What now? [Marcus]

[marcus]

Marcus grinned when Jo spoke about being able to smell their food already. Or maybe it was just the other food being cooked, either way, it made no real difference to him, it smelled bloody good and he couldn't wait to get tucked into it. "Well what ever they're cooking up in that kitchen it sure smells bloody brilliant, can't wait to get tucked into mine that's for sure." Marcus said with a grin and his eyes twinkling again. If there was one thing to guarantee a happy Marcus it would be his food, he loved his food.

Marcus gave Jo a sad smile as she spoke after he told her about the situation with his sister. "It was pretty rough on me aye, but it was just as rough on Jackson, Emma's boyfriend." Marcus said, remembering how Jackson was at the hospital for the first few hours. Then again Marcus hadn't felt much better, but at least he was in a better state to do some sort of talking. "She's doing a bit better, thanks, but she's still got a bit to go yet, needs physiotherapy to get her leg working again, but she'll probably be in a wheelchair for a bit until the physiotherapy works. But she's a fighter, so I dare say it wont take her long to get back on her feet." Marcus said, and then took in a deep breath, as he just realised how much he had just spoken without stopping for a breath.

It felt good to talk to somebody neutral about the situation, and then of course Jo asked if she would know his sister's name. "Well, she was a semi pro from what I know, Emma Woods is her name, ye might or might not have heard of her. Sad thing is though, docs say she'll never be able to compete again, and she had won her first national gold medal the night of the accident." Marcus said in a much lower and darker voice.

That was the part of the whole sorry thing which upset Marcus the most, the fact his sister would never be able to compete in skating again. He just hoped she'd be able to at least maybe coach other potential skaters, then again, knowing Emma's spirit and fight, she might very well prove everybody wrong and be able to compete again. If he knew Emma well enough already, he knew she'd give it a god damned good try.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo had to hold back a giggle when Marcus was speaking about food. He was a man to her own heart - food was what brought people together! "I will have to ask Jesse for some more tomato sauce, this one on our table seems to be running low," Jo said as she shook it a little. She loved it on most food, especially on a hot breakfast.

When Marcus spoke about what happened to his sister, and how she will need to recover seemed to make Jo wonder how situation effect different people. "I have seen some things in my time, but not sure how I would cope if someone close to me got hurt. But I definately know that I would be with them, helping as much as I can." Then Marcus answered her question, as to whether she had heard of his sister. Jo shook her head. "I haven't heard of her, sorry. But seems to me to be someone who is very dedicated to the sport." Jo couldn't believe that one tragedy could really cause such a ripple effect of issues for all. "Well I hope that your sister gets back on her feet soon. Then I might look out for her if she is competing again soon in the future."

As Jo began to dig into her food, Jesse brought over their drinks. "There you go guys. Anything else?" Jo looked at Jesse, "Yes Jess. Could I get some more tomato sauce please?" "Sure thing Jo." When Jesse left to get that for her, Jo grabbed two sugar packets off the table, ripped them open together, and the shook them into her coffee. Stirring the sugar into the coffee, Jo smiled. "So how is the food? To your liking?"

[marcus]

{Must try to keep a check on my charries birthdays - just realised it's Emma's 21st on 1st August, be real good if she's back on her feet for that lol}

When Jo mentioned about getting more tomato sauce from Jesse, Marcus couldn't help but grin. Definitely a woman after his own heart. He loved tomato sauce on his breakfast too. "Aye, ye can't have a cooked breakfast without the stuff." Marcus replied and laughed a little, those eyes of his twinkling once more. He wasn't the type to put it onto all of his food, but definitely bread rolls, sandwiches, cooked breakfasts.

Marcus listened as Jo spoke of how she would react if someone close to her was ever hurt, saying she wasn't sure how she would cope. But that she would be with them to help as much as possible. That's exactly how Marcus felt about the whole situation from the moment Emma had her accident. He would do what he could to help. "Aye, I know exactly what ye mean, just like everybody is doing what they can to help Emma now." Marcus replied and then he listened some more as Jo said she hadn't heard of Emma.

