The amount of trouble- that I had- writing this single chapter- was unreal.
But I honestly am not the greatest with 'dates' and 'flirting'.
That or I'm not as behind JimAnna as I thought I was. So- if this seems forced, I apologize in advance.
Also:
Happy New Year ya'll!
Disclaimer: I don't own Sherlock or Criminal Minds- but Anna, Cheyanne and Blakely are mine.
The clock behind her read Four Fifty-Six. As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, Anna tried reasoning with herself.
"The dress isn't too bad—really. Besides, there's no where near enough time to change now, Jim will be here any moment."
Running her palms down the burgundy form-fitting dress, Anna swallowed the lump in her throat. Dresses weren't really her thing—and while the dress was beautiful, she just felt a bit out of her element. With her hair falling loosely over one shoulder and some matching burgundy lipstick, it was the best that the youngest Holmes could manage.
"Maybe I could just switch into my white-" she began to think, before a soft buzz sound came from the main room.
"Anna?" Jim's voice sounded from the speaker on the wall near the door.
"Too late," Anna sighed; she gave herself one last look in the mirror before leaving her room and walking towards the door, pushing a button on the speaker.
"I'll be right out." Standing up straight, she took a deep breath to collect herself.
Yes. Dresses were not her usual attire.
Yes. This dress was a bit on the shorter side, coming to just barely past her fingertips—with a small slit in the front.
No. She was not going to back out of her date. Not now. Not after everything—especially since Jim was literally twenty feet away.
Tugging on her black strap heels, Anna grabbed her clutch and key to the flat before walking out the door and down the hall. As she passed one of her neighbors, the elderly lady gave her a smile.
"You look very nice, Anna darling. Who's the lucky man?"
"Just… someone new."
"Hmmm, well—I'm glad you're finally getting out there, darling. Now, try to not make too much noise after, yeah? I still need to sleep."
"Mrs. Hanson—I—"
"It's alright dear! You're young! Enjoy life—all the juicy bits of it!" the elderly lady giggled, before disappearing back into her flat.
Trying to keep the blush down, Anna walked over to the door as she shook her head. Opening the door, she saw Jim standing a few feet away, hands in the pockets of his suit's pants.
"Bloody hell…" She thought, before getting a grasp of herself and closing the door behind her.
"Evening," Jim smiled as Anna approached, reaching out for her hand and giving a quick kiss to her knuckles," You look beautiful."
"T-thanks," Anna blushed, surprised by her own stutter, before adding," You look quite nice, yourself."
"I do try," he smirked, as if it was an inside joke with someone, before gesturing towards the waiting car behind him," Shall we?"
0o0o0o
After the vehicle came to a stop, Jim exited and held the door open for Anna, extending his hand politely.
"Thank you," Anna smiled, climbing out of the car and looking around," W—This… isn't Bills."
"I hope you don't mind," Jim chuckled to himself, smiling sheepishly, as they walked up to the door of Sticks'n'Sushi.
"Not at all," Anna smiled," Keeps things… interesting." He flashed her a smile, opening the door for her and following her in.
"How many?"
"Two—a booth, if you would," Jim answered, as the waitress gave a nod and led them through the dining room.
"Here you are—menu's. What to drink?"
"Uh—go ahead, I need to look," Anna told Jim, who nodded.
"I'll have a Purple Rain."
"Very well—and you, Miss?"
"Uh—" Anna muttered, looking over the drinks as fast as she could, before answering," Cool Mint Tea please."
"Be right out with those."
"Interesting choice," Jim smiled, ignoring his menu completely.
"Can't go wrong with tea and mint," Anna chuckled, flipping through the menu aimlessly," I'll be honest—I'm not entirely sure what to order. I don't eat Asian cuisine that often."
"That's quite alright," Jim told her, leaning back but keeping his eyes trained on her," Take your time. Maybe I can pick your mind a little bit more."
"As me anything."
"Any… other suitors I need to worry about? I'm sure you've a line of interested companions."
"Hah, right," Anna sarcastically laughed softly," This probably sounds… pathetic—but… you're the first person I've been out with in years. If it's not the Yard taking all my attention- then it's my brothers chasing off any potential dates. I'm actually honestly surprised neither of them have barged in already- has anyone tried-?"
"Nope, no surprise visits from overbearing older brother's," Jim smirked, leaning an arm over the back of the bench seat and loosening a button from his shirt to get more comfortable.
"Good—I'd be thoroughly embarrassed if they had. Let me know if they do? I swear, they are always treating me like such a child," Anna rolled her eyes, perking up as the drinks were brought over.
