Boogie Nights - Tagged

[Jackson Martin]

When he thought about what she had said he nodded smirking, “What has technically got to do with it? I’d like to see you again for a first, second or third date.” He offered having not had this much fun for a long time. It was nice spending time with her, the sort of person that was down to earth and normal when a lot weren’t. “That’s great then so dancing is for date two or three but i’ll let you pick when and where because you might decide after one that you don’t want a second or third.” He joked though he hoped that wasn’t the case at all.

He liked her and she made him laugh. “Oh cooking with them is fun, and no you’d done clean up that’s my job but since you mentioned it, I think I could let you help a little.” He said as he laughed when she spoke about the water. It was going to be a fun date he thought, he enjoyed cooking and it was even better with company too. “Exactly, I mean it’s only fair that you have some time off to enjoy yourself, a life outside of work can be a fun one and sure you saves lives all day but you need time for you too.” He said having learned that from overworking a few times.

It wasn’t that he threw himself into work but once he got involved it could take a while for him to step back and see that he had been working for a crazy amount of time or simply not seen real daylight for a week. Jackson looked toward her when she asked if he was for real, oh great now he had offended her for offering her his jacket. Well say goodbye to date number one then he thought until he heard what she said. “Who needs movies, and serious a guy hasn’t done that before for you?” He asked her not entirely sure why a guy wouldnt but then given what he knew so far about her ex he didnt exactly seem like the nice type.

“All things considered if it’s you who’s stealing then I dont think I’d mind one bit.” He said with a smile as he nodded, “Chicago cold can change, depends on the wind too but as long as you’re warm and dont catch hypothermia it’s work giving you a jacket to cross the street with. It’s my pleasure.” He said smiling again as he still couldnt understand no one offering her a jacket, it was simply the polite thing to do.

[Deleted]

Chloe smiles as he talks about date two and three, she is most definitely looking forward to any time she gets to spend with Jackson no matter what they are doing. She really likes him. Granted she doesn’t have much experience or the best track record with men and what she does have certainly hasn’t been the best, but she can’t spend the rest of her life hiding and thinking that every man she meets is going to be like Brian.

“I am definitely looking forward to dates one through three and any more that might come after that, but just remember it might be you that decides after date one that you don’t want two or three…” She silently says a little prayer that this isn’t the case; because he’s sweet, he makes her laugh, she’s comfortable around him, she feels safe with him, and feels she can be herself. “But…I’m going to be optimistic for once in my life and start trying to figure out where I’m going to drag you on date two.”

After she slips on his jacket and leans into him, “Yeah…Brian wasn’t one for making polite and noble gestures. Looking back now…I feel really stupid. I should have seen all along that he was more worried about himself and what I could do for him than anything else, but… we started dating when I was a freshman in high school, and it’s all I really ever knew. So no…I’ve truly never had anyone offer me their jacket before, it’s sad …and pathetic…I know. The bad part is…I guess I never really knew what I was missing. I assumed that everyone was like him, and that…it...everything was normal.”

Not knowing whether it truly was the cold still making her shiver or the thoughts of Brian, she grabs Jackson’s arm and wraps it around her shoulders. “Make sure to walk close, if I’m going to steal your jacket the least I can do is share some warmth with you.” The brisk Chicago air, has made her feel wide awake again, so she’s torn between walking slowly because it feels so nice to be in his arms that she doesn’t want the night to end and hurrying up because she knows that he has to be cold. She decides to let him set the pace.

When they reach the lobby of the hotel she realizes that she doesn’t want him to let her go…not yet, so she reaches up and grabs his hand again holding it and keeping his arm wrapped around her so that she can stay close. She snuggles herself back into his warmth before saying quietly “I hope you don’t mind…you’re warm, you smell really good, and…this,” she squeezes his hand “feels really nice.”

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson smiled hearing that she was looking forward to dates one through three though he shook his head when she said that it might be him that decided after one date he didnt want to go on another. With her he couldnt imagine anyone better, yes he had just met her and usually he wasn’t that forward. He was the quiet type that let everyone else do the looking around and he was content to just sit in his own little world. Away from anyone that could hurt him as his Ex had done but there he was.

Out in the world walking another woman home and he was enjoying himself. Something he didnt think was possible for a long time but Chloe, in one night she had made him laugh, dance and think forward to another date let along three. “Well you figure that out because unless you tell me you’re a serial killer or the police are about to arrest you for murder then I can see a date two happening. Don’t let anyone tell you not to be optimistic because tonight i’ve laughed more, danced and spoken to a beautiful woman who has opened my eyes to just that.” He said with a smile though he hadn’t expected that when he had decided to go out after work.

