When they got back to the room, they found Neila pacing in front of the window. He rolled his eyes. "Neila, we really don't want to hear anything of what you have to say right now." Her face darkened and she paused to take a deep breath, then continued pacing. He drew Penny close, putting his arm around her absently gesture of protection and possessiveness. Neila's eyes flicked from his face to his hand on her waist. She shot Penny a stealthy, pleading look. He felt Penny stiffen a little and he looked down at her, confused. "You know, I forgot my...cookies in the kitchen. I have to go." She quickly slipped out of his grasp and closed the door behind her, leaving the two of them alone. He growled a little and started for the door but was stopped by Neila's voice.
"Jasper. Please wait." He turned irritably and was surprised to see her heading towards him, wringing her hands. "I really have to talk to you. I...am really sorry about the way I've been acting." He rolled his eyes and she frowned. "Please don't make this harder than it already is for me. You're my best friend and you can't take the time out of your busy schedule to talk to me?"
He sighed and scrubbed his face. "Look, I don't know why you've been acting the way you do, but you just need to get over it."
She grew angry, "See that's what I'm saying. You don't even care. This isn't something I can just get over." She began to pace again.
"Don't be ridiculous, of course I care. But you also have a job. I am your boss first, friend second."
"Haven't you ever thought it could be the other way around?" She asked softly, looking at the floor.
He stopped short. The other way around. What the hell did that even mean? She approached him slowly, and for the first time, he realized how graceful she was when she moved. Years of dance would do that to a person. She stopped a hairsbreadth away and just stood there, looking searchingly into his eyes. She has very pretty eyes, he thought vaguely. Dark blue, and he could see himself reflected in them. The whole scene seemed to be going in slow motion. He was analyzing from afar but not really aware that it was his body this was happening to. She licked her lips nervously and he noticed how lovely they were. Feminine and soft. He felt like he should be remembering something, but he couldn't for the life of him figure it out. Or someone, perhaps? She put her hand on his cheek and he was acutely aware of the contact. She'd often put her hand on his cheek when he was smaller, but this was somehow different.
"Jasper," she whispered. This wasn't right. Her voice wasn't right. Someone else should be saying his voice like that but who? He started to take a step back but she moved even closer to him, their bodies touching. It was weird how well she seemed to fit and his arms went around her in response. She reached up on her tip toes and cautiously laid her lips on his.
That was what broke the spell. He reeled back, pushing her hard so she fell into the chair, turning away from her. "What the bloody hell was that." He heard her breath go out in a little oof, and then silence. He turned back and saw her curled up in a ball, shaking. He instantly had no idea what to feel. He should feel guilty, which he did, but he also felt an uncomfortable sense of satisfaction, like an itch that had just been scratched. With a kiss. He ran his hands through his hair. This was wrong. Penny was his soul mate. Then why the bloody hell did he want to kiss Neila again? He didn't feel about her anything close to what he felt for Penny. That sexual need that he constantly pushed down when he was around her. This....was different and he didn't know how to make it go away. He wanted Penny and this just threw in a whole wrench in his plans. Maybe it didn't have to. He walked over to Neila and sat on the arm of the chair, facing away. "How long?" he asked.
"A year at least," she mumbled into her knees, still shivering.
"This changes nothing."
She looked up at his back, tears streaming down her face, outrage clearly visible. "How can you possibly say that?"
"I feel nothing for you. Simple as that. It's good we have this out in the open though and I'm sorry you've been feeling this way." The half-truth tumbled easily from his mouth, and he twisted, looking down at her with concern. He could see that he's hurt her deeply with his words but her spine straightened in response to the condescending words. He winced inside. This was not easy for him, but he couldn't ruin what he had with Penny. She was his everything. He softened his tone. "I hope we can still be friends."
"...Right. Friends." She looked away and rose to her feet, straightening her clothes. "I'll go get Penny. We should get our story straight for tonight."
"Nothing is to be said to her of this." He stressed it coldly, knowing that she wouldn't have anyway.
"I really don't know who you are," said Neila, her eyes bright with tears again. She walked out the door and slammed it behind her.
Jasper took another cold shower, music blaring on a hard rock station, and kept up a continual string of curses the whole time.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Sleepovers Are Fun When You Don't Have To See The Person The Next Day
She laughed. Nuzzling into his hair, she said, "Since when is there a bad time to drink hot chocolate?" She was still really nervous about this whole "girl's night" thing, but he seemed much better now, and if he was better, she could be too. It really wasn't fair how much she depended on him, but she supposed if he could depend on her a little too then it would be OK. In the silence that followed, she was able to hear the movements and noises of the kitchen staff going about their daily work, and she realized why Jasper was so red. Following suit, her face lit up a brilliant red and she felt the sudden urge to leave the kitchen. Standing up, she took his hand and lead him out of the kitchen, head down, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. Once they were out of the kitchen, she realized that she had no idea where they were going. So she lead them back to his room, with no idea about what they would do once they got there.
Where'd She Get The Lotion?
He leaned into her hand. Such soft hands for a hard-working girl. Her words brought such a wave of emotion that he took her head into his hands and kissed her once, roughly, and then soft little kisses, brushing his lips over hers. "I don't deserve you, love," he whispered against her mouth. "I trust you beyond what my life is capable of." He ran his fingers through her hair, undoing the knots a horse ride and laying in the grass had put there. He pulled her onto his lap so she didn't have to crouch there and he realized he'd just kissed her in front of the kitchen staff who were very busy all of a sudden. He buried his face into her shoulder, his face hot. "It's the middle of summer, flower, what would you want to drink hot chocolate for."
I Like Hot Chocolate Too
"You probably shouldn't tell her. It really is okay." He wouldn't look at her and it worried her a bit. "I can do whatever. It doesn't really matter to me, as long as you're not far." Why wouldn't he look at her? She probably shouldn't have even brought it up. It was silly of her. She got up and knelt in front of him, one hand on his knee, the other on his cheek. "Hey," she smiled at him. "I haven't had hot chocolate in seven years. I like hot chocolate, and maybe Neila will like me more if she spends some time with me." She doubted this, but didn't let it show. He needed her and this was something she was actually able to give him... if he was strong for her. She needed him too. She brushed her thumb across his cheek and whispered, "Jasper?" Meeting his eyes she gave him an inquisitive look. "Trust me?"
Easy For You To Say
He covered his face with his hands. "That was...unfair to you, Penny. I'm so sorry." He was uncomfortable with this whole....mess. "You don't have to stay in Neila's room if you don't want to. I can go tell my mother the truth, she probably wouldn't think anything of it, but I don't know. I really have no idea when it comes to her. She's not entirely...right. But she's been like this as long as I can remember. She apparently fell from a horse and...well. She's a very nice lady, just not the best mother material. I haven't exactly seen much of her throughout my childhood. But she's what I have." He said it gently, love obvious in his voice. He still couldn't look at her though. "You just be you, flower. That's more than enough for anyone here."
While Some Radiate Awkwardness, I Radiate Radiation
Neila glared at him before storming off. Penny just sat there shocked not sure of what just happened. In the span of two minutes she had gone from happily eating with Jasper, no cares or worries, to a couch in a room with someone who very clearly hated her (that was very obvious now) and plans with Jasper's mother. She was nervous. What if his mother didn't like her either? What if Neila really wouldn't let her sleep on the couch? Penny wasn't a very good liar, and she was also worried that she would say something that contradicted what Jasper had said, or get something wrong. She also didn't really want to be away from him for any extended length of time. She looked at Jasper and he looked confused, annoyed, and slightly embarrassed.
"She doesn't like me." She gave him an apologetic smile. She knew Neila was his best friend, and she felt awful for ruining that.
Jasper sighed, "I don't know why she's being like this." Penny had an idea, but she wasn't going to tell him. It wasn't her place and she could be wrong, although how someone could not fall in love with him she had no idea. It was probably the easiest thing in the world to do.
"You lied to your mother... about me." She looked down at her hands. "I mean, I understand why and everything. I just... need to know who I'm supposed to be." She felt as if she was radiating awkward, and she hoped that wasn't the case, although he always seemed to be able to read her like a book.
"She doesn't like me." She gave him an apologetic smile. She knew Neila was his best friend, and she felt awful for ruining that.
Jasper sighed, "I don't know why she's being like this." Penny had an idea, but she wasn't going to tell him. It wasn't her place and she could be wrong, although how someone could not fall in love with him she had no idea. It was probably the easiest thing in the world to do.
"You lied to your mother... about me." She looked down at her hands. "I mean, I understand why and everything. I just... need to know who I'm supposed to be." She felt as if she was radiating awkward, and she hoped that wasn't the case, although he always seemed to be able to read her like a book.
You Just Can't Do Anything Right, Can You?
Jasper was in his study, intent on his latest sketches when the door opened smoothly and shut just as softly. He straightened but didn't turn, brushing his auburn hair out of his eyes.
"Neila."
"Good news, sir," the woman said softly. "She was spotted south of here, in one of the many alleys in the city. We're just waiting for the word to pick her up."
"And you think you really have the girl this time?" He sighed, thinking of the many disappointments in the past.
"This one looks closest to the sketch as I have ever seen." The woman leaned forward a bit, her black hair falling over her shoulder in the motion. "She dreams."
Jasper's eyes narrowed and he rose abruptly. "How long has she been under surveillance?"
"For the past week or so. I believe your search for the girl is over. How will you explain this to your parents?"
"They need not know," he said dismissively, waving his hand. "Bring her in. Gently. Though do not let her get away. If need be, subdue her. She'll thank me for it someday." He was more worried than he let on. He knew she was a fragile thing and this might push her over the edge. But the quicker she was off the streets and safe with him, the better.
"As you wish. Though they will find out about it sooner or later. Which would you rather it be?"
"That will be all, Nelia," he replied, frowning. She gave an almost imperceptible smile and left. He sank back down into his chair, sighing heavily. "Everything will be all right, Penny," he whispered at the sad eyes sketched before him.
"Neila."
"Good news, sir," the woman said softly. "She was spotted south of here, in one of the many alleys in the city. We're just waiting for the word to pick her up."
"And you think you really have the girl this time?" He sighed, thinking of the many disappointments in the past.
"This one looks closest to the sketch as I have ever seen." The woman leaned forward a bit, her black hair falling over her shoulder in the motion. "She dreams."
Jasper's eyes narrowed and he rose abruptly. "How long has she been under surveillance?"
"For the past week or so. I believe your search for the girl is over. How will you explain this to your parents?"
"They need not know," he said dismissively, waving his hand. "Bring her in. Gently. Though do not let her get away. If need be, subdue her. She'll thank me for it someday." He was more worried than he let on. He knew she was a fragile thing and this might push her over the edge. But the quicker she was off the streets and safe with him, the better.
"As you wish. Though they will find out about it sooner or later. Which would you rather it be?"
"That will be all, Nelia," he replied, frowning. She gave an almost imperceptible smile and left. He sank back down into his chair, sighing heavily. "Everything will be all right, Penny," he whispered at the sad eyes sketched before him.
-----
Penny stretched as she woke up remembering just how much she hated cities. Cities were necessary every now and then, though because they had anonymous jobs. She was currently washing dishes at a restaurant down the street. Hey, gotta eat. She needed new shoes too, but those could wait until closer to winter. She looked around, thankful this city at least had the decency to build a park despite it's lack of trees. When living on the road, sleeping in trees was the easiest thing for her because no one ever bothers to look up. Trees are better than park benches which are better than the ground. Last night had been a park bench night. Only two more days in this dreadful city then she could get back out to the open skies and clean air. I mean, she couldn't even see the stars here. What a way to live.
She had been experiencing a sense of foreboding these last couple of days. Almost as if someone was watching her. She wasn't too worried about it. You'd be amazed what you could escape after 5 years on the streets. She had told Jasper about it in her dream last night, and he didn't seem worried. If he wasn't worried, she knew that she didn't have to be either. She closed her eyes and thought "Off to work, now. Almost done with this place." She grabbed her backpack and hoofed it the block and a half to the diner.
She had been experiencing a sense of foreboding these last couple of days. Almost as if someone was watching her. She wasn't too worried about it. You'd be amazed what you could escape after 5 years on the streets. She had told Jasper about it in her dream last night, and he didn't seem worried. If he wasn't worried, she knew that she didn't have to be either. She closed her eyes and thought "Off to work, now. Almost done with this place." She grabbed her backpack and hoofed it the block and a half to the diner.
----
Jasper was still sketching the girl from his dreams when his cell phone vibrated on the desk in front of him. He flipped it open.
"What," he said in greeting, keeping his voice entirely uninviting.
"It's me." The warm voice on the other end was Neila. He relaxed back in his chair. "She entered a diner. Looks like she's a dishwasher. I think you'd better come down here and make the transition easier. She's not going anywhere for a while so there's no need for us to act rashly."
"Yeah, I hear you," he drawled. "On my way." He hung up and closed his study, bringing the key with him. He called to have a car waiting, one of the less conspicuous ones. He would scare her away with too much money. As he got in the backseat, his breath hitched and he worked to calm himself. He was so close, there was no time to lose it.
The car dropped him off and Neila met him in the front. He told the driver to park and wait for him, no matter how long. He told Neila to cover the back in case his plan didn't work. With a nod and a swing of her long hair, she walked away. He slouched into the diner, wishing he'd worn clothes a little less...rich. It was a cozy diner and he was obviously out of place among the old-timers and down-on-their-luck-ers. He scowled at all of them and sat in the farthest booth from the kitchen. When the waitress came with her sunny smile, he asked her how long the dishwashers normally worked.
"Well, there's one in there now and I think the shift runs until three. Is there a reason you asked?" She clearly wasn't the brightest bulb. He smiled at her and said he'd just take some coffee for now and to tell the dishwasher there was someone waiting for her out here at the end of her shift with a free meal. He settled in to wait.
"What," he said in greeting, keeping his voice entirely uninviting.
"It's me." The warm voice on the other end was Neila. He relaxed back in his chair. "She entered a diner. Looks like she's a dishwasher. I think you'd better come down here and make the transition easier. She's not going anywhere for a while so there's no need for us to act rashly."
"Yeah, I hear you," he drawled. "On my way." He hung up and closed his study, bringing the key with him. He called to have a car waiting, one of the less conspicuous ones. He would scare her away with too much money. As he got in the backseat, his breath hitched and he worked to calm himself. He was so close, there was no time to lose it.
The car dropped him off and Neila met him in the front. He told the driver to park and wait for him, no matter how long. He told Neila to cover the back in case his plan didn't work. With a nod and a swing of her long hair, she walked away. He slouched into the diner, wishing he'd worn clothes a little less...rich. It was a cozy diner and he was obviously out of place among the old-timers and down-on-their-luck-ers. He scowled at all of them and sat in the farthest booth from the kitchen. When the waitress came with her sunny smile, he asked her how long the dishwashers normally worked.
"Well, there's one in there now and I think the shift runs until three. Is there a reason you asked?" She clearly wasn't the brightest bulb. He smiled at her and said he'd just take some coffee for now and to tell the dishwasher there was someone waiting for her out here at the end of her shift with a free meal. He settled in to wait.
----
"Hey, Penny" said the waitress who's name Penny never bothered to remember, "There's a pretty cute Brit wanting to treat you to food after you shift waiting for you." Penny looked at the waitress with suspicion. "Tell him I'm not interested. Tell him to take his assumptions and shove them somewhere." Somehow she knew it wouldn't be that easy. There was some weird mojo going down. There weren't many dishes this time of day, so making sure to take a route that wouldn't be visible to the dining area, she went to see if her boss was in her office. As she did so, she closed her eyes and thought "Hey Jasper. I think I may need to get out of here early... there's something strange going on. Tell you about it later, if you don't already know." She always feels silly assuming that he would need updating. If he was just part of her mind, he would automatically know everything she knew. Somehow, though, it just seems easier to tell him anyway. Brains are weird like that.
---
Jasper felt something was wrong not long after the waitress came back with his coffee and apologetic smile. He flipped open his cell and hit the call button twice. It rang once then Neila picked up.
"Watch the back. Cover all entrances but keep your distance. Something's up."
"It's not even close to th--" she began but he interrupted her mid-sentence.
"Just do it." He hung up abruptly, grabbed his coffee and sat at the bar on the stool with the best view of the kitchen. If Penny came though the front, she couldn't possibly miss him.
