Notes: Ugh, I'm not good at establishing stuff. Please excuse the awkwardly written chapter. It will get better, with this out of the way we can see more goofy and adorable DirkJake moments. And once they have a better established working relationship the fun can really start B).

Jake English showed up at the address at the appointed time, deep breaths, tingling phantoms ran through him. "Ah! Are you the new caretaker?"

Jake turned around to see curvy, medium height woman with stunning blue eyes, framed by square rimmed glasses that looked almost exactly like his own. "Uh, yes! I was under the impression that the nurses had some questions for me? Mister Strider gave me the address and –"

"Whoa, call him Dirk. He may be your employer, but there isn't a need to be so formal. I'm one of the nurses, the other being Dirk's sister, Roxy. We want someone who will take care of Dirk, but will also be there for him on a more personal level. This is a very personal job and we want Dirk to be comfortable with whoever gets it."

"Yes, of course."

"So, loosen up. Dirk liked you enough to give you his address, you're in good standing right now."

Jake smiled, took another deep breath as Jane unlocked the door. Dirk was sitting in a large comfy looking chair, while Roxy was nearly at the front of the door when they entered. Jake saw Jane put a finger to her lips as she circled around the furniture. "Anyone there Rox?" Asked Dirk, standing up. Jane was right behind him and placed her hand under his shades and over his eyes.

"Hey Dirk! Guess who?" She giggled.

"Jane, I swear to god I'm going to kill you and hide the body in Roxy's bed." Both girls were laughing hard and Jake felt the tightness in his shoulders release a little.

He took in the living room. A sofa, a big chair, a coffee table, tv, lamps, pretty much your average living room; there was child proof capping around the edges of the coffee table, which Jake thought was unnecessary, but wasn't about to say anything. Everything was neat and orderly, Roxy helped Dirk around the furniture to meet Jake, the boy clearly irritated, but resigned to the superfluous help.

"Jake?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to strip, and touch you."

"WHAT?! WHY?! Dirk what in the name of-"

"I need to make sure you aren't hiding any weapons to kill the helpless blind guy while I sleep, so you can claim my bro's fortune."

Roxy interjected. "Dirk that's why we're here, remember? Jake spread 'em"

"What?!"

"Up against the wall." Added Jane. "We're going to pat you down."

Jake complied, a deep crimson blush spreading across his face. Roxy patted down his legs, torso and arms, finding only an inhaler in the process. "You have asthma?"

"Allergy related asthma, yes, but it's not so serious anymore, since I moved here. The pollen count never gets really high here, so I haven't had an attack in years. I mostly carry it around for safety's sake."

"A cautious thinker, I like him." Roxy declared. "Has an ass that won't quit too, good choice Dirk."

"Thanks, you know I've got that booty radar."

Jake blushed, sitting down. "So, what do I need to know to properly care for Dirk?"

Jane took mercy on him, "C'mon, I'll show you the kitchen and explain his diet to you." Jake followed her while the Dirk and Roxy murmured in the corner. Jane walked towards the wall near the oven, "Okay, we've prepared a seven-day meal plan for you, there's a week's worth of groceries prepared, so you won't have to worry about that for a little bit; although we've prepared a grocery list for you as well." Jake looked over the meal plans, it was certainly odd, like nothing he had seen before. What was "Seitan a la Normandie"? Or "Bulgur Walnut Loaf"? He kept his mouth shut for fear hurting his chances of keeping the job, they could kick him out right now. Suddenly, he felt gentle hands brushing hair away from his face. "You look worried, don't be. We know most people aren't vegan, it's okay if it takes some time for you to figure this stuff out. Roxy plans to stay for a few days to train you in everything she does." Jane beamed at him and he felt himself relax. When her gazed lingered he look to see her eyeing him rather spacy look, her gaze wandered down stopping at his rear end. She seemed to realize he was looking at her and stopped, blushing. Jake felt his face heat up again as well.

"Gee, ah, wh-what else should I know?" Did Jane just smirk? Shit, she's cute when she bites her lip, no focus.

