Meet The Parent

[Derek Jackson]

This was one of those rare nights where Julianna was able to spend the entire one at his place. Her daughter was at a friend's for a slumber party, so... Julianna was having a sleepover of her own. Though there wasn't a whole lot of sleeping going on. He had made sure to not waste this night they had together but eventually... both of their energy had reached that low point and they had burned out. Nothing a few hours sleep couldn't fix though. So that was what they were doing right now. He was lying on his stomach with his head turned to the side, fast asleep. He still wasn't sure how he felt about the whole kid thing.

What he did know was that he wasn't able to keep his distance from Julianna, even though he had tried right after he found out about Gabby. It wasn't so much about not being able to keep the physical distance from her (which he couldn't since he was still assigned to protect her)... it was the, other kind of distance. The kind that he didn't want to admit. He knew that she was a packaged deal, either take her with the kid, or not have her at all. Clearly, he had made his choice. Even though he still wasn't ready to be any kid's father. Right now, he was just enjoying his time with Julianna and focusing on that, rather than all the other... stuff. One thing at a time. One adjustment at a time.

[Tag: Julianna]

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Pulling his rusty red color t shirt over her head, she tipped toed around the bed until she could see his face. While it stretched wonderfully over him, the shirt hung loose and low six inches above her knee. She pressed her lips to hide her pleased smile, while watching the sleeping cavemen. When he was resting it was almost easy to not see his attitude on his face.

Turning she slipped out of the room, before he caught her staring at him and got grumpy because of it. She used her phone to check in on Gabby with a few texts to the other mother, before looking for something to eat. Julianna had brought her laptop to his place so she could work while spending time with him; something that had only made him take it from her and all but through it on the couch before ignoring it completely.

Recalling what had happened on the said couch last night she turned to look for it. Not there. Sending a soft glare toward the bedroom she walked over and bent down. Not under it! Huffing she looking around the room to not see it anywhere. Sending a stronger glare toward the door she was about to go in there and look but there was a knock on the door.

Julianna looked through the peek hole and saw an older woman, who looks a little nervous. Everyone knew he was a cap so many she needed to speak to him about something. Pulling the door open a few inches, Julianna leaned to look out the crack, while trying to stay mostly behind it. "Hello?"

[Derek Jackson]

Eleanor waited nervously waited on the other side of the door. She knew it was late and that her arrival was unannounced... and that Derek would hate that. But she just had to see him. She had exciting news to tell him! It didn't take too long for the door to open and the woman opened her mouth to speak, but only silence came out as her eyes slightly widened from surprise.

Oh dear! How utterly rude of her! It took her a few moments but she quickly regained herself. "OH! Umm... hello there!" Derek had a lady friend over... how nice. "I was... looking for Derek Jackson? I do believe I have the right place?" She asked, hoping he hadn't changed addresses and not told her because that sounded like something he would do.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna watched her as she seemed to question who's place this was. Well, it was good to know his neighbors were not used to women here. Point for him. "Oh! Yes. It is! I'm sorry! I ummmm . . . I can go get him." Because she wasn't opening the door with nothing but his shirt on! Not to his neighbor at least.

"Who should I tell him is here?" Cause anyone here at this time of the morning had to need someone important and the name would at least be able to get him to give her some information before they faced the woman together.

[Derek Jackson]

Eleanor felt relieved when she assured her that she had the right place. So he did have a lady friend over then. She offered to go get him and Eleanor smiled politely, and forced herself to keep it in place when the woman further asked who she should say she was.

"Thank you so much!" She said gratefully, hoping she would let her in because she wasn't sure that Derek would. And this friend of his seemed rather nice. "You can let him know that ELeanor Sullivan is here," she answered. Perhaps some more context would be needed her. Both for the woman to actually go get him and... well, Eleanor knew how Derek was going to react to this. "His mother," she finished.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Eleanor Sullivan. "Nice to meet you." His mother. He had a mother? Julianna blinked a few times, knowing that while he had to have a mother--she was surprised to know she was alive. The surprise part of her didn't realize she was opening the door all the way, and not bothering to hide that she was wearing only his shirt.

After a few seconds she blinked again and gestured for her to come in. "No, please come in. I will go and--" Kill him, "Let him know you're here." She shut the door behind the woman, and tugged the shirt down. "I'm Julianna Grayson." She held her hand out to shake the woman's hand. "I'll be right back."

