Opposite Reflections - closed

[silken_dreammaid]

Please note: this is a closed thread for spellcaster73au and silken_dreammaid


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Rose Anne Bayley sat at her desk in her small office and stared at the blue screen on her monitor.
"This is not good," she muttered.
Her slender fingers were fisted into her palms on either side of the keyboard. Her back was straight and tensed and her teeth clenched at her bottom lip. Her green eyes were tired and filled with frustrated worry. She flipped her shoulder length red-brown hair back and started tapping at the keyboard again.
No luck. The blue screen flickered into a new one and then another and another.
"Okay," she said on a deep breath and reached across to turn the hard drive off. She waited while the system shut down and then turned it back on.. straight into another blue screen.
Anne, not even the personnel department knew her full baptismal name, bit back a curse and tried again.

Anne had just turned 30, she had worked hard to get where she was. A nice comfortable position in the lower rungs of upper management. Maybe in a few more years she could look higher, but for the moment she was well satisfied. She had a nice apartment, last year's model car and seemed to lack nothing.
So focused had she been on getting a successful career and the finer things of life, she had lost touch with reality in many ways. Tough and uncompromising, efficient and a workaholic, she had been all of those to succeed, and Rose had been hidden by the more sophisticated Anne.
Which was why she was at her desk at 6.30pm on a Friday night, working on reports that her computer had just eaten.

"Damned machine," she cursed and opened her drawer for the company register. One manicured nail ran over the laminated sheet while she picked up the phone with the other. Rapidly punching in the numbers for the computer department, she leant back in her chair and stared morosely at the screen as the phone rang.
It rang again and again and she suddenly realised that they probably had all gone home and that there was no-one there.
"Damn."
She was on the point of slamming the receiver down when it was picked up and an angry voice echoed against her ear.

 

[Henry]

Aidan Luke Ross

OOC:

Aidan Luke Ross , mid 30's, 5'8, short light brown hair, blue eyes, wears glasses.



IC:

Aidan Luke Ross sat at his desk looking at the remnants of another screwed and stuffed hard drive, the fault of the manufacturer and negligence from the user. The company needed to train their staff more when using the computers but i was only technical support so i had no pulling power there. My job was to fix everyone elses mistakes or problems as soon as i could but i didn't mind i had everything i could ever want. A humble life with a good job, a nice small unit and a motorbike to get to and from work.

All during the day the phone had rung from various departments wanting work done and as i took a few minutes to take a few sips of coke and look over one of the latest problems waiting to be fixed i cursed and pounded the desk. Will these people ever learn that disk drives are for disks not everything else to be shoved in there.

The clock neared 6:30 pm and my night was far from over , for the last half and hour at least i had been receiving phone call after phone call from this one worker. The phone rung again and thinking it was the worker again i picked it up and answered it.

"What is it now, can't you do anything right" i rather angrily said into the phone.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne blinked at the annoyed words coming from the phone, her left eyebrow rose high.
"Excuse me," she said in a slightly lofty tone, thinking who the hell does he think I am. There was a sudden silence on the line.
"This is the computer department I am speaking to, isn't it?" Anne said, in a doubting voice.
She listened to receiver squeaking in reply.
"Yes, look, that's all very well, but my computer has died and I need it looked at right away."
She kept punching the keyboard as she listened, watching blue screens flicker, clear and then flicker again.
"Yes, I do know it is late.. Yes, I have tried everything I can think of to fix it." Anne sighed and said in her most reasonable voice. "Look, please, all I need is for someone to tell me what's wrong with it and how long to get fixed. Surely that's not too much trouble?" She smiled, trying to project a warmth into her words.
She listened and nodded. "Thank you... Ms Bayley, 5th floor.. I will be waiting, thank you again."
Anne sighed, half relieved and half annoyed. It upset her pride slightly to have to ask for help, any sort of help. She knew she wasn't a computer expert, but surely this couldn't be too hard to fix. I hope he can fix it tonight, she thought, then I can get those reports done.

