A First Time for Everything

[searchesforhim]

[Continued from the Tag Someone New meme]

Jane had debated for the better part of an hour whether to actually go out with Jack. Yes, their meeting had seemed ideal, and he seemed like a great guy. But appearances could be deceiving.

After talking with Darcy she decided to go through with it - with Darcy's tazer in her purse. She texted him the

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[jack_flanagan]

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.

[searchesforhim]

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."

[jack_flanagan]

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.

[searchesforhim]

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."

[jack_flanagan]

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.

[searchesforhim]

"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.

[jack_flanagan]

"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.

[searchesforhim]

"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_flanagan]

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."

[searchesforhim]

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.

[jack_flanagan]

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?"

[searchesforhim]

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."

[jack_flanagan]

"If I didn't have to work tomorrow, I would gladly stay. And ask for your forgiveness when I begin to doze," he replied through a crooked grin. "For some reason..." Jack stepped in close, resting his hands on her hips as their eyes locked. "...I'm not the slightest bit tired. I like the idea of learning all there is about Jane Foster."

His words made as much sense as his actions. Jack started as if he were bidding her farewell yet appeared to go nowhere. "However, I'm afraid if you learn all there is to know about me tonight then I wouldn't be lucky enough for that second date. So I'm going to say goodnight now. I like the idea of our date ending on such good terms. Can't wait to see you again."

Slowly, he moved his hands from her hips to gently cup her face. Jack leaned in just as carefully to allow Jane to easily stop him if she deemed necessary. He planned to kiss her slow and long. His neck might protest in the process given their height differences but he didn't care. Maybe next time he'd test the sturdiness of her counter. Hopefully she wouldn't find him too forward if he lifted her onto it.

"Is tomorrow night too soon? I'm off the day after." He was dangerously close to showing Jane just how taken he was with her. His blue eyes stared intently into her brown ones. Jack pleaded with his gaze. Their lips were barely an inch apart as he held his breath, waiting for her reply.

[searchesforhim]

Disappointment filled her heart, but the touch of his hands quickly distracted her from it. His words said he was leaving but his body drew closer and she was soon so lost in his eyes she barely heard him speaking.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow was good. Tomorrow was Friday, and after that was the whole weekend, free of plans or classes or work. She felt as if she were standing on the edge of a cliff, dangerously close to falling, and as terrified as she was, part of her wanted to jump. She could feel the warmth of his hands on her cheeks and the proximity of his lips to hers and the rest of her body was forgotten. She knew not where her hands were or even if her feet were still on the ground. In that moment nothing existed or mattered but the blue of his eyes.

"Sounds perfect," she managed to whisper before closing what miniscule space was left between them to press her lips to his. If she had not known better she would have sworn there was alcohol in the coffee she had just drank, because she felt completely intoxicated.

[jack_flanagan]

Their size difference might have been notable from someone outside looking in. Jane felt as if she melded perfectly in his embrace when his large arms wrapped around her. The romantic connection didn't seem to say good-bye the way it had been intended. Jack kissed her in a way of assuring her (and himself) that their involvement would continue.

"Tomorrow can't come soon enough," he muttered when the kiss broke. His face remained in close proximity, lingering for a moment. A smile had slowly formed before the words were spoken. Jack gave her a gentle squeeze then pulled away after one last peck to her lips. "I will come by to pick you up when you give me a time. Plan to be gone until the wee hours of the night, possibly dawn."

His right hand slid to find hers, linking together for the short distance to her door. "...And I'll call or text when I can until then." Jack could only hope his eagerness wasn't as apparent as it felt. His free hand ran over his hair, pulling it back out of his eyes then dropped quickly into the front pocket of his jeans. "Good night," he said giving her hand a squeeze before releasing it and letting himself out of her flat.