"Well she was only semi pro, so it's no real surprise ye haven't heard of her. Although even if she does get on her feet again in the near future, I'm not sure how soon she'd try to compete again, but she's young, she's got plenty of time to go back to her career." Marcus said in a warm voice which was still tinged with slight sadness. "Thanks for your kind words Jo." Marcus added with regards to Emma getting better soon.

Marcus couldn't hold back tucking into his food any longer, and the first few bites were like heaven to him. He had to remember where he was for a few seconds, as he almost let out a moan of pleasure which might have raised some eyebrows. The food was to die for. Then Jesse brought over their drinks, "Thanks Jesse." Marcus said as he stopped eating long enough to take a sip of his coffee after he had put sugar into it.

Jo then asked how the food was. He looked up and grinned, and after swallowing the mouthful he had, he replied, eyes twinkling again, "Aye Jo, it's bloody marvellous, sure was hungry." He said and laughed a little before he continued to eat.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo was glad that they felt the same way about certain things. She would have hated having an argument with someone she just met. It is good to find someone that understands. Jo listened to Marcus, as he spoke about Emma a bit more. She never really followed skating of any kind, but they always seemed graceful on their skates. "Well I am sure that whenever she does start, she will be just as good. It would be good to see her on the ice, even though I know nothing about ice skating." Jo had to giggle at that last thing. It was the truth after all.

"You are welcome Marcus," Jo said when Marcus said thank you for the kind words. Jo didn't always give them out, but when she did, she meant them. Normally most of the people she spoke to were at the bar, and they were mostly drunk, who had no idea what they were doing or saying. Sometimes Jo didn't know why she was working there, but that was all she ever knew as a job.

Jo watched Marcus tuck into his food, as she was. Then the drinks came, and Marcus thanks Jesse as well. Jo again watched as Marcus took a sip of his coffee. When she asked him how he liked the food, Marcus quickly swallowed, and then answered, with a laugh. "Well I will be sure to tell Jesse that the food is to our liking then." Jo smiled as she looked back down at her plate, to cut some more food to eat.

Soon all of Jo's food was gone. She was indeed hungry, and there was not a single crumb left on her plate, Jo made sure of it. The last dribble of tomato sauce was soon wiped up with Jo's index finger, and quickly placed into her mouth. "Well that was really tasty. Not sure why, but it tasted better then it ever has." Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Jo turned to Marcus, seeing if he was finished yet. Looking at her watch, she soon noted the time. "Boy, is that the time. I should have been tucked up in my bed about half an hour ago. It has been quite some time since I slept last."

Jo didn't just want to run off from Marcus, but she was so tired. "I think the last shift, and then the attack has really hit home now." Jo rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a bit of a niggle of pain. She really should go, but didn't want to just yet.

[marcus]

Marcus gave Jo a warm smile when she said it would be good to see Emma on the ice, even if she knew nothing of ice skating. It really touched Marcus' heart. "Well ye know what? That sure was a nice thing to say Jo, and I might just take ye to see one her shows if, no when she gets back out there, if ye'd like?" Marcus said, he knew he certainly couldn't wait to see his sister skating again, so he could only hope and pray that one day she would indeed be able to compete again.

"Aye, indeed, sure to be sure." Marcus remarked when Jo said she would be sure to tell Jesse the food was to their liking. He smiled at Jo again, as he went back to his breakfast again. It really was awesome, and he couldn't believe just how hungry he was feeling. Although, the stress of the last few days had taken their toll on Marcus and he knew he hadn't been eating as well as he could have. Now that Emma was well on her way to getting out of the hospital, he felt like he could begin to relax again.

It didn't take Marcus long to finish his breakfast, in fact, looking up, he and Jo more or less finished at the same time, and then he watched as Jo used her finger to pick up the last of the tomato sauce. Marcus used the last of his bacon to clean up the sauce, so basically neither of them left a thing on their plates. He looked at Jo, "Now that's what I call plates licked clean. They wouldn't even have to wash them." He of course was teasing about not washing them and began to chuckle afterward.

It sure was good to see a woman who enjoyed their food as much as the next man. When Jo remarked about being tucked up in bed a half hour ago, Marcus felt a little guilty for keeping her from her sleep. "Well, it was nice to meet ye Jo, but I don't want to keep ye from your sleep much longer, I could walk ye home if ye like?" Marcus offered, knowing what it was like to not have enough sleep, he didn't want to be the one to make Jo feel ill because she hadn't slept enough.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo smiled when Marcus commented on what she had said about Emma, his sister. Then he mentioned that he might take Jo to see Emma skate when Emma gets back to it. "I would like that. But just to be a bit more confident, I might like to know a bit about it. When it comes closer to the date of when that happens, I might like to talk to her about it. Get a feel of what to expect."

