The Heart of the Matter (Rebecca)

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

It had been a day or so since Jack had asked Rebecca on a date which resulted in a minor nuclear explosion outside of a Victoria’s Secret. They had each survived it and were now back to living normally in Rebecca’s tiny apartment, although they weren’t living entirely comfortably. Her “maybe” still hung in the air between them and while there were several moments where it disappeared, all but forgotten, it would always find its way back over them. Jack hadn’t spent an afternoon or a morning in bed with her since their fight, but mostly because she was more guarded than usual. Perhaps she was waiting for him to leave tomorrow and she could put a nice safe distance between them before she told him “no” to their date. That was actually a good possibility. Jack wasn’t ready to accept that, though. He wanted her to say yes and by God he was going to get it, even if he had to continue pursuing it after he moved back to his own place. It was just more likely she would say “yes” to get him off her case while they were still within the small vicinity of each other. More than that, though, he wanted to know why she always kept him at such a distance. A date wasn’t that big a deal, but Rebecca treated it like a major engagement with serious implications. Granted, Jack wanted it to eventually become a relationship between them, but the first date would be easy.

Probably the worst part of it was the fact that she assumed he would hurt her. Rebecca always assumed the worst. Didn’t she know Jack would never dream of hurting her? If anything he needed to be much more afraid of her hurting him! That was a far more likely scenario than the other way around. In fact, she’d already hurt him. Every time she pushed him away it hurt him, but she didn’t seem to realize that. She said she trusted him, but she never trusted him to not hurt her. If it ended, she would be the one to end it or it would be a mutual decision—Jack firmly believed that. It left so much power in her hands, as well as his heart, but nothing seemed to make her happy. Still, he refused to believe she didn’t want him at all. She liked him, he knew that, which suggested to him that perhaps she was toying with the idea of being serious with him. All he needed was to convince her to give him a chance to prove all of her fears were unfounded. Could he convince her of that? Was he that persuasive? He seriously doubted it…If he didn’t try, though, he would never know.

Being their last night together living in Rebecca’s apartment, Jack went out in the late morning to pick up some things to make for a late lunch. He got all the fixings to make chili, one dish he knew how to make fantastic, and cornbread mix followed by a bottle of white wine—there was already beer at her place. Rebecca would have an early day because she was due in court and would be back around three in the afternoon, a deadline he endeavored to meet to have lunch ready. The thirty minutes before she got home was spent cooking, a task he actually thoroughly enjoyed, and everything was almost done by the time he heard the keys in the door and the sound of the door opening. He poked his head around the entrance to the kitchen and found Rebecca making her way toward him. A lopsided smile came to his face as he watched her approach. “Hi there.” She greeted him and came into the kitchen, looking a little confused at the food he was cooking. “I made lunch. I know it’s a little late, but I figured you’d be hungry since you’ve been in court all day.” His eyes shifted to hers as he stirred up the chili, the rice steaming in a bowl nearby. “How happy is Cap now that I’m coming back next week?” He grinned to show he was teasing her, but he was curious to know what to expect on the first day. No doubt there would be a ton of work to do, but if Cap was excited, he’d probably pile more of it on Jack. If he wasn’t impressed by Jack’s return, he would just let Jack deal with paperwork and old cases all day. He hoped there would be a lot of work to do next Monday…

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

To say things had become uncomfortable with her temporary housemate over the last couple of days would be an understatement. Rebecca was having a hard time opening up to Jack again, still trying to sort her feelings out. Part of her wasn't all that opposed to the date, but the other side was still cautious and unsure. She still was trying to make heads or tails of the situation; why was Jack so into her? He'd mentioned the mystery of her. Was that all she was, though? Some great mystery to unravel? Would shedding some light on her history make him less anxious to want more? She was slowly starting to wonder if her only appeal was that of a mystery novels. Yeah, she was pretty but looks only went so far. It wasn't like she had some award winning personality or anything, and surely there were women more open in the sack than she was.. It was hard not to think about it, but when she was on the job she focused on other things so she wouldn't have to think about Jack, but the moment she was heading home he slipped into her mind and he stayed there until she arrived back at the station the following morning. She hadn't let him touch her since the Victoria's Secret incident, but then again he hadn't tried. He was testing his limits and giving her space at the same time, something she appreciated and hated. Either way, things seemed tense at home and she couldn't wait for him to leave, knowing in the back of her mind how much she really wanted him to stay.

It was Jack's last day at her place and Rebecca had no plans for it. It wasn't like she would never see him. In fact, she would probably see him just as much since he would be at work with her now instead of at home. He couldn't do as much damage at work, and that was a bonus. It was an early day for her and she half dreaded going home. Would Jack have planned something? Maybe they would call in for take out or go out for a quick bite somewhere. She didn't like the idea of them going out though, which would seem very date like depending on where they chose to ate. A pub might not be so bad, especially if they ate at the bar, but Jack would see through her antics. He would know she picked the place because it seemed the least date like and she didn't want that argument. She didn't want him to think it was a date either. Not until she figured out why he really wanted to date her and how she could get out of it.

Rebecca jammed her key in the door and opened it only to be greeted with the smell of something spicy and delicious. Tacos maybe? Something Spanish.. She saw Jack's head pop out from inside the kitchen as she was pulling off her short, black leather jacket. A thin, tight lipped smile slid over her lips, more a friendly gesture than anything else, as Jack offered his more genuine smile.

“Hi there.” Someone was chipper.. "Hey." She greeted slipping into the kitchen and looking at all the stuff that was out. Ah, chili. It looked good, something that surprised Rebecca. Not because he couldn't cook, but because he could. It still amazed her, and she would miss his cooking. Frozen dinners were in her near future and life just wouldn't be the same living on Lean Cuisine and Chinese. “I made lunch. I know it’s a little late, but I figured you’d be hungry since you’ve been in court all day.” It was a nice gesture, but she saw right through it. He was trying to win her over with her stomach, reminding her once more how very much the man she was in their little arrangement. She opened the fridge and tugged out a beer, opening it. "Thanks." She offered in a soft, but genuine voice, taking a deep swig of her beer. “How happy is Cap now that I’m coming back next week?” He grinned in a teasing way and she met his look with her own sardonic grin. "I don't know, I was in court all day." She teased and then looked down at her toes as she leaned against the counter, shrugging. "I guess he's fine with it. You know him, a closed book. Didn't seem to care either way I guess." She offered, and it was the truth. If Cap was happy he wasn't saying much, not to her anyway.

Rebecca pushed off the counter a little and peaked into the pot of bubbling chili. Her stomach did a little flip and she could feel her salivary glands kicking into overdrive. It looked and smelled awesome and it was hard not to grab the spoon and sneak a taste. "That almost done?" She asked, taking a swig and chancing a look up at him before taking a step back. She didn't want him getting any ideas about her standing too close. The timer suddenly went off, making her jump a little. That's when she realized the oven was on. "Are...you baking too?" She asked, this time actually surprised as she pulled the oven door open a little to peak inside. Sure enough there was some cornbread in there and she felt her stomach pang with hunger. He had gone all out! Did that mean he was planning something big for their last night? Would he consider this some sort of date? She tried not to eye him suspiciously, sipping her beer again as she turned to open the fridge once more, spotting the sour cream and cheddar cheese. Was he wooing her with his mad cooking skills? Was this some sort of master plan to get her to realize she needed him around so she could eat decently? That Marie Callender had nothing on Jack Roccograndi? Sneaky little cop.. She wouldn't fall for his tricks! Maybe not completely..

