Re: Don't judge a book by it's cover. (Open, Mature?)

[Blueroanie]

Mitchell couldn't help but feel disappointed as she walked away back to the truck. He ran a hand through his and paused for a moment, watching her. But as she opened the door, he made his way to the back of the truck. He grabbed his shirt from the back and slipped it on before getting into the truck. He smelt of sweat, which he actually liked. Let him know he had accomplished something.

Without a word he started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. He made sure the music was up rather loud and occasionally stole a glance out his window at the still dark city. It was around 4 a.m. and his eyelids were growing heavy. He still had to fix the car.

He backed into his driveway, enough so that the trailer was in the garage which he had left open. It wasn't smart to leave the garage open, but he honestly didn't care. Then he jumped out and made his way to the car. He took out his pocket knife which was an extravagant looking blade and cut the ropes. Then he jumped onto the trailer and pushed the car off. It was easier pushing it off because it was slightly tilted down. Once the car was in the garage he sighed and turned to Blair. "It'll be a while. If you want I can drop you off at home."

[LoveOnHerArms]

Yawning again Blair curled up in the seat, she felt a little bad about turning away from Maverick but in the long run it was safer and better for both of them. When he got in she glanced over at him with a slight smile before yawning and closing her eyes curled up in the seat head resting on the door. The music was loud but didn't bother the girl as she dozed, not quiet falling asleep but not fully awake either, it had been a long 24 hours and she really just wanted to curl up and sleep now, yet she didn't want to be alone and Maverick was company.

When the truck stopped Blair sat up letting out a breath and blinked sleepily looking around, they were back at his place, getting out of the truck she yawned rounding the back to see if she could help any, but Maverick already had the car pushed off the ramp into the garage and was walking over to her. Blair nibbled on her bottom lip looking at him, he looked just as tired as she did, "How about we both get some sleep and you can teach me how to change the oil in the morning?" She asked but rushed on " If thats ok with you, you probably have something better to do in the morning" She rushed that all out and blushed lightly again. All of her stuff had been put in his frig and honestly Blair didn't want to go home. "I can just crash on your couch" She said with a shrug looking up at him.

[Blueroanie]

Maverick waited for her to rush out everything she was going to say and then cracked a smile. She was right, he was already tired from the busy morning. "Well sure. As long as your okay spending the morning with a strange guy." He studied her a moment and noticed the anxiety. She wanted to stay. So why would he deny a pretty girl the chance to stay only a few rooms from him?

"Take the bed. I'll grab the couch." It wasn't a question and Mitchell turned towards the house letting her know it wasn't up for argumentation. As they entered he pointed down the hall. "Room at the end you can stay in." It was a one bedroom house. He never added another, never figured he would have children. How would he be stable enough for one? And with whom? So he left it how it was.

"Sheets are clean though there are some clothes on the ground. If they get in the way just kick em to the side." He explained with a casual yet tired look on his face. No smile but no frown either. He was content and ready for some sleep.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Looking at him Blair let out a breath and nodded with a faint smile "Yeah, Im fine with it" She assured him and glanced around before looking back at him blushing lightly as he seemed to be studying her again, this time she didn't look away from him, just nibbled on her bottom lip again.

He told her he would take the couch and she got the bed before turning to the door and walked into the house leaving her to either stay in the garage or fallow, fallowing after him she looked around again. "Are you sure? Really I don't mind sleeping on the couch" She tried again looking back at him before sighing and giving up on trying and just nodded "Alright..Thanks Maverick" She gave him a faint smile "Night" She walked down into his room and looked around flicking on the light and closing the door with her foot until it clocked, she wasn't going to lock the door, after all it was his house and in a child like way she trusted Maverick.

The room was a guys room all right, clothes scattered over the floor, things laying on the night table and dressers scattered about, Blair would have been worried if it hadn't been a little messy, and it kinda looked like her own room, she tended to scatter things around. Yawning she moved to the dresser and bit down on her bottom lip, he wouldn't mind if she borrowed a shirt out he? She hopped not and opened the drawer and smiled finding she picked the right one, grabbing a shirt she closed it again, took the over sized hoodie off and pulled the shirt on, it was too big and hung on her but it was still a shirt. Yawning she crawled into the bed and curled up under the blankets, the pillow smelled like guy cologne or aftershave, either way it smelled nice, nuzzling her face more into the pillow she fell asleep quickly, curled up under the blankets.

[Blueroanie]

Maverick watched her enter his room and slowly close the door. He wanted to make sure she was okay before he headed to sleep as well. After using the restroom, he went into the living room and yawned as he stood by the couch. He took off his shirt, socks, and shoes and stretched out his arms before lying down on the couch. It had already been a long morning and he was ready to get a few hours sleep, at least till 8 or 9. He hoped Blair felt alright sleeping in his room. It had been a while since a girl slept in his bed without him...a long while.

