searches_forhim | A First Time for Everything

[ooc: SO sorry! I had no idea you replied in a new comment. Thought you might have just gotten busy over the holiday weekend. :( I only noticed now by opening a fresh link to the page.]

"I hope my choosing will be of equal success. It was nice dressing up and going out though I'm more of a casual creature," he said as they walked. She really had chose a place close to home. It couldn't have been but a few blocks or time was flying because of the fun he was having. Jack loved that Jane never released his hand until they approached her building.

His brow arched at her laughter but Jack kept a smile. A taser would have hurt plenty--even a man of his stature. His military training had taught him how to work through it but Jane really had nothing to fear. Hopefully her instincts said as much. He really did have good intentions. "Is it bad to have the old women in a tizzy? I expect it brings color into their lives," he said through a smile.

He would have met a similar fate if some of his neighbors saw him bring a woman home. More of them tried setting him up on dates, none of which were women he wanted to bring home or go home with them. Attractive on the outside but not for him inside. And really, those dates were once or twice a year.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened. They stepped inside and she hit the button for her floor.

"The problem is that they've all been trying to fix me up with their sons and grandsons for weeks, and I kept saying no. Now they'll want to know where you came from and why I went out with you when I told them I didn't want to date while working on my masters. That kind of thing."

The ride was short, and they were soon stepping out of the elevator and down the hall to her modest apartment. She opened the door and led the way inside, turning on a lamp by the door so she could see to turn on the rest of the lights.

"It's nothing fancy, but it's home for now. I didn't plan for you to be seeing it, so don't look in the bedroom because the entire contents of my closet is strewn across the bed." As she turned on more lights he would see that the living area was adjacent to a small galley kitchen. Furnishings were few but tasteful and all that she needed - a couch, coffee table, a few lamps and a rug. The walls were covered in pictures she had taken herself through the high-powered university telescope and her favorite shots from the Hubble telescope.

He nodded in understanding, leaving Jane to decide on what she would do when questioned. Jack was tempted to tell her it was kismet but she knew her neighbors better than he did. They might not have been romantics at heart. ...And maybe he wasn't too sure of how much romance to display just yet.

His eyes glanced around the surroundings in both the elevator and the walk from it. The building was newly renovated or just newer in general. Jack liked--no, loved the older architecture. That was his thing while the stars were hers. He believed they would meet somewere in the middle as time went on. Jane didn't seem too taken by her apartment and he couldn't help but laugh at her explanation.

"I didn't have plans on the bedroom, no worries! It's very homey. Not the sterile modern touch I've seen in some buildings like this one," he complimented. Maybe not the most obvious of compliments but it was one from Jack. This was probably why his romances were unsuccessful. He continued following Jane with kind eyes, waiting for her to direct what happened next.

"I know you weren't, but still. Don't even look in that direction." The apartment was very open concept, so there was no door for her to close and hide the mess. Thankfully it was dark enough that it hid the disaster within.

"Thanks. I spent most of the summer living in a tiny trailer, so when I moved here I realized I didn't have enough stuff to fill the space. I've worked really hard to make it comfortable. That's what drew me to this building of all the places I looked. Everything was glass and chrome and industrial pipes. Not my style at all."

She gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen, where she retrieved two plates from the cabinet to put the dessert on. "Do you want coffee, or wine?"

He playfully raised a hand to blind his eyes from the direction her bed most likely was, giving her a teasing grin while making his way to where Jane directed. As she spoke about the places she looked to live in, Jack wondered what she would think of his place. The architecture was old in and out without being exclusively residential since it had been an old factory.

The building only stood five floors but was only small by skyscraper standards. All the floors but the top (where Jack lived) had reasonably high ceilings without an industrial look. His apartment, however, had exposed rafters and ducts among old crown molding and brick. It was a little too soon to think of living arrangements but the thought crossed his mind regardless.

"I wouldn't expect anything less," he commented warmly with the matching grin to her explanation of her taste. "Coffee, please." Jack felt a little obtrusive in the quaint kitchen but wanted to remain where Jane requested. He enjoyed being in close proximity and wasn't one who necessarily liked being waited on in a different room, given his upbringing.

