Pressure Point

[Dr. J. Grayson]

He was back to being grumpy, which was just as well because she was back to being exasperated with his actions! He was injured! Why did he not sit down and rest or even more sinceable: Stay home and ice it! She glared up at him and blocked his way from leaving. Until she knew how, and why he was not going anywhere!

"You are going to sit on the couch, while I get you some ice." She told him, "And then we are going to work on that commutation thing you hate so much, by you telling me what happened." Turning, Julianna didn't wait to see if he did as she told, but walked in the kitchen to get ice. She looked for something to drink for him but unless he liked grape sugar free cool-aid or veggie smoothies then she had nothing. Picking up a glass of water, and her ice she went back to find him.

[Derek Jackson]

While he liked Julianna taking control like that and being assertive, because it made it more fun to challenge her, this was not one of those times. He wasn't going to sit down, but he didn't make his exit either while she was in the kitchen. He watched her as she came back to where he was standing, and took the water that she had in her hand. "I did enough talking tonight," he told her as he downed the water in almost one large gulp, not realizing how thirsty he was. "Stop fussing over it. It's nothing. Shit like this happens on the job." He was a man. He didn't need an ice pack or for her to worry about a small gunshot when stuff like this happens in his line of work... something he knew she would fully understand.

He needed to find something that would distract her. "Go back to your kid," he told her, only this time, there was no bitterness in his voice. It was actually a genuine suggestion. "I'll call you tomorrow," he told her. Since his captain was giving him a few days off... which, he hated. He despised taking time off work, though now he wouldn't be as desperate to find a distraction, because they were back together. Standing near her, he felt that overwhelming urge to kiss her again. But also felt that same hesitation, unsure if he could control himself. He started to lean forward, and more forward, until their lips were only an inch apart. When, something inside of him caught up to the moment, and his lips went to her cheek instead, kissing her there. Well shit. That was lame and stupid. Feeling slightly embarrassed and annoyed at himself for turning into a schmuck by kissing her on the cheek, he turned to leave and walked out of the door before he had to confront how cheesy his action was. As he made his way down the hall, he pulled out his phone to call a cab, something else he didn't exactly what to tell Julianna: that he'd taken a cab here.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

"You are not just gonna-" He moved forward and kissed her cheek, leaving her speechless and standing there for a moment, while he just walked out. Once she could think from the shock of his sweet kiss--rather then a passionate one--she realized that he said it happened on the job, which meant a weapon had caused it! Silently promising to beat him one day and given him the lack of control he so wanted, Julianna went to bed . . . and ended up finishing what she started, only this time with joy and not longing for him.

In the morning, she got up and waited until an appropriate hour to call the Chief and ask him what had happened to Jackson last night. As soon as that conversation was over she fixed Gabby breakfast, before stepping out onto the fire escape to have a private conversation. The moment he answered she opened up, "You were shot and broke out of the ER against medical advice?!" How had he even been standing last night?! "Really?!"

[Derek Jackson]

After he got home that night, he went straight to bed, not wanting to admit to be completely exhausted and aching... only this time it was a different kind of aching. His body was sore and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he fell into a fast sleep. He slept a little later than usual and when he did get up, he found himself just wandering around the apartment... unsure what to do with himself. He couldn't work out. He couldn't go to work because, as his Captain explicity stated, 'he would drag his ass out with five men if that's what it took'. So, he was going to have to find a way to kill time. He was so bored that he actually was relieved when his phone rang, and that relief turned into being glad that it was Julianna. However, as soon as he answered it, she lay it on him. How the hell did she find out?! Then again, it was Julianna. He should know better than to doubt her capabilities. One phone call and she could find everything out.

