Chapter twenty-five: The first date

The evening after

Gwen openly grinned as she watched Jackie tear through her closet looking frantically for something to wear. "You are nervous!"

Jackie spun around. You think! She'd almost contemplated drowning herself in the shower a few minutes ago because she was so jumpy. She'd been able to handle all of her makeup herself, but now, picking an outfit was giving her fits. She'd never been this terrified before a performance, now, her first date and she was terrified. And everybody at Torchwood knew what was going on!

Gwen chuckled and began helping her look through her clothes. "Come on, first, where's he taking you?"

I don't know.

"Hmm, that doesn't help much. Ok, the next step to consider is, are you going to be comfortable in what you're wearing? Now, you really prefer dresses over pants, so I suggest a dress." Gwen pulled out a simple, white dress. "How about this one?"

Jackie shook her head. If I spill food on it, I'm a goner.

Gwen nodded. "Correct. Black, is a safe choice, but not on a first date. You want to give him something to remember you by."

This is Jack we're talking about. Remember? I don't want to encourage him too much!

"Indeed." Gwen's eyes flashed as she reached into the back of Jackie's closet and pulled out a crimson, red dress. "This is the one." Jackie began shaking her head; she wore that for after parties, not on a date. "Yes! It is and I won't hear another word." Jackie continued shaking her head. "You're gonna get sick if you keep doing that." Gwen shoved the scarlet dress into Jackie's hands and pushed her towards the bathroom. "Go on! At least try it!"

Jackie groaned and went to the bathroom, peeled off her silk dressing gown before sliding into this 'red flag' of a dress. If she wore this dress, it would be like waving a red flag at a bull AKA Captain Jack Harkness. It was a beautiful dress, flowing, knee-length and one shoulder was bared. The other shoulder was covered and had a wrist-length sleeve.

As Jackie came out of the bathroom, Gwen came into the room with a smile on her face. "Jack's here." Jackie's stomach jumped in her chest and she shook her head frantically. Gwen nodded. "I'm serious, he's early. Go on; get your shoes and your bag!"

Jackie almost burst into terrified tears as she raced to her closet and grabbed her most comfortable pair of red heels. Jackie grabbed her already prepared Michi purse and yanked off the shell. She then hurried to where she kept her shells and grabbed 'Rita' her favorite shell, black and white stripes. Then, she grabbed her knee-length black coat and slid it on.

She moved towards the door, but stopped to check her appearance in the floor length mirror. She had combed and curled her hair earlier, so, she looked fine. Overdressed in her opinion, but nice. Gwen patted her shoulder. "You look perfect." Jackie made a face before buttoning up her coat. Gwen nudged her gently towards the door. "Go on."

Jackie stumbled through the door, her knees knocking together. Jack turned around, he was wearing his WWII coat, of course, and she would have been surprised if he'd shown up in something other than that. However, he wore black dress slacks and a deep grey shirt underneath that. Jackie's heart bumped in her throat as he turned around to face her, revealing a white rose in his hand.

She smiled nervously as he stepped towards her. "Well, look at you, putting meaning to the phrase, 'too hot to handle'. You look great."

She flushed. Thank you.

"I brought this for you." She accepted the rose. "I'll explain the meaning to you on the way to dinner."

Gwen's brows rose. "You actually know the meaning of roses Jack?"

He nodded. "Most of them, friend of mine loved flowers, was constantly explaining their meanings. Got kinda tiresome, fortunately, she fell in love with a gardener and they've been together ever since."

"Really? Go on, tell me." Gwen crossed her arms. "Jackie probably won't tell me when she gets back tonight."

Jack looked to her. "Do you mind?" She shook her head. "Ok, first, one rose of any color, suggests utmost devotion." Jackie's cheeks flushed at Jack's penetrating gaze. "The white, of course, represents purity and innocence. But it also represents silence, secrecy, reverence, humility and heavenly." He stepped towards her, causing her to flush more. "It also means I am worthy of you. and, I'm sure you noted, it's thorn less, indicating, love at first sight."

