Soft

[failegaidin]

Another drabble.

            Chloe couldn't have explained the plot of the movie if her life depended on it. From the moment Jack sat down next to her, she had been distracted by his proximity. They sat with a small space between them, both unsure of how close was 'too close' on a first date.

            Their plans had been put on hold when a new crisis arose, causing them to miss their dinner reservations at a fancy restaurant downtown. They were finally able to leave CTU a little after eleven, both nearly staggering with exhaustion, but neither wanting to accept that their night had been ruined. So they had driven to Chloe's place, ordering takeout on the way and picking up a movie from Blockbuster.

            Now the food cartons were empty and discarded, and a few empty beer bottles dotted the coffee table in front of them. Chloe sat straight and stiff as a board, her hands twisting nervously in her lap, while Jack tried to lean back and look relaxed despite the eruption of butterflies in his stomach. He kept reminding himself that this was Chloe – his best friend, a woman he had known for years – there was no reason to be nervous. But he found himself continually wondering what he was expected to do and if he should try to kiss her and if sex was allowed on a first date when you'd known the person for so long.

            Ever so slowly he reached his right hand over, hesitating slightly just before untangling her hands and entwining his fingers with hers. He heard a small gasp, but was reassured by the slight squeeze that she gave his hand. Relaxing a little bit more, Jack allowed himself a small smile at how right this felt.

            His hand was soft – that was what surprised Chloe the most. She had always expected them to be rough and calloused from everything he did, from everything he had gone through. But instead they were smooth and soft, and…comfortable. Her hand rested in his gently, as though it had belonged there all along. Her body slowly relaxed as her nervousness slid out of her. Keeping her eyes locked on the TV, she gently slid her hand from his, crossing the distance between them, and moving his arm so that she could lean against his chest. Jack jumped slightly before reaching around her waist and tugging her close. As her head came to rest against him, he moved his left hand onto her knee, palm up. Chloe looked up at him and smiled as she placed her right hand in his, their fingers once again entwining.