"Watch the back. Cover all entrances but keep your distance. Something's up."
"It's not even close to th--" she began but he interrupted her mid-sentence.
"Just do it." He hung up abruptly, grabbed his coffee and sat at the bar on the stool with the best view of the kitchen. If Penny came though the front, she couldn't possibly miss him.
----
Penny had made it to the back office, but it was empty. "Well, great," she thought. "Now what am I going to do." She had only worked here a week, but the money that she had earned was what was going to feed her and pay for band aides for the next couple of months. She couldn't very well leave without it. She also couldn't justify staying when things were feeling so hinky. She wouldn't have survived this long on the streets had her sense of suspicion not formed quickly. Perhaps she would be back soon. Just taking out the trash or something. She supposed she could wait in the office for a few minutes... but if she didn't come back, she might just have to cut her losses. It was spring time. Surely things would be growing outside the city she could eat.
----
Jasper tapped his finger impatiently on the coffee mug, drawing a glare from the guy sitting next to him. Yeah well, bugger off, mate, he thought as he met the man's gaze cooly. The man quickly found something else to do with his time. And speaking of time, Jasper felt like he was running out of it. He looked furtively around but saw the waitresses busy with orders. He wouldn't find a better opportunity. He got up from the chair and walked straight back into the kitchen like he belonged here. He grabbed up a clipboard that looked like it was used for inventory and the pair of glasses on top. He slipped the glasses on then immediately regretted it. Whoever wore these had serious bad eyesight. Made him wonder where that person was now...He strolled among the workers, looking under counters and inside fridges, pretending to mark things on the sheet and meeting everyone's gaze with a business-like nod.
"Hey you!" Cringing a little on the inside, he squared his shoulders and turned.
"Yes?" he asked politely. It was a large man waving a meat cleaver around carelessly, a jovial expression on his face.
"You wanna see the boss, her office is in the back. She stepped out, but she'll be back. Said she was waitin' for ye." Jasper gave an acknowledging nod and continued to the back. He didn't see his girl and she must be around here somewhere. He spied a door slightly ajar and slipped into it, closing the door behind him and heaving a sigh.
The glasses were making his eyes water and he massaged his temples as he turned around and spotted a figure though the distorted view. He gave a small start and started apologizing when he noticed...red hair...He squinted over the tops of the glasses into sad green eyes. His jaw dropped. "Penny?"
"Hey you!" Cringing a little on the inside, he squared his shoulders and turned.
"Yes?" he asked politely. It was a large man waving a meat cleaver around carelessly, a jovial expression on his face.
"You wanna see the boss, her office is in the back. She stepped out, but she'll be back. Said she was waitin' for ye." Jasper gave an acknowledging nod and continued to the back. He didn't see his girl and she must be around here somewhere. He spied a door slightly ajar and slipped into it, closing the door behind him and heaving a sigh.
The glasses were making his eyes water and he massaged his temples as he turned around and spotted a figure though the distorted view. He gave a small start and started apologizing when he noticed...red hair...He squinted over the tops of the glasses into sad green eyes. His jaw dropped. "Penny?"
----
Penny looked up at the sound of someone coming in the office. Figuring it was her boss, she started to make towards her when she realized that that wasn't her boss... and what was with those glasses... and what was he doing in the back office... and why couldn't she move? After a slight pause she heard him say "Penny?" She couldn't take her eyes off him. ...notrealhe'snotrealhe'snotre... She didn't know when her thoughts had turned to that, but it was all she could think. All she could get out was "Who...?" Like she didn't know the answer to that already.
----
Jasper looked at her, her eyes wild. She was not taking this well. He could see bland recognition and denial in her face and he set the clipboard and glasses down slowly. He took a careful step forward, his hands spread in a peaceful gesture. "Penny, don't be afraid. It's just me. It's Jasper. I know you know me. Just calm down. Take a deep breath. Everything is going to be fine. I'm here; you won't be alone anymore. Just think about it. I'm not going to do anything. I'll stand right here. Take your time. I'm never leaving you again."
----
His words forced her back into reality. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to get out of here. Had to think. Mumbling something that was supposed to sound like "I have to go," Penny attempted to maneuver around the man who was claiming to be Jasper. As she did so, she accidentally brushed against him. It was like waking up after having a bucket of water thrown on you. How can you deny a feeling that strong? He could have only been Jasper. She turned towards him again and asked quietly, "Why are you here?"
----
When she'd started to move toward the door with purpose, he simply subtly slid to be in her way. Her skin brushed up against his, and he resisted the urge to kiss her right then and there. He stiffened, knowing that would not help his cause. She paused at the touch, he knew she felt the connection as well. She looked up at him with those green eyes that haunted him and asked, "Why are you here?"
He hesitated. Why was he here? To save her, to take her home with him, where she belonged? They were true, but not what she was looking for. That would only scare her. "Because I cannot live without you, obviously." He touched her cheek cautiously, cradling her face in his hand.
He hesitated. Why was he here? To save her, to take her home with him, where she belonged? They were true, but not what she was looking for. That would only scare her. "Because I cannot live without you, obviously." He touched her cheek cautiously, cradling her face in his hand.
----
She flinched away from his touch, then instantly regretted it. Partially because of the lose of contact, but mostly because of the slight hurt on his face that he tried so hard not to show. She was confused as to how his needing her was obvious. She couldn't remember the last time she was actually needed. She was also confused as to what was going to happen next... so she asked. "What happens now?"
----
Her cringe hurt him, but he tucked it away. Bloody idiot, he scolded himself. Of course that would be too much for her. He sucked in a breath at her question and took a mental step back. There was not enough distance between them to think clearly, but he dare not move away from his spot in front of the door. "Now, you can come with me, to my house, where we have quarters set up for you. Or you may continue about your day, but know that I am not leaving your side, even if it means you are fired. I will not let you slip away, my flower. And don't think you can slip away unnoticed," he said with a slight smile. "I have eyes all around."
----
Well, she guessed her feelings of being watched had been right. She didn't like that idea, but she didn't get much time to think about it. She sensed it before she actually heard anything, and jumped out of the way to avoid being hit by the door. Her boss was back. What bad timing. She didn't look to happy either. "What are you doing back here?! Stop bothering people and get back to your dishes!" Penny looked at her and said "I need to leave now. May I have my money please?"
----
He saw Penny jump out of the way at the same time he turned. The door's handle bit deep into his side and he hissed, knowing there would be a bruise for sure. Narrowed eyes looked at him. "Are you the delivery guy? Tomas said you were back here. I wish I could see but I've misplaced my glasses again." So they were hers. He stepped in between her and the item in question. There was no need for her to get a good look at him.
"I'm sorry," he lied smoothly. "I'm afraid Tomas must have been mistaken. I'm just here to pick up Penny. The blonde waitress said it would be alright if I waited in here."
"Daisy. That girl never remembers anything I tell her. You're not supposed to be in here. And what's this about you wanting your money? Your shift isn't even over," the woman switched her attention to Penny.
"Ah, our father just died, and we have to go stay with our aunt for the time being, and she lives far away." He bowed his head, thankful for small blessings of bad eyesight. "We don't think we're coming back so if you could just give Penny whatever money she has earned thus far? She's a stubborn one when it comes to taking care of herself." He looked disparagingly at Penny's shoes.
"I'm sorry," he lied smoothly. "I'm afraid Tomas must have been mistaken. I'm just here to pick up Penny. The blonde waitress said it would be alright if I waited in here."
"Daisy. That girl never remembers anything I tell her. You're not supposed to be in here. And what's this about you wanting your money? Your shift isn't even over," the woman switched her attention to Penny.
"Ah, our father just died, and we have to go stay with our aunt for the time being, and she lives far away." He bowed his head, thankful for small blessings of bad eyesight. "We don't think we're coming back so if you could just give Penny whatever money she has earned thus far? She's a stubborn one when it comes to taking care of herself." He looked disparagingly at Penny's shoes.
----
Penny saw the boss turn towards her for any sign that this statement was untrue. The pain of losing a family was not one that Penny had to fake, merely one that needed to be brought to the surface. The boss sighed and headed toward the small safe where the money was kept. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Penny sighed inwardly quickly burying the pain that she found never quite went away. She glanced quickly at Jasper while turning around to receive her payment. He seemed slightly shocked and she wondered how much of that he had seen. That was probably the first time she had let her guards down since she had put them up. She had done it for him. The part of her that wanted to be near him was conflicting with the part of her that didn't want to trust anyone. She pushed those thoughts aside to take the money from her boss.
Penny sighed inwardly quickly burying the pain that she found never quite went away. She glanced quickly at Jasper while turning around to receive her payment. He seemed slightly shocked and she wondered how much of that he had seen. That was probably the first time she had let her guards down since she had put them up. She had done it for him. The part of her that wanted to be near him was conflicting with the part of her that didn't want to trust anyone. She pushed those thoughts aside to take the money from her boss.
----
Jasper grimaced to himself. He just had to make up a story about parents dying, didn't he? Of all the idiotic things he'd done in his life, this was certainly in the Top Five. Penny already had a permanently defeated but stubborn look on her face, but that small moment revealed so much pain still. He had the urge to just embrace her and hold her in his arms, to say it was all going to okay, but he settled for taking a step to stand next to her. The money handed over, he placed a light hand on her shoulder to stop her from barreling from the room. He flipped open his cell phone and pressed the call key twice.
"Bring the car around, I've got her...No, there's no need for...that. Yes, I'm sure. Just do it." He sighed irritably and tried to smile at Penny reassuringly. "Come on, my flower," he whispered. He thanked the boss and started out of the office, careful to keep a firm but gentle hand on her at all times.
"Bring the car around, I've got her...No, there's no need for...that. Yes, I'm sure. Just do it." He sighed irritably and tried to smile at Penny reassuringly. "Come on, my flower," he whispered. He thanked the boss and started out of the office, careful to keep a firm but gentle hand on her at all times.
----
She felt him step closer to her. She took her money and was about to book it out of the office, when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. She closed her eyes, suppressing the flinch and allowing the hand to stay there. He called... someone, and had a brief and terse conversation. As they were leaving the office, she placed her hand on his and gently removed his hand from her shoulder.
"I need to get my backpack," she said, looking up at him. She let her hand linger near his for a few seconds before heading off to the dishes area in order to retrieve her backpack.
"I need to get my backpack," she said, looking up at him. She let her hand linger near his for a few seconds before heading off to the dishes area in order to retrieve her backpack.
----
"Of course," he allowed, following her. No way was her going to let her slip out the back. His hand still tingled from where she touched it, and he shook it out as he walked. He looked around the kitchen with faint distaste, noting the grungy walls and dirt encrusted corners. He hoped she hadn't been working here long; the whole place was a health hazard. He saw her pick up a ratty bag and scowled to himself. If only he'd been looking harder. He could have saved her so much of this trouble...He motioned her over and asked her to follow him, glancing at her constantly.
He led the way out the front, a frown fixed on his face all the way out to the car. He motioned her to get in with a soft smile and told Neila, who was waiting, to get everyone home.
He led the way out the front, a frown fixed on his face all the way out to the car. He motioned her to get in with a soft smile and told Neila, who was waiting, to get everyone home.
----
As she picked up her backpack she could sense his distaste and discomfort. She'd been so focused on herself that he hadn't realized that this might be awkward for him as well. She scolded herself as she followed him out the front. He motioned to a large and fancy car waiting in front of the diner and she just stopped and stared, suddenly aware of how dirty and unkempt she was and how perfectly flawless he was. How was it OK for her to even be thinking that she could be anywhere near that car. She hesitated, glancing up at him, seeking permission in a way. Maybe one last chance for him to realize he had made a mistake...
----
He saw her gaze dart from the car to him, and he thought she was going to make a run for it. But she just looked up at him with those sad green eyes of hers, unsure as what to do. He felt an overwhelming need to once again just protect her from the world, but he tucked it away, saving it for a day when she could understand. He took her hand loosely, so she could pull away at any time, and stroked it with his thumb reassuringly. Such a frail flower, she was. He led her to the car and smiled at her tenderly. "Go on, don't be alarmed. It's all going to be okay, I promise."
----
At his light touch she knew he wasn't going to change his mind. He lead her to the car, and she let go of his hand in order to get in. She slid as far back and away from the door as possible. Painfully aware of how clean and pristine everything was she put her bag on her lap and sandwiched it between her chest and her knees. Her arms went around her knees and her head rested on them. Her goal was to touch as little of the car as possible. He got in beside her and closed the door.
----
He glanced over at her as the car started to move. She was huddled in the corner, looking like she didn't even want to touch the seat, clinging to herself. He scooted closer to her, but still giving her plenty of space. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel caged. He knew she didn't like that. He gently tugged the bag from her grasp and put it on the seat next to her. "It's just a car, Penny. It is a vehicle to be ridden in, to get dirty and it is transporting the most precious person it ever will. Relax, nothing is going to bite you and nothing more is going to be taken away. You're safe now, I promise. You don't have to think about anything right now, just relax."
----
She relaxed a bit at his words, sitting back slightly in the seat, but kept the the same pose. Something about it was comforting. She watched the buildings fly by trying to remember the last time she had been in a car. Surely it had been years. She realized that looking at the buildings wizz by was starting to make her head hurt so she turned to face Jasper. He seemed relaxed enough, like everything was under control. This was comforting in a way. She asked him, "Where are we going? How long of a trip?"
----
He heaved a sigh at her words and leaned back, glad that she was calm enough to ask questions. "Not that long, actually. And we're going to my house. That's where you will be staying. And don't be alarmed when we get there. Just think relaxing thoughts. In fact--ah, here we are." The car rolled through the gates in front of a large mansion. He worried a bit about what she would think of it all. Expansive grounds, delicate architecture, the whole place screamed money.
He gave her an apologetic look and climbed out of the car, bringing her bag with him. A gentleman should always carry a lady's bag. He slung it over his shoulder, not caring how dirty it was, stopping once to make sure it survived the toss. He led the way up the steps, Neila bringing up the rear. He brought her to a large room he had especially furnished for her, soft colors and plants, with a large bed with modest fabrics. It was sparsely furnished besides the bed, with two dressers, a book case with books already on it but with room for more, and wicker chair. Everything in there to remind her of the outside. He placed her bag gently on the bed and asked Neila to stay with her.
"You can take a shower and get clean. Nice hot water. I'll come back when you're done, okay?" He whispered to Neila to keep an eye on her and to burn the clothes she was wearing at the moment. He turned back to Penny. "If there is anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask. Clothes are in the drawers, I think you'll find they fit you well." He looked at her, seeing if it was okay that he left her with a stranger.
He gave her an apologetic look and climbed out of the car, bringing her bag with him. A gentleman should always carry a lady's bag. He slung it over his shoulder, not caring how dirty it was, stopping once to make sure it survived the toss. He led the way up the steps, Neila bringing up the rear. He brought her to a large room he had especially furnished for her, soft colors and plants, with a large bed with modest fabrics. It was sparsely furnished besides the bed, with two dressers, a book case with books already on it but with room for more, and wicker chair. Everything in there to remind her of the outside. He placed her bag gently on the bed and asked Neila to stay with her.
"You can take a shower and get clean. Nice hot water. I'll come back when you're done, okay?" He whispered to Neila to keep an eye on her and to burn the clothes she was wearing at the moment. He turned back to Penny. "If there is anything else you need, don't hesitate to ask. Clothes are in the drawers, I think you'll find they fit you well." He looked at her, seeing if it was okay that he left her with a stranger.
----
The contrast was amazing. How could such a luxurious place even exist so close to the run down streets that she had been frequenting? It almost didn't seem fair. She tried not to just stare in wide eyed shock, but everything that caught her attention just seemed to get bigger and grander. He lead her to a room that was pretty and full of furniture. She smiled a little at the books. They were thoughtful. She had always dreamed of owning books.
The thought of a shower sounded so divine. Although she had always attempted to keep clean, washing in public bathrooms in stores across the city, the thought of a real shower made her almost giddy inside. He looked at her, ready to depart in order to give her some privacy, and she asked, "Your room... it'll be close? You won't be too far?" In a place this big, she knew his room could be anywhere, and she didn't like the idea of not being able to find him if she needed him. She knew she could take care of herself, but... just in case. You know?