Jackie blushed handsomely as she rubbed her across her neck. Gwen let out a whistle. "Wow Jack, if this were anyone other than Jackie, I'd say you were definitely getting laid tonight." Jackie shot her a glower. "Just a joke." Gwen reached for her coat and purse. "Have a good time! Let me know how everything went!" She paused halfway out the door and turned towards Jack. "And keep in mind, this is my sister! If you hurt her, I will kill you and then I will kill you again!"

Jackie stared at the beautiful and expensive looking Italian restaurant in amazement. How Jack had found this place was beyond her. It had a brick interior, with actual grape vines growing up the walls on in inside. There was a small string group of players not too far away from the dining tables. Wine bottles and lit red and white candles added to the beauty of the restaurant.

"May I take your coat?" Jack asked right behind her, jarring her out of her thoughts. She nodded and undid the buttons. The moment Jack pulled off her coat and she flushed deeper as she felt Jack's eyes giving her the once over. He handed the coat the cloakroom attendant and leaned towards her. "Definitely," he murmured in her ear. "too hot to handle."

She flushed and reached for his elbow, shifting towards him. Stop teasing me.

"Who's teasing?" he asked her seriously. "You are unbelievably hot."

If she got any hotter, she was going to burn up. Jack.

"I know, I know, knock it off. Even if you don't believe me, I'm serious." The maître de appeared with two menus and motioned for them to follow him. Jack grinned at her. "When we walk down the steps, every man in the room is going to envy me."

Jackie shook her head and held onto his arms as they walked down the stairs to a table…with a rose centerpiece and a glowing red candle in the center of it. Jack didn't release her arm until they were near a chair. Jackie stood there patiently as Jack pulled her chair out for her.

After seating her, Jack moved to his seat as the maitre de handed them the wine list first, then the menus. "So, have you two any idea what wine or beverage you'd to start your meal off with before ordering?"

Jack turned to her. "Have you a wine preference, or are you going to go for something that's non-alcoholic?"

She hesitated for a moment. As this evening is a little bit out of the ordinary, I'll have a Lambrusco.

He nodded. "The lady and I will have a glass of your best Lambrusco." The maitre de nodded and moved off leaving them alone together. Jackie bit her lip and reached for her napkin, placing it in her lap before setting her purse to the side. She glanced at Jack, to find him studying her again. She smiled uneasily at him. "You look like little red riding hood before she got eaten by the wolf."

She exhaled. Sorry.

He chuckled. "For the record, I'm little nervous too." That made her laughs slightly. "I don't know why! We've worked together for weeks!"

She nodded. I know! And we've fought aliens side by side and we've done tons of insane things together.

"But this is more nerve wracking," she nodded. "especially for you. I mean, I've done this thousands of times," Jack's voice died slowly. "maybe not thousands of times. Sorry that came out wrong."

She actually wasn't upset, she should be though, but she wasn't. Well, as you can't die, I can't even begin to imagine how many women you dated or married. It would be stupid of me to get jealous of the past. She then frowned and tilted her head to the side. How old are you?

He hesitated. "Not really sure, a few years over 1,000 would be a safe guess."

Jackie snorted and let out a short laugh, but sobered instantly. Sorry, I know you're serious but sometimes things come out as a joke with you.

"Well, we have to laugh; otherwise, things would be dull." The maitre de returned with their wine and Jack nodded as he set the glasses down. "Thank you."

The man nodded his head. "Your server will be with you shortly."

Jack nodded and as the maitre de walked away, he whispered. "I think that guy doesn't like people." Jackie shook her head as she reached for her wine glass and took a sip out of it. Jack reached for his. "You're not nervous anymore. Your hands stopped shaking."

She almost inhaled her wine, but managed to swallow it properly. She shook her head. No jokes when I'm drinking. She lifted up her menu. We should look at these.

"Right. You're not one of those types of girls who orders salads whenever she goes out to dinner." She smirked as she read the menu. Jack peered over the menu at her. "Not that there's something wrong with your figure, it's perfect," she snapped her head up and looked at him. "just can't stand spending money on a ton of greens."

She smiled at him. Fortunately for you, I'm not.

"Good." He leaned back into his seat and picked up his menu.