“If you don’t mind me saying, Brian is a jerk who should have treated you better. It’s not stupid and nother to be sad or pathetic, I guess you’ve just not found the right people to hang around with yet.” He said with a smile, “Not that I might be the right people but not everyone’s like Brian. Just like every woman isn’t like my Ex Ashlyn. If they were then everyone is having an affair while their husbands serve abroad.” He said though it was still a sore point for him, he tried to be there for her but in the end she wanted more than he could give her and he just found out the hard way.

With his arm wrapped around her shoulders Jackson smiled as he did as he was asked and walked close to her. He didnt mind it any as really any excuse to be close to her was a good one. “Thanks, you get used to the weather here eventually though it’s the winter you’ve to watch out for. There’s not a cold like it.” He said though he remembered his first winter home after being stuck in a desert for six months, he swore that the heating at home was in the minus factors and going outside, he was wrapped up like a Eskimo.

Reaching the lobby of the hotel Jackson chuckled and shook his head when she grabbed his hand and snuggled herself back into his warmth as he nodded. “I don’t mind at all, you smell really good to and glad it feels nice.” He said as he held her close, “It’s nice to do something like this again.” He said happy that he could actually get out of his own head for a change as he didnt want the evening to end.

[Deleted]

Chloe blushes again when he calls her beautiful, “Well I certainly am glad you had a good time tonight Jackson…because I know I did. Makes me feel good to know I can make you laugh, and hopefully the dancing wasn’t so bad that you mind doing it again. I love to dance, and dancing with you was special…I’d definitely like to do it again sometime probably more than once.”

“I definitely don’t mind you saying so, though Brian might take exception to your opinion but since I don’t care what he thinks anymore I can go ahead and agree with you.” She smiles back at him, “Something tells me that I may have found the right person to hang around this time, I’m going to try that whole optimism thing again. I’ve got to take a chance on someone, and so far you’ve worked out pretty well.”

She takes in the new information about his ex in silence, trying to think of the right thing to say because she can’t even begin to fathom why or how someone could do that to another. “No you’re definitely right…not every woman is like Ashlyn, I told you earlier I thought she was stupid…And now I definitely stand behind my earlier assessment. I don’t understand, I really don’t…I mean you were off serving your country and she felt the need to…nope I don’t get it, but like you said not everyone is like her. I’m sure everyone says this, but I can’t even wrap my head around what someone must be thinking that would lead them to believe that having an affair was ok, even with everything Brian put me through I can guarantee the thought never once crossed my mind. Maybe some people are just wired different than others.”

Laughing as he talks about the cold she stays snuggled in to him. “Apparently I didn’t think out this whole moving to Chicago thing very well, I despise the cold…always have. I think I should have moved farther south, but if I had done that I never would have met you. So I suppose I can deal with a little cold, or a lot of cold as the case may be. Now if you catch pneumonia because you were nice enough to share your jacket with me I’m going to feel really bad, so we definitely can’t have that. I promise I’ll never forget my jacket again.”
She leads him to her room, stopping outside the door.

“Well here it is…my lovely home for the past few weeks.” She laughs as she slides the key card in the door opening it.

[Jackson Martin]

“Bad dancing is the best sort but you’re is far from bad. Hope I managed to stay off your toes.” He said knowing that it had been a long time since he had been dancing and it wasn’t something he had practiced for years. “That’s great, me too dancing with you makes everything seem fantastic.” So he hadn’t been out much before but thanks to Chloe he had enjoyed his night a lot more than he ever thought he would or had planned to.

Jackson grinned and nodded to her, “You know that you should care about what you think, it’s not up to someone else to tell you that.” He said trying to figure out why any man would want to do that to their partner. Jackson knew that if he was wrong he’d want someone to argue with him on it but he could only imagine what Brian had done to Chloe and none of it was good. “Thanks and you too. I mean everyone has a chance to take but being optimistic helps.” He said grinning, it was nice to see her enjoying herself.

“You know I totally agree with you.” He said having no clue why Ashlyn had done it, sure he was away a lot but then she knew what he had signed up for. They both knew he wasn’t going to be that guy who was there for everything and yet maybe that was what she wanted but he always figured she’d actually tell him that before she went elsewhere. Not after he found out. “Wired different or just strange. Me either, when I was away it’d didnt make me do anything like that but I guess people just don’t have the same code as others.” He added not too sure what had happened but then it was all he had to reason it out in his head.

“True so I’m glad you picked one of the coldest places to be.” He said with a grin, “Dont worry we’ll make sure that the cold doesn’t get to you, lots of layers and warm jackets.” He added knowing that it had been a shock to his system when he came home. The cold seemed to get through everything. “Good promise but if I catch pneumonia I’m the unluckiest guy in Chicago, then again catching it for you I can deal with it.” He added with a grin as he follows her to her room as he stopped outside her door.

