IMPROPRIETY

CHAPTER 4: THAT'S NEWS TO ME

Jimmy and Ashley made it through their first week of school and they were slowly getting used to their new routine.

Ashley happily walked into the family dynamics classroom and took her seat. And although she liked all of her classes, this one seemed to be Ashley's favorite….her favorite without Jimmy, that is.

She wasn't sure why, it just seemed to remind her of home…maybe it was because she instantly hit it off with the Paige and Hazel clones, Natalie and Kelly or maybe because Dave reminded her of Mr. Simpson…well, a younger, shorter, dark haired…make that haired…Mr. Simpson.

"…Okay then, before we can understand the family, we need to understand the couple", Dave stated, starting off the class. "After the introductions, last week…", he glanced in Natalie's direction, then looked at Ashley and smirked. "…we hardly had time to touch on this subject. So, we'll get right into it. Who here is involved in a relationship?", he asked, and the majority of the class raised their hands.

Dave nodded. "Now who in here, is involved in a committed relationship?", he asked raising his brow. Most of the hands went down, leaving three Ashley, a twenty-something named Maria and a guy named Ben.

"Ashley, let's start with you", he smiled. "What one word comes to mind when you think of a committed relationship?".

"Um…devotion?", she stated quickly and confidently.

"Wow, devotion", Dave replied, a little surprised. "That's great Ashley", he added, writing the word on the board. "….um, Maria.", he turned his attention to the back of the room.

"Honesty", she answered. Dave nodded and continued writing.

"Ben?", he called out.

"Commitment ?", Ben questioned..

"Well, right…. Commitment is the base of the relationship. But what I'm looking for here, is what defines commitment to you? Ashley and Maria are definitely on the right track", Dave explained, shooting Ashley and Maria a congratulatory grin. "Anyone else?", he added, this time including the entire class.

"Well done Miss Kerwin", Natalie snickered from behind Ashley. Ashley glanced back and returned the smile, sitting contently for the rest of the class, with thoughts of the one she was so committed to, running through her head.

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"Ashley", Dave called out as the class was preparing to leave. "You had some wonderful contributions to today's lesson. If it's alright with you, I'd like to get together with Ben and Maria and continue our discussion, then present it to the class, next week", he offered with a gracious smile. "I teach night classes today and tomorrow, but I'm free Wednesday through Friday ".

"That sounds great", Ashley replied excitedly, then hesitated. "I have plans with Jimmy on Wednesday and Friday is kinda our night. He has an art class at seven, on Thursday…I can drop him off and then meet you guys somewhere…".

Dave smiled. "Thursday would be fine, I'll talk to the others, then e-mail you guys with the info".

"Sure", Ashley nodded tentatively.

"Hey Ashley", Natalie called out from the doorway.

'I gotta go", Ashley pointed as she headed for the door. Dave nodded a goodbye and turned to find Ben and Maria.

"We want to meet the other half of this amazing relationship you talked so much about, today", Natalie chuckled, talking for both her and Kelly.

"I was just on my way to pick him up", Ashley replied, excited to be showing Jimmy off. "Follow me girls", she instructed, walking to the next building.

"He should've been out by now", Ashley stated disappointedly, as she looked at her watch. She scanned from one ond of hall to the other, finally spotting him down by the vending machine, just as he was saying goodbye to a guy...who was obviously Grant.

"There he is", Ashley giggled, nodding to Jimmy.

"Wow Ashley, he's...", Kelly began to say.

"...in a wheelchair", Natalie cut Kelly off.

"I was going to say, cute", Kelly finished and gave Natalie an incredulous look.

"I'm sorry Ashley...I...um...so...is he like...okay?", Natalie quietly blurted.

"Nat?", Kelly scolded, smacking Natalie hard, on the arm.

"I-I mean...", Natalie stuttered.

"You mean, aside from not being able to walk?", she questioned sarcastically. Natalie turned to Ashley with a look of mortification on her face. "Yes Natalie, he's perfectly fine", Ashley answered bluntly and turned, intent on meeting him down the hall...but it was too late, Jimmy had already retrieved his water bottle from the vending machine, tucked it into his lap and was headed toward Ashley

"There's my baby girl", Jimmy greeted happily and pulled Ashley down for a kiss. Ashley lingered at his lips a few seconds longer, trying to relieve some of the tension that had built up inside of her. "And you two must be Kelly and Natalie", Jimmy stated, holding out his hand to the two girls to his left, who were deep in conversation.