While she waited for the computer guy to appear, she kept on trying different key combinations, restarting, rebooting, getting more and more frustrated with the recalcitrent machine. Suddenly she looked up.
There, in her door way, stood a man looking in hesitantly. Of medium height and brown hair, he seemed harmless.
"Ms Bayley?"
She nodded, thinking ahhh the computer guy at last and then suddenly realising that she didn't know his name,

 

[Henry]

Aidan

The phone call was not who i had been expecting and i felt something of a complete dill for having acted that way and speaking the way i had. Having jotted down the name and floor number i took a few tools and disks with me hoping that i could fix it tonight as time wasn't important to me much outside of work.

In the elevator my heart pounded and breathing got a little faster as this had been one of the few times i had spoken to someone who seemed to be able to operate a computer properly and try many things to get it back working again. The elevator stopped and nerves kicked in big time as i walked casually down the hallway. Stopping at the doorway to where i should be i noticed a lady sitting at her desk trying frantically to get the computer working, she was most certainly persistent i thought to myself as she turned to face me.

"Ms Bayley, sorry for my earlier actions and words my name is Aidan from the computer department."

Taking a few deep breaths i walked a little way into her office and noticed the screen flickering on the computer and exchanging eye contact i started to speak as i moved closer to the desk where the computer sat breathing in her beauty and fragrance.

"I see that is the cause of your trouble, do you mind if i take a peek at it. Hopefully i can get it back in working order tonight for you."

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne watched as he entered the room, his eyes flickering from hers to the computer and back.
She eased back in her chair and waved her hand at the screen.
"By all means, feel free to try." A slightly cynical tone overlaid her voice as she stood up and moved past him. Not much taller than she was in her low heels, she still had to look up at him.
She moved to perch on the corner of her desk, her skirt pulled just above her knee, as she swung her free leg.
"I've tried rebooting and all the commands I can think of," Anne said as she watched him settle into her chair.
"I can't get back in to try a scan, I'm assuming my reports have been totally lost now. Nothing seems to shift the blue screens, except more of them."
She watched as he looked at computer, seeing the screen reflected in the lenses of his glasses.
"I just don't know what else to try, which is why I called you." She paused.
"I'm just glad you were still in your office. I do apologise for keeping you back." Anne said, half automatically thinking that people skills were not so far beyond her, although she did feel a slight warmth behind her words. After all, not everyone was the workaholic she was.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Feeling her move past me as i sat down in the chair to look at the computer i heard her words and smiled softly. Out of the corner of my eye i noticed her sit on the desk letting one leg swing and moving a little in the chair i started to tap away at a few keys but only kept managing to get the blue screen. Listening as she spoke i knew that she definitely knew more about computers than most here and that was a good thing.

I continued to work away at the computer and checking all the connections as well i tried several reboots and taking out a disk even tried to boot it that way, no good. Something must be wrong internally and that was not going to be a quick process although i could prioritise the jobs i had and get it back to her by Monday morning at the earliest i thought to myself.

"I'm just glad you were still in your office. I do apologise for keeping you back."

Hearing these words as i still tried working on the computer that definitely seemed to have a mind all of its own i moved in the chair and turned to face her, our eyes meeting and breathing in her beauty i took a few deep breaths.

"Ms Bayley i usually work quite late so that is not a problem, you could say im addicted to my work."

Pausing briefly i felt a little flustered by her presence but i knew i had to overcome this somehow or her computer may not get fixed.

"I can get working on the computer tonight and return it to you early monday morning. your files are not lost either, they are just hidden from us" i said softly.

Standing up i was about to reach around behind the computer and not realising how close she was my hand brushed against hers as she sat on the desk.

