ICanBeAnyone

"Not Part of the Plan"

Kat loved listening to Paul talk, there was a soothing quality in his voice. She would occasionally glance up to watch his face as he spoke while they walked together. She was truly relaxed for the first time in a long time. There were no emergencies, no crisis to deal with, it was just them, and lots of quiet.

She laughed and shook her head as he joked about topless beach babes, and bottomless drinks, but she could sympathize with the less than glamourous parts of what otherwise seemed like a nice gig. When she first started working for The Society, all she saw was the glitz and the glamour of the parties and fundraisers. Truthfully that was the smallest part of her job. She spent her days filling out paperwork or in meetings justifying every paperclip. Then there were her field days when she sat with women in shelters, or vets who needed medications listening to them tell her exactly where the system had failed them over and over again.

She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear as he stepped closer, she knew what was going to happen, and she welcomed it. She reached her hands up to wrap around his neck pulling him closer as she tilted her face upwards toward him.

She felt his lips gently press against hers, his hands tightening around her hips as he pulled her closer. She slid her hand up the back of his neck to run through his hair. Her lips parting under the soft teasing pressure of his tongue. She backed up a step pressing her back against the rail again, trapping her body against his as she pulled him closer.

She had no idea how long they stayed like that, it could have been seconds, or hours. It seemed like time had ceased to pass from the very minute their lips touched. She finally managed to pull away. Her lips were swollen and her breathing was heavy as she blinked to clear her head.

She closed her eyes and ran her teeth over her lower lip trying to take slow deep breaths. She rested her hands on the rail beside her and managed a smile at Paul. "Wow" She said breathlessly. "Just wow." She was normally a much better conversationalist, it was her job after all, but that kiss... That kiss had stolen her ability to do any thinking, so talking was certainly beyond her abilities right now.

Lottery Winner

She just shook her head as he talked about his family having it easier than hers. That was debatable, well sort of. When he told her his alcoholic father abandoned them she nodded sympathetically. "Trust me, he did you a favor. My Mom was an addict, drugs, alcohol, pills. It didn't matter to her. That would be why when I left at 17 I was on stepfather uh..." She stopped to think and then shrugged again. "I have no idea actually. I don't think she actually legally married any of them, but ya know I don't think it would have mattered."

"Consider yourself lucky you never started smoking. I have been trying for years to quit." What she didn't say is that she started smoking young because smoking surpresses appetite. When you smoke you aren't as hungry.

She shook her head again when he talked about the boat sinking. "Yeah Darlin, not a great story to tell me when suggesting we GET on a boat." She teased. Her redheaded self was going to have to invest in gallons of sunscreen. "But traveling around the states sounds like fun. There are a lot of things we could see."

She smiled and picked at her food a little more as he offered suggestions for their next date. She tucked her hair behind her ear again giving him a smile. "I think dinner and a movie in sounds like a great idea." She said shyly. Oh she had other ideas too, but that sounded like it could lead to very interesting things. She wasn't shy about sex, she quite enjoyed it actually, but she was normally a friends with benefits kind of girl. She liked Duncan, he was engaging, open, and all around a calming presence. She was approaching this very slowly though so as not to scare him off.

Lottery Winner

Aliyah loved spending time with him, she wanted to listen to everything he had to say. His life had been hard, but much more interesting than hers that was for sure. She took his warning about spices, she wasn't picky about what she ate, but the last thing she wanted to do was burn her taste buds.

She watched him remove his glove, he seemed uncomfortable showing the scar. She reached across the table and grabbed his left wrist gently as he told her the story behind it. She very gently trailed her finger over the scar as he talked, and when he finished his story she lifted his hand and placed a soft kiss on his palm. "You were very lucky to have such good friends." She told him letting go of his hand.