Jo had to laugh when Marcus commented about the plates being so clean. "I love cleaning the plates so that they look like they haven't been used. Though it depends on what was on the plate. If there was anything I didn't like, I will honestly leave it. You never know if anyone at the table will eat it." Jo had to think of a couple of her relativees who were always there to finish off any left over food.

Jo knew that the sooner she had mentioned about sleep, that she should have kept her mouth shut. But Marcus didn't seem to mind her wanting to go, but she didn't really want to leave him. "Sorry, just with everything, but I don't really want to leave just yet, but I know I must." When Marcus said that he could walk her home, Jo smiled warmly. "You know Marcus, the company home would be nice. Thanks."

On that note, Jo got up, and led the way to the counter. She stood and waited for Jesse to come out and finalise their bill for breakfast. Turning around to Marcus, she said, "The food was nice, and ... so was the company. It is a pity that I have to go though." Jo then turned back to smile at Jesse, but felt her face begin to blush slightly.

[marcus]

Marcus beamed as Jo spoke about speaking to Emma about what her ice dancing career entailed. Marcus nodded his head before he even spoke. He never Emma would probably be only too pleased to speak to Jo about it. "Well, ye know, I think Emma would be only too pleased, once she's back on her feet of course. She's quite proud of it from what I can tell." Marcus then wondered how the assistant Emma was was getting on at the Veterinary Surgery she had. Neither himself or Jackson had given it a thought, at least, Jackson hadn't mentioned it to him at any rate.

Marcus laughed lightly as Jo spoke in more detail about cleaning plates. He had to agree with her again, not always was there something on his plate he liked either, but usually his plates were so clean they might not need to be washed, even if it did sound disgusting to think that and say it. "Yeah, I get ye there Jo, sometimes there are food ye get ye don't like and ye got to leave it." He replied nodding his head. Although in truth, Marcus couldn't remember the last time he left anything on a plate.

Marcus thought it was nice when Jo said she didn't really want to leave, but she knew she must. "It's alright Jo lass, I should be heading to the hospital soon enough anyway, but ye know, this don't have to be the last time we see each other." Marcus said in a soft voice, as he went into his pocket and took out his mobile phone. "If ye don't mind, maybe ye can give me your number, and I'll make sure to call ye and make arrangements to meet up again some time? If ye'd like that is?" Marcus said in just as soft a voice, as he could swear he felt his face blush over slightly. Must be warm in the cafe he thought.

Marcus could then only grin as Jo said the company would be nice. "Sure thing, it would be a pleasure." He said and then followed Jo to the counter. "It's on me Jesse." Marcus said as he took out his wallet and handed over the money for the bill, "Keep the change." He added, it was only a couple of dollars anyway.

"Yeah, the food was brilliant, but for me, the company exceeded the food." Now that really was a statement coming from Marcus, a guy who lived for his food. He certainly found Jo extremely good looking and he was certain there might have been a little something there. What ever that little something was, he sure wanted to build on it.

Marcus then made his way to the door, holding it open for Jo, and then he smiled at her, his eyes twinkling, "So, lead the way madam!" He said with a grin, there was still plenty of time for him to get to the hospital yet.

[Josephine Harding]

When Jo heard that Marcus had to go to the hospital soon, she didn't feel so bad. At least she wasn't pushing him out, when after he would not be doing anything. So when she went to get up, Marcus asked if it was okay for him to get her number, and he would give her his. Jo smiled, "That would be great. I would like to catch up again. My number is 555 6699." Jo took out her mobile to get ready to put in Marcus' phone number.

"Thanks Marcus," Jo said when Marcus paid for both of their meals. It was nice to see that men out there still paid for the lady. When Marcus turned to talk to her, in regards to the company exceeding the food, Jo felt her face blush slightly. This led to her lookng over at Jesse, who smiled and shook his head. "Let's go." Marcus led the way to the door, where Jo stepped through as Marcus held the door.