The thought of a shower sounded so divine. Although she had always attempted to keep clean, washing in public bathrooms in stores across the city, the thought of a real shower made her almost giddy inside. He looked at her, ready to depart in order to give her some privacy, and she asked, "Your room... it'll be close? You won't be too far?" In a place this big, she knew his room could be anywhere, and she didn't like the idea of not being able to find him if she needed him. She knew she could take care of herself, but... just in case. You know?
----
Jasper smiled and rubbed her arm briefly with his hand. "It's closer than you think, my flower." He heard Neila snicker and he graced her with a glare. "I'll give you some privacy now. Don't let Neila ruffle your feathers. In fact, if she gets too annoying, I give you permission to order her to not talk. And I expect," he switched his gaze to the smug Neila, "that whatever she says or asks is to be followed as if it were me." He didn't wait for a reply, but swept out of the room and shut the door softly behind him. He headed to his study with a smile and a skip in his step.
----
Penny watched him go then turned awkwardly to the lady she had been left with, Neila. The stood in silence for a moment or two. Neila broke it. "Would you like me to show you to the bath room?" Penny nodded shyly.
Neila led her to a spacious bathroom off of the main bedroom. "It has been fully stocked with an array of products. You can use whatever you would like. Just ask if you have any questions." Penny nodded at her again, and she turned and left the room.
Penny took her time exploring the bathroom. She pulled back the shower curtain and was amazed by the size of the tub. She read the labels on the shampoo bottles picking out the one that seemed least expensive and best for her hair. She left her clothes folded neatly on the toilet and turned on the water. She could have spent hours just standing under the warm spray. It felt fantastic. However, she knew that hot water didn't last forever, and that she should probably continue with her shower. As she showered she started to sing: "Another turning point / a fork stuck in the road / Time grabs you by the wrist / directs you where to go..." She didn't know who it was by or what the music sounded like. Most of the random songs she knew where songs that she had heard Jasper singing sometimes offhandedly in her dreams. If ever there was heaven, a warm shower had to be it.
Neila led her to a spacious bathroom off of the main bedroom. "It has been fully stocked with an array of products. You can use whatever you would like. Just ask if you have any questions." Penny nodded at her again, and she turned and left the room.
Penny took her time exploring the bathroom. She pulled back the shower curtain and was amazed by the size of the tub. She read the labels on the shampoo bottles picking out the one that seemed least expensive and best for her hair. She left her clothes folded neatly on the toilet and turned on the water. She could have spent hours just standing under the warm spray. It felt fantastic. However, she knew that hot water didn't last forever, and that she should probably continue with her shower. As she showered she started to sing: "Another turning point / a fork stuck in the road / Time grabs you by the wrist / directs you where to go..." She didn't know who it was by or what the music sounded like. Most of the random songs she knew where songs that she had heard Jasper singing sometimes offhandedly in her dreams. If ever there was heaven, a warm shower had to be it.
----
He had Neila come and get him when Penny was done with her shower. He could practically feel the warmth and energy she was starting to give off. He walked with them to the kitchen, stopping himself from reaching for her hand twice. Frustrated, he crossed his arms and balled his hands into fists, giving a little growl. When they reached the large room, he allowed himself to smile. This was a real kitchen, not the one she was working in before. He introduced her to the head chef, Stefan, and told them to make anything she wanted to eat. He sat her down at the small table off to the side. He enjoyed eating with the cooks and helping out, so he'd insisted of placing a table where everyone could sit and talk over a good meal. Jasper looked at Penny who finally seemed to have some life in her eyes and color in her cheeks. She was just gorgeous.
----
After her shower she dressed herself with clothes from the dresser. Jasper came back and she gave him a little smile. She was certainly much more presentable now. He lead her to the kitchen where she was introduced to the chef. She shook his hand shyly and looked around with wonder. She had never seen such a large and beautiful kitchen in all her life. She was feeling much more comfortable with Jasper at her side, but she still couldn't shake the slight feeling of misplacement. She belonged with him, but did she belong here?
The chef asked her what she wanted to eat, and all she could do was shrug. He made her an array of things and she sat with Jasper at the table in the kitchen. She tried everything and ate some more of everything. It was all so tasty. She wasn't used to so much food, and stopped when she realized her stomach probably wouldn't hold a single bite more. There was still a lot left, and she felt awful wasting it. She looked up to see Jasper watching her and blushed a little. It really shouldn't be this easy for him to get to her... but he did. And she liked it.
The chef asked her what she wanted to eat, and all she could do was shrug. He made her an array of things and she sat with Jasper at the table in the kitchen. She tried everything and ate some more of everything. It was all so tasty. She wasn't used to so much food, and stopped when she realized her stomach probably wouldn't hold a single bite more. There was still a lot left, and she felt awful wasting it. She looked up to see Jasper watching her and blushed a little. It really shouldn't be this easy for him to get to her... but he did. And she liked it.
----
The leftover food he said to either pack up and they could use the leftovers later or they could take a break and the crew could eat. He didn't mind either way. He was worried how little food Penny had eaten but her stomach had probably shrunk with the lack of food. He gave a little wince and cursed himself for not finding her sooner. But she was here now and that was all that mattered. He asked Neila to stall her while he took his shower and told Penny to give him a few minutes and he would meet her back at the room.
He hurried down the hall, making sure no one saw him acting so undignified. He didn't have much time to do what he needed to before the girls returned. He hoped Penny could get along with Neila. He had a limited choice of female staff for Penny to confide in. He quickly stripped off his clothes and jumped in the shower, slipping and almost falling on the already-wet bottom. The water still had some warmth left to it, which was good. He'd been afraid he would have to take a cold shower. He washed with his usual shampoo, not bothering with anything fancy. He'd just dried off and was buttoning his pants when Penny and Neila entered, a grin on Neila's face. He wondered if she could possibly have timed it any worse. He knew she did that on purpose. He froze, with no shirt on and his hair still dripping.
He hurried down the hall, making sure no one saw him acting so undignified. He didn't have much time to do what he needed to before the girls returned. He hoped Penny could get along with Neila. He had a limited choice of female staff for Penny to confide in. He quickly stripped off his clothes and jumped in the shower, slipping and almost falling on the already-wet bottom. The water still had some warmth left to it, which was good. He'd been afraid he would have to take a cold shower. He washed with his usual shampoo, not bothering with anything fancy. He'd just dried off and was buttoning his pants when Penny and Neila entered, a grin on Neila's face. He wondered if she could possibly have timed it any worse. He knew she did that on purpose. He froze, with no shirt on and his hair still dripping.
----
Penny wasn't sure how she felt about Neila. They mostly walked together in silence, Penny to shy to break it and and Neila finding no need to. They had came to the room that Penny had been brought to when she first arrived, and she followed Neila in. Jasper was in there, half naked and still wet... Penny froze and felt a blush start to spread across her cheeks. It was obvious that Jasper was not expecting them yet, and was just as shocked as she was. Penny found she was having problems looking away from him. My God! He was gorgeous! It's really unfair for someone to look so attractive. She used as much will as she had to tear her eyes away from him and turn around stammering "I-I-I'm sorry. So sorry... I didn't...".
----
Her apologies broke his paralysis. He struggled to keep from scaring Penny but ordered Neila out in a terse voice and kicked the door shut behind her. He sat Penny down in the large chair next to the door, apologizing. "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to find out like this. This isn't your fault, I'm not mad or anything." He shook his head and slung a shirt on, plopping a towel on his wet hair. "Are you okay? I feel so bad now," he said as he placed his hand lightly on hers.
----
She looked down at him kneeling before her as she sat in the chair. It made sense now. The abrupt exit earlier when she had asked him where he would be staying. How stupid of her to assume that this was her room. "This is your room, isn't it... I'm intruding. I don't belong here." She look apologetically into his lovely eyes and felt a pang that she couldn't explain. What was she doing here? This was crazy. She knew she couldn't leave though. She needed him more than she'd ever needed anything. Maybe there was a couch or something he wouldn't mind her staying on... Surely there were trees on the grounds. She just needed to be near him.
----
He sat down, hard. "This is for you, love. I don't need...this," he waved to the decorations amiably, trying to make her understand. "This is exactly where you belong. I came and got you. By no means are you intruding. That," he said, pointing at the bed, "is where you are sleeping for as long as you will stay. I have sleeping arrangements that are just as comfortable." He picked up her hand and placed his face in it, looking pleadingly into her eyes. "Don't leave me. Not when I've just found you. Will you stay? I can find somewhere else to be if it's me that you are nervous about."
----
"I couldn't leave you even if I wanted to." She was close to tears. He had worked so hard, was trying so hard to make her feel comfortable and wanted, but she just kept messing it up. She got up in order to sit beside him on the floor. "Jasper..." his name sounded so right coming from her mouth... "I need you. I don't know why you need me, but for as long as you'll have me, I'll be here." She closed her eyes against the tears welling inside them. She hadn't realized she had had that in her, but as soon as she said it, she knew it was true and knew that she had meant it. She just hoped that he knew what he was getting himself into with her...
----
"Oh, my flower," he whispered. He hoped he didn't cross any boundaries when he picked Penny up and set her in his lap, cradling her to his chest and kissing the top of her head. "I have needed you from the first moment I saw you, and I'll need you forever more." While he was wasn't sure what to do with tears, he knew it was a sign she was letting him in. They sat there for a bit until he felt her growing uncomfortable.
In a move he made seem natural, or so he hoped, he stood and placed her on her feet, cursing her lightness. It was unacceptable how much she weighed. He smiled at her, taking her hand in his. "Would you like a tour of the house? It's big, but homey. It's home." He stressed the last word and gave her hand a little squeeze.
In a move he made seem natural, or so he hoped, he stood and placed her on her feet, cursing her lightness. It was unacceptable how much she weighed. He smiled at her, taking her hand in his. "Would you like a tour of the house? It's big, but homey. It's home." He stressed the last word and gave her hand a little squeeze.
----
There were many things that Penny couldn't remember the last time she's experienced. She didn't remember the last time she had slept in a bed or the last time she had eaten ice cream, but the last time she had been held she remembered very clearly. It had been 7 years ago, 2 days before her parents had died. She was 12 and had just lost her pet goldfish. Her mother had cuddled and held her until the tears had ebbed. She felt Jasper pick her up and the tears broke. She needed him and she needed to be held, so she let him hold her until the tears stopped and she began to wonder how it was she got there in the first place.
Sensing this he put her back on her feet gracefully and smoothly in a move she would have never been able to accomplish. He took her hand and she allowed him to have it. "Would you like a tour of the house? It's big, but homey. It's home." She smiled slightly at the word "home." She nodded and like an excited school boy, he started leading them around the mansion called "home."
Sensing this he put her back on her feet gracefully and smoothly in a move she would have never been able to accomplish. He took her hand and she allowed him to have it. "Would you like a tour of the house? It's big, but homey. It's home." She smiled slightly at the word "home." She nodded and like an excited school boy, he started leading them around the mansion called "home."
----
He led her through the downstairs, and the kitchen which she'd already seen, to the grand dining room, which was, as named, very grand. They passed through the salon, and a number of other rooms which weren't ever used. There were sparse furnishings, as most of what they owned was still in London, but his mother had a knack of using the least to the most effect. Rich tapestries and unique sculptures dotted the walls and hallways, giving an almost cozy effect compared to the cold rock walls. The chandelier in the main foyer was another spectacular piece, a conversation starter for sure.
He led her up the winding stairs to the part of the house where most of the bedrooms were at, including the ones for the staff. He almost showed her his study but bypassed it at the last second in a rather inelegant move. The floor here was carpeted instead of stone and it was darker. He let her peek into most of the rooms, letting her get an eyeful before they wandered back to the room.
"I think I'll show you the grounds tomorrow," he smiled as he flopped on the bed. He immediately got back up and scratched his head sheepishly. Wasn't his bed anymore to be flopping on. He motioned for her to sit down and with a bit of effort, dragged the chair over. "Anything else you'd like to know?"
He led her up the winding stairs to the part of the house where most of the bedrooms were at, including the ones for the staff. He almost showed her his study but bypassed it at the last second in a rather inelegant move. The floor here was carpeted instead of stone and it was darker. He let her peek into most of the rooms, letting her get an eyeful before they wandered back to the room.
"I think I'll show you the grounds tomorrow," he smiled as he flopped on the bed. He immediately got back up and scratched his head sheepishly. Wasn't his bed anymore to be flopping on. He motioned for her to sit down and with a bit of effort, dragged the chair over. "Anything else you'd like to know?"
----
The house was large and grand. She saw rooms that housed art and rooms that housed people and rooms that didn't even seem to serve functions other than to be rooms and add space to the already massive house. She was allowed to peak into almost every room, although the one they purposely bypassed held curiosity for her, but she allowed herself to be lead away.
When they finally made it back to the room, he plopped down on the bed telling her of their plans for tomorrow, then suddenly sat up, very self consciously. He dragged the chair over and she realized that he was expecting her to take the bed. Before he could sit, she slid into the chair. "I don't want to take your bed," she said. "I can sleep here just as comfortably." She reached over and pulled her bag off the bed trying to emphasis her point. She set it beside the chair and waited for his response.
When they finally made it back to the room, he plopped down on the bed telling her of their plans for tomorrow, then suddenly sat up, very self consciously. He dragged the chair over and she realized that he was expecting her to take the bed. Before he could sit, she slid into the chair. "I don't want to take your bed," she said. "I can sleep here just as comfortably." She reached over and pulled her bag off the bed trying to emphasis her point. She set it beside the chair and waited for his response.
----
He grinned at her, grateful for a challenge. If she wanted to get into a match to see who was more stubborn, she had an excellent contender in front of her. "You seem to forget I can bodily move you from that seat," he said, mock-sternly. "And there is no bloody way I'm sleeping in that bed. I will sleep on the floor before I sleep in your bed, my flower. And I can guarantee that the floor is much less comfortable than the chair."
----
Penny smirked up at him. So he wanted to play, huh? She had no doubt that he could remove her from the chair with great ease, but that didn't mean he could make her stay in the bed. She stood up and walked over to the window and opened it. She climbed onto the sill curling up into a ball and resting her head on the glass. "You may have the chair then, if you want it. I'll sleep here." She couldn't let him sleep on the chair or the floor. She was used to sleeping in awkward places, and didn't sleep that much anyway. If he took the chair or the floor, he'd be stiff and in pain the next morning. Well, maybe after a night of that, he'd take the bed. He'd gone through so much trouble for her already, she just couldn't take his bed.
----
"Ohhh no you don't. My condition to sleeping in the chair is if and only if you sleep in the bed. I have slept in much worse conditions than this, and I can sacrifice a few night's sleep for your comfort. I'm just as stubborn as you are and I think after all this time of sleeping in the cramped and uncomfortable, that bed is looking a mite inviting. I'm taking a stand on this issue, my flower. That right there is your bed. You will sleep in it...unless." He leaned back with a wicked grin. "We could sleep in it together."
----
"But why sacrifice any night of comfort when I can sleep just as comfortably anywhere?" She was trying to avoid the whole sleeping in the bed together issue. Was she actually ready for that? Probably not. She still couldn't bring herself to taking the bed. "Jasper, I don't even remember the last time I slept in a bed... Why is it a big deal?" She didn't need it, and she wouldn't sacrifice his comfort because of her short comings in this area.
----
"It's a big deal, flower, because I would feel wretched taking it. It's just not how I was raised." He switched tactics. Taking slow steps toward her, he let all his worry and the tenderness he felt for her show. "Please, Penny. For me. It would put my heart at ease and I could get a good night's rest sleeping anywhere of you took the bed. And look," he walked back to the chair and pushed the lever down on the side. The bottom slid more or less horizontal. "It's just as comfy as the bed. I'm not sacrificing comfort for you, even though I would in a heartbeat. So please. For me?"
----
"If it's just as comfortable, why can't I take it. I wouldn't even know the difference." She looked at him and she saw the love and she saw the caring, but she also saw pity. She was no one's charity case and although she did need him, she was able to survive on her own for over 5 years. She didn't need pity. "Is it even bed time yet? Maybe we could table this till then?" Maybe he'd be more reasonable when he was actually tired.
----
He saw something close in her face and he sat down, a bit frustrated. "No, it's not time for bed yet, and no, we can't table it until then. It doesn't matter what time it is, I won't change my mind. And I'd rather not be up until the wee hours of the morning because then I'll just give up and sleep on the floor anyway. Which is where I'm heading." He scrubbed his face, tucking his annoyance away and sighing up at her. "We're at a stalemate here, so what do you propose we do since I'm not sleeping in the bed, and you're not sleeping in the bed, and neither of us will change our minds. And the suggestion that I sleep in the bed is out. Just...not there. So don't even consider it as an option any more."
