looks over at the two confused. "What do you mean deviate?"

"Don't worry about it. Andy just likes to make fun of me because I usually order the same thing when I go somewhere I like."

"Oh, ok," says Jackie not convinced. She wants to push but decides not to.

Not a single piece of food is left on anyone's plate and Andy lets out a little burp. "Excuse me," he says.

"I'll excuse you only because you're paying," Keith responds causing the women to laugh.

The waiter comes back with the bills and those who are expected to pay do. Everyone is getting ready to leave when Keith turns towards Jackie. "Can I talk to you for a minute before you leave?"

"Sure."

They walk over to a more private area. "I just want to apologize again for last night. I should have stopped saying what I did and I shouldn't have walked out on you either. I just hope you can forgive me."

Jackie gives a warm smile. "I forgive you for both things. I know I pushed you a little to tell me what you saw in me. I'm sorry for pushing you into that situation."

Keith smiles back. "I forgive you as well. So...would you like to get drinks with me this Saturday? I know a great bar and the bartender a friend of mine."

"I appreciate the offer Keith, but I actually have a date on Saturday. But maybe I'll run into you because I'm meeting the guy at the Brownstead. You can give me your very honest opinion of him afterwards."

"I will most certainly do that if I see you two." Keith and Jackie hug and meet back with their respective friend. They head off out to their cars and start driving.

"So, what did Keith want to talk to you about?" Melissa asks.

Jackie knows Melissa is not letting going to let it go so she just decides to give it up. "He apologized again to me for last night and also asked me to have drinks with him on Saturday."

"Did you say yes?"

"No...I actually already have a date on Saturday with a guy from Match.com."

"You're on Match.com? What other secrets have you been keeping from me?"

"Nothing that I can think of. You know my biggest secrets already."

"Jackie, are you sure you're ready to go out with a guy you only know online? If I were you, I'd cancel on him and go out with Keith."

"I thought you didn't like him."

"That was before his friend stood up for him. It's one thing to stand up for yourself, but it is something else when someone else stands up for someone else like he did. Plus he manned up and apologized to you. While you two may not get married or anything, that is more that most guys have done for you."

"I know...but this guy seems nice too. Maybe I'll give Keith a shot if this date goes bad."

"Do what you want, but I think you'd be happier with Keith and he would unknowingly help you out at the same time."

"Melissa, I know you're trying to help, but please, don't push this."

"Fine, I'll drop it for now."

Keith does his best not to let Jackie's rejection get to him. "She said she had a date Saturday, she never said she never wanted to get drinks with me," he said to himself. After he got home from the restaurant he tried to calm himself down by watching TV, however nothing was on that interested him. He goes into his bedroom, takes off all his clothes and puts on shorts so he can try to sleep. He tosses and turns for about for a good while, unable to get to sleep. He looks at the clock on his nightstand and it says 11:54. "Keith, stop it. You're thinking way too much about this. She likes you enough to discuss the date if you see her with him. She doesn't think you're a jerk or a creep. Everything will be fine. Just go to sleep," he tells himself.

His alarm goes off at 6:30 to wake him up for work. He does his usual morning routine: eat breakfast, shower, brush his teeth and shave, get dressed and be out the door by 7:30. He has to be at work by 8:00am but it only takes him twenty minutes to drive there from his apartment. The day just seemed to drag on for him and he knew why. He still couldn't get Jackie off his mind. He tries his best to focus on the tasks at hand but didn't end up getting a lot done.

He is happy when 5:00pm finally rolled around and can leave for home. He gets back to his apartment a little after 5:30 and sits on his couch turning on the TV and tuning into ESPN to watch Pardon the Interruption, also known as PTI. During the commercials he heats up a frozen TV dinner and eats while watching his show. After PTI is over he thinks about what to do next, but his thoughts just come back to Jackie again. Frustrated his gets his cell phone out of his pocket and calls Andy.

"Hey Keith, what's up?

"Andy, I got it really bad."

"Come on over. The door will be unlocked and a beer will be waiting for you."

"Thanks Andy."

Keith leaves his apartment and walks down the hall to Andy's apartment. He enters seeing Andy on his couch with a beer on the coffee table waiting for him. "How bad is it this time?" Andy asks, worried about Keith.

"I couldn't stop thinking about her last night or at work today. Every time I tried to switch to a different thought process, my mind would just go back to her." Keith sits on the couch and takes a sip of his beer.

"What is it that you are focusing on about her? The date rejection?"