“It’s a nice place you’ve got, very hotel like.” He said chuckling as he waited for her to go inside. “But at least it’s warm and you get room service too?” He offered trying to find the good points of a hotel. There were lots of them just he preferred his own place unless he had to be away.

[Deleted]

She smiles, hearing him talk about the fact that what she thinks is important and she should care about it. “I know…I’m working on it, I got so used to either not having an opinion or being told what to think that…I guess it’s taking me awhile to find myself again, but I’m working on it. Moving here was a big step towards finding me, I’ve never lived this far from my family so it’s forcing me to grow up and deal with things. Even if my parents are upset, when they calm down and I explain they’ll understand." She pauses and continues to walk in silence for a minute.

"I just want you to know that regardless of how things look, especially with the way he’s acting….I ended it with him several months before I moved out here, he just wouldn’t take no for an answer or accept the fact that I was done putting up with…him.” She finishes with a sigh.

Listening to him talk about Ashlyn she squeezes his hand a little tighter. “I know I’ve only just met you tonight…and we haven’t been on dates one through whatever yet, but I do want you to know that…that’s one thing you’d never have to worry about with me. I know how crappy it feels to be on the other end of things. Of course, in my case it really turned out to be a good thing because it opened my eyes to a lot of things, and made me realize that I was putting up with things I really didn’t need to.” She sighs sadly, “I only just wish I hadn’t wasted so much of my time and energy putting up with his crap.”

“I’m pretty sure Chicago isn’t the coldest place on earth,” She laughs happily, “Although it feels pretty darn close tonight.” Snuggling into him even further, she adds, “As long as you’re helping me stay warm…I’m sure I’ll be just fine. You might be able to deal with catching pneumonia because of me, but I’d feel absolutely awful…and would have to make sure you were taken care of.”

She feels him stop at the door and hears him make jokes about room service and can tell he’s waiting for her to go inside, she giggles “Don’t you even think for a minute that I’m going to make you stand in the hallway and wait while I look through my work bag for this silvadene cream so you might as well come on in for a minute, and while I’m looking you can go wash your hand because I’m going to dress it for you before you leave. If that blisters and opens up it’s in a really good place for it to get it infected so I’m going to show you how to take care of it…if that’s ok of course.” Holding the door open for him and waiting to see if he’s going to step inside or not she adds, “Yeah…I keep it pretty warm in here, and I’m not sure about the room service but I could order some dessert and make some coffee if you’d like to try it out before you leave.”

[Jackson Martin]

It was tough to think that another human could do that to someone, everyone had an opinion in life and had a right to say it and no one should have ever told her what to think. “Well I’d say from what I know so far, yourself is a great self and you should be proud of that. Well if you ever need anything you’ve got my number, even if its just for a chat. You might not be close to family but you’ve got a friend in the city.” He offered knowing how hard it was to live away from family, he had done that with the military and it hadn’t been easy to begin with.

“Chloe you don’t have to explain anything to me, just as long as you’re happy.” He said wishing that her ex would stop harassing her but then some guys just couldnt take no for an answer. Jackson smiled when she spoke about him not having to worry, it was the one thing that prevented him from doing a lot of things. The thought that two weeks later there wouldnt be anyone there, it was just an affair he had told himself but then just an affair had ended a marriage, ruined what he thought was a great life and had him starting over again.

“Well then I think we are both lucky to have realised what we’ve been missing then.” He said with a smile, “And you should ever have to put up with a guy like that. Just so you know too, it’s not something you have to worry about with me either and I wouldnt even dream to tell you what to do or to think.” Jackson just wasn’t that guy, if she thought differently to him then it was okay to do so he wasn’t about to try and force his view of things on her. “Well at least you’re out of the other side of it now, I guess sometimes it just takes a bad thing for us to see the way out in the end.” He offered not wanting her to feel bad over it at all.

“See, it practically is.” He said with a grin as he nodded enjoying the feel of her snuggling into him. “See you’re too kind, besides like I said catching pneumonia for you would be worth it because that could be date number four.” He offered knowing he was planning ahead a lot but then with Chloe he hoped it did get to four at least. She was fun, kind, beautiful, smart and the sort of person that made him laugh which was fantastic.

Jackson smiled and nodded when she spoke about him standing outside, well he wasn’t exactly sure what to do at that point. “As long as you’re sure?” He asked as he hovered in the hallway not sure if he was doing the right thing or going to make her uncomfortable. “You know you don’t have to do this right?” He said as she spoke about dressing his hand and the silvadene cream. “But it would be good to know, I need my hands for work and infected doesn’t really sound too good to me.” He said not liking the sound of that at all.