----
Penny closed her eyes and sighed. She could tell she had angered him, and that this was going way downhill very quickly. She scolded herself for pushing him. Maybe she should reconsider the bed sharing thing. I mean, after all, it was a large bed. Heck, it might as well be two beds. She got up from the window sill and walked over to where he was sitting. Taking his hand cautiously she looked into his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm trying. I really am. It's just hard for me, sometimes..." She sighed again, and looked down, slightly embarrassed. "Maybe we could both take the bed? I wouldn't be able to sleep at all with you on the floor."
----
Jasper was utterly surprised when she took his hand. He looked up at her and she looked away and sighed. He covered her hand with his other one and got up, ashamed at himself. He had let his temper show, and that was inexcusable. He tipped her head up with a finger and restrained himself from kissing her sad little mouth. He apologized softly. "I'm sorry, Penny. I know how hard this is for you. I should be doing my best to relieve your stress, not corner you and have you make a choice. There is an easy solution to all this, I just didn't want to go through the extra trouble. Don't beat yourself up so much, flower. Just trust me." He sat her on the bed and gave her a warning look. He called Neila in and gave her some terse instructions before dismissing her and turned back to Penny, climbing up onto the bed and pulling her beside him.
What seemed to be a few moments later, the door opened again and four men entered, carrying a twin mattress wrapped in luxurious fabrics. He smiled to himself, hoping that this gamble worked. He knew Penny would want to take the smaller bed, but he also knew she didn't want that silk and velvet. Honestly, neither did he, but he would do what it took to get her to sleep in her own bed. He held her hand as the bed was moved with them still on it, just rotated a bit. The bookcase was moved and the other bed placed there. He hoped the determent of the fabrics and the nearness of the window to this bed would be enough. He gave a small nod to the movers and a signal to Neila to leave. She frowned a bit, but closed the door behind her. He gave a happy sigh and leaned into Penny. "Happier now?" he murmured in her ear.
What seemed to be a few moments later, the door opened again and four men entered, carrying a twin mattress wrapped in luxurious fabrics. He smiled to himself, hoping that this gamble worked. He knew Penny would want to take the smaller bed, but he also knew she didn't want that silk and velvet. Honestly, neither did he, but he would do what it took to get her to sleep in her own bed. He held her hand as the bed was moved with them still on it, just rotated a bit. The bookcase was moved and the other bed placed there. He hoped the determent of the fabrics and the nearness of the window to this bed would be enough. He gave a small nod to the movers and a signal to Neila to leave. She frowned a bit, but closed the door behind her. He gave a happy sigh and leaned into Penny. "Happier now?" he murmured in her ear.
----
He was too kind to her. It's completely understandable to get frustrated when someone is being frustrating. However she was intrigued by this alternative option. After he joined her on the bed, he pulled her closer to him. She enjoyed just sitting there. The bed was softer than anything she'd been on in years and his closeness was making her feel warm and light. A few minutes later a group of men in carrying another bed. This one smaller but much fancier. She watched wide eyed as the men began rearranging the room and setting the new bed up. When they got around to the bed they were sitting on Penny made to get up, but Jasper took her hand and kept her next to him. She was shocked and exhilarated when the bed moved under her. She smiled a little and tightened her grip on his hand.
The men left the room and he leaned in close whispering, "Happier now?" into her ear. It made her shiver a little, though she tried to suppress it. She turned towards him and said with a little half smile "Is that one mine?"
The men left the room and he leaned in close whispering, "Happier now?" into her ear. It made her shiver a little, though she tried to suppress it. She turned towards him and said with a little half smile "Is that one mine?"
----
He shook his head and quirked up one side of his mouth. "You really are incorrigible, little one." He swiftly kissed her hand and went to flop on the other bed. "This Horrible Hagar of a bed is all mine. Much more comfortable than yours, don't worry." He winked at her broadly. He threw all the frou frou pillows and puffy blankets under the bed and came back to sit on the edge of her bed. "You think you can deal with this? It's my last offer before I sleep on the floor." He smiled softly.
----
She chuckled a little at him. He was teasing her now. He had probably been teasing her all along and she'd just been to dense to know it. She grinned a little and said "Then I guess it'll just have to do."
----
He laid back and looked up at her, heaving a sigh. "You know what. I think we could use some fun. Come on." He helped her out of bed and asked her to grab one end of his mattress after he stripped the sheets from it. They carried it out into the hall. He chuckled a little at the perplexed look on her face. "Don't worry, all will be revealed shortly." He told her to drop her end and stand back a little. He got on his knees on the mattress and scooted forward, allowing gravity to take effect, zooming down the stairs and rolling off once he got to the bottom. He landed a bit painfully and winced as he got up. "Knew we were missing something! Mind going to get the blankets from the room? We'll just throw 'em at the bottom here." He grabbed the end of the mattress and started lugging it back up the steps.
----
As perplexing as this behavior was, there was probably nothing else in the world that seemed more fun. She contemplated how she got here as she ran back to the room to get the blankets. This was probably the last place she would have pictured herself when she woke up this morning. It all seemed a lifetime away. She ran back with an armful of blankets smiling a little as she saw him top the stairs lugging the mattress.
After she ran down the stairs piling the blankets at the bottom, she ran back up, excited at the possibility that it was her turn. "So how do I work this thing?" She was really excited. It had been so long since she was able to just have fun.
After she ran down the stairs piling the blankets at the bottom, she ran back up, excited at the possibility that it was her turn. "So how do I work this thing?" She was really excited. It had been so long since she was able to just have fun.
----
He felt something painful in his chest and he was puzzled. He literally thought he would burst from happiness. "You want to try? That's fantastic. Come here, I'll help you until you get the hang of it." He sat down on his butt and motioned her over. He positioned her in front of him, holding her around the waist securely. He scooted them forward until the bed started moving and held on tight. They reached the bottom and he cushioned her fall, letting her end up on top of him. He blushed faintly and helped her up, dragging the mattress behind him.
They did that until she was confident enough to do it on her own, and even though he knew she would be alright, he still couldn't help worrying about her every time she fell at the bottom.
They did that until she was confident enough to do it on her own, and even though he knew she would be alright, he still couldn't help worrying about her every time she fell at the bottom.
----
She really didn't remember the last time she had had this much fun. She was doing it for her, but she was also doing it for him. He had been so kind and she hadn't given him anything in return. Every time she landed on top of him at the bottom of the stairs she couldn't help but blush slightly and linger there a moment before jumping up. After a few runs he allowed her to go down by herself. It was lighter this time and it almost seemed to fly! She let out a little squeal that she couldn't keep in.
She tried to give him a turn, but he wouldn't have it. Penny asked, "Maybe you'd like to ride down with me?" After looking at her for a few seconds, he hopped on and she got on behind him, hugging him tight. When they got to the bottom, she somehow ended up on top of him again, and she started to giggle. She didn't know why, but she couldn't seem to hold them in. Try as she may, they just kept coming.
She tried to give him a turn, but he wouldn't have it. Penny asked, "Maybe you'd like to ride down with me?" After looking at her for a few seconds, he hopped on and she got on behind him, hugging him tight. When they got to the bottom, she somehow ended up on top of him again, and she started to giggle. She didn't know why, but she couldn't seem to hold them in. Try as she may, they just kept coming.
----
Jasper felt light-headed with her so close to him, her face alight with laughter, her hands splayed on his chest. Her hair was in her face and he smoothed it out of the way, tucking it behind her ear. She just kept laughing and he felt the overwhelming urge to kiss her. He stroked her cheek and she looked him, her mouth still poised in a smile. He laid his lips gently on hers, a simple kiss, nothing too fancy or hard. At least, that was what he meant for it to be. But the moment he felt their lips touch, his hand fisted in her hair and he--
--felt a sharp pain in his side. Hissing in pain, he broke away and clutched his ribs, swearing loudly before he remembered Penny was there. What was it with things hitting him today? And in the same place, at that. Neila peered at him over a laptop screen, doing her best to look nonplussed. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't expect there to be a bed in the middle of the walkway. I'm afraid I didn't see you there," she said softly, a tiny bite to her words. "I suggest you clean this mess up, it's getting late. Perhaps after all of this...exercise, you're feeling a bit hungry? Dinner is still warm; I made sure to leave enough food out for the both of you." She turned and walked back into the direction she came.
Jasper rubbed his side. What the hell was her problem? Although, he was slightly glad she stopped him before it got too out of control. But still...that kick had been much harder than necessary. He scooted from beneath Penny and stretched. Damn. That hurt. He looked down at Penny and smiled cautiously. "Well I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. What you you say we pack up for now?" He started gathering up the blankets.
--felt a sharp pain in his side. Hissing in pain, he broke away and clutched his ribs, swearing loudly before he remembered Penny was there. What was it with things hitting him today? And in the same place, at that. Neila peered at him over a laptop screen, doing her best to look nonplussed. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't expect there to be a bed in the middle of the walkway. I'm afraid I didn't see you there," she said softly, a tiny bite to her words. "I suggest you clean this mess up, it's getting late. Perhaps after all of this...exercise, you're feeling a bit hungry? Dinner is still warm; I made sure to leave enough food out for the both of you." She turned and walked back into the direction she came.
Jasper rubbed his side. What the hell was her problem? Although, he was slightly glad she stopped him before it got too out of control. But still...that kick had been much harder than necessary. He scooted from beneath Penny and stretched. Damn. That hurt. He looked down at Penny and smiled cautiously. "Well I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. What you you say we pack up for now?" He started gathering up the blankets.
----
The moment she felt his lips touch hers, something changed. The scene up to this point had been been lighthearted and humorous, but at that moment something sparked. He'd felt it to, she was sure, but it was over before it even began, and although she missed the contact she silently thanked Neila for arriving when she did. She also silently cursed her. That was the second blow to the side he had taken today, and she hoped he was okay.
She scooped up the blankets, blushing and trying hard not to make too much eye contact. She couldn't get the thought of that intense spark out of her head, and it scared her a little. How is it possible for such strong feelings to even exist? They deposited the blankets and mattress in what she was beginning to think of as their room, and headed off to the kitchen. She trailed him slightly, wanting to take his hand, but afraid to at the same time.
She scooped up the blankets, blushing and trying hard not to make too much eye contact. She couldn't get the thought of that intense spark out of her head, and it scared her a little. How is it possible for such strong feelings to even exist? They deposited the blankets and mattress in what she was beginning to think of as their room, and headed off to the kitchen. She trailed him slightly, wanting to take his hand, but afraid to at the same time.
----
Jasper felt awkward again, like he didn't know whether he could be close to her or let her have her space. He stuck his hands in his pockets and slouched, cursing himself and Neila. He should never have kissed her, not when things were going so well. But that kiss. He still felt her lips on his and it just made him want to kiss her again. Sitting on the thought, he led her into the kitchen once again and grabbed a potholder. He and Neila used to have these late night dinners after stair surfing so he knew where the food would be. It was one of the best nights in his life when she introduced him to it.
The oven was warm, not hot, but he used every precaution anyway, because you just never knew. He set the plate down in front of Penny, who still wouldn't meet his eye. He sighed and got them both bottles of water from the fridge and forks. He dug into his rice, washing it down with the water and made a mental note to compliment Stefan. It almost tasted like real Chinese fried rice. Closest he'd ever gotten outside of a Chinese restaurant. They ate in silence until he could stand it no more. "Did you not like it?" he asked her, looking at his plate.
The oven was warm, not hot, but he used every precaution anyway, because you just never knew. He set the plate down in front of Penny, who still wouldn't meet his eye. He sighed and got them both bottles of water from the fridge and forks. He dug into his rice, washing it down with the water and made a mental note to compliment Stefan. It almost tasted like real Chinese fried rice. Closest he'd ever gotten outside of a Chinese restaurant. They ate in silence until he could stand it no more. "Did you not like it?" he asked her, looking at his plate.
----
She was taken aback by his question. She looked at her plate and at his and realized that his was completely clear. "It's delicious," Penny said. "I just can't eat anymore." She looked up apologetically, blushing again and feeling something stir through her as she looked at him. She tried to bottle this feeling away. She needed to examine it when he wasn't so close. It wouldn't be easily caged though, so she sat there, looking at him, wishing she could think of something to do or say in order to break her awkwardness.
----
He sighed again. He was, once again, being selfish. But he needed to know. He scooted his chair over and laid a hand on hers. "That's not what I meant, my flower. You may eat as much as you like or as little as you want, it does--well, actually, more is preferable to less. What I meant was...the kiss. I wanted to know how you felt about that. I wasn't thinking of you when I kis--that's not technically true. You were all I was thinking of. I wasn't thinking of you're feelings. I feel like you're uncomfortable again and I don't know how to fix that."
----
Jasper was rambling. His hand on hers was distracting, but she tried hard to listen to what he was saying, and was taken completely off guard when he stumbled his way through to the part about the kiss. He thought she didn't like it? "I liked it." Penny wasn't sure what to add, but she tried anyway. "There aren't... words to describe what that was. I've never felt this or been kissed or anything. I don't know what to do, exactly." She met his eyes hoping that he knew what came next.
----
His chest tightened. To think she'd never been kissed made his heart hurt. And to think her first kiss had been like that...unacceptable. He squared his shoulders. "How bout we try it again and see if you can learn something," he said softly. He leaned in slowly in order to give her plenty of time to pull away, took her face in his hand and kissed her gently. He could feel the need rising but he tucked it away, concentrating as much as possible on sweet and slow, but he was afraid there was still an edge to it he just couldn't erase. He broke the kiss at last and lingered in her space. "You did just fine, my flower."
----
Her head was spinning and she couldn't breathe. He was slow and gentle, and even though she could sense that there was something more there, it was the most beautiful thing she had ever experienced. She opened her eyes and bit her lower lip gently. He was still so close that she wasn't thinking straight. She covered his hand on her face with her own and tried to think of something to say. Not finding anything she blushed and looked away, searching for something. Just what that something was she didn't know. Whatever it was, it alluded her. She looked back to him and with a slight smile sat back out of his personal space. She really needed to be able to breathe.
----
Jasper leaned back, giving her some space. She seemed confused as all get-out at the moment which was completely understandable. She was blushing and smiling though, leading to the conclusion that it at least wasn't the worst thing she'd ever done in her life. Certainly preferable than, say, rummaging through a dumpster for breakfast. She didn't seem to know what to look at, so he gave her some time to sort through and process what just happened. It wasn't just a kiss. It was...a promise.
Their meal done, they went back to the room, him reaching for her hand. They encountered no one on the way and he stole a kiss at the top of the stairs. He sat on her bed, looking to her for permission first, laying back and looking at the ceiling. "So, what now, flower?"
Their meal done, they went back to the room, him reaching for her hand. They encountered no one on the way and he stole a kiss at the top of the stairs. He sat on her bed, looking to her for permission first, laying back and looking at the ceiling. "So, what now, flower?"
----
Penny wasn't sure what to do now. She sat there for a few seconds before her eyes fell on the bookshelf, and she got up to examine what it contained. It looked like it contained a wide variety of books, from fiction to self help. There was even a vegetarian cookbook. She spent probably 5 minutes, looking at each title, lightly fingering the spines as she read them quietly to herself. She stopped and pondered every once in awhile before finally plucking one from the shelf and shyly bringing it over to where he was still lying on the bed. She could feel him watching her curiously. She sat down on the bed next to him. "Would you read to me?" Penny asked shyly. She offered the book to Jasper. The cover read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
----
He took it and smiled. This was one of his favorite books, especially to read aloud. He scooted back to the wall and drew her toward him, snugging her against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her so she could see the book in her lap and started to read over her shoulder, his lips tickling her ear. He read from the beginning, giving each character a separate voice, even talking with a lisp for a girl's like Trillian's or deadpan for Martin. She seemed to enjoy it, giggling at the funny parts and even having him re-read some of the more confusing names until he told her they weren't supposed to make sense. They were quite a few chapters in when she called for a break.
