>> "In my experience, asking directly doesn't usually get you anywhere. So, I thought I'd wait. But now that you mention it... Do you have something you want to tell me about why you are single?"

“Honestly?” he smiled as he swirled gently swirled the water in his glass, “A lot of the reason is my own fault. I think that before I did place a lot of emphasis on my career. I was your average, workaholic police officer. It was not because I was trying to escape my life though, it was because of what I am.”

He was sincere, his voice showed all the signs of it. He spoke as if he were finally telling the biggest secret of his life to someone. A secret that had been eating at him for so many years that it needed to get out there or he would burst. But now where seemed to be type of relief in his voice as he told Gemma this. Because before that was his life. He worked hard, he made no time for family, friends, much less dating or maintaining a relationship, but all this was not because he did not them.

“Because of my abilities, I threw myself into my work,” he said and looked thoughtful. “I figured I had these abilities to make a difference and that is what I wanted to do. I had already seen one person pass away because I wasn’t fast enough, and I was not going to let that happen again.”

Nichole. One stupid argument and he ruined not only his own life but her family’s. Back then he had always blamed himself for what had happened to her. If he had not been so stubborn, if they had just not gone to beach that day…But he knew better than to let those thoughts back into his head. After so many years of blaming himself and of pushing people away in the name of doing his job, he grew tired

“Anyway,” Jorge said as he mentally waved the thoughts away. “It took me awhile to get through that. But I guess during that time, I inadvertently pushed people away. By the time I finally woke up and realized what I had done…I guess I had just gotten used to things. That’s why I don’t go out to ball games often and instead sit home and read Bronte, or instead of killing tons of times hanging out in bars, I go to a park and people watch.”

Wow, how that must have sounded to Gemma. Self-professed victim pretty much summing up his whole single lifestyle based around the fact that he was damaged when he was younger. Though his intentions were good, Jorge simply wanted to help people with his abilities and skills, it seemed like he managed to push away those who did care about him because he was still slightly jaded from his experiences growing up. It is unfortunate to have lived through, but sadly there are those whom just need to suffer first to learn their life lesson. And now, at forty years old, Jorge felt that maybe he had learned a thing or two that he wanted to change.

“But that’s where I am now,” he said with a nod, happy that he did answer her honestly, even if it might have tarnished her view of him. “I’m happy to say that I have realized my mistakes and I guess as corny as it sounds, I’m simply ready to live the life I missed out on.”

>>“...But that’s where I am now. I’m happy to say that I have realized my mistakes and I guess as corny as it sounds, I’m simply ready to live the life I missed out on.”

Gemma smirked as she listened to him; so he had baggage. The whole story was the kind that is subconsciously designed to evoke the deepest nursing instincts in women; females usually jump on a guy with a gloomy past in the hope of being their guardian angel and whatnot. Call it the 'sick puppy effect'. It worked more times than it did not.
Jorge said the whole thing with the outmost sincerity. She liked that. He didn't need pity or comfort or anything. Thank God.

"Well, that's not so bad." she nodded "Except for the Bronte bit, that's kinda worrying" she added with a grin; she was kidding "I thought you actually had some deep dark secret and some skeletons." she smiled, and wandered back to sincerity "My marriage ended because in my husband's opinion there were more kids involved than he'd liked, and, well, he was not a big fan of mutants either. For a teacher, he was never really good with kids." she added with a smirk "Anyhow. Thank you for sharing all that. How about we talk about more cheerful things?" she suggested "Do you have any other plans for tonight?"

>> "My marriage ended because in my husband's opinion there were more kids involved than he'd liked, and, well, he was not a big fan of mutants either. For a teacher, he was never really good with kids."

Again there was that pang of sadness as Jorge listened to the woman speak about her own issues she had. Baggage was something that no one could really fully escape from. Everybody had their problems and histories, but that just came with being human. Everyone had problems, and everyone had issues they needed to deal with, but that did not mean they could not live life. They could have fun, they could have a life despite it all. Sometimes it just took finding some else who understood that really drive the point home.