"That is part of it. Also thinking about how nice she was with the rejection making sure that it wasn't because she didn't like me but because she already had a date. My mind keeps wanting to go to the extreme that she wants nothing to do with me but I know that isn't true. Why else would she ask for my opinion of the guy if I saw them at the Brownstead?"

"Well, maybe she knows that you can look into the guy's soul like you did hers' and tell if he is a douchebag or not," Andy says jokingly. Keith gives off a small smile knowing Andy is trying to help.

"That could be true ya know."

"I know, but I think your brain is just overanalyzing everything again. It's not your fault, just the way you process everything."

"Sometimes I wish I was normal and wouldn't hyper focus so much on stuff like that. It would be nice to not feel tortured like that," Keith says sounding depressed, taking more sips from his beer.

"Don't forget your ability to overanalyze is also what makes you so good at your job. When you're zoned in, nothing can stop you. Remember three months ago when you stayed there until almost nine?"

Keith lets out a chuckle. "Yeah, the cleaning crew came into my office asking why I was still there. I looked at the time on the computer and didn't realize how focused I was. I'm just happy my boss wasn't mad at me for staying so late."

"Why would he have been? He knows you well enough to let you focus on something and get it done. That's one reason why you got a nice pay raise last time."

"He did give me quite the raise," Keith said with a big grin on his face. "A lot of people were mad at me and said that I kissed his ass to get it. If they only knew what happened the previous month when I chewed him out and nearly got fired."

"Why didn't get you fired?"

"Because I stood up to him when he was wrong. He only admitted that to me Thursday. He said that while he needs to be respected, he needs to be shown when he is wrong. He did say also that I should email him next time instead of going off on him in person."

Andy laughs at that last statement. "Yeah, that sounds like some good advice. You do go off quickly on people sometimes."

"You know as well as I do Asperger's doesn't help me in that department either."

"Oh I know that much better than your boss does."

"Yes you do," Keith says, laughing a little, thinking about their first arguments when they were roommates and how quickly he went off on Andy. "I must have been that much of a help to you in class."

"You were and once you finally told me that you had Asperger's, we were able to deal with those situations a lot better."

"Yes we were. Thank you Andy. You helped me again."

"Anytime." They both stand up and give each other a hug. "You know I'm always here to help you talk things through and focus on what is important."

"I know and that is why I will always consider you my best friend."

The rest of the week went by better for Keith. He wasn't distracted by the thoughts of Jackie nearly as much and was much more productive. He was even asked out on a date by a woman from another department. He accepted and they went out on Thursday night. They ate at Applebee's and had a good time. The conversation was very easy going, talking a little about each other's life and past. At the end the woman said she had a good time but didn't feel anything special. Keith said he didn't either but it was still great making a new friend. They hugged and parted ways.

Friday went really fast and it was time to leave work before Keith knew it. He didn't have any plans for the night and knew Andy was working so he just plopped himself on his couch and popped in a random movie. After the movie was over he started channel surfing and never found anything to watch that kept his interest. He went to bed soon after that.

He woke up a little before 9am. He made breakfast, cleaned up and started doing the laundry he had neglected to do the previous weekend. He had a lot of loads to do and was grateful the apartment included a washer and dryer in each unit. He had all the time he needed to do what he needed before going to the bar. Time however went a lot slower knowing Jackie was going on her date tonight. He started playing various scenarios in his head of how the date would go. Some of the scenarios ended up with her and the guy leaving very happy while others ended up needing him to step in and be the hero to save her. No two scenarios ever played out the same in his mind. He hated that this was all he could think about. He tried putting in another movie but hardly paid attention to it.

After finishing his laundry he decided to just go back to his bed and take a nap. When he woke up he saw that the time was 6:49. He sprung out of bed as fast as he could to shower, shave, and put on some of his better clothes. While putting a nice plaid button down shirt he stopped and asked himself, "Why in the hell am I putting so much effort into trying to look nice for Jackie?" He shook his head not knowing what the hell he was doing. He looked over at the clock and it read 7:35. "Screw it," he said and buttoned up the rest of the buttons, grabbed his wallet and keys and drove to the Brownstead.

He found an open seat at the bar. As soon as he sat down Andy handed him a bottle of Budweiser. They nodded at each other and Keith took a sip from his bottle. He looked up and the down bar seeing if he could spot Jackie and her date. "Hey you," he heard from behind him. He turns around and sees Jackie in a black skirt that just goes above her knees and a blue blouse. She wore a little makeup and had her hair in a ponytail.

