She sat up with his help, trying not to laugh at his jokes.  The smile on her face was the only thing that gave away her mirth.  "I'll go slow," Ingrid promised, easing out of the seat and getting to her feet.<br/><br/>Holding onto his arm for good measure, she headed gently toward the door.  It was the most pleasant time that she'd ever spent in the man's company.  One step at a time, she looked at the stairs and grinned.  "Just kidding."  The elevator button glowed orange at the touch of her finger and the resulting ding made her wince. "Oh. Shit!"<br/><br/>Pressing her palm against her head, she stepped into the elevator and pressed her forehead against the wall before pushing the five and holding the door open for him.<br/><br/>After he joined her, the elevator descended and they made their way into her studio apartment.  "There's things in the fridge if you're thirsty."  She forced a smile and headed toward the small bathroom, leaving the door open while she undressed.  He couldn't see anything unless he turned to look in the mirror, for she hid against the shower as she turned the water on.<br/><br/>While she took a shower, she began to feel better, though she wasn't feeling up to one hundred percent. Emerging with a bathrobe around her, she stepped behind the folding divider and changed into something more suite; jeans and a t-shirt.<br/><br/>[pushed it ahead a little so we could stay on track with the others]