And Jorge was glad to have found that with Gemma.

>> "Do you have any other plans for tonight?"

Jorge did not want the date to end, so he knew, even when he was planning the evening, that he needed to have a plethora of options to choose from to adapt to how the date went. Right now the date was going extremely well and he wanted things to stay that way. But where would they go next? To the fancy ice cream parlor down the street? Should they go Go-Karting? Or maybe for one of those horse carriage rides through Central Park where they met the first time? Hell, maybe he should just dress like a gorilla and try to scale the Empire State building just to see her laugh! But no, Jorge had something else in mind. Besides that last stunt would get him either arrested or committed.

He checked his watch and smirked.

“I got something planned,” he said with a smile. “And we have just enough time to get there, so long as you’re game?”

Then signaled for the waiter to bring them their check and after he did, Jorge pocketed the bill, put his coat back on and immediately moved over to Gemma to help her with her own coat. He was a gentleman after all. He grinned a bit happily as he walked with Gemma towards the front of the restaurant and proceeded to take care of the bill before they headed back out into the cool night air of New York and towards his car. He would keep quiet about their next destination until they got there and hoped that she enjoyment of the night would continue.

>>“I got something planned. And we have just enough time to get there, so long as you’re game?”

"Sure, I am game." she smiled, and let him be the complete gentleman he was, pay the bill, help her with her coat, the whole deal. She could tell he had fun doing it, and she didn't mind either. Knights are an endangered species, and even though they might turn out to be simple mortals later on, let them be knights and enjoy it while it lasts.

"Where are we going?" she asked, but didn't get an answer; she chuckled to herself, and let him lead "Surprise, is it. Oh well, as long as it doesn't involve karaoke, it can't be that terrible." she muttered, as if she was thinking out loud, but she was well aware that he could hear her. She laughed a bit.
She liked surprises.

>> "Surprise, is it. Oh well, as long as it doesn't involve karaoke, it can't be that terrible."

There was a mock look of sadness and shock on Jorge’s face as he led her back to his car. “Well there goes my entire plan, Gemma.”

Of course he was joking and his grin gave that much about him away. But he managed to try and keep it up until they got to the car. Once there, he opened the door for her, let her climb in and then jogged around to the other side of his Impala and climbed in. They would cut it close, but there should be enough time for them to make it. He smirked because he knew that Gemma was curious and though it was not something completely spectacular and awe inspiring, he had hoped that she would still enjoy herself.

With that, Jorge pulled out of the Village parking lot and headed back into the streets of New York. During the drive, every time Gemma gave him an inquisitive look, he remained quiet because he did want it to be a surprise. He found the thought amusing because it made him feel like a native New Yorker, to know something that most people would not know. Then again he wasn’t a native, he was new from Miami. But, being a police officer, he was privy to certain bits of information, especially when it came to one night shows at hidden locations. Sometimes his job had a perk or two.

Along the way he made small talk and chatted little about Miami and his life there before he left. The city lights rolled by them for a bit before Jorge finally turned into a street that looked pretty nondescript. There was nothing special about it, just another series of stores and small businesses. But Jorge seemed pleased with the arrival time and the fact that he found parking directly in front of the buildings. He smirked at Gemma before he climbed out of his car, again jogged around and opened the door for her.

“Here we are,” he said as he offered his hand to help her get out of the car.

They had parked in front of small, two story building that looked wedged between a couple of taller ones. The building was brownstone, probably once an old apartment building but now had been gutted and turned into a business. On the wall, above the door a sign was illuminated by small spotlights, that revealed a two trees intertwined around a large book. Across the image were the words: “Twin Branch Books”.

It was a book store.

Jorge noted the look on her face and squeezed her hand very gently. There was obviously more than he was letting on but he had yet to reveal. Instead he took her other hand gently and looked into her eyes. “You trust me?”

>>“Here we are. You trust me?”

It was a book store. Not something fancy, but definitely surprising especially because of that. Gemma smiled as she got out of the car and wondered if the bookstore was the whole deal, or there was something more to the plan. Looking up at him assured her he had more surprises, so she let him hold her hands.
Do I trust him? Heck if I now. But I sure as hell don't mind him lookin' at me like that.