"Sorry about that" i stammered.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne watched as he picked and fiddled with her computer. Geek, she thought privately as she listened to him speaking. They never looked their age, these geeky ones, she knew, and he looked no older than 25. Probably has a list of indecipherable letters after his name and has taken every course available, subscribes to every computing magazine and probably dreams in binary numbers.
Anne turned her bottom lip down when he said Monday, biting back a retort. After all the reports were not due til the end of the week, she could wait, she didn't have to always be a week ahead of everyone else. It's just that it niggled at her, like it always did when something wouldn't behave to her pre-set expectations.
"I understand," she replied, trying to hide her annoyance. There were some things she couldn't control, like the weather and the sun rising and now it seemed, her damned computer. But if the files were just hidden, that was something to salvage from this. She wouldn't have to redo everything, hopefully, and ignored the pessimistic forebodings in her mind.
He stood up and reached around to the back of the hard drive and she felt his hand brush against hers. She heard his stammered words and her eyes widened.
He was blushing! Anne would have sworn it. She couldn't remember the last time she saw anyone, especially a man, blush. And just from accidently touching her hand. It hadn't been intentional, even Anne could see that, but the strange thing was, seeing him blush made her more aware of the touch.
Normally it wouldn't rated a mention, let alone an apology, yet his blushing seemed to make it more than it was.
Anne stared at him then realised she wasn't being very polite and blushed herself.
"Umm, it's fine, it's nothing, it's ok, I'll move." Anne cringed inside at her flustered voice. Where was the control she always had? She backed off the desk and moved a step back, wondering what the hell was happening. His blushing had upset her balance somewhere and she wasn't sure why or how it had happened.
She took a deep breath and smoothed her palms down her skirt, wondering at their sudden heat.
She parted her lips to speak and the lights suddenly flickered and a rumble of thunder echoed through the office. A flash of lightening shafted against the blinds of her office window.
Anne felt herself tilting mentally, first the computer not doing as she expected, the disruption to her exacting routine, the flusterment at his blush and now, what appeared, to be a storm outside. Her rigid self-control felt like it was slipping and she struggled to regain her mental balance enough to impose some control over the situation, but the lights flickering again seemed to refuse her that protection.
"What now?!" She exclaimed, looking up at the lights with a glare, her eyes angry and baffled, thinking, this isn't happening, this isn't going to happen, everything will be back on track very soon and I will be fine and everything else had better be fine too.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Hearing her move from the table and stepping back i wondered what she was thinking of me. I had only really studied computers and felt a little uncomfortable in the presence of females eve though i liked them quite a lot. She was a fine specimen of a lady that i could quite easily get to know better if only i could overcome my nerves around the opposite sex.

I heard her mutter as the lights overhead flickered from the storm that seemed to come from nowhere. Had this been a way for me to get closer to her, like a message from above i wondered as i finished dismantling her computer ready to take it with me. Placing each piece on top of each other i looked around the office and noticed a small trolley that would help me get the computer back to my work area in one piece. As i had looked around i noticed her a little flustered at the storm and even her computer not working.

With the computer on the trolley i would need to organise a spare computer for her if she wished to stay tonight but i feared she wouldn't. Our eyes met and still a little uncomfortable around her i let my eyes take in her beauty and blushing more took a few deep breaths.

"Ms Bayley, i can organise another computer tonight for you. Or if you would like to we can meet downstairs and i can walk you to your car."

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne watched as he loaded her computer onto the small trolley and hid a sigh before meeting his eyes.
His blush was so intriguing, Anne thought, I've never met anyone who blushed so easily before. Her people skills were on the undeveloped side in many ways but she thought she saw an interest in his eyes as he stared back.
Anne's eyes lit up at his offer of another computer. Yess, she thought, this will be perfect.
"Thank you, I'd love another computer to use. I really wanted to get these reports done."
Anne felt much better. Things were definately getting back on the right track, her track.
Anne picked up a couple of disks and her bag and follwed him as he began to push the trolley out of her office to his.
The lights kept on flickering and the thunder seemed oppressive and ominous outside.
Anne was thinking as they moved along the silent corridors, the lights dimmed and flickering. What if the power failed altogether, she thought. I won't get anything done then. She frowned, her low heels tapping over the bare vinyl floor, a sure sign of having left the upper management area.
He turned into a doorway and she followed, her nose crinkling at the smell of solder and the sight of twisted wiring scattered over the bench. She watched as he transferred her pc to a cleared space and leant against the doorway while he disappeared behind a shelving unit, reappearing with a hard drive in his arms. He placed that on the trolley and looked at her.
Anne hesitated briefly and then said. "You know, with the power flickering like it is, do you think it would be possible for me to take this one home with me to use? I mean I'd get more done at home and I wouldn't have to worry if the storm broke.." Anne looked at him, slightly embarrassed, she had never asked to borrow company materials before like this. She knew that it happened all the time but she had never done it herself.
She wanted to go home, she wanted to be in her space, to regain her balance, to regain control and she honestly thought this would be a way to achieve that.
"I promise I'd take good care of it, and return it Monday."

