The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
"OK, so scratch peanut butter and jelly." He said good naturedly as he rose to his feet and followed Lori back over to the bed. Did she realize she was still holding his hand? Holding hands didn't go along with relationships that were based purely on sex. Hand holding meant hearts were beginning to get involved. Had that hit her yet?
Moving behind Lori, Jacen looped one arm around her waist and pulled her tight against him so that they nestled together quite comfortably.
"And you don't always have to be the best either." He murmured quietly, as the two drifted every closer to sleep, "Sometimes it's OK to just relax and be you."
***
Jacen wasn't sure exactly what had woken him since he had forgotten to set his alarm the night before but whatever the cause he was now lying there just listening to Lori's calm breathing. Honestly he hadn't expected to wake up and find her still in the same bed so for a few moments he just savored the feeling. So this is what it was like to wake up beside someone that you honestly cared about.
"I care about her... don't know if it's love but I do care." Jacen reaffirmed to himself before gently placing a kiss on the nape of Lori's neck and then ever so carefully extracted himself from his intimate position. With slow but steady movement he was able to leave the bed without waking Lori... at least not fully.
Making his way through his morning routine Jacen brushed his teeth, shaved quickly, and then go dressed. He did his best to do everything with as few lights as necessary and as little noise as necessary in order to not disturb his beautiful bed mate. Approximately thirty minutes after waking up Jacen was ready to go. Armed with his duffel back in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.
Just as he was about to open the front door inspiration struck. Setting down his items he went into the kitchen and collected a pen and paper and wrote out a quick note. Walking back into the bedroom he folded the note and placed it on the pillow where he had been sleeping earlier. Finally satisfied, Jacen slipped out of the apartment and headed off to yet another day of fighting crime.
***
~~~~Lori~~~~
I'm off to work but you looked so peaceful sleeping that I just couldn't wake you. Coffee is brewed and waiting in the kitchen and if you're hungry there are some bagels in the cabinet and cream cheese in the fridge. I'll drop by your trailer in a couple of days to say hi and bring you whatever gifts I think would be appropriate. Take care of yourself beautiful.
A quiet, "Mmmmhmmm." was all the response that Lori got to her comment about Jacen's house being safe to sleep in. Apparently she had at least decided that he wasn't out to get her during an unprotected moment, but then that went along her her trust comment from a few moments before. She knew he wasn't out to hurt her but she was still protecting herself at least a little bit.
"Maybe some day you can leave the web of lies behind." Jacen observed quietly before turning his head and placing a kiss on Lori's temple. He could feel the change in atmosphere and he knew the talking wouldn't be lasting much longer. He also knew that he'd be heading off to work which meant that if she wasn't gone before he left, she was most certainly be gone before he got back.
He didn't want to move but at the same time he knew that sleeping on the floor in the position they were currently sitting in would not make for a comfortable nights sleep. "And along with Chinese food you need some staples. Frozen dinners are an excellent item to keep around." Even though the subject had changed, Jacen's tone of voice had not. Instead it maintain a hushed, intimate tone as the two began to relax even more. "Those along with bread, peanut butter, and jelly can get you through anything."
His back was beginning to stiffen slightly from the position he was sitting in along with the slight pressure from Lori's heels but he wasn't going to complain. They had never shared a time this open and intimate before and he was loathe to leave it even when he knew that they really needed to.
"You're beautiful Lori." He suddenly said out of the blue as he decided to take advantage of the magical moment they had found themselves in, "And don't ever think that someone's better than you."
The words seemed to hang in the air as Jacen's fingers inched toward their target. The implications of her comment were many and his brain honestly didn't have time to run through all of them, but a few points did pop to the surface. Did she dislike tickling and she was testing him? Was she waiting to see if he would bend to her every whim? Was she finally admitting that he had penetrated her armor fully and she was now putty in his hands?
"Only as long as we're in private or in a fight." Jacen replied with an affectionate but knowing smile as he allowed his hand to drop from its intended destination and instead intertwine with the fingers that were currently laid on Lori's thigh. "We'll see how things go down the road, but thanks."
He couldn't say that he trusted Lori because he didn't completely trust her yet. Sure he enjoyed his time with her and he thought she was an attractive woman that he wanted to get to know better but after finding out so many secrets it was hard to trust her completely.
"And here I thought a nice china vase or something would make the perfect gift." Jacen said with a laugh at Lori's 'knick-knack' comment. In actuality he had no clue what he might get her for a gift but he was sure he could come up with something. Maybe two somethings just for fun. One for its comical effect and one for its serious or intimate effect.