She liked bookstores, by the way. Reading was one of her favorite pastimes, and New York had many bookstores of both kind: big fancy ones with brand new books that smelled like fresh ink and paper, and tiny stores with old books heaped upon each other that smelled like... well, old books. She loved both kind.

"Yes." she nodded with a small smile "So, are we going in?"

>> "Yes." she nodded with a small smile "So, are we going in?"

Jorge grinned wide, thankful that she was going to agree to this. Though there was not going to be anything dangerous or mind altering involved, he was glad she was going to at least trust him enough to lead the way for her. He hoped it would be something that he enjoyed so when he heard about it, he figured that it would be worth a shot. After all, they had had an excellent dinner, so at least he hoped that if he were wrong about this, that the dinner experience would have gathered him some brownie points.

With a tender squeeze of her hand, he nodded with a grin and turned towards the bookstore.

“Yes, we definitely are.” He smiled as he led the way towards the old looking bookstore and opened the door for her.

Inside, the smell of paper and ink washed over them. It was a scent that Jorge appreciated and loved above most things. He grew up with books, as was evident by his personal library so it was of little surprise that he had such a love for a store such as this. The establishment looked old, like it had been there awhile. High shelves dominated the room and were heavily laden with books of all types, sizes and languages. The best part was almost none of the shelves were labeled by genre. Instead one side of the store stated it was fiction and the other was labeled as being non-fiction. This allowed people to waste time and just wander, the peek through shelf after shelf, wondering what literary treasure they could possibly stumble upon. It was heaven for a book lover like Jorge and, judging from her expression, Gemma too.

He inhaled the scent and sighed a bit heavenly as he peered through the shelf and pulled out a copy of some random book, then wandered over to the front desk with Gemma following behind him. He then placed the book on the counter and grinned at the kindly old woman who was there.

“Hello Mabelle. How’re things today?”

She smiled wide as she fixed her glasses. “Officer Cervantes. Welcome back. I take it that you’ve managed to finally get all moved in.”

“Yeah, it’s starting to feel like home.” He then quieted his voice a bit, but still enough for Gemma and the old woman to hear. “Say I wanted to contact a man about a book, what would you suggest? His name is Ren…”

The old woman winked as she listened to Jorge and nodded her head knowingly.

“A séance.” With that she immediately pointed down a book lined hallway behind her that lead to a single door.

“Thank you Mabelle. You have a great night,” he said as he waved for Gemma to walk with him.

He smiled as he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her towards the back hallway. It may have seemed a little odd and suspicious but she did say that she trusted him, so he hoped that she would continue to do so. He continued on, leading her until they got to the back door and Jorge opened it to reveal a staircase that led up, then twisted and continued up to parts unknown. Then it was Jorge’s turn to take the lead. He smiled affectionately as he led the way and glanced back at Gemma.

“I’m sorry, I know all this may seem a little suspicious, but we’re almost there,” he said warmly and then finally reached the top of the stairs that led to another door. He rapt very softly on it and before them, the door swung open and Jorge ushered her through slowly.

The night air was cool but not overly cold. Gemma and Jorge found themselves on the roof of the establishment, but unbeknownst to anyone passing by underneath, there was quite a sight up here. Greenery and the sweet smell of plants lay all around them. Small and large potted trees, along with potted bushes and all types of flowers were littered about and created the illusion of a miniature garden of Eden on the rooftop of the bookstore. A path lined with flowers led the way to a small opening on the spacious roof in which there were four or six benches all situated in front of a very small stage. On that stage right now a woman played such and enticing cello that the music fluttered by and tickled their ears. Only a few couples were there already and none seemed to pay much heed to the presence of Jorge and Gemma.

He smiled as he took her hand again.