"...can't believe she didn't tell us...", Natalie whispered to Kelly.

"Tell who what?", Jimmy asked quizzically looking between the girls and Ashley.

"Um, Ashley's told us so much about you, but she failed to mention what a gentleman you are", Kelly stated cheerfully, smiling at Jimmy and taking his hand. Jimmy gave her a modest nod and shook her hand. Kelly nudged Natalie forward a little, she hesitantly extended her hand and looked down at the ground.

"Sorry Nat and I can't stay and chat, but we've got another class...Jimmy, it was great to finally meet you", Kelly stated, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Hopefully, we can get together soon...Ashley, see you next week", she added, giving Ashley an apologetic smile, before heading down the hall with Natalie.

"They seem nice", Jimmy shrugged as they entered the elevator. "But, I thought you said Natalie was the talkative one", he added looking up at Ashley.

"Oh, she is", Ashley snipped.

Jimmy ran his hand up and down Ashley's arm. "You okay, you seem a little tense?", he asked concernedly.

Ashley nodded and smiled, catching his hand in hers. "I am a little tense...but nothing a nice leisurely walk home, won't cure", she replied with a smile as she held the door open for Jimmy.

The walk to and from school had become a nice part of the couples routine. The first day really took a toll on Jimmy and Ashley all but demanded she drive the next day, until Jimmy pointed out he needed the exercise. With their busy schedules, the majority of Jimmy's daily therapy would be done at home, by either Jimmy himself or with Ashley's assistance, with only a once-weekly session with his physiotherapist.

Ashley jogged down the ramp, after Jimmy. "So, I saw you talking with someone...who I can only assume, was Grant", Ashley stated as she caught up to him.

"Did the mohawk give it away", Jimmy laughed. Ashley smiled and nodded. "Yeah, he stopped to tell me his cousins friends dad coaches a wheelchair basketball league. I mentioned basketball last week, and he asked me if I was interested", Jimmy shrugged nonchalantly.

"Well are you?", she smirked, already knowing the answer by the look on his face.

"I'd like to check it out", Jimmy replied with that adorable grin. Ashley slowed her steps and sighed. Jimmy stopped abruptly and turned to face her. "What?", he asked curiosly.

"Don't you think you might have enough on your plate, already?", Ashley asked concernedly.

"I can handle it Ash...I'm a big eater", Jimmy chuckled, grabbing hold of her hand. "Besides, it'll help increase my energy and stamina...maybe even bulk me up a little more", he winked, guiding her hand to his biceps. Ashley immediately faltered...she never could resist those muscular arms of his, or the opportunity to give Jimmy a massage, especially when she might get one in return.

"Okay, as long as you promise to slow down if it gets to be too much", she offered and Jimmy hastily agreed.

"So you'll come with me, then?", Jimmy asked hopefully.

"Of course I'll come with you...", Ashley answered firmly, stopping him mid-roll by plopping down on his lap and kissing him deeply. "...but first let's go feed that big appetite", she giggled, patting his stomach before sliding off of his lap and leading the way home.

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Ashley hurried to drop Jimmy off at his art class and headed for the designated coffee shop near campus, where she arrived seven minutes late and out of breath. "You did say seven, right?", she gasped as she rushed over to the empty table Dave was sitting at.

He nodded amusedly and pulled a chair out for her. Ashley smiled courteously and sat down, then glanced at her watch. "So where are the others?", she asked, a little bewildered.

Dave sighed and leaned back. "Ben can't make it, his kid's sick and his wife is working and Maria's running late", he explained,waiving for the waitress.

"Oh, nothing for me", Ashley began to protest, but stopped when her throat ran dry. "Well, maybe just a glass of ice water", she ordered with a polite smile.

"Well, you're a cheap date", Dave joked, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Date?", Ashley asked uneasily.

Dave shook his head and chuckled, as the waitress brought Ashley's drink. "The reason I wanted to get you three together, is because you're all at differents stages in your relationships...Ben's married with a kid, Maria's engaged and you're dating seriously", he explained, closing his lesson planner. "I wanted to see how you guys interacted...how your views differed and how they were similar. So, since your the only one here...why don't you tell me more about your boyfriend...ah...J..".