"But I'm honored that you're letting me be one of the few that knows where you're staying." Jacen admitted as he idly ran the hand that was currently positioned behind Lori's back up and down her spine in a gentle massage pattern, "How about if we get more practical. You need any food or drink in the "sardine can" as you so affectionately put it?"
She was offering him the option to give her a true punishment that would break through her defenses? Here Jacen had been teasing this whole time about punishing her and now she was giving him a very real option if he took it.
"Franklin." Jacen said rather bluntly after Lori had stopped talking. His middle name was not something he had shared with any of his friends. In fact most legal documents that he filled out just had 'F.' not the full 'Franklin'. Why was he giving her the information he hadn't given to anyone else? Was he letting her get through his armor as well?
"And I'm afraid there really isn't much to tell as far as parents go." Jacen said with a slight chuckle as he watched and felt Lori maneuvering herself to try and keep a better grip with her legs. With her hands pinned she was effectively helpless but she wasn't going to let him get the spoils of victory without yet one more fight. "I was born and raised in the panhandle of Florida. I was on the school swim team and my parents encourage me in whatever I wanted to do. I joined the army at 18 and during my tour in Iraq they passed away in their sleep."
There was no heart wrenching history to share or stories about how he had been beaten as a child. In fact Jacen couldn't think of a single thing about his child hood that he would want to complain about.
Moving slowly but steadily, Jacen worked his legs around so that they stretched out on either side of Lori's body while her legs were knotted behind his back. Suddenly pulling with his arms, he lifted her up into a sitting position on his lap. Dropping the pretense of ever trying to pin her arms any further he wrapped on arm around her waist while his other hand moved for that ticklish spot in her arm pit.
"When's the house warming party?" He asked with a grin as he watched the blond's beautiful face, "Should I bring gifts?"
That had been a really stupid question to ask and as soon as Kealey began to answer it he remember. Something about this woman just threw him off a touch. Maybe it was because of his field that he forgot about what Kealey had to deal with every day or maybe it was because she was so attractive that she messed up his thinking pattern. Either way was quite possible but Jacen wasn't even going to begin to guess which was it was because somehow he knew the answer would be at least a little embarrassing to admit.
"I've been caught." Jacen replied with a smile, "The night club that we went to the other night? I go to those types of places only occasionally. I enjoy being comfortable and western wear is normally more comfortable than the club wear. Besides, I'm a typical guy. I grew up wishing I could be a cowboy so why not enjoy fulfilling that particular fantasy on occasion."
Talking about fantasies was probably not the best decision and Jacen's brain recognized that fact as soon as the words had left his mouth. It was time for a quick save and change of subject. What would work...
"Are you hungry for some food or do you just want a drink to sip at?" Jacen asked as he glanced around, looking for whatever waitress might have been assigned to their table. He wasn't planning on taking more than maybe one drink himself since he was the driver for the night. No way was he going to chance being intoxicated enough to get in a wreck that could hurt either himself, Kealey, or some other innocent person.
Finally locating the waitress Jacen caught her eye with a slight hand wave and she offered them a quick smile and a "Be right there!"
"Have I mentioned just how sexy you look in that outfit?" Jacen asked as he turned his attention back to the woman across the table from him, "You've gotta be the best looking cowgirl I've ever seen."
(OOC: Nope, I put his plans there so you could have it play out in your post. No changes necessary. )
IC: When the door first opened Jacen found himself rendered breathless once again. He had thought he would be safe since Kealey wouldn't be wearing her blue dress but seeing her dressed up in a western style suddenly made him realized just how wrong he was. This woman probably could have been wearing a burlap sack and somehow she still would have pulled it off as being sexy.
Remembering his manner Jacen had snatched off his hat and greeted the young woman, his broad grin shining just as brightly in his eyes as it did on his lips. "I think you'll pass muster just fine." Jacen replied with a smile, "Besides, most original cowboys were of foreign descent too so you'll fit in just fine."
After making sure that Kealey had everything she would need for the evening, Jacen turned and led the way down the stairs and back out to the sidewalk. Without even thinking about it, Jacen walked side by side with Kealey placing himself between her and the street. It was an unconscious gesture of putting himself closer to the dangerous traffic while protecting the lady but in the current civilization most people wouldn't even notice.
"So, are you excited?" Jacen asked with a smile once they were both in the truck and he was pulling out of his parking space, "I have to admit I've been looking forward to this."
