Woah, an update less than 24 hours later?! You better believe it people. This chapter was amazingly easy to write, and I think I actually like how it turned out- yay! In all honestly I just had a lot of off time in a class full of people I don't really like, so I turned to writing this on my phone (I really should've been studying oops). Anyways, enjoy! Thanks for the reviews!
Will wasn't exaggerating when he said ten minutes; not a second late, he pulled up to the curb in front of the bench JJ was seated on. He didn't waste time getting out of the car. He had a huge grin on as he made his way around the car to pull her into a quick hug, which, after getting over her surprise, JJ returned. Pulling back, Will held onto her upper arms and looked at her, still smiling.
JJ smiled hesitantly, "What?"
"I'm just makin' sure you're really here darlin'." Will said it with a laugh, which JJ returned.
"I'm really here." She smiled more surely now as she said it, as she was beginning to appreciate her rash decision.
Seeing the traffic director glaring at them, Will let go of JJ's arms, grabbed her bag and tossed it in his trunk before turning back to her. "Well, we better be gettin' out of the way here before we get an earful." He opened the passenger side door for her, "After you," then, after she was seated, made his way back around to his side and pulled away.
His house was pretty much straight down the road from the airport.
"The precinct is just another ten minutes in that direction" Will said, pointing off ahead of them.
JJ nodded as she took in the view. The city was lit up and full of life. She guessed Friday nights were a party down here. Will turned onto a quieter, suburban street and they passed pretty, traditional little houses each surrounded with a large yard.
"This neighborhood got lucky- missed the worst of the storm. I bought mine here cheap right outta college, I guess bein' older it was a little outdated." After a few more turns on similar streets Will came to a stop in front of one of the smaller, one story houses at the end street. It was pushed back from the curb and most of the other houses, and behind it there was the beginning of a wooded kinda swamp, giving him a more privacy. "But there's lots of families and other folks now. Nice neighbors. Used to be empty." He cut the engine and got out, making his way around to her door, but JJ had already opened it and was stepping out.
Will shook his head and smiled. "Ya know I'm tryin' to be a gentleman here Cher."
JJ laughed. "C'mon, I can open my own door." She turned to look at the house more closely. It was painted brick, with a small porch in front. Two small windows had painted shutters on them, and vines grew up the side. "It's nice... Old fashioned... Not too big. I like it."
Will was closing the trunk after having pulled her bag out. "Thanks, wait 'till ya see the rest of it."
He led her up the steps to his door and unlocked it, pushing his way inside. He dropped his keys in a dish to his right. "Well?"
The interior looked like a studio apartment. It was completely open, spare for what JJ guessed was a closet and a bathroom. To the right was the kitchen area, with counters and cabinets lining the wall and a round table in the center of it. Behind that was the closet and bathroom. The back wall was made of mostly windows, filling the house with natural light (at least, she was assuming so, because it was mostly dark now). In the back left corner was a large bed, with a small side table and lamp next to it. In front of the bed was a couch, and on the front wall to the left of the door was an entertainment center, with a large tv and huge collection of movies. All of this on a newer wood floor.
"I thought you said it was outdated?"
"It was, when I bought it. Fixed it up after Katrina, figured I might as well make it nice. I didn't miss the storm completely. The back wall was destroyed and the floors were flooded, so I replaced both. The bedroom walls also had a lot of rotting from the water so I just took them out."
"Wow, this is really nice. I love the openness, but aren't all those windows a bad idea with all the hurricanes?"
"What, ya scared of gettin' a little wet?" Will laughed. "They're reinforced, so most of the storms we get won't hurt them. And if there's anything big, they'll be no worse off than the wall woulda been."
"You thought ahead."
"What can I say, I'm a thinker."
JJ laughed, "You're pretty proud of yourself."
"I am, don't get to show it off much." Will looked at the clock by the door- 8:12- before turning back to JJ. "Have you eaten yet?"
His question made her realize how hungry she was, she hasn't had anything since leaving San Francisco. "Nope."
Will smiled. "Perfect. You ready to really experience New Orleans?"
"Lead the way."
