Hadley :: you gotta be bold

[HADLEY CLARISSE FAIRCHILD]

It wasn't until she'd made into the living room that Hadley realized she ought to have given him her clothes earlier. He was being extremely generous, and she'd basically just invited herself to stay even longer, as they would now have to wait for her clothes to wash. A blush washed over her face at his response to her thanks. She probably sounded like a broken record, and he seemed to be becoming uncomfortable with her constant expressions of gratitude. Fortunately, she didn't have time to dwell on it as asked her a question. Hadley chuckled in response. Did he really think that would be a problem? "Of course you can. You're doing me a favor. Might as well take care of some of your laundry at the same time." It only made sense.

When he stepped out of the room, presumably to start their laundry, Hadley dropped onto the couch, letting out a sigh. Somehow she hadn't expected things to be so easy. There was, understandably, some awkwardness between her and Jack. They were strangers, after all. But she'd hardly expected to actually find someone willing to help her when she'd stumbled into the resort.

After a couple of seconds, her attention strayed to the television, which was issuing the dank soundtrack of what could only be a horror flick. Scary movies had an unmistakable sort of soundtrack, and she shuddered at the thought of watching it. Without really thinking, she grabbed the remote and clicked to the next channel, which seemed to be some sort of silly sitcom. That she could handle. She didn't realize the awkwardness of having actually made herself at home until Jack returned to the room. A blush spread across her cheeks again, and she quickly apologized. "If you were watching that, we can put it back... it's just... It was some creepy old horror flick, and I really kind of hate those..." Her blush deepened as she registered her words. What if he loved those movies? Would he be offended by her blatant expression of her opinion?

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[JOHN ADAM DAVIDSON JR.]

Jack chuckled, she had a point. Maybe he was being too nice? He scooped up her clothes and tossed them into his hamper before making his way to the room with the industrial washers, they had a few smaller ones for the live in staff. It was strange to have a random stranger in his room in a bathrobe. Jack wasn't sure what to make of the situation. He figured she meant no harm, but maybe he was easy to scam.

He came back and at her words he laughed and shook his head, "I can't stand horror movies," he said with a smile. Something in common. That was a start. Jack sat down on the couch beside her and looked at the screen. "Is this Sabrina the Teenage Witch?" He asked, it looked like an old rerun of the show, which he hated to admit had been a favorite of his when he was younger. "I used to have such a crush on Melissa Joan Hart," He said with a laugh, hoping it would ease the tension. Maybe talking like friends would help make them friends?

Never the less, Jack picked up the remote and opened the tv guide channel, the small box in the corner still showing what was happening with Sabrina. "Is there something you want to watch?" he asked. He was open to suggestion.

[HADLEY CLARISSE FAIRCHILD]

The whole situation was strange, and Hadley couldn't quite figure out how to behave. On one hand, she already felt comfortable enough to actually take charge of the television when Jack wasn't in the room. On the other hand, she was still acutely aware of the fact that she hardly knew him and she lost certainly should not be this comfortable. Jack, it seemed, was better at navigating this sort of awkwardness than she was, and Hadley couldn't help but smile at the fact that they had something in common. She relaxed a bit, sinking back against the cushions of the couch and let her attention stray back toward the television.

When she'd initially changed the channel, Hadley hadn't been paying attention to what was on. Her primary concern had been finding something that didn't look even remotely like a horror movie. Now, though, she registered the sight of the talking black cat and she couldn't help but blush. The color in her cheeks only intensified when Jack admitted to having had a crush on the star of the show. Chuckling, she turned to scrutinize him. He seemed to be telling the truth, and Hadley instantly relaxed. He seemed to be trying to normalize the situation, and she was grateful for it. "I can see that, I guess. She's got that girl next door look about her..." Something about the wholesome look was appealing to pretty much anyone.