----
For awhile Penny was lost in a completely unexpected world where Earth had been destroyed and a space adventurer was explaining a witty book with "Don't Panic" inscribed in large, friendly letters on it's cover. She could feel his breath on her ear and she realized, for the first time, just how lovely his accent was. It complemented the style of the book perfectly, and she could think of no better way to have read it. The chapters were shortish, and about eight or so chapters in she realized she needed to take a trip to the bathroom.
She hadn't realized how tired she was. She wasn't used to staying up late, and although she normally slept for awkward amounts of time, these normally started around sundown. It was always better to be tucked away somewhere safe for the night by then. She didn't want to stop reading, though, so she splashed some water on her face, hoping that it would help wake her. She dried her face and went back to join him in the main room.
She hadn't realized how tired she was. She wasn't used to staying up late, and although she normally slept for awkward amounts of time, these normally started around sundown. It was always better to be tucked away somewhere safe for the night by then. She didn't want to stop reading, though, so she splashed some water on her face, hoping that it would help wake her. She dried her face and went back to join him in the main room.
----
He gazed at her as she came out of the bathroom and he realized that once again, he'd failed to be a proper host. Looking at her eyes, he could see she was exhausted. He grabbed a pair of shorts from the drawer and went into the bathroom, saying she could change out there while he got ready for bed. He gave her the option of picking anything to wear from either of the dressers, and went into the bathroom and closed the door.
He brushed his teeth and washed his face slowly, giving her plenty of time to change. He stripped out of his clothes and donned the shorts, opening the door a crack to see if she was decent. A part of him wished he'd catch of glimpse of skin but he pushed it down roughly, knowing there was no room for those sort of thoughts now.
He strolled out into the other room to see her curled up with his T-shirt and a pair of his sweatpants on. It was cute to see her in his clothes, like she belonged more to him. She looked like she was on the verge of sleep when he started to tuck her in under the covers.
He brushed his teeth and washed his face slowly, giving her plenty of time to change. He stripped out of his clothes and donned the shorts, opening the door a crack to see if she was decent. A part of him wished he'd catch of glimpse of skin but he pushed it down roughly, knowing there was no room for those sort of thoughts now.
He strolled out into the other room to see her curled up with his T-shirt and a pair of his sweatpants on. It was cute to see her in his clothes, like she belonged more to him. She looked like she was on the verge of sleep when he started to tuck her in under the covers.
----
She wasn't sure what to wear to bed, so she just grabbed the first two items that looked like they could have been sleepwear. The sweatpants and shirt were way too big on her, but at least they were cozy and weren't falling down. She hopped on the bed almost falling asleep waiting for him to come out of the bathroom. She was almost too tired to notice the fact that he was shirtless... almost. She could feel her blush coming back. Curse her light complexion.
He walked over to the bed and started to pull back the covers, when she said "No," and put a light hand on his arm. She wiggled so that her back was against the headboard and her knees were brought up to her chest. Grabbing a pillow she wrapped her arms around it, cuddling, but resting her head on it at the same. "No covers."
He walked over to the bed and started to pull back the covers, when she said "No," and put a light hand on his arm. She wiggled so that her back was against the headboard and her knees were brought up to her chest. Grabbing a pillow she wrapped her arms around it, cuddling, but resting her head on it at the same. "No covers."
----
"No covers, got it. You sure you're going to be warm enough?" Jasper asked a bit worriedly. She murmured her assent and snuggled into her pillow. He made a note to get her a couple of stuffed animals. He thought she'd like them. Maybe a really big teddy bear. He'd ask Neila tomorrow what kind of things girls liked. She'd know. And maybe he'd get an answer of why she'd been acting so weird lately. She confused him. He kissed Penny's temple softly and smoothed her hair back, wishing her dreams of angels softly.
He sighed as he went back to his monstrosity of a bed, climbing into the soft sheets. Too soft. But it was for Penny. It was all for her. Everything he'd done from the moment he saw her to now had always been for this moment. To be able to look across the room and know she was there. Safe. Sleeping. He lay there a while, staring at her for so long that even when he fell asleep, she was there in his dreams, curled into a ball.
He sighed as he went back to his monstrosity of a bed, climbing into the soft sheets. Too soft. But it was for Penny. It was all for her. Everything he'd done from the moment he saw her to now had always been for this moment. To be able to look across the room and know she was there. Safe. Sleeping. He lay there a while, staring at her for so long that even when he fell asleep, she was there in his dreams, curled into a ball.
----
Penny drifted off as she heard Jasper wish her the dreams of angels, but she was too far gone to respond with anything more than a slight murmuring sound. If she dreamed of him tonight, she would have to apologize for her abrupt exit from the conscious world. She was never able to be asleep long, and now that she was alone inside her own head, she would be able to try to make sense of the days events. She had always been kind of shy, and she knew that she had withdrawn over the years with the lack of human interactions, and what really surprised her was how strong of a reaction she had to Jasper, a man who, not 24 hours previously, she had not actually believed existed outside of her own mind. But what to her was more surprising was that he seemed to have a similar reaction to her. She hoped on some level that she wasn't a disappointment, although the thought was never fully formed.
These thoughts and musings slowly drifted into the confusion and chaos that is the dreaming mind. The room was silent, but her brain was full of the lights and noises of the city. Traffic and alarms. Strange people having muffled and unintelligible conversations as they walked past. God she hated cities. Why was she back here? Her chest hurt. She missed her parents. She missed things she couldn't remember she had forgotten. She missed Jasper. Why couldn't she feel him? The blurred lights and loud, fast noises were too much. Her head hurt. She wanted to scream. They began spinning and spiraling, reaching towards a climax of breaking when out of the silence -- "Penny."
She jerked awake hitting hard against the headboard in the silent room crying out a little. She wasn't entirely sure where she was and she tried scrambling about, getting slightly tangled with the pillow she was clutching. She found herself in the corner of the bed, breathing hard and looking around the room, recognition slowly sinking in. Jasper was beside her within seconds, holding her close, his soothing voice washed over her in waves, and she clung to him as if he were the only real thing that ever existed.
These thoughts and musings slowly drifted into the confusion and chaos that is the dreaming mind. The room was silent, but her brain was full of the lights and noises of the city. Traffic and alarms. Strange people having muffled and unintelligible conversations as they walked past. God she hated cities. Why was she back here? Her chest hurt. She missed her parents. She missed things she couldn't remember she had forgotten. She missed Jasper. Why couldn't she feel him? The blurred lights and loud, fast noises were too much. Her head hurt. She wanted to scream. They began spinning and spiraling, reaching towards a climax of breaking when out of the silence -- "Penny."
She jerked awake hitting hard against the headboard in the silent room crying out a little. She wasn't entirely sure where she was and she tried scrambling about, getting slightly tangled with the pillow she was clutching. She found herself in the corner of the bed, breathing hard and looking around the room, recognition slowly sinking in. Jasper was beside her within seconds, holding her close, his soothing voice washed over her in waves, and she clung to him as if he were the only real thing that ever existed.
----
It started off innocent enough. He was in the city and he was trying to find Penny. There was an urgency beneath the cold lights, a sinister feeling that swept over him, causing him to almost panic. He took a deep breath and re-centered, looking around for Penny. She was never far away, but why was she in the city? She was at his house...sleeping...He caught sight of her, and the poor girl looked bewildered and annoyed. He pushed against the crowd, trying to get to her, but they formed a tight wall and swept him along. She was walking in a daze, clutching her chest. "Penny," he called, but she couldn't hear him. He could see she was growing hysterical, her eyes unseeing, searching for someone who was not there. "Penny!" he shouted over the growing noise. Why was everything so loud? How was she supposed to hear him? The sound grew and expanded until he pushed everything out of the way and got to her mind, blocking out the noise for her. "Penny," he said, in an effort to jar her out of her dream. It worked; she vanished and then he vaguely heard a hard knock on wood and a low sound of pain.
He pulled himself out of the dream with some effort; it felt like it was still clinging to him even after he ran to Penny's side and started soothing her. Her breathing was shallow and fast, her eyes wide as she grabbed for him. "Shhh, flower. It's okay. It was a dream. I'm here...I'm here." She was shaking so he put her in his lap and after some inspiration, started singing a song his mother used to when he had a bad dream.
"Golden slumber kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
pretty flower,
Do not cry,
And I'll sing you a lullaby.
Care you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While I over you watch do keep.
Sleep,
pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby."
She seemed calmer but still she would not let go. So he kept humming the tune while stroking her hair. His head began to tilt and his eyes grew heavy until he eventually fell into a doze, his hand still making tiny passes through her hair.
He pulled himself out of the dream with some effort; it felt like it was still clinging to him even after he ran to Penny's side and started soothing her. Her breathing was shallow and fast, her eyes wide as she grabbed for him. "Shhh, flower. It's okay. It was a dream. I'm here...I'm here." She was shaking so he put her in his lap and after some inspiration, started singing a song his mother used to when he had a bad dream.
"Golden slumber kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
pretty flower,
Do not cry,
And I'll sing you a lullaby.
Care you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While I over you watch do keep.
Sleep,
pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby."
She seemed calmer but still she would not let go. So he kept humming the tune while stroking her hair. His head began to tilt and his eyes grew heavy until he eventually fell into a doze, his hand still making tiny passes through her hair.
----
The longer he held her, the calmer she felt. She had never heard the song he sung to her, but it was soothing, and she soon felt herself able to breathe normally. She heard his humming slowly fade away and his hand in her hair slowed significantly, and she realized that he was falling back asleep. She felt awful that she had woken him up and she knew that he wouldn't feel rested if he slept in that sitting position for the rest of the night. She also knew that she probably wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, but that was no reason that he shouldn't get as much as possible. She tried to slowly detach herself from him, but as soon as she started to move, he jerked himself awake, instinctively pulling her closer. "Shhsshh. It's okay. You just need to lie down," Penny whispered, trying not to wake him up any more than necessary.
----
Jasper looked at her balefully. He knew she didn't sleep a lot but he should be able to stay up with her. Yet, even as he thought that, he found himself drifting to sleep again. He jerked awake and tuned the light on. Reaching for the book they had been reading, he mumbled something about she should read it while he took a little nap. She scrambled off the bed to her bag, where she pulled out a dictionary and came back, smiling a little. The rougher covers felt so good on his bare upper body and he yawned and stretched. He rolled to his side and absently reached out for her hand, falling asleep once more in the process.
----
She was glad that he was getting to sleep. She hoped that the nap he was proposing was actually longer than that. She didn't plan to wake him up, and she could be quiet, so she hoped he'd sleep till morning. She didn't really want to read ahead in this book. It was better when he read it aloud and she didn't want to miss anything because of her misinterpreting or not understanding. When she slid off the bed to get her dictionary, she also pulled out a copy The Woman in White. She had found this book probably a year ago, and when she had started to read it then, she became very aware of how poor her reading level was. She kept it for that reason. Using it almost as a reader, she struggled with the style and the words. When she had found the dictionary not too long after that, it had seemed like a small miracle. They were her prized possessions.
Jasper was back to sleep faster than anything she had ever seen. She smiled lightly as he absently reached for her hand, taking it in hers gently so as not to wake him. She leaned against the headboard, book in her lap, turning pages with her left hand, reading slowly. Every so often she gently let go of his hand in order to look up an unknown word in the dictionary.
----He blinked slowly as the sun hit his eyes over the windowsill. Yawning, he stretched but stopped when he felt he was pulling on someone's hand. He peered up against the light and saw Penny's hair in a red halo around her smiling face. He grinned automatically, kissing her hand. "Good morning, flower," he said softly. He dragged himself up and scratched his head sleepily. It didn't look like she'd slept anymore, he felt with a pang, but he guessed he couldn't really be sure. She must have been bored out of her mind. He rolled off and sank to the wood floor, feeling the coolness and the dark. He really didn't like getting up in the mornings, but it wasn't fair to make her wait. He dragged himself to the bathroom.
---While he was in the bathroom she took the opportunity to put away her book and dictionary. They were ratty and dirty, and even though they were her favorite things she owned, she wasn't sure she wanted him to see them. They weren't nearly as beautiful as the books he owned. He came out of the bathroom and she could tell he was still tired. The bruise on his side had formed to its entirety, and she winced a little at its size. He walked back to the bed and plopped onto it, closing his eyes and sighing. "You should go back to bed," Penny said. "I'm sorry I woke you up last night." She looked down at her hands awkwardly.
----
He cocked his head, puzzled. "Last night? Don't be sorry at all. If anything, I'm sorry you had a bad dream. This is just me every morning." He scrubbed his face. "Me and mornings don't really see eye to eye. Did you manage to take even a little nap more? You should have slept at least a little more." She voiced her dissent immediately and he sighed. He really didn't feel like arguing first thing in an already crappy morning. Although her just being there made it slightly better. More than slightly. He lay back on the bed and put his head on her thigh. "Are you hungry yet? You could always take another shower. I'm not thinking too clearly yet."
---
"Yeah... a shower sounds nice," she said, looking down at him. She fiddled with his hair slightly as he lay there. It was sticking up in random directions, which she found to be quite humorous. She sat there a few more minutes, allowing him to doze in her lap before she got up and walked over to the dressers. After pulling out what to wear for the day, she looked to him and said, "Maybe you can take a quick nap while I'm in there. I shouldn't be too long." She didn't take nearly as long getting ready as she did yesterday. Folding the makeshift pajamas neatly on the toilet seat cover, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to what she had originally been wearing yesterday. She didn't think to much of it and got into the warm water of the shower, letting out a small sigh of pleasure. As she let the hot water wash over her, she began to sing. "Down came the sky and all you did was blink / I would cry, like I never do / in order to stay true / But everybody has their own opinions and such / They're so much a like, a like, a like. / One hundred of a million is worth penning dead down / So why am I writing to the moon?" It was almost other-worldly how much she enjoyed showering, and before too long it was over and she was drying herself off.
----
He hardly noticed when she slipped off to the shower but he opened his eyes when she began to sing. It was a very calming song, and her voice was sweet. He wondered what kind of music she liked. He'd really never asked before, what with trying to keep her from going insane and all. He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. There was a knock on the door and it swung open before he could say anything. Neila walked in with her long black hair in its customary ponytail, the ends laying over one shoulder. She looked up from her laptop she was carrying and eyed him brusquely.
"Nice bruise. How'd you manage that one?"
"I was kicked." It wasn't entirely true but close enough.
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh how terrible of me," she said flatly, not sounding apologetic in the least.
"What the hell is your problem, anyway? I've kind of had enough." He got up and stood facing her.
She looked at him, unimpressed. It was times like these he wished she weren't so tall. "You really don't want to know."
He crossed his arms and leaned in. "Actually, I think I do. If you need to get something out of your system, fucking feel free." He felt bad for swearing at her, but there were times she drove him to the edge like no other. He was entirely unprepared when her face fell and she bit her lip. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Neila? Are you okay?"
"Yes. No. I don't know," she said miserably. She looked up at him. "I--" Her gaze darted to behind him and she abruptly stopped speaking, taking a step back from him. He swung around and saw Penny paused in place, a step from the bathroom.
"Ah, shit. Neila, I--" he swung around but she was already gone.
---
Penny continued humming as she got dressed and ready for the day. She opened the bathroom door and was fairly shocked to see that sometime while she was in the shower Neila had arrived. She froze in the doorway. Jasper was looking at her with concern, but as soon as Neila saw Penny, her face closed off and she bolted from the room. Penny knew she had interrupted something, but as to what she was unsure, even though somewhere inside her she felt a small ping that could only have been jealousy. She pressed it down. Surely she was just being silly. Even still, she stood frozen in the bathroom doorway looking at him with slight confusion.
----
He really didn't know what to do. Penny was his number one priority but Neila was his very dear friend and something was clearly wrong. He looked back and forth between the open door and Penny, a pained look on his face. "I'm sorry, Penny. If you're hungry, you can go to the kitchens. They'll fix you up nicely. I...I have to go but I'll be back shortly, I promise." He started out the doorway, not caring that he wasn't wearing a shirt and that his hair had a severe case of bed head. Neila was nowhere in sight so he went to the one place he knew he could always find her.
He pushed open the door to his study. Penny's eyes stared down at him from the wall, asking why wasn't he with her, why was he here? He shook his head miserably. He didn't know. He closed his eyes and felt his way to the back, to the door that led to a closet. It was already slightly ajar and he looked in, waiting for his eyes to adjust. She was curled in the corner, her head on her knees, her hair undone. He knelt at her side and wrapped his arms around her.
