A/N: Soooo - I had this idea and actually decided to link these shorts after all. I wasn't going to, at first, but I thought this would be fun. :) I hope you enjoy!
—-
It took two whole days before James could look Juliet in the eye, and when he finally did, his first words shocked her. "Wanna get dinner with me tomorrow night?" he'd asked, in a quiet, reserved way that caught her so off-guard she'd momentarily forgotten to breathe.
She lowered the clean plate back into the soapy water and swallowed. There was really only one possible answer. "Sure," she agreed softly, and it took everything in her not to avert her eyes as his gaze slid slowly down her body. She'd normally be mortified if someone looked at her like that, but not him. With him, he looked at her with a kind of reverence that made her toes curl. He made her feel… warm. And his warmth had been melting her walls of ice ever since he dragged her away from that poor soul with the arrow coming out of their chest.
In fact, her walls were all but gone now. Especially since she'd bared herself to him. She may have knocked him into a stunned, temporary silence when she'd done it, but clearly something had changed permanently between them as a result. She could feel it.
"So long as you stop looking at me like that," she added after a beat, and re-rinsed the plate in her hand before stacking it in the dishrack. She could feel her neck burning as she turned her back to him, knowing instinctively that he was still appraising her from behind.
"Lookin' at ya like what?" he asked, feigning innocence through his pursed, dimpled smile. She heard his shirt rustle as he crossed his arms.
She rolled her eyes. "Like you know what I look like naked."
"Ah. But I do," he all but purred, and she felt the small hairs on her neck raise in the best possible way.
"If you don't stop ogling me, it'll be the last time you ever do," she warned, her tone sweet and teasing.
James's warm laugh danced on her skin, making her neck burn even hotter. "You got it, boss."
She heard his footsteps as he walked away, leaving her alone with her racing thoughts and thunderous heartbeat.
She could hardly believe it. They were finally going on a date.
—-
The next day, her leg shaking grew worse and worse as the hours ticked by. Every time she looked at the clock, she'd find that - somehow - only minutes had passed. By four, she was tired of drawing this out. She was sweaty and anxious and just needed to get moving. She left early, telling her boss she wasn't feeling well and needed to lie down. He didn't seem to care.
She scrubbed the sweat and grease from every nook and cranny of her body, the temperature of the shower near scalding. She shaved her legs, though she wasn't sure what for. She had no intentions of hooking up tonight. Though she was certain James wouldn't mind, that was not the impression she was trying to give him about herself (even if she had flashed her entire body to him mere days ago).
First, she dressed in a simple knee-length, olive green cotton dress and brown sandals. It was one of the only normal looking dresses she owned, and it was comfortable and light, even in the heat. Then, she blow-dried her hair before attempting to straighten the frizz out of it. She knew it wouldn't last long in this humidity, but it was worth a try.
She heard the shower start up just as she started applying her makeup from the vanity in her bedroom, and heard it cut out minutes later. Any one of her roommates could have been inside, and she wanted to give them their space.
Minutes passed, and by the time she finished, she assumed it would be safe enough to head to the bathroom to apply the finishing touches. She walked down the hallway and reached for the door handle when suddenly it opened, and warm steam billowed out around James.
He stood there, covered only in a white towel slung low around his waist. His hand fisted the material - the only thing keeping it from falling, Juliet realized.
He sucked in a breath, his eyes blazing as they roamed over her. He seemed completely unphased that they'd almost run into one another, and that he was barely dressed. He was still glistening from the shower, but now sported a soft, shining face free from scruff. His hair was combed back and he smelled like heaven.
Juliet gripped the doorframe, her knees weak. James noticed, and flashed her a devilish, knowing smile. "You clean up nice," he crooned softly.
She swallowed. "You clean… down… nice," she breathed, and then immediately regretted it. She could have slapped herself for sounding so… smitten.
James chuckled - two little 'hmm hmms' that reverberated in Juliet's bones, before angling to slide past her. He went into his room and shut the door with a soft click.
Juliet licked her lips and inhaled deeply through her nose, trying to regain her composure. The date hadn't even started yet, and she was already letting him see just how much she liked him. She'd spent the past several weeks painstakingly hiding it, and now it was all out in the open for him to see, she was sure of it.
But no matter. She finished getting ready, trying to push the embarrassing thoughts aside. After all - it actually felt good not to have to hide it anymore, she thought.