"Jimmy", Ashley interrupted.

Dave nodded. "So he's an artist?", he asked, sipping his coffee again.

"Yes and no...he's a law major too", Ashley replied. "But his passion is art...well basketball and art, actually".

"An athletic artist, I don't think I've ever known of someone with such a broad range of talents", Dave chuckled.

"Basketball was his former passion, it's just a hobby now", Ashley sighed a little. "But he's still as good as ever", she added, proudly. "Art is his creative outlet, his escape".

Dave held one finger up, as he answered his phone. "That was Maria, she should be here at eight...".

Ashley looked at her watch. "I've gotta go, Jimmy's class ends soon", she stated hurridly.

"Already? Are you sure you can't stay, maybe call Jimmy and tell him to meet us here", Dave proposed.

"No, it's raining...I really need to pick him up", Ashley insisted, standing to leave.

Dave gave her a curious look and shrugged. "Okay, then I guess I'll see you Monday in class...don't forget that assignments due".

"Okay...bye", Ashley smiled shyly and waived as she left the coffee shop.

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Ashley sat on the bench in the lobby of the art building, studying as she waited for Jimmy. "Wow, it's really coming down out there", a voice called out from down the hall.

Ashley smiled. "Gald I came prepared", she answered without looking up from her text book as she reached down to pick up her umbrella.

Jimmy pulled up to Ashley, purposely inching up farther and farther until she was forced to put her legs over his. He grinned wickedly and scooped her onto his lap. Ashley chuckled softly and pressed her lips to his.

"Were you waiting long? I thought you had a...thing", Jimmy whispered into her ear as he tasted her neck.

Ashley squirmed in his lap. "I did, but the other two didn't show, so I left early", she replied, with a stifled giggle. "How was your class?", she asked, trying to compose her self after Jimmy's playful attack.

"Great...and since it's an advanced class, we're starting right off with portraits, working our way up to full body models", Jimmy answered, resuming his kissing.

Ashley stiffened a little and pushed Jimmy back. "Like actual people?", she asked curiously.

Jimmy smirked, sensing a slight hint of concern in Ashley's voice. "As opposed to...?", he threw her an open-ended question. Ashley rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically. Jimmy pulled her closer and chuckled. "Yes Ash, we have to sketch real human subjects...why, you jealous?", he laughed teasingly.

Ashley pouted for a split second then broke out into a smile. "Do you have to sketch a male subject too?", she asked with an amused smirk. Jimmy's smile faded as he lowered his head and nodded slightly. "Not so jealous anymore", she chuckled satisfyingly, turning the tables and nibbling on his ear. Jimmy nuzzled into her as her lips followed down his neck, to his shoulder...he then lifted her face to his.

"Do you think we could take this somewhere a little more private?", Ashley asked, looking around the surprisingly bustling lobby, as she reluctantly broke their kiss.

Jimmy smiled, affectionately running his hand through her hair and down her cheek. "I've got an assignment to sketch a side profile...", he whispered, tracing her features with his finger. "...and I think I just found the perfect subject". Jimmy pulled Ashley closer until she was properly nestled into his lap, then headed for the exit...and home.

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Wow, another long one. I actually had a lot more to this chapter, but broke it into smaller chapters because it was soooo long. It may seem like there's a lot more emphasis on Ashley right now, but Jimmy will have his turn. I originally planned to make this an Ashley centered fic, which is how I came up with the title...and eventhough the focus has turned to the couple, Ashley still has a major storyline coming up.

Samitiny...thanks for the review, I'm glad you're liking it more and more, that means a lot. Anonymous...I wasn't upset with you, just the fact that I was having so much trouble with the details of the story. I really appreciate all reviews as well as your advice. Thanks so much. I'm glad you like how the story is going as well as the new characters. Raina-Bess...I thought it would be fun to have an 'unconventional' character in this story, be a part of the law program. There will be more school and personal issues coming up soon. Jashley-fan...thanks for the review and the vote of confidence, I'm glad you like the story. Lilfiftyfour...thanks so much for the wonderful compliment. I really love writting the JimAsh relationship, it just seems to flow for me and new ideas are constantly popping into my head.

Thanks guys, please keep reading and reviewing...I love the feedback!!

Degrassi is not mine.