A/N: Look! Two updates in one weekend (well, long weekend. off to school tomorrow ugh)! So there's only one more chapter, and I plan to post it next week that way I'm not leaving this unfinished with my schedule becoming hectic. My writing will have to decrease a bit for a while, but I'll still be around! I may do one shots here and there and I do have one thing planned, but that's not important right this second, so yeah, hope you enjoy! It's kinda just fluffy stuff.
Chapter 10:
Aubrey peered up and saw her boyfriend staring at her from his desk. A small smile began to form as energy surged through her body once she saw his dorky little half smirk-half grin. With a small nod of her head, both she and Jesse stood up and made their way to the work room. Jesse grabbed her hand as he ran to catch up with her before she got there, earning a few glances and smirks from the others in the office. Aubrey grinned and squeezed his hand gently as they walked into the workroom to make a fresh pot of coffee.
As Jesse fixed the coffee, Aubrey leaned against the counter next to his solid frame. Once he put the pot on, Jesse leaned next to Aubrey, wrapping his arm around her waist. Aubrey instinctively rested her head on his shoulder, and he gingerly ran his thumb along her side, causing her to blush ever so slightly at his light touch. Jesse looked over at Aubrey and brush a loose strand of hair out of her face. He turned his body so he was standing in front of her as she continued to lean back against the counter, taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles softly. Jesse couldn't help but stare at Aubrey in complete fascination, entranced by her beauty, and she couldn't help but notice.
"You alright, Jesse?" she asked suspiciously.
Jesse grinned and gently tilted her chin up. "You're beautiful, you know that?" he finally said quietly. Aubrey felt the color rush to her cheeks as it registered that he thought she was beautiful. A small giggle escaped Aubrey's semi-sealed mouth. She wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Jesse leaned down and brought his mouth close to her ear. "Would it be alright if I kissed you?" he whispered with care.
Aubrey looked up at him with a small, curios smile. "Since when do you need permission do something I love?" she giggled.
"Since we're at work, and I don't want to do anything you're not comfortable with." he explained, tucking her hair behind her ear. Aubrey smiled at how thoughtful he was being about the whole situation.
She leaned up, her mouth next to his ear. "Kiss me." she whispered, allowing her warm breath to linger on his skin before he made his next move.
Jesse leaned down and took her lips in his as her hands gripped the fabric that covered his chest. His hands found her waist as she kissed him back, keeping the kiss innocent as best as she could, which had been hard for them lately.
"We can't leave you alone for two minutes without you two going at it!" Aubrey ended the kiss and leaned her forehead against his with a heavy sigh. Jesse laughed in annoyance before turning around to face the two girls.
"Hi, Stacie, Chloe."
"First, you guys get all coupley at movie night and kiss and share the chair, and now it's at work?"
"I'm sorry, Chloe!" Aubrey stuttered.
"No, no! Don't be! It's adorable!" she squealed.
Jesse wrapped his arm around Aubrey and pulled her in front of him. Aubrey held on to his hands as he and Chloe began to talk once more.
"What's up, Chloe?" he asked.
"Not a lot! I just wanted to remind y'all about karaoke night tonight, down at McClaren's."
"Oh, right. I forgot about that! What time does it start again?"
"Seven o'clock sharp. Should we save you two a spot?"
Jesse looked down at Aubrey and nudged her gently. "What do you say, sweets? Do you want to go to karaoke night, or do you want to do something else?"
"Me? I would love to go to karaoke night, Jess! Is that even a real question?" Aubrey giggled, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek.
"We'll be there, Chloe. Save us a spot on the set list. We'll do something." Jesse had a devious grin on his face as he said this, causing Aubrey's face to drop.
"Oh, no we won't! I'm not getting up there!" she assured him.
"Oh, please, Aubrey? Do it for me!" he begged her.
"I don't sing."
"Aubrey, yes you do. I've heard you."
"Jesse, I typically only sing very poorly in the shower. I don't think that counts."
"Don't listen to her, Chloe. We're singing something."
"No, Chloe. We're not. He can, but I'm not."
"Aubrey, we will all be drunk! No one will know who's good and who isn't! That's the fun in it!"