“Gemma, this is the Renaissance League,” He explained as he led her over to one of the empty benches. “Their a secret group that give one night only performances of readings, poetry, music and film. Couple of times they got busted for breaking into a private establishment to hold them, which is how I knew of them to begin with. But when I heard from Mabelle that the league was going to be showing up here for tonight, I figured, well, it might be something that you’d enjoy. “

A member of the league came up to them and grinned wide as he offered them a flier. Jorge took it and showed it to Gemma. Apparently after this cellist and a poetry reading, they were going to show “An Affair to Remember” on an old fashioned screen.

He cautioned a look to Gemma. “Sorry for the deception. I guess I just wanted it to be a surprise.”

Yes, it did look all inds of suspicious. The lady seemed nice enough, and Gemma absolutely adored the bookstore itself. It was love at first sight. She decided she'd need to come back when it is actually open. She needed some new books to read.
The back door and the stairs were all kinds of mysterious. She was glad Jorge was still holding her hand, not like she really needed support or anything.

The secret garden on the rooftop was a miracle. Gemma smiled as she looked around. "Wow."

>>“Gemma, this is the Renaissance League. Their a secret group that give one night only performances of readings, poetry, music and film. Couple of times they got busted for breaking into a private establishment to hold them, which is how I knew of them to begin with. But when I heard from Mabelle that the league was going to be showing up here for tonight, I figured, well, it might be something that you’d enjoy. “

"You figured right" Gemma smiled; she was still looking around, taking in the view and the music "Who would have thought you can find places like this in this city."

>>“Sorry for the deception. I guess I just wanted it to be a surprise.”

"That's fine." she chuckled as they walked over to a bench to sit down "It's a great surprise. Thank you for taking me here."

I'm really starting to feel like a teenager.

The smile was all Jorge needed to feel better about his decision to bring Gemma to this performance of the Renaissance League. Part of him was a little fearful that she might not like his kind of bohemian stuff, but when Jorge heard about it, he knew he wanted to go, and it pleased him all the more to see that Gemma was going to have a good time as well.

In this setting, Jorge relaxed next to Gemma on the bench and began to look over the brochure for the night, then looked up and around their surroundings. The garden that Mabelle had up here really was a secluded beauty to behold. Small trees, lines of bushes and the splash of flowers to the left and right really made one feel like they were in some isolated world in which the metropolis around them could not touch. And even then, they had a beautiful view of the city. The skyline, sparkling of the lit windows and the cool night air all around them simply screamed romance. And Jorge was happy to share this scene with Gemma.

They sat back in their seats and watched as the cellist continued with her set. Her music was indeed beautiful and seemed to tug at Jorge’s heard just a little. Despite AC/DC and being a rocker, the detective did have a soft spot for the string instruments. Violins, Cellos, they all managed to just get him in ways that he could not explain, nor did he really want to try.

After the cellist and the poet were done, Jorge excused himself for a second as he headed over to a small table that seemed like it was selling refreshment and snacks of some kind. Renaissance League may have been mysterious, but they knew how to provide for those who took the time to see them. Jorge soon returned with two bottles of water and a bag of freshly popped kettle corn.

He returned to his seat next to Gemma and watched as a couple of the members began to set up a portable movie screen for the film, “An Affair to Remember”. Jorge offered Gemma a bottle of water and opened the bag of sweet popcorn for them to share.

“I know this must seem…odd,” he said with a grin as he nodded to the movie screen, “But I do surprisingly like this movie. My parents got me on the classic stuff when I was kid, so I entirely blame them.”

He glanced over at Gemma and smiled as he squeezed her hand for a second. They were here, had listened to some beautiful music, now about to watch a classic film, and all under the night sky surrounded by a garden in the middle of a metropolis. Any other time Jorge would have convinced himself to wake up, that things seemed too good to be true, but not this time. Things could not be more real.

It was the second time in one night that they'd heard some excellent music. Gemma smiled as she sat on the bench; she felt relaxed and comfortable, and she was kind of surprised that the usual nervousness of first dates what not there anymore. Maybe it was because both of them were adults, and have been through this many times before. Maybe it was just because they were good together. Maybe she was just getting a little sleepy. Not the bored kind of sleepy, though. Not at all.

