This...is a Kidnapping... (Mama T)

>> "Can I help... oh."

He beamed. Surprises were always the best.

“Someone secretly wish for a handsome kidnapper?”

Walking into her room and holding up the bouquet of roses of various colors, he looked as dapper a gentleman as he could. Jorge was never one to brag about his looks, but people had always told him that when he tried he could indeed look quite handsome. He figured that now would be the best time to test that theory, especially since it had been awhile since he had actually taken Gemma out on a date. Both have been too busy with their respective work to really find that much time for each other.

Thank god there were telephones.

He watched then, as she stood up, obviously surprised by his appearance and his clothing and the flowers. But at the same time she did look rather relieved. Judging from the amount of paperwork he saw on her desk, he was not surprised. If there was one thing he knew that she hated to do, it was paperwork.

>> "Hi…Please tell me we are going out to a place where carrying paperwork is strictly forbidden...."

He grinned as he handed off the flowers to her and leaned in give her a quick kiss. He could tell she was tired but she looked absolutely beautiful to him. It was just a shame it took so long for them to find time enough to actually go out.

A chuckle fell from his lips at her comment and he nodded.

“Trust me,” he laughed. “If it isn’t, I’ll arrest whoever attempts to give you any.”

>> "What are we waiting for? I need to go change. I'll meet you in the foyer. Give me two minutes."

“You got it,” he grinned with a wink. Stepping away from her, he stopped at the door long enough to hold it open for her to exit. That look of relief on her face at being taken away from all this paperwork was absolutely priceless.

Once she had moved past him, Jorge flicked off the lights of her office, closed her door and made his way to the foyer while Gemma disappeared to go change. While walking, the detective stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jacket and began to muse as he watched Gemma walk down the hall and then climb the stairs towards her room. He still could not believe how lucky he was to have someone like her in his life.

In the foyer, the detective smiled and waved to the students who recognized him while he waited for Gemma. He casually walked the lines on the carpet, looking almost like a big kid himself as he pretended the tightrope walk that line of golden thread that was stitched lengthwise across the material. He really was looking forward to tonight. Not simply because it was a night off for him, but because he really wanted to spend this evening with the one person whom he really loved and cared for in this city. The woman was meaning so much to him these days and it was simply horrible that he could not break away from work long enough to show her that.

The detective had been in too many relationships that had ended that way. Women whom either he neglected because of work, or could not handle his hours. Whatever the case, he was resolute to not allow that to happen in this relationship. It survived much longer than any of his previous and he was not going to lose her because of his job.

Hence…the reason he was kidnapping her.

Just as the detective was about to grab a book from one of the many nearby bookshelves and take a seat, suddenly there was the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. He really could not help the large, beaming smiling that appeared on his lips as he watched Gemma Taylor come down, dressed to kill and looking, as if it were possible, even more lovely then when he had seen her in her office.

All that in only two minutes. He definitely was impressed.

>> "So, where are we going?"

He grinned as he took her hand in his, raised it up gently and kissed her knuckle. Always the perfect gentleman.

“Well first all, we’re going to put some food in you,” he chuckled. “With our work schedules, I doubt either of us has had a decent meal. But, the rest of the evening…well…you’ll just have to come with me to find out, now won’t you?” Jorge had to smirk at his own antics. It had been far too long since he was allowed to be goofball in front of her. It felt good again.

>> "You had me at 'food'"

She blushed, even he blushed a little, and he gave her his arm as the stepped out into the cool night air. The mansion did have a majestic beauty about it at night. With the windows lit up with the interior lights and the flood lights situated around the garden and across the walkway, it just gave it an overall and mystical aura that could not be denied. It was like something out of one of his old novels, like Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice. The mansion just glowed with this halo of majesty that always seemed to enrapture the water-bending detective.

But right now, with the mansion at his back and walking straight forward to his car, the mansion’s beauty disappeared and he was enraptured with some entirely different vision. The gorgeous woman that walked next to him had a far more enchanting appearance than that mansion could ever hope for.

And that’s what made him the luckiest man in the world right now.

She leaned against him, he grinned as continued to lead them towards his car. This night had been a long time coming, especially with how crazy their workloads were getting. He really, really hoped that she did not want him to talk about work tonight…

>> "Let's not talk about work tonight…Just... tell me if everything's fine, okay? I think we both deserve some time away from our jobs."

God, he loved this woman.

A smirk crossed his lips as he nodded. “Everything’s fine.” he beamed as they arrived at his car and he opened the passenger door for her to climb in. “I take it that ‘everything is fine’ with you too?”

She climbed into his car and Jorge was careful when he closed the door behind her. Once she was securely inside, he walked around towards his side of the car and climbed in as well. The detective had definitely gone the extra mile for this date. He was always a man who took very good care of his car, but for this he had everything polished and detailed just for the lovely lady he would be taking out tonight. To most it would seem as if the man were trying too hard to impress her, but the truth was that he did not believe that. He wanted everything to be up to his standards of taking the beautiful woman out. Everything that to be perfect.