Part of the open concept of the apartment was a breakfast bar that separated the small kitchen from the living space. She set the plates on that, giving him the chance to step around and unpack the cannolis, while she got the coffee started.

"Oh? You can tell I'm a nature girl already?" She was partial to natural beauty over man-made. It came from the hours upon hours she spent camping and hiking with her father growing up. It permeated all aspects of her life - from her choices in furniture and accommodations to the fact that she wore very little makeup, if any.

She popped a filter into the coffee pot, measured out the grounds, then filled the reservoir with water before tapping the 'on' button. The maker started its typical clicking and popping. The mugs were conveniently in the cabinet under the bar, so she turned in his direction and knelt down to get two for them.

"Are you a night owl like me?"

"Let's say you look a little out of place in the city," he teased lightly through his grin. Jack was caught between two worlds. He loved structures and cities called to him but he equally had a love for the serenity of open fields and clear skies. He had spent an even amount of time in both landscapes and seemed to enjoy his life that way.

Jack washed his hands and started to plate the dessert as Jane busied with the making of coffee. He stood off to a side, leaning against the counter while following her with his eyes. "I'm afraid not." His smile waned slightly into a hesitant look of his eyes. "I sleep about six hours a night but I'm usually out cold come midnight, I'm afraid."

His routine had him up at six in the morning and out for a run or some kind of work out before a shower, breakfast and early to work. Some swore he had spent more time in the military with how scheduled he could be. It was the family trade that had him accustomed to living on a set timetable before his days in her Majesty's army.

"What can I say, I'm partial to plaid shirts." She was a little dismayed to hear she looked out of place in the city. That meant it wasn't just a feeling she had. She told herself if could not be a bad thing, at least in his mind, because she'd been wearing a plaid shirt when they'd met, and here they were, at the tail end of a near-perfect date.

She talked while she gathered the sugar bowl and a container of half and half from the refrigerator. "Given what I do I don't really have a choice but to be up all night and then sleep most of the day. Coffee keeps me going by around 3 am." The amount of coffee she consumed on a daily basis was probably bordering upon unhealthy but she didn't worry about it.

Her reply made him smile even wider. Jack assumed he had worn a plaid shirt that day since he had a number of them for work. He might have worn a henley since that was his other usual choice. Rarely did he dress in a suit unless there was an administrative meeting. He spent a lot of time on site and it required construction attire. Only now for their date was he in a dress shirt and slacks.

It was only their first date and day together. In time, he expected they'd read each other properly. Jane seemed sure of herself...for the most part. Maybe it was her intelligence that gave her the air of confidence he saw. At the moment, he was the one who started to feel unsure. Was he appearing over eager? Jack genuinely liked her and never had met a woman like her. He was sure he never would.

"I drink a good bit of it through out the day to keep me going. It isn't good to feel even slightly drowsy with what I do whether it's drawing a plan or up on a scaffold. ...I hope we can at least meet in the evenings," he ended somewhat timidly. Jack hoped Jane wasn't put off by their differences. He would surely attempt to stay up on occasion with her when he wasn't working the next day should she want.

Jane would never ask someone to share her crazy hours, not unless they were as dedicated to the research as she is. She'd be pleased if he offered, but wouldn't hold it against him if he fell asleep before the night was over. "I don't exactly have a fear of heights, but I still don't understand how construction workers can stand on scaffolding that's stories and stories in the air. Even with a harness I think I'd be scared. The weird thing is I don't get scared rock climbing and I probably go just as high doing that." Again with being more comfortable with nature than man-made, and she'd never realized it before.

Jane picked up the coffee carafe as soon as it was finished brewing and filled their cups, adding just a little sugar to hers before picking up her mug and one of the cannolis and moving over to the couch. She felt mostly certain he would join her without her having to ask. She took a small sip of coffee before placing the mug on the coffee table so she had her hands free to dig into the cannoli.

"Trust me, even if you've had cannolis before, you've never had one as good as these."