When they were outside, Marcus smiled at her, and said for her to lead the way. "Okay then." Jo smiled, and then turned to walk alone the side of the cafe, and down the street. Jo walked beside Marcus, aware of what might be happening between them. Jo, herself, had not had many guys who she had dated, and nothing serious. Normally guys were a bit intimidated by her for some reason. Maybe it was because she was straight forwards most of the time. Who knew.

"So, how long has Emma been in hospital? Do they have an idea of when she will be out?" Jo thought it was best to extend on what they were talking about earlier. There wasn't anything special about her, so there was no need to really talk about her.

[marcus]

Marcus beamed at Jo when she agreed it would be good to meet up again and gave him her number. He added it to his mobile phone book, putting her name down as Jo Mysterious Beautiful Woman. So it was a long name, but his phone allowed for a lot of letters in a name and scrolled it. He chuckled to himself at what he put her name down as. "Thanks Jo, and mine is 555-3478." He would definitely phone her, or text her to make arrangements to meet up again soon. He had enjoyed her company so far, and he liked the fact she could look after herself, but he knew he would still be protective over her.

"You're welcome of course." Marcus said when Jo thanked him for paying for the meals. He wasn't the type to let women pay for anything, he was quite old fashioned that way, however, he also knew about women's rights, and if they argued with him and insisted they paid half or something, he usually put his hands up in surrender and told them to go ahead.

After Marcus had said the company exceeded the food, he saw Jo blush slightly, he couldn't help but laugh lightly. "Ah, do I see ye blushing a little?" He asked as he nudged her playfully, "Nothing wrong with that mind." He added and winked at her a little, after all hadn't he himself blushed when he had asked for her number before?

He turned when Jo did, still following her, wondering where this was now going to lead. Well it was obviously going to lead to Jo getting home and him going to the hospital to visit Emma, but he meant further down the line. Was it going to go somewhere between them? As he thought about it, a huge smile went across his face, he liked the idea of them becoming a couple. He'd sure like to find out more about the mysterious Jo though. But then mysterious women were always a bit of a weakness for him.

"Emma's been in the hospital for a week and three days now, docs reckon she'll get out within the week hopefully, and then with some intensive physiotherapy and the fight I know she has in her, she'll be back on her feet soon I hope." Marcus explained giving Jo a bright smile. A week ago, talking about Emma like this he might not be quite so optimistic about it all. "So, come on, tell me more about Jo." He said with a smile, she couldn't remain completely mysterious all the time, could she?

[Josephine Harding]

Jo put Marcus' phone number into her own phone, under the name 'Marcus Woods [random]'. She never really gave anyone nicknames, and would fix up the brackets bit if and when their relationship status changed. Would it change to just friends, or something more. Jo didn't mind either way, just as long as she knew where she stood with this new found friend.

Jo just rolled her eyes inside, not for real, when Marcus noticed her blush. When he nudged her playfully, she had to smile. Jo liked having fun, and Marcus seemed to be a guy like that. Also someone to kid around with as well. She thought about what she was going to put later on down the track after his name in her phone, and hoped that it would say boyfriend. "Yes you did. But doesn't happen often, mind you. Only 'special' people get to see that side of me. Normally I will be the tough chick." She glared at him playfully after that comment, then looked away.

As they walked, Jo listened to what Marcus said about Emma. "That's great that she will hopefully be out of the hospital soon. I know that you and your family will be all happy when she is home safe. She definately sounds like she has the whole family behind her." It did sound like that to Jo. Though there really was no doubt about that. Marcus did seem to her that he would protect anyone, even a stranger, like she was earlier.

Then Marcus wanted to know more about her. She turned to him briefly, wondering what he really wanted to know. "Well, I am 25, and have lived here for just over 2 years. It is really only my mum and me. My dad passed away when I was 18 ... " Jo paused for a few seconds, collecting some thoughts. "... when I ran away. I had had enough of my life, and just had to get away. I guess it was too much for my dad, losing his only child." Jo didn't want to go any further into that situation, knowing full well that her guard would come down, and the emotion of that time would be too much.