He completely ignored everything she said though, not about to have yet another conversation about his injury. "We're going out for dinner tonight," he told her, rather than asked her. "Eight work?" He questioned, unsure what her work schedule was. Had he actually been allowed to go to the station, he could have asked her in person... but he wasn't about to get his ass dragged out of there. Getting shot was embarrassing enough. Plus, he knew the guys would express their concern, something else he absolutely hated. So instead, he focused on asking her, or telling her, he was taking her out for dinner. A first official date. Because, he needed to be with her in a space where they were out in the open, with no privacy. It would at least somewhat lessen the chances that he would do what he always did to her, or with her, whenever they spent time together. He wanted her to know that this would be different. And that started with a proper date... whatever the hell that even meant.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Instead of saying anything that she wanted to hear, or expected to hear he asked her out. On a date. Tonight. "I-" Derek Jackson was asking her out on a date. "You-" And it took her a moment to recover from the surprise. "That will be fine." She said slowly, clearly trying to decide if she was going to yell at him now or later. He couldn't run from her later at least.

"Should I wear lady clothes or casual clothes?" Meaning dress up or just dress casual for an evening at a less fancy place. She would have just assumed the later with him, but this new Jackson was different. She wanted to make sure before he showed up in jeans, and she was wearing a evening out dress.

[Derek Jackson]

She stammered for a bit, and he wondered if that was her way of saying no, she couldn't go out tonight. Then she confirmed that the time was alright. And once again, he felt relief wash over him. This could just be added to his list to things he had never done before: ask someone he cared about out on a date. She then asked him a question that caused him to make a bit of a face, as he didn't quite understand. "What the hell does that mean?" He asked, somewhat rhetorically. Lady clothes or casual clothes? "Wear whatever you want." He of course preferred her in nothing but once again, he didn't say it. Because as he had considered last night, he didn't want to make this all about any expectations he had when it came to physical intimacy. He was asking her out to listen to what she had to say, and probably talk a bit himself. That was what she wanted, wasn't it?

"Pick you up at eight then," he said before he hung up the phone. Now, he had to figure out where to take her. Where did people usually go on a first date? He didn't even know what kind of food she liked. Something else that he realized... how little he knew about her. Was she allergic to anything? Did she have a strong aversion to anything? Damn. Maybe he should have asked her that... and then he realized that he could be over analyzing this, growing annoyed at himself for not knowing which it was. He wanted to pick a place that was comfortable for the both of them, but not some shack of a place either. Yeah. He was definitely over thinking this. He decided on a place, and so would have to find things to do to spend the rest of his day... which was going by painfully slowly. One thing he did manage to do, was go to the hospital to get medicine for the pain, because he didn't want to be sitting all through dinner with his wound throbbing.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna spent the day trying to decide on what to wear. He had not understood her question, which meant she should aim for casual, but she also wanted to look nice for him because . . . well it was a date! A date with Jackson! In the end, since it was Sunday, she took Gabby shopping. Finding a green date dress, she bought it, and had lunch with her daughter before going home to get ready.

The babysitting, which always was either the elderly woman next door or her teenaged daughter, arrived at seven. The were both Spanish, and still learning English so it made speaking with them fun for Julianna who had not really spoken it so well since her mother. When there was a knock at the door and Maria answer it. Julianna heard her call back in Spanish that a 'white man' was here. Gabby jumped up and gave her a hug, calling 'I love you Mommy!'

As she walked out of the living room, and paused at the sight of Jackson. Moving forward, she smiled brightly, smoothing out the non-wrinkle in her dress. "Muchas gracias, Maria, hasta luego." Once she was in the hall, Julianna paused to make sure the door would be shut and locked, and waved to Gabby who was peeking around the corner at her mother. Once the door was shut she looked up at Jackson. "Hello."

[Derek Jackson]

This was the most he'd dressed up in a while, since he didn't do this kind of thing a lot. He was clad in black jeans, a white t-shirt and a black blazer on top. Having taken some meds, he had also been able to drive with ease as it numbed the pain in his lower chest. And now, he was standing outside Julianna's apartment, picking her up for their date. Some random woman opened the door and yelled a few things in Spanish that he didn't understand. He waited in the threshhold of the door, seeing Julianna step out. His eyes looked over every inch of her body, knowing he was being obvious, but also unable to help it. He had thought he'd preferred her not wearing anything but... he couldn't deny that she looked real damn good right now. He quickly forced himself to snap out of whatever trance she had put him in by just standing there, and focused on what they were doing, and where they were going.