Turning she held the shirt lower while walking quickly to the bedroom and shutting the door. Walking to stand over his peaceful sleeping self she pulled the pillow out from under his hand and beat him with it.

[Derek Jackson]

"Thank you so very much!" Eleanor exclaimed gratefully, relieved that the woman had let her in because now it would be harder for her son to avoid her. When she did step in, she noticed the woman's clothing and... quickly turned away. Though she seemed to be polite enough as she extended her hand which Eleanor took, and smiled in return. "Lovely to meet you Julianna." This was slightly uncomfortable. She wasn't used to shaking Derek's women friends when they were clad in nothing but his shirt... but alas, she had come unnanounced after all. While she waited, she stood nervously in the living room, as if trying to decide whether she should sit down or stand up.

Jackson was abruptly awaken to pillow hitting him multiple times. "What the-" Smack! He held up his hand and next time she swung, grabbed the pillow, and with her having a firm grasp on it, ended up pulling both the pillow and her toward him as he sat up a bit. Now that he had her though, the pillow was uneccessary so he tossed it to the side, holding on to her wrists so that she wouldn't reach for another one. "There are easier ways to wake me up ya know," he asid, clearly not noticing that her actions had been fueled by anger. He was enjoying seeing her wearing his shirt and would have even more enjoyment taking it off of her.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

She wasn't sure how she expected her wake up call to go, she was only going for his instant gratification of hitting something. A bad habit she had not learned from him, but mimicked because she was making a point. "Let me go!" She whispered, after he had restrained her. "I need to get dressed, and so do you." Because this would be embarrassing enough without his mother . . . hearing things."

So with that though in mind, she explained. "Eleanor Sullivan." Let that sink in. "Your mother is in your living room, waiting to speak to you!" He had not said anything about his mother before, and she had assumed that she was dead but never asked. After helping him catch his father's killer, and knowing he was alone after that, Julianna took it to meant he had no other family! NOW he had a mother on his couch! "You have a mother!" She hissed, and pulled at her hands to free them.

[Derek Jackson]

She told him to let her go and he almost said no in a rather immature way... but she continued on to say that she needed to get dressed and he did too. When she finished explaining why... he froze. "Why the hell did you let her in?!" His mother. She had brought in his mother?! What was she even doing here? He hardly talked to her as it was... why did she come all the way down here to see him? It just annoyed him and... great. Grayson had met his mother. "Of course I have a mother," he said as he released his hold on her. "How did you think I was born?" He was just being a smart ass, but he was annoyed and frustrated that he had to deal with Eleanor now. He pulled off the blanket and reached for his pants, his actions showing clear reflection of his irritation.

"Why did you even answer the door?!" He demanded. Yes. He was blaming her for this. He never talked about his family, and now he was going to be forced into a room with Julianna and his mother. It was these type of situations that only happened in his nightmares. He looked around for his shirt... only to realize she was wearing it. Clearly, his mother couldn't take a hint that she was interrupting; that her timing was more than bad. Going to his closet, he grabbed another shirt and pulled it over his head. He didn't want to go out there. He knew was his mother was going to say and he wasn't curious enough to know the true purpose of her visit.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

"I meant one alive!" She bit out, still whispering while she pulled on her jeans since he let her go. Julianna also didn't answer his question about the door, because she wasn't going to explain herself like she was guilty! He was the one who was hiding his mother! "I assumed you had no other family alive."

He would know, she had built a file on him, and more then once left it out so he would read it. While she stopped after a few months of knowing him, one of the first facts she had put in there was the absent or dead mother! Once her jeans were on she tucked in the front of his shirt, and let the rest hang out. Julianna didn't have time to deal with the changing more then that because she wanted to be out there and SEE this interaction!