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“I don’t know; I was in court all day.” Rebecca’s teasing response made Jack grin before he dramatically rolled his eyes. She gave a shrug as she leaned back against the counter and he looked down to the pan he was making the chili in. “I guess he’s fine with it. You know him, a closed book. Didn’t seem to care either way I guess.” Jack nodded, neither pleased nor displeased with the information. He’d just have to see for himself when he went back to work next week. Cap was a hard man to read and he hadn’t expected Rebecca to know for sure how to do so. Hell, Jack hardly knew what the man was thinking most of the time. As he stirred he noticed Rebecca leaning a little closer and he gave her a sidelong glance as she did so, noting the interest in her face. He smiled gently before looking back down to the pot. “That almost done?” Again he looked at her but before he could answer he noticed she was backing away from him. It irked him and his smile faded somewhat. “Yeah, just a few more minutes,” he replied softly and a little gruffly. Why did she have to back away from him like he was going to jump her? Had he given the impression that he would do so at the mere proximity of her? Well…maybe he had…but that wasn’t the point! She didn’t have to back-up like a scared rabbit; he wasn’t going to bite her.

The timer went off making them both jump a little, but he quickly shut it off and moved to grab an oven mitt. “Are…you baking too?” He smiled again at her uncertain tone realizing he had surprised her. As the oven popped open it tapped Jack on the hip and he stepped back away from the heat pouring out, throwing Rebecca a playfully scolding look. “Yes, I am.” He slid the mitt onto his big hand and carefully pulled out the pan and set it on the empty half of the stove while she inspected the refrigerator. Her suspicious stare didn’t escape his notice and he gave a heavy and dramatic sigh. “Yes, I confess Rebecca…I’ve grown a vagina.” Jack had no problem making fun of himself so lightheartedly and he hoped some humor would get that look off her face like she was trying to figure out his ulterior motives. Seeing the beer in her hand made him thirsty and he stepped closer to the fridge to get one out, leaning closer to her in order to do so. He could see the discomfort on her face but this was the kind of discomfort he liked to see, knowing that she was attracted to him when they were so close. “Seriously, stop being so suspicious just because I’m doing something nice for you.” His voice was soft and calming and he wore a smile so she wouldn’t think he was scolding her. It was a genuinely nice gesture. Did he have ulterior motives? Sort of, but he was also trying to ease her some and just do something to thank her for letting him stay with her. He hadn’t landed on her doorstep thinking she would let him in, but hoping she would, and she’d been kind enough to oblige him.

As he moved away with his kind smile intact and not trying to kiss her, he popped the cap off his beer with his bare hand and took a deep swig. He could bust out the wine when they actually sat down to eat or afterward. It was in the refrigerator chilling and it would be there before and after their meal. There was a knife out on the counter for cutting the cornbread and he did so in squares as even as possible, though he wasn’t terribly concerned about it. He got down a couple plates and bowls and asked Rebecca to grab spoons and the ladle so they could dish out their lunch. As he filled his bowl, the spicy smell of the chili made his stomach growl insistently. He grabbed a couple pieces of cornbread too before moving to the table and making himself comfortable. “There’s white wine in the fridge if you want some.” It was a casual comment but he knew Rebecca would become suspicious again; he wondered if she knew how well he knew her. He turned his eyes to her as he took a bite of his chili and approved of the burst of flavors that hit his tongue. “What will you do without a real cook around here?” he asked playfully, grinning at her.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

"Yes, I am.” The way he said it made her feel almost like an errant child, but she could see he was teasing her, at least a little. She turned and watched him pull the cornbread from the oven, making her stomach jump with anticipation once more. “Yes, I confess Rebecca…I’ve grown a vagina.” She looked up at him and cocked a brow, her lips quirking up just a little at the sides. It was a bold comment, and it amused her. "Thought something seemed a little off with you lately." She muttered back, her wall coming down just a little. It was clear he was trying to make the afternoon a light one and she decided she would concede to his desire to just have a nice evening together. As friends.

That was until he came towards the fridge and she tensed once more. Had he tricked her into letting her guard down so he could make a move? She moved over a little to get out of his way, showing her discomfort more than she had intended to. "Seriously, stop being so suspicious just because I’m doing something nice for you.” His voice was soft though he was scolding her in a sense. "Who said I was suspicious?" She offered raising a brow and trying to act cool as though she had been hip to his gesture the whole time when in reality she was still terrified he would make a move, not knowing how she would react to it. It had become increasingly clear to her over the last few days that she would miss him, and that she wanted him to hit on her a little. Rebecca didn't often welcome a mans presence in bed, but Jack was different than anyone she'd ever been with and though she was annoyed with him, she still wanted him. The problem with Rebecca was that she wanted her pride more, and she often allowed it to get in the way of things she truly wanted; like Jack.

Rebecca leaned against the counter once more as Jack settled into his role as house-man and cut the freshly baked cornbread, watching him work. Deep down she wished she could cook, but she didn't possess the will to learn. Plus the things she wanted to make were the things her mother used to cook and she wouldn't even know where to begin trying to find recipes for those things; cakes and meatloaves, cookies and lasagna.. all from scratch. Sure, she could find recipes for those things, but they wouldn't be the same. Instead she was content to watch Jack cook and serve, at least for the moment. She got out the ladle for him as he requested and the silverware for them, bringing them to the table as he prepped the food. “There’s white wine in the fridge if you want some.” He said as he made his way to the table and Rebecca nodded, chugging the rest of her beer and moving to the fridge. Wine with lunch? How could she not be suspicious? But she wanted to get a little drunk. That way if he did hit on her she would be too relaxed to listen to her brain tell him to go away and just let her body do the talking for her.

Rebecca grabbed the wine and the opened along with a couple of glasses and returned to the table just as Jack was starting to dig in, a stoic look on her face. “What will you do without a real cook around here?” he asked and she could hear the playful mocking in his tone. The girl reached for her cornbread and crumbled it over the chili and shrugged. "I survived on hot pockets and Stouffer's potpies before you turned up on my doorstep, and I'm sure it won't be impossible to return back to my normal diet once you leave." She smirked a little at him as if to remind him he didn't need her, that she was plenty capable of taking care of herself even if she didn't know how to make a proper omelet. Rebecca mixed her food up, getting the rice, cornbread crumbs and chili all mixed together until it was a lumpy paste in her bowl and then took a large bite. The girl chewed and then let out a long sigh of contentedness. "That's not to say I won't miss stuff like this." She offered, shoveling a little more into her mouth before reaching for the corkscrew and then the wine bottle. "But just to be clear, this is just a nice gesture, right? Not some underhanded, sneaky ploy to get me to agree on a date?" She looked at him suspiciously as she popped the cork out and began pouring.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“I survived on hot pockets and Stouffer’s potpies before you turned up on my doorstep, and I’m sure it won’t be impossible to return back to my normal diet once you leave.” Rebecca smirked at Jack and he had to return it, liking the cocky way she said those words. She had always been self-sufficient and he had always liked that about her. He also knew it was her way of telling him that she didn’t need him to be around to survive, and that was okay by him too; he would never expect her to need him around all the time. Rebecca crumbled her cornbread over her chili, but he preferred to dip it in and take a hefty bite, nodding at the moistness of the bread. It was just right. He watched as she took a bite of her rice, chili and cornbread mixture and smiled when she sighed. Even though she always liked his cooking, he still wasn’t completely satisfied with his dishes until Rebecca expressed whether she liked it or not. Apparently she liked it and that made him happy as he took a big bit of his own rice and chili. “That’s not to say I won’t miss stuff like this.” He smiled more as he swallowed, scooping more onto his spoon. “Maybe I’ll come over and cook for you every now and then,” he teased before taking another bite. She reached for the wine bottle and went at the cork with the screw.