She pushed him away roughly. "Don't," she said fiercely, and then her face fell again. "Just please. Don't."
He looked at her with shock. Why on earth was she crying? And how was this his fault? She looked at him accusingly and he had no idea why. "Neila, what is wrong?"
She laughed bitterly. "Nothing. Everything. And isn't that the truth."
"You're not making any sense. You know how well I do with crying and...emotion stuff." He looked down and got knocked back on his butt by a furious Neila.
"Emotion! You don't do well with emotion? How 'bout me having to watch you be depressed for weeks after each girl didn't pan out or the obvious worry you felt every morning when you woke up and she had a bad dream. Or the times you were so happy and you spoke to me how you found your soul mate." She spit the last two words at him.
He was bewildered by this change in her behavior. She'd always seemed so supportive when he talked about finding Penny and genuinely sad each time it didn't pan out. But he certainly didn't like being attacked and he resented the implications that Penny was not his soul mate. Of that he was sure. It was like Neila was attacking Penny when she brought soul mates into the conversation. He stood up. "I expect you to be...not a mess when I next see you. You are not to speak to Penny about this and I want some stuffed animals delivered to the room. A really big bear would be nice too. Get something you'd like and I'm sure she'd like it as well. That will be all." He turned and coldly strode from the room, shutting the closet door behind him. He took the short walk to the kitchens to see if Penny had decided to eat something.
---
She watched as he tried to decide what to do and watched as he ran from the room promising not to be too long. She sighed as he left walking over and sitting on the bed. She wasn't particularly hungry, but something felt off and she knew she couldn't stay in this room either. She got off the bed and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her. If memory served her correctly there was a piano somewhere on the ground floor. It didn't take her too long to find it. Remembering where things were tended to come in handy when she was on the streets. She closed the door to the room with the piano, sitting down softly on the bench. The piano was fancy, but it looked like it didn't get played much. She hoped that she remembered at least something. Her mother would be so disappointed if she could see her now. She lifted the lid to the piano and fingered the keys lightly. Closing her eyes she attempted a few chords. The piano sang, perfectly in tune. It took her a few minutes, but it seemed as though the muscle memory was still there, just waiting to be used again. Closing her eyes, she dove into a piece that was soft and passionate with a delicate melody. She closed her eyes and felt soft tears on her cheeks. She didn't know what she was crying for, but she felt as though it was necessary. She wondered with a slight tightening in her chest what Jasper was doing right now.
----
He stalked through the house, irritated. First Neila goes off the deep end, and now he lost Penny. He growled under his breath, wondering why she decided to feel adventurous today of all days. She hadn't even been to the kitchen and no one he'd asked had seen her. He had searched the whole upstairs and was on the staircase when he heard a faint pretty sound. He paused and strained to listen. It was...piano. He followed the the sound through the dining room and to a room that had not been used in a very long time. He pushed the door open, barely breathing. Surely it couldn't be...? He caught sight of Penny and a number of emotions rushed through him he didn't even take the time to sort it out. A bit disappointed, but relieved at the same time, he entered and sat down next to her, wicking away one of her tears. He knew how she felt. The melody she was playing was not familiar but he placed his hands on the keys and played a simple counterbalance to it. This calmed him but brought memories up he's rather stay down. He and his father used to play all the time before they...grew apart. The moment between Jasper and Penny needed no words and they just engrossed themselves into the music, letting it say all they needed to.
---
The song slowed to an end and Penny slowly put her hands in her lap staring at them, tears slowly trailing down her face. She could feel Jasper looking at her gently. For a few moments they just sat unmoving. There had been no need for words during the song, and there was no need for words now. She felt him softly take her hand. It seemed as though he needed it as much as she did in this moment. "My mother..." she tried to say more, but the words wouldn't come. She couldn't make them come, so instead she just closed her eyes, tears still slowly streaming down her cheeks, and laid her head on his shoulder.
----
He laid his head on hers. "My father..." he responded, knowing at least some of her pain. He knew about her mother and knew they had been close and the bond they'd shared with the piano. It must be hard to recall someone so clearly it hurt when Penny was clearly doing something she enjoyed. He wrapped his arms around her and ignored the protest his side muscles gave him. She needed him...and he needed her. He drew her onto his lap and started kissing the tears away, going down to her neck, pushing her hair out of the way, his hand roaming down her side.
---
As she felt his mouth on her neck and his hand trailing down her side she inhaled sharply closing her eyes, not prepared for the rush of sudden emotion and heat that she experienced. Instinctively, one hand reached into his hair while the other slowly trailed down his shoulder. It wasn't until she raggedly exhaled that she realized what was happening. She jumped slightly, hands going to his shoulders pushing gently. "Wait." she said breathily. Opening her eyes, she looked down at him breathing slightly labored. How did that happen so quickly?
----
He opened his eyes with some effort but when he saw her face he snapped back to reality. Ripping his eyes away from her, he sat her jarringly back on the bench beside him and clasped his hands together to keep them off of her. He swore at himself. How did he let himself lose control like that? He bit his lip, the pain waking him up a little from the need he couldn't seem to put away. This whole day so far had just grated on his nerves. Sitting right close to her was painful, even. He glanced over to see her looking at him, a worried and breathless look in her eye. He groaned, and not knowing what else to do, walked from the room. The atmosphere was stifling.
---
She closed her eyes as he got up roughly from the bench, and she flinched a little as he shut the door with some force. She just sat there, not knowing what to do. Slowly opening her eyes, she reached out, shutting the piano lid. She wasn't sure where he had gone or if she should follow him. Probably not so soon. It might just make him more frustrated. So she just sat on the piano bench for what she considered to be a respectable amount of time. She didn't know where to go, so she just walked back up to the room. The door was closed and she didn't know if he was in there. She didn't want to knock just in case he didn't want to see her. Unsure of what to do and where to go, she sat down in the hall. She put her head on her knees and just waited for something to happen, trying to make the feelings she was feeling go away. She eventually fell asleep there in the hall, head still rested on her knees.
----
He stood in the shower, shivering from the water. He had simply turned it to cold and turned it on, not bothering to take off his shorts. He needed to get a handle on himself. He was being ridiculous. He'd gone to his study but he couldn't get away from Penny there, so he had gone to his room. He wondered what she was doing, now that he had probably scared her to death. A deep guilt and shame began to spread through him and he pounded the wall once, gritting his teeth. He'd let her down again. He'd promised he'd never leave her and that is just what he did.
Jasper took a deep breath, knowing he had to fix it. Somehow. He missed her already, and he stepped out drying himself haphazardly and changing into something more appropriate for a young man of his standing. He brushed his hair out of his eyes impatiently. He saw that the stuffed animals had been delivered and rolled his eyes. The bear Neila got--if you could call it a bear...it looked more like a misshapen mass of fluff--was as big as the bed itself were it laying down. As it was, it sat leaning at an angle sadly. It was almost as tall sitting as he was standing. He opened the door and saw Penny sitting there, curled up asleep. He picked her up gently and she stirred sleepily. He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and sat in the chair with her in his lap, grabbing a pillow so she could curl up against it. He leaned back and closed his eyes, matching his breath to hers.
---
Subconsciously she felt him pick her up, but she didn't actually fully wake up. As he settled them into the chair, she unconsciously curled into his chest letting out a small sigh. She had been more tired than she thought, and she slept without dreaming for longer than was probably acceptable for a nap. When she stirred in his lap, he was already awake. She made a small noise and shook off the last of the sleep that was clinging to her. Leaning back into her original position resting on his chest, she whispered, "I'm sorry."
----
He stroked her hair. "For what? You have nothing to be sorry for. And I am very sorry for acting like that. I was...not myself." But in truth that was exactly who he was. He kissed her lightly and lingered there for a moment before leaning back again. "Did you have a nice nap? You seemed to sleep well from what I could see. It seems that today did not go well for either of us so far. What do you say we start over and get something for breakfast. Surely you must be hungry by now." He hugged her close, glad she was willingly in his arms again.
---
Penny nuzzled into the hug. The nap had probably been a good idea, although she was fairly certain it was actually closer to lunch at this point. She could have eaten, but she didn't really want to get up out of his embrace yet. He was being too hard on himself again and it hurt her to see him doing so. She sighed a little, adjusting so she could see his face. "Jasper," she whispered, "I'm sorry I had to stop you. You shouldn't have to keep sacrificing yourself because I'm broken, but..." She hesitated slightly before kissing him gently, laying her hand on his jaw stroking across his cheekbone with her thumb. She broke it just as gently resting her head forehead on his so that their noses touched, lingering. Exhaling, she pulled away, smiling lightly. She wanted him to know that she was trying to be what he needed and even though she wasn't there yet, that she would get there.
She realized that she was hungry, and that surprised her because she was normally able to just ignore it. If she was hungry, then she knew that he was probably famished. Feeling a little sheepish she asked, "Maybe we could go get some food?"
----
He swung her up into a fireman's carry and laughed when she made a noise of surprise, trying to wiggle down. He walked all the way out to the hall before he set her lightly on her feet, kissing her cheek in apology. "That was just too much fun not to do, flower." He hugged her. "But we really need to get you something to eat because you are much too light." He took her hand and they strolled to the kitchen together. He felt very bouncy. She had kissed him of her own volition. She'd kissed him. There might be some hope in all this after all. They wandered into the kitchen and Stefan raised an eyebrow at him. It was still clearly earlier than he normally arrived, looking for food. And indeed, he wasn't so hungry but Penny was and that was enough for him. They sat at the table and waited for a while for the food to be done.
---
His mood seemed to be much better, and she was happy for it. They went to the kitchen and she had eaten her fill. She wasn't quite sure how Stefan managed to do it, but everything he made seemed to be better than the last. She wasn't sure what this was, but whatever it was, it was delicious. When they were done and the plates were gone Jasper took her hand, softly kissing it and asking, "What to do now, flower?" Penny wasn't entirely sure. She didn't exactly know what there was to do or what he did on a normal day. She paused for a moment before remembering, "Oh! You said something about going outside today." She looked at him, slightly eager, trying to see if he still wanted to do so.
----
He grinned. She was in for a treat if she wanted to see the grounds. He led her back to room so she could get changed and they could both wash up. He led her out the back and down a long sloping hill to a stable in the back. They passed through a large lawn with a huge fountain in the middle and a wonderful wild garden surrounding, a little piece of England countryside in the middle of a city. He led her through, pointing out wild flowers that grew on the moors and picked a small bouquet for her. They made it to the small barn and a couple hostlers said their hellos. He took her inside to the cool and dark, sitting on one of the many buckets around. It smelled of deep woods and bright sun-dried hay and a smell that is only horses. He clucked his tongue and four heads poked out of separate stalls, the one closest giving a small snort as he munched on his lunch of oats and bran. "That's Jack. He's the best and brightest of all four of them here. And he's the gentlest. Would you like to go for a ride?"
---
She smiled as the sun hit her face. Looking around she was amazed that this could still be considered part of the city. It looked like the furthest thing from it. They started walking through an expansive garden full of flowers, and she blushed a little when he presented her with a small bouquet. She picked one of the flowers out of the bouquet, tucking it behind her ear and in her hair. They ended up walking to a small barn towards the back of the garden. It was dimmer inside and as her eyes adjusted he made a sound with his tongue and four horses popped their heads out of their stalls. They were beautiful. He asked if she wanted to go for a ride, and she said voice full of wonder, "I don't know how." He smiled at her, taking her hand and leading her to the stall.
----
He gave her a carrot from a small cooler kept in the barn and showed her how to keep her hand flat so her fingers didn't get bit as Jack ate out of her hand. She giggled quietly, pressing into him as she got horse slobber and oats all over her hand. He laughed and petted the large animal's head. "Good boy," he said jokingly. He gave her a wet towel and led her to the side, giving her time to say hello to the other animals while he saddled up Jack. "The grey one is Star, the brown one is Amigo and the black is Cadillac. Watch Caddy, he likes to try to push people around." He took Jack out of his stall and gave him a quick brush down, asking John, the guy who took care of the horses, to get Jack's saddle and blanket, then changed his mind mid-sentence. "Just get the snaffle bit bridle, and a stool." John nodded, smiling and returned soon with the requested tack. Jasper slipped the bit easily into Jack's mouth and secured the bridle on the side.
He called Penny over and she looked at him dubiously. "What about the saddle or whatever?" she asked.
"Nah, don't need one, promise. Old Jack here wouldn't hurt a fly let alone you or me. He doesn't much care for the saddles in his old age. You'll like it." He looked into her eyes. "Trust me." Her face firmed a bit and she nodded once. He lifted her up on the horse easily and used the step to swing on behind her. "Okay, now the trick in to not panic and grip with your legs. Just move with the natural motion; it's easy. I'm right behind you, you can't fall off without taking me with you and I refuse to fall off today." He kissed the back of her neck. "Ready? Let's go."
---
Much as she tried to be prepared, when the horse started moving she couldn't help but try to reach for something to grab onto. This only lasted a few seconds and a few minutes later she felt as though she was getting used to the rhythm of Jack's movements. She was very aware of Jasper sitting behind her, a hand resting gently on her hip, reins in the other. She looked around, trying to take in as much of the grounds as was possible. It was quiet and beautiful, the tall buildings of the city creating a strange backdrop. Suddenly, they sped up up. She wasn't expecting it and she let out a small squeal of surprise, leaning forward to place both hands firmly on the back of the horse. She could hear Jasper laughing behind her, and she chuckled slightly, sitting back again. The wind in her hair and the sun on her face was probably one of the greatest feelings ever. She turned her face skyward and held her arms out to her sides. Closing her eyes she felt as if she were flying.
----
He let her have her moment, looking at her with tenderness. Even though he couldn't remember his first time on a horse, there was always that sense of freedom every time he and Jack started racing the wind. He felt the thrill pour off her body and his breath quickened in response, giving her little kisses on her neck and the soft skin behind her ear. All too soon, he ran out of trail to fly down and he turned Jack around, letting them all come to a walk, everyone catching their breath. "Not horrible, eh flower?" He whispered as she lay back against him. She grinned and he nipped her gently. They took their time back, trading little kisses along the way beneath the clear sky and the merry sun, boosting their spirits.
---
As they walked back up the path they had come down, Penny couldn't remember ever feeling happier. The run had been exhilarating and the feeling of Jasper's lips on her neck had just intensified it. She leaned back against him and they spent the walk back to the barn sharing soft kisses and gentle caresses. She had realized something. She had always known it, but it had never been clear in her mind before. She trusted him. Of all the things she was experiencing at that moment, this realization of trust was the best. Well either that or Jasper's lips on hers. They were back at the barn too soon. She sighed when she saw it, leaning her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes, relishing the moment that was about to end.
----
They got back to the barn and he helped her down first, laughing as she felt the muscles on her legs she normally never used up until this point. She had the last laugh though when he dismounted and did the same waddle, first because it hurt, and then intentionally to make her smile. He left the horse with John after asking it okay of the older man and walked her back through the garden, splashing her with the water from the fountain. She jumped a little, not expecting it, then grinned and splashed him back. It was cold, but it felt good. They had a mini splash battle until they were both fairly wet and chilled from finally cooling down after the ride. "You hungry at all?" He asked. It had, after all, been some good exercise.
---
She wasn't hungry, and she didn't really want to go back inside. The sun was still high and bright, and flowers smelled so good that she felt it would be a shame to waste the day inside. Instead, she started walking off towards where the flowers started to end and the fields began. She dropped to the ground, laying down and sighing at the feel and smell of grass. She sat up and started picking flowers with longish stems, fashioning them into a chain in order to make a necklace. She hadn't done this since she was a child, and the familiarity of it made her smile a little. Jasper lay on the ground beside her, looking up at the sky. They sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying each others company. She finished the first necklace, leaning over and putting it around his neck, smiling at him. As she began working on the second, she looked at him and said softly, "Tell me about England."
----
He sighed. "England. It's a place just like here really. Dank streets with small gems hidden away. We have more sheep than you do and our buildings are more stone and homey than here. Americans as a rule are so stiff and work too much. London is huge, I'm sure you know about Big Ben, the huge clocktower? I've never been inside, but I've always wanted to. It rains a lot, can get a bit dreary at times what with the sun not wanting to come out and all. We have really big meadows in the countryside, not so many trees. Rolling hills and we have some really steep cliffs. Huge. Lots of goats and livestock actually. The sea is really close, kind of like here, but not so...busy. London is, but even that has a different feel. Everyone here is so focused on being beautiful when they can't see how beautiful they are already."