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Still feeling somewhat nervous around her i breathed in her sweet perfume and listened to her shoes click on the tiles as she followed behind me. Corridor after corridor went by until i turned into a more familiar area for me as i started to breathe a little easier.

Having placed her computer on the cleared off bench space i knew that the weekend would be a busy one with the companies operating system still needing doing. With the storm still going on outside as the lights kept flickering i returned with a computer when i heard her speak.

Looking at her as she spoke i again felt awkward, almost like a schoolboy on a first date. Again i blushed and tried to find the right words. How could she have me this flustered i thought to myself.

"Ms Bayley of course you can take the computer home with you. Would you like to have coffee with me or can i help set the computer up for you." i said softly.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

"Ms Bayley of course you can take the computer home with you. Would you like to have coffee with me or can I help set the computer up for you."
Anne heard the first part of his words and her eyes lit up. Oh great, she thought with a wide smile, I can get that stuff done this weekend. Then the second half sank in through her self-absorbed mind.
Her eyes opened wide and she looked at him. Coffee? Did he just ask her for a coffee? Actually she was dying for a coffee. To go home and have coffee and get those reports done. She didn't want to delay by going somewhere for coffee.
Ohh hang on, she thought. Having him set up the machine means that tehre would be less likelihood of there being a problem with it and I could give him coffee, sort of a thank you for his help. He has been rather helpful. Anne chewed at the inside of her lip. The only drawback meant he would be at her apartment, that was her space, her escape, her private area that very few people had ever been in.
Anne nodded slowly, maybe that wouldn't be too bad, after all it wasn't like he was moving in or staying for more than an hour or so.
"Yes,..err..Aidan. I'd love a coffee. Perhaps, if it's ok with you, you could have the coffee at my place while you are setting the computer up. I'm sure it would be better if you assembled it, it being company property and all."
Anne smiled, forcing it slightly, in an effort to hide any nervousness she was feeling.
Anne had been on her own for some time now and her privacy had become important to her. Her rooms had become her retreat, her safe place, and to have someone else there made her tense slightly. Even if he did blush way too much.
"You could follow me in your car, it's only about 30 minutes away."

 

[Henry]

Aidan

"Yes,..err..Aidan. I'd love a coffee. Perhaps, if it's ok with you, you could have the coffee at my place while you are setting the computer up. I'm sure it would be better if you assembled it, it being company property and all."

I watched her move a little and without looking directly at her kept pottering around the work space of mine. With the storm still beating down outside i would be taking her computer home so i could fix it. No way i wanted to try doing it here. Hearing her words i looked up and smiled at her also noticing her beautiful smile.

Having all that i needed from the bench and work area to do her computer at home i kept thinking which way to go with this. It would probably be best if i set up the computer but i didn't think that she would have had a problem doing it. This was a great opportunity for me to try to overcome some nervousness i had around the opposite sex.

"You could follow me in your car, it's only about 30 minutes away."

I motioned her out the door as i pushed both trolleys down the corridor before returning to close up my work space. Pushing both trolleys downstairs we were both quiet and with me feeling quite pensive no words would have flowed. Putting the computers and trolleys in the company van i turned to face her. Our eyes met and again i felt my cheeks getting flushed.

"Ms Bayley that sounds perfect to me. I will follow in the van." i said softly.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne drove carefully through the evening streets. The sky was very dark and overcast, an occasional lightening flash would flash over the heavy clouds. Obviously the heavy sky was one reason the streets seemed emptier than was usual for a Friday evening. There was no rain as yet and no strong winds, so maybe it would just thunder itself out.
Anne looked in her rear view mirror and saw the van behind her. He was still there, she hadn't lost him which was good as the computers were in his van.
Anne's hands tightened on the wheel as she wondered again just what she was doing. All she wanted was a quiet ordered life, everything in it's place, a place for everything. At least when he had had his coffee and set the pc up he would leave and she would be able to relax again. It would all be back to the way she thought it should be.
She stopped at the traffic lights and saw the van stop behind her. And who was this Aidan guy anyway, she thought. A computer geek who blushed all the time. Was he just shy, or was it a terminal condition he had? Anne grinned at herself slightly and drove forward as the lights changed.
She should be grateful for his help, and she was. Anne just wished it had never needed to be in the first place.
Realising her thoughts were starting to get depressive again, she flicked on the cd and soft classical music filled the car. Anne relaxed slightly and her hands eased on the wheel.
Another five minutes and she was turning her car into the parking lot that serviced her appartment. She tried to find a space as close to the door as possible.
His van followed and drew up beside her and she got out of her car, shivering slightly in colder air. Grabbing her bag and files and locking her car, she walked around to the back of the van to find him standing there.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