***
Casual conversation helped the travel time fly by and after what seemed like only a few minutes the pair arrived at the Rodeo Bar. Placed in an old brick building, the normal beer signs lit up the window with a large sign hanging off of the corner of the building to announce to all those passing by that this was the local western bar. As the pair stepped inside, they were immediately greeted by the sound of country music coming from the band on stage as well as the sound of laughter coming from the bar as well as a ring type structure off in the far corner. One of the waitresses gave the two of them a pleasant smile as she passed by and told them to just grab a seat wherever they could find an open spot.
"This way." Jacen said as he spotted an open booth. Grabbing Kealey hand just to ensure that they wouldn't be separated in the crowd, and perhaps in order to touch her smooth skin again, Jacen led the way over to the booth and then slid in. Taking off his hat he laid it on the end of the table closest the wall and smiled at the young woman across from him.
"So, have you ever been to a western bar before or is this your first time?"
"The head's fine." Jacen replied quietly, his lips still tugging upward into a slight smile, "I don't think anything's broken."
As Lori slid down his body and stretched out upon him, Jacen had to fight off a shiver that threatened to move up and down his back. How in the world had he gotten into this position? Allowing a woman to have control, albeit just psychologically, was not his standard practice. He was a military man used to handling and controling any situation that came his way and yet here he was playing back and forth with him controlling the situation one moment and her controlling it the next.
"How do you know this isn't part of the punishment?" Jacen asked, as his eyes focused on Lori's face for a few moments. The mischevous grin that was evident both on her lips and in her eyes was infectious and the way her face was framed by the blonde hair that fell around it was tantalizing. While on the one hand Lori didn't fall into the supermodel category by any means, right at that moment Jacen couldn't think of any time when he had seen a woman look more beautiful.
After her comment it was sorely tempting to surge upward and seize control of the situation once again but for now Jacen chose to just lay on the floor, competely relaxed as he watched the young woman. When things had started between them last night he never would have predicted they would end up like this, especially when the two of them were just testing the waters to find out what a normal relationship would be like. Was this the answer? Was this the kind of fun and intimate moments they could expect to share if things continued?
"I'm thinking to much." Jacen suddenly realized as a slight shift of Lori's weight on his body immediately snatched his attention back to the situation at hand. Patience had gone on long enough and it was time for an uprising to overthrow the current ruler. Instead of trying to sit up, Jacen used one of his legs to push off of the floor, rolling the two of them over quickly as he snatched one hand free of Lori's grip with a quick but powerful twist and pull. Once again he now crouched above her with his weight resting on the free hand so that he wouldn't be pressing to much on her.
"What kind of punishment do you think you deserve?" He was most deffinately toying with her but who in the world could blame him?
The wrestling was going well and Jacen was having the time of his life. After all, what red blooded man wouldn't love the opportunity to be wrestling naked with a hot blond that had said she might be falling for him? The struggle was all at once playful and serious as the two jockeyed for position, trying to take charge. Suddenly Lori through her wait against him once again and as he went along with it he suddenly realized there was no more bed behind him. Just open air that led down to the very hard floor.
Instinctively Jacen wrapped his arm around Lori, holding her as they rolled off the bed and fell to the floor with her on top of him. The short fall combined with her weight on top of him had been enough to very temporarily knock the wind out of him but he found his body still trying to laugh as he continued to try and hold the wiggling blond. Unfortunately not having your breath isn't the best way to fight and in a very short time Jacen found himself lying on the floor with Lori temporarily pinning his arms up above his head. The look of triumph in her eyes was obvious but he wasn't about to begin complaining. After all, with her poised above Jacen it gave him a very nice view that he was not at all ashamed to appreciate. That was the one unfair thing about a man trying to wrestle a woman... he would almost always get distracted by the lady's 'assets'.
"It looks like I'm your prisoner, beautiful. Are your intentions honorable or do you plan on doing things to me that can't be discussed in mixed company?" Jacen asked with a mischievous grin as he fell completely still, waiting for that one perfect moment to surge upward, hopefully catching Lori right back in the trip she had just now escaped. She may have temporarily won the battle but the war was far from over!
Polished black cowboy boots with silver trimming led the way out of the truck door. The footwear was soon followed by slightly tight dark blue jeans, a Western style shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and a black cowboy hat completed the themed outfit.
As Jacen walked up the stairs that would lead to Kealey's apartment door he was feeling quite pleased with himself. A hostage situation at a downtown apartment building had been handled expertly without a single person, either hostage or hostage taker, being killed. Sure the S.W.A.T. team had been forced to move in but they had neutralized the assailant with little difficulty. Jacen had earned this night off and he was planning on enjoying the time with his friend to its fullest. After the fiasco that had been their previous evening he wasn't planning on doing anything that would warrant Kealey feeling uncomfortable but he wasn't completely sure he would say no if she started something. He really liked Lori but there was still something about Kealey that made him want to investigate the possibilities. Why couldn't life ever be simple?