Jo inhaled, and then exhaled, and continued, with some more information. "I love listening to classic rock ballads, drinking, and dislike healthy food, and horror movies. I am strong willed, and will always tell you what I think." Jo turned to look at Marcus, wondering if she had shared to much. Lately she hadn't been trusting people, but she felt like she could trust Marcus with anything she told him.

[marcus]

Marcus couldn't help but smile widely at Jo when she agreed that he had indeed saw her blush, but that she didn't do it often, liked being the tough chick. But the only special people getting to see the less tough side stuck in his head. "Well, I can agree ye're definitely one tough chick from what I witnessed earlier. But only special people get to see the less tough side eh? So I'm special now am I?" He teased with her, laughing and shaking his head slightly and nudging her playfully again.

Then he decided to add, because he didn't want to upset her, or get her angry, "I'm only messing around with ye, ye know that right? I don't think much of meself to be honest, I mean I'm not big headed enough to think I'm anything special like."

"Aye thanks Jo, and that's true, she's got everybody behind her, and she'll pull through for sure." Marcus was adamant about that. You could see the fight in her, even if she did say last week she couldn't see it in herself. He knew Jackson had told her she was strong, and he indeed had to tell her himself a few times she was strong. Finally he was certain she had begun to believe it.

Marcus listened as Jo spoke about her past life, and how it was just her and her mum and how her dad had passed away when she was only eighteen. It sounded like she had had just as rough a time of it family wise as he had, only Jo's had been for longer, his was more recent. "I'm really sorry to hear that Jo, it couldn't have been easy for ye." That much he could relate to, when his 'parents' had died and then finding out they weren't his birth parents, it had been a lot for him to take in and he had found it pretty tough going himself.

However, she pulled away from that conversation and went on to explain about what she liked and disliked, and he had to admit he was rather impressed. "Ye know Jo, ye sound like me kind of woman." He said and gave her a wink. Yeah, Marcus definitely liked the idea of Jo possibly being in his life as a friend, but he sure would love for her to be more than a friend. He'd love to change Jo's name to 'Jo My Sexy Girlfriend'.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo could tell he was teasing and playing, and especially when he asked if he was special. Jo blushed again. She couldn't believe what he was doing to her. The playfulness of the situation was just to much for her. Though she thought it was sweet of him to remind her that he was only messing with her. "I know that Marcus." She smiled sweetly at him, and then looked away.

Jo finally finished her little behind-the-scenes look into her life for him. She hoped that she hadn't bored him with the details. But by the sounds of it she didn't. She listened to what he had to say, firstly in regards to what she had been through in her life. "It wasn't really easy at all. I still blame myself for it all. Just knowing that if I hadn't up and left, he might still be around, you know." She was hoping that the emotions would keep themself in check, but she soon felt tears well up in her eyes. Jo attempted to blink them back, but one let lose down her cheek. She hoped that Marcus had not seen, and she quickly wiped it away.

When Marcus said she sounded like his kind of woman, Jo saw the wink, and all over again blushed. Why was she doing this? Normally she wouldn't care what a guy thought, but now it seems that his comments were breaking through her tough skin. Then she had to add to that comment of his. Looking at him, hoping that her eyes were not moist still from that last emotion coming through, and bit her lip. "Well Marcus Woods. You might also be my kind of man."

Jo turned and then smiled. Was she, the tough chick, now falling for a guy after only a couple of hours. Maybe she was tired, and her guard was down. But this guy had charm, and she seemed to love that. Finally, they were in front of Jo's house. "Well, here we are. Thanks for the company home. It was nice." Jo didn't know what might happen now, before she went inside. Was she hoping for too much from this chance meeting?

[marcus]

Marcus smiled softly when Jo said she knew he had been teasing her with the 'special' thing. However, he felt he had to say it anyway. He was feeling very attracted to Jo and he didn't want to do anything or say anything which might blow any chance he might have with her.

When Jo went into more on the death of her father, saying she still blamed herself, that if she hadn't left he might still be around, tugged at Marcus' heart strings. He wasn't really sure anything he said would make her feel better about that. Yet, at the same time he felt he couldn't just leave it there either. "Ye don't really know that though Jo, lass. I know it's easy for me to say that, but it could have happened whether ye left or not." He said in a soft and sad voice. He saw the tears well in her eyes, and one even escape, but he also saw how quick she was to wipe it away. "Ye know Jo, our emotions can bring the toughest of us down, it's alright to cry about it, and ye don't need to be embarrassed about it with me. I cried when me sister got hit by that car." But he left it that, because he didn't think she would want to wallow in it much longer. She somehow, didn't seem the type.