---
She listened intently, finishing her necklace and putting it around her neck. She leaned back, propping herself up on her arms, letting the sound of his voice wash over her, eyes closed. When he got towards the end of description something changed in his tone. She opened her eyes and looked down at him not sure how to respond. She had stopped believing in beauty... until yesterday. Her mother had been beautiful. The world was dimmer without her in it. Jasper was beautiful, although he probably wouldn't have appreciated that particular adjective. She was still taken aback by it every time she looked at him. She was broken. Beauty wasn't for her. This was something she had accepted long ago. She smiled at him lightly, saying, "Maybe someday I'll get to see England. I really hate the speed and noise of everything here."
----
He looked at her, frowning. He was glad half the time she wasn't good at hiding her feelings and the other half hurting for her. Something about her tone was off. He rolled so his upper body was on hers, his elbows balanced on either side of her head. He brushed her nose with his. "And when I say that everyone is beautiful, I mean everyone." He gave her light kisses, starting from her jaw line and lingering on her lips. "You more than anyone. Is a dove any less beautiful if it has a broken wing? It just needs some love and care and soon it will be flying again, just as lovely as ever." He stood, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. "You really are too light, flower." He shook his head sadly, starting back to the house.
---
She lay her head on his shoulder as he carried her back to the house. She wondered where they were going. The kitchen, probably. She had eaten more in the last 24 hours than she normally ate in a week. She wasn't really hungry now, but had a feeling that they were going to the kitchen anyway. As they past the fountain, she wiggled in his arms. She grinned up at him. "I can walk, you know. If you insist on fattening me up, then I insist on being able to walk there myself." He laughed, but didn't put her down, continuing up to the house and into the kitchen where lunch was waiting.
----
They had a light, but delicious, lunch. BLT sandwiches and a lovely fruit salad which went well with the fresh lemonade and snickerdoodles cookies at the end. Penny only had a couple bites of everything but she seemed to enjoy it all. They were just finishing up when Neila came into the kitchen with an alarmed look on her face.
"Jasper, a word with you, please." He arched an eyebrow. "Now," she hissed.
A bit startled, he half-rose involuntarily before he realized who was talking to him. He sat back down and crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever you have to say with me can be said with Penny here as well."
"It really can't." She rolled her eyes but he didn't budge. As it sank in that he wasn't going to move, her facial expression slowly changed into one of anger and something he could only identify through seeing it on Penny's face so long after her parents had died. Hurt. Why she would be looking that way he had not a clue but the sooner she realized that he and Penny were a package deal, the better. "Fine," she snapped and turned heel and stalked from the room.
He looked at Penny apologetically. "I'm sorry she's not normally like this."
"Like what?" a light voice asked from the doorway. Startled, he turned and knocked the lemonade from the table. "Oh Jasper, really now. And in front of a guest?" He grabbed some napkins off the table and started mopping up the mess. Delicate hands joined him and he looked up into smiling hazel eyes. "You're always knocking things over, dear." He couldn't look at Penny. What on earth was his mother doing home? He cringed as the petite blonde stood back up and offered a hand over Jasper's bent figure. "Eliza Laurie, love. Lovely to meet you. I suppose you would be...well, color me silly, but I don't believe I know your name. It must be serious if Jasper has you over to the house though." Jasper thought he would die of shame. He had no preparation for this.
---
Penny wasn't sure what was happening. The interaction with Neila was strange, and Penny hoped she was okay. She had never asked Jasper what had happened with her earlier that morning. What happened next was so quick that she wasn't sure that she caught it all. There was lemonade on the floor and Jasper looked completely mortified. A small blonde woman came out of nowhere. She leaned over Jasper, introducing herself, and Penny took her hand shyly. "Penny" she said quietly, not quite able to make eye contact. She was blushing at the assumption that her and Jasper were "serious" although she was not entirely wrong. She looked to Jasper for some sign for what to do, but he looked as if he wasn't really processing either.
----
"Uhm, Mum. What are you doing home?"
Eliza shook her head blithely, continuing on as if she hadn't heard his question. "So, Jasper. How long have you guys been together?"
"Just about forever, Mum," he said lamely. "Her folks are...out of town and she needed someone to entertain her during the daylight hours."
"Where is she sleeping? You know, we should have a girl's night," she said to Penny, "Lovely name as well. So bright like your hair."
"She has a place to stay, Mum."
"Oh does she? Where?"
He stopped short. "With Neila. She's sleeping on the couch in there."
"Oh how lovely!" Eliza clapped her hands. She covered Penny's hand with her own and leaned in conspiratorially. "I'll stop up later and we can have hot chocolate and play Life." She made her way out of the kitchen saying, "Well, I won't be here long Jasper. Just a couple of days, then off to Bolivia! A shower sounds divine just about now. You kids have fun now."
Neila smiled at Eliza and gave her a quick hug but her eyes were blazing quietly. She waited until Eliza was out of earshot when she shoved a chair out of the way and leaned on the table in front of Jasper. "She's what."
He smiled grimly. "Just for tonight? Or maybe even tomorrow night too? I'm sorry, I couldn't tell her Penny was sleeping in my room."
"...And if I say no," she said quietly, looking down.
He set his mouth. What the bloody hell was wrong with her. "We'll talk about this later. As for now, a set of Penny's clothes need to be retrieved from my room."
Jasper was back to sleep faster than anything she had ever seen. She smiled lightly as he absently reached for her hand, taking it in hers gently so as not to wake him. She leaned against the headboard, book in her lap, turning pages with her left hand, reading slowly. Every so often she gently let go of his hand in order to look up an unknown word in the dictionary.
----He blinked slowly as the sun hit his eyes over the windowsill. Yawning, he stretched but stopped when he felt he was pulling on someone's hand. He peered up against the light and saw Penny's hair in a red halo around her smiling face. He grinned automatically, kissing her hand. "Good morning, flower," he said softly. He dragged himself up and scratched his head sleepily. It didn't look like she'd slept anymore, he felt with a pang, but he guessed he couldn't really be sure. She must have been bored out of her mind. He rolled off and sank to the wood floor, feeling the coolness and the dark. He really didn't like getting up in the mornings, but it wasn't fair to make her wait. He dragged himself to the bathroom.
---While he was in the bathroom she took the opportunity to put away her book and dictionary. They were ratty and dirty, and even though they were her favorite things she owned, she wasn't sure she wanted him to see them. They weren't nearly as beautiful as the books he owned. He came out of the bathroom and she could tell he was still tired. The bruise on his side had formed to its entirety, and she winced a little at its size. He walked back to the bed and plopped onto it, closing his eyes and sighing. "You should go back to bed," Penny said. "I'm sorry I woke you up last night." She looked down at her hands awkwardly.
----
He cocked his head, puzzled. "Last night? Don't be sorry at all. If anything, I'm sorry you had a bad dream. This is just me every morning." He scrubbed his face. "Me and mornings don't really see eye to eye. Did you manage to take even a little nap more? You should have slept at least a little more." She voiced her dissent immediately and he sighed. He really didn't feel like arguing first thing in an already crappy morning. Although her just being there made it slightly better. More than slightly. He lay back on the bed and put his head on her thigh. "Are you hungry yet? You could always take another shower. I'm not thinking too clearly yet."
---
"Yeah... a shower sounds nice," she said, looking down at him. She fiddled with his hair slightly as he lay there. It was sticking up in random directions, which she found to be quite humorous. She sat there a few more minutes, allowing him to doze in her lap before she got up and walked over to the dressers. After pulling out what to wear for the day, she looked to him and said, "Maybe you can take a quick nap while I'm in there. I shouldn't be too long." She didn't take nearly as long getting ready as she did yesterday. Folding the makeshift pajamas neatly on the toilet seat cover, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to what she had originally been wearing yesterday. She didn't think to much of it and got into the warm water of the shower, letting out a small sigh of pleasure. As she let the hot water wash over her, she began to sing. "Down came the sky and all you did was blink / I would cry, like I never do / in order to stay true / But everybody has their own opinions and such / They're so much a like, a like, a like. / One hundred of a million is worth penning dead down / So why am I writing to the moon?" It was almost other-worldly how much she enjoyed showering, and before too long it was over and she was drying herself off.
----
He hardly noticed when she slipped off to the shower but he opened his eyes when she began to sing. It was a very calming song, and her voice was sweet. He wondered what kind of music she liked. He'd really never asked before, what with trying to keep her from going insane and all. He sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. There was a knock on the door and it swung open before he could say anything. Neila walked in with her long black hair in its customary ponytail, the ends laying over one shoulder. She looked up from her laptop she was carrying and eyed him brusquely.
"Nice bruise. How'd you manage that one?"
"I was kicked." It wasn't entirely true but close enough.
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh how terrible of me," she said flatly, not sounding apologetic in the least.
"What the hell is your problem, anyway? I've kind of had enough." He got up and stood facing her.
She looked at him, unimpressed. It was times like these he wished she weren't so tall. "You really don't want to know."
He crossed his arms and leaned in. "Actually, I think I do. If you need to get something out of your system, fucking feel free." He felt bad for swearing at her, but there were times she drove him to the edge like no other. He was entirely unprepared when her face fell and she bit her lip. He put his hand on her shoulder. "Neila? Are you okay?"
"Yes. No. I don't know," she said miserably. She looked up at him. "I--" Her gaze darted to behind him and she abruptly stopped speaking, taking a step back from him. He swung around and saw Penny paused in place, a step from the bathroom.
"Ah, shit. Neila, I--" he swung around but she was already gone.
---
Penny continued humming as she got dressed and ready for the day. She opened the bathroom door and was fairly shocked to see that sometime while she was in the shower Neila had arrived. She froze in the doorway. Jasper was looking at her with concern, but as soon as Neila saw Penny, her face closed off and she bolted from the room. Penny knew she had interrupted something, but as to what she was unsure, even though somewhere inside her she felt a small ping that could only have been jealousy. She pressed it down. Surely she was just being silly. Even still, she stood frozen in the bathroom doorway looking at him with slight confusion.
----
He really didn't know what to do. Penny was his number one priority but Neila was his very dear friend and something was clearly wrong. He looked back and forth between the open door and Penny, a pained look on his face. "I'm sorry, Penny. If you're hungry, you can go to the kitchens. They'll fix you up nicely. I...I have to go but I'll be back shortly, I promise." He started out the doorway, not caring that he wasn't wearing a shirt and that his hair had a severe case of bed head. Neila was nowhere in sight so he went to the one place he knew he could always find her.
He pushed open the door to his study. Penny's eyes stared down at him from the wall, asking why wasn't he with her, why was he here? He shook his head miserably. He didn't know. He closed his eyes and felt his way to the back, to the door that led to a closet. It was already slightly ajar and he looked in, waiting for his eyes to adjust. She was curled in the corner, her head on her knees, her hair undone. He knelt at her side and wrapped his arms around her.
She pushed him away roughly. "Don't," she said fiercely, and then her face fell again. "Just please. Don't."
He looked at her with shock. Why on earth was she crying? And how was this his fault? She looked at him accusingly and he had no idea why. "Neila, what is wrong?"
She laughed bitterly. "Nothing. Everything. And isn't that the truth."
"You're not making any sense. You know how well I do with crying and...emotion stuff." He looked down and got knocked back on his butt by a furious Neila.
"Emotion! You don't do well with emotion? How 'bout me having to watch you be depressed for weeks after each girl didn't pan out or the obvious worry you felt every morning when you woke up and she had a bad dream. Or the times you were so happy and you spoke to me how you found your soul mate." She spit the last two words at him.
He was bewildered by this change in her behavior. She'd always seemed so supportive when he talked about finding Penny and genuinely sad each time it didn't pan out. But he certainly didn't like being attacked and he resented the implications that Penny was not his soul mate. Of that he was sure. It was like Neila was attacking Penny when she brought soul mates into the conversation. He stood up. "I expect you to be...not a mess when I next see you. You are not to speak to Penny about this and I want some stuffed animals delivered to the room. A really big bear would be nice too. Get something you'd like and I'm sure she'd like it as well. That will be all." He turned and coldly strode from the room, shutting the closet door behind him. He took the short walk to the kitchens to see if Penny had decided to eat something.
---
She watched as he tried to decide what to do and watched as he ran from the room promising not to be too long. She sighed as he left walking over and sitting on the bed. She wasn't particularly hungry, but something felt off and she knew she couldn't stay in this room either. She got off the bed and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her. If memory served her correctly there was a piano somewhere on the ground floor. It didn't take her too long to find it. Remembering where things were tended to come in handy when she was on the streets. She closed the door to the room with the piano, sitting down softly on the bench. The piano was fancy, but it looked like it didn't get played much. She hoped that she remembered at least something. Her mother would be so disappointed if she could see her now. She lifted the lid to the piano and fingered the keys lightly. Closing her eyes she attempted a few chords. The piano sang, perfectly in tune. It took her a few minutes, but it seemed as though the muscle memory was still there, just waiting to be used again. Closing her eyes, she dove into a piece that was soft and passionate with a delicate melody. She closed her eyes and felt soft tears on her cheeks. She didn't know what she was crying for, but she felt as though it was necessary. She wondered with a slight tightening in her chest what Jasper was doing right now.
----
He stalked through the house, irritated. First Neila goes off the deep end, and now he lost Penny. He growled under his breath, wondering why she decided to feel adventurous today of all days. She hadn't even been to the kitchen and no one he'd asked had seen her. He had searched the whole upstairs and was on the staircase when he heard a faint pretty sound. He paused and strained to listen. It was...piano. He followed the the sound through the dining room and to a room that had not been used in a very long time. He pushed the door open, barely breathing. Surely it couldn't be...? He caught sight of Penny and a number of emotions rushed through him he didn't even take the time to sort it out. A bit disappointed, but relieved at the same time, he entered and sat down next to her, wicking away one of her tears. He knew how she felt. The melody she was playing was not familiar but he placed his hands on the keys and played a simple counterbalance to it. This calmed him but brought memories up he's rather stay down. He and his father used to play all the time before they...grew apart. The moment between Jasper and Penny needed no words and they just engrossed themselves into the music, letting it say all they needed to.
---
The song slowed to an end and Penny slowly put her hands in her lap staring at them, tears slowly trailing down her face. She could feel Jasper looking at her gently. For a few moments they just sat unmoving. There had been no need for words during the song, and there was no need for words now. She felt him softly take her hand. It seemed as though he needed it as much as she did in this moment. "My mother..." she tried to say more, but the words wouldn't come. She couldn't make them come, so instead she just closed her eyes, tears still slowly streaming down her cheeks, and laid her head on his shoulder.
----
He laid his head on hers. "My father..." he responded, knowing at least some of her pain. He knew about her mother and knew they had been close and the bond they'd shared with the piano. It must be hard to recall someone so clearly it hurt when Penny was clearly doing something she enjoyed. He wrapped his arms around her and ignored the protest his side muscles gave him. She needed him...and he needed her. He drew her onto his lap and started kissing the tears away, going down to her neck, pushing her hair out of the way, his hand roaming down her side.
---
As she felt his mouth on her neck and his hand trailing down her side she inhaled sharply closing her eyes, not prepared for the rush of sudden emotion and heat that she experienced. Instinctively, one hand reached into his hair while the other slowly trailed down his shoulder. It wasn't until she raggedly exhaled that she realized what was happening. She jumped slightly, hands going to his shoulders pushing gently. "Wait." she said breathily. Opening her eyes, she looked down at him breathing slightly labored. How did that happen so quickly?
----
He opened his eyes with some effort but when he saw her face he snapped back to reality. Ripping his eyes away from her, he sat her jarringly back on the bench beside him and clasped his hands together to keep them off of her. He swore at himself. How did he let himself lose control like that? He bit his lip, the pain waking him up a little from the need he couldn't seem to put away. This whole day so far had just grated on his nerves. Sitting right close to her was painful, even. He glanced over to see her looking at him, a worried and breathless look in her eye. He groaned, and not knowing what else to do, walked from the room. The atmosphere was stifling.
