Disclaimer: I do not own Prodigal Son

Summary: Inside Jack's head

XOXOX

He knew he was going to call her, he just didn't know when.

When he woke up, well rested and content for once, he knew he had a better night than he's had in awhile. When he walked downstairs and saw a note on his kitchen counter, he was surprised. He couldn't recall ever getting a note from someone he didn't have sex with; fuck, he couldn't remember bringing anyone to his place that wasn't a guaranteed score. In fact, last night was a lot of firsts for him. He assumes the same could be said for Dr. Edrisa Tanaka.

Jack! I hope you had a good rest and have a good day. Hope to talk to you soon, call me if you want. Edrisa 718-111-22-3344 Don't work too hard!

He couldn't help but smile. Last night did not go how he planned, like at all. He thought he was finally going to get a chance to hook up with one of the only women that have turned him down. Instead he had a great night getting to know her and in turn she learned about him.

He wasn't stupid, he knew when she kissed him at the bar she was trying to prove something to herself or to someone else. The thought of someone not seeing how amazing that woman was angered him. He's always had a soft spot for her and was even protective of her in his own way. He always kept an eye on her when she was at the bar, making sure no one gave her unwanted attention.

He remembers a couple months after she turned him down, he went to the bar with some work friends and saw her. She was by herself, as she usually was, but she was dressed stunningly in a way he never saw before. An emerald green dress that clung to her slim figure like a second skin. She looked absolutely breathtaking. He told them she was the kind of woman worth waiting for. They looked at him strangely and said they didn't see it.

He couldn't recall what made him say that to them. He typically keeps his sexual escapades to himself since not everyone was as open minded about his sexuality as others so he preferred to keep his affairs private. Plus, it made his mother happy when he kept his non-hetorosexual comments to himself. However, he remembers hearing her laugh out loud at something the bartender said and thinking she was beautiful. He likes to think he sees rare beauty in people but maybe he just sees her for who she is, while everyone else brushes her aside as weird. He still wonders what she was dressed up for that night. Maybe next time he sees her he will ask.

She told him about how often people take advantage of her at her job and that made him angry too. She didn't deserve to be taken advantage of ever. Hearing her tell him about the condescending remarks she receives on a daily basis makes him want to go over to Major Crimes and file some serious complaints. He didn't even give a fuck if it made him look like a 'Karren'.

He thinks about her all morning when he goes into work. Her words from last night, the way she actually listened to him, the way her body rested on his. Hell, he even remembers the feel of her hair running through his fingers.

He can't remember ever talking to a person the way he talked to her last night. He was so open and honest with her and he feels like she was the same with him. He knows she's older than him and normally that would slightly intimidate him, and if he's being completely honest it kind of does, but a part of him was happy that she came to him last night out of everyone in New York City and gave him that phenomenal kiss.

Yes she was older than him but she had a light in her that made her youthful in ways he assumes women only tried to be. She was completely intimidating too. She literally cuts bodies all day; yet she doesn't look at the world as a cynic like he would if he had the same career. He remembers how often she smiled at him and made a corny joke and it made him start grinning like an idiot.

Before he knows what he is doing, he pulls out his phone and texts her.

Hey it's Jack. Are you available for lunch today?

He's almost embarrassed that he actually texted her so quickly. The people he hooks up with know he was not a relationship person. Although they didn't have sex last night, he knows she's aware of his reputation. She knew about his sexuality and didn't even flinch; she asked him questions about his relationships and not once did he feel like she was judging him and he loves the feeling. He genuinely wants to see Edrisa again and soon. Maybe if he's lucky sex was still on the table. If not, he'd be happy just being this woman's friend. But he was really up for sex.

He sets his phone by him and continues with his work. He won't look at his phone every two minutes, he's not a twelve year old girl after all. He has a couple meetings today and he knew he had to prepare. However, he can't stop himself from glancing over to the device every once and awhile.

It only takes ten minutes for his phone to go off and he will deny it if anyone points out how fast he snatched it from his desk. God, he really is acting like a twelve year old with his first crush.

Hey Jack! I don't get long lunches during a case but I finish around four if you want to get a late lunch, early dinner. Linner? Lol lmk

He can't help but chuckle as he reads the message. It was so Edrisa. Even more now that he actually knows more about her.

Linner sounds amazing. I'll pick you up at the NYPD at 4ish if that's good with you.

He also doesn't know why he offers to pick her up when they could just meet at the bar or whatever restaurant they end up choosing. All he does know is that he wants to see the place and the people that under value such a strong and intelligent woman.

He also wants to punch the person who she likes that treats her like a doormat. Yeah that was a subject she didn't talk about much but he wasn't going to forget what she said anytime soon.