Her preference to nature over man made structures was understandable. His love was equal between them. The night sky was a good memory with his mother and the building of structures was his own escape from his father's wrath as a child. Jack would only be uneasy at bars which he avoided at all costs. He could handle a billiard or bowling alley. That was his limit of social drinking.

"Practice," he answered through a small smile at her comment about construction workers standing on scaffolding. Jack had been on beams once or twice that belonged to skyscrapers with no harness. He didn't recommend it to anyone. Neither did he recommend rock climbing without gear though he had done that in the past as well.

He followed her to the couch and sat comfortably close to Jane. Jack skipped a sip of coffee and took a large bite of his dessert, cream remnants left over the stubble on his lip and chin after. He nodded and moaned appreciatively while chewing. "Mmm...that IS good. Now I wish I would've gotten a couple of extras," he uttered after swallowing his bite.

Jane had limited experience with big cities, and thus big buildings. Given time and an architectural education from the right person, she might grow to love man-made just as much as nature.

"I've heard it makes perfect." She tried hard not to giggle at the remnants left behind on his face after taking his first bite but failed miserably. Tragically without a napkin to give him, she went with her first impulse - which was to make as big of a mess of her own face. She picked up her own cannoli and took a bite, accidentally on purpose smearing the filling on the corner of her mouth. She then proceeded to act like it wasn't there.

"That was all part of my devious plan to get you back here again. I can lure you with the promise of more dessert."

He could see her amusement but it didn't register that there was food on his face. In fairness, Jack couldn't feel the light cream on his stubble. It was great seeing her smile and he found it adorable that Jane dug into her dessert the way she did. He was still savoring it when she left some filling on the corner of her mouth. "You're a wretched, evil woman."

Jack set down his dessert and used his thumb to reach for the corner of her mouth, gently wiping off the cream then licking it off his finger. His words had been as teasing as hers. His grin had grown wider--he had the advantage of having already finished his bite of dessert. He still was unaware of the cream on his own face as he reached to pick up his coffee and finally take a sip.

"If I'm wretched and evil then what does that say about you for liking me?" She shipped her own coffee and waited for him to set his cup down before she reached over and brushed the crumbs from his beard. The bits of cream stuck, though, and the only solution she could see would be to lick them out. Even after their small kissing-fest in the restaurant, the thought of doing that made her blush slightly.

"You've got a little left there," she said with a crooked grin before focusing on taking a smaller, daintier bite of her dessert.

"I must be under your spell," he quickly returned. "Don't vampires do that? I am solely yours, my lady." Jack was surprised at Jane reaching for his chin. Pleasantly surprised. He thought she wanted a kiss or some kind of affectionate exchange when her eyes left his and there was a tint to her cheeks. His assumption could have been right though her action after the touch seemed like she rethought the idea.

Only when she spoke, did he understand what Jane had done and then his cheeks were the one with some color. Jack held his own crooked smirk as he used the pad of his thumb to wipe where she had touched him. He didn't give it much effort, knowing he wanted to finish the tasty dessert. She may have taken a smaller bite but he couldn't help himself.

"I'll just have to wash up once it's all gone. It's too good!" Jack said before another bohemoth bite.

"Spell?" She grinned, then laughed as he kept making even more of a mess. She had to admire his gusto and his ability to place his stomach over his dignity.

"Now you're saying I'm a witch? Vampires compel people but witches cast spells. Maybe I slipped a potion into your drink at the restaurant." She sipped more of her coffee and watched out of the side of her eyes as he continued to eat. She was very full and could not handle more than three bites of her dessert. She decided to offer it to him when he was done with his own.

It made no sense, how comfortable she felt with him. She teased and flirted without worry, something about his demeanor and the sweet look in his eyes making her feel like she could do just about anything and not be judged. It was amazing.

Jack could feel his cheeks heat up. He had gotten the vampire thing wrong. Jane knew better. He expected that would probably happen often between them. She seemed incredibly smart and quick on her feet. It was part of what kept drawing him to her. This was just one day and he felt as if they knew each other for much longer.