Jackson stepped into the room deciding that well he was pretty sure she wasn’t a serial killer and he wasn’t one either so it was pretty safe. “It’s great in here, way warmer than outside.” He said as he nodded, “Only if you want to? No pressure at all but desert is the least I can do if you’re showing me how to dress my hand.” He had to do something to pay her back for it after all it wasn’t like she had to show him that at all.

[Deleted]

Chloe laughs at him when he mentions that her taking care of him when he was sick could be date number four, "I hardly think that would count as a date, especially if you act like any other guy I've ever been around when they're sick...but I would be happy to do it for you, anytime" She says with a smile. "I just can't wait until Sunday. I promise I'll wear my heavy jacket so I won't freeze while we're out walking, besides I think they said that Sunday was actually supposed to be fairly nice...so it's going to be a great day for a walk. Where are we walking? Or is it a surprise?"

"Come on Jackson, I'm absolutely positive that I'm not going to leave you standing out in the hallway while I search for this cream. I don't get the impression that you plan on hurting me, if you had wanted to you could have done it ten times over by now. Besides I really want to show you how to take care of your hand ...Now, please go wash your hands while I look for this stuff," She says pointing towards the bathroom. She stops for a second waiting on his reaction hoping that she hasn't overstepped her bounds here, she's not used to being able to be a bit bossy and get away with it, when there's no real reaction she continues "I know I don't have to, but I want to...really." She says looking at him with a smile.

She turns and heads inside, not having any idea whether he actually follows her into the room or not. Turning back towards the door she sees that he's finally decided to step into the room, "I promise not to bite, but you can leave the door open if you feel safer." she says sticking her tongue out at him and giggling.

She turns back to grab her work bag and place in on the bed where she can search for the tube of Silvadene that she knew was in there somewhere. Her work bag has become somewhat of a mess lately though and it takes some searching before she finally spots the little silver tube in the bottom, "Aha...here it is!" She says.

"Now whenever you finish washing just use the towel to pat it dry, whatever you do don't rub it. Better yet just bring the towel and come sit down." she says patting the edge of the bed. "I'm going to look for the room service menu and get this coffee started." She says heading to the kitchenette area to fire up the Keurig machine. "Any preference on the type of coffee? I've got an assortment over here."

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson frowned for a moment though it would be a pretty rubbish date number four though he had to laugh when she spoke about guy’s being ill. “Lucky for you I’m not the sick guy, or the man flu guy. I’m the ‘i’m fine guy’ until I drop.” Jackson never really admitted when anything was wrong at the best of times and the last time he had managed to catch flu he had kept on going until he couldnt take another step. Yeah he was the ‘i’m fine’ sort until he couldnt move anymore kind.

“A jacket is a great idea but I dont mind doing this the whole way around either. Glad it’s supposed to be nice, the rain has its appeal but nicer to be dry.” He said and grinned when she asked where they were walking.”Oh that’s a surprise, a nice place but still a surprise.” Stood in the hallway Jackson still isn’t exactly sure on the idea, it isn’t that he doesn’t want to but he didnt want her to feel like he was forcing himself through the door. Especially after he knew what her ex was like so he was a little more cautious with her.

He looked at Chloe before he looked at the bathroom and made his way there. Well she was right, if he was going to do anything odd or strange he would have done it by then though he wasn’t that sort as he smiled back at her as he set to washing his hands. Jackson laughed when she promised not to bite, “No you’re fine I trust you enough to shut the door.” He said as he did that chuckling, “Besides you’re in the healing business not the other side of it.” Well unless she turned out to be an axe wielding killer than sure he trusted her.

Washing his hands he heard her find the tube she was looking for as he listened to her instructions as he went to pat his hand dry though instead he did as she said and went to sit down where she patted. “No preference on coffee, as long as it’s coffee it doesn’t matter what form it’s in.” He said with a grin as he watched her, “I can help if you like?” He offered not sure what to do exactly as he sat on the edge of her bed, well considering earlier that evening he didnt think he would have ever met anyone like Chloe he couldnt take the smile off his face no matter how much his hand hurt.

[Deleted]

“Unfortunately for you you’re going to have to get over being the pretending you’re fine until you fall over guy, because if you plan on keeping me around I know what to look for and plan on taking very good care of you even if it doesn’t count as a date.” She laughed as she finished her statement. She sure hoped he planned on keeping her around for a while, and she sure wouldn’t mine taking care of him if he needed it.

