I'm stealing Raimundo's line from the Katnappe episode and giving it to Jack. I'm sure you'll be able to spot it. ;) Once again, to all the readers, and especially the reviewers--you guys rock! Your feedback is always welcome! This chapter's short, but I think the next one will make up for it. The line break isn't working either. Meh, oh well, I'll make my own.

Chapter IX - Chivalry

Soundtrack / Inspiration:

A Sort of Fairytale - Tori Amos
Insensible - Mandalay
Wonderwall - Oasis

You invited me in
As if it's nothing
We tread on old ground
As if it's nothing now

Insensible - Mandalay

----------------

It was drizzling outside by the time the movie was over.

People began to file out of the theater, and Kimiko and Jack, after seeing the weather predicament, made a beeline for the nearest convenient store to make a quick purchase: an umbrella, at Jack's request (complaint), lest his precious hair be ruined.

Just one.

Kimiko tried not to think about the implications of having to squeeze under an umbrella with her foe-turned-friend. Luckily, Jack seemed more concerned with keeping dry then anything else at the moment. As long as he didn't start leering at her, everything would be fine.

Anyone who happened to glance in their direction might mistake them for a couple. Unless they really looked and listened, then they might think otherwise.

"I can't believe you made me sit through that pile of-hey!"

Jack's griping came to an abrupt halt as the umbrella was suddenly yanked from his grasp, subjecting him to the onslaught of increasing rain.

"My hair!"

He tried to take refuge again, but Kimiko refused him. Honestly, she was doing it out of nothing more than spite--her own little way of getting back at him for dozing off half way through the movie and using her shoulder as a temporary pillow. The man had no shame.

"You promise to stop acting like a baby?" she goaded, taunting him with the exchange for shelter. He gave in instantly.

"Yes yes!"

Satisfied, she handed the umbrella back to him and watched in silent amusement as he tenderly patted his damp locks. He was such a prima donna sometimes, though she had to admit, he wasn't nearly as bad as he used to be. That wasn't what irked her, anyway. Jack. . .had a nasty habit of repeating himself; of not learning from his past mistakes. She often had to remind him that he was no longer an evil boy genius ("But 'neutral boy genius' doesn't sound as cool!"), because he still slipped up every now and then. Half the time, she didn't know whether to laugh or weep for humanity.

It went without saying that the idea of him possibly betraying her was always there, floating in the back of her mind. And if he ever did, well. . .she'd just have to make sure he'd regret it. Dearly.

"I still didn't like the movie though," he drawled on, after he was done fussing with his do.

"Why not?" she asked out of genuine curiosity. Jack gave her a look like it should've been more than a little obvious.

"C'mon, Kimiko. It was a total chick flick, and you know it."

"So? You could've at least tried to enjoy it," she replied with a hint of incense. Then, in a more mischievous tone, "you know, if you were smart, you'd learn a thing or two on how to really treat a girl."

There was a short pause, in which he scrounged for something clever to say.

"I'm holding the umbrella for you, aren't I?" was all he could seem to come up with.

Kimiko winced. Why didn't that kind of response surprise her?

"Hate to burst your bubble Jack, but I don't think that quite counts as chivalry. At least, not in my books."

"Tch. Chivalry's dead, haven't you heard?"

An image of Clay flashed behind Kimiko's eyes, and she shook her head, a mysterious grin playing at her lips.

"Not dead, just. . .misunderstood."

Jack's expression of clueless incredulity was almost enough to make her giggle.

"'Misunderstood?' I'm not following. Care to enlighten me?"

She thought about it for a moment longer, and found she could not form words to describe the concept in her brain. So she tilted her head towards him, and her smile turned into something akin to an apology.

"Well, I guess I'm not really sure how to explain it."

He scoffed and looked ahead. If Kimiko didn't know any better, she could've sworn he was. . .disappointed.

"Typical," he began cynically, "girls are all the same, making up stuff and complicating men's lives for no good reason."

The look on her face after that comment immediately told him to switch topics. Now.

"I thought girls these days didn't like to be treated helpless," the wayward ex-Heylin (emphasis on ex) continued, enouncing the word 'like' for reasons not lost on Kimiko, "You know, 'cause of the whole 'equal treatment' thing."