An image of Sarah flashed through his mind and he fought back the sorrow he still felt. His mental barriers went back up as he blocked out all those horrifying memories. He tucked a pillow under his head and relaxed with a deep exhale. What was he supposed to do with life?

He closed his shop, slept with random girls for at least some affection, and he took up drinking and smoking. Speaking of alcohol, a beer sounded nice right now. Mitchell stood up and walked over to the fridge. He grabbed out a dark beer, turned off the lights in the house, and sat down on the couch. After popping off the lid he took a big swig of the beer and leaned back. 10 minutes later, Maverick was fast asleep on the couch and an empty beer bottle sat on the coffee table.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Blair didn't stir until the sun was streaming in through the windows, getting a groan from her as she nuzzled her face more into the pillow. Taking a deep breath she frowned the pillow smelled like guy not the laundry soap she used, sitting up she blinked sleepily and squinted from the sun streaming in as she looked around the room frowning and greatly confused, slowly her sleep fogged mind remember that her car refused to start and she met Maverick, thats why she was in his bed alone. Yawning she pushed bed messy hair out of her grey eyes and looked over at the clock it was almost noon. "Geez" She mumbled sliding out of the bed and pulling up the too big sweat pants that she had on, the shirt was too big too but not as bad, apparently she had found one that had to have been to small for Maverick.

Stumbling out of the room and into the living room she yawned again. Blair wasn't a quick waker it took her a while to wake up, and lots of coffee. Stretching with a soft groan she padded out into the living room to find Maverick sound asleep on the couch, a empty beer bottom sitting on the coffee table, she made a face at that before shaking her head and muttering about needing coffee. She figured he wouldn't mind she she got some going before she tried to wake him up, moving quietly into the kitchen the girl looked around for the coffee until she finely found it, figured out how to work the stupid coffee maker with a sleepy frown on her lips. When it started sputtering along happily Blair smiled a little to herself pushed hair out of her eyes again then let out a breath leaning against the counter taking deep breaths as the smell of coffee filled the room.

All in all Blair was at ease in the strangers house, she just well felt like she could trust him, and did trust him, which wasn't like the girl at all, she was normally wary of people, especially men, but it was different with Maverick for some reason. Taking a deep breath as the smell of coffee got stronger Blair let out a breath eyes closed as she felt-well at home.

[Blueroanie]

Metal crunching, flames blaring, and fear struck people. The two cars, or what was left of them, were in the intersection. The small, yellow Mazda Miata was what sent it home for Maverick. He had seen it so many mornings that he could spot it anywhere and know the owner of it. Panic struck him and he ran to the nearest officer. "W-where is she?! Where is she!?" The man held him back from the cars, well tried to. "Please sir. We don't know yet. Were trying to find out. All we know was that there was a young woman and a man. Sir. Sir look at me. Look at me." Mitchell had to use every bit of control to peel his vision away from the car, but just as he did he saw a hand and an arm inside the car. He pushed passed the car and ran. "Sarah! Sarah, dear god! It'll be okay honey!" He got to the car and expected to see her at least breathing. But what he saw would forever be engrained in his mind and haunt him forever. "S-Sarah..." He touched the hand and wept. Wept even as the cops pulled him back and outside the caution tape. "My-my girl...no..." And for weeks after, months, he was in a dream world. Barely living, but only because of his friends. However after a whole year of this, they too got sick of caring for him. So he was alone. Eventually he got back out, wound up in a bar, drunk, took some girls home, had some fun, and became addicted to the temporary happiness. Plus the alcohol and smoking helped. And...coffee?

He woke up with a groan and laid there for a moment, nightmares returning, and cravings...well craving. He sat up and looked around, wondering why the coffee was on. But then he remembered that...Blair, was it?...had spent the night. Habitually, Mav reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. He took one out and put it back in his pocket, then retrieving his lighter. He step into the kitchen and nodded a good morning. "Smells good. Nice shirt." It looked good on her, better than it ever had on him. "Gonna catch a light. Be back in a few." As much as he was addicted to smoking, he hated when the smell lingered in his house. So he went outside on the patio and lit a smoke. As he stood there feeding his addiction the sounds of his worst dreams and realities kept playing over and over like a broken record.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Hearing the groan Blair opened her eyes and held her breath for a moment before letting it out and rolling her eyes at herself, she wasn't at her dad's and Maverick wasn't going to get angry with her making coffee, or she was pretty such. She heard the sound of footsteps coming into the kitchen and gave him a light smile then laughed lightly at his comment about the shirt "Yeah? I found it and was like I have to have this" She teased smiling more. Seeing the lighter and cigarette Blair held back a face and nodded, she hated cigarettes ,cigars all of it, it reminded her too much of her dad. The coffee maker beeped happily getting a smile from Blair, then the hunt for mugs started, she opened the one right next to the maker and grinned finding the mugs. Grabbing one she poured herself a cup, set it on the counter then moved to the frig and pulled open the door and looked in, nibbling on her bottom lip, grabbing the cream he straightened up and closed the door, added a little in her coffee then took a drink sighing. "Mmmm glorious caffeine" She mumbled around the cup leaning against the counter drinking her coffee happily while Maverick smoked.