"I do a swell job at embarrassing myself. I don't need another excuse to."
"Oh come on, Aubrey! If you don't get up there with me...I'll withhold my kisses for a week." He exclaimed once the idea came to his head.
"You wouldn't be able to survive, Swanson."
"Yeah, well, neither would you. We'd both be in big trouble." Jesse teased.
"Okay so while you two figure out who would cave first, I'll save a spot for you guys. If you do it, awesome, if not, Amy will gladly do one with Bumper." Chloe explained.
"You two might want to not attack each other so much at work. I'm not entirely sure what Bossman would say about this even though you've managed to slip past him for, what two or three months now?" Stacie added before the two of them headed out.
"Almost three." Jesse told her proudly.
Aubrey turned bright red, and Jesse immediately let go of her, kicking himself for not even thinking about what Moyer would say. He poured a cup of coffee for Aubrey and handed it to her before making his own cup.
"Didn't think of him either?" she asked quietly, taking a sip of her coffee.
Jesse shook his head. He had this all planned out, but work never came into the equation except for the fact that he'd get to see her a lot. "Who knows? Maybe he's okay with it." he mumbled.
Aubrey leaned her head on his shoulder and sighed. She really just wanted to kiss him and feel his arms around her, but Stacie actually had a valid point. "We'll figure it out. He can't control what we do outside of work."
"Yeah, but how am I supposed to control myself while working?"
Aubrey giggled and poked at his side. "You'll figure something out. I know you will!"
Aubrey shot Jesse a text as she pushed herself up onto her kitchen counter.
Hey Jess. Mom wants to talk for a bit. Don't worry about me. Go ahead and go to the bar. I'll take a cab there when we are done talking.
It didn't take long for Jesse to return his message to her.
You sure? I am more than willing to wait for you!
Aubrey smiled at how thoughtful he was being, but she didn't want to keep him from the fun.
I'm sure Jess. Go have fun! I'll be there soon!
Aubrey walked into the bar and quickly saw Chloe's familiar red hair. She couldn't help but find something familiar about the voice that was singing through the speakers. Aubrey walked over to Chloe and looked on stage only to see Jesse sitting at the piano playing a song and singing into the microphone.
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her anyway
Everyone started clapping as Jesse made his way off stage, taking a mock bow as his friends applauded him. Aubrey's smile grew large as he saw her lurking behind Chloe.
"Aubrey! You're here!" he yelled over the noise. Jesse moved towards her and wrapped her in a hug.
"Looking pretty good up there, hot stuff!" Aubrey teased, placing a small kiss on his cheek.
"I wasn't sure when you'd be here and Donald bailed so I figured why not!" he laughed, pulling her over to the tables they had squished together. Unfortunately, there were no more available chairs, so Jesse sat down and pulled Aubrey on top of him, causing her to giggle before she wrapped her arm around his neck.
"Aubrey, you made it!" Chloe squealed, almost spilling her drink all over everyone.
"I said I would!" Aubrey reminded her.
"So when are you two going to sing?" Chloe asked them.
"I need alcohol first. Then, we will talk." Aubrey told her, waving a waitress over and ordering a drink. When the drink was brought out to her, Aubrey took a sip before leaning back against Jesse's shoulder.
"Come on, Bree. We can do Grease!" Jesse begged, running his hand softly up and down her leg. "You love Grease!"
"Yeah, I do! But I don't want to get up there and embarrass myself! I can't sing!"
"You're such a liar!" Jesse teased. "Put your drink down." Aubrey looked at him suspiciously before hesitantly putting her drink on the table. Jesse wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and stood up, carrying her to the stage despite her struggles and protests. Jesse grabbed two mics from the DJ and told him what song to put on before smiling at Aubrey, who wasn't sure if she was supposed to laugh or be extremely angry. She snatched the mic he held out for her and grumbled under her breath. Jesse leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "I know you can't resist this song, Bree. You have permission to hate me later if you don't have fun."