“Ok, so I’ll wear enough of a jacket to keep me from freezing…but not enough to prevent cuddling. Got it. Pretty sure I have the perfect jacket somewhere.” She smiled before adding, “I don’t mind the rain at all…and walking in the rain can be fun, but walking in the rain…in Chicago…in the winter…not so much we’d both end up with pneumonia, and I unlike you happen to be a very big baby when I’m sick. I require lots of TLC…you know chicken noodle soup and ginger ale, the whole nine yards.”

She was really curious as to where they were going, but she decided she trusted him and as long as he was busting her out of the hotel she really didn’t care where they were walking. “Ok fair enough, I like surprises…and as long as we’re walking together I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself just fine.”

She watched Jackson walk slowly to the bathroom, and couldn’t help but like him even more. He was really sweet and the fact that he was taking his time and being patient with her meant a lot. When he mentioned that she was in the healing business and that he trusted her she smiled and went and pulled the door together and when it clicked shut she laughed and tried to keep a straight face as she said “At least that’s what I told you.” Laughing she made her way back to her medical bag and resumed the search for the tube of silvadene.

Once Chloe got the coffee going she grabbed the room service menu and handed it to Jackson before she sat next to him on the bed and carefully picked up his injured hand dabbing it dry with the towel. “Whatever you do, don’t rub it…when you rub it that causes friction and the skin here is already damaged rubbing on it could cause it to blister up or cause breaks in it and that’s how this type of wound would end up infected.” She lifts his hand closer to her face and blows on it gently. “Letting it get some air is not a bad thing, but you want to keep it covered and protected anytime there’s a chance of injuring it further, at least for the first couple days.”

Blowing on the injury once more before deciding that it’s dry enough she set his hand back down before getting up to go wash her own hands before she puts the ointment on him. “Make sure not to put too much on, you just want a thin layer…anything too thick keeps the burn too moist and makes it easier to damage the healing skin.” She talked him through the rest of the dressing process before turning his hand loose.

Seeing that the coffee had finished she gets up and pours him and herself a cup before returning to sit next to him, “So… did you find anything interesting on that room service menu or are we sticking to coffee tonight?”

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson thought about what she was saying and yes as a medic she would know. “I will just have to be better at the fine thing and yeah I plan on keeping you around if you want me to keep you around. That goes for you too, I promise to take very good care of you too even if its not a date.” He said grinning hoping that she would be interested in sticking around. Jackson hadn’t met anyone like her for a long time and he hadn’t exactly been looking but then he had managed to be in the right place at the right time.

“You have the perfect jacket for that?” He asked her grinning as he chuckled, when it came to clothes he was pretty simple. Practicality all the way though he never thought of his clothes like she had just done but then there was a jacket for every occasion. “If you’re ever sick then you can have as much chicken noodle soup and ginger ale as you can eat, plus a lot of TLC too and no to getting pneumonia but i’ll make sure the rain doesn’t get to you.” He offered because if they both came down with something that would be no fun at all and especially not after date one.

Jackson had a few good ideas as to where to go, there were a few trails to take in a couple of the parks but then it depending on how comfortable she was with walking and how far. If an entire park hike was alright with her then he knew a place and just a gentle stroll around he had a few places in mind for that too. “Sure, so by walking do you want to hike or just something a little less tough?” He asked her not wanting to march her anywhere when she didnt want to go.

He rolled his eyes as he chuckled at her, “So this is the point in the movie where the knifes come out and the serial killer side too huh.” He teased but then again she was a medic, those guys knew how to do things. Could likely make someone disappear if they really wanted to after all you trusted the people in uniforms though he was glad that she didnt seem like the killer type. At least he was safe for that moment after all how many killers joked about it first.

Taking the menu from her he took a look at it until she carefully picked up his hand. He watched what she was doing as he had gone and just wiped his hands dry that afternoon already which made him want to scream the minute he did it. “Thanks I’ll remember that, no rubbing it and keep it covered. Will probably need to for work for the next few days.” He said, oh that was going to look good one bandaged hand coming right up.

Watching her as she showed and talked him through the rest of the dressing process he nodded. “Thanks for this, at least I know now that I wont lose my hand and I can at least look after it myself.” He said grinning, “Though it gives me a good excuse to see you again.” Which it did though he wasn’t sure after discussing up to date four how she would take it. Jackson pointed to the room service menu at a couple of the deserts. “Do you fancy one of those?” He offered her, “It’s on me besides I owe you for my hand.” He said as he held it up to her for a moment before he grinned.

[Deleted]

Chloe smiled at Jackson, he seemed really sweet and kind…just the complete and total opposite of her ex so far. So, unless something changed drastically she had no plans of going anywhere anytime soon. “Uh huh, you’ve gone and done it now…now you’re stuck with me until you tell me to leave. That promise to take care of me just signed and sealed the deal,” She laughed before continuing, “And I’ll probably hold you to it at some point, I’m sure.”