She was enjoying the peace when her stomach growled loudly demanding food. "Alright alright I'll feed you" She mumbled before taking a drink and moving to the frig again, opened the freezer part and pulled out the chicken nuggets and fries she had gotten the night before and her little tub of cherry garcia ice cream. "Now I need a cookie sheet....." She trailed off looking around the kitchen, it wasn't like the girl at all to make herself at home in a strangers kitchen none less a mans kitchen, but it was different here, she had seen the empty loneliness in Mavericks eyes, the pain and just the bleakness of it, oh he hid it well but when you look yourself in the mirror and see that look everyday, you can see it. Blair was a outgoing person when she wasn't scared or hadn't been around her dad for a little while. Nibbling on her bottom lip she looked around for a cookie sheet muttering under her breath as well, her coffee mug in one hand, she was on her second cup, the girl could drink a pot on her own and not get jittery.

[Blueroanie]

After Maverick finished his cigarette he pondered on having another. But when he heard Blair in the kitchen he sighed and stopped out the cigarette on the cement. Walking back in, he had to chuckle at the sight. Frozen food on the counter, ice cream as well, and Blair with her still sleepy look and a mug of coffee in hand. For that instance she looked just like Sarah, who would always be craving coffee and ice cream in the morning though she loved Turtle Tracks the most. He studied her a moment and couldn't deny the fact that her energy somewhat transferred to him.

He walked over with a chuckle and opened up a drawer under the oven. In it were pans and pie tins of all sizes. "Why don't we slow down on the coffee if your gonna cook. Don't wanna lose my house." He winked up at her as he grabbed two cookie sheets. "I eat a lot so let's make a few batches. Got a sweet tooth." Gently, he took the mug from Blair's hand and set it on the counter. "You're gonna be in the restroom all morning if you keep guzzling it the way you are." He laughed and caught himself by surprise. Since when did he laugh so...naturally? It had been a long time and he had to say it was very nice.

He took a bowl from under the counter next to the fridge and a few cooking utensils in the drawers. "Ready chef?" A warm morning smile was on his face and the smell of smoke lingered.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Looking around for the cookie sheet's Blair huffed softly getting annoyed that she couldn't find any, taking a drink of her coffee she pulled up the sweatpants that were falling down her hips again, that and she kept stepping on the bottom's again, she would have to roll them up again soon, other wise she'd end up on her face or butt. Nibbling on her bottom lip, she pushed hair out of her eyes then looked over hearing a chuckle and blushed lightly but put her free hand on her hip, her beloved mug of coffee in her other hand. He just studied her moment not saying anything, but she saw a look in his eyes, like he was reliving a memory, Blair tilted her head to the side looking back at him not saying anything yet.

He seemed to snap out of it and walk over to her chuckling, like she amused him, yeah that wasn't anything new, her brother said she always amused him greatly. He pulled open the drawer under the over and Blair huffed rolling her eyes at herself, under the over, why hadn't she looked there? "Oh ha-ha, your soo funny" She grumbled and took a drink of her coffee just for him, "You have a sweet tooth for chicken nuggets and fries?" She asked smiling and looking at him amused, she let out a sound of protest when he gently took her mug from her and placed it o the counter, and snorted after he talked about her being in the bathroom all morning if. "You obviously don't know a caffeine addicted girl then" She told him but smiled when he laughed, it was well nice to hear him laugh.

Moving to the over she turned it on, having memorized the set for the nuggets and the fries long ago, and looked back over ta Maverick and laughed nodding "Yup" Yawning lightly she opened the bag of nuggets dumped almost the whole bag onto the tray straightened them out little before putting it into the over, he smelled lightly of smoke but Blair ignored it as she put the fires in the over as well then looked over at him. "Where do ya keep the spoons at?" She asked leaning against the counter again slowly moving back to her mug of coffee, she would eat the ice cream with her fingers but Maverick did have spoons, once she had one she smiled her thanks and took the lip off. Taking a deep breath of the sweet rich smelling frozen cream Blair dug her spoon in and let out a soft moan as she sucked it off the spoon, Blair loved Ben&Jerry's Cherry Garcia and could eat it all day, and with the tub being small she found no need for a bowl. Happily she sucked the ice cream off the spoon before digging back into the tub, slowly she grabbed her mug and took a drink of it before hoping up onto the counter. It was bad manners acting like she owned the place or knew Maverick for ages but she just felt as ease here. "Want some?" She asked offering him the tub, she loved the stuff but was willing to share...sometimes.

[Blueroanie]

Those pants, he loved them on her. Yes they were too big and she kept stepping on them, but it just increased her character. Here was an attractive, modest, funny, and welcoming girl in his clothes in his kitchen. Her laughter was contagious as well as her smile.

