A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys, I hope I haven't lost any of you. I promise you I haven't given up on this story; I've got some pretty big plans for it.

Simple…Chapter 8…Friends First…

Janet knocked on the door of 32 Gelson and patiently waited. Jackie opened the door after a moment's time and it took all Janet had not to laugh. Her friend was a visible mess. Her medium-length hair brown hair was sticking up in every direction. She was still in her pajamas, her face caked with sweat. "Janet, thank god you're here."

"Jackie, what the hell happened to you?"

Jackie through her arms up in the air and stepped aside so Janet could come in, "Emma decided she didn't want to sleep last night, I just got her to bed an hour ago. I have a closet full of clothes and I can't find anything to wear, I'm in desperate need of a shower, I haven't had any coffee yet, and my 'outing' with David is in less than two hours!"

"Alright, first of all, take a deep breath," She obeyed. "Now, before we go any further, are you sure you wanna call him David? The only person that I know of that can call him his real name is his mother."

"Alright sorry, I'll call him Ikey."

"Okay, now I'll go through your closet and find something, you go take a shower."

For a short second Jackie visibly relaxed. "Okay." Jackie went upstairs while Janet made a fresh pot of coffee. After about 20 minutes Jackie was wrapped in a towel staring absently at her closet, a very confused expression on her face. She sighed, "I have nothing to wear."

"Psh, Jackie you've officially lost it." Janet responded, walking in with a full mug for her friend. "There are a million things in here you can wear," the curly brunette stated as she handed her oblivious friend the coffee, "What about this?" Janet asked as she pulled out a dark green v-neck and a matching pair of blue jeans.

"Nate loved that shirt on me." Janet just looked at her.

She pulled out a light blue long sleeve shirt. "This?"

"I was with him when I bought that."

"Jackie, is there anything in here Nate hasn't seen? When's the last time you went shopping?"

"Easy, with you."

"I mean before that,"

"Uh, I don't know."

"Alright, never mind, there's the clothes we just bought?" Jackie pointed to the bag on her bed. Janet rummaged through it until she found what she was looking for. "Ah, here we go." She smiled revealing a pair of light blue jeans and a low cut yellow shirt. "Perfect."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

About a half hour later…

Jackie was physically ready. Emotionally? Janet wasn't so sure. "Jackie, it's not labeled as a date, will you just swallow all your worrires and give this a shot?"

"How nervous were you on your first—"

"Don't even go there," she interrupted, "It was completely different. We were friends first. Just like you and Ikey can be." Jackie sighed. "Just give this a chance; I wouldn't let you do this if I didn't think it was a good idea."

Jackie nodded. "Okay."

Later…

Jackie was standing in front of the door, staring at it. She turned to Janet, who gave her the best encouraging look she could muster. Jackie nodded and answered the door. There stood Ikey, his hands in his jean pockets and it was quite obvious he was nervous; Janet had never seen him like that before. Janet noticed he wasn't wearing a hat…that was a first.

"Hey." He simply said to them both, moving on the balls of his feet.

"Hey." Jackie greeted, trying her best not to smile like a dork.

"Ready to go?" Ikey said pointing behind him.

"Yeah." She nodded, "Just one second."

"Okay, no rush."

Jackie walked into the kitchen and Janet followed. "Okay, so what's the plan?" Jackie said so quickly that Janet almost didn't get it.

"What plan?"

"What do you mean what plan," she forced herself to whisper, "the plan that I know you've been formulating in your head since I told you about calling Ikey."

"Oh that plan, uh…well, I just figured you'd call me if you wanted to bail."

Jackie sighed, "That's it? That's your master plan, I'll call you?"

"Calm down, if you need to get outta there for what ever reason, you need to excuse yourself, go to the bathroom, call me on your cell, come back to the table, I'll call you again, and you say there's a problem with Emma, and you leave."

"That's a terrible plan." Jackie crossed her arms over her chest, exasperated.

"Why? It makes sense! If we actually come up with a full blown plan he'll know something is up."

"I guess you're right."

Janet nodded firmly, "You better go before he wonders why you're taking so long."

"Oh, shit. Alright, call if you need anything, I brought her car seat in the living room so if you want to go out or something, that's fine. Emma should be waking up soon from her nap, you sure you're good?"

"We'll be fine, go… have some fun alright?"

"I'll try, thank you…for everything."

"Don't mention it." Janet replied without hesitation.

Jackie walked back toward the front door where Ikey was patiently waiting. "Ready?" She said as she grabbed her jacket and put it on.

"Yep, I'm all set, he said as he stepped aside after opening the door. Janet smiled as she watched them walk out.

Ikey opened the truck door for Jackie, and shut it lightly when she was inside. He climbed in his side a few seconds later, and smiled at her, she returned the smile, he turned the truck key and it took a few tries for the engine to start.

"Truck's old." He explained, "I'm gettin' a new one in a couple a' months."

"Oh, what kind?"

"Well, one with a nice crash test rating, and that can hold a heavy load, I've been looking into Fords."

"Nice choice."

"You like cars?"

"Well, my older brother, he was obsessed with cars his entire childhood, he taught me the ropes, he eventually became a professional mechanic. He loves his job."