“But just to be clear, this is just a nice gesture, right? Not some underhanded, sneaky ploy to get me to agree on a date?” Jack slapped a hand on his chest and made to look dramatically offended. “Me? Underhanded and sneaky? How can you accuse me of thinking that way?” he gasped before grinning at her. Should he tell her the truth? He supposed he could leave it an open question… “If it was, is it working?” The glint in his eye and the smile on his face suggested he wasn’t serious, but he could see how suspicious she was with his answer. He shrugged and sat back some after placing some more chili in his mouth. “I won’t lie, I’d like if you would agree to go on a date, but the overall intention of this meal was just to thank you for letting me stay with you. I really appreciate your help. Thanks to you I think my mom will be returning to Scriptor Bay in the next few weeks since I’ve been able to tell her it’s safe. So thanks.” He smiled and took a deep swig of beer before he grinned a little mischievously at Rebecca. “Of course, I could also just be trying to get into your pants again. You wearing that new underwear today?” The look she gave him made him laugh and he went back to eating before he got his ass kicked. Sleeping with her one more time before he went didn’t sound so bad though…He would try not to press his luck.

They ate in silence for a minute or so, the mention of the underwear bringing up memories of the fight they’d had the weekend before. Neither of them had really apologized for it and though Jack knew that was mainly because he wasn’t at fault for starting the fight, perhaps there was more blame on him than he wanted to admit. He had made her nervous by busting into the fitting room and then snuck out feel haughty and smug. A grown police officer shouldn’t do things like that…His eyes lifted from his chili and he looked at Rebecca with uncertain brown eyes. “I’m sorry for our fight last weekend. I shouldn’t have busted in on you in the fitting room and I shouldn’t have yelled. And I’m sorry it took me so long to apologize for it.” He gave a hopeful sort of half-smile, gazing across the table at her. “Forgive me?”

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Jack slapped a hand on his chest and mocked being offended by her comment, resulting in pursed lips from Rebecca. “Me? Underhanded and sneaky? How can you accuse me of thinking that way?” She rolled her eyes dramatically and took a deep sip of her wine before putting the glass back down and reaching for her fork. “If it was, is it working?” Though everything he said suggested he was joking, she knew there was some truth behind his words. Was it working? Yes and no. Cooking her a meal wouldn't make her any more interested in dating him, but it did warm her up to the idea of spending more time with him. He treated her well and no one could deny enjoying that. She hadn't been pampered, well, ever. It was nice to have someone doing things for her, and to have a warm meal when she walked in the door that wasn't pumped full of chemicals to keep it "fresh" longer.

Before she could even figure out something to say Jack was talking again and giving her an excuse to think on her words a little longer. “I won’t lie, I’d like if you would agree to go on a date, but the overall intention of this meal was just to thank you for letting me stay with you. I really appreciate your help. Thanks to you I think my mom will be returning to Scriptor Bay in the next few weeks since I’ve been able to tell her it’s safe. So thanks.” She felt almost warm for a moment, and a smile began to spread on her lips. She felt good knowing she helped his mother feel comfortable with coming back to the city, and that she was able to genuinely help Jack despite everything that was going on between them, and had gone on between them. But, naturally, Jack had to ruin her moment by opening his sexy mouth once more. “Of course, I could also just be trying to get into your pants again. You wearing that new underwear today?” Her eyes grew just a little and her cheeks flushed ever so gently as she huffed. "I'll consider letting you find out, but don't hold your breath." She told him, and it was at least an honest answer. She might let him into her bed tonight, but she wasn't entirely sure of it.

Rebecca pulled her eyes away and looked at her lunch as she ate, reaching and downing the rest of her wine as they feasted in silence. She reached for the bottle and topped her glass off once more trying not to think of all the ways that Jack could, and would make her scream if given the opportunity. She squirmed in her seat a little, not wanting Jack to know how much he turned her on, but the promise looming over them and the wine and beer in her system made her feel warm to the idea of having him around suddenly, though she was still intent on him being in the dark.

“I’m sorry for our fight last weekend." He said breaking the silence once more and Rebecca looked up at him a little surprised and confused. "I shouldn’t have busted in on you in the fitting room and I shouldn’t have yelled. And I’m sorry it took me so long to apologize for it.” She didn't know what to say or how to react. Part of her wanted to tell him it was okay, but it hadn't been okay. Not with her. She was sensitive and though she was seemingly tough, inside she was still very fragile. He knew he'd screwed up though and that he'd frightened her off, but she was still very aware that he had no idea why she was so resistant to him. “Forgive me?” She swallowed the food in her mouth, which was tingling lightly, and then nodded her head. "Yeah, forgiven." She said in a softer voice, looking down at her food once more and reaching for her glass. The alcohol was starting to relax her a little, though with the heavy food in her system she was having a tougher time achieving the buzz she so desired.

"I guess I'm sorry, too." She said after a beat, her fingers still holding onto the stem of the wine glass. She bit her lower lip and shrugged her shoulder, letting out a long sigh. "There's a reason I don't date, Jack." She explained finally. "There's a reason it makes me uncomfortable, and I know I haven't really been forward with that information because it's a very private part of my life that I don't really like to share, but.. I don't know. I've had to raise myself. I've been on my own for two decades, fighting for what I've gotten and having no one to rely on but myself. I'm not used to asking for help or accepting it. I don't like others providing for me because in the past there were always ulterior motives. I was given things and those things were held over my head by the people who were supposed to take care of me, and in the end I learned to not accept things. I don't like the expectations that come with a relationship. I don't like the idea of someone relying on me for things and I can already tell I'm not the kind of girl you want, Jack." She hadn't gone into specifics about her past, and she didn't exactly want to, but she wanted him to know he was barking up the wrong tree. She wasn't what he either needed or wanted, but he was too blinded by...something to see that. "You're....domestic. You need someone who wants the whole American Dream, and though all that is appealing to me, it's not something I see myself living. I don't cook, I don't clean house, I don't really notice when other people need something from me.. I'm selfish. I've spent so much time worrying about myself and getting where I wanted to be that I can't see past that to the needs of someone else. Which is why our current situation is beneficial to me. We both get something out of it, but in the end no one gets hurt because I forgot it was your birthday or you didn't pick up the dry cleaning or whatever other weird things pop up in relationships." She bit her lip, her fingers fidgeting with the stemware. "Do you get what I mean?"