He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Chicken and fries?" The whole time he had thought she was going to make cookies. Suddenly he laughed and shook his head. Wow he must still be waking up. As Blair poured the frozen food on the tray, Mitchell walked to the fridge and pulled out some Coke and Jim Beam. He walked to the nearest cabinet and grabbed out a beer mug. Then he poured 3/4 of Coke in, adding a generous amount of Red Stag Jim Beam.

Just as he was about to take a sip his cellphone rang. He frowned as he pulled it from his pocket. Caller id said it was someone named Caroline. Which one was that? Was that last night? Or was that Emily? The alcohol and cigarettes had loosened his nerves enough to make him a bit curious to see what this woman wanted, deep down hoping he might get lucky. Sighing he looked up at Blair and said, "Sorry I gotta take this. It'll only take a minute." Then he stepped outside.

After closing the door he pressed the call button to answer it. "Hello?" He asked in his gruff smoker voice.

(Dark Blue is Mav, Red is Caroline)

"Hey baby, we're having a party tonight. I want you to come over and enjoy yourself sweetie." It was a sexy and smooth voice, but one also labored with drugs.
Maverick ran a hand through his hair and thought about Blair. "I can't. I'm busy tonight."
The voice became persistent. "Forget about whoever she is. Hun, it's me you want. It's me who needs you. Mav, I *want* you."
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply, controlling his rising hormones. "I can't. I'm not doing that tonight. Or any other night for that matter. There's plenty of guys at the club." ~I should get a medal or something for doing this...~
Suddenly she became angry and her voice was crisp. "You asshole Mitchell Smith! What is wrong with you?! You falling for some bitch?! I'm telling you now, she doesn't give a damn about you! You have money and you're fucking sexy! But your personality sucks! You're better off with someone who will use those things to their fullest!"
As much as he knew she was probably high or drunk...or both, he couldn't help but ponder on her words. But he hid his obviously hurt feelings. "You mean take advantage of me. If there's one thing about me you should know...Alice? It's that I am the one who takes advantage of people. You have nothing. I have everything. I'm the winner here no matter how hard you try. Go back to your 'job' you slut and leave my life out of this. I'm done with you and am moving on." And with that he hung up.

After drinking half of his mug in only a few moments, Maverick entered the house with a heavy heart. But he hid it, just like everything else, and once again covered up with a smirk. He realized how hard it was to even do that. "Sorry about that. Smells good." It really did. The chicken smelt delicious.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Leaning against the counter happily sucking ice cream off the spoon she looked over at Maverick with one brow raised and nodded "Yeah, what did you think I was making?" She asked but smiled when he laughed with a shake of his head, a rush of pride went through Blair, she had gotten him to laugh, that was good right? As silly at it sounded she felt a little more special about that, getting him to laugh. Watching him she eat her ice cream and held back a face watching him spike his Coke, she wasn't a big drinker, one or two drinks and she was done.

She was about to check of the food when his phone started making noise, tilting her head to the side a little she looked at him the spoon in her mouth. She wondered who it was but wasn't going to ask, sitting on the counter legs swinging gently she looked at him the spoon still in her mouth. "Go ahead, it's your house" She told him taking the spoon out of her mouth and watched him walk back outside. Blair shrugged to herself and went back to eating her ice cream waiting for the chicken and fries to hurry up and cook, her stomach kept growling wanting food.

Hopping off the counter she checked on the chicken and grinned seeing that everything looked done, she left it in a little longer while Maverick was outside. Sucking ice cream off her spoon she looked over when he walked in and saw the look in his eyes, oh he hid it well but when you played the same game, it wasn't hard to tell that something was wrong, he was doing his best to cover it up with a smirk. Blair wanted to find out what was wrong and try and help but she held back her tongue and took the spoon out of her mouth set it on the counter next to her ice cream and looked at him. "It's not a big deal, yeah it dose and its done. Where are your over mitts or a towel?" She asked so she could take it out of the oven, moving over she turned the over off and pulled up the sweatpants again, rolling them up again around her waist, so they would stay up better.

Pulling her messy bed hair back into a messy bun she gave him a smile, stepping out of the way when he took the stuff out of the oven. She put the ice cream away and smiled taking a deep breath of the food " Mmmmm.." She breathed it out, then nibbled on her bottom lip opening a cabinet looking for the plates.

[Blueroanie]

Maverick saw a strange look in her expression. It looked like concern, but he doubted that was it. No one had ever cared about his issues nor could anyone tell that something was wrong. To the world he was a happy, rich, and sexy man that could have anything he wanted at the snap of his fingers. But what was he really? He couldn't seem to pinpoint it but he knew it was somewhere around depressed, rich, and addicted nobody that couldn't seem to find his place in the world. He was a kink in the system, a mistake that was over-looked. If there was a God, where was he now and why would He keep him alive?