I followed behind in the van, every now and then i tapped my fingers lightly against the steering wheel. Wondering why i was like this i recalled a few occasions during high school and college that had triggered a little of my fear about being around the opposite sex. Trying to get over it would be hard and i thought that any opportunity to be in the company of a female could help that, Ms Bayley was a very attractive lady as well.

Pulling up alongside her car i got out and walked to the back of the van, opening the doors to the van i waited for her to arrive. Hearing her light footsteps i looked up as she walked into view, god i thought to myself as i started to unload the computer from the van to take into her apartment that i was one lucky guy.

Having loaded the computer onto the trolley i had brought i walked behind her as we walked to her apartment. Stopping at the door i looked over my appearance and noticed the mud on my shoes, i kicked them off as she opened the door. I stood and waited for an invite to enter.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne opened the door to her apartment and flicked the switch just inside the door. Warm light flooded through and lit up the small hallway.
She stepped in and had taken a few steps before she remembered he was there. Turning, she smiled an apology and beckoned him in, noting with a raised eyebrow that he had removed his shoes.
Too happy at being at home at last, she shrugged it aside and moved further along entering the lounge room.
The tiled passage gave way to a spacious living area. A large french window was bracketed by a bookcase on one side and a small but complete entertainment system on the other. An open kitchen was on one side, with a small dining table and a passage led off from the other side. The walls were a soft cream shade and a few pictures were hung on them. a desk had been set up in a corner and it was obvious that that was where Anne did all her work.
Without thinking, Anne shrugged her jacket off and laid it over the back of one of the two couches in the room.
"The computer would go well on my desk there, I think," she said as she placed her files on the dining table and moved into the kitchen.
"How do you take your coffee?" She asked as she turned the kettle on and got the cups out.
"Milk, sugar," he said as she saw him push the trolley to the desk.
Anne moved around and shifted some of her paperwork on the desk to make room, then smiled and walked back to the kitchen to make the coffees.
She watched as he started unravelling cables and leant beside it to find the power outlet.
She filled the cups and added his milk and sugar and placed them at the end of the kitchen bench which separated her from the living area.
"Coffee's done," she said as he continued to set up the computer.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Entering the apartment i let my eyes take in everything as i pushed the trolley in and around different pieces of furniture. It was nice and stylish and all the things i had somewhat expected a lady in her employment position to have acquired. Noticing her movements i watched as she took off her jacket to make herself at home as she indicated where she would like the computer to be set up. I heard her shoes walking around the kitchen making coffee as i placed some of the cables near the powerpoints and started to assemble the computer.

Hearing her speak of the coffee being done i turned briefly and noticed where she had put them before i returned to the computer. Having most of it set up i brushed off my hands and plugged all cords in then started the computer up. I turned and took in her sweet perfume and smile as she offered the coffee to me. Nerves and heartbeat increased a little as i now felt awkward about being here. Stepping back i took a few mouthfuls and started to tell Ms Bayley the benefits of acquiring her own computer so she could work at home in her own time, space and leisure.