[Derek Jackson]

She said that she had just assumed that he had no othere family alive. She would never have known about his father even had she not been the one to get him the case. "You never asked." He stated. "And I never lied." Because he had never told her that his mother was dead. Or that he had 'family' around. As he previously acknowledged, he never talked about his family. WHen he was finally ready, he took a deep breath and left the room, entering the living room. He knew Julianna was right behind him but didn't look at her because he was more focused on getting this over with. "Derek!" His mother exclaimed as she rose from the couch.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I know how much you hate that," she said letting out a small laugh. "Jackson!" Too bad she also didn't remember that he wasn't a hugger because she came up to him and gave him a hug. An action that he did not reciprocate because he left his hands by his side. After she got her fill of the hug, she took a step back. "This is truly a wonderful place!" She said, as her head looked around it before turning back to him and Julianna. "And I already met your lovely friend!" She said smiling at Julianna, clearly not wanting to dismiss her presence. But Jackson was over the small talk. "What are you doing here?" He questioned in an emotionless tone... well, perhaps there was slight annoyannce in there.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

"Well you can bet as soon as this is over, I will be asking MANY things!" She whispered into his back as she followed him toward the living room. Julianna stood a few feet back and smiled when his mother hugged him, but noticed that he didn't even bother to pretend to hug her back. She also noticed that his mother called him Derek.

Old habits died hard, and she began to take note of what that meant. His mother had to have left before Derek because Jackson. Meaning that she must have left him with his father, because Jackson would be too young to have picked for himself. When Jackson snapped at his mother, Julianna stepped forward. "What he means to ask is, can we get you anything to drink?" She looked back at his kitchen, before looking again toward his mother. "I think he has water."

[Derek Jackson]

"A glass of water sounds wonderful," Eleanora told Julianna. "Thank you dear," she said still smiling at the hostess. Although while Eleanora's reaction was grateful, Jackson's was one of annoyance. Julianna's offer of water was just dragging out this entire meeting and he wanted to get it done and over with. He was still waiting for her answer and his expectant look of impatience was easily detected by Eleanor.

"Elizabth is getting married," she told him, her tone clearly excited. "So?" Jackson responded, clearly not as excited for her as his mother was. "I want you to be there Jackson. It's important that you're there." Jackson couldn't think of a place he'd rather not be. "I can't take the time off work," he said bluntly. That was usually his excuse for things. He actually didn't know if he could take the time off work or not... because he had never actually asked. Not even when hearaing the disappointed sound of her voice, or in this case, the disappointed look on her face.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna went and got her some water, and was just passing it too his mother when he openly and blatantly lied. She shot him a dirty look, before gesturing to the couch. "Would you like to sit?" When his mother turned to move to the couch, Julianna mouthed to Jackson to Be Nice! Really! It was his mother!

Still her loyalty was first to him when it came to the people in this room. "I'm afraid it's my fault. Jackson has been given the job of making sure I don't get hurt or killed." She explained, covering for him. "My job is time sensitive so most days we are out in the streets." And most nights she was in his bed, or slipping into her own after being in his. "If you have an invitation I can save it. If we can spare him, we will send him....but he is the best, so I can promise anything."

[Derek Jackson]

Jackson completely ignored Julianna's silent words, even though he had been able to understand them. She then went on to take the blame for why he couldn't go and... while Jackson knew what she was doing, and deep down (deep, deep, deep down) was actually gratefully... he didn't feel that right now. He felt annoyed. Why was she talking so much?! He was already irriated that Julianna had offered his mother a seat. So much for a quick visit. No. She was inviting her to sit down, get comfortable, and was prolonging this already annoying conversation. He didn't say anything. Since Julianna was so keen on talking to his mother, giving way more detail than necessary, the two of them could have a damn conversation. "Oh! I see..." Eleanor exclaimed, slightly confused about the nature of their... relationship, which was now revealed to be both personal and professional. "What is it that you do Miss Grayson?" She asked. Clearly her job was important if she needed an officer to keep her safe!

She smiled when Julianna asked for an invitation, and immediately reached into her purse to pull one up. She stood up and walked over to Julianna, handing it to her. "It's his sister's wedding-" "Step-sister," Jackson interjected. "Never the less, the word sister is still in there," she reminded before focusing her attention back on Julianna. "The whole family will be there. We would all be so grateful if you'd be able to get him the time off. And the invitation says plus one so if you still require his services, then you must come with him. Though even if you don't, you should still come! In fact, don't feel limited by the plus one. We can always make exceptions for family." Jackson was getting more and more annnoyed. His mother kept talking about family, family, family, and now she had invited Julianna to the wedding. Great. This was hell on earth. "It's in Central City," she continued, growing more hopeful and excited. "Oh I do hope you two can come!" His mother just did not stop talking.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

"Sister!?" Julianna said at the same time that Jackson said 'step-sister', and Julianna looked at him with raised eye brows. He had more then just a mother! He had family! Apparently a mother, and a step-father and step-sister. She wondered if he had any half siblings. In fact this opened up so many more questions that he might never answer!