Mav exhaled and walked over to the oven. "Right here babe." It was a term he used for most girls and he wondered how she would react. He saw that she had stepped back to allow him to fetch the food so instead of getting the oven mitts he rolled down his sweatshirt sleeve to cover his hand and pulled the food out of the oven. He glanced over at Blair with a smile as if to say 'Yeah, I'm too badass for oven mitts' and then he looked back at the food. "Damn haven't had a good meal in...a long time. Even if it is frozen."

"Here I'll get them. You made the food." He opened up a cabinet, fetched out two plates, and set them on the island. He grabbed his beer, thankful for the alcohol, and set it in front of one of the plates. Then he grabbed an oven mitt from the drawer, set it on the island, and put the pan on it to keep it from burning the wood. "Bon Appetit!" He chuckled then took a seat at one of the stools, one leg resting on a high wrung making him look very relaxed. He grabbed three chicken strips and a handful of fries, and put them on his plate quickly before they burnt his hands. "If you need any utensils they're in the drawer there." He pointed to one of the drawers. His manners were sometimes lacking only because he didn't care. He cared about nothing, what was the point?

[LoveOnHerArms]

Moving out of the way Blair raised a eyebrow looking over at him when he called her 'babe' god that was one thing she hated, being called babe or baby or any other annoying name random men called her, sure she was fine with her brother calling her by his nickname for her and when ever she really did get a boyfriend not that she saw that happening any time soon, she was fine with him calling her babe but from random men? Nope, now Maverick was helping her out and she wasn't going to snap back like she did most the time, after all she was in his clothes, at his house. Shaking it off Blair looked over at him as he got the pan out of the over, using the sleeve of his sweatshirt. Rolling her eyes Blair smiled a little more at the smile and look he gave her.

Going back to looking for the plates Blair laughed "It's just frozen chicken and fries, nothing special" Still looking for the plates she looked over at him and stepped back "alright thanks" She grabbed her mug filled it with more coffee before setting it down on the island on one of the stools watching him, she chuckled and shook her head with a light smile on her lips, looking back at Maverick she saw him relax viably, that was a good thing right? "Nah Im good" She leaned over and grabbed some chicken then some fries, popped a fry into her mouth she chewed looking around the kitchen before jumping up and walking over to the frig, looking in she hummed softly until she found what she as looking for the ketchup and mayo, grabbing a spoon she sat back down. Ok so Blair's manners weren't the best when she was alone, but she really didn't care. Dunking a fry into the mayo she smiled then looking over at him eating.

"Can I watch when you fix my car? Ya know so I know what to do if it happens again.." She trailed off with a small sweet smile, she knew it would most likely happen again, she was terrible with cars, she could changed a tire and last time she did that it took her almost a hour, that was about all she could do with a car. Eating happily the girl was more relaxed then she was that night, being away from her dad or anything that had to do with him always got her more relaxed and calm. "What do you do? Like for work or all day long?"

[Blueroanie]

"More special than the same frozen pizza every night." He laughed at his own humor but to another party it may not be as funny, more like discerning. A man like him should be married and already started a family. But that was pushed out of his mind a long time ago. He didn't want his heart broken again and he didn't want to hurt anyone. If he couldn't give any girl his whole being, mental and physical, than he wasn't being what she needed. So he left the love thing to more moral and 'right' people.

Mav raised an eyebrow at the mayo but didn't say a thing. He knew people with weirder eating habits, this one wasn't too new to him. But it amused him that she felt so comfortable in his house. It was different, but not in a bad way. Then she smiled. He hadn't seen her smile so genuinely before, though they had only met a couple of hours ago. It was warm but electrical in a way. It made him smile as well and temporarily made him forget about the phone call though some of that was due to the alcohol.

He finished his mug and felt the warmness of a very slight buzz. He was a talented alcoholic, if there is such a thing, and could drink a lot before finally getting drunk. And you never want to see him drunk. "Yea I don't care. Might get boring and my company isn't te greatest, but if you want you can."

He finished in a short time though he tried to eat slow. When he was done he put the dishes in the sink and grabbed a Leinenkugel from the fridge. "I'll start in a little bit, let brunch settle in first."

[LoveOnHerArms]

Blair ate happily dunking her fries and chicken into the ketchup or mayo looking over at Maverick or looking around his place thinking, it was so odd that she felt well safe and at home in his house a strangers house she was relaxed and not worried about anything happening to her, it was odd. Drinking her coffee she smiled a little as the caffeine started going through her veins, her brother and the few friends joked that she bled caffeine and it was true, she didn't get jittery or overly hyper from it.

Finishing she tilted her head to the side looking at him and shrugged "I wouldn't say your company or personality is bad. You helped a stranded girl in a parking lot at three in the morning and let her stay at your house, sleep in your bed and ware your clothes and is going to fix her car. Call me crazy but I'd say thats more of a hero them some boring jerk" She shrugged again and finished her coffee, getting to her feet Blair put her dishes in the sink and up the mayo and ketchup away, before looking over at him and nodding "Alright, where are the bags so I can put the food in the frig" Ok so he was a big drinker as long as he didn't get too drunk Blair would be fine. Shaking her head at herself the girl moved back to the pan, grabbed it and set it on the over, it wasn't hot anymore.