Resting my cup on the table i sat down at the computer and started to load up the programs from disks as i motioned for her to come and watch me so she would know how to do it if there was ever a problem.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne listened and sipped at her coffee as he began to talk and nodded as the sense of his words struck home. Yes, it would be a wise decision to have a pc at home. She wouldn't have to stay at work to do all the extras. She had done that mainly to get noticed, and the overtime she had accrued had not gone amiss either. But now, she had her coveted position and the long hours were still necessary but maybe not at the office anymore.
With a set up here, she could spend whatever time she felt like, on weekends or work nights, whenever. Anne smiled,yes, this was a good thing.
Anne watched as he set up the computer, plugging in an assortment of cables. When he motioned her closer, she absently kicked off her shoes and walked in stockinged feet to perch on the corner of the desk. Her cup cradled in her hands, she looked on with interest as he loaded each disk, explaining to her exactly what each one was for.
He wasn't blushing and his voice was more assured and confident, Anne noticed. And despite her non-technical background Anne was getting very interested in what he was saying.
She understood perhaps half of all the applications, but could see the benefits of them all. Definately, she decided, I have to have one for home. Tomorrow, first thing I will go out and get one. Anne began to ask questions, seeking all the information she would need for her shopping trip. His words became almost autocratic as he gave her a rundown of what she should and should not look at.
Anne listened, leaning closer to watch and taking mental notes. It never crossed her mind to ask him to accompany her, she would have deemed it unnecessary. What she did think was that if there were any problems later, in Aidan she would have someone who could advise and fix anything that went wrong. Anne didn't realise it, but the strong confident manner of his speaking was very like hers when she got involved in a work project.
The screen was reflected in his glasses and her vision seemed to see double, so close to the screen she seemed to be.
"Thank you, Aidan, this is brilliant. I can see this is going to work well." Anne enthused as his voice paused, her head turned slightly toward his although her eyes were still watching the screen.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Continuing to set up the computer with the programs and files my words flowed and i heard the questions from Ms Bayley which i responded to. My voice and manner had changed around her as we talked and set up the computer. Putting hopefully the last disk in and loading the files onto the computer i waited and within a few minutes rebooted the computer.

"Ms Bayley if you would like i can accompany you when you go to buy a computer" i said softly.

With my eyes on the screen i adjusted my glasses a little and watched as the computer started up and showed the main screen i was looking. Checking to make sure all files were there the time passed and i soon heard Ms Bayley say "yes that sounds like a great idea and thank you for the offer"

Having made sure all files were on the computer i went to move the mousepad as my hand gently touched her hip, turning to face her my lips brushed against hers. The touch against her and the soft touch of lips sent jolts down my spine as well as goosebumps on the skin. Wow i thought to myself as i reached for my coffee and stood up with light feelings of nerves running through my body as my hands were sweaty making it hard to hold the cup.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne paused briefly as he offered, thinking fast, seeing the benefits very clearly and accepted his offer. Much better to be safe by having him there, even if she was sure she could have managed without him.
Anne watched as the main screen came up and barely felt the brush of his hand at her hip where she was perched on the desk. Her eyes turned to his briefly and she was very aware when his lips brushed hers. She remained very still as he moved, standing up with his coffee gripped in his hands.
Anne moved finally, very slowly, easing herself up straight, her own fingers white around her cup, so tight she held onto it. She forced her breathing to stay even even as she felt her face flushed.
Stay calm, Anne, it was an accident, that's all, nothing to think about, nothing to worry about, just an accident, could have happened to anyone. Anne tried to convince herself as she stood up and walked to the kitchen, placing her cup by the sink. She took a deep breath and turned around, forcing a smile to her lips and making herself appear calm.
"And this is all set up now?" She asked coolly, then kicked herself for sounding as if she was pushing him out her door.
Why she felt so nonplussed had her confused. It wasn't like she had never been kissed before. In fact, she would have bet money on the fact that she had probably had much more experience than he had ever had. So why had that light almost feathery touch slipped past her guard into somewhere she had long forgotten about.
Hurriedly Anne went on. "What time tomorrow suits you?"
She couldn't suddenly refuse to go out shopping with him. It was just an accidental kiss after all and she felt she had to try and soften her earlier words. Anne looked at him, trying not to reveal any of her inner turmoil, slightly surprised to see that he wasn't blushing which reassured her and reinforced her thoughts that it had merely been just one of those things.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Hearing her speak and look at me i noticed nothing out of the ordinary as i took a few moments to think of what time would be best. Taking a few more mouthfuls of my coffee i glanced around the room before our eyes met.

"Around midmorning would be suitable for me" i said in a soft tone.

Finishing my coffee and resting my cup on the table i let Ms Bayley know that the computer was fully set up ready to use. Walking down the hallway i stepped outside and putting on my shoes heading for the van to start my journey home. Putting the trolley in the back of the van i quickly walked to the drivers side and got in.