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Yeah, forgiven.” Jack smiled a little, nodding his head before he took another bite. It was enough to know that Rebecca forgave him for their argument and it wouldn’t have to loom over them like a cloud now. “I guess I’m sorry, too.” This caught his attention again and he looked up at her, watching as she shrugged and bit her lip. “There’s a reason I don’t date, Jack. There’s a reason it makes me uncomfortable, and I know I haven’t really been forward with that information because it’s a very private part of my life that I don’t really like to share, but…I don’t know. I’ve had to raise myself. I’ve been on my own for two decades, fighting for what I’ve gotten and having no one to rely on but myself.” Jack could have argued that she’d relied on Maxi, but he wouldn’t interrupt her when she was opening up to him. “I’m not used to asking for help or accepting it. I don’t like others providing for me because in the past there were always ulterior motives. I was given things and those things were held over my head by the people who were supposed to take care of me, and in the end I learned not to accept things. I don’t like the expectations that come with a relationship. I don’t like the idea of someone relying on me for things and I can already tell I’m not the kind of girl you want, Jack.” That statement always bothered Jack. How did she know what kind of girl he wanted? They’d never had that conversation and she’d never been interested in asking. Still, he held his tongue until he was sure she was done, watching her with a patient smile. “You’re…domestic. You need someone who wants the whole American Dream, and though all that is appealing to me, it’s not something I see myself living. I don’t cook, I don’t clean house, I don’t really notice when other people need something from me…I’m selfish. I’ve spent so much time worrying about myself and getting where I wanted to be that I can’t see past that to the needs of someone else. Which is why our current situation is beneficial to me. We both get something out of it, but in the end no one gets hurt because I forgot it was your birthday or you didn’t pick up the dry cleaning or whatever other things pop up in relationships. Do you get what I mean?” He tilted his head from side to side to indicate he’d heard her, but he didn’t truly understand. Wanting to be alone forever was never something he could really understand and he didn’t believe she really wanted that. It was fear of relying on someone else that kept her single, which she’d just admitted, and he wouldn’t settle for her to be afraid.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t wholly agree with it.” His tone was even, soft and almost businesslike as he leaned in a little nearer to her. He made sure they maintained eye contact so she could see his honesty. “How do you know what I want in a woman, Rebecca? We’ve never had that conversation and you’ve never seemed very interested in my opinions on the matter. While it would be nice to find a partner who could cook or one who liked cleaning, I’m perfectly capable of doing those things myself. What I’m looking for is a partner who I can be myself around, someone who’s interesting and makes me laugh. Most importantly, though, I don’t need a woman who needs me to take care of her. I want someone who can think for and take care of herself, but comes to me when she needs to. I think we both know you fit that description. When you reach out to me for help, I know you’ve done everything else you can possibly do on your own before you came to me, but in the end you trusted me enough to lend a hand. I don’t think you understand how good that makes me feel and I like being that person for you—I want to continue being that person for you.” He sat back a little and shrugged. “As for me, I’m not a high maintenance person and I think you know that. What I don’t think you know is that we’re not as different as you like to believe. We were both forced to grow up young—the only difference is you didn’t have others depending on you. When my dad died, I became the man of the house. Sure, my mom was there, but there were some things that I just couldn’t go to her about, like how do you keep being tough when you just want everyone to leave you alone? How do you ask a girl out and how to you deal with being turned down? It might seem stupid, but I didn’t have a man to ask those questions of anymore. On top of that, I had to be the man my little sisters could look up to and rely on. If they didn’t have a dad, then they would have a big brother who looked like he knew what he was doing, even if I had no clue. We all start out selfish, Rebecca, and everyone is selfish in their own way, but I learned to put it aside for my sisters. I don’t think it’s ever too late for someone to learn to let others rely on them. It’s not easy, but I think you’re used to things not being easy.” Jack scratched the back of his head, knowing he was probably irritating her with this analytical talk. He leaned over his chili again but chugged the rest of his beer before he went on in his calm voice.

“I know you probably don’t like me analyzing you, but I’ve been silently doing it for months. Actually, I did a lot of this thinking in the camps.” He gave her an amused and lopsided smile, but it wasn’t haughty in the slightest. “I’m not expecting this to get serious overnight, Rebecca. I’m not even relying on this getting serious. It’s a slow process, but I’m a patient person. I think you’re well aware of that by now. And before you even ask me why I’m doing this, I want you to know that I don’t know.” He shrugged with good-natured downturn of his mouth. “I don’t know why I like you so much, Rebecca. You’re infuriatingly stubborn, closed off, you always have to be right, and you’re usually in a bad mood. But you’re also gorgeous, kinder than you let on, funny, smart, honest, and independent. I like that I’ve had to earn everything you’ve given me and you keep me on my toes. You’re the most interesting person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know and I want to know more of you.” He took a bite of his chili, not wanting it to get cold, but his eyes remained on hers. “There’s nothing you could do that would make me stop liking you, Rebecca, outside of killing my sister or something.” A smile quirked up his lips, knowing she wouldn’t do that but needing an extreme example. He cocked his head to the side as he looked at her, his brow furrowing lightly. “And don’t be scared of that. You may not trust yourself with someone else’s feelings, but I trust you. I’m tougher than you seem to think.” His smile grew somewhat, reassuring her. He hoped that his words would ease her even a little and show her that even if she was scared, he wasn’t. She didn’t have to lean on him, but he was there if she needed it. He would never push her limits so hard that his actions would be unforgivable, but he would push if he felt she needed a little push. Jack was fair if nothing else and as stable as Rebecca was volatile.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca had sorely hoped that Jack would understand and leave well enough alone, but alas she had been disappointed. The way Jack moved his head from side to side told her that he didn't agree with what she was saying, or not all of it anyway. As his mouth opened she braced herself for the agitation she was likely about to face. “I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t wholly agree with it.” Naturally. She sighed and reached for her wine, intent on downing the glass. “How do you know what I want in a woman, Rebecca? We’ve never had that conversation and you’ve never seemed very interested in my opinions on the matter." Her eyes met his and she could see that he was treating this more like a business arrangement than a personal one. She put the glass down and glowered at him. She knew what he wanted because it was what all men wanted; stability, dependability, predictability.. those weren't traits Rebecca had. Well, she was dependable, but surely not in all the ways he would need her to be, or so she believed.

"While it would be nice to find a partner who could cook or one who liked cleaning, I’m perfectly capable of doing those things myself. What I’m looking for is a partner who I can be myself around, someone who’s interesting and makes me laugh." Rebecca had never realized how funny she was. In fact, she found herself rather bland.. Odd Jack would feel otherwise. "Most importantly, though, I don’t need a woman who needs me to take care of her. I want someone who can think for and take care of herself, but comes to me when she needs to. I think we both know you fit that description. When you reach out to me for help, I know you’ve done everything else you can possibly do on your own before you came to me, but in the end you trusted me enough to lend a hand. I don’t think you understand how good that makes me feel and I like being that person for you—I want to continue being that person for you.” Her mouth was a hard line and her brows were gently furrowed on her creased forehead. She studied him seriously; she had gone to him and she had waited until she had no other choice but to seek help. He'd done so willingly and he'd earned her trust and respect, something that wasn't exactly easy when it came to Rebecca Taylor. She hated that he was so god damn reasonable.

“As for me, I’m not a high maintenance person and I think you know that. What I don’t think you know is that we’re not as different as you like to believe." She wanted to snort but she held back, hearing him out before she insulted him. Jack spoke about when his father died and how he was forced to grow up. How difficult it was for him to be the man his sister's could look up to while still trying to learn about life himself. In some ways they were similar, but Rebecca still felt strongly that Jack didn't relate to what she'd gone through. Sure, he'd had to grow up early but at least he'd had a family to care for. At least someone, several someones, had been caring for him and looked out for him. Yes, Jack had it hard, but not like she did and in a way she almost resented him for comparing them, but she knew it was unfair. He didn't know her plight and he couldn't know how very different their lives had been. In the end they both had become young adults and lost their innocence far too soon.

"We all start out selfish, Rebecca, and everyone is selfish in their own way, but I learned to put it aside for my sisters. I don’t think it’s ever too late for someone to learn to let others rely on them. It’s not easy, but I think you’re used to things not being easy.” It was true. Nothing had ever been easy for Rebecca, not since her parents died. Her face remained stoic though, not giving away her own irritation and sadness, not ready for him to know her life story. “I know you probably don’t like me analyzing you, but I’ve been silently doing it for months. Actually, I did a lot of this thinking in the camps.” This was news and her eyes widened as her brows raised. What the hell was he doing analyzing her? Did he seriously have the nerve to do that and then tell her? She wanted nothing more than to wipe that lopsided smile off his smug little face. “I’m not expecting this to get serious overnight, Rebecca. I’m not even relying on this getting serious. It’s a slow process, but I’m a patient person. I think you’re well aware of that by now. And before you even ask me why I’m doing this, I want you to know that I don’t know.” It had been the question on her mind since he asked her out; why. Why was he interested in her of all people? What was so damn special about her that he risked her wrath to get a stupid date? Especially when she'd already put out for him. Multiple times at that. “I don’t know why I like you so much, Rebecca. You’re infuriatingly stubborn, closed off, you always have to be right, and you’re usually in a bad mood. But you’re also gorgeous, kinder than you let on, funny, smart, honest, and independent. I like that I’ve had to earn everything you’ve given me and you keep me on my toes. You’re the most interesting person I’ve ever had the pleasure to know and I want to know more of you.” There was a small part of her that was flattered and her heart fluttered in her chest which only pissed her off further. Why did he need to be so infuriatingly sweet? Why couldn't she just resist his dumb charms? “There’s nothing you could do that would make me stop liking you, Rebecca, outside of killing my sister or something.” He was teasing with her now, but her face remained the same with her lips pressed hard together as she stared at him with uncertainty. “And don’t be scared of that. You may not trust yourself with someone else’s feelings, but I trust you. I’m tougher than you seem to think.” He said that now, but it was only a matter of time until she pissed him off.