"Purple Rain and Cool Mint Tea. Ready to order?"
"Oh, uh—I—"
"May I?" Jim asked her, ducking his head slightly.
"Go for it," Anna gave a small smirk of her own, leaning back and watching.
"One Perfect Day and One Tokyo Non-Stop," Jim told the waitress," And—don't forget the chopsticks this time."
"Of course." The waitress disappeared, leaving the two of them there alone.
"So you come here often, then."
"Enough that they know what to expect from me," Jim smirked—almost darkly—before taking a sip of his drink. He sees her eyeball his glass as he does, and after lowering it to the table, he slides it over gently.
"Care to taste?"
"What's in it?" Anna asked curiously.
"Japanese Gin… infused with pea flowers, stirred with violet liquor… and lengthened with yuzu tonic water."
"Mmm that sounds good," she frowned.
"It tastes divine…"
Jim pushed it even closer to her, leaning forward in his seat as he done so.
"Any way I could… tempt you?"
Anna chews on the bottom of her lip, swallowing the lump in her throat as she looks at the drink. She could smell the beautiful aroma coming from the liquid—and for a split second she almost took the offer.
"I—I can't. I really- thank you though," Anna said, leaning back in her seat. She didn't miss the slight annoyance that flashed in Jim's eyes—but a smile quickly appeared on his face.
"Of course—I understand. Can't blame a guy for trying."
"Anything else you want to know? Favorite color? Allergies?"
Jim waved his hand almost dismissively," How about… more on your childhood? What was it like growing up—especially with your brothers?"
"Well, I could only tell you from nineteen-ninety-six on. That's when I joined the Holmes' family."
"Oh?" Jim questioned, leaning forward slightly.
"They adopted me when I was ten."
"Really now—what about before then?"
"Foster system, constantly bouncing around from one family to another. My… my birth family gave me up almost- almost immediately… Same day I was born…"
"Any idea as to why?"
"No," Anna sighed," Not for lack of trying. I've attempted multiple times to get into my file—but it's securely kept. Mycroft says even he can't access it. Which I honestly—highly doubt. He can get into anything if he tries, he just… for some reason—doesn't want to."
"Maybe I could…?"
"What? Oh—no! Don't sacrifice your career, please! I mean, yeah I'd like to know—but not at the cost of your job in IT. Don't worry about it, please," Anna told him, reaching across the table and gently placing her hand on top of his.
"Since you asked so kindly," he smirked. Just then, their food arrived at their table—leaving conversation to small talk.
An hour later, they stood up to leave- and Jim reached for his wallet, purposely keeping the total from Anna's knowledge.
"My treat. I was the one to ask you to dinner, after all," Jim told her, handing over his card.
"Such a gentleman," Anna told him, giving him a small smile.
"Trust me darling," Jim replied, his voice going a tad bit lower," I'm far from being a saint."
He took back his card and opened the door for her, walking out onto the street behind Anna.
"Good," she told him, a sly grin on her face as he opened the car door for her," Nice guys finish last, you know…" She saw the way his eyes darkened in lust- but only smirked to him as she slid into the car and got comfortable on the far side—Jim sliding in after her. His hand slowly crept across her thigh, coming to a stop and just resting for the entire car ride back to her flat. When they arrived, Jim helped her out of the car and walked her up to the door.
"I had a good time tonight, thank you," Anna smiled, turning around to face him.
"I'm glad. Maybe I can convince you for another night? If I can get you away from work for a second time…" Jim offered.
"I think I might be able to get away for a couple hours sometime," Anna nodded, as they both took a step closer to one another.
"I'll call you," Jim murmured.
"I'll be waiting," she replied softly, just as their lips connected. It quickly became a heated kiss—his tongue crept into her mouth, his hand to the back of her neck.
It shouldn't feel as wrong as it did.
Why did it feel wrong?
When an imaged flashed in her mind—she gasped in surprise, and quickly backed up—a hand on Jim's chest. He had a slightly wild look to him- but he didn't press her. Instead, he smoothed out his suit jacket as Anna collected herself.
"It's just—I mean—"
"It's quite alright, darling," Jim told her, gently taking her hand and kissing her knuckles," I've no problem waiting."
"Thank you," Anna whispered, before letting herself into the building—and then into her flat. Her back to the door, she pressed fingers to her lips and closed her eyes.
She wanted it.
Did she ever want that—an intimate connection with another person.
Jim was a great guy.
Romantic.
Funny.
Smart.
Qualities Anna looked for in a guy.
Then why—why did she see Lestrade's face in her mind when she was kissing Jim?