"Hi Jackie, you look great," Keith says wholeheartedly.

"Thank you," Jackie replies slightly blushing. "You look good as well. Are you here on a date as well?"

"Thank you. No date for me tonight. I had one on Thursday that went well but don't think we're gonna have another date."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Jackie says feeling sorry for him.

Keith smiles at her noticing her sympathy. "It's ok. Where is your date anyway?"

"He's running late," she says rolling her eyes. "He says he'll be here in half an hour, but I'm worried that we won't be able to find a seat anywhere."

Andy pops over to check on Keith and sees him talking to Jackie. "So did you decide to make Keith your date now instead of the other guy?"

"No, he's running late but I don't think we're gonna find anywhere to sit."

Andy looks around and sees the end of the L shaped bar has no one sitting there. "Jackie, quickly go over to the end of the bar and take those two seats," he says pointing.

"Thank you Andy!" Jackie replies and heads over to grab the two seats.

Andy looks over at Keith. "Are you gonna be ok?"

"Yes, I'll be fine," Keith responds, hoping he really will be fine.

A half hour later a guy sat next to Jackie. He looked like a nice guy at first glance. He was making her smile a lot and when Jackie was talking he would just sit there and listen. Keith tried not to stare at the two, but he really wanted to see how everything went.

"Keith, are you sure you're fine? You have been looking at Jackie and her date the whole time they've been here," Andy says interrupting Keith's staring.

"Yes I'm fine," Keith responds sounding very annoyed looking back to Jackie.

"Keith, you're focusing way too much on them."

"So what if I am?"

"You're gonna give off the creeper vibe and scare away the women and you know the number one bar rule, don't scare away the women!"

Keith rolls his eyes and looks at Andy. "Then toss me out. You do have the command of the three bouncers in here to throw out anyone you say to."

"I'm not going to throw out, but please try to enjoy yourself."

"I'm having a really good time Mark. I'm glad I'm getting chance to meet you."

"Well how could I turn down an opportunity to get to know such a beautiful woman?"

Jackie couldn't help but blush at that comment. She had a big grin on her face, enjoying every second with Mark. However, something has to tear her away from him for a few minutes. "I'm sorry, but I have to use the restroom."

"Take your time, we have all night to get to know each other more."

Jackie walks over to the restroom door that is close and looks over her shoulder back at Mark. He waves to her and she can't help but smile as she walks through the door. After she does her business and washes her hands she looks at herself in the mirror. She sees herself trusting Mark, knowing that he is going to protect her.

When she walks out of the restroom she sees Mark in a heated argument with someone. It took her a second to realize that it was Keith making a scene. "Great," she thought to herself. She walks over very quickly, grabs Keith's shoulder and turns him towards her. "What the hell are you doing Keith?" she says in a very angry tone.

"You know this guy?" Mark asks.

Jackie turns towards Mark. "I met him here last weekend and again the following day." She turns her attention back towards Keith. "Now tell me why you are starting a fight with my date. Was it because I rejected you?"

Keith was shocked at the accusation. "This has nothing to do with you rejecting me, but this has everything to do with making sure you're not taken advantage of."

"Taken advantage of?" Jackie couldn't help but feel disgusted at that. "I'm a grown woman and can take care of myself!" She started to reach for her Cosmopolitan when Keith grabbed her arm. "Let go of me!" she said threateningly.

"Jackie, he drugged your drink."

"I would never do such a thing!" Mark protested. "You're just jealous that I'm here with a woman you can't be with. How dare you think I would do such a thing."

"Then take a sip of her drink. If I'm wrong, I'll pay for all the drinks you two have had and will have tonight and leave you alone."

Jackie looks over at Mark thinking he will lay this to rest and just take a sip. When he doesn't immediately do anything, she starts getting a little worried. "Mark, if you really didn't do anything, just take a sip and he will leave us alone."

"I don't like those types of drinks and I am not going to take a sip." Mark says, trying his best to stay calm.

"It doesn't matter if you like them or not, take a sip and prove to me and Jackie that you didn't drug her."

"Don't tell me what to do and I don't have to prove anything to anyone."

"Fine then," Keith says as he reaches for Jackie's drink and takes it from the bar top. "If you won't take a sip, then I will." Before anyone can react Keith puts the glass up to his lips and takes a sip.

"Keith!" Andy yells as he approaches that end of the bar. "What are you doing?"

"Proving that this jerk was here only to drug Jackie and date rape her."