The girls silence continued as she sat there watching him and then her eyes shifted to her food. She suddenly wasn't very hungry anymore. There was one thing that Rebecca knew for absolute certain, and that was Jack Roccograndi should have been an attorney. Her hands were resting in her lap, her fingers twisting and turning around each other as she considered all he'd said. Deep down she knew Jack wouldn't stop until she gave that damn yes to him, and there was a part of her that wanted to say yes. She knew she didn't have a solid reason to turn him down again and again, and this might be her only actual shot of not ending up alone. Her parents would want her to be happy with someone, but her hard life had made it tough for her to really open up and let go to anyone...except Maxi. Why did Maxi have to be different than Jack? Why couldn't she let him in too? Her stomach twisted more there in her kitchen with Jack across from her than it would at a dangerous drug bust in the rough part of town. She needed to make a decision, and she needed to do it now.

"Fine." She finally said, her voice soft and hoarse and though she tried dearly to hide the terror she felt, she was failing miserably. "We can date, but there are rules." Her voice grew a little more confident and she pointed an accusing finger in his direction. "If anyone at the station finds out it's over, got it? Don't even look at me funny at work. You can't leave the precinct, and none of that lovey dovey shit. I don't want chocolates or jewelry or.. I don't even know. Girly things.. and so help me Jack if you fuck with me I will tear your balls off and shove them so far down your throat that they'll end up back where they started but on the inside, got it?" Her eyes truly conveyed how much of a scared little girl she still was. She may have had to grow up at a young age, but that didn't mean she was necessarily mature. There had never been anyone but Maxi to guide her, and Maxi had her own life to deal with too. She waited for Jack to agree to her demands before she relaxed a little in her seat, still feeling a little jittery from everything. "So.. what's dating entail? Just going out in public and doing stuff?" She asked, realizing they were essentially already dating. "You're already screwing me semi regularly."

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack could tell Rebecca was not only upset but anxious and it made him anxious to wait for her answer. She wasn’t looking at him but down at the hands in her lap and he suddenly realized neither of them was eating or drinking anymore. He was too interesting in her reaction to his proposal, finding the wait more nerve racking than apprehending hardened criminals. “Fine.” Jack’s heart stopped beating. “We can date, but there are rules.” The man would follow any rules she had just as long as this wasn’t a dream and she was really agreeing to date him. He felt lightheaded as he couldn’t stop the smile that came to his lips but he tried his best to focus on these rules she had for him. “If anyone at the station finds out it’s over, got it? Don’t even look at me funny at work. You can’t leave the precinct, and none of that lovey-dovey shit. I don’t want chocolates or jewelry or…I don’t even know. Girly things…and so help me Jack if you fuck with me I will tear your balls off and shove them so far down your throat that they’ll end up back where they started but on the inside, got it?” Jack wanted to laugh but he resisted the temptation as he nodded in response. He could tell how freaked out Rebecca was by all of this especially since she felt the need to threaten him so harshly. She often did that when she was frightened, like a cat backed into a corner and hissing with its back arched. He truly believed she would calm down when she saw that he wasn’t going to hurt her. That was something he never, ever wanted to do. “Understood, captain,” he answered playfully and she finally sat back in her seat a little and relaxed some.

“So…what’s dating entail? Just going out in public and doing stuff? You’re already screwing me semi regularly.” Jack let out a soft laugh before sitting back a little in his chair too. He’d actually done it: he’d convinced Rebecca Taylor to date him. Suddenly all of the months of hard work felt like they were paying off. “Well the goal isn’t always to sleep with you, though it’s an awesome bonus.” A lopsided grin spread across his face. “And yeah, we go out and do stuff together but I get to pay. And I would like to petition to hold your hand when nobody’s looking.” Though he was smiling, he was serious. He knew she didn’t like the lovey-dovey stuff, but he thought getting to hold her hand when they were in a movie theatre or driving in a car or even just hanging out on the couch was reasonable. It would be a long time before he would be allowed to do it when they were walking side by side, but for now he was fine with that. He just wanted to be close to her. This was why he tried so hard for her—because it felt so good to be let in just a little more. “But you have my word that nothing will show up at the office and no one there will know about us. I think that’s just a safe way to play it in general. And I’ll do my best not to get you anything girly. So we’ve got a deal?” Jack gave her a moment to agree and when she did he smiled again. “Thanks Becks.” It was said softly and he hoped it might ease her some, visibly able to tell how nervous she was. He wanted to kiss her but he didn’t think that would go over well at the moment. Instead he looked back to the food finally and motioned to hers. “You should finish that before it gets cold.” His voice was still soft and soothing before he turned back to his bowl and dug in. He was in high spirits and his appetite was back in full force. “Any new cases this week?” Rebecca would relax some if she could get her mind off of what just went down, he knew, so he figured talking about work would help her relax. That and wine. The rest of the meal centered around talking shop and drinking more and by the time they finished eating he had a decent buzz that improved his mood all the more.

He brought their dishes out to the sink and rinsed them out before loading them in the dishwasher…all except their wine glasses. Rebecca helped him seal up the food that was going in the fridge and she helped clean out the cooking dishes as well. She’d had a good amount of wine and didn’t seem as agitated now—maybe she just needed some time to get used to the idea of them as dating. They weren’t really a couple yet, but on their way there and while Jack was ecstatic with the idea he knew how reluctant she was. In truth he didn’t know how to comfort her except to show her that it hadn’t really changed much; that meant he had to play it cool. But it was hard to play it cool when the thought of Rebecca possibly really being his made his heart pump faster. Maybe now he could show her how grateful he was that she’d said yes. She was pouring another glass of wine with her back turned toward him and he moved behind her swiftly. His arms came around her torso and he pulled her so that her back was pressed against his chest, his nose burying in the hair at her neck. He felt lightheaded with his buzz and the smell of her hair only relaxed him further. For a long moment he just stood there holding her, his forehead pressed against the side of her head. “It’s okay to be nervous, Rebecca. I don’t blame you. But I want you to know that I won’t hurt you. I promise I won’t.” He kissed her neck through her curtain of hair before moving up and kissing her jaw. His fingers reached up to push the dark strands behind her ear and he smirked a little as his lips hovered close to her cheekbone. “And did I mention before how much I like your hair dark?” he asked playfully in a low voice, knowing he’d brought it up whenever she let her guard down over the last few days. He kissed her cheek and silently expressed how happy he was with her simple “yes.”

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“Well," Rebecca wasn't entirely sure she had made the right decision agreeing. Jack seemed okay with her ruled, but that didn't mean this was a good idea. "the goal isn’t always to sleep with you, though it’s an awesome bonus.” Where Jack smiled, she frowned. She didn't necessarily like talking about how she let him into bed almost whenever he wanted. “And yeah, we go out and do stuff together but I get to pay. And I would like to petition to hold your hand when nobody’s looking.” She frowned further. She didn't want him to pay all the time. Occasionally, sure, but she had her pride, too. “But you have my word that nothing will show up at the office and no one there will know about us. I think that’s just a safe way to play it in general. And I’ll do my best not to get you anything girly. So we’ve got a deal?” She swooshed her mouth from side to side as she considered her answer. "I get to pay sometimes too. Non negotiable. And we'll try the hand holding thing I guess." She grumbled the last part out, allowing it more to appease him than anything else. Holding someone's hand seemed so alien to her. Had she ever? She supposed in her younger years she had with boys she dated after her parents murder, but that in itself was nearly two decades ago. "Otherwise.. deal." Would they need to shake on it? Why did she feel like she was negotiating a contract? Maybe because in a way she was.. “Thanks Becks.” The way he said it made her stomach churn a little and she shrugged it off, looking into her food and not sure what she had really just agreed to. "You should finish that before it gets cold.” She raised a brow at him and then rolled her eyes. "I agree to a date and already you're bossing me around." She teased, though her voice seemed stern and serious like she was scolding him, but she knew he would take it as a joke. “Any new cases this week?”

