[Blake didn't realize that's what he was afraid of until he heard it. His face closes up.] Your basic last man on earth shit, huh.

[What else did he expect? Just looking for the flattery that somebody a good ten years younger than him wanted him? Come on.]

[He has it in his head to get up and go right then, but Dirk slows him down. He's not sure how much of it's a joke, but it's a little better to hear. He pauses. There's a lot of ways he could go.] Oh yeah?

[The corner of his mouth twitches.] I bet I could bargain it up to a five.

[Carter's fingers knit together. They're thick, with knuckles that've seen more than their share of faces at high velocity.] All right. So. There it is. Comes down to a yes or a no, yeah?

[He closes his eyes and tips his head back against the booth. No more ways to delay. His heart's beating quicker than it should be. Fight or flight, right? This is dangerous and all kinds of a bad idea. Every road from here leads straight to disaster - but first it goes past a good night with a handsome bastard who pisses him off and keeps him guessing. The guy whose mouth he can still fucking feel.]

[Pretend just for a minute.]

[Carter opens his eyes and looks at him.]

[It's a quick, tight nod.]

[He goes to pay the tab.]