She let him change the subject back to food and she shrugged. "I don't have any known allergies, and I guess I never really thought about likes and dislikes. When I was a kid, we were what politicians call 'food insecure' aka we never knew when or where the next meal was coming, so I ate anything I could. Now, I work so much I don't pay much attention to what I eat. I wolf down something and keep going." She told him honestly. She thought for a minute taking a sip of water.

"Although, I do absolutely hate eggs." She said with a smile. "They are cheap, and so we ate a ton of them growing up, so I don't eat them now when given a choice." She chewed her bottom lip. "I would have to say Turkish is good, but wouldn't make my top ten list of places to go. This,however, might just move to the top of my favorites." She admitted.

"So, I did a little research last night before bed. Are we planning on traveling to Sub-Saharan Africa, or Tropical South America?" She asked. She wasn't a huge fan of the idea of getting a ton of vaccines, so she decided to go with only the ones required, and the CDC only requires yellow fever if traveling to those two places.

She was being careful, and trying to show her interest in him without being too forward, in some ways he reminded her of a very frightened deer. If she moved too fast, he could bolt. "If we are, I will make an appointment for the Yellow Fever vaccine, if not, then I am good on that front. It is just a matter of making time to go apply for my passport."

She pushed her plate aside, having eaten quite a bit more than she usually does. She lightly rested her hand on his. "I was thinking about what you said earlier, about our next date..." She said with a smile. "I have absolutely NO idea where to take you. I really don't do a whole lot." She laughed "A big day out for me is a trip to the fabric store, and I highly doubt THAT holds any interest for you." She said jokingly.

"Not Part of the Plan"

Kat took his hand and smiled. "I think I would like that." She said quietly as they both stood. She allowed him to help her into her coat, and escort her out into the evening. She felt his hand on the small of her back and leaned into him a little her arm wrapping around his waist as they walked.

"So, tell me more about you Paul?" She asked. "How did you end up here in Boston?" She turned her head to look at him when she spoke, but her attention was taken up with the beautiful evening. It was cool, but not cold. Just right to be spending an evening together outside.

Occasionally as they walked a cool breeze would blow off the water giving her a chill. She would press closer to Paul to ward it off. They paused at a railing and she leaned forward looking out over the water. "Thank you for tonight Paul. I have really enjoyed it." She said quietly. She tucked her hair behind her ear nervously as she turned around pressing her back against the railing so she could look at him easier.

"I am really looking forward to doing this again." She admitted looking up to him. Her hands itched to reach out and pull him closer to her, but she wasn't sure how well it would be received.

She didn't date much because most men were more interested in what she could do for them rather than interested in her. She had no idea what it was she was supposed to do now. Her last real date had been a very long time ago. She normally had what you could call dates, but more for the purpose of having someone with her at various functions.

Lottery Winner

Aliyah was mildly uncomfortable with the attention she and Duncan received from the hotel staff. It wasn't anything over the top, but it was noticeable. She was very glad to finally get into the limo with Duncan. She smiled at Gary and murmured her thanks. She wasn't too nervous today because Duncan had promised a fairly casual day. If they had been staying at the casino or doing something upscale she would have been far more uptight.

She was excited that he had chosen a museum to visit. She had actually never been to this one. The subject didn't interest her much, but she was interested in seeing things HE was interested in. She loved watching the excitement on his face as they moved through the museum. She couldn't tell you what they were looking at, because she was watching him, not the exhibits.

She laughed as he mentioned a second and third date. Oh she was game alright, she was having fun. But shortly after he mentioned that they were moving through the museum, and she spotted a perfect opportunity. She slipped her hand in his and tugged him aside out of the flow of traffic. She pressed her back against the wall and ran her hands up his arms until she was resting them on his shoulders standing on her tip toes. She gently tugged him down toward her so she could kiss his lips softly. She pulled back letting her hands slide off his shoulders down his arms to hold his hands. "Thank you. I am having a wonderful time." She said.

She stood there with him for a minute just holding his hands enjoying the time they were spending together. She soon wrapped her arm around his waist again. "Let's go check out the Area 51 exhibit." she said enthusiastically.