Marcus ran his hand through his hair and gave Jo a cheeky grin when she said that he might be her kind of man. "Is that right Jo? Well that's good to know." He replied, winking at her again. Yeah, maybe Marcus Woods was finally beginning to fall for someone. A woman who was tough and independent, but probably quite soft on the inside when you cracked through that tough exterior. He liked that.

All too soon however, they seemed to have reached Jo's house, and although he had the hospital to go, he somehow didn't want to leave her now, but he knew he had to. She needed to sleep. She thanked him for the company saying it was nice. "Ah, the pleasure was all mine Jo." He said giving her a bright smile. He then wondered if he should move in for a kiss or not, but he didn't want to push it and have her slap him. So, he decided to go down the old fashioned route, seeing as he hadn't been with a woman for quite a while.

"Would it be too forward of me to kiss ye goodbye?" He asked, and then averted his eyes from her, as he felt himself blush a little. He couldn't believe he was turning into mush around Jo, but he liked it.

[Josephine Harding]

Jo heard what Marcus said about what happened to her father. She knew deep down that it probably wasn't her fault, but she also knew that if she hadn't in fact ran away, it might not have happened. She didn't verbally respond to Marcus, know know what the first word would do to her. Jo knew that if she spoke the tears which she was trying to hold back would eventually spill over. And she didn't want to be a blubbering mess in front of Marcus, even if he said that it was okay to cry. All Jo could do was to smile weakly, and not talk more about it.

Jo felt another blush come through when he commented about her saying that he maybe the kind of guy for her. Why was she doing this now ... again! She knew that somehow this guy was really getting to her, and in a good way. It seemed that she had found someone who was able to find the softer side to her after all. Not many people had been able to find that.

When Marcus smiled, it seemed to melt right her hardened heart. Well it seemed that he had been doing that to her since they met. He was self assured, strong, and rather attractive. What more of a package would she want in a partner. Was she thinking that far ahead? Was she really looking for a potential boyfriend? Maybe she was. "Thanks Marcus."

Just as Jo was about to turn and go inside, Marcus asked her if he would be too forward to kiss her goodbye. She went to make eye contact, but he was looking away. Then Jo saw that his face had a bit more colour than it normally did in the last couple of hours. She put her hand under his face, gesturing for him to turn back to face her. "So I now see you blushing a little." Jo then felt her face go all serious, as she put her hand down. "Also I don't mind you kissing me." Jo waited for his next move.

[marcus]

Marcus noticed that Jo didn't say anything more about the situation over her father, and blaming herself for it, but since it really wasn't any of Marcus' business, he wasn't going to push her on the matter. There would be plenty of times further down the track for her to talk about it if she wanted to, and he'd be there for her if she needed it. After all, Marcus knew what it was like to have a tortured past, even if his was a little more recent than Jo's. But a tortured past, was a tortured past.

He caught her blushing again when he'd said it was good he may be her kind of man. But again he wasn't going to go into it, after all he'd blushed himself once of twice a little in her company. Marcus, the guy with a tough exterior turning to mush in the company of a beautiful woman.

After he had asked if he could kiss her, and he had turned his eyes away seeing as he was now blushing also, he soon felt her hand on his chin, making a gesture for him to face her again which of course he did. Of course she had caught him blushing and she said as much. He couldn't help but smile at her then, "Aye ye caught me Jo." He said and shook his head slightly, but then she went into serious mode saying she didn't mind if he kissed her.

Marcus gave her another smile again, when she said that, and then he moved in closer, and slowly, very slowly, he leaned his face in toward her. His eyes watching her own the whole time, just like a scene from a movie, with the first kiss between the main couple. Then he finally reached her, and his lips were on hers, and he kissed her very gently, but he made it linger. Not overly passionate, but not exactly a friendly type of kiss either, and he allowed his mouth to open slightly. Then he gently pulled back from her, and just stood staring into her eyes. Marcus wasn't sure about Jo, but to him it was magical.