—-
Minutes later, she curled up on the couch to read, using a blanket to cover up her bare legs. She had to pass the time somehow, and clearly James was still getting ready.
For a while, she lost herself in her book, as she did every time she read, and almost didn't notice James walk right out the front door. It left her flummoxed. Had he forgotten? But no - he couldn't have. He'd shaved and put on some kind of cologne. Surely he'd remembered?
But minutes passed, and still James did not return. When she heard a knock at the door, she rose, aggravated at who could be interrupting her downward spiral.
She opened the door to find James there, with a single yellow flower in his hand. She felt her jaw drop, raking in the sight of him this time - clad in his typical jeans and maroon button-up shirt. But there was still something different about him - something… happy.
She smiled, feeling her eyes crinkle in the corners.
"You didn't think I forgot, didja?" he asked, feigning bewilderment.
She shook her head, adamant. "No, of course not." She took the flower inside and tucked it into a vase with some water. She placed it in the center of the dining room table and rejoined him at the door. "Why didn't you just grab me when you were ready?"
"Cuz. I wanted to pick you up. You know, for real." His tone was sincere and Juliet found herself not knowing how to respond. It touched her, in a place she hadn't felt in a long time.
They walked together to the cafeteria in companionable silence. The air was warm and thick around them, but the breeze cut through it enough that it wasn't stifling. She could smell James's cologne from her spot beside him on the sidewalk, and it kickstarted the pattering of her heart.
They were really doing this.
They went through the line upon entering the cafeteria. She grabbed a slice of lasagna and a side salad, plus a piece of chocolate cake. He followed behind, opting for garlic bread, not salad (and minus the cake). They sat down at a table in the far corner, away from any prying, curious eyes. Juliet wasn't sure they'd ever had dinner alone together before.
"So…" Juliet started. She honestly didn't know what to say. Despite being happy to be here, this felt… weird.
"You nervous 'bout bein' out with me, Blondie?" James chuckled, and Juliet felt her cheeks flush. How could she tell him it was less about him and more about the fact that she was even on a date with anyone, at all?
When was the last time she'd been on a date? She and Jack had liked each other, maybe, but there was certainly never the intention behind an actual date. (Nor had they had time - always running away from, or towards, danger. And where could they go anyway?)
She'd never been seen publicly with Goodwin. That had been far too risky - not just because of Harper, but because of Ben. They'd kept everything away from their neighbors, opting for rushed trysts or secluded picnics - neither of which felt like this. Like an intentional declaration of them pursuing each other, romantically.
Juliet cleared her throat. She thought of Ed, but she didn't want to. "It's… been a while, for me. I didn't think I had it in me anymore." She opted for honesty, sincerity. After all, hadn't that been what he'd offered her?
James cocked his head to the side. "What, datin'?" Juliet nodded. Thankfully, he didn't push further. Juliet didn't want to be put under the microscope any more than she already felt.
After a few minutes of eating silently, he said quietly, "It's a little weird, ain't it? Doin' this. With each other. In the fuckin' seventies for cryin' out loud."
Juliet couldn't help but laugh at the true absurdity of their situation, and raised a hand to cover her mouth. She swallowed, nodding in agreement. "If only our past selves could see us now. I doubt you've been on many dates with women who've tased you."
James swallowed a gulp of water and shook his head playfully. "You'd be surprised." This caused a genuine giggle to escape Juliet's mouth, and already she felt more at ease. But then his eyes, sparkling and deep green, focused on her. He leaned forward on his elbows and wiped his mouth on his napkin, drawing her attention there. "Hopefully you're the last."
The double meaning there sent lightning zinging up her spine. 'Last,' meaning… last person he dates who has tased him? Or… the last person he dates? Juliet's breathing increased.
The former. It had to be the former.
She took a large bite of her lasagna, finishing it off. Anything to redirect her attention away from his stare. Once she swallowed, she rolled her shoulders a little and said, "It's weird for me too. I'm not used to dating guys that once wanted to kill me."
James looked down at his plate. Not the reaction Juliet had been looking for. "I never wanted to kill ya," he admitted, though from the mumbling Juliet had to wonder if it was true. "And besides… all that anger - it didn't last long."
"No?"
He shook his head. "No," he said, resolutely, and that was that. It lifted a weight inside her, one she didn't even realize she'd been carrying, to hear him say that. She wasn't sure when it had dissipated, but she was glad it had.
