Thread: To Finish the Job {{Soul +&+ The PG}}

Jais eyes slid tightly shut, blocking out the memories, blocking out the sight of him, and instead fixating on the simple darkness that shrouded her vision. She could smell the soft scent of the detergent Michelle used, feel the warmth and safety in her hug, and quickly enough, her memories shifted to reflect on all of the times that she saw Michelle during her time in the hospital, the surprise visits, the late night stays, and the way that her hugs always seemed to make everything fade away, as if shed been encompassed in an all-protective barrier or shield. With a soft sigh, the tension in her body eased down slowly, and her eyes suddenly pulled back open when she felt a soft pressure on her mouth. She hadnt hardly any time to even fully process it when she felt herself being pushed back, and her gaze landed evenly on Michelles. The tone shed used was firmly gentle, oddly enough, and Jai found herself nodding mutely to the woman as she searched her gaze, and as Michelle continued to speak, Jai couldnt help the small smile that formed across her lips, and the bubble of quiet chuckles that crawled up her throat. A shiver moved through her spine as the womans hand moved over her form, and it was slightly distracting, though in combination with that Michelle was saying and the way that she was saying it, Jai didnt have it in her to solely focus on the physical things. Instead, she smiled softly at her old friend, a hint of life returning to her eyes, and swallowed to clear her throat. I started to relax, she murmured quietly, her gaze idly moving from hers to look at her emptied glass on the coffee table. And its starting to kick in now theres a very good chance Im going to be very drunk in the next ten minutes or so. Looking back, Jai watched as Chavez lifted a brow, and she pulled on her best innocent smile as she shrugged her shoulders casually. I made myself a couple very strong drinks, she further explained, beating Chavez to needing to ask. Like a hefty mix of every alcohol I have with a splash of fuck-it-all. There was a moment of pause, and then the both of them started laughing. It was then that Brandon finally returned to the room, and Jai easily picked up the smell of his body wash as she shifted her attention to the other couch, watching him sit. Idly, she couldnt help but admire how attractive he was, and though shed always found him to be easy on the eyes when he was still in his uniform at the bar, shed never seen him in everyday clothes outside of the working atmosphere, and it was definitely something that she could easily get used to. Shaking her head to clear those thoughts from her mind, she piqued up to catch the tail end of the brief conversation between the two, her brows lifting slightly when she was so easily volunteered to eat, and Michelles cooking apparently at that. Michelle could cook? It brought a smile to her lips as she shook her head and started to laugh softly. However, for the umpteenth time in just the last few minutes it seemed, Jai was once again cut short, and her brows knit delicately together as she looked between them, her gaze first focusing on Chavez and then on Brandon, curiosity and confusion reflected in her oceanic hues. What are they talking about? She was about to ask as Michelle was walking away, seemingly feeling quite smug, but just as shed parted her lips, Brandon held up a finger and she immediately stoppered, her confusion growing even more. It only took a moment, and then his eyes were on hers, boring past the surface and digging much, much deeper, causing her breath to hitch momentarily as she tilted her head. Brandon? She inquired softly. I'm going to need a drink after this, not because I don't want to do it, but because... Well, you'll figure it out. Her brows quirked, and she found herself nodding slightly, hunting his eyes and expression for some clue. Alright Today, earlier, I was, well... Hmm... I wanted to ask you out tonight, at the end of your shift, I've been. Wanting to, but I guess... I guess I needed a kick in the pants about it. Blinking, Jais eyes widened, though she remained oddly calm, relaxed, the softest smile forming across her lips as she tilted her head a bit more, and her heart caught with a flighty sensation when he flashed her that awarding smile, causing even her eyes to light up a bit. She hardly even heard his finished inquisition, catching primarily on his use of her uncommon nickname, and it brought a wider smile to her face as she sat up in her seat. Ive always liked it when you call me that, she found herself murmuring absently, her attention glued to him like clouds in the sky. I think Her voice trailed, and she brought her hands together to rest in her lap, idly interlocking her fingers. Shed never dated, not once in her entire life. In school, her focus had always been on her studies and her future goals and dreams, devotedly keeping to a promise shed made her father at the age of eight that she would never let boy or girls or dating get in the way of her future or distract her from what mattered most. And when everything happened after her dad died, when Tony went after her next, well, people stayed clear away, and she didnt much mind it that way. The trauma and scarring that it had left behind had implanted a fear of intimacy in Jai so strong that, until that moment, had prevented her from ever so much as fantasizing about anything remotely intimate or romantic. Swallowed, she cleared her throat, mentally shaking herself back into focus as she watched him. No, she said softly. No, I mean yes! I mean she paused, sliding her eyes closed and heaving a deep sigh. Of all the times to lose her mind and completely forget how to even form a clear sentence or thought What I mean is, she started slowly, deliberately. No, I dont think Id want to date you I do . I want to, try it, at least. I mean well Im betting you have experience, and well I dont but, if youre really willing to accept and work around that Then yes. Yes, Brandon, I would be very happy to try it with you. Shifting nervously in her seat then, feeling a sudden wave of nerves and heat, she pushed herself to stand, reaching carefully to retrieve the emptied glass that she left on the coffee table between them. Of all the times, that alcohol was already starting to make itself comfortable in her system, and figured that shed just blame her inability to form a logical sentence on that fact at a later time, if it were to come up. For the moment though, she offered him a warm smile, a real one at that, and not her typical professional one. Did you still need another drink? I had a few while you were in the shower and I dont think youve ever had my ten-minute blitzer. Basically, its just a healthy mix of every different booze Ive got in the bar, and well, the name says it all ten minutes goes by and youre pretty much blitzed. Ive had two And its been almost twenty minutes so She giggled then, feigning innocence with a light shrug of her shoulders. You know what, Im just going to go make you one. She didnt even give him the time to respond, filling in the answer for him, and without a moment more of wasted time to make herself look even more like an ass, she scooted from the room and hurried to the bar to set about pouring a few more drinks, one for him, one for Michelle, and something a little lighter for herself.