Several weeks went by and Garret occasionally thought about what Jordan had told him that day in his office. He and Jen worked on a few cases together and she was always the professional. There were those moments she let her guard down, but just as quickly would put it back up again. Those were the rare times he got to see who she really was and that intrigued him even more.
Late one evening Garret walked through the hall carrying several containers of Chines food. He and Jen were working on a case and decided best to get some dinner and continue working.
"Food's here." Placing the containers on the table he could see out of the corner of his eye Jen walking over.
"Great…I'm starving."
An uncomfortable silence filled the room while they ate. Garret watched as she picked at her rice and chicken.
"I haven't had the opportunity to ask you yet, but how are you enjoying Boston? It's definitely not the same as Florida."
"No…no, it definitely isn't, but I don't mind. Some people may not get bored with the beaches or warm temperatures, but a part of me missed the cold winters." She gave him a smile, but her eyes didn't meet his.
"You grew up in Ohio…didn't you? If I remember from your resume."
Jen nodded slightly, shifting in her seat. "Some winters were worse than others, but I enjoyed the snow at Christmas…made it feel more like the holiday…that is when it did decide to snow."
"If that's the case…then why live in Florida?" Garret watched as she grew increasingly uncomfortable.
"I…well…just wanted a change…that's all." She quickly took a bite of her chicken, keeping her gaze away from his.
Garret decided to stop grilling her…he could sense her uneasiness, but still had no clue as to why. They finished the rest of their dinner in silence and then promptly went back to work. After about an hour, both were clearly showing signs that they had enough.
Rubbing his hand over his face, Garret leaned back in the chair. "I don't know about you, but I think I've had it for the night. We can pick this up tomorrow after we've had a goodnight's sleep."
Jen tried to stifle a yawn, but couldn't. She laughed slightly. "Sounds like a plan." Gathering her files, she made her way to the door when he stopped her.
"If you want to unwind for a bit before going home…there's a great jazz club about a block from here…that is if your into that." He watched her contemplate what to say. Getting up, he closed the gap between them. "I promise not to pry into your personal life. We can go and just relax."
"Alright…let me put these in my office and grab my coat." As she started to walk away, she stopped, but didn't turn to look at him. "And by the way…I happen to love jazz." She then continued on to her office.
As much as Jen hated to admit to herself…a night out like this was definitely something she needed. Although she had been in Boston for almost five months, she rarely took the time to explore the city. She had gone to the museum a few times, maybe to a local restaurant to pick-up food, but that was it.
While they sat at the table, Garret made sure not to question her. He just watched as she seemed to relax…laughing occasionally even. Leaning in, he startled her.
"Care to dance?" Without even waiting for an answer, he took hold of her hand and walked her to the dance floor. It took her several minutes to relax, but eventually he was able to pull her a little closer. They danced in comfortable silence through two songs before Jen pulled away.
"How about we call it a night? I'm about to fall asleep standing up." She smiled as Garret laughed at her.
Getting their things, they headed out of the club and to their cars.
"Thank you for tonight Garret…it was good to relax for a change." She wasn't sure what possessed her to do it. Maybe it was the lack of friendship she had in her life…maybe it was the closeness of the morgue staff wearing off on her. "Would you like to do this again sometime? Some dinner perhaps…a movie even." She bit her lower lip, unsure if she had done the right thing.
Garret was somewhat surprised by her question, but inwardly smiled. "Sure."
Jen smiled in relief. "Great…well…I'll see you tomorrow then." With that, she got in her car and drove away.
Over the next month, Jen and Garret spent a few evenings a week together. He slowly got to see a different side of her…rumors had begun to circulate around the morgue that people were calling her the 'Ice Queen.' To him, she slowly let her guard down, but never completely. She laughed and smiled a little more, but he also found the random acts of touching bothered her. In the beginning he dismissed it, but lately it made him wonder if something had happened to her to cause this. As far as he knew though, it was never mentioned in her psyche evaluation.