She said something in Spanish, that made her sound sexy, which went along with her appearance, and then they were in the hallway. He had been so distracted at how she looked that he had only noticed the kid a second before the door was shut, and Julianna greeted him. "Hey," he repeated, trying to sound as casual as he could, and not like some idiot who couldn't form words. Was this even normal? For him to be so caught up with how she looked? He hadn't even done that when he took her clothes off for the first time, even though she had looked good then too. Maybe it was because he was actually taking the time to notice, and really look at her. He needed to stop overthinking things. He began to walk alongside her down the hall, trying to think of what to say... wondering if he even needed to say anything in this silence. "You look good." Good was an understatement. "Real good." He should have picked silence.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna smiled while looking at him too, not having seen him dressed up before. "Thank you, I bought it today." For their date night. She wanted to look sexy for him tonight so that it marked their first date, and for a woman dating a younger man she felt the need to really try--even though his age didn't matter to her because they were really close.

The elevator came and they stepped on. Julianna could tell they were both feeling a little awkward or unsure about how to get things started, so instead of letting it linger, she turned on her heel the moment the doors were shut, and kissed him. A deep, passionate kiss, that only lasted a short moment, but made her feel much better. Pulling back she smiled up at him, "Just felt the need to do that." Letting him go as the doors opened tot he ground floor, she felt herself blush as she stepped off.

[Derek Jackson]

When the doors were shut, she turned to kiss him, and he immediately returned the kiss, even though he hadn't expected it. It was far too short and when she pulled away, told him that she felt the need to do that, right before the elevator doors opened. Before she could step all the way out, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back in, pushing her against the elevator wall as he kissed her again with a passionate urgency. He was going to reach out to push whatever buttons he could, or even pull the emergency stop... but the elevator was moving on its own.

Which meant, someone else had called for it. Not thinking too much of it at the moment, his hand went to one of her legs to lift it up a bit to wrap around his waist. When there, his hand skimmed up her thigh, to her behind, cupping it to feel whatever part of her he could while he continued to deepen the kiss. He didn't want any awkwardness between them, but at the same time, this was more what he was used to. So if they could start the night like this... then hopefully it would ease some of that unfamiliarity. Even if they didn't exactly have the time to go all the way right now, he would take what he could get.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna felt his hand on her arm, and he was pulling back. Laughing softly she wrapped her arms around his neck and forgot all about laughing when he kissed her. The hard wall at her back, the one at her front. He encased her, and over took her, and it was everything she missed about him! So much passion, and she wanted it all. At the same time, it was the perfect time for a little playful revenge.

Lifting her legs and hugged him to her, gasping under his kiss, until the floor slowed and it was about time for it to open. Pushing him away she spoke quickly, "I was thinking of you last night in bed, while I was touching me the way you do." The doors opened, and she smiled, her voice going less breathy and more normal but it took effort. "When you dropped by last night it interrupted me, but once you left I was able to finish my evening plans." She teased, as others got in.

[Derek Jackson]

It was probably a good thing that she was the one to push him away, because he doubted he would have stopped, despite the fact that the doors were about to open. But when she did, there were words attached to her action that just left him staring at her... and it got worse. Not only did she create a mental image in his mind, she was telling him what he had missed out on after he left last night. He hardly even noticed the fact that other people got on as he just stared at her in slight disbelief. Did she really just do that to him? He wasn't used to such teasing words from her... at least not in a situation where he couldn't act on it. And yet, here they were, not alone.

He suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable, that need for her making him ache and have no control over how his body was reacting to it. His face slightly twisted in one of clear discomfort, and she would probably be the only one who knew why. He was trying to recompose himself, keeping in mind that he couldn't make tonight about getting in her pants... or dress in this case. She had wanted more from him. That was what he had to keep telling himself, but it didn't make this any easier. They were standing next to each other, facing forward, and he lowered his head a little to speak near her ear in a low enough voice so that only she could hear. "I really hate you for that," he told her, in a clearly annoyed tone but not genuinely angry. He could never actually hate her. Quite the opposite actually.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Turning just her head, she looked up at him, tilting her head to his lowered on to smile against this lips while thinking of teasing him, and how finally she had some form of revenge for all his public embarrassments; though this one done with some class and meant to tease, not hurt. "I'll make it up to you later," She promised in a whisper, before turning to ask the other woman in the lift about a school play coming up.

Gabby and the woman's daughter were only a grade apart, but both in a school play. While she could have asked later, she was trying to make sure he did not keep them here all night. As the doors opened on the main floor, Julianna walked out with him and then said her goodbyes, before moving toward Jackson's car. "So where are we going tonight?"

[Derek Jackson]

She told him that she would make it up to him and the thought was... extremely tempting. He didn't know how tonight was going to end, and for the first time, had to let her steer the direction of it. He was trying to prove something to her with this, and knew that if he screwed up... there wouldn't be a second chance. He let his mind wander about that, and her comment, as she spoke to someone on the elevator.

When they got to the floor they needed to, they stepped off as she asked him where they were going. "A restaurant," he told her, purposely being annoyingly ambiguous. It wasn't like it was a huge surprise, he was just draggging out the moment. When they got into the car, he started it up and started driving. "Is there anything you don't like to eat?" He asked, knowing that he should have asked that before tonight... but he was asking now. So worst case, he could go somewhere else, pretending like that was the place he'd been planning to take her all along. He could play that smooth... he hoped.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

He asked her about things she did not like to eat, and Julianna watched him for a moment trying to figure out if he was serious. How many time had they gone out to eat, or to grab a bit of food while working? Or had she brought in takeaway while working late? Clearly he really had not looked beyond himself. The reminder hurt, but she didn't let it for long. He was trying now, and knowing that made her feel better.

"Tofu?" She offered, knowing while she liked to eat healthy she had never really gotten into tofu or soy foods. She also had been known to be able to eat a burger if she wanted, so it wasn't like she couldn't just eat anything. "Not a fan of sushi either." She liked her foods cooked. Smiling she began to watch him, and wonder where they would go. "If I had to pick my favorite meal, it would be filete, pollo, y camarón fajitas con caliente queso." She watched his face to see if he knew what that was.

Julianna did not speak Spanish to people often, outside her personal life anyway; which showed her how much she was opening up to him now based on his word alone that he wanted to do better. She trusted him. Julianna knew that most American's had a mental imagine of the Mexican Spanish that made them appear less smart on instant. She was able to hide it most the time because of her father being white and her skin so light. Though one look at her daughter and the darker skin was evident. "I like spicy foods. My mother used to make the best dishes before . . . . everything. I like making them at home now, and teaching Gabs. I love to cook." She was giving him more then what he asked for on purpose, to make it easier on him, and prove she wasn't holding anything that happened before against him.

[Derek Jackson]

Tofu. Ok that was good. He hadn't even tried that before. She didn't like sushi, great. He wasn't taking her to a sushi place either. Then she said something else and all he could think of was 'damn she sounded hot'. He had no idea what she said though. Based on her previous words... it was some kinda food, thing. "Uh huh...." He said, clearly not understanding but didn't ask for the translation either. He would have to make notes next time cause there was no way in hell he was going to remember that, or even be able to pronounce it.

She then went on to talk about her mother, daughter, and something she liked to do all in a couple of sentences. He didn't know she liked to cook. Should he have known that? Well, he did now. He knew he should say something in return... she was trying to make conversation and he needed to give her something back. "What are your favorite things to cook?" There! That was a legitimate question, right? That so counted! "Besides things I can't understand or say," he added, slightly teasingly... referring to whatever the hell she had said in terms of what she liked. The most spanish he knew was 'Hola' and 'Como Estas'... 'Pendejo'... and a few other crude things. He wasn't going to show off that knowledge in front of her though. He had a feeling she wouldn't exactly appreciate it.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

She laughed when he said he didn't know what she said, "It's chicken, and streak, and shrimp, with peppers, and salsa and cheese. I'm sure you at least know fajita." She joked, knowing it was a basic food staple even in English now days. When he asked what she liked to cook, she bit her lip for a moment and though about it. "Depends on who I am cooking for." She admitted.