"Interesting. You close with your brother?"

"Yeah, well I was before I moved to the Ridge."

"Oh, so you like it here right?" He asked as they cruised down the street going toward October Road.

"I do, it's a lot quieter that Newark."

"Newark? Is that where you're from?"

"Yeah, the largest city in New Jersey." She stated.

"Oh, then the Ridge must be smaller, you can here a pin drop when you walk outside."

"Exactly, that's what I love about it, it's so…peaceful." That seemed like the right word.

"That it is." He agreed smoothly.

"So wanna tell me where we're going?"

"Well, I thought I'd take you to a place you haven't been to before. You are new here in the Ridge, it's only right for us townies to show you where you can get the best grub." Ikey explained.

"That makes sense, but how do you know I haven't been to this place you're taking me to?"

Shit. "I have my ways." He responded smoothly. Ikey did his best to ask Eddie where the girls have been for lunch…without sounding too interested. Of course Eddie could tell right away that he was, but Ikey didn't need to know that.

Jackie only nodded, impressed.

When they arrived at the small café, Ikey stopped the truck and said "We're here."

Ikey opened the door for Jackie, helping her out of the high truck. She thanked him as they walked inside.

They picked a table close to the window and sat across from each other. "Have you been here before?" Ikey asked.

"Nope, I hope you know what's good."

"I do, I try to make it here at least once a week."

Jackie looked up at him in surprise as they both opened their menus.


Janet was handing Emma her juice when the phone rang. "Hello?" She answered after the third ring.

"Hey there pretty girl, what goes on?"

Janet smiled. "Nothing much, I was just about to put a movie in for Emma."

"Oh really, well can you ask the babysitter if she would like some company while watching the kiddie movie?"

"I can, as long as this unexpected visitor realizes that the babysitter is in fact babysitting and can not be bothered with a person's very wild urges."

"Oh, I'll be sure to tell the unexpected visitor this, I'm positive he was unaware of it."

"That makes sense, considering in the past the unexpected visitor and the babysitter have controlled wild urges in very odd places."

This made him laugh, "I think he gets the hint, can you tell the babysitter that the unexpected visitor will be arriving in a matter of seconds?"

But before she could answer the dial tone began and there was a knock at the door.


After looking at the menu for about ten minutes, Jackie was frustrated. She couldn't decide, there were too many good choices.

"Alright Ikey, I give up, what's good here? Everything sounds good."

"That's because it's true, what do you like?"

"I like pretty much everything."

"Really? What are you in the mood for?"

"It doesn't matter to me. What are you having?" She shrugged. Am I being too difficult?

"A turkey sub," Ikey answered, "I could eat subs any day of the week."

"Really, I love subs. Which ones are good?"

"All of them, do you want me to order for you?"

"I'd like that." She smiled genuinely.

"A hot sub or cold sub?"

"Hot."

"You're not allergic to anything are you?"

"Not that I know of."

"What about the chicken finger sub? Those are really good."

"Alright."

Ikey placed there orders in when the waitress came over.


Janet opened the door to reveal Eddie, standing there with a grin.

"The babysitter wanted me to tell you that you are a goofball." Janet said crossing her arms, trying to hide her smile.

"Really, well the unexpected visitor has a message for the babysitter too."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

Eddie bent down to whisper in ear. "The babysitter is the most beautiful woman in the world and the unexpected visitor has to come over before she was swept off her feet by prince charming."

"Well, tell the unexpected visitor that he's out of luck because the babysitter's prince charming has already come."

"Oh darn, who's the lucky guy?"

"He's right here, with that dumb look on his face." His manhood hardened, he couldn't take it any longer. But as always, she met him halfway.


Jackie was nervous eating in front of Ikey, she had a tendency to stuff her face when she was really hungry, she controlled herself though, eating slower and taking smaller bites than normal. However, her nervousness did not go unnoticed by the man sitting across from her.

"Something wrong? Do you not like your food? I can get you something else—"

"No, it's great actually." Ikey smiled, "Thanks."

"Glad you like it, I like a girl with a hearty appetite, its annoying when all girls ever order is salads."

Jackie laughed, "That's definitely not me."

"Good." Ikey nodded taking a bite of one of his french-fries.

Jackie took a bigger bite of her sub, feeling less self-conscious.


Janet and Eddie sat in the couch with Emma in between. When Finding Nemo started, Emma's eyes lit up.

"Nemo!" She squealed pointing to the screen.

Janet and Eddie couldn't help but laugh. She really was cute.


Jackie finished her sub and fries at about the same speed Ikey did.

"That was good Ikey, I'll have to come here again."

"You don't have to come alone, you know."

Jackie smiled, "No?"

"Nope. We could do this again if you'd like, maybe a different place though." He suggested, trying his best not to sound hopeful.

Jackie didn't want to seem eager, "I'd love that."

"Great. Are you up for dessert? They have some good pie here."

"I love pie."

"Awesome, what kind would you like?" Ikey asked, handing her the small dessert menu.

She took the menu, glancing at each one, "The chocolate mudslide one sounds amazing."

Ikey chuckled, "That's my favorite."