Putting the key in the ignition i tried to start it up, damn not now of all times i thought. Having not used the van for several months i had not thoroughly checked it and with my bike back at work if this didn't go i could be stuck out here all night. Trying to start it a few more times i got out and checked the engine and battery , cursing and muttering words under my breath i knew that the van wasn't going anywhere tonight.

Locking the van up i walked slowly back to Ms Bayley's door and knocked on it hoping i was not going to really be imposing on her if i asked to stay until i could get the van fixed after our trip to buy the computer in the morning.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne sighed as the door closed behind him. Finally she had her home to herself. Although, if she was honest with herself, his prescence had not been too disturbing really. She smiled as she looked at the computer and laughed a bit wryly. Tomorrow there'd be a whole new one there and it would be all hers.
Tempted as she was to sit straight down and start working, she knew that she had better eat first as she knew that once she started to work, she wouldn't be stopping any time soon.
She was standing looking into the fridge and deciding on pizza when she heard the knock at her door.
With a sigh for her disturbed peace, she went and opened it and was very surprised to see Aidan standing there, looking rather embarrassed.
His embarrassed manner and halting words as he explained about his van had her shaking her head. The first few raindrops had her ushering him inside.
Anne was a bit vexed but understood his dilemma and she wasn't so unfeeling as to refuse to help, not when he had been so helpful.
"I was just about to order a pizza in. I would imagine you haven't eaten either." Anne said as she led him back into the lounge.
"And I have a sofa-bed, so there's no problems with you staying. I know it will be nearly impossible to get a mechanic service out tonight, with the weather the way it is."
They could hear the wind and rain outside.
"I hope this doesn't last all weekend," Anne muttered as she went to order the pizza, hoping too that the pizza wouldn't take too long.

It didn't take too long for the pizza to arrive, despite the weather. While they were waiting, Anne showed Aidan which couch was the sofa-bed and he opened it out while she got some sheets and made it up.
They sat on the other couch and ate the pizza, Aidan having insisted on paying for half of it. Anne had grabbed the first video she could and they sat there eating, watching 2001: A Space Odyssey.
It was a companiable silence between them as they watched, sometimes remarking on the film. Anne didn't realise that her head was sliding to lean against his shoulder as the time went on. Her eyes were heavy and she felt sleepy and relaxed. It had been a long time since she had had company over, and male company at that, and she couldn't remember the last time she had shared pizza and movie like this.
His shoulder felt warm at the side of her head and she could hear his breathing, sounding as relaxed as her own. It became harder to keep her eyes open between blinks and she stirred slightly, thinking that maybe it was time to go to bed.

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Feeling Anne stir slightly from where her head had been resting on my shoulder i turned and look across and speaking briefly i watched as she stumbled off down the hallway to bed. Standing up i waited a few minutes and headed to the bathroom. Walking back to the lounge room i stripped down somewhat and layed down on the sofa bed.

Almost as soon as my head hit the pillow i was out to it, during the night i heard footsteps and opening one eye but keeping very still i noticed Anne in the hallway. I watched as she walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, the light illuminated her body through the short and silky negligee. Opening my other eye i took in her luscious body as she got herself a drink. I felt stirrings in my groin but kept as quiet and as still as possible.