Rebecca relaxed a little as she talked about what was going on at work. There wasn't much new, nothing she hadn't really told Jack already. She just filled him in on what to expect when he got back and about station drama. Apparently Faye had a boyfriend and got chastised by the captain for going on and on about how wonderful the new guy was and texting him like crazy throughout the day. Also McGuinness had been suspended that afternoon after his wife called in to press charges for domestic violence the previous night. Rebecca ate plenty of food and even left a little over, completely full from the heavy meal now in her stomach. She drank plenty and was feeling more than a little good, which she knew was for the best considering the nerves she had worked up from their previous conversation. She tried her best not to think about the fact that Jack would be courting her now. Dates were alien to her, and depending on someone else was too. Could she ever get used to it? A part of her desperately wanted to. She did like the thought of having Jack as a possible boyfriend in the future, but she was still cautious, still afraid he was somehow fooling her. That she was the girl in She's All That and she was a bet to be won, though even she knew that was completely ridiculous.

Jack cleaned up the dishes and she helped by putting the leftovers away in the fridge. She would miss having someone there to do dishes for her, not that she made all too many dishes on a normal basis to clean. She went through four times as many with Jack there since he actually cooked food with enough to have leftovers for a couple days, which would need to be heated in real bowls instead of the frozen trays they came in. She was quiet as they packed things up, her mind wandering though she knew it shouldn't. What would dating him be like? What if he became pushy? Would she like it? Would she be able to refuse him? Would she even want to? Was he 'the one'?

As they finished putting things away, Rebecca emptied her glass of wine and then went to the bottle to pour the last of it into her glass. Had they finished a whole bottle already? She supposed it made sense; they'd each had two full glasses. Large, rugged hands made their way around her torso, making her freeze. Jack pulled her gently so she was flush against him and immediately her heart began to race. She put the bottle down, the glass lay abandoned for now. She felt his face nuzzle into her neck and she gulped, gripping the counter now as her eyes slid shut. Why did it have to feel so good? The longer he held her like that, the more she relaxed into his embrace, accepting it for now. His head moved down so his forehead lay near her cheek and she turned her head slightly as if she could somehow look at him, though he was still outside her peripheral vision. “It’s okay to be nervous, Rebecca. I don’t blame you." Again she gulped, fidgeting gently in his arms. "But I want you to know that I won’t hurt you. I promise I won’t.” Her heart was hammering and she was sure he could feel it as his mouth came down to her neck, pressing his lips to the sensitive skin and trailing them up to her jaw. The woman bit her bottom lip, moving her head to allow him to do as he wanted, silently giving permission for him to do what she hadn't let him do since their trip to the outlets. The fingers pushing her hair away from her neck sent shivers down her spine and made goosebumps rise on her arm. How did such a simple touch always drive her mad with desire? How was he able to do that? “And did I mention before how much I like your hair dark?” he asked in a gruff, playful voice and Rebecca rolled her eyes. How many times had he told her that since she'd dyed it? She had originally hoped it would deter him, but apparently Jack preferred brunettes. Who knew?

"Yes." She grumbled exasperated and his mouth found her cheek once more. She moved her head more, turning her whole body towards him so she could look up at him a little. She gazed up into his eyes and then looked down at his mouth, hovering dangerously close. His stubble was long and scratchy, but she found she actually liked it. It looked better than the beard he'd had before. Overall he looked better cleaned up as he did now, and not so hairy. After a moments hesitation she moved in, pressing her lips against his. It was a firm, but light kiss that was a little spicy from their late lunch. Her hand came up and pressed against his hard chest, her fingers clawing gently at the material as she kissed her... whatever he was. The day was still early, not even four yet and she pulled back a little, turning more so she was fully facing him and backing up a little until she was pressed against the counter, her hand sliding down over his torso until it came to his hip where she let it stay. "So.. when's this date of ours going to be?" She asked as though the last five minutes never happened. Her hand came off his hip and reached around her until it came in contact with the wine glass and she brought it up towards her lips. "Where we going to go? And don't tell me a surprise or I'll change my mind. I don't like surprises." She warned, sipping the last of the wine.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Yes.” Rebecca’s exasperated grumble made Jack smile more, occasionally getting a kick out of bugging her. He liked telling her how good she looked, though—he liked complimenting her period. Too bad she was awful at taking compliments…She turned in his arms and he loosened his grip on her just enough that she could do so, holding her close again once she was looking up at him. How could she not know how beautiful she was? His face was leaned down near hers still and it didn’t take long for her sea colored eyes to fall to his lips. He wanted to just kiss her, but he waited for her to reach for it. Finally her lips pressed against his and he closed his eyes to feel the firm but chaste kiss she offered. It deepened just slightly as her hand came to his chest and clenched on his t-shirt. One of his arms slipped around her to pull her gently against him and keep her close. She pulled back though and his eyes slowly opened, watching her move back so she was against the counter. Her hand slid down his body and he couldn’t pretend it didn’t affect him even though it rested on his hip and not somewhere more enticing. His own hand smoothed up her back gently.

“So…when’s this date of ours going to be?” He smiled that she was bringing it up instead of him and watched a little smugly as she reached behind her for the last glass of wine she’d poured. “Where we going to go? And don’t tell me a surprise or I’ll change my mind. I don’t like surprises.” Now he chuckled, shaking his head a little as she sipped at the wine. “You’re so bossy…” he teased, taking a step closer to her so that their bodies were pretty much touching again. “Let’s go tomorrow night. We’ll go to that pizzeria just outside the city.” The place was just casual enough that they wouldn’t need to dress up, but definitely fancy enough to be romantic. It was comfortable and the pizza was delicious—a good place for a first date. A first date with Rebecca. He still had a hard time believing that was going to happen, but now that she’d agreed he was going to make sure it happened. “I can pick you up here at seven. Or we can take your car if you would prefer.” With a grin, he reached up and took the wine glass from her hand, and took the last swallow of wine with a brazen smile. He placed the glass on the counter far behind her, pressing against her as he did so and when his hands were free they came to her hips. “And after the date you can either invite me up or send me home. Your call.” That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try and get some now, though…