Andy looks over at the guy seeing him getting ready to leave. "Where do you think you're going?"

Mark looks over at Andy. "I'm leaving. You are all nuts. Accusing me of trying to date rape someone. I'll sue you all for slander and close this place down."

"You're not going anywhere until we have this resolved," says Andy. He grabs the drink from Keith's hand and sets in the back of the bar and then gestures for one of the bouncers to come. Mark tries to get away but is stopped by the bouncer and pushed back into his seat. A few minutes later Keith starts looking sweaty and losing his balance. Mark's eyes are wide with fear for being caught. Andy yells at one of his bartenders to call the police and tell them there was an attempted date rape.

Keith was about to collapse when Jackie catches him but she was struggling to hold him up. Another of the bouncers comes over and grabs him from Jackie takes him to an empty booth and lays him down.

A few minutes later the police arrive and Andy brings them over to Mark. The police search him and find small packets with a powder-like substance in them. Andy showed them the glass that Keith took a sip from that had been drugged and they carefully poured it into a vial. They put Mark in handcuffs and took him out of the bar.

The police showing up and seeing someone pass out caused some uneasiness in the bar crowd. The bar was already slowly emptying out, but Andy knew it would be best if everyone left sooner than later. He got behind the bar and said the bar was closing early today due to a date rape attempt. He asked that all women be with someone they trust to take them home. Several women came to him and said they didn't have a ride to him. He called them a cab and told them he would take care of the fare.

A half hour later, the only people left in the bar were Jackie, the two bouncers that helped with the situation, the bartenders cleaning up, Andy, and Keith still laying down in the booth. Jackie had grabbed a chair from a nearby table and watched over Keith. She felt was grateful that Keith had saved her from being drugged but couldn't help but feel bad for thinking she could begin to trust men again. Well, maybe she could trust Keith but would she want to go out with him after all this happened?

Andy walks over to Jackie, grabs another chair and sits next to her. "Are you going to be alright Jackie?"

"I don't know," she says looking at Keith. "I feel so stupid. If it wasn't for Keith, I would be at Mark's place...with him doing"

"But Keith did step in like the idiot he can be." Jackie couldn't help but laugh a little at that statement. "Keith was actually staring at you and Mark the whole time you were together. I thought he was just obsessing. I'm glad though. I don't think he would have been able to live with himself if he knew something like that would have happened to you."

Andy and Jackie just sat there in silence for a while hoping Keith would wake up, but it was obvious he was out cold for the rest of the night.

"Where does he live?" Jackie asks.

"He lives in the same apartment building that I do but a few rooms from me."

"What apartment complex?"

"Sunshine Hills by the grocery store on Pierson."

Jackie wasn't sure if she wanted to ask what she wanted. She had so many conflicting emotions and thoughts going through her head. She wanted to repay Keith somehow but also not lead him on. "Can you get me a pen and paper?" she asked Andy.

"Sure." He walked to the office of the bar and came back with a tablet of paper and a pen. He handed them over to Jackie and she started writing something down.

"When he wakes up tomorrow can you give him this?" she says as she tears the piece of paper from the tablet and gives it to Andy. The paper says "I want to repay you for saving me and being my hero for the night. Call me when you read this so we can make plans for me to repay your kindness." Below that she wrote her phone number.

"I'll make sure he gets this when he wakes up and calls you."

Jackie stands up and gives Andy a tight hug. "Thank you for doing this for me. I just don't know how to handle this."

Andy lets go of her. "I don't think he'll know how to handle this either. This is uncharted water for all of us."

"Yeah, it is."

"Jackie, will you be ok to drive home?" Andy asks with great concern in his voice

"I will be, thank you for asking." Jackie says, trying to play down everything going on in her head.

"No problem. Just stay safe and come back if you need to. I'll have one of the bouncers take you then."

"That is very sweet but I'll be fine. Just need to get this night over and start over tomorrow." With that she walks out of the bar and to her car in a now very empty parking lot. She starts her car thinking what could have been one of the worst nights of her life. She drives back to her apartment safely. She locks the door as soon as she walks in. She heads to her bathroom and takes a long hot shower to help relax. After that she changes into a sleep tee and shorts and gets into her bed.

Her thoughts continue, but not about what happened that night. Her thoughts were more about Keith. She wasn't sure what it was about him that kept lingering in her mind. She loved that fact that he was willing to protect her, but wondered why he took such a weird approach to the situation. However, the long night made her tired and before she knew it, she drifted into sleep.