As Christmas approached, Garret asked if she wanted to go the party that Jordan and Lily were planning. After some reassurance from him that she would have fun, Jen finally agreed to go.
The night of the party arrived and Jen was putting on the finishing touches when Garret stopped by to pick her up. She made her way to the door and let him in. He was almost speechless at the sight of her.
"Wow…you look amazing." He watched as the comment made her blush.
Jen had to admit…she did look great. She had decided on a long, velvet green spaghetti strapped dress that fit nicely against her body. Her hair was in loose curls that fell to her shoulders.
"Thanks…just let me grab my coat and we can go."
For the night, the Pogue was closed to only the staff of the morgue. Lights dangled from the ceiling…Christmas music was blaring…by all accounts everyone was having a good time. Even Jen was enjoying herself. She had danced with Nigel and Bug, who several times both tried to get her under the mistletoe, but failed miserably. Eventually she was able to take a break and found a spot away from the crowd. After awhile she made eye contact with Garret who headed in her direction. Grabbing a chair, he sat next to her.
"Having fun?"
"Yeah…Jordan and Lily sure know how to throw a party. I just wanted to take a break for a little bit."
"Have enough energy for a dance later?"
"Of course…just keep me away from anything dealing with Nigel, Bug, or mistletoe and you've got a deal." They both laughed.
"Did I hear my name?" Garret and Jen looked over to see Nigel smiling mischievously at them. Pointing to above their heads, they looked up to find he was holding some mistletoe. "You know the drill guys…kiss." Both looked to see people staring at them.
Garret turned to Jen. "Looks as though we don't have a choice and I hate to go against tradition."
Jen didn't say a word as she felt Garret's lips brush against hers. They were warm and inviting so she deepened the kiss until she started hearing the cheers and then pulled back…embarrassed. "Um…excuse me…I…I'll be right back." Jen quickly got up and made her way through the crowd towards the bathroom. Once inside she leaned against the wall. That kiss…even if it was a traditional kiss…there was something there…she saw it when she looked at Garret. A part of that scared her. After a few minutes she composed herself and headed back out. She found Garret talking to Nigel…probably chewing him out for embarrassing her.
"Hey…I think I'm going to call a cab and go home. I had a great time, but I really should go." She made her way up to the phone by the bar and started to dial the number when the receiver was abruptly pulled out of her hand. Turning around she found Garret hanging it up.
"Garret…what do you think your doing?"
"You don't need to call a cab. I can take you home if you're ready to leave."
"Just because you brought me here doesn't mean you have to feel an obligation to take me home. It's not like we're on a date!" Her eyes widened…as soon as the words spilled from her lips she instantly regretted them.
"Fine…call the damn cab." Jen heard the anger in Garret's voice and watched as he walked off, moving his way through the crowd and out the door.
Cursing herself she made her way through the crowd as well and once outside spotted Garret only a few feet away. Without her coat the cold air sent chills through her body.
"Garret…Garret…look at me." She grabbed his arm and turned him to face her. As soon as he did she quickly let go and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep warm.
His face softened when he looked at her. "You shouldn't be out here…you're going to freeze to death." He quickly pulled off his sports jacket and wrapped it around her.
"I'm sorry about what I said in there. I've been independent for far too long…I let that get the better of me sometimes." Her teeth slightly chattered as she wrapped the coat tighter.
"Come on…let's go back inside. Its much warmer in there than out here."
"I think I would just rather go home…if that's ok?"
Garret sighed, somewhat disappointed. "Sure…let's get our things and we can leave."