Aubrey sighed and rolled her eyes, holding the mic up to her mouth. She looked out and saw all of the people staring up at her in confusion, and her stomach knotted as her nerves started to get the best of her. Her grip on the mic tightened, her knuckles turning ghostly white. Jesse saw how nervous she had gotten and walked over to her, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Just look at me, Aubrey. I'm right here." he said quietly, earning a strained smile. Jesse nodded at the DJ, and the music began to play out. Aubrey looked at Jesse before he opened his mouth to sing her favorite song. She knew it by heart. That wasn't the problem. It was more of making a fool out of herself not only in front of her peers, but making a fool out of herself in front of Jesse.
I got chills
They're multiplying
And I'm losing control
'Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying!
Jesse extended his hand to Aubrey and she placed hers in his before taking a deep breath.
You better shape up
'Cause I need a man
And my heart is set on you
You better shape up
You better understand
To my heart I must be true
Nothing left
Nothing left for me to do
Aubrey couldn't help but smile as she stared in Jesse's eyes, her nerves starting to leave her. Jesse spun Aubrey around the stage as they sang and danced to the song, earning cheers and applause from the drunk audience.
You're the one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
If you're filled
With affection
You're to shy to convey
Better take my direction
Feel your way
I better shape up
'Cause you need a man
I need a man
Who can keep me satisfied
I better shape up
If I'm gonna prove
You better prove
That my faith is justified
Are you sure
Yes I'm sure down deep inside
You're the one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, honey
The one that I want
Oo-oo-oo, the one I need
Oh, yes indeed
Jesse pulled Aubrey into him and crashed his lips against hers, his hand sneaking around to her neck to pull her closer. Aubrey's hands circled around his waist as she kissed him, the nerves completely gone but the electricity they shared taking over. Aubrey pulled apart and pressed her forehead against his with a huge smile on her face.
"So do you hate me?" he asked before hopping off stage. Jesse grabbed her waist and pulled her off the stage before joining their friends.
"I guess I don't hate you, Jess." she giggled, placing a small, gentle kiss on his lips.
"Good. I don't know what I'd do with myself." he smirked, pulling her onto his lap after sitting down.
"Oh my God you guys were on fire! Aubrey you can really sing, and you better keep singing on karaoke night! We have to make this a tradition!" Chloe giggled in excitement.
"Errr, I don't know about that Chloe. That may have been a one time deal." Aubrey smirked, taking a well deserved sip of her drink.
"I'll work on her, Chlo. Don't worry." Jesse teased, kissing Aubrey's cheek playfully.
"You guys are so cute, it makes me sick. Is this what it was like watching Tom and I?"
"Yes!" Stacie groaned, recalling the memories where the two would not get off of each other in every single situation.
Chloe blushed and looked over at Aubrey who also turned bright red. Someone caught the attention of Chloe's eye, causing her to freeze out of nervousness. Chloe never was quiet, so it made everyone curious when her face dropped and she shut up.
"Ms. Beale, Ms. Conrad, Ms. Posen, Mr. Swanson, others." Aubrey's face dropped and so did her stomach as the very familiar voice cleared his throat. Scared to turn around, she somehow managed to swallow the lump that was sticking to the back of her throat as she fought back tears of embarrassment and fear. "That was, um, quite the performance you two gave."
Aubrey stood up from Jesse's lap and smiled sheepishly. "Thank you, sir?"
"I stopped by for a drink with an old colleague and saw the two of you dancing away and singing together. I couldn't believe it at first."
"Sir, what you saw-" Jesse started before being cut off.
"What I saw, was the two of you having fun outside of work. Now, I know I do not have any rules against relationships between coworkers, and I don't feel the need to. So I will continue to let you two go as you please as long as this does not affect your work. Do we have an agreement?"
"Yes, sir." Aubrey stuttered, glancing over at Jesse.
"Yes we do, Mr. Moyer." Jesse told him, extending his hand out for a confirming handshake.
"Good. Enjoy the rest of you all's evening! I will see you all tomorrow, and do not even think about calling in sick."
Aubrey let out a huge breath that she didn't even know she was holding in as Jesse wrapped his arms around her in a hug to calm her down.
"See, Bree? It's all going to be fine!" he said quietly, rubbing her back gently.
"I want to go home, Jess." she mumbled, fighting back the tears.
"Alright, we're going. Come on." he said quietly, grabbing his coat off the back of his chair. "We're going to head out, Chloe. See you tomorrow." he said louder so others could hear.