Standing outside the door, Jacen knocked with a quick triple tap and then stood casually one thumb hooked on the edge of his pocket while the other arm hung loosely. The plan was to take his hat off like a true Western Gentleman and greet the lovely lady with a police, "Ma'am... ready to go?" He had the beginning planned out perfectly but all of it hinged on the idea of her opening the door. Thankfully that was pretty much a given so all he had to do was wait.
The young woman wanted to get out of the crowd but without meeting up with the cops. That was in itself all that suspicious since a lot of people in New York City prefered to remain uninvolved when it came to police investigations.
"We'll get you clear and on your way then." Jacen offered a smile before turning his gaze back toward the crowd and trying to look for what the best escape route would be, "Just relax and let me see what I can do."
Right then, out of nowhere, and bald man suddenly pushed his way through the crowd and stood over the two. Without the slightest bit of hesitation he handed a business card to Jacen even while his eyes seemed to stay focused on the young woman. Glancing at the card, Jacen's face took on a mask like quality as he read the title. He had heard of the Sanctuary and he knew that it was a mutant home that didn't exactly have the most sterling of reputations even though nothing had yet been proven. Tucking the card into his pocket for later research, Jacen rose to his feet, not bothering to offer his own name to the man.
"If you want to help her I'll see about clearing a way out for the two of you." He said quietly as he turned back to the rest of the crowd looking at them with something akin to suspicion in his eyes, "Something strange's going on with the crowd. My ability hasn't worked since I came into the store."
It was a lie... a lie mixed with just enough truth to make it believable although not fool proof. Jacen knew he didn't want it to be obvious to these two individuals what his abilities were but he had to make some sort of explanation that would add up. The key would be to allow himself to be intercepted while they were going out the door so that they would get away from him while he was still mingled with the crowd. Other wise these mutants would know for sure that he was the cause of any problems they might currently be experiencing.
IC: Finally Jacen pulled his hands out of his pockets and gave Kealey the smile that had been on his face earlier in the day. A part of him still wished that things had continued like they were going but then another part was glad that she wasn't "easy" as she had so eloquently described. She was so beautiful and desirable that at any other time in his life he would have immediately thrown himself into the game of romance and seduction but as his mind was clearing from the heat that had seared it earlier, thoughts of a different blond were beginning to come back into his mind. He had to know what was going on with Lori because he could make decisions about Kealey. They were both beautiful woman that deserved at least that much respect.
"The western bar... well let's see." Jacen began as he walked over to the little red couch. Sure he had to make a decision about Lori, but that didn't mean he couldn't just get together with a friend. He'd just have to make sure that he kept in mind that Kealey was just a friend and leave the more physical side of things off the plate. At least on a positive note she wouldn't be wearing that blue dress. Jacen was sure even a married man could resist Kealey in her blue dress. "It's this place called the Rodeo Bar down on 3rd Avenue. They pride themselves on being New York's oldest Honky Tonk, just like what you'd find in Texas or New Mexico. They serve a variety of Tex-Mex food so you can normally find something on the menu that you like. There's a small stage where local country bands play most nights but occasionally they throw in some karaoke just to mix things up."
Jacen was beginning to feel a little more comfortable as they talked and he described the location of their next date... not, not date. It was, it was, it was just a couple of friends getting together. But, if it wasn't called a date, what would it be called?
"Dress is pretty casual with denim jeans and a lot of t-shirts but a lot of people still throw on their cowboy boots and hats before heading down there. Occasionally the crowd can get pretty rowdy with plenty of hooting, hollering, and whistling, but for the most part it's just friendly. Nobody to pushy or crazy." Jacen continued before giving Kealey his most devilish smile, "Would Wednesday night work for you?"
***
The pair had chatted for quite a while but finally Jacen had been forced to begin to make his way to the door. It was getting later and since they weren't going to be sharing a bed any time soon, he really needed to get back to his own apartment.
"I had fun Kealey. Thanks for coming with me." Jacen said with a smile as they stood in the open doorway that led outside, "If I don't talk to you sooner, then I'll be here to pick you up for our Western night. Sound good?"
Finally the testing was over and as Jacen made the tactical mistake of trying to get in a tickle on the feisty blond, she sprang into action. Suddenly her hands were squirming in all directions, trying to get his one hand to let up the pressure just enough for one to get free. At the same time she began bucking her hips, momentarily throwing him of balance and forcing him to collapse on his side right next to her body. With the leverage her had previously had suddenly gone, one of Lori's hands suddenly slipped free.