>>“I know this must seem…odd. But I do surprisingly like this movie. My parents got me on the classic stuff when I was kid, so I entirely blame them.”

"I have seen your bookshelf, remember?" she chuckled as she took a sip from the water and settled down for the movie. She liked the movie too, and she was glad they ended up watching something that was not a torture for either of them. Gemma smiled and somewhere along the story she leaned against his shoulder. It was comfortable.

>> "I have seen your bookshelf, remember?"

He had to smirk as he nodded his head. "Touche. Well played."

Then their movie began. Jorge, the NYPD police officer, was actually enthralled with the movie that he and Gemma had settled in for. It was a movie he had seen many times before thanks to his mother and father. This was one of the movies they had fallen in love to, so they would watch it many times and make Jorge and his sister watch it as well. In doing this, the movie ended up becoming one of Jorge’s favorites as well, and knowledge like that does not go down well in school. Many times he was teased for things like this, for watching classic movies and reading books, but Jorge was glad he did not bend to their teasing. Instead he simply stayed strong in his convictions to remain who he wanted to be.

And he was glad he did that. Otherwise he would not be sitting here with a beautiful woman, watching a movie he loved with the whole of New York laying before them.

About halfway through the movie, he felt a soft pressure against his shoulder. He glanced over and that is when he saw an extremely sweet sight. Gemma had leaned against him, relaxed and comfortable, as if it were the easiest thing in the world for her to do right now. And the best part was that Jorge did not think it weird or out of place at all. It did feel natural. With that, he cautioned to place his arm around her shoulders, in order to make her comfortable and gently ran his fingers down her arm.

The rest of the movie went on as this. The night sky sparkled with stars, the small group of people present all reveled and laughed at the appropriate parts of the movie that flickered in its dull colors on the movie screen. And Jorge and Gemma enjoyed the film as they watched it intently, but still did not lose any of the facts that they both of them were sitting so close to each other on a bench, and still were as comfortable as can be.

Once the movie came to an end, a small applause broke out from everyone present and Jorge found himself glancing down at Gemma again. He had hoped that she had a good time and though he wanted it to last even longer, he glanced at his watch.

“Oh wow,” he muttered as he reluctantly moved his arm from around her shoulder. “It’s already 12:30am. I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d keep you out this late. I guess times flies when you’re having fun huh?” he smiled as he sat up from the bench and offered his hand to help her up. “You ready for home?”

>>“Oh wow. It’s already 12:30am. I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d keep you out this late. I guess times flies when you’re having fun huh? You ready for home?”

Gemma blinked, and looked around; she was awake, and aware that the movie ended, but she just didn't feel like moving. It was too comfortable, and very nice. The logical part of her brain reminded her she wouldn't be allowed to sleep on a bench on the roof. Too bad.

"Yes, I'm ready" she nodded and she stretched before she stood up "I didn't realize it was so late. I should probably head home and see if the school's still in one piece." she chuckled, took his hand, and walked with him back to the car. She was more awake now, after the walk, and still very cheerful. The date, in her book, was a success.

The drive back to the mansion was long, but Jorge did not seem to mind that at all. After the movie with the Renaissance League on top of the bookstore, he was still running on the high that he had managed to plan a successful date that did not end up in awkward conversation, glares, or irritating phone calls (all of which he has been on the receiving end before). And he was glad that things had gone so well. Gemma, he observed was and extremely interesting, funny and beautiful woman who, even though has gone through some tough times, is strong. He had to respect and admire that about her, as well as how much fun she was to be around.

As he continued to drive through the park and headed for the mansion, just in the same way as when he first went to pick her up, he had to admire the beauty all around him. The night sky at this late hour, though dark, seemed lit up by the multitude of stars above their heads, as well as a large moon that glowed heavy and bright. He glanced over at Gemma in this dim light and he had to smile.

Once they arrived back to the Mansion’s front gate, Jorge sighed as he pulled the car to a stop. Though they had been out for most of the night, it still seemed as if he had just picked her up. Already their date was over, but he had hoped that if she had had just as good as time as he had, that they could definitely do this again. After all, there is only so much you can learn about someone in just one night.