“Why yes, yes I do…I have the perfect jacket for just about any occasion, except for tonight apparently since I decided not to wear one. However, I’m not complaining…not wearing a jacket worked out pretty good for me in the long run. It gave me an excuse to be close to you.” She smiles at him sweetly. Chloe really did have far too many clothes, most of which she never wore anymore. Since coming to Chicago her wardrobe basically consisted of Jeans and sweatshirts, but maybe now she’d have more of a reason to wear some of her other clothes.

When he promised her that if she ever got sick she could have as much chicken noodle soup and ginger ale as she wanted she couldn’t help but smile at him, “Are you always this sweet?” She wondered out loud. “Seriously though, it takes more than a little bit of rain to take me down…but you can protect me from it anytime you want to and I won’t argue.”

“I tell you what, I’m good with anything you decide. Hiking is fun and it’s been awhile since I’ve gone, but as far as I’m concerned as long as it was getting me out of this motel room I’d walk around the block repeatedly,” She laughed and added, “As long as you’re there…I’m good. Just do me a favor and let me know which one you pick, because I probably have the perfect pair of shoes for that too.”

“Did you just roll your eyes at me mister?” She asked swatting him on the shoulder playfully. “So something tells me you’re not buying me as a serial killer…guess I’ll have to work on that one.” She was glad that he was the type that she could joke with, and not worry that every little thing she said or did might set him off. This was the most relaxed she’d felt in a long time.

“yeah it would probably be a good idea to keep it covered for the first few days back to work, especially if there’s any chance of hurting it again. Do I need to have a talk with you about how dangerous it is to play with fire, before I send you back to work?” She shook her head and rolled her eyes when he mentioned losing his hand, “You are more than welcome, and you don’t need an excuse to see me again…you just have to ask.”

She leaned closer to him to see what he was pointing at on the menu, “Hmmm they both sound good, but you had me with the chocolate…so lets try the double chocolate fudge brownie with ice cream.” She says picking up the hotel phone to call the order in when he mentioned that he owed her for taking care of his hand. After placing the order and requesting two spoons she hung up the phone. She smiled at him and shook her head, “Now don’t be ridiculous, you don’t owe me a thing for taking care of your hand…I did that because I wanted to not because I wanted something in return.”

She poured them each a cup of coffee, “How do you take yours?” She asked fixing her own and waiting for directions from him before handing him his cup and sitting back down next to him on the bed waiting for the room service to get there. “Sorry about the lack of seating in here, guess the room was designed for sleeping and not entertaining,” She apologized. “I really can’t wait to find somewhere else, I’m hoping that tomorrow is the day.”

[Jackson Martin]

Jackson laughed when she spoke, “Well I cant see me telling you to leave happening any time soon. And yeah well you should know that I mean and do what I say so since i’ve said it i’ll do it.” He stated knowing that he didnt go back on his word unless there was a pretty serious reason for it. “Feel free to hold me to that any time, I dont mind at all.” He said with a grin, Jackson wasn’t the kind that wouldnt look after her and yes he was the stubborn sort that would do it without even being asked too.

“I’m not complaining about it either, worked out for me quiet well. I get a jacket and girl all on one so really no complaints here at all.” He explained though he didnt mind being close to her at all. Jackson was simple with his clothes, whatever was in his wardrobe was either practical or smart for going out. He guessed it was the military thing as it was the difference between him packing a bag for holiday and his sister who he swore took an entire army with her for that.

Jackson laughed when she called him sweet, “I try to be but then haven’t really had much practice at the whole sweet thing for a while. But it depends on who you ask too.” Jackson tried, sweet or not he tried his best to do the right thing which he had learned from his dad, even if it was offering a jacket or a seat on a bus. He would do it simply to be nice to others though he knew it wasn’t everyones thing but it didnt take him too long. “Well you can be sure I will do but an entire thunder storm, I cant make any promises.” He teased her lightly, sure he would do what he could to keep her out of the rain but you never knew.

“Oh so you’ve got the jacket and the shoes now?” He teased lightly as he nodded to her, “As soon as I know you’ll know and I promise it wont be anything too out there or too stressful. Not like i’m going to ask you to climb a mountain or anything like that.” He explained sure maybe date ten or which ever one they were up to now but not the next one. Something a little less hazardous and easier on the feet, he didnt need to tired a city paramedic out with crazy hiking.