She made him think as much as she made him laugh. The longer he spent with her, the more beautiful she became. Jane could model. He observed her features. She didn't wear designer clothers or keep her hair following the latest trend which made him comfortable with her beauty. The dates he had with high maintenance women never led to more than sex. He didn't have the energy to keep up with them.

There was nothing worse than one sided relationships. In fairness, it was how he had behaved with his ex-girlfriend in Scotland. He was spoiled. It was amazing Molly remained a friend with how self centered Jack had been. He wasn't ready for the level of committment his childhood friend desired. She had a good life now. He was happy for her. It was time he found a good relationship for himself.

"You're spoiling me. I might never leave," he teased as she handed over the rest of her dessert. He really did find the cannoli delightful. Jack made quick work of the pastry then finished off his coffee. Only then did he realize he should've slowed down. With dessert and coffee done, it was time to leave. "Wash room? I'm sure I have more remnants left along my scruff."

Jane felt slightly awkward not eating while he did, so she held onto her coffee cup and talked about the pictures she had hanging up. Without getting overly technical, she described what each one was, the names of the stars or cluster or phenomenon featured, and where and when it was taken. She could feel his eyes on her when she pointed out each piece. Initially she was uncomfortable but grew to like the feeling. Again it left her not having to guess if he was interested in her for more than her taste in dessert.

"Now you've really figured me out. I don't have to use magic or trickery or my vampire powers. I lure men into my den with dessert." She laughed, picturing herself as a spider at the center of an enormous web like in Lord of the Rings. In her case the web was very, very empty aside from him.

Wash room? Oh, he meant bathroom. That was adorable, the little difference in terminology. "Down the hall before you get to the bedroom." She stood when he did, picking up the plates to take them to the kitchen. "Do you want a refill while you get those crumbs?" She used a free hand to pretend to brush some off the front of his shirt.

If only Jane knew how much Jack was really under her spell. She had a refreshing manner of being compared to the women he met. He didn't want to leave and only thought of when they could see each other again. Yet she wouldn't know it sitting there with him as he kept it all locked up inside until he could think of the right way to bring it up without showing all his cards. No one liked someone over eager. There was a fine line it could cross over into something creepy.

He could see the confusion on her face at his question which brought a light red tint to his cheeks. As cool as he tried playing, it seemed he couldn't stop making an idiot of himself. Not that Jane appeared put off which in itself was the reason he was so taken with her. "No, thank you. That was just enough with the sugar from dessert to keep me up a little longer. Any more and I won't sleep tonight," he said through the sheepish grin he sported and stood with her.

Jack headed in the direction she indicated. His cheeks felt funny. He wasn't sure if it was from blushing or all the smiling he was doing with Jane. Standing in front of the mirror over the bathroom sink, he wondered if he shouldn't have shaved clean. He hated the razor burn but it might have shown he was putting forth more effort. How would she know he didn't usually dress this way after only just meeting?

Leaving the lavatory freshened up, he swaggered to the kitchen with his head tilted down and eyes peering up in an almost timid expression. "Should I go now?"

Jane busied herself with rinsing the plates and cups and putting them in the dishwasher while Jack used the bathroom. Despite her cautious nature when it came to relationships, she found herself envisioning future dates with him. The holiday season was quick approaching, and she could see them doing typical couple things together. Some would call them cliche, but she liked that. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center, viewing the decorated windows at Macy's, even seeing the Rockettes do their holiday show. In every picture in her mind they were holding hands and smiling, and she wanted those ideas to come true.

The sound of his voice broke her out of her daydreams. She turned around and immediately wondered what he did that is making him look so timid. It was such a change from the moment in the restaurant when he'd slid up to her side and kissed her, tentative but confident at the same time. She could appreciate both states of mind. She tended to go back and forth between the two pretty often herself.

"You don't have to. I'm a night owl, though, and I don't want to keep you up if you're ready to go home and go to bed." She wasn't ready for the night to be over, though. She felt like she could sit up all night talking to him like a silly teenager on the telephone.

"I guess we don't have to learn absolutely everything about each other in one night. But I kinda want to."

A First Time for Everything

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