"Depends on a lot, really. I like cooking pastas, and baking breads." She didn't get to do it took often, as she mostly cooked on weekends and spend the weeks cooking quick meals that didn't take a lot of time or effort. "What about you, Jackson? I know you're not fond of cooking, but surely you've master a meal or two?" Maybe streaks or something he really liked?

[Derek Jackson]

She translated what the food was and then answered his question saying it depended on who she was cooking for, but that she like dcooking pastas and making bread. She did that from scratch? Interesting. His mind was already thinking on another question he could ask her... when instead, she asked him one, about cooking. And what he cooked. "I guess," he answered simply. She was right when she said that he wasn't fond of cooking. Was that answer suitable enough? Should he give more detail? This small talk thing was tough. "Anything on the grill usually," he added. He would barbeque when the season called for it... though not for a while. He wasn't fond of cooking, and hardly spent time at home anyway. Seeing that they had arrived at their destination, he pulled into the lot and parked the car before getting out. He looked at the entrance, waiting for her to get out of the car as well. It was a bit of an upscale steak restaurant, though not an overly fancy one... somewhere in between.

Nicer than your average steak house, but not overly pretentious. more importantly, this place held significance for Jackson. He would come here with his father for every birthday, or general occasion, or sometimes just to spend time together. He hadn't been back since his father passed away, and now found himself here with Julianna. He obviously wasn't going to tell her the significance of it, but knew it was something he needed to do if he was going to let her inside, and create this deeper relationship with her. "Come on," he said, walking alongside her as they entered. He was relieved to see that the owner was not there, otherwise he would know Jackson and he really didn't feel like explaining how he knew the owner to Julianna, nor did he want to hear the guy's surprise about Jackson bringing a date here. He had been good friends with his father... and Jackson didn't overly hate the man, he just didn't feel like going into a long conversation about why this place. "Two, Jackson," he told the host, who led them to the table, set out the menus and went to get them some water.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

Julianna paused in the car to see if he would open her door for her, but then smiled because some things never changed. "This place looks nice," She told him as they walked toward the door, and then were lead to their seats. She opened the menu, and gave it a glance before setting it to the side, knowing what the would order.

The value of knowing what you like, meant you could make your mind up with ease. Speaking of knowing what she liked; Julianna looked up at Jackson, and tried to think of something to say. Some place to get them--Oh! Oh yes. "Are you going to tell me about getting shot since you can't hang up or run away?" Because that seemed to be a big deal, and one she'd not forgotten about.

[Derek Jackson]

After she glanced through the menu, him doing the same though he already knew what he would order, she set it down and asked him about... his injury. He didn't look up from the menu as he spoke. "No," he answered simply, when she had asked him if he was going to tell her about getting shot. He hadn't been planning on it, and she had just asked him if he was going to tell her... so that short answer should be response enough.

"What do you wanna drink?" He asked. He didn't forget about her mother, and he couldn't remenber ever seeing her drink before. He wasn't sure if that was because they hadn't been in this kind of environment before or if it was because she didn't drink any alcoholic beverages. Which was why he was asking her now if she wanted wine or anything, though purposely left the term 'drink' ambiguous enough so that it wasn't limited to wine or anything like that.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

No. Just no! Not I'd rather not, not can we not; just no. Julianna wished she could shake him but she knew that he was stronger then her--and any effort might hurt the wound. Jackson asked her what she wanted to drink and she kicked his foot gently with her own. "You are the most maddening man, I've ever met." Her tone was amused, but she meant her words.