"You sure?" she asked worriedly. Jesse simply nodded before wrapping an arm around Aubrey's waist and heading out the door to his car.
Once they got in his car, Aubrey wrapped her arms over her stomach like she was going to puke. She wasn't, but her nerves were back. Even though Mr. Moyer had said it was okay for them to date, that was still one of the scariest encounters she's had to go through.
"Hey, Aubrey, are you okay?" Jesse asked with worry. It broke his heart to see how upset she was. "Deep breaths, Aubrey."
Aubrey nodded her head and took many deep breaths as she felt Jesse's caring stare warm her body. She looked over at him and smiled apologetically. Jesse didn't hesitate to hold her hand. He brought her hand up and kissed it before looking up at her again.
"I'm sorry." she mumbled.
"Don't be. I almost peed myself when I heard his voice. We had a right to be scared."
"I know, I know."
"Come on. Let's get you home." he smiled a warm, compassionate smile as he turned the car on. Jesse didn't let go of her hand as he drove back to her apartment, and Aubrey was grateful for that.
"Aubrey, are you sure you're okay?" Jesse asked as Aubrey unlocked the door to her apartment. "Do you want me to stay for a while?"
Aubrey nodded sheepishly, opening the door to her apartment and letting him follow her in before closing and locking it. Force of habit. Jesse took her hand in his and lead her to the couch, pulling her down beside him. Aubrey curled up next to him and rested her head on his shoulder, taking in his presence. She draped her arm over his stomach and traced small patterns over his slightly exposed skin where his shirt rode up from sitting on the couch. Jesse traced his fingertips over her arm as he felt her body rise and fall with every breath she took.
"I'm sorry I dragged you from your friends." she mumbled.
"Hey, don't worry about it! I see them all the time! I'd rather be here with you." he assured her, placing a small kiss on top of her head. "You're much cuter than them anyways."
Aubrey giggled and looked up at Jesse. She leaned up and placed a small kiss on his jawline. "Thank you." she whispered. "It means the world to me." she added, barely cut short by a huge yawn that definitely did not go unnoticed by Jesse.
"Alright, sweets. You need to rest." he smiled, picking her up and carrying her to her bedroom.
He was right. Aubrey was too tired to argue with him about that, so she complied and didn't fight back. When he set her down in bed, Aubrey kicked off her shoes and threw them towards her closet, causing Jesse to chuckle. She got up and grabbed some clothes out of her dresser and ran to the bathroom before Jesse could tell her goodnight and let her be. Jesse didn't want to leave with saying goodnight, so he patiently waited for her to get changed. When she was done, she crawled back into bed, yawning once more. Jesse walked over and pulled the covers up to her chin. Jesse leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead, letting them linger for a few seconds.
"Goodnight, Aubrey. Sleep tight." he whispered, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
As he turned to leave, Aubrey caught his hand and pulled him back. "Jesse?"
"Everything okay, Aubrey?"
After a few moments of silence Aubrey finally managed to ask, "Will you stay with me tonight?"
"Aubrey..."
"Please, Jess?"
"I don't think that's really smart, Aubrey."
"I want you to. It's me, Aubrey. Not drunk Aubrey. I'm far from drunk. This is me wanting you-inviting you to stay with me."
"I don't have any clothes for tomorrow."
"I get up early. We can run to your place before work. Jesse, I trust you. I want to fall asleep in your arms."
Hearing Aubrey say those words did it in for Jesse. He sighed and kissed Aubrey's hand. "Anything for you, sweetheart." he said quietly. Jesse made his way around to the other side of her bed. He pulled his shirt off and folded it up, setting in on the ground next to her bed. He kicked off his shoes and set them next to his shirt. Jesse glanced over at Aubrey, who was facing away from him thankfully, before he danced out of his pants, folding them up as well. Jesse crawled under the covers next to Aubrey and wrapped his arm around her waist. Aubrey smiled and turned over to face him. She scooted her body closer to him, burying her face in his bare chest.
"Goodnight Jesse." she sleepily mumbled.
"Goodnight, princess." he whispered, placing a soft kiss on top of her head. Jesse closed his eyes and held Aubrey close to him. The first of many nights together.