Jack leaned down closer to her face, but he didn’t kiss her right away. Instead he just hovered close, his eyes fixed on hers. “Sound good?” he asked. She could have made a suggestion here or there, she could have even told him another day would work better, but Jack was determined to go on a date with Rebecca and more determined to show her a good time. Rebecca wouldn’t like a fancy restaurant to be wined and dined in; she wouldn’t want to dress up and she wouldn’t want to be in a crowded place either. The pizzeria had a steady flow of customers, but it was never what he would classify as busy. She agreed and he smiled wider, finally closing the space between them and kissing her. He was over the moon. It didn’t take long for the kisses to change from sweet to passionate and Jack had the familiar feeling of getting lost against her lips. His hands pulled her closer and one hand combed into her dark hair as his arm came about her waist. He was beginning to feel that desperate pull like he couldn’t have her close enough and he hoped she would just let it happen. She was as unpredictable as the sea and he never knew if she would leave him burning or not. The fingers in her hair curled slightly to try and keep her close while his other hand slipped gently up her back beneath her shirt. His hand was slow and his palm just barely pressed into the skin as it slipped higher and higher…and then right back down again. She always responded better when he teased her.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“You’re so bossy…” Her shoulders moved up in a gentle shrug as if to agree she was, in fact, bossy and was okay with this. She watched him move closer, the look on her face not giving away how he made her feel; excited and nervous. Would she ever not be nervous when he advanced on her? She wanted to believe someday she would get used to it, but who knew? Who even knew how long he would be in the picture for? “Let’s go tomorrow night. We’ll go to that pizzeria just outside the city.” She thought it over for a second before giving a nod, letting him know she was okay with his selection. It was a good location; casual, inexpensive, someplace that if they were seen together no one would think they were on a date. Yeah, people probably went there on dates now and then, but she knew the place wasn't exactly known for it. “I can pick you up here at seven. Or we can take your car if you would prefer.” He boldly took her glass from her hand and finished it, making one of her brows rise. He set the glass down and pressed his body against hers, his hands coming to her hips and forcing a hard gulp from his coworker. Rebecca felt her heart rate increase, though her face was still mostly stoic, her eyes slightly widened as they gaze up into his chocolate ones. “And after the date you can either invite me up or send me home. Your call.” She was about to make a snarky comment when his mouth came down and her breath caught in her throat as it always did. Jack was a sexy guy, and Rebecca was still having a hard time grasping the fact that he was so into her. She was nothing special, but he was so insistent that she was exactly what he wanted and it constantly made her feel weak. She hated feeling weak.

“Sound good?” he asked in that low, gruff, rumbling voice. She gulped and nodded. "Yeah." She managed in her cautious voice. "I guess that works, but I'm gonna send you home." She warned, not knowing if she actually would or not, but not wanting him to get any funny ideas about them just yet. Jack had the upper hand and he knew it. They both did, but she wasn't going to allow him to know she knew it, too.

His mouth came to hers finally and she let her lips glide against his in the familiar way they always did. His hands on her hips only pulled her closer into him and was lost in the world of Jack once more. Things heated quickly between them, as they tended to do since Jack was always in the lead. His fingers ran through her hair and his tongue massaged hers, embedding that strange desire to want to be taken care of. Deep down she wanted him desperately, knowing it would hurt like hell if he ever left her, but she was horrified of actually committing. But moments like this, she was allowed to be weak, allowed to let go and let Jack take care of her in this very intimate way. Somehow this was more okay than being her boyfriend, at least to Rebecca. But even with those overwhelming urges she had, there was a small part that still wanted to push him away, and when they first started this sort of relationship that part of her had been strong enough to succeed. It got more feeble with each advancement.

Jack wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer, and Rebecca responded by arching her back a little and letting her torso press harder into his, her kiss growing steadily more intense as his fingers grasped her hair in his fist. Both of them knew where this was going, and she knew he knew she wouldn't make him stop now. His hand was taunting her, sliding up and down her back and she offered his left nipple a warning pinch to be a little playful in her own way, while telling him to knock it off in another. "Maybe you should show me what would happen if I did invite you back up.." She teased, and the devilish smile Jack offered in return made her instantly regret her teasing remark. In an instant Jack was pulling her away from the counter and bending down, hoisting her over his shoulder like a ragdoll, which he knew would drive her up a wall!

"JACK!" Rebecca screamed, flailing around in his arms, which did nothing at all to get him to put her down. She let out an angry sound of frustration, kicking her feet, but Jack's arm was quick to catch her legs, holding them down as his other hand came up and swatted her rear. He had become FAR too comfortable! "God dammit Jack, put me DOWN!" She yelped, and Jack finally obliged, pulling her off his shoulder and onto her bed, climbing on top of her and causing that familiar squirm to spread through her belly. She glared up at him, throwing a punch towards his shoulder trying to wipe that smug, humored look off his face. He was so infuriating! "I can still change my mind!" She threatened in a growl, but his lips came down and mashed against hers once more, quieting her threats for the moment, and almost immediately she calmed a little. She was venting her frustrations out on his lips as she kissed him back hard, her hands balled into fists at his chest with his shirt tucked into each fist. As if they had a mind of their own her knees came up, her legs spreading to allow him to move closer in..

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Rebecca’s fingers found Jack left nipple and he jumped a little when she pinched it, the sting of which sent a jolt to his crotch. “Maybe you should show me what would happen if I did invite you back up…” That had him at half mast and he grinned from ear to ear in a wicked smile. Oh, he would show her alright…Swiftly he pulled her from the counter and lowered his shoulder so he could sling her over it. In moments she was flung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and her reaction was priceless. “JACK!” He laughed as she started to struggle and grunt with frustration, catching her legs with his spare arm as she started to really flail. His other hand smacked her butt and he could feel her seething as he rushed toward the bedroom. “God dammit Jack, put me DOWN!” So he did. Leaning down again, Jack laid Rebecca onto the bed and climbed over her before she could get too mad about it. His smile was amused and even smug when she punched his shoulder, the hit hardly fazing him though he knew she could do much worse. He was already leaning in to pacify her. “I can still change my mind!” The smile on his face was still intact as he kissed her hard, one hand moving into her hair again gently. Almost immediately he could feel her relax some before her lips began to furiously work against his. He met her vigor with his own passion, getting lost in their rough, needy kisses. It left him panting as best he could, her hands on his chest inviting his own hands to wander. The one not in her hair moved to a thigh, pressing his hips down into hers as her legs opened wider. His hand slid down her thigh across the rough denim and hooked under her knee to pull it up some. With a soft grunt, he moved his lips down to her jaw and traced the line of it with kisses. Her scent was strongest there in her neck and he wallowed in it as his lips kissed and gently sucked at the soft, fragrant flesh. It was intoxicating how he could affect her. His pants were getting tighter by the second and his mouth slipped lower to her collarbone.

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[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“I’m ready for a nap.” She said, slumped down into the bed and snuggling up, ready to shut her eyes. It was too early for bed, but a quick snooze would do her good. "Nap then shower…then dinner. I think I burned all that chili off.” She could feel Jack's body envelope her, his mouth planting delicate kisses along her damp shoulder in a way that would have bothered her normally, but she was almost comforted by the gesture now. She was satisfied in most ways at the moment, and she was open to letting Jack fawn over her a little. “I think you would have burned it off anyway, slim.” He teased and she rolled her eyes. "Hey, I workout." She told him, and it was true. Becky liked to run, and it wasn't unheard of for her to head off to the gym after work now and then. Hell, she'd gone plenty of times after Jack had shifted, finding it a bit weird being cooped up with a wolf.

Jack moved away and she knew he was getting rid of the evidence of their tryst, and she took the moment to get comfier in her spot, sighing and hugging the pillow to her head as she let sleep tug at her. Jack slid back in beside her and wrapped his arms around her, tugging her onto her side and against his hard, slightly damp body. She groaned, having been comfortable, but Jack held her tight to him and she let out a long sigh of defeat. She didn't have the energy to fight him now, not after what he'd done to her so thoroughly. "Just shut up and enjoy it, Becks. It’s comfortable and you know it.” She made a defiant, grumbling noise but said nothing about him being wrong. He was right; it was comfortable. She nuzzled her way into him, being tired enough to know she could probably fall asleep, even in his bear like grip on her. It didn't take long for her to start dozing, the man's closeness keeping her from falling into a deep sleep, but she was resting which was the most important part. She didn't even bother pulling her hand away when he took it into his, not noticing until she felt his hand squeezing hers.