Though before this, his mother had asked her what she did. "I'm a forensic psychologist with the FBI here to help work on some of the more eccentric criminals that are growing in Starling City." Knowing not everyone knew what that was, she explained, "I profile them to make them easier to catch."

But now was the fun part! The part where she both learned more about Jackson then he was willing to tell her, and got him back for all the hell he's given her in the early days. "You know, I would love to learn more about this wedding, and his sibling. . . siblings?" She looked at Jackson and smiled for a moment, warning him of what was to come, before looking at his mother. "Would you like to stay for breakfast?"

[Derek Jackson]

This was literally Jackson's worst nightmare. Here his mother was, divulging all the detaisl of his family's life that he wasn't a part of, and wanted to keep it that way. Julianna was the kind of woman who would not let this go. Why the hell did she have to open the door?! "That is quite impressive, Miss Grayson!" His mother said in regards to Julianna's job, her words reflective of how impressed she really was. "Or perhaps I should say Agent Grayson," she added with a small laugh as she corrected herself. His mother was getting too comfortable and he was getting more uncomfortable. Julianna asked another questiosn and Jackson wanted to just cover her mouth and drag her out of there. He was thinking about doing it.... so very tempted to do it... "He has four!" Damn it Grayson! "Two brothers and two sisters," she continued proudly.

"Speaking of which Jackson, Jonathan is joining the police force in Central City! He would love to talk to you and perhaps you can help him with his training and what to expect." Jackson looked at her with complete disinterest. "He really looks up to you." Bull shit. He didn't even know him. She was just trying to get him to come, yet clearly didn't know him if she thought this was the way to do it. And if it couldn't get any worse... Julianna then offered for his mother to stay for breakfast. If she did, then Jackson was walking out that door, uncaring of how rude it looked. When did he ever care about being polite? "I would love to! But... I really don't want to impose..." Clearly she was remembering what Julianna had been wearing when she first opened the door. "What if we met for brunch, say around eleven? I know you both must have such a busy schedule..." Part of the fun with Julianna having been able to stay over was because they both had tomorrow off. And he had a feeling she was going to tell Eleanor just that. Didn't mean Jackson was going though.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

"FOUR!" He had four! She looked at him with a bright smile that told him how much she was enjoying this! "AND a brother who looks up to you!" She had an enjoying 'awwww' tone to that last line. Smiling brightly, Julianna knew she would not just let this woman leave without the brunch because even if she went alone she was going to enjoy this. "That is just so perfect! I cannot wait to learn more about his family!"

Realizing she had forgotten to answer her other question, Julianna correct his mother but in a pleased way, "It's actually Dr. Grayson, but please call me Julianna!" Standing up she walked with her toward the door, "There is a Tim Horton's just a block north from here. How about we meet there at 11?" Julianna had side stepped the invite to the wedding, and still was trying trying to make sure not to touch it because that part of their relationship was still new.

[Derek Jackson]

Jackson was just staring at the two bonding women as they made their way to the door. He kept his distance, not about to engage in this nightmare. "That sounds wonderful, Julianna!" His mother was smiling, Julianna was smiling and... Jackson was not. "I hope to see you there too Jackson," his mother added. "You won't," he mumbled. But his mother was unfazed by his words because apparently, she had made a new best friend. Eleanor waved goodbye to him and Julianna, saying that she would see her at eleven, and was far too excited by this.

He knew why. It was the fact that she had made contact and connected with someone in Jackson's life. When Julianna closed the door after his mother left, he just stood there, glaring at her. So many things came to mind, so many curse words about this messed up situation... he was pissed. "What the hell is the matter with you?!" He questioned, knowing he had said something similar to her when he'd first found out that she had let his mother in his apartment. Now, he was saying it because she had let his mother into his life. And he was not remotely pleased about that.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna shut the door and turned to lean her back on it while smiling over at him. Four! She had assumed they were alike in not having family (her mother was dead to her) so finding out that he had a family that wanted him around was both surprising and enjoying.

Walking slowly toward him, every step one that she smiled more pleased with herself, Julianna came to stand right before him. Her hands moved to his arms that were crossed over his chest, and slid up them slowly until she got to his shoulders, before hooking her fingers behind his neck. "You know when we first met, and you did everything in your power to make me hate my day?" She paused for a moment, then dropped her hands while walking toward the bedroom to dress. "This is going to be so much fun returning the favor!"