After he gave her a bag she put everything in it and set that in his frig before looking around the kitchen nibbling on her bottom lip, a though kept trying to creep into her mind, one that she was refusing to think about, she had the day off he couldn't do anything about that or her car not working, it would be alright. She only hopped that was true, with a shiver Blair snapped out of her thoughts and looked over at him "Is Maverick your real name or just a nickname?"

[Blueroanie]

Maverick chuckled and swirled his beer a few times as he listened. "Well I saw a helpless and stressed out young woman who just needed a hand. I'm an easy going guy and had nothing to do today." ~Or any other day.~ But he didn't say that part, it was bitter and not something she needed to hear. He thought about the hero thought and about Sarah. And he muttered something as he got up to get a bag. "If I was a hero, life would be a lot different..." If she heard it, whatever. He wasn't ready to explain or even talk about his greatest wound.

He handed her the bag and then stepped back, grabbing his beer again. He saw her zone out for a moment as she looked around. He wondered what it was about but didn't want to pry. Everyone to their own. Besides he doubted he could help with whatever it was and doubted she would even tell him. So instead he acted as if he hadn't noticed and went on to answering her question. "Well everyone calls me Maverick or Mav. My real name is Mitchell Smith. If you use that name most people won't know who you are talking about. What about you?" He figured Blair was her name because he couldn't think of anything it would be short for but he didn't know and wanted to continue the conversation.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Blair smiled small looking over at him but didn't say anything as he explained why he had helped her, he could call it what he wanted but in her book, he was falling under the category 'Hero', maybe it was just because the only other hero she knew what her brother, but Blair tended to see the best in people and well she saw something in Maverick under the mask and game he played, the scary part was Blair wanted to help him see that himself, that was dangerous thinking right there. She hear him mutter and paused for a moment before letting it go and put the food away.

Looking over at him once the food was put away and she had pushed the thoughts back Blair smiled lightly listening to him and nodded "Mitchell Smith huh? Hmm well you do look more like a Maverick or Mav " With a shrug of her shoulders Blair smiled a little more "My brother calls me Graceful, but thats only because my balance sucks and I tend to break things but in high school my nickname was 'Kicks' from soccer, nothing great" She shrug again and looked at him nibbling on her bottom lip again. "What do you do for fun? OR what do you do for a living? You've gotta have something better to do then fix my car" She pointed out leaning against the counter pulling up the sweats up once again, so they wouldn't fall down, the shirt wasn't too bad it hung on her but it didn't completely swallow her.

[Blueroanie]

Mitchell walked over to the sink and washed his hands thoroughly. The cool liquid running over his skin gave him chills. He then turned off the faucet and grabbed the towel hanging off a drawer handle to dry his hands. Once he finished he tossed the towel on the counter and stepped aside near the table again. "Graceful huh? I can see it. I called my mom that when I was little. She was always spilling something or knocking stuff over." He smiled warmly at the image of his mother cooking at the oven. His mother was beautiful, always attracting attention from men but she found love in his father, the local mechanic. His father taught him everything he knows about cars and trucks.

Her question was a simple one but for him he wasn't sure how to answer. Lie, which is what he normally did, or tell the truth for once. Blair for some reason was different, he would feel bad about lying to her. So he took a swig from his beer and cleared his throat, loving the burn from the alcohol. "Well to be honest I don't have a job. Friends come to me with car trouble but I don't require a fee." However he didn't say what he DID do all day which normally was parties and women.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Leaning against the counter staying out of the way Blair hugged herself loosely and smiled lightly as Maverick told her that he used to call his mom Graceful "That sounds like me" The smile on her lips grew a little as she looked at Maverick waiting for a answer. She was curious on what he did for fun and well in general. Listening she tilted her head to the side a little nibbling on her bottom lip gently, so he didn't have a job? That meant he had money right? That or he..Yeah Blair didn't have another answer , so he didn't have a job and worked on his friends cars with no charge.

"I see...Soo I take it you have money then? Or won the lottery" Blair wasn't sure which one but he had to money if he didn't have a job, he lived in a amazing house and the clothes he wore were all the top brands. Pushing stray hair out of her face Blair looked at him and smiled lightly at the look on his face "Hey Im just wondering, Im a very nosy person" A small grin came onto her lips now. She was joking! Blair was joking and teasing Maverick! The man she met only hours before and here she was in his clothes, standing in his house relaxed and feeling well more safe then she'd felt in a while. Grinning at him she chuckled pulling the sweatpants up more on her waist and rolled them a couple more times. His shirt hung on her but it wasn't too bad, and it covered her fully thats what Blair liked the most about it.

