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Who: Chris Halliwell and Snow White
When: A free evening
Where: Movie theater
Summary: Chris offered to take Snow White to see a movie, and he follows through with that promise.
Warnings: Nothing, other than mild angst.

This wasn't a date. It was the Halliwell obligation. Fairy tale characters and historical people coming to life was sort of a semi-regular thing when you grew up in that family. It was always their job to take care of those people, to make sure they settled well in the future until they could get home. There was something about Snow that Chris wanted to protect but he kept telling himself it was completely innocent.

The fact that this wasn't a date didn't exactly stop him from feeling weirdly nervous about it. He found himself hoping that she would enjoy herself. He hadn't gone to see a movie with a girl in a long, long time. There weren't many theaters in the future and most of the ones that existed only showed propaganda films. He and Bianca had once managed to get to the last movie theater that wasn't controlled by his brother where they had watched a cheesy little kid's film. It had been fun, sharing popcorn with her in the dark while dancing and singing cartoons took up the holo-screen. It had been the one and only time he had ever considered what their children might look like.

Wyatt had had the place destroyed only a couple days after that. Chris didn't think that he knew about the date, but he wouldn't have put it past his brother to tear it down only because it had been a place he had enjoyed.

This theater was in one piece, bright and beautiful. He paid for the tickets, popcorn and drinks using the last bit of pocket money had in his wallet. He'd need a job soon, which was weird. He didn't even know where to start but that was something he could worry about after tonight.

"Okay," he said as he went up to Snow White, snacks in hand. "So this is popcorn. Usually we'll eat it during the film. Once we're in the theater you can try it. You just have to give the ticket to that guy and he'll direct us to the theater the movie is in." He gestured toward the usher by the roped off section of the theater. "You still have the tickets, right?" He had given them to her to hold while he bought the snacks.

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There were so many things about this world that were still new to her. It was lucky she met so many people willing to help her understand it, and feel a little less lost in it.

While on the way to the theatre she thought of the last time she saw any kind of performance. She was with her father then... She shook the memory away and focused on the present. In the present there was a boy who was much taller in person than she expected.

Snow hadn't figured out the best way to greet people yet, so she settled for something between a curtsey and a bow. One day she would also have to learn to dress more casually but for now she was still in dresses.

"I have the tickets," she assured him, smiling. The popcorn smelled wonderful. "I'm very excited to see this," she added brightly.

"It should be pretty relaxed," he agreed as he made the way towards the podium to turn in their tickets. "I didn't want to try anything to fictional for your first one." He wasn't sure how she'd take to a science fiction adventure movie, for example. Though to be honest, the Port was like one of those movies. It couldn't be too weird when she was living it every day.

"A romantic comedy is bound to be more like the plays you saw, I'd think. If Shakespeare's comedies are anything to go by."

Snow remembered Shakespeare, though more because of the written word. Some guards were kind enough to give her books to read in her long imprisonment. She let her eyes fall half-closed as she recited a line from memory:

"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it." For once, Snow could understand those words. "The Port is not my world, but I do like it here."

"Yeah?" Chris asked after they were pointed to the right theater. "What do you like about it?"

He didn't particularly care of the Port, but he had no idea what he would be going home to if he left.

"All the things I've experienced so far. The people I've met. At home I didn't have the chance to do so much. For many years I was a prisoner, and afterward I was on the run. It's nice to be somewhere I can be free."

It was becoming easier for Snow to tell her story. Especially hearing how people already knew it.

Chris listened to her, feeling sympathy and in a lot of ways he found himself relating to her. He knew what it was like to always been on the run.

"Yeah, I think I know what you mean," he said. "I'm glad I could help you experience something new then. If you like it, we can try to do it again."

Her eyes turned up to his and she held the gaze for a moment. There was something familiar in those eyes. Instinctively she reached out to touch him.

"I would like that," she responded softly.

"Great," he said, managing a small smile. "For now, let's make sure you actually like movies."

With that, he made sure they're settled down in the theater with the snacks easy for both of them to reach.

She was accustomed to outdoor theatres, and the giant screen was intriguing. It reminded her of those "tee vees". Snow's brow furrowed in thought as she studied the screen with interest.

Chris watched her more than the movie. He was never really a fan of romcoms, but he wanted to make sure he handled it well when the trailers started. It could go either way when fairy tales came to life.

The people on the screen were so large Snow was momentarily startled. It was hard to fathom that this was commonplace for some, but perhaps after living longer in the Port it would feel commonplace to her as well.

The comedy was a little lost on her. The romance was easier to understand. She felt for this couple, smiling at their better moments and coming to tears at the heartbreaking moments. Her reactions were probably as interesting to watch as the movie itself.

Chris settled into the movie once it became clear that she was going to enjoy it. Even if she didn't get he jokes, he supposed people falling in love was pretty much the same everywhere.

Watching happy couples made him feel a little lonely and lost, but he did his best to hide it. He didn't want her to worry about him and wasn't very open about showing his feelings over what had happened to his fiance.

Snow was so entranced by the story she almost forgot about trying the popcorn. She reached for it now, liking the salty buttery flavor of it. She coudl see how this would be a very popular food in the theater, and how easy it would be to throw if the audience was unsatisfied.

She turned to make this observation to Chris but the words fell short of leaving her lips. "Does this bother you?" she asked softly.

"Huh? No," he answered, lying easily. "It's fun," he promised, giving her a small smile. He shoved aside his issues, putting them away to deal with later, when he wasn't trying to focus on making her comfortable.

Her brows knit together doubtfully, but she let the subject drop. It wasn't her place to pry. But her heart softened for him and Snow promised herself she would find some way to repay him for all the kindness he gave her.

In the meantime, she focused back on the movie.

He lets the movie distract him too, even if the plot is a little predictable. It's nice to have a little mindless entertainment.

By the time the movie was at its end, Snow's fingers were shining from the butter in the popcorn. She was fully invested in this couple so when they finally got together she wanted to cheer for them.

Then it was over and the credits were over. Snow was puzzled. At the end of a play the cast always came out for a curtain call. Again she turned to Chris. "Is that it?"

Chris nodded, smiling a bit over how much she seemed to get into the film towards the end. "That's it. Unless they make a sequel."

"It was lovely," she decided. "Thank you for bringing me here." She smiled and spread out her fingers to show him the shine from the popcorn. "It's been a while since I've enjoyed myself like that."

"Me too," Chris admitted, a little surprised by how true that was. He moved to offer him a napkin for her hand. "Did you want to head out? They'll have the next show on in a bit."

She smiled, taking the napkin with a nod of thanks. "The next show? They can do that so soon?" It was amazing to think of. Snow was used to performances only coming once a night. To have the show ready in a matter of minutes was almost too incredible to imagine.

"Oh, of course," she realized before Chris could answer. "The actors aren't really here.. I'm still growing used to this world."

"Yeah, they pretty much just clean the theater and reset the projector," Chris explained. "Maybe I can see if we can find a projector at a store or something, to show you how it works."

"I would enjoy that," Snow said with a bright smile. "I'm curious about everything this world has to offer."

"You didn't even have electricity did you?"

"No. I suppose it seems primitive compared with what you know..." Her eyes dropped down to her dress. All this time and she still held on to pieces of her era. She knew the girls here wore different clothes but she was reluctant to make the change.