Jackie looked up at him. Maybe I can do this. She thought as they shared the piece of pie.

Jackie and Ikey talked about nothing important on the ride home, Jackie called Janet only twice to check on Emma, everything was fine.

Ikey walked Jackie up to her doorstep. "I had a great time Jackie, thanks for coming to lunch with me." He sounded like Jackie had owed him a favor or something.

"Anytime, I had fun too."

"We should do this again sometime, I'll call you."

"Okay, looking forward to it." She smiled at him.

"Me too so I should uh, get going…" he said reluctantly. "Gotta get ready for work, Eddie would hound me if I'm late again."

"You work for Eddie?"

"Yeah," Ikey said, "It's nice to work with friends."

"I bet." She didn't know what that was like. "So you—" she paused, "Oh my god!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"Bee! There's a bee, I hate bees! Get it away!" She screeched, when Ikey saw it he tried to hit it; Jackie ducked as he hit it when it landed on the house. He killed it.

"Ow, damn it!" Ikey cursed clutching his hand.

"Oh my god, are you alright?" Jackie looked panicked.

Ikey opened his hand in pain; the stinger was stuck deep in the middle. "Shit, that doesn't look good."

"Come inside, let me fix that," Jackie said quickly as she opened the front door.

Jackie flew past the threesome sitting on the couch and into the bathroom.

She came out with a first aid kit and set it on the kitchen table, Ikey followed and sat down.

Janet, Eddie and Emma came in seconds later. "What happened?" Janet asked.

"A bee's stinger got stuck in Ikey's hand." Jackie informed them.

"How the hell did you do that Ikey? You're an idiot." Eddie laughed at his friend.

"Shut up Ed."

"Guys, kid in the room." Janet said, "Watch what you say."

"Sorry Janet," They both said.

Jackie took the tweezers from the kit and very carefully pulled the stinger out as Ikey winced. She dabbed his hand with peroxide and placed some liquid band aid over the small wound.

"All set, good as new." Jackie beamed, "Sorry for freaking out about the bee, this wouldn't have happened—"

"No problem Jackie, it doesn't even hurt."

Eddie laughed at him again, "Well girls, we should get going, Ikey and I have a big day ahead of us."

"Yeah, thanks for everything Jackie." Ikey appreciated it.

Jackie smiled, "Anytime Ikey, I'll walk you out."

Ikey stood and Jackie followed him to the front door. They stepped out and stood on the front porch for a moment. "You know, for not liking bees, you handled that pretty well. Thanks again."

Jackie smiled, "What are friends for?" Crap. "We are friends right?"

Ikey nodded with a big grin, "Yeah, I would say so."

"Good." Jackie matched his smile. "Thanks again, for today I mean."

Ikey smiled, "I'm not gonna lie Jackie…I think…maybe, I think I like you."

Jackie stared at him for a second, unable to speak. "I think I maybe like you too Ikey."

Ikey nodded; glad they were on the same page. He leaned down, there was not much of a height difference, and Jackie stopped him. "I can't Ikey, not yet." Her eyes full of regret.

"Oh it's alright." He felt like an idiot. "Friends?"

She nodded, "It's not that I don't want to, you're a really nice guy and I had a great time with you today, really, I can't remember the last time I was out with a guy and had that much fun, but I'm just not—I can't—" She couldn't find the right words.

"It's okay, really…we just met, you don't know me that well, I get it."

"Thank you for understanding."

He nodded, "So when do you think we could do this again."

"I don't know…just call me when you're free."

"I'll do that."

Ikey stepped off the porch and toward his truck and Eddie came out a few seconds later. Jackie went back inside, Eddie walked down toward Ikey and Eddie smirked. "How'd it go?"

"Great, she's definitely one of a kind." He didn't want to mention his idiocity.

"Don't mess this us up Ikey, she's my wife's best friend, and if she's upset that means Janet's upset and if you hurt her I swear to god I will kick your ass."

"Relax there Mr. Macho, we're just friends."

"Just friends? Really, well it didn't seem like you wanted to be just friends especially since all you do is talk about her."

"Whatever man, we're just friends, alright. Let it go."

"I swear to god Ikey—"

"Eddie, will you cool off, I'm not gonna mess this up okay? I like her a lot. She's smart and funny and beautiful. As of right now, we are friends and that is it."

"Alright, alright. So you're taking it slow then?" Eddie had never heard Ikey call anyone beautiful.

"Yes."

"Okay. According to Janet the last serious relationship she's had is her ex-husband. She's been through enough, I don't want to see her get hurt, she's a good girl Ikey."

"I know, I like that about her. Don't worry, I'll be careful." And after that statement the conversation was dropped.

A/N: How'd I do guys? Thought I'd make up for the lost time with a longer chapter. : ) How'd I do on my portrayal of Ikey? What do you guys think of their friendship, Yay or Nay? Sorry the chapter was mostly focused on them, that won't happen much, I promise

Do any of you watch Grey's Anatomy? I picture Jackie to look like Lexi in a way, I don't know why; it seems to suit her in my mind though. I'll put a picture up on my profile soon for those of you who don't watch it. Thanks for reading!!