[Blueroanie]

Maverick didn't like how close to an uncomfortable subject they were getting to. Money led to spare time hobbies and he didn't know if he could lie to her. However, he shot her a smile and answered her questions. "Well my family is one of...shall we say influential lineage. On my mother's side. My father was only a mechanic but he married rich and I inherited everything when they passed. So yea, I've got just a tad more than the average citizen." It wasn't a crack at humor the way he said the last part, it was just that he hated gloating about what he had it made him feel...well just like a bad person.

He cracked a smile as she explained that he was a nosy person. "Naw it's quite alright." Though to him it really wasn't. It wasn't Blair's fault, more like it was his own. "So uhh...what about you? You were at a grocery store at 3 in the morning and now you aren't even worried about work or anything while you are here. Nothing to do today?" Maverick took another swig from his beer and then leaned up against the island.

He had to say, Blair was pretty cute. Especially in his clothes. ~Damn, they look so much better on her...~ Normally, Maverick would have just taken the girl to bed and had some fun. But it was different this time. He felt as if Blair was a pure, china doll that he had to be careful with or else he might hurt or damage her. Though his thoughts were kept to himself and so he didn't block them. ~That's a new look that I don't see often. No high heels, no perfume, no low cut dresses...I could get used to this.~ There was a bit of forlorn as he thought this. Here was a cute, attractive girl in his kitchen, in his clothes, and as comfortable as can be and he knew that she would never go out with a guy like him, at least that was his thoughts. It was unusual for him to have a girl so close to him yet one that hasn't slept with him, hasn't partied with him, or hasn't even tried to get that sort of attention out of him. For a moment he thought about this but then looked down for a moment. He was alone and had already met someone who owned his heart. Now that she was gone there was nothing left of him to love. Just an empty shell. He took a longer swig from his beer and then looked back up at Blair with a smile, one that hid so much.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Listening to him Blair nibbled on her bottom lip lightly, so his father married into money one question came to the girls mind. Did his dad loved his mom? It was silly but thats what Blair wanted to know, not that she would ever ask him that. She was nosy yes but that just seemed too rude for her to ask, now if she knew him better, she would have asked but not now. He said passed, that meant both his parents were dead didn't it? Blair wasn't sure if that was another question that was safe for her to ask. Maverick didn't seem to like answering personal question, she could see it in his eyes. Blair understood, she played the same game but this man interested her, she wanted to know more about him. Wanted to know what the deep hurt was all about that he was hiding from the world.

When the questions got turned to her a flash of something that looked a lot like panic flashed through Blair's stormy grey eyes, her left hand reached up and gently grazed her slightly bruised cheek before she even realized she had done it. Quickly her hand dropped to her side and Blair tried to shrug it off with a half smile. "It had been a long day...and I wanted junk food. And for work.." It's not a lie, you have the day off "I have the day off. So yeah nothing to do today" The smile looked a little more forced and fake as she looked at Maverick. Blair was worried...God how she was scared and worried that her dad would call and started yelling at her. Maybe he hasn't found out about last night yet...Maybe that jerk won't tell his dad..Oh god please don't let dad find out Blair seemed to pale a little as she bit down on her bottom lip staring off into space, stray golden brown hair falling and framing her face, but she didn't touch it just bit down on her bottom lip.

The music had been to loud to the girl, she didn't want to be there with four guys but she didn't have a choice in the matter. She had sat in the booth while the club moved around her, Blair just working on keeping the guys hands off her, she didn't dare let her guard down not with them trying to grope or grab her. She knew what they wanted but it wasn't going to happen, but Jeremy just wouldn't stop, he was too close trying to grab her, feel her up and just wouldn't take no for a answer. Blair had done with it out really thinking, just how Tony had taught her. Her fist had landed right on Jeremy's jaw, he hadn't been expecting it that with the force of it he stumbled back and held his jaw in shock. That shock turned to anger real fast but before he could do anything Blair had grabbed her things and raced to the doors stumbling in her heels. She had gotten out safe but it wasn't the anger of Jeremy she was scared about no it was the rage of her dad that had the girl terrified. If he found of she hit one of his business partners sons...Blair shuttered at the thought. Biting down harder on her bottom lip, the borrowed sweat pants once again low on her hips, her feet hidden by the bottoms. The girl pulled herself more into herself before a sound pulled her back into reality.

Sucking in a sharp breath Blair let go on her bottom lip and looked at Maverick slightly confused as she pulled the sweatpants back up, the tips of her toes now showing. "Hmm? What did you say?" She asked putting on a small smile, it was forced but Blair was trying her best. God everything had been going great, she hadn't been scared or even thinking about any of that before now. No she had felt safe and well at ease, that was all shattered now as her dad crept back into her mind, that fear coming back to her. Pushing hair back she looked at him hoping he'd just drop it. It was safer that way, Blair couldn't let him get hurt, not after he came to her rescue last night. No she just couldn't let that happen, not again. He didn't have to know what went on behind closed doors, he'd be safe that way.