He owed her that much considering how long it took this date to happen. And judging from the look on her face, the tiny smiles, the casual looks, it was working. She seemed pleased with things thus far and hopefully the evening would only continue to go well.

Thankfully there were not going to a place that was apple themed, it had no costumes, and last he checked, Mittens was still locked up. Three nasty experiences he really did not want to go through again.

Once in the car, the off duty detective climbed into his seat, attached his seat belt and revved up the engine. But before he pulled out into the driveway, he grabbed his cellphone from his coat pocket, showed it to Gemma and then proceeded to remove the battery and shoved them into two separate pockets.

“Not taking any chances tonight,” he chuckled.

And with that they were off…

>> "The kids called today…They said they might visit for a few days before school starts again."

“Aw that’ll be good. Seems like it’s been awhile since you’ve seen them,” Jorge said with a nod as he drove out into the dark, cool night. “I hope that they are all well. Maybe if they come this time Valerie won’t try so hard to destroy my psyche.” he said with a wink.

He met Gemma’s kids once. They were both great, the boy and the girl, but there was definitely a little bit of resistance on Valerie’s part. Whether that was simply just her way or if she really did not like her mother dating again, he didn’t know, but he liked to think that they all parted from each other on good terms that last time. Hopefully those good feelings will continue.

“Ironically, I just talked to Jayda a couple days ago. She says that mi madre is pressuring her to get me to fly down to Florida with you for a visit,” he said with grin. “She’s dying to meet you, especially after all the nice things that Jayda said about you when she visited.”

>> "I am flattered…And Florida sounds good. I have not been away from the Mansion since I arrived..."

Jorge grinned at the thought. The idea of Gemma and he going down to Florida, together, it just…seemed like a great idea. The last trip they took where they actually got out of the city turned out so bad that part of him still felt a little guilty about it. Obviously it was not his idea to be attacked by mutant apples when they went to that Bed and Breakfast, but part of hi still felt a little weird about the way their weekend turned out.

Maybe this could be a good make-up for all that? Maybe a nice trip down to his hometown of Miami with a woman he truly cared about would be good for them. After all, Miami was a beautiful place with a life and an energy that was hard to not be infected by. Not that New York was not without its charms, but sometimes…it was just a good idea to head home.

But still…which was worse? Fighting off mutant apples or…meeting his mother?

>> "... if you want to take me, that is…These family things are always tricky, so I'll trust your decision on that."

He smiled.

“I…think it’ll be good.” he beamed in response as he drove through the city. “After all, I’ve met your family. And you’ve only met my sister. And trust me, she not a very good representation of them all…” he grinned as he joked and drove on. “So long as you can stand being alone with me...in a strange state...near my parents...”

There was some slight dread in his voice as he said that last part. It was not that Jorge did not want Gemma to come with him to meet his family. It was simply that he knew how...overbearing...his family could be. But...he also knew Gemma. And he doubted they would get the best of her. At least...that is what he prayed.

>> "I'm completely fine with being alone with you…and I am surprisingly good with parents. School counselor, remember?"

“Hah, touche,” he replied with a grin. “Well I’m sure that we can put our heads together and take some time off. I can show you around where I grew up. Miami can be a beautiful city in its own right.”

Jorge grinned at the thought. He had every notion that Gemma could more than take care of herself when it came to his family. After all, she was right; she worked for a school that was filled to the brim with mutant teenagers. And yet she did seem to have quite the handle on that place. Though the detective did wonder which was worse…a full of hormone fueled mutant teenagers with destructive powers…or his mother? He had to admit that it was a little close to call, but Gemma was a strong woman. She would be fine.

Yeah…fine…

>> "Are we there yet?"

“Hm?” he mumbled a little mindlessly in response. It took a second for him to process what she had asked but when he did he nodded. A glance at the streets signs told him they were closing in. “Yup, we’re just about there.”

Jorge had been wracking his brain trying to figure out where exactly to take his neglected girlfriend. It was no use asking down at the precinct since more of the men and women had the idea that a good restaurant consisted of a sport’s or nude bar. That was not going to go well with Gemma. And searching the internet was not an option because…well…Zoogle only kept referring him to celebrity chef restaurants. Let’s be honest, the man is a cop, not a millionaire who will pay $100 for a steak the size of a piece of gum. But, with some trusty footwork, and a connection or two that was reliable, Jorge found someplace good…at least he hoped.

“Here we are,” he said as he turned into a driveway.

The restaurant he stopped in front of actually looked very elegant. It was a smaller place, served Greek food, and was not crowded, but not empty either, named “ Persephone”. Despite the name and its connections to Greek myth and the bad side of eating food, it was a place that Jorge had only heard good things about. The exterior was romantically decorated and the food was supposed to be the best. It looked like little more than a hole in the wall but there was a charm about it that had pulled Jorge in when he first came across it. It should be a perfect start for their evening together.

Pulling his car to a stop, Jorge flashed a smile a Gemma before he climbed out. Always the gentlemen, Jorge adjusted his coat as he walked around to her side and opened her door for her with a grin and bow.

“Young Miss,” he announced as he held her door open and offered his arm. “Care to join a handsome stranger for some exquisite dining?”