Jackson rolled his eyes again a little slower at her as she grinned, “No, what gives you that idea?” He asked her as he shook her head, well if she was going to turn out to be a serial killer she was one of the nicest he ever thought they would be. “You work on it but I still dont think i’ll believe it.” He said grinning glad that he could actually laugh with her and not feel like he had just said the wrong thing. Well they were talking about serial killers so how wrong could that conversation get.

“Oh I now know just how dangerous fire is but like your jacket, I think it’s worked out in my favour. I would have done it sooner if it meant I got to meet you.” He said grinning though truthfully the entire burn thing had been an accident. He wasn’t focused and did something silly and he paid for it. “Okay then I’m asking, can I see you again?” He asked her grinning hoping that it would be a yes because he wanted to get to know her a little better.

“ooh nice choice.” He said when she said about the chocolate brownie. Was there anything in the world that could beat chocolate he wondered as he smiled back at her. "And i'm doing this because I want to not because I want something in return, besides you never know if the brownies are good I might be back." He said smirking at her for a moment. He watched her as she made the coffee, "Just black coffee please." He said not really liking it any other way though he wanst like most of his family with that. "It's a lovely room and I dont mind at all. Fingers crossed for you tomorrow though, hope there's a place that you like here." He said smiling hoping that she did stay in the city because without her the place would be a little less interesting for him.

[Deleted]

Even after knowing Jackson for such a short amount of time, she had no doubt that he meant what he said and that he was a man of his word. He’d been a gentleman throughout the evening, never pushing anything too hard or too far. He’d been very respectful and made sure she was comfortable with anything and everything that was going on. He’d listened to her, and talked to her never once trying to tell her that she was wrong or what she should think or feel. He made her feel comfortable enough to joke with him and not fear the consequences of going too far. Any touch they had shared had been gentle and kind, and never meant to control. She sure hoped that he was for real, because up until tonight she wasn’t sure that guys like him even existed.

Jackson talking about her forgetting her jacket working out for him was enough to draw her out of her thoughts. “Well I’m glad you’re not complaining…” With his mention of getting a jacket and a girl all in one she blushed slightly, “Really, thanks for the whole jacket thing…you didn’t have to, but I do appreciate it…a lot.”

When he commented that he hadn’t had much practice at being sweet lately she laughed with him and said, “Practice or not apparently, you’re a natural, because you have to be the single sweetest man I have ever met…and I don’t need to ask anyone about it, I know I’m right. Besides, I really don’t care what anyone else thinks…because I‘m pretty sure a very wise person recently told me that I should care about what I think, that it wasn’t up to someone else to tell me that. So I’m taking his advice.” She leaned in closer before speaking again, “And it feels pretty good.”

She smiled while he talked about protecting her from the rain, shaking her head at him talking about thunderstorms. “I don’t really like thunderstorms…never have, actually I’ve always been a little scared of them. But, I like the rain…and being out in the rain can actually be pretty fun given the right circumstances.”

“Honestly, I probably have the perfect jacket and shoes combination for anything you could think of…I have way too many clothes, most of which I don’t even wear anymore.” She said with a shrug, “Don’t have much occasion to dress up anymore, and to be perfectly honest I don’t miss it much…I much prefer jeans and t shirts to fancy dresses any day.”

She giggles at his mention of mountain climbing, “Hey, I would gladly climb a mountain with you…but unless you’re taking me out of state on our first date, I highly doubt that’s going to happen. Maybe someday though, I always thought that mountain climbing…well let me rephrase that I always thought that hiking in the mountains would be fun. I just can’t see myself dangling off the side of a mountain by a rope, that sounds more like a nightmare and less like fun.”

She gently swatted his shoulder again when he rolled his eyes at her for the second time, “Nah…I’m done pretending to be a serial killer, since I’m just not very convincing.” She laughed at herself, were they really sitting in her hotel room discussing the possibility of her being a serial killer? Not in a million years was this a conversation she ever imagined having, but it was silly and fun and it made her laugh so it couldn’t be all bad right.

“Just promise me you’ll be more careful, I’m seriously not worth hurting yourself over.” She says looking at the floor and plucking at the bedspread silently. When she hears him ask if he can see her again she looks up and smiles, “Well I thought you’d never ask…Of Course you can see me again…Sunday works good for me, and basically any time you want after that…although I must warn you I’m not always very good company especially when I’m studying.” She said pointing at the table covered in her books and papers, “Which is…a lot of the time, but even when I’m studying it’s nice to just be around someone you’re close to…if that makes any sense at all.”