"Water, or tea is fine." She didn't drink any booze because of her mother, nor kept them in her house. While she knew other adults could drink and be fine, she never wanted to be her mother. Never wanted to feel that sickness. "So I can't ask about your injury, your escape from the ER, or what you've been doing at work the last few days." She smiled softly, and tried to make sure her tone was teasing. "As I know what you're current personal life is like, that does only leave your childhood." Which he would hate just as much, but she wasn't sure what else to ask him about.

[Derek Jackson]

He could help but smirk when she playfully kicked him and then said he was the most maddening man she had ever met. He took that as a compliment. She answered his question with water or tea... so no wine. He made a mental note of that. With them on an official date, he knew he would have to start noticing things, keeping track of her likes and dislikes... that's what being in a relationship partly was about. She listed off different topics, then bringing up his childhood which... was not something he wanted to talk about either. She knew the basics. His father was killed in the line of duty. She had already met his mom. What more was there to talk about? He closed his menu and set it down. Tonight was supposed to be about her, wasn't it?

"Why don't we talk about you then," he suggested. Better her do the talking than him. Besides, she once told him she liked it better when he didn't talk, and he wasn't about to do anything to screw this up. But even with that, he didn't know what to ask. What did people usually ask on a first date when they have been together for a year? "So I learned your favorite food..." That was something, right? "What else can you tell me 'bout you that I don't know?" Which was, a lot. He hardly knew a thing about her, other than how she liked it. And the basics like her job, her kid... which was another subject they would evenetually have to get to. May as well ease into that though; start with something simpler.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

He turned the question on her, and started asking about something he didn't know. Julianna mockingly glared at him, before deciding the only way she would hear him talk about herself would be if she pulled it out of him. There was only one way she knew to do that. "I will make you a deal Jackson, for every two things I tell you about me, you have to tell me something about you." Because she wanted to know him too, and he was getting a better deal then her.

"Gabriella was my grandmother." She reviled. "I never met her, but I used to get cards from her, from Mexico." She had died sometime in her teens, but by then they had lost touch with so many foster systems, and getting evicted from home to home. "I named my daughter after her." Because it was a fond memory, even if it wasn't a happy one.

She looked around, trying to think of a happy memory, but was finding any happy memories before Gabby were hard, or too emotional and bitter sweet. Laughing at herself, she shrugged. "Some of my best memories in my life are either with Gabby or you."

[Derek Jackson]

He didn't know what she could possibly want to know about him. So he didn't say anything to agree or disagree with her offer. He would just see where the conversation took them. She told him something very personal, about how her daughter was named after. Her grandmother. Someone she had never met, yet held contact with. From Mexico. Oh! She was Mexican. Jackson knew she was Spanish but he didn't know exactly where she was from. Best not forgot that piece of information. "It's a nice name," he said casually, knowing he should say something nice... and while he had spoken the words non chalantly, he wouldn't have said them if he didn't mean them.

"You ever been to Mexico?" He asked. That seemed like a good question; he could get to know a bit of her background since... well, it was important to most people. Until he got more used to this whole, conversation thing, he felt the need to keep mentally justifying his questions... and hoped that eventually, they would just come with ease. This first date thing was all new, and he had no idea if by the end of the night, she was going to hate him or appreciate his attempt. To know that her best memories involved not only her daughter, but him... well, that was interesting. Gave him more confidence that he would really have to do something major to screw up this date, and made him all the more conscious of what he was saying and doing... for once in his life. He would have to see how long that lasts.

[Dr. J. Grayson]

When he told her that Gabby was a nice name she smiled, liking that he approved, of sorts. Or that he wasn't avoiding the topic all together. Gabby was such a big thing between them, that she was almost still afraid she would be. Yet his comment, the first of it's kind, gave her hope.

"I told you two things about me, now it's your turn." Something! Anything! She just wanted to feel the personal connection go two ways. "I've never been to Mexico, but I would love to go, one day." She had just never planned a trip. It was always something that was just in her mind. Maybe one day. Maybe in a few years. Maybe when Gabby is older. "Your turn. Something. Please."