When they arrived at her apartment, Garret walked Jen to her door. As she was about to head in, she turned around, "would…would you like to come in?" Garret nodded and followed her in.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to go change. As much as I know you and everyone else enjoyed this dress, I can't wait to get out of it." She disappeared into the bedroom and Garret took off his jacket, placing it on a nearby chair. He then took the time to look around. Her living room was furnished with some tables, a couch and chair, and a television. She had a few plants…it appeared she took better care of them than Jordan did hers. He smiled at that. Her shelves were adorned with an assortment of medical books. She had the necessities to get by with and nothing more. However…he couldn't find a single photograph of her family. On a table near the window, she had a small, decorated Christmas tree, but it was the only thing in the whole apartment…he couldn't even see a Christmas card or other decorations.
"Care for some coffee?" Jen had startled him from his thoughts. She had changed into an oversized shirt and sweatpants. Garret followed her into the kitchen.
"Coffee will be ready in a sec." She gave him a nervous smile.
"Sounds good." Garret took a seat on the barstool at the counter. Awkwardness between the two filled the room. His mind wandered a bit while he watched her. During the last month, his feelings for her began to change. He thought maybe he was falling for her, but given the way things went tonight, he believed now she didn't feel the same.
The beep from the coffeemaker brought him out of his thoughts and he noticed Jen quickly grab a couple of cups and pour the coffee. She took a seat next to him at the counter and handed him his cup.
Finally Garret couldn't stand the silence between them any longer. "Wanna tell me why you invited me in?"
Resting her arms on the counter, she grasped her cup and looked into it, as if trying to find an answer. "I don't know…maybe as a peace offering of sorts after what happened tonight at the party. I hope you weren't too hard on Nigel."
"Don't worry about it…Nigel was more worried that he had done something wrong." He took a sip from his cup then looked at her. "Why did you run off like that anyway?"
Jen contemplated her answer…then resting her chin on her hand looked at him. "Honestly…the kiss scared me." Garret's eyes raised in surprise and Jen sadly smiled.
"I know…how can a kiss scare someone? It was more than a kiss between friends…I know you felt it…I saw it in your eyes when I pulled away. It's the closeness that scares me the most." She shook her head in frustration. "This is not making any sense is it?" She slid off the stool and walked over to the sink. "I wish I could make you understand."
Garret walked over and turned her around to face him. He placed his fingers under her chin and slowly closed the gap between them.
"Garret…what are you doing." She swallowed hard and then panicked as Garret began to close the gap between them. "Please…please don't do that." She pushed him away and looked at him with tears were sliding down her face.
"I don't think you know what you're getting yourself into. Why would you want to become involved with someone that everyone calls the Ice Queen." She saw the shock play out on his face. "Didn't think I knew did you? I realize that I keep my feelings in check…that I keep everyone so far away, but I have my reasons…unfortunately everyone wants to form their own opinions about me."
Jen walked out of the kitchen and into the other room. Taking a seat on the couch, she pulled her legs up to her chest. Garret followed a few seconds later, sitting beside her, but keeping some distance.
"I'm a complicated person. It's been a long time since I've let anyone get this close." It was true…she hadn't maintained a lengthy relationship with any man because she was afraid of the intimacy. As soon as they started showing any interest she pushed them away.
Garret reached his hand up and brushed a strand of her hair back that had fallen. "Let me get to know you then. The real you…not the person that's hidden behind this wall you've built around yourself."
Jen's eyes misted over…could she afford to take that chance? There was something about Garret…he didn't take a hint easily…he had somehow gotten under her skin. "I don't want you to regret your decision."
He looked at her puzzled. "Why?"
"Because…once you find out…the real reason…I don't want you to be repulsed. I don't want to get so emotionally involved, only to have you turn your back on me."
Garret slid closer to her on the couch. "I'm telling you right now that I will never do that." He pulled her into him and kissed the top of her head. "When you are ready to talk about your past I'm here…ok?"
Jen nodded against him. For the first time she felt safe as Garret held her. The chiming of the clock startled them both.
"I should go…its getting late." Jen nodded and walked with him to the door. As she opened it, Garret turned to her and softly kissed her cheek. "Goodnight." Jen shut the door as he left, her mind swirling from the events of the evening.