Will was taking her to his favorite restaurant in the French Quarter. He had suggested they walk since it was so close, and it was a nice night. JJ had found the restaurant to be almost as charming as Will. They were seated in a cozy corner booth. He'd ordered for her, saying that it was a Cajun specialty, and a definite must. He was right, it was delicious. The conversation had flowed smoothly- mostly small talk- they had yet to defer to work. Skipping dessert (she wasn't a sugar person- he was appalled) they'd then headed over to a bar he recommended. Being Friday night in the French Quarter, it was crowded. Will had snaked his arm lightly around JJ's waist to keep them from being separated, and it had stayed there until they left an hour later. All in all it had been the nicest first date JJ had been on.
As they began their walk back to Will's, JJ caught ahold of his hand and intertwined their fingers, earning a smile from Will.
"So cher, what'd ya think of New Olreans?"
"It was... Really nice. I had a lot of fun. Thank you."
"The pleasure is entirely mine honey. Although I do gotta ask, am I still just 'half bad?'"
JJ laughed at Will's quoting her. "Hmmm... I guess you're pretty good after all."
Will smiled triumphantly "I'll take it!" He hesitated before switching gears. "So, what made ya change your mind about comin' down here this weekend?"
JJ squirmed slightly at his directness. "Nothing, just got off work earlier than I expected."
Will wasn't buying it. "C'mon cher, it couldn't of been just that. Something's gnawin' at ya."
JJ sighed. How was he so good at reading her? "It was just... A hard case. We don't really need to get into details... I just didn't want to go home and be alone after that. I don't know, coming here was pretty spontaneous, I just... Thought it'd be fun."
Will had listened closely while JJ opened up. "Well, that's pretty good reasoning. I'm happy you're here."
"Yeah, me too."
They walked the last few minutes in silence, just enjoying each other's presence. JJ dropped Will's hand when they got to the door so he could fish his keys out of his pocket. Walking inside, he flipped on the light and turned to her.
"You've gotta be pretty tired by now, havin' just wrapped a case up this mornin'. It's pretty, late, you ready for bed?"
"Yeah, actually, I could use a couple hours of sleep right about now." JJ hesitated. "You don't mind me staying here, right? I never really asked..."
"I wouldn't have it any other way cher. Bathroom's back there, you need a towel?"
JJ smiled; always a gentleman. "Yes please, let me just grab my stuff."
JJ retrieved her sleep clothes and toiletries from her bag before taking the towel Will offered her and heading into the bathroom. She showered, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top before exiting. She found Will laying on the couch- which was now covered in sheets and a blanket- half watching some rerun on tv.
"Hey, bathrooms all yours."
Will looked admired her for a second before catching himself and clearing his throat. "Oh, thanks, I'll just be a minute."
As he left JJ sat down on the side of the couch. She was a little unsure of what to do with herself. Thankfully Will was true to his word, and he returned a few minutes later in a pair of boxers and an old NOPD t-shirt. JJ had to stop herself from staring.
Will picked up the remote and flicked off the tv. "Well, the bed's all yours. I figure I'll take the couch." The lamp by his bed was now all that lit the house.
"Will, I can't kick you out of your own bed."
"Honey you aren't kickin' me out, I'm offerin'. I figure we can sleep in a little tomorrow, since you've been gettin' up early all week. Then we can make plans whenever we decide to get up. Sound good?"
JJ blushed, he was seriously thoughtful."Sounds perfect. Thank you, Will, for all of this. I'm a lot better off than I would've been at home tonight."
"Anytime cher, I'm just glad I got to take you out for a real night. Go get some sleep, you're tired."
His words were emphasized by her yawning. She didn't even try to argue this time. "Okay. Goodnight Will."
Before he could return the sentiment, JJ's lips were on his. Shocked, it took Will a second to respond. It had started out light, but as the emotions of the week caught up with JJ, the kiss grew in intensity and passion. Her tongue brushed his lips, seeking entrance which he granted. Her arms linked behind his neck , and his hands found her hips. After about a minute they broke apart, breathing heavily. JJ rested her head on Will's shoulder as she caught her breath.
"Well... That... Wow."
JJ took another couple of deep breaths and looked up at him before answering. "Yeah."
"So... Goodnight?"
JJ smiled as she dropped her arms. "Yeah. Goodnight." She turned and made her way to his bed, flicking off the lamp and climbing under the covers. She heard will chuckle before settling down onto the couch, and smiled to herself, closing her eyes. She was beginning to like this acting without thinking.