[Blueroanie]

Immediately, Maverick felt guilty. The reaction he had seen from her was first panic, followed by sadness and a mixture of hurt. After that he couldn't tell. He cleared his throat, the room feeling as if it got stale. "Ahh...I see. Good. That way I won't be in a rush to fix your car." He said to expertly change the subject. But she seemed to zone out and when she came to she hadn't heard him.

Mav stood up, grabbed his beer, and walked over to the counter. He set the empty glass on the beautiful countertop and saw his reflection in the shiny sink next to him. His appearance was gruff and masculine, though he put no effort into looking nice. He never did. Yes he was clean and smelt good, showers an every day ritual of course, and his clothes were all top brand but he honestly did nothing else. Maybe 5 minutes in the morning. That was all.

He exhaled slowly and let a hint of tiredness go with it. Not physical tiredness but...well every other kind. For a moment he looked at his reflection again and this time saw the exhaustion. ~Oh Sarah...if only you were here. You would bring me back to life.~ After taking some effort to hide it, he turned and smiled at Blair. "Well I guess I should get dressed." He chuckled and inched around the island. "I'm not sure if I will have anything smaller but I could check." He thought he looked fine but he wasn't sure if she felt the same way.

[LoveOnHerArms]

Blair just merely nodded having a hard time finding her words as she looked over at Maverick watching him walk over to the counter, biting down on her bottom lip again the girl hugged herself. She glanced over at the man standing over the sink before looking down at the ground and closed her eyes for a moment. Slowly pulling herself back together, pushing down the fear that was trying to consume her. Letting out a shaky breath Blair opened her eyes again looking back over at Maverick as he turned and smiled at her, but the pain in his eyes seemed to shine through clearly.

God despite everything that was going on in Blair's crazy and messed up life, she wanted to help Maverick so badly it hurt a little. She just wanted to know why he was hiding behind a mask, what demons where terrorizing him and everything in between. Lips parted she went to say something before stopping herself and shook her head slightly before putting on a faint smile, this time it wasn't forced. "Well if you can find anything smaller I'd really appreciate it" The smile grew a little more on her lips, "Because I might just kill myself walking in theses" She said gesturing to the sweatpants that hung on her hips, she was fine with how she looked. Hell she was fully covered comfy and warm but the sweatpants were way to long for her and well it was only a matter of time before she'd end up on her butt or face.

"But if you can't find anything Im fine" She rushed to assure him before pushing hair out of her eyes and smiled lightly, slowing starting to feel relaxed and safe again.

[Blueroanie]

Maverick took a moment to glance down at Blair's sweatpants. "Yeah I would have to agree on that." He began walking down the hallway to his bedroom. "Be right back Grace." The young man disappeared to his room but only a second afterward his head peeped out. "And no peeking." Again he winked at Blair before going into his room the second time and closing the door. Once inside the privacy of his room, Mitchell lost the mask he was wearing and instead was just his core self. He had a frown and the stress of life could almost be seen and felt in every inch of his being just by looking at him.

With a heavy hearted sigh, Mav walked over to his walk-in closet and began rifling through the clothes. He had to have something small. The racks proved helpless and so he pulled a box off the top shelf. "Aha. Forgot about these." He carried the box over to his bed and sat down next to it, diving into it to find anything small-ish. "Let's see..." He held up many different kinds of shirts and near the end he came across something that he had completely blocked from his mind. Blocked so well that the sight of them shocked him into a numb state for just a moment. Underneath a blue t-shirt that he had just pulled away there was a cherry red blouse and a pair of light blue skinny jeans folded nice and neat. Mitchell's hand were trembling as he finally harnessed the nerve to pull the shirt out, then the pants, and hold them in his hands, staring at the fabric as if it was a ghost from the past which in a sense...was. "Oh Sarah..."

The words caught in his throat as he found it impossible to cry. He had done that so much already that the action was practically impossible for him. Many times he tried and in his deepest moment of depression he hurt himself purposefully to see if he would cry. There scars on his back from what he attempted in his near insane state.

The next half hour he laid on the bed, holding the woman's clothes again his chest and just staring into space. It would have been another hour or so before he stirred if something inside of him didn't jostle him. ~Blair!...I forgot...~ In his shock he had completely forgot the young woman whom he had saved just that morning and who was probably still sitting in his kitchen. Quickly he got up and went back into his closet. He grabbed this shirt...which showed off his engagement rings, his and Sarah's rings:


...and a baggy pair of dark blue jeans. High fashion outfit that had recently been brought to style in menswear. He grabbed the blouse and skinny jeans with care and after looking at them for another moment he left the room and walked back down the hall. For a second he stopped in the bathroom and fixed his hair, making it look spiked, before heading into the living room. (Hope you don't mind but I figured Blair would have moved to the living room since he took a while.) "Hey, sorry it took a while to find something. Forgot I had these from my ex. It was in the donate box but I figured you would want something nicer to wear. Technically telling the truth, he gently set the clothes on the arm rest of the couch and then sat down in one of the lounge chairs. His gaze kept avoiding the clothes and instead he looked over at Blair as he waited for her response.

[Sponsored content]