They toured the rest of the museum finishing with the Area 51 exhibit. She loved the experience, and was already wracking her brain to come up with something great for them to do when it was her turn to plan.

They arrived at the restaurant and she looked at Duncan and squeezed his hand gently. "I suggest we do the buffet. I have never had Indian, so this way you can help me try lots of new things."

"Not Part of the Plan"

Kat smiled when he asked about how the money would be used. He had hit on one of her passions. She loved sharing how donations would make a difference. "Sarah's House is a small shelter, they take only women and women with children. The money your benefactor gave will make a huge difference, it allows us to provide child care, and I am actually working with one of the culinary schools to get some of their students in to teach basic kitchen skills. I want to get someone in to teach financial management and budgeting. Basic skills these women lack. A lot of them have barely finished the 7th or 8th grade." She told him, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she talked about the things that were now possible.

She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly as he started to talk about something he wanted to ask her about. She listened though without interrupting. She smiled when he quickly assured her he would rather have a second date than the interviews. "Tell you what..." She started, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Call me tomorrow at the office during business hours, and I would be glad to help you, but for tonight," She lightly drew her fingers over the back of his hand where it rested on the table. "Tonight I would just like to enjoy the first date I have had in a very long time."

Lottery Winner

As Aliyah and Duncan waited for Gary to bring the Limo around she turned and looked up at him, making a mental note to invest in heels. She was going to need them. Or roller skates. His legs were longer than she was tall it seemed. "Tonight has been great." She said. "I really enjoyed it."

She was searching for something else to say, but she was saved by Gary pulling up in the Limo. She nodded her acceptance of the ride as he held the door open for them to get in. Once they were settled she lightly rested her hand over the back of Duncan's. She was never really big of physical contact, but tonight this little touch felt right. They rode in comfortable silence back to her apartment.

Gary opened the door for her and she turned to Duncan and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before sliding out of the limo. "See you tomorrow." She said before making a dash to the door.

She closed her eyes and leaned against her apartment door, her face flushed. She had no idea what had gotten into her today. She stripped off her clothes and hung them up. She knew exactly what she was going to wear tomorrow, so she set those clothes out before heading to bed.

The next morning she crawled out of bed and went straight for her coffee pot. She brewed herself some breakfast roast, a nice light blend. Most people thought the darker the coffee the stronger, but that wasn't true. Before starting the coffee though she sprinkled salt over the coffee grounds, it helped cut some of the bitterness from using cheap coffee.

While the coffee was brewing she got ready for work, she packed her clothes in a duffel bag because she figured since he wanted most of the day, that it would make sense to just change in the bathroom at work. She grabbed a small bottle of fabric softener and water mix. It did two things, it smoothed the frizz from her hair and it covered up the scent of grease that seemed to stick to her after work.

She picked up the bag and slung it over her shoulder making a quick stop in the kitchen to fill her travel mug with coffee. She grinned as she read which mug she had picked this morning. It was bright blue and printed with the words "I tried starting my day without coffee...Once. My court date is pending."

She screwed the lid on and scooped up her keys and headed out the door to work.

Aliyah greeted Duncan with a wave and gestured for him and Gary to take a seat while she grabbed their coffee. She couldn't help but notice he looked a little rough around the edges. "Did I keep someone out past his bedtime?" She teased as she poured his coffee.

She took the order and slipped off to head back to work. Her morning went by very quickly, before she knew it the manager was telling her she was cut. She headed over to let Duncan know that she just needed to clock out and change and then she would be ready to go. He suggested that they swing by the hotel so she could freshen up, it was a chance she jumped at.

They arrived at the Hotel, and the concierge greeted her by name. She raised an eyebrow and muttered "I have either stepped into a cheesy romance novel, or a criminal minds episode. I am not sure which."