"Rebecca…" The woman sighed at the call of her name, and then let out a soft, "Hm?" "why have you been alone for so long? Why did you only let Maxi get close to you before me?” The question took her by surprise and she suddenly felt much too awake. It was something she had never been asked before and her brows furrowed. For a long moment she laid there, silently considering what he'd had the nerve to ask. She couldn't really be mad.. He wanted to get closer to her and she had let him. It made sense he would want to know about her past, and she knew she could trust him to keep that much confidential. Did she want to hash her past out with him, though? Would he feel bad for her? The last thing Becky wanted was his sympathy, and her story was one that would collect plenty from him.

Realizing she had kept him waiting she finally let out a sigh, a hand reaching up and rubbing at her eyes. "Uhh.." It wasn't what she meant to say, but she didn't really know how to answer the question. "I guess.. cause Maxi had been through a difficult time, and she understood me." She explained slowly. "Max was there when I needed a friend more than anything, and she'd been a good one who guided me away from the bad choices I was making and set me back on the right path. No one else cared what happened to me." She explained, biting her lip and knowing she was setting herself up for further questioning unless she stopped it now. Her eyes were opened and looking over towards the window, the light outside nearly gone. It had been strange having light again.. "My family was murdered when I was twelve. I had no one.. I got mixed up in all the wrong things and no one tried to stop me. Overnight I went from this innocent seventh grader to this bad seed, and I wanted someone to take care of me. It was easy to find the bad kids, the older boys who promised to look out for me, and being the naive kid I was, I trusted them. If they told me to steal something I did. They gave me booze and drugs and showed me what to do with them." She bit her lip, never having told anyone this before, but it felt good to get it out, and a part of her wanted to trust someone with her story, and Jack had been a decent confidant. "It was a little after my thirteenth birthday that I met Maxi. She'd read about me in the paper and had tracked me down. I remember I wasn't really that interested in her friendship at first, deciding she didn't really know what it had been like to be me. Her parents and sister died on a boat and her grandmother took her in. My parents and brother had been shot while I was at a sleepover and the state took me as their ward. But Maxi was persistent, and when I overdosed on coke and landed in the hospital, bruised and battered, it was Maxi who was there to hold my hand. She helped me realize I still had potential, that I wasn't worthless and that it wouldn't be easy, but she'd stand by me and help me.. and she's stood by that promise." Rebecca swallowed hard, realizing she had never poured her heart out like that to someone else and she had to push herself not to cry. "I don't know where I'd be if it hadn't been for Maxi." Rebecca turned her body a little, looking over her shoulder at Jack. Her eyes were damp but no tears fell. "The people I thought I could trust betrayed me. The people who were supposed to care for me treated me as an afterthought. "It's not easy to let people in when you know how many are willing to take advantage of you."

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

For a very long moment, Jack was certain Rebecca wouldn’t answer him. He knew she was awake by the way she had tensed at his question, but she held her silence. Finally she reached up and rubbed at her eyes giving him solid proof she’d heard him. “Uhh…I guess…cause Maxi had been through a difficult time, and she understood me. Max was there when I needed a friend more than anything, and she’d been a good one who guided me away from the bad choices I was making and set me back on the right path. No one else cared what happened to me.” It was a vague answer and one that he’d already known. He was a little disappointed, hoping she might divulge more to him. Alas, that wasn’t all she had to say. “My family was murdered when I was twelve. I had no one…” The statement took him by surprise and he lifted his head to look down at her more, his brow furrowed to show he was disturbed. He knew her family was dead but he’d always assumed from an accident. But murder…that was something entirely different. “I got mixed up in all the wrong things and no one tried to stop me. Overnight I went from the innocent seventh grader to this bad seed, and I wanted someone to take care of me.” What kid wouldn’t? At twelve everyone should have a parental figure. But Rebecca didn’t have any of that…instead she found older boys who took advantage of her. Booze and drugs…that was something Jack had been tempted by not long after his father’s death. His mother’s presence in his life scared him away from even trying it, but Rebecca had lost her mother—two mothers, actually. He felt sorry for Rebecca, truly and deeply sorry, but he wouldn’t say that or even let it show much on his face. She wouldn’t want that. “It was a little after my thirteenth birthday that I met Maxi. She’d read about me in the paper and had tracked me down. I remember I wasn’t really that interested in her friendship at first, deciding she didn’t really know what it had been like to be me. Her parents and sister died on a boat and her grandmother took her in. My parents and brother had been shot while I was at a sleepover and the state took me as their ward.” She’d been at a sleepover? What would it be like to come home to that? He couldn’t imagine the pain of so suddenly being all alone…Jack felt like this was the final layer in discovering who Rebecca Taylor was. Maybe finally he could understand why she was the way she was.

“But Maxi was persistent, and when I overdosed on coke and landed in the hospital, bruised and battered, it was Maxi who was there to hold my hand. She helped me realize I still had potential, that I wasn’t worthless and that it wouldn’t be easy, but she’d stand by me and help me…and she’s stood by that promise.” Now he understood why she’d been so upset when Maxi had gone missing, why she was so determined to protect the woman. He suddenly wished he could thank Maxi for everything she’d done for Rebecca, but especially for staying by her side. Of course he would never tell Rebecca, but maybe he would seek the little redhead out soon… “I don’t know where I’d be if it hadn’t been for Maxi.” Not there in his arms, he was certain of it. And then where would he be? Rebecca turned in his arms and Jack simply gazed down at her, watching with warm brown eyes. Her own eyes were glittering like there were tears being held at bay and his heart clenched in his chest. What was it about Rebecca’s tears that affected him so deeply? “The people I thought I could trust betrayed me. The people who were supposed to care for me treated me as an afterthought. It’s not easy to let people in when you know how many are willing to take advantage of you.” That was it—that was the heart of Rebecca’s distrust. Jack felt like he’d suddenly broken through the hardest of the walls around her heart and she’d really let him in. She could scramble to reassemble the wall, but it would never be as strong as it was before. The hand rested on her stomach moved up to her face and he cradled her cheek with his palm while his fingers buried in her hair. He gazed down at her, his brow still furrowed and his mouth a hard line, but he didn’t tell her he was sorry and he didn’t show any pity on his face. How could he pity a woman who had survived all of that to become a strong, good and dedicated woman? It wasn’t pity he felt, but he did feel disturbed by her story with a dash of sympathy. After simply losing himself in her eyes for a minute, he leaned down and kissed her. It was a deep, passionate kiss meant to show how grateful he was that she’d let him in and how much he wished he could have spared her some of the pain. But it also showed his deep admiration and adoration for the woman beside him. It was hard to deny how much he cared for her.

His thumb brushed along her cheekbone before he pulled his lips away from hers reluctantly, staying close as he opened his eyes to hers once more. What could he say? She wouldn’t want words of comfort. “You’ve come a long way, Becks…” A small lopsided smile quirked up his lips while his hand moved a little lower to cradle her neck as well and keep her eyes on his. “I’m glad you’re here.” Glad she was there beside him, glad she wasn’t dead herself, glad she was there in that moment with him, glad they’d come such a long way…he was glad for all of it. They still had a long way to go but Jack felt that maybe Rebecca would be more comfortable going down that road with him now. Or maybe he would be the one more comfortable now…What could be harder for Rebecca to reveal than that painful past? It would be easier to talk to her now. Again he leaned down and kissed her, a slow, sweet but deep kiss. Jack had never really been in love before and he wondered if this is what it felt like to know you were falling for someone. When he separated their lips again, he stayed close and playfully ran the tip of his nose long hers, his mouth brushing along hers as he spoke. His eyes bore down into hers so she could see his sincerity. “I won’t be like them.” It was a softly spoken promise, but he meant it with his whole heart. He would never betray her trust the way others had. He would continue to prove it so she would never have reason to doubt him or regret telling him what she had. Her lips had a magnetic pull and he sealed his promise with a kiss. To lighten the air a little, he spoke into her lips with a small lopsided grin. “Maybe I should get Maxi a fruit basket or something…”