---
She closed her eyes as he got up roughly from the bench, and she flinched a little as he shut the door with some force. She just sat there, not knowing what to do. Slowly opening her eyes, she reached out, shutting the piano lid. She wasn't sure where he had gone or if she should follow him. Probably not so soon. It might just make him more frustrated. So she just sat on the piano bench for what she considered to be a respectable amount of time. She didn't know where to go, so she just walked back up to the room. The door was closed and she didn't know if he was in there. She didn't want to knock just in case he didn't want to see her. Unsure of what to do and where to go, she sat down in the hall. She put her head on her knees and just waited for something to happen, trying to make the feelings she was feeling go away. She eventually fell asleep there in the hall, head still rested on her knees.
----
He stood in the shower, shivering from the water. He had simply turned it to cold and turned it on, not bothering to take off his shorts. He needed to get a handle on himself. He was being ridiculous. He'd gone to his study but he couldn't get away from Penny there, so he had gone to his room. He wondered what she was doing, now that he had probably scared her to death. A deep guilt and shame began to spread through him and he pounded the wall once, gritting his teeth. He'd let her down again. He'd promised he'd never leave her and that is just what he did.
Jasper took a deep breath, knowing he had to fix it. Somehow. He missed her already, and he stepped out drying himself haphazardly and changing into something more appropriate for a young man of his standing. He brushed his hair out of his eyes impatiently. He saw that the stuffed animals had been delivered and rolled his eyes. The bear Neila got--if you could call it a bear...it looked more like a misshapen mass of fluff--was as big as the bed itself were it laying down. As it was, it sat leaning at an angle sadly. It was almost as tall sitting as he was standing. He opened the door and saw Penny sitting there, curled up asleep. He picked her up gently and she stirred sleepily. He gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead and sat in the chair with her in his lap, grabbing a pillow so she could curl up against it. He leaned back and closed his eyes, matching his breath to hers.
---
Subconsciously she felt him pick her up, but she didn't actually fully wake up. As he settled them into the chair, she unconsciously curled into his chest letting out a small sigh. She had been more tired than she thought, and she slept without dreaming for longer than was probably acceptable for a nap. When she stirred in his lap, he was already awake. She made a small noise and shook off the last of the sleep that was clinging to her. Leaning back into her original position resting on his chest, she whispered, "I'm sorry."
----
He stroked her hair. "For what? You have nothing to be sorry for. And I am very sorry for acting like that. I was...not myself." But in truth that was exactly who he was. He kissed her lightly and lingered there for a moment before leaning back again. "Did you have a nice nap? You seemed to sleep well from what I could see. It seems that today did not go well for either of us so far. What do you say we start over and get something for breakfast. Surely you must be hungry by now." He hugged her close, glad she was willingly in his arms again.
---
Penny nuzzled into the hug. The nap had probably been a good idea, although she was fairly certain it was actually closer to lunch at this point. She could have eaten, but she didn't really want to get up out of his embrace yet. He was being too hard on himself again and it hurt her to see him doing so. She sighed a little, adjusting so she could see his face. "Jasper," she whispered, "I'm sorry I had to stop you. You shouldn't have to keep sacrificing yourself because I'm broken, but..." She hesitated slightly before kissing him gently, laying her hand on his jaw stroking across his cheekbone with her thumb. She broke it just as gently resting her head forehead on his so that their noses touched, lingering. Exhaling, she pulled away, smiling lightly. She wanted him to know that she was trying to be what he needed and even though she wasn't there yet, that she would get there.
She realized that she was hungry, and that surprised her because she was normally able to just ignore it. If she was hungry, then she knew that he was probably famished. Feeling a little sheepish she asked, "Maybe we could go get some food?"
----
He swung her up into a fireman's carry and laughed when she made a noise of surprise, trying to wiggle down. He walked all the way out to the hall before he set her lightly on her feet, kissing her cheek in apology. "That was just too much fun not to do, flower." He hugged her. "But we really need to get you something to eat because you are much too light." He took her hand and they strolled to the kitchen together. He felt very bouncy. She had kissed him of her own volition. She'd kissed him. There might be some hope in all this after all. They wandered into the kitchen and Stefan raised an eyebrow at him. It was still clearly earlier than he normally arrived, looking for food. And indeed, he wasn't so hungry but Penny was and that was enough for him. They sat at the table and waited for a while for the food to be done.
---
His mood seemed to be much better, and she was happy for it. They went to the kitchen and she had eaten her fill. She wasn't quite sure how Stefan managed to do it, but everything he made seemed to be better than the last. She wasn't sure what this was, but whatever it was, it was delicious. When they were done and the plates were gone Jasper took her hand, softly kissing it and asking, "What to do now, flower?" Penny wasn't entirely sure. She didn't exactly know what there was to do or what he did on a normal day. She paused for a moment before remembering, "Oh! You said something about going outside today." She looked at him, slightly eager, trying to see if he still wanted to do so.
----
He grinned. She was in for a treat if she wanted to see the grounds. He led her back to room so she could get changed and they could both wash up. He led her out the back and down a long sloping hill to a stable in the back. They passed through a large lawn with a huge fountain in the middle and a wonderful wild garden surrounding, a little piece of England countryside in the middle of a city. He led her through, pointing out wild flowers that grew on the moors and picked a small bouquet for her. They made it to the small barn and a couple hostlers said their hellos. He took her inside to the cool and dark, sitting on one of the many buckets around. It smelled of deep woods and bright sun-dried hay and a smell that is only horses. He clucked his tongue and four heads poked out of separate stalls, the one closest giving a small snort as he munched on his lunch of oats and bran. "That's Jack. He's the best and brightest of all four of them here. And he's the gentlest. Would you like to go for a ride?"
---
She smiled as the sun hit her face. Looking around she was amazed that this could still be considered part of the city. It looked like the furthest thing from it. They started walking through an expansive garden full of flowers, and she blushed a little when he presented her with a small bouquet. She picked one of the flowers out of the bouquet, tucking it behind her ear and in her hair. They ended up walking to a small barn towards the back of the garden. It was dimmer inside and as her eyes adjusted he made a sound with his tongue and four horses popped their heads out of their stalls. They were beautiful. He asked if she wanted to go for a ride, and she said voice full of wonder, "I don't know how." He smiled at her, taking her hand and leading her to the stall.
----
He gave her a carrot from a small cooler kept in the barn and showed her how to keep her hand flat so her fingers didn't get bit as Jack ate out of her hand. She giggled quietly, pressing into him as she got horse slobber and oats all over her hand. He laughed and petted the large animal's head. "Good boy," he said jokingly. He gave her a wet towel and led her to the side, giving her time to say hello to the other animals while he saddled up Jack. "The grey one is Star, the brown one is Amigo and the black is Cadillac. Watch Caddy, he likes to try to push people around." He took Jack out of his stall and gave him a quick brush down, asking John, the guy who took care of the horses, to get Jack's saddle and blanket, then changed his mind mid-sentence. "Just get the snaffle bit bridle, and a stool." John nodded, smiling and returned soon with the requested tack. Jasper slipped the bit easily into Jack's mouth and secured the bridle on the side.
He called Penny over and she looked at him dubiously. "What about the saddle or whatever?" she asked.
"Nah, don't need one, promise. Old Jack here wouldn't hurt a fly let alone you or me. He doesn't much care for the saddles in his old age. You'll like it." He looked into her eyes. "Trust me." Her face firmed a bit and she nodded once. He lifted her up on the horse easily and used the step to swing on behind her. "Okay, now the trick in to not panic and grip with your legs. Just move with the natural motion; it's easy. I'm right behind you, you can't fall off without taking me with you and I refuse to fall off today." He kissed the back of her neck. "Ready? Let's go."
---
Much as she tried to be prepared, when the horse started moving she couldn't help but try to reach for something to grab onto. This only lasted a few seconds and a few minutes later she felt as though she was getting used to the rhythm of Jack's movements. She was very aware of Jasper sitting behind her, a hand resting gently on her hip, reins in the other. She looked around, trying to take in as much of the grounds as was possible. It was quiet and beautiful, the tall buildings of the city creating a strange backdrop. Suddenly, they sped up up. She wasn't expecting it and she let out a small squeal of surprise, leaning forward to place both hands firmly on the back of the horse. She could hear Jasper laughing behind her, and she chuckled slightly, sitting back again. The wind in her hair and the sun on her face was probably one of the greatest feelings ever. She turned her face skyward and held her arms out to her sides. Closing her eyes she felt as if she were flying.
----
He let her have her moment, looking at her with tenderness. Even though he couldn't remember his first time on a horse, there was always that sense of freedom every time he and Jack started racing the wind. He felt the thrill pour off her body and his breath quickened in response, giving her little kisses on her neck and the soft skin behind her ear. All too soon, he ran out of trail to fly down and he turned Jack around, letting them all come to a walk, everyone catching their breath. "Not horrible, eh flower?" He whispered as she lay back against him. She grinned and he nipped her gently. They took their time back, trading little kisses along the way beneath the clear sky and the merry sun, boosting their spirits.
---
As they walked back up the path they had come down, Penny couldn't remember ever feeling happier. The run had been exhilarating and the feeling of Jasper's lips on her neck had just intensified it. She leaned back against him and they spent the walk back to the barn sharing soft kisses and gentle caresses. She had realized something. She had always known it, but it had never been clear in her mind before. She trusted him. Of all the things she was experiencing at that moment, this realization of trust was the best. Well either that or Jasper's lips on hers. They were back at the barn too soon. She sighed when she saw it, leaning her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes, relishing the moment that was about to end.
----
They got back to the barn and he helped her down first, laughing as she felt the muscles on her legs she normally never used up until this point. She had the last laugh though when he dismounted and did the same waddle, first because it hurt, and then intentionally to make her smile. He left the horse with John after asking it okay of the older man and walked her back through the garden, splashing her with the water from the fountain. She jumped a little, not expecting it, then grinned and splashed him back. It was cold, but it felt good. They had a mini splash battle until they were both fairly wet and chilled from finally cooling down after the ride. "You hungry at all?" He asked. It had, after all, been some good exercise.
---
She wasn't hungry, and she didn't really want to go back inside. The sun was still high and bright, and flowers smelled so good that she felt it would be a shame to waste the day inside. Instead, she started walking off towards where the flowers started to end and the fields began. She dropped to the ground, laying down and sighing at the feel and smell of grass. She sat up and started picking flowers with longish stems, fashioning them into a chain in order to make a necklace. She hadn't done this since she was a child, and the familiarity of it made her smile a little. Jasper lay on the ground beside her, looking up at the sky. They sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying each others company. She finished the first necklace, leaning over and putting it around his neck, smiling at him. As she began working on the second, she looked at him and said softly, "Tell me about England."
----
He sighed. "England. It's a place just like here really. Dank streets with small gems hidden away. We have more sheep than you do and our buildings are more stone and homey than here. Americans as a rule are so stiff and work too much. London is huge, I'm sure you know about Big Ben, the huge clocktower? I've never been inside, but I've always wanted to. It rains a lot, can get a bit dreary at times what with the sun not wanting to come out and all. We have really big meadows in the countryside, not so many trees. Rolling hills and we have some really steep cliffs. Huge. Lots of goats and livestock actually. The sea is really close, kind of like here, but not so...busy. London is, but even that has a different feel. Everyone here is so focused on being beautiful when they can't see how beautiful they are already."
---
She listened intently, finishing her necklace and putting it around her neck. She leaned back, propping herself up on her arms, letting the sound of his voice wash over her, eyes closed. When he got towards the end of description something changed in his tone. She opened her eyes and looked down at him not sure how to respond. She had stopped believing in beauty... until yesterday. Her mother had been beautiful. The world was dimmer without her in it. Jasper was beautiful, although he probably wouldn't have appreciated that particular adjective. She was still taken aback by it every time she looked at him. She was broken. Beauty wasn't for her. This was something she had accepted long ago. She smiled at him lightly, saying, "Maybe someday I'll get to see England. I really hate the speed and noise of everything here."
----
He looked at her, frowning. He was glad half the time she wasn't good at hiding her feelings and the other half hurting for her. Something about her tone was off. He rolled so his upper body was on hers, his elbows balanced on either side of her head. He brushed her nose with his. "And when I say that everyone is beautiful, I mean everyone." He gave her light kisses, starting from her jaw line and lingering on her lips. "You more than anyone. Is a dove any less beautiful if it has a broken wing? It just needs some love and care and soon it will be flying again, just as lovely as ever." He stood, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. "You really are too light, flower." He shook his head sadly, starting back to the house.
---
She lay her head on his shoulder as he carried her back to the house. She wondered where they were going. The kitchen, probably. She had eaten more in the last 24 hours than she normally ate in a week. She wasn't really hungry now, but had a feeling that they were going to the kitchen anyway. As they past the fountain, she wiggled in his arms. She grinned up at him. "I can walk, you know. If you insist on fattening me up, then I insist on being able to walk there myself." He laughed, but didn't put her down, continuing up to the house and into the kitchen where lunch was waiting.
----
They had a light, but delicious, lunch. BLT sandwiches and a lovely fruit salad which went well with the fresh lemonade and snickerdoodles cookies at the end. Penny only had a couple bites of everything but she seemed to enjoy it all. They were just finishing up when Neila came into the kitchen with an alarmed look on her face.
"Jasper, a word with you, please." He arched an eyebrow. "Now," she hissed.
A bit startled, he half-rose involuntarily before he realized who was talking to him. He sat back down and crossed his arms over his chest. "Whatever you have to say with me can be said with Penny here as well."
"It really can't." She rolled her eyes but he didn't budge. As it sank in that he wasn't going to move, her facial expression slowly changed into one of anger and something he could only identify through seeing it on Penny's face so long after her parents had died. Hurt. Why she would be looking that way he had not a clue but the sooner she realized that he and Penny were a package deal, the better. "Fine," she snapped and turned heel and stalked from the room.
He looked at Penny apologetically. "I'm sorry she's not normally like this."
"Like what?" a light voice asked from the doorway. Startled, he turned and knocked the lemonade from the table. "Oh Jasper, really now. And in front of a guest?" He grabbed some napkins off the table and started mopping up the mess. Delicate hands joined him and he looked up into smiling hazel eyes. "You're always knocking things over, dear." He couldn't look at Penny. What on earth was his mother doing home? He cringed as the petite blonde stood back up and offered a hand over Jasper's bent figure. "Eliza Laurie, love. Lovely to meet you. I suppose you would be...well, color me silly, but I don't believe I know your name. It must be serious if Jasper has you over to the house though." Jasper thought he would die of shame. He had no preparation for this.
---
Penny wasn't sure what was happening. The interaction with Neila was strange, and Penny hoped she was okay. She had never asked Jasper what had happened with her earlier that morning. What happened next was so quick that she wasn't sure that she caught it all. There was lemonade on the floor and Jasper looked completely mortified. A small blonde woman came out of nowhere. She leaned over Jasper, introducing herself, and Penny took her hand shyly. "Penny" she said quietly, not quite able to make eye contact. She was blushing at the assumption that her and Jasper were "serious" although she was not entirely wrong. She looked to Jasper for some sign for what to do, but he looked as if he wasn't really processing either.
----
"Uhm, Mum. What are you doing home?"
Eliza shook her head blithely, continuing on as if she hadn't heard his question. "So, Jasper. How long have you guys been together?"
"Just about forever, Mum," he said lamely. "Her folks are...out of town and she needed someone to entertain her during the daylight hours."
"Where is she sleeping? You know, we should have a girl's night," she said to Penny, "Lovely name as well. So bright like your hair."
"She has a place to stay, Mum."
"Oh does she? Where?"
He stopped short. "With Neila. She's sleeping on the couch in there."
"Oh how lovely!" Eliza clapped her hands. She covered Penny's hand with her own and leaned in conspiratorially. "I'll stop up later and we can have hot chocolate and play Life." She made her way out of the kitchen saying, "Well, I won't be here long Jasper. Just a couple of days, then off to Bolivia! A shower sounds divine just about now. You kids have fun now."
Neila smiled at Eliza and gave her a quick hug but her eyes were blazing quietly. She waited until Eliza was out of earshot when she shoved a chair out of the way and leaned on the table in front of Jasper. "She's what."
He smiled grimly. "Just for tonight? Or maybe even tomorrow night too? I'm sorry, I couldn't tell her Penny was sleeping in my room."
"...And if I say no," she said quietly, looking down.
He set his mouth. What the bloody hell was wrong with her. "We'll talk about this later. As for now, a set of Penny's clothes need to be retrieved from my room."
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