Obviously this called for a counter attack so without the slightest delay Jacen's hand descended past her bucking hips to tickle over the sensitive skin of Lori's inner thigh. Suddenly out of nowhere Jacen found himself chuckling as he continued to playfully wrestle with the blond. He was using enough of his strength to make sure that she didn't think he was just letting her win but if she really wanted to push and try and roll him on he would go along with it. After all, sometimes letting a woman take control was damn sexy.
"Quit squirming naughty girl!" Jacen laughed as he tried to ignore her attacks while launching a ticklish assault of his own, "Otherwise I might have to do worse!" The playfulness of wrestling like this was not something that was lost on him. It was an intimacy that only couples who were really attracted to each other could possibly share. Did thi mean that he and Lori might have a future together? As her attacks suddenly caused a burst of laughter to bubble forth his chest, Jacen laid the question aside. That was something to be dealt with at a different time.
The expression of embaressment on Jacen's face changed to one of shock as Kealey expressed the desire for him to stay. What woman in the world would want a man to stick around after she had just rejected his advances?
"You still want me to stay?" The disbelief in his voice had to be obvious as he looked at her, "After I just tried to take advantage of you?"
Ok, so maybe the idea that he had been trying to take advantage of Kealey was a little bit extreme. That hadn't been his intention at any point but that had to be the way she was thinking about it. Didn't it? Without her saying it, Jacen just knew that no other man had been able to get this close to her and instead of just remaining her friend and confidante he had tried to push for something much more intimate and carnal.
"I thought... well I just figured... you really want me to stay?"He asked again. Wow, that offer really had come from left field.
"Honestly, I don't want to leave." He admitted as moved his other hand so that both now rested in his pockets, "I like you and I think you a great person along with being a beautiful woman. I enjoy spending time with you and talking about whatever seems interesting at the time."
Now he was starting to sound desparate. It was deffinately time to shut up and stop rambling. If she still wanted him around after that he'd stick around but he's sure as hell be keeping his hands to himself. No way was he going to put them in that kind of uncomfortable situation again!
Jacen could feel Lori testing his grip while trying to distract him with her answers. Well, he wasn't goign to let her slip away that easily. As she tested it again Jacen's grip tightened every so slightly, enough to let her know he was aware of what she was doing but still gentle enough that he wouldn't be hurting her or leaving behind any bruises.
Dipping his head, Jacen ignored the neck and throat that Lori was so carefully protecting and instead place a quick kiss and nibble on the gentle swells that were still unprotected just a little bit lower.
"I'll have to remember this... you seem to handle relationship talk so much better after sex. Maybe it relaxes you."
Lifting his gaze, the man's eyes were slightly mischevous as he looked at her. "Gotta make a note to quit trying to take sex off of the table." Tilting his head to the side slightly, his eyes swept over Lori's face, trying to get some reading on what she was truly thinking.
"And don't think I missed the fact that you didn't answer my question." Jacen said before leaning down to brush a quick kiss across Lori's lips, "I'm just letting you get away with a non-answer for now... or maybe I'm not."
She had been trying to tickle him which meant that it was totally within his rights to do the same. After all, wasn't there an old saying that said all was fair in love and war? Changing his grip to try and hold both of Lori's wrists with just one of his hands, Jacen quickly moved hid now free hand down to begin tickling at the skin that ran along her hipbone and alone the waist bad of her clothing. If he was remembering correctly, that was normally a very ticklish spot.
Kealey waited until the last second but she still made it out in time as she suddenly backed a step away. Her face was red from both embarrassment and desire but the look in her eyes made it clear that she was having second thought. For a moment Jacen just looked at Kealey but then a somewhat embarrassed smile touch his lips as he dropped his hands from where they had been around the young woman's waist.
"I should be the one that's apologizing." Jacen replied as he lifted one hand, raking it through his hair while his other hand slipped into his pants pocket, "I'm the one that started to push things. I"m sorry. You've got to think I'm probably the biggest jerk you've ever met."
The magical moment had been so close and yet so far away. It was akin to a baseball game where the star hitter launches a ball toward the back fence but just as it looks like it's going to be a home run, the outfield leaps and makes an astounding catch.
"It's going... going... going... it's outa... NO! It's caught! The ball was caught!"
Now the awkwardness really set in. Even through their clothes Jacen had felt the young woman's curves pressed up against him and it was hard to forget that. Sure he would be a gentleman and stay away from that door but Kealey will still be the source of daydreams and the occasional wistful glance when he back was turned.
)