Rating: PG, for now...

Disclaimer: I don't own, I'm not making money, please don't sue :-) If posting/archiving my fic, please leave the *entire* header in tact (ie: this portion with my disclaimer, etc)

Distribution: Squeaky, FG, Missy, myself & the L&L site. Anyone else must ask & submit their homepage link to me so I can *find* the fic when it's posted... I like to know where my stuff ends up

Summary(*shrugs*): L&L romance... the double-date!!! (Note: the song is "Because" by the Dave Clark Five) Also: this is a short part, sorry.

* * * * *

     "Shirl, d'ya really hafta drag me? I'll come willingly, I swear!" A pause. "A woman who's eight months pregnant shouldn't be dragging someone, Shirl!"
     The door to the girls' apartment opened and Shirley came in... dragging Carmine behind her.
     "Awe, Shirl, I said ask 'im, not kidnap 'im!" Laverne said.
     Lenny laughed. "Maybe ya shoulda been more specific, Vernie." She glared at him and he shrugged.
     "I'm sorry, I got a little excited," Shirley said.
     "A *little* excited?!" Carmine questioned. "Anyway," he straightened himself out, "what're we doin' for this double-date?"
     "There's always dinner," Laverne suggested.
     Lenny snapped his fingers. "I know the perfect place!"
     "Where?" Shirley prodded.
     "You'll see," Lenny said.

     After an hour's drive, they finally ended up at a coffee house. They got out of the car (that they'd borrowed from Frank and Edna).
     "Len, you do know I'd suggested dinner, not coffee, right?" Laverne said.
     "Yeah, I know, but this is the place where I was playin'. C'mon," Lenny said, then dragged her in, with Shirley and Carmine following, arm-in-arm.
     They stopped at a table, then Lenny went over, found a man sitting at the bar, and talked to him for a few moments, then disappeared through a door. The man he was talking to got up and went onto the small stage.
     The man tapped the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, we've got for you tonight a wonderful guitarist and singer... and I'm sure most of you already know who I'm talking about. He's only got one song tonight, so I'd suggest paying attention and, maybe some day, when this guy's a big name, you can tell your kids you saw him here first. Now, may I have a round of applause for Lenny Kosnowski!" The man left the stage.
     Lenny stepped up, guitar slung over his shoulder. "Awe, you're too kind." He paused. "I'm only doin' one song cuz I'm kinda here on a date, but I figured she'd love ta see this. This one's for you, Vernie." He situated his guitar and started playing...

It's right that I should care about you
And try to make you happy when you're blue
It's right... it's right to feel the way I do
Because... because I love you

It's wrong to say I don't think of you
'Cause when you say these things
You know it makes me blue

Give me one kiss and I'll be happy
Just... just to be with you
Give me... give me... a chance to be near you
Because... because I love you

Give me one kiss and I'll be happy
Just... just to be with you
Give me... give me... a chance to be near you
Because... because I love you
Because... because I love you

     The crowd gave him a standing ovation. He stepped off the stage and headed back to the table, handing off the guitar on the way.
     "Well, what'd'ya think?"Lenny asked.
     "It was beaut-i-ful, Len!" Laverne said, then hugged him.
     "That was so sweet..." Shirley said, sniffling and dabbing at her nose with a tissue.
     "Great job, Len," Carmine said.
     Thanks you guys," Lenny said.

     Later that night, in the girls' apartment, Laverne and Lenny are sitting at the table.
     "This was a great night, Len, thanks," Laverne said.
     "Awe," Lenny said, "it was just som'en I had ta do." He paused. "But that was the first time the crowd was standin' while applaudin'."
     Laverne smiled. "I think it had som'en ta do with the dedication."
     "Yeah," he said. "Ya know, I'm kinda amazed at how everythin's worked out. I mean, it's kinda like I never left. I thought I'd feel kinda outta place comin' back."
     "Now, why would ya think that?" Laverne asked.
     Lenny shrugged. "I dunno, I just thought maybe ya would've moved on or som'en."
     She smiled again. "I dunno if I told ya already or not, but I didn't date one single guy the whole time you were gone."
     His brow lowered in confusion. "Ya mean ya dated alotta married guys?"
     "No, Len, I didn't date, I was waitin' ta see if ya'd come back an' ya did. I meant it when I'd said I woulda said yes ta ya," Laverne said.
     "Wow... now, I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner," Lenny said.
     "Me, too," she said, then paused. "I've been meanin' ta ask, ya said ya made alotta money at that coffee house..."
     "Yeah, I did," he said, "hang on..." He fished around in one jacket pocket, then the other. "Where'd I put it?" He paused, then realization crossed his face. "Now, I remember!" He reached around his neck and revealed a well-concealed gold chain with a ring hanging on it. "I kinda thought I might lose it if I left it in the box." He handed her the chain and ring combination. "They're both yours."
     "Awe, Len, they're beautiful!" Laverne said, then fastened the chain around her neck. "Does this mean...?"
     "Ya wanna go steady?" Lenny asked, looking hopeful.
     Laverne smiled, then got up, went over, and pulled him up, into a kiss. After the kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes." They kissed again... and yes, Laverne *did* get goosebumps!

*nods to Missy*

The End... for now! *wink*