Truthfully, Hadley didn't get to watch a lot of television, but Jack seemed to be esger for her opinion, so she scrutinized the guide. Her brow furrowed as she tried to decide what she wanted to watch. In the end, though, she couldn't come up with anything specific. "Let's watch a movie. Maybe something funny?" She was always game for a funny movie.

[JOHN ADAM DAVIDSON JR.]

Jack chuckled a little awkwardly, he was not really prepared for this situation. It had never come up before and he figured he was doing all the wrong things. Admitting personal stuff, bringing her home....But she seemed to be nice enough, so maybe it was alright. Jack didn't bother mentioning that Hadley herself had a 'girl next door' vibe. He'd promised not to try anything, and she had just gotten out of a bad relationship. Not to mention he might not really see her again.

"Sure," Jack said, trying to find some funny movie to put on that wasn't too sexual because all they needed was more awkwardness. Jack was very tall and not exactly scrawny, he figured maybe he was intimidating, and so he didn't want her to worry more than she probably already was. Of course Jack was sort of a 'big dopey puppy' as an ex had called him.

The Pink Panther with Steve Martin was on and he clicked to that. It was a pretty hilarious movie, quite above his expectations for it, but it was one that was simple and easy and nothing too untoward about it. Jack settled into his seat, leaving the remote between them in case she wanted to change it again.

[HADLEY CLARISSE FAIRCHILD]

In some ways, doing something so normal made this, whatever it was, a little easier. Hadley could at least lose herself in the simplicity of watching a silly movie that she was already familiar with. In other ways, though, the normalcy of the situation just confused Hadley more. It made her feel comfortable with Jack, which she was sure was a bad idea. Even so, she couldn't seem to keep herself from inching closer to him. Even wrapped in the terry cloth robe, she was a little chilly, and she couldn't deny the fact that Jack looked like he would be exceptionally good at cuddling.

Fortunately, the movie wasn't romantic, and she didn't feel any sort of pressure coming from Jack. Suddenly, being so comfortable reminded Hadley just how tired she was. After pawning her engagement ring, she'd been able to stay at a couple of hotels, but she really had never felt comfortable or safe enough to properly rest. Illogical as it was, sitting here with Jack made her feel very safe.

Before she quite registered what she was doing, she'd scooted closer to him. Her head began on the back of the couch, but as her eyelids dropped, she soon found herself snuggle against Jack, her head resting on his shoulder. Vaguely, she thought that she probably ought to move, but she fell asleep before she actually managed to do so.

[JOHN ADAM DAVIDSON JR.]

It was nice being here with Hadley, simple somehow, despite the fact that they'd just met and she was homeless.... It didn't really make sense. But Jack figured life never did make much sense, and truth was stranger than fiction (and coming from a literature major from an ivy league school, that was saying something, as he'd read his share of fiction). In any case, he let himself get caught up in the movie, only sort of sensing Hadley drawing closer to him. He only really noticed when he felt her head on his shoulder.

Jack looked down at her sleeping face and smiled softly. She looked so small, like an orphaned kitten or something, but so peaceful. She looked relaxed and safe, the worry that had plagued her face earlier was gone and Jack couldn't help but feel a little proud and honored to have brought about the change. Not wanting to risk waking her up, Jack turned off the TV and sat quietly for a while before deciding he'd like to go to bed too. It had been a long day.

Carefully, he eased out from under her, gently propping her head with pillows and throwing a blanket over her. Jack brushed his teeth, washed his face and managed to get the laundry into the dryer. He read until it was done. (This week his book was "The Magician's Nephew" from the Narnia series. Jack was planning to read them all in order.) He took the clothes from the dryer, leaving his a heap in the basket, but he carefully found her things and folded them, trying not to feel like a pervert when he found her bra and panties in the shuffle with his own boxers and socks. It was like suddenly having a live in girlfriend. Even though of course, really, they were perfect strangers.

Jack couldn't really explain it, but he was overwhelmed by a need to take care of her, to be there for her.