"I like her!" Julianna called back, before walking out of the bedroom with her hair brush, and begin trying to tame her hair into looking better. Her voice was more serious now, "I know we don't talk about our families much, but why do you not?"

[Derek Jackson]

Jackson was not amused. Not with that smug, or pleased smile or with the way she was teasing him about how much fun she was having with this... her revenge. Had her words not been processing in his head, he would have grabbed her before she went to the bedroom. He heard her say that she liked his mother. He went over to where the wedding invitation was and then over to the trashbin where he tossed it in. Hearing her come out he turned to look at her again, as she had a question for him. "The same reason I'm not gonna talk about it now," he told her. He didn't plan to have a deep conversation about his family. His mother was doing that for him.

He began to take a few steps toward her, starting to reference her earlier words. "So this is your idea of revenge then." He stated. He had given her hell during the first few months they knew each other... he still did. But it was different now. She knew him well enough to tolerate it. Standing directly in front of her, he continued to speak. "You really wanna play this game Grayson?" His hand went to her back, skimming down until he reached the curves of her behind, pressing her close to him. "Cause I will come at you ten times as hard," he threatened... in a teasing sort of way of course.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna watched him move closer, and felt him pull her into him. Her hand went to the table for balance, and she was only reminded of their first time together. It made her blush but also keep smiling. She had grown more comfortable in that aspect between them. Grown to love his controlling and dominating even more; at least in the bedroom.

She knew she was starting to fall for him. It was dangerous because sometimes she still felt he saw this as a no strings attached type of thing--or no big strings; but she knew enough about her emotions to know that she was feeling. Attachment. Emotional attachment. "And once, that would have scared me. Now I think I know just the way to handle your caveman tendencies." She dropped her brush, and one of her hands went begin pulling up his shirt. "and you are going to brunch."

[Derek Jackson]

He knew that he longer wanted to scare her. She knew him too well which... was rare. And it wasn't because she was a profiler, it was because they had been together longer than he had with anyone. And it made him angry to think that he had let himself get that close to someone while at the same time, feeling glad that he had. She freed her hands and began to pull up his shirt as she told him he was going to brunch. He helped her lift the rest off, throwing it to the ground, not taking well to her 'orders'. He lifted her onto the table, his hands then reaching for the fastening of her pants, undoing them.

"Like hell I am," he argued stubbornly and annoyed, which was coming out in the way he was currently handling her. He pushed her back on the table, lifting the lower half off her body so that he could pull her pants, and anything else she had covering the lower half of her body, off. Once they joined his shirt, he put his hands on her legs, sliding her down so that her back was against the table, while her feet were on the edge of it, putting her in a position where her knees were propped up. He leaned over her, ensuring she stayed down, his lips hovering over hers as his hands slid under her shirt... or his shirt rather. He had no idea if this is what she had planned, but as usual, he didn't care. He was rather looking forward to undoing all she had done to get ready to see his mother. "You shouldn't tell me what to do," he said with that same teasing threat.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Jackson had a way of man handling her that some women might have objected too, and before him Julianna would have said she was one of those women. However, even after that first time--ironically on this very table--she had known that there was something in his actions that made her enjoy it more.

With her back to the table, she felt him move over her, and knew that she was only going to end up rebrushing her hair when this was over. "If you think that putting me here is going to make me not go go brunch, then you are wrong." Her hands moved to pull the shirt off her as best as she could, while talking. "Because I can be quick." She was teasing him, knowing they had hours and it was only a block away. Her leg moved to wrap around his him, while the other she used for balance to keep her where he had moved her.

[Derek Jackson]

"Is that a challenge?" He asked, grabbing her shirt when she got it off and tossed it to the other side of the room. Pushing his pants down a bit, he guided himself to her. "Cause I accept." And with that, he pushed into her. His hand went to her shoulder to hold her in place while as he pushed her and the table with each powerful movement inside of her.

"I'm gonna put your time to better use," he got out. Though his words were slightly fragmented and hoarse, from talking while trying to find that height of ecstasy and satisfcation that he always found in such activities between them. He planned to keep her here though, until she had to go get her daughter. He wasn't going to let her waste time with his mother if he could help it.