“Well, here we are,” he said as he glanced out over at the mansion. “Hm, still looks to be in one piece.”

He smiled as he climbed out of the car and walked back around to her side. After he opened to door to let her out, he retrieved the flowers they had had originally brought her when he first got there. Luckily throughout their night they had not wilted. He would use that florist from now on. With an almost shy smile, Jorge gently took Gemma’s hand and walked her back towards the front gate, going slow as to not lose the moment. Under the soft like of moon, Gemma’s dark skin radiated to him to the point that she looked almost angelic. Jorge came to a pause as they reached the gate.

“Uh,” he chuckled and shook his head a bit. He still could not believe he was acting like this. “Sorry, I feel like a gawky teenager again,” he smirked and cleared his throat. So far none of his past dates had ever reached a pleasant end, which is probably why he was nervous now. He did not want to ruin the moment. But, he could not leave just quiet air between them. His face turned serious, well, as serious as can be achieved with a happy smile and spoke, “I had…a lot of fun tonight Gemma. More than I’ve had in a long time. I…would really like to see you again. If, you know, you want to see me again, that is.”

>>“Well, here we are. Hm, still looks to be in one piece.”

"You can never know." Gemma chuckled as she got out of the car. She didn't forget about the flowers; they still looked nice. Jorge held her hand as he walked her back to the Mansion gates; she smiled softly as she glanced at him, he was probably thinking the same thing she was.

>>“Uh. Sorry, I feel like a gawky teenager again,”

Yup.

>>“I had…a lot of fun tonight Gemma. More than I’ve had in a long time. I…would really like to see you again. If, you know, you want to see me again, that is.”

Gemma smiled. "Thank you. I really had a great time. I think we should go out again."

She put her free hand (the one that was not holding the flowers) on his cheek, and leaned in to kiss him. It was soft, more like promise than anything else, and she felt like it was something she'd needed to do for a long time.

>> "Thank you. I really had a great time. I think we should go out again."

Though the night had gone so well, Jorge still had not really prepared himself for what had happened next, though he was happy it did. Since the end of the movie, he had wanted to kiss her. Not in some forceful, overly masculine passion-filled way that are seen in so many movies right before the screen faded to black. But something soft, something that had more feeling and meaning to it, that said that this was not an end, but merely the start of something that could turn out absolutely great. And that is exactly what had occurred.

Jorge seemed on autodrive when he felt Gemma’s free hand on his cheek and watch her lean up towards him. Before he knew it, he had tilted his head just a bit, place a hand on her hip, and pressed his lips against hers just as she pressed her against his. It was an appropriate end of the first date kiss. Soft and gently with eyes closed, the breeze picked up just slightly and fluttered through his and Gemma’s hair as he their kiss seemed to both slow and speed time. Before he knew it, they had both pulled back and he gently moved his hand away from her hip. And as they stood there, in the cool night air, a smile appeared on Jorge’s face.

There was really nothing else to say after that. The spark was there and Jorge found himself hooked. He definitely wanted to see her again. He may have been out of the dating and romance game for a long while, but this was something he wanted to pursue, and he was happy that it would be with this woman.

He took a deep breath as he leaned in and gave her a warm hug and did finally step back. He watched as she buzzed herself into the gate and could not take his eyes off of her. Just before she stepped fully onto the Mansion grounds he finally spoke again.

“Call you tomorrow?” he asked with that teenager’s playfulness that he had not possessed since he was…well…a teenager. “Good night Gemma. Have the sweetest of dreams.”

He sighed a bit as he watched her walk away, all the way back to the mansion. He did not want to lose sight of her and he wanted to make sure she had stepped inside before he finally gave off a small chuckle. He was ecstatic as he turned and drummed a happy tune on his Chevy Impala’s hood before he jogged back around to his side of the car. After that, he slipped in, cracked his car stereo up and pulled back into the street. The ride home would be swift since his thoughts would be preoccupied with Gemma and their date.