Soon i layed my head back down and drifted off to sleep again with the lingering memory of her body in my head. It created such wonderful thoughts and feelings throughout my body, Blissfully asleep almost in a dream state i heard the sound of birds chirping and opened my eyes to take in the sun filled room.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne slept deeply and dreamlessly and woke later than her normal time. She vaguely remembered falling into bed, having enough sense left to change into her negligee and pull the covers up before becoming dead to the world.
The morning sun shone through her blinds and she was hopeful that the storm had passed. She stretched lazily, frowning slightly at the clock. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept in, she must have been really tired and in need of sleep.
For a moment she contemplated laying in bed a little a longer, but she didn't feel tired enough to turn over and go back to sleep. She smiled thinking ho decadent it felt to be still in bed at nearly 8 in the morning, even if it was Saturday.
She kicked the covers off and sat up, stretching again before standing up and picking up the matching robe from over the back of her dressing table chair. The pale blue silk flowed around her calves as she walked to her bedroom door.
Just as she reached to pull it open wider, she saw Aidan walk past, looking as if he was still asleep. Anne blinked, having momentarily forgotten about him but seeing him brought all last night's memories flooding back. her eyes widened as she watched him stagger sleepily to her bathroom, wearing only his boxers and she blinked when she saw the front of them slightly tented.
Anne ducked back in her room, her face flushed. Okay, this was definately not her usual Saturday morning. She could handle this, but who would have thought that a geek like him had such a toned body and that..that.. physique.
Anne walked slowly to the kitchen and started to make coffee, mentally running through her fridge provisions. She could do eggs for breakfast, toast, something, anything to distract her from thinking too hard on what she had just seen. She mentally groaned and she was going to go shopping for a computer with him? How was she supposed to not think about that? Anee sighed and smiled, she could cope with this, she always coped. It couldn't be that hard, could it?

 

[Henry]

Aidan

Leaving the bathroom i walked down the corridor and heard movement in the kitchen, seeing Anne there and with the vision of last night still evident in my mind i looked over at her. Putting on a shirt we talked a little and taking some toast and coffee i ate the toast and took a few mouthfuls of the coffee, i watched as Anne left and headed towards the bathroom.

Wondering why she had left so quickly i started to get dressed and left it for now. Finishing doing up my shoes and leaving the cup resting on the sink i heard water running in the bathroom. Walking down the hallway to the front door i took in her apartment during the daylight hours and could really tell that my first impressions from last night were correct.

Checking on the van and trying it again i pondered something as i walked back to the apartment. Would Anne feel comfortable stopping on the way back from the shops to let me pick up a battery that i had at home. It would mean that i didn't have to stay here any longer than i should have as i didnt wish to impose or put a strain on our work relations if it could be helped.

 

[silken_dreammaid]

Anne stood under the shower, mentally berating herself as she washed her hair. Today wasn't her day to worry about her hair, so why did she feel the need for this now? Just to have some thinking time, to try and figure out why she was starting to get so flustered inside with him around.
Okay, so he had a nice body, okay so he was intelligent, okay so he seemed vey nice, okay his body was really nice. Anne shook her head at the way her thoughts were twisting and spattered the tiles with bubbles. Tipping her head back she ran her fingers through her hair, rinsing it.
Yes, he was nice, but nice had not been something Anne had looked for in a long time. Back when she had answered to "Rose" perhaps, but not since she had dropped her first name. Anne was still thinking when she got out of the shower and dried herself. How was she going to spend the better part of the morning with him when she felt so flustered inside?
She pulled on a pair of jeans and warm shirt, leaving her hair slightly damp as she left the bathroom. She saw Aidan re-entering her apartment and she clamped down hard on any flutterings she felt.
With a forced smile that somehow didn't feel as forced as she thought it would be, she asked if it was too early to go shopping.

It was barely 9.30 when they arrived at the shop Aidan had recommended. Despite her misgivings, Anne had felt fairly comfortable with him as she had driven along. Rarely speaking and using a soft tone when he did, they had arrived at a reasonably easy companionship. At least, that's what Anne thought as they entered the shop.
Within ten minutes, Anne knew different. The easy, soft spoken, non-threatening Aidan suddenly seemed a complete stranger as he talked with the salesman. Confident, almost dictatorial as he listed what they wanted and what she needed. Anne was flustered again and felt like she was being pulled along by a tide. She could do no more than follow along in his wake, answering his brief questions as he seemed totally involved in the whole process of choosing the right equipment.
It had been a long time since Anne had felt this lack of control with another person and it didn't help that every now and again that brief image of him in his boxers would suddenly pop into her mind. Anne lagged behind as Aidan and the rep moved down yet another aisle, hoping to get some perspective back. But she couldn't because she saw them in front of her and her mind obligingly gave her the colour image once again.
Anne sighed, feeling slightly frustrated, was she going to be plagued with this image for the rest of her life?
Aidan walked back towards her and his hand gripped lightly at hers tugging her forward, enthusiastically telling her of the perfect set up for her needs. Anne could do little except to laugh wryly and follow.