She rested her hand on the table, the offer plain. "Well, it wouldn't be a first date without nerves, now, would it?"
His dimples deepened. "Guess not." His fingers inched forward, ever so slightly, brushing the tips against hers. It caused goosebumps to erupt on the top of her forearm.
Using the other hand, she pushed the cake slightly towards him. "Ready for cake?"
He smirked. "I'm always ready for cake. Though I'm offended ya didn't get more'n one piece."
Juliet grinned and shoved a healthy bite into her mouth, her nerves evaporating with the scent of the rich chocolate. "You have two legs. You could always go get more."
James tsked. "But then we wouldn't be sharin', now would we?" He stuck his fork into the cake and shoved a large amount into his mouth. She rolled her eyes and pulled off another bite of her own.
"You're lucky I'm even sharing this in the first place, James." They smiled at one another, openly and honestly, as they ate their dessert in a comfortable silence.
And then he claimed the last bite, knocking her fork away with his own to claim it. When he was done, he stuck up a finger and left the table. Juliet watched him curiously as he re-entered the line. His back was to her, so she couldn't see what he grabbed.
But then he returned, carrying a slice of cheesecake in one hand, the other stuck nervously down into his pocket.
Juliet beamed. "I love cheesecake," she breathed, and anxiously took the slice from him. She hadn't even seen it as an option, she'd been so focused on the chocolate - something she knew for a fact they'd both like.
He settled back down and they dug in, taking much smaller bites now. They wanted to make this last.
"So, Juliet. Tell me somethin' 'bout yourself I don't know."
"There's a lot you don't know."
"Exactly," he scoffed, like it was obvious. He trained his eyes on her, like he couldn't wait for whatever it was she had to say.
Juliet considered. There were a lot of things she could say. She could tell him about her favorite color, or her interests. She could go deeper and tell him about her parents and her upbringing. She swallowed. She could tell him about Rachel. But none of that felt right. She didn't want to be superficial - not when he was looking at her like that - but she didn't want to reopen old wounds, either.
She settled for something in the middle. Something honest, something he should know, but nothing that would keep her up tonight when she'd inevitably run everything back over in her mind. "I used to be married."
He started. "Oh yeah?"
She nodded slowly. "He died. After we'd already gotten divorced."
James pursed his lips. "Not sure if I should say sorry or not."
Juliet shrugged. "Nothing to be sorry about." He reached across the table once more, skimming the tips of his fingers along her knuckles. The simple gesture made her bloom inside, and she found herself telling him the whole story: about the marriage just after grad school, the affairs, and the subsequent divorce. She didn't tell him about how Ed had died though. It started to feel too serious, and she didn't want to bring down the mood more than she already had.
"Jesus, Blondie," James breathed. "How the hell could the fucker cheat on you? Was he blind?" His tone was sharp, without a trace of sarcasm or patronization. It warmed Juliet's cheeks.
"He wasn't, but… thank you." James opened his mouth to argue some more, the incredulity written plainly on his face, but Juliet cleared her throat, stopping him. "Your turn. Tell me a funny story. Any story."
James closed his mouth, and then opened it again, aware of her diversion in topic. "Funny story? What makes you think I got any'a those?" Juliet gave him a pointed look, and he relented. "Fine, okay. Here's one…"
People filled out of the cafeteria as he regaled her of a con gone wrong when he was 22. Juliet had been sure it wouldn't be a funny story at all, but it ended up making her lean over the table, laughing. Encouraged by her reaction, he told her another, enthusiastically building it up to a crescendo before offering the punchline of the anecdote, causing another fit of giggles. His eyes were bright as he watched her laugh, memorizing the sound. Realizing how much he craved it.
Lately he'd been seeing her in a new light - one he couldn't quite explain. It had nothing to do with the shower incident, though he'd admired the guts it took for her to stand up to him like that. (And admired the hell out of what he'd seen, too.)
But he found it's hard to see someone for who they are inside when you've been running for your lives, or lying about everything about yourself just to fit in. Now that some time had finally passed and they'd settled into a strange kind of routine… well, now he could get to know the real her. Or so he hoped.
And what he'd seen so far? Oh, yeah. He liked her. More than he was comfortable admitting, even to himself.
Especially to himself.
