Mar 26 06:53:59 105 PA

From Chronicles

Weather at Thu Mar 26 06:53:59 105 PA (1.53C, 34.75F):

It isn't clear whether it's night or day due to the dark skies, but one thing's for sure -- don't be caught outside. Chunks of ice tactlessly pelt the ground without remorse or stealth. Heavy, oppressing wind effortlessly guides the ice towards the weakest targets. Stay indoors if you can't help it.

It is early morning, and Dr. Kelley is stretching on his bed, yawning like a clean-shaven walrus. He eventually gets out of bed and makes his way, stealthily past Aimee's room and into the bathroom, brushing teeth and washing face. With it appearing that Aimee - and Betsy - are still asleep, he pads into the kitchen to make breakfast. This being a work day, breakfast consists of puffed grain and rice in a bowl with milk. Nothing fancy, but it does fill the stomach. He is in his green rob and jogging shorts, walking silently on the tile and carpet in bare feet.

Aimee wanders out of her room, yawning, her hair tousled. She is wearing a knee length robe, black silk. "Morning..." She starts to walk towards the kitchen and stops, when someone knocks on the door. She shoots him a quizzical look, questioningly. "You expecting someone?"

Kelley shoots her a quizzical look back. "I'm not expecting anyone. Certainly not at this time of the day." He walks toward the door, saying, don't worry, I'll handle this. With this being an unexpected morning call he does, unusually, use the peephole.

At the door, behind the peephole, is a man holding a large white envelope, with a rose attached. He glances at his watch, impatiently. "Who is it?" Aimee questions softly, leaning a hip against the wall, her head tilted.

"Well, it's.." Kelley deflates a little, guessing at what's coming. "There's a gentleman out there with an envelope and a rose. Seeing as you are the only one with whom I am.. romantically attached.. at the moment, if you didn't send for flowers, then, well, I expect they are for you." He sighs again, and opens the door. "Yes sir, how may I assist you?"

Silently the man holds out the envelope, staring at Kelley. "A big furred guy gave this to me for you." He turns, walking off. "I didn't send anything..." Aimee comments, walking towards him, her forehead wrinkling. "I'm not expecting anything neither..." ooc Back.

Sighing once more - that makes three - Kelley approaches the small woman and gently lays his hands on her shoulders. "Well, what did Mr. Desmond send? I assume it's from him. But - no, no, you don't have to tell me. I understand that this is a private matter." He turns to go back to his cereal.

Aimee reaches out to touch his shoulder, "Kelley, don't go. It isn't private." She starts to open the packet, sliding out a cookie, her face perplexed. "I don't..." A small smile curves her mouth before she hides it, "It is a ballerina." She reads the note, before sliding it back into the envelope. "I guess Desmond didn't agree." She watches Kelley, her eyes hidden by her lashes.

Turning back to the girl with hopeful look on his face, Kelley asks succinctly, "Desmond didn't agree what?"

"I hope that you aren't taken in by trinkets, dear Aimee. For while I could offer you gifts beyond your wildest dreams, I can also offer peace, and respectability, and a truly loving storybook romance," Kelley states, as if it were a well known fact that he's just now revealing to the girl.

Aimee fingers the envelope, glancing at the cookie, her eyes hidden. "I don't think he agreed to the whole stopping thing..." Her voice is soft, uncertain. His words make her lift her gaze, blinking at him. "You ...Kelley?" She looks speechless for a moment, staring at him.

"Me, Kelley," the man answers. "I told you that I loved you, Aimee. I don't just throw my love around. I cherish it and only give it to those whom I truly love - and I truly love you. I do not mean to come on too strong, but, well," he scraches the back of his neck, "it's as simple as that. I love you. And I can give you all of those things, if you would have them."

Aimee is floored, standing with Desmond's gift in her hands, her face stricken. "It isn't too strong..." Her voice is soft, confusion reigning in her eyes before she hides them again. "Kelley... " For the first time, her eyes show her feelings, confusion, helplessness, and a softer emotion. "I can't say that back, not yet..."

"I understand, Aimee," Kelley says with the slightest hint of sadness on his face and on his lips. "I understand, truly. You're trying to make it out of a difficult life. One where "love" didn't have much to do with anything." He hopes that he's not being too blunt. He gets on one knee so that he may see her beautiful eyes, gazes into them, and says, "We will just have to see where life takes us. But I will always be here," he closes.

Aimee tucks a curl behind her ear, her other hand still holding the card. "I'm not saying no, Kelley... I really am not. I want to say yes, but I need to think. It isn't Des, not so much. This week has been..." She trails off, unaccustomed to not having the words.

Kelley smiles honestly and ruffles the short woman's hair playfully. "I know. There's been quite a bit to take in in one week. For me, as well. Bit Aimee, you are kind, thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. What more could any man ask for?" He tilts her chin up to look at him. "But I truly do understand. Take all the time you need, even if that time is forever and a day."