Okay, only if you're sure! Just let me know when you're here. See you soon :smilie face emoticon:

Satisfied that they had plans, he puts his phone down gently and gets back to work. He may not love his job, but he takes it seriously to live up to his father's name. He remembers his dad fondly and knows if he were alive today he would have been proud of his son becoming a fireman. He would have been supportive and accepted that his son never wanted the high life that most of the wealthy people in this town have. The kind of life that his mother wants for him.

Unfortunately, things didn't turn out that way. He had a legacy to live up to and he would keep his father's business alive and thriving.

XOXOX

At four on the dot, Jack pulled into the NYPD parking lot and texted Edrisa that he was outside. She let him know that she would need about ten minutes to finish up some paperwork in her office but he could just wait in the lot.

He was about to play some random game on his phone when the urge to see her office got the better of him and he stepped out of his car. When he walked inside and informed the officer where he was headed, he was led to the elevator that would take him down to the morgue where Edrisa's office was.

There was another man in the elevator that was going to the same floor as him. He looked very familiar, he thinks their mothers' are in the same high class circle. He was definitely attractive that was for sure, with his light brown hair and piercing blue eyes and if he wasn't about to take Edrisa out he'd entertain the idea of flirting with him for the short ride.

They reached their floor and briefly looked at each other before Jack stepped out.

"Are you on the right floor? If you're here to identify someone, you're supposed to be escorted down by a fellow officer." The other man informed him in a gentle yet rehearsed way.

"Oh no, I'm here to pick up my date." Jack replied and the man looked at him confused but he said nothing further as they both walked towards the office where Edrisa was.

Jack reached there before the other man and silently observed the quirky and adorable woman he was about to take out. She was wearing a black and white blouse under a navy blue blazer. He couldn't see if she was wearing pants or a skirt, but considering her job it was probably pants and comfortable shoes. Her hair was down as usual and her glasses were slowly slipping down her nose. She was so cute. How was it possible for her to be adorable and sexy? He knows people say that in movies but he never believed that expression to be true until now.

"Hey you." He says softly hoping not to scare her but she still jumped in her seat before looking at him and grinning.

"Oh hi! You didn't have to come get me, I'm just about finished." She says but the happy smile on her face told him he made the right choice in surprising her. She looked a little tired but he was happy to see she looked just as excited as he did about their 'Linner date'.

Before he could say anything further he feels someone coming closer to him from behind and he turns to see the other guy looking at him suspiciously.

"Sorry, I just need to have a word with Edrisa for a minute." The man tells him and Jack was almost positive that this was the idiot that Edrisa was talking about. Why was he so familiar looking?!

"Special Agent Bright! What can I do for you?" She asks him and while her voice was almost as chipper as it normally is, he could tell she wasn't too happy he came for a visit. He thinks this Bright character knows it too by the surprised look on his face.

"I just wanted to thank you for your help yesterday. I was going to text you last night but something came up…" Bright says to her and she nods her head like it's something she's heard many times from the man before.

"It's fine, I wasn't expecting a reply. I was busy anyway." She says in a stronger voice and he throws her a smirk which he was happy to see caused her to blush.

Bright looks at them like he was trying to solve a big mystery and Jack has never had the urge to punch someone like he has now. Why was it such a mystery that he was flirting with her? He looks back at the 'special agent' with a challenging look of his own.

Edrisa must have noticed the looks because she shakes her head and puts on a bright smile.

"Oh sorry! Bright, this is Jack DeLuca. Jack, this is Special Agent Malcolm Bright. He consults for the Major Crimes unit." She explains and Jack sticks out his hand politely for the man to shake.

"Nice to meet you. You're lucky you get to work with this amazing woman everyday." He says before winking to Edrisa who smiles and Bright's eyes widen a fraction before he takes his hand and squeezes. The pressure was supposed to be intimidating but the only thing Jack could think was this guy looks a little jealous. Good he should be. This was definitely the guy that she liked that treated her as a doormat. Hopefully she will come to her senses and see he was better for her than this Bright guy.

Wait what?

"DeLuca? Of Grimes and DeLuca investments?" He asked curiously and he nods in agreement.

"That's the one. Seth DeLuca was my father." He explains and Bright just nods and then turns to Edrisa.

"I'm sorry. I guess I'll talk to you tomorrow. Enjoy your night." He says looking at his date, giving her a soft smile before turning and walking towards the elevators.

It's silent until they could hear the bing of the elevator's arrival and the doors closing behind Special Agent Bright as he goes back to wherever he came from.

He turns to her and gives her a smile as he walks closer to her.

"Are you ready to go my lady?" He says taking her hand in his and kissing it softly. Edrisa's cheeks turn red and she lets out a very cute giggle.

"Why of course I am? Where are we going?" She asks as she goes to grab her bag and he takes it from her chivalrously.

"That is a surprise." He says before giving her a grin.

This is the first time in a long time he's actually taking a woman, a special woman on a date and he wants to make it memorable.

TBC