"You're missing the point Jack," she didn't hesitate in correcting him. "No girl's going to find a guy who cower's from his own shadow desirable, even if she can take care of herself."

He fixed her with a glare that could've been playful, if he'd just put the effort into it. Maybe he didn't know how. . .that's ok. Someday, she would teach him.

"You implying something, Tohomiko?"

"Maybe. Wanna find out?"

Jack's eyebrow's shot up, and this time Kimiko did giggle. She couldn't help it anymore. Spending time with the boy genius not only allowed her insight into his character, but little by little, it also made his company. . .tolerable. She wouldn't admit to anything more than that. Not yet.

"No thanks. I've got better things to do than waste time with a Xiaolin Loser."

Kimiko snorted, and she felt her fondness of him wane by a few inches.

Fat head.

"I'll believe that when I see it."

"Believe it. I'm outta here."

They had reached a crossroads by that time, which in all respects, was a perfect place to say their farewells. Even so, Kimiko couldn't help but feel her stomach sink a little at parting ways so soon. Just when things were getting interesting, too. . .

"I'll see you later, then."

She turned, ready to leave without the luxury of a canopy over her head. Jack would certainly want to keep it with him, to protect his vanity. . .or what little he had.

A demure tap on her shoulder requested her attention. She turned back around, and was surprised to find him holding the handle out to her. With a start, she gazed up at him questioningly.

"What are you doing?" was all she could think to ask.

There was a trace of a grin touching the corners of his mouth.

"Being chivalrous."

Kimiko stared at him blankly, unable to make heads or tails of this gesture. Was he being serious, or just toying with her? It wouldn't have been the first time, nor would it be the last, she was sure. That was when her fists came in handy (did that count as a pun?) the most.

"If you really wanted to be chivalrous, you'd walk me all the way home," she replied, not really thinking about what she was saying, and certainly not expecting him to agree.

"Fine."

That was it. Just like that.

It was. . .surprising. She'd thought for sure he'd put up some kind of fight, since walking her home would mean he'd be going out of his way for someone other than himself. Yet he'd conceded almost immediately, without any protest.

Maybe. . .he was learning?

The walk back to her place was in silence. It felt awkward at first, but halfway through, they happened to glance at each other at the same time, and despite her instincts to turn away, Kimiko forced herself to look him in the eye and smile. Jack was instantly disarmed, and even smiled back.

He was learning.

They reached the dorm building not long after that. She thought it best to leave him at the front entrance, simply because she didn't feel like having anyone ask her who her new friend was (wink wink, nudge nudge). She still had her dignity, dammit.

She stopped at the door step, and he haulted right next to her. He moved to hand her the umbrella again--she'd been the one to pay for it, after all. However, instead of accepting it, she shook her head and pushed it back towards him.

"Keep it. Think of it as a thank you for being a gentleman."

She ignored the stunned look on his face and proceeded to open the door.

"Hold on!"

She looked back, eyebrow already arched in question.

"I know a better way you could thank me."

Quite unconsciously, Kimiko pursed her lips.

'Scuse me?

"Oh? And just how much of a thank you do you expect to receive exactly, hmm?"

Her voice was painted in suspicion. For a moment, he looked confused.

"Uh, I. . .," then realization dawned on his face. "Oh. . .oh no! No no no, that's not what I meant!"

"Uh huh."

"No really! I only meant I'd like you to go to a club with me tomorrow night."

A club?

Jack grinned wolfishly.

"Unless, you'd rather. . .?"

Her mouth twitched.

"Don't even, Spicer. What kind of club are we talking about here?"

"Hehehe, hey you said it, not me, and you'll see. I'll pick you up at 8. Be ready, or I'll leave without you. I hate waiting."

"Hey! I haven't even said I'd go with you yet!"

"You got anything better to do?"

No.

Saying that aloud, though, would be the same thing as admitting defeat. And the day she admitted defeat to Jack Spicer was the day hell froze over.

"Any fore warnings on attire?" she sighed, ignoring his inquisition. Jack's smirk in reply made her feel very, very uneasy.

"Just. . .wear black. Lots of black."

Kimiko just knew she was going to regret this.