Aimee studies his face, showing her feelings in her eyes and not hiding them with the lashes. "You really see me like that?" Her voice is soft, low, the girl's expression almost startled. She reaches up, touching his cheek, her eyes looking up at him. "Kelley..."

Kelley smiles downward to the woman. "Yes, Aimee, I really see you like that. I'm not going to lie to you. I think that you're respectable, too. You may have done what you had to do to live, but it's not as if you enjoyed the lifestyle, did you? No, I don't think so. You're a respectable woman, Miss Aimee, and I only want to be able to love you, in any way that I can. And.. I'm glad to see that you're not hiding your beautiful eyes," Kelley grins.

Aimee bites her lower lip, her eyes holding caution for a moment, wariness written in them. "I...Kelley... I kinda did enjoy some of it. I don't want anything to start on a lie with us." She hesitates, keeping her hand to his cheek. "I enjoyed the power, the dancing, and some of the sex...I'm not going to stop dancing if we get together, I love doing it. I'll keep the sex to you though." There is a softer humour there, a question in her eyes.

"I understand, Aimee," he says, though not understanding all of it. "But, well, assuming that we were.. well, lovers, why would you want to continue dancing? Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't 'forbid it' - "he makes air quotes" - or anything. I'm just curious," Kelley says.

Aimee shakes her head slowly, "Not dancing for work, Kelley. Just in the club, for fun. Not stripping. Just dancing." Her eyes are searching his face, hers tense, waiting for his response. "You don't go out, clubbing?"

Kelley's face lights up. "Ooooh! Okay, I thought that you meant dancing for work! That was a bit confusing," he comments with a wry smile. "I'm not really one for clubbing - clubbing alone isn't much funt. But with you, well.. I just might!." There seems to be a sudden spring in his step, as if he wants to proclaim his love for Aimee like that twirling scene with Julie Andrews from "The Sound of Music."

Aimee 's face relaxes, and she giggles, leaning into him for a moment, relief showing brightly on her features. "For a moment there, I thought you were going to change your mind. Kid thought you'd disapprove..." She hesitates, tightening her mouth as she braces for something. "Kelley, I go out, and flirt. It is just a laugh, nothing more, means nothing, like joking with Kid that we're together to show off a bit... would you come with me sometime?"

"Yes, yes I would, as long as I get to play the part of the over-protective jealous boyfriend." He states very seriously before breaking out into light laughter. "Yes, I'll come with you and flirt myself, just to make *you* jealous. I may not look like it, because I seldom act like it - but I can flirt with the best of them." Kelley winks evily.

Aimee stares at him for a moment before her face lights up with a broad grin, just a happy one, her eyes lighting up, almost glowing. She slides her hand around the back of his neck, standing on tiptoe, her eyes on his, moving slowly, cautiously, giving him plenty of time to pull away as she offers a kiss.

Kelley is no fool. Any good scientist knows an opportunity when he sees it - and he does. Placing his hands around Aimee's slim waist, he pulls her toward him, kissing her lightly, the more strongly, then as passionately as he feels that he thinks that he can get away with for the time being, his hands gloriously against her bare flesh. He tries to burn this memory into his brain, never to forget it again.

Aimee slides arms around his neck, lifting fully on tiptoes, her eyes closing. She moves willingly with his hands on her waist, very willingly returning the kiss. When it stops, she opens her eyes, lazy green, "My my, Kelley..." The soft words are husky, surprise in both her voice and eyes, as she studies his face.

Kelley continues to rub her bare skin, gently, not a grope. He looks her in the eyes, silently wishing that they were one, wanting more, but being more than happy to wait. He smiles broadly at her, whispers, "I love you, dear Aimee, and I will protect you from all evil from now till the end of time." He then nibbles lightly on her ear, kisses down the side of her neck, then gives three quick pecks: forhead, nose, chin. He smiles broadly at her, and states simply, "I love you, and that is how I will be."

Aimee shivers at the kisses on her neck, closing her eyes for a second. "Kelley, I still need to think... I have to talk to Desmond, make him realise..." Her voice is breathless, her eyes searching his face. "I have to get to work too, can't lose my job already." There is teasing there, a warmth in her eyes, a tiny part of promise in the green depths. "Give me time?"

"As far as I am concerned, Aimee, you have all the time in the world. Of course," he says with a wry grin, "I'd appreciate an answer before the end of the world. But seriously, Aimee, I realize that you are going through difficult times with, your old profession, and with Mr. Desmond, and such. Take the time that you need to figure out your feelings. Then maybe I can.. kiss you more." There is a look of graceful passion in Kelley's eyes, not lust, but something appropriate to his level of respect for the woman, which is a surprisingly high amount.

Aimee 's cheeks colour, a line of dusky pink across her cheek bones before she lowers her lashes, a smile curving her mouth. "I think I'd like that. Almost as much as movies..." There is teasing then, in those sparkling green eyes, as she steps back, her eyes on his face. "I need to get to work." She smiles again, the broad smile of someone who almost can't not smile and turns, walking towards her room, head in a cloud.