“Good brownies or not, you’re welcome here anytime.” She says before leaning in to place a lingering kiss on his cheek, “And somehow I know you don’t expect anything in return…that’s what makes it even sweeter.” She whispers before standing to make the coffee. “Yeah…the realtor assures me that we’re going to look at a couple really nice places, so I’m basically to the point of just picking one…just to get out of here.” Handing him his coffee black just as he’d requested she took a sip of her milky looking deliciously diluted creamer tasting coffee and smiled, before making a face and pointing to his cup “Not sure how you manage to drink it like that though…”

[Jackson Martin]

He had been taught the right way to treat people by his parents, he could just imagine what his dad would have said or done if he found out he’d been disrespectful in anyway. At his age grounding was still possible or at least punishment for things were. Then again he hadn’t done anything wrong beside with Chloe and what he had seen so far she was a wonderful person and deserved the best out of people. Not like the ex he had been hearing about but then again that guy seemed like a class A jerk.

Jackson nodded before he shook his head, “You didnt have a jacket, I did and besides I’m used to the cold in this city. Hardly fair for me to be warm and for you to freeze.” He stated smiling as he saw her blush, Jackson wasn’t about to let her freeze to death or catch a cold. No it was just a jacket and trying to do the right thing, besides it wasn’t as if he didnt have sleeves on his shirt. The cold was what he was used to even if he was still adjusting back to life without blistering heat, no Chicago was either too hot or too cold there wasn’t ever a happy medium in the city.

“Really, I doubt that I bet the guys are falling over themselves to be sweet to you. You’re Ex taken out of the equation but still.” He said as he shook his head, he hadn’t been great at the whole being sweet thing for a long time. At least where the women were concerned, he had a tough enough time trusting them after Ashlyn but with Chloe it was easy to do. He chuckled as she spoke about the guy who told her the advice. “Then that’s great, it’s worth listening to the guy.” He said with a grin, “Besides you should care about what you think. You’re the only person that can say what’s right or wrong for you, no one else.”

He had been at the end of both sides with that, had he listened to the people who said he had married too young maybe they were right but it had been great up until it wasn’t. He listened to the one who were supportive and now one divorce later and a broken heart he wasn’t too worse for wear. He just chalked it up to life experience. Jackson listened to her talk about thunderstorms, “Rain is fun and if there’s a thunderstorm I’ll make sure to look after you. Just remember the one rule, no metal and no tress or open spaces.” He said running through all of the reasons why those three things were bad ideas when in a thunderstorm.

“Same here, I’m not really into the dresses and heels myself. I prefer more combat pants and a tshirt than dressing up but I can do either.” He said knowing he would pick combat pants and a tan tshirt over any form of smart if he could help it. Not that he didnt try to appear smart but then only when he was out like that night or had to go to some event did he really drag the posh pieces out from the back of the wardrobe. He was practical over style any day of the week.

“Yeah dont get me wrong hanging by a rope can be fun in the right circumstances but when it’s off a cliff no thank you. Been there, tried it and hated it.” He stated, it was bad enough dangling off things as a Marine let along when he was a civilian. “But I’d gladly take you out of state but I think that keeping it local to start with would be good. Wouldnt want to be accused of kidnapping you.” He teased lightly though really given what her ex had done so far that he knew of he wasn’t exactly sure how that would go.

Jackson chuckled when she swatted his shoulder again, “Nope not really, I think most might have tried to kill me by now... at least that’s what I imagine they’d do but then i’ve never really met one. Unless you’re playing the long game? Kill me in a week or two that could be date seven?” He said with a grin though he didnt think she seemed like the type to do that at all. It was fun to have an entirely random conversation and not have to worry over how it would be taken or what was going to the thought at the end of it.

“I promise to be more careful and seriously you are. Though if I can just call you then that would save a lot of ER time.” He said with a grin, there wasn’t anyone he could imagine wanting to get hurt to see more than her. At least it made any injuries worth it though he guessed he couldnt exactly request her as a the paramedic. Jackson grinned when she said he could see more of her, “Sunday it is then and no worries good company or not I’ll still swing by.” He offered as he looked at the books that covered the table. “It makes sense and besides I can always do some of my work too so if you’re studying I wont disturb you I’ll just be here.”

Jackson smiled and nodded when she said he was welcome any time as he felt the kiss on his cheek. He smiled as he turned toward her, “That was nice.” He said as he nodded to her sad to see her go and make the coffee as he listened to her talk about the realtor. “That’s great, makes things a lot easier once you’re at that stage and also once you pick then it’s yours.” He said as he took the coffee that was handed to him as he took a sip. “Oh I don’t either, it’s not an adoptive family trait so I always wonder if either of my birth parents drink it like this. It’s so much easier to drink without milk or creamer. You get more of the coffee hit and the smell...” He said with a grin, he had been like that since he had drunk coffee always black nothing else in it as he never understood the half fat, three foam, vanilla latte’s he saw people drinking.