"Dirk hates vegan food, but it's best for him to eat it anyway. Don't let him bully you into changing the menu."

"Is there a medical reason for Dirk eating vegan food?"

"It's more his sister's preference than anything medical. It is really healthy and has been working for him, so I'm hesitant to change anything."

"Does he have other medical conditions I should know about?"

"His blindness was caused by Retinitis Pigmentosa, so there's nothing other than his eyesight that was affected. He does, however, have non-24, a circadian rhythm disorder that will sometimes make him overwhelmingly sleepy during the day, but awake at night."

"Is he getting treatment for that?"

"There aren't really any treatments available for him. We've been experimenting with sleep medication, anti-depressants, and a variety of other things to help him. We've found a tentative working solution with a mild sedative and a consistent schedule. You'll have to give him his medication around midnight and force him to bed around one."

"That late?"

Jane laughed. "None of us are early risers. Are you?"

Jake shook his head. "Only when I have to be. Naturally I tend to go to bed around two and get up at ten."

"You should fit right in then. Now, I'll give you a tour of the house."

Jane showed Jake to all of the important areas, Dirk's room, the laundry room, the bathroom, the outside covered deck, and what will be his room. "It's not very spacious, but you should be comfortable, it's part of the job and part of your salary."

Jake gazed at the nice looking furniture, it was plain, but looked expensive and modern. Not particularly his taste, but he wasn't about to complain about the accommodations. "Roxy's room is across from yours, if you have any questions during training or any emergencies come up."

"Righto."

"Plus, the bed is super comfy." Jane flopped herself on the bed, with the very soft looking comforter. She half sat up in a slightly seductive looking pose that Jake ignored, it's not like there was a dignified way she could lay on the bed. Just because she looked good on the bed didn't mean she meant anything by it. This is a very socially intimate setting, it's probably natural for this group and, oh god, she's looking at him, peeking above her glasses. Jake blushed and avoided eye contact. Nothing could keep him from getting this job, flirting back, or worse, misinterpreting these signs was not the thing to do.

Jake stood awkwardly, avoiding eye contact. Jane eventually peeled herself off the bed and Jake thanked whatever job god was out there. She was truly a stunning lady, and he was only human.

"Now, I'm going to show you how to prepare seiten. It's a different from tofu, but we use seiten more often."

The two cooked together as Jane explained the process of preparing vegan food. Jake understood it well enough. When they were finished the four sat down to a table and ate, Dirk perfectly adept with a fork, although his sister kept using her hand to guide him every time he missed food on his plate. The blonde huffed, pushing her hand away from his, a light blush coating his cheeks. Something was said under his breath, sounding like "not a baby," before his sister focused on her own meal. The food had an unusual taste to it, caught somewhere between blandness and a flavor Jake could not place. Dirk looked as though he was resigned to the food, not particularly enjoying it, like Roxy, nor was he pouting. Food just seemed to be nothing more than fuel for him, eating it in a manner that conveyed necessity rather than satisfaction from the meal. Jake pondered when the poor guy had a burger, if he had a burger. Not that vegan food was bad, the meal itself had its own charm, and he understood those that adopted it for health reasons or a feeling of moral obligation. Neither of these reasons were his though, and he suspected neither applied to Dirk as well. Dirk didn't seem entirely happy with having a caretaker, Roxy's doting and their conversation yesterday suggested that he desired more independence in his life and in his choices. Perhaps he could win the blonde's favor with some choice dishes once training was over.

Jake noticed the girls exchanging what appeared to be a complex series of coded facial expressions, which ended with Roxy declaring. "Well Jake, you've got the job. When can you move in?"

"I can move in as early as tonight, or whenever is good for you."

The girls exchanged surprised glances, Dirk looked impassive. Roxy inquired, "Don't you need to give your landlord notice?"