The evening actually went well, better than she expected. She and Jack talked about a lot of things, their past days prior to meeting, Jack kept his life story as simple as possible. He actually told her how he wound up 'cursed' with this eternal life. He'd died and a friend, Rose, had absorbed a time vortex to save the universe. After saving it, she'd granted him life and he'd never been able to die since then. Jack had a sharp sense of humor, sometimes bordering a little on the vulgar side, but then he somehow knew to throw in the right dash of charm. He kept the conversation flowing easily with her, keeping her smiling.

The dinner was lovely. Jack ordered Cotoletta and potatoes while she ordered Carne al piatto with a small salad. Jack was said he preferred to date a woman with somewhat of an appetite. The sight of a woman sitting there after finishing her salad always put him on edge. Said most of them looked at his dinner, which set him on edge, especially when she kept declining the offer to taste his dinner.

People did look at them rather curiously a few times, as Jack did do all the taking. Most of the younger women there were probably wondering how a mute girl managed to snag Captain Jack 'Hotness' attention to secure a date. Their waitress, tried flirting with Jack, but he actually acted oblivious to her so obvious attention. After some extra flirting with Jackie, she backed off with her attentions.

As they finished their panna cotta, Jackie glanced at her phone and to her shock, realized that it was almost 11:00. We've got to go.

Jack crossed his arms and leaned back. "Why?"

It's almost 110:00.

"The night's still young."

I know, but we've got a busy day tomorrow and you never know what's going to happen.

Jack stood up and walked around to pull her chair back for her. "True. Nevertheless, I think we still have time for a quick walk alongside the Warf. How about it?"

She hesitated. I don't know.

"Come on. And then right at eleven, I'll walk you home. Word of honor."

She looped her arm through his. Alright, you win, just this once, only because I've been sitting in that chair for four hours and I could use a stretch!

Jack paid before collecting their coats and he of course, helped her on with it. "You have no idea how nice it is to actually be allowed to help a lady in and out of her coat again. Since the 60's, not many women allow that."

She smiled as they walked down the steps. The restaurant, was fortunately within walking distance to the Warf. Jack held her hand and they walked in comfortable silence along the deserted boardwalk. Jackie reached into her pocket, went to Michael Feinstein on her phone, and played his rendition of 'Pure imagination,' to add to the beauty of the night. Jack didn't comment on her somewhat childish music choice.

Suddenly, he brought his hand up and spun her three times. Years of training kicked in instantly so she stayed upright and in perfect form before returning to Jack's side. He chuckled. "Thought I was going to take you off guard, but I see that failed. You never said, what made you start ballroom dancing?"

No problem there. The need to express emotions that I couldn't say. Ballroom requires so many emotions to be on display that it's frightening. You have to allow yourself to love or hate your partner on the floor and leave the emotions there.

"So that's kind of like touching the forbidden fruit, but not tasting it?" she nodded in agreement as Jack paused to study her for a moment. "Will you do me a favor?" she nodded. "Part your lips, just a little and keep them parted."

She frowned and asked immediately. Why?

"Don't get offended or anything, I'm just giving you a bit of advice."

You're teaching me how to kiss?

He shrugged. "Problem?"

Not really. She relaxed her lips as he asked and Jack moved forward. A thought instantly crossed her mind, on that caused her to step back from him. No tongue!

He laughed. "Not even going there until at least the 10th date with you."

She wanted to correct him and say that there was going to be no tongue in her mouth until marriage for her, but Jack was moving towards her, so she made a mental note to correct him afterwards. His kiss was gentle, almost experimental, but then, he was kinda giving her a lesson on kissing. Jackie timidly began moving her mouth against his. Slowly, a funny warmth from the tip of her toes flowed up to the roots of her hair. It wasn't a long kiss. It was simple, sweet and beautiful, and though she'd never admit it to his face, it left her aching for more when Jack drew away from her.

Jack studied her for a moment before commenting. "You totally need a second date."

She rolled her eyes and smiled playfully at him. Maybe I do. She patted his chest before turning away from him. Come on flyboy, you can walk me home.

His brow arched in amused indignation. "Flyboy?"

She nodded. That's right. Flyboy!

TJ: Me too! Everybody had somebody except for Tosh, I really wished the writers had let him stay in the script. Sorry about the delay, I caught something and I've been stuck in bed, throwing up for a few days. It'll take me a while to get back into the flow of things, still feeling a little putsy.