Jake shifted uncomfortably in his chair, "Well, you see, I've been living out of a storage unit about two miles from here." More shocked glances, as Jake bowed his head in embarrassment and Dirk continued to pick at his food. "I'd hit a rough patch a couple months back, couldn't afford my apartment."

"How did you cook? Or shower?" Roxy, immune to all sense of privacy continued "What did you sleep on?"

"The unit was big enough for a mattress, and I've used a hotplate when I can. Mostly canned soup and sandwiches."

"I insist that you stay here tonight, we'll start your training immediately."

Jake smiled and nodded, "Great."

"Your first task is to give Dirk a bath." Jake's smile falters for a moment, he's a little surprised. However, he regained his control after a fraction of a second, it was Dirk who piped up.

"Already putting him on bath duty? Got a skype date with John?"

"Yep."

Roxy showed him where the bathroom was, Dirk tagging along behind them. She showed him how to work the shower, where the towels were, where shampoo, conditioner, and body wash was. "I'm going to leave you to it then."

Jake filled the tub as Dirk undressed behind him, he couldn't help but notice the blonde's body. He wasn't exactly muscular, but he was toned, there was a modest definition in his arms, back, and legs, his stomach was as flat as a board, and his skin was perfectly smooth. Jake guided him toward the tub and silently used a nearby cup to pour the warm water over his body. Once the water was high enough Jake shut of the faucet and got to work washing Dirk's body, starting with his back. Jake didn't remark on the fact that Dirk could easily wash himself, but the other male seemed to pick up on his judgement nonetheless.

"You can give me the washcloth, I can do it myself."

"I was going to say, for someone that managed to take down a 175-pound male yesterday, you don't strike me as the type that would need help with this sort of thing."

"Yeah, well, try telling that to Roxy."

"I notice she didn't leave your side."

"Rarely ever does, if she leaves, Jane is always right there too." Like yesterday, the girls don't realize he can hear things pretty easily and is usually alert enough to pay attention. Jane had followed him, he hadn't even really done the interviews by himself. Jane caught the girls on the way out and asked them more questions. She would've done the same with Jake if it weren't for the fact that she would have lost Dirk in the process. They went to that café fairly regularly, Roxy even made him do a dry run just to make sure he could get there on his own, and still, he had a chaperone.

"Sounds positively stifling."

"It is."

"Why did you agree with the caretaker business? Why not demand a dog? You're an adult and all that. Show her those superhero moves you've got?"

"It's not just her, it's my brother too. He's has to live in New York, not really my place. I convinced him to let me live here, even though it's on the opposite side of the country, only because Roxy was here. Neither of them believe I can do anything on my own…." Silence filled the space and pity filled Jake's heart.

"What would be some things you would like to do if your brother and sister weren't around."

"Mostly just take care of myself. I can put on my own clothes, wash myself, get to bed by myself. I just don't want to be treated like a child anymore."

"Anything bigger?"

"Haven't really thought about it."

As Dirk washes himself Jake washes his hair, reassuring Dirk that it's only to expedite the bathing process and once training is over he's on his own in the bath department. "…Thanks," a quiet word to convey his gratitude, maybe he will get to be more independent.

Jake gave him a towel when they're done and gave Dirk some privacy to dry off. The blonde doesn't mention that Roxy never let him do this, a warmth grows in his chest, Jake's a good guy. He wraps the towel around his waist when he's done and re-enters his room.

"Here's your pajamas and some underwear."

"Thanks."

"Your sister usually dresses you too?"

"Yeah, but I'd really appreciate it if you would let me dress myself."

"Sure thing. My back is turned, but I'm afraid to go out there and tip your sister off."

"Okay."

Jake hears Dirk drop his clothes a couple times, trying to negotiate which item he had in his hand at the time. The blonde quickly figures it out though and is dressed, with no further difficulties.

When the boys come out of the room Roxy greets them "Good job, English! He looks great. Jane's going to give you a ride to your storage unit since it's late. Pick up enough stuff for a couple of days and this weekend we'll bring the rest of your stuff over. Sound good?"

"Yes, thank you so much."