She allowed herself to be shown upstairs to what she thought was going to be his penthouse, but was in actuallity a villa. She took a deep breath through her nose and let it out slowly through her mouth to avoid hyperventilating. She did manage a laugh when Duncan welcomed her to his humble abode. "Mmmhmm. If THIS..." She said gesturing between the two of them "gets serious, you are banned from house hunting on your own. I can only imagine the horrible McMansion monstrosity we would end up in. I'd need a map to find the bathroom." She teased faking a shudder at the thought.

She listened to him play for a moment before having the butler show her where she could get ready. She took a quick shower, she would have loved to stay longer because the water was actually hot, but she was excited to see what the plans for today were. She dried off and pulled her hair back into a braid. She decided on that style because it was casual for the day, but when her hair dried she could take it out of the braid and end up with soft waves. She pulled on a pair of camel colored faux suede leggings, topped with a loose blouse that hit her at the hips. She slid her feet into brown knee high boots while she switched her gold studs out for thin silver hoops. She slid on a couple of thin silver bangle bracelets before pulling a light weight sweater. It was one of the open ones, and fell to her knees.

She went light on the makeup, just a swipe of mascara and lip gloss. She never really got into that heavy makeup look. She packed everything else back into her bag before returning to find Duncan sleeping. She crossed her arms over her chest and smiled watching him sleep for a moment. She was almost sorry that the butler woke him. He looked so peaceful.

She smiled as he apologized for sleeping. She had strangely slept very well. She moved to stand next to him as he rose from the chair taking in the sight of the instruments. She laughed and shook her head as he explained his experience with the violin. She was not musically gifted that was for sure. "I'm sure it wasn't THAT bad." She said.

As they prepared to leave, Aliyah realized the height difference was going to cause some difficulty in her keeping up. She thought for a moment, and then gently slid her arm around his hips so he would have to take smaller steps for her much shorter legs. Well that's the reason she gave herself anyway.

Serge & Lucia |EasilyAmused & ICanBeAnyone|

I was helping to get my aunts car unstuck and ended up damaging the bicep tendon and rotator cuff.

Lottery Winner

Aliyah laughed as Duncan commented on wanting a gun smaller than certain portions of his anatomy, that was such a man thing. Freud would have a field day with boys and their toys these days.

She took a deep breath as he asked about her bone spur. "I would assume it was possible since the pressure is still on the thecal sac rather than on the spinal cord itself at this point. I never really considered it before. Spinal surgery makes me nervous. I did at one point think about the Nerve stimulator implant though. I think at this point if I opted for surgery I would end up with a cadaver bone, which doesn't sound fun at all." She was mildly impressed with his knowledge of the surgical options. There were quite a few these days, and some of them were artificial replacements, but there was a higher risk of rejection.

She kind of glossed over the comments about what had happened all those years ago. It was a topic that bothered her greatly, so she couldn't imagine what it was like for him.

She made a face as he mentioned immunizations. She hated needles, but depending on where they were traveling, she would likely end up with a lot of them. "Yeah, I will give notice at the restaurant, they've been good to me, and I need to keep my options open. I will switch shifts one day this week and get a copy of my birth certificate. I will get an appointment at the health department to catch up on vaccines. I wouldn't worry about cell service internationally. I promise I don't need one." She said with a laugh. She barely had cell service now. She didn't need it, she was actually pretty glad that it was on right now, it was one thing she didn't bother spending a ton of money on.

She bit her lip and shrugged as he suggested she start making a list of places she wanted to go. It was going to take her a bit to get into that mindset. The way her mind was right now, she hardly believed this was happening. It was very possible she was going to wake up in the morning, laugh and shake this all off as a crazy dream.

She raised an eyebrow as he told her his room number at Caesars. Her entire place would likely fit in the master bathroom. That reminded her, if she was going to do this, she was going to have to give notice. She was month to month, so giving up her place was not a big deal, but she was going to have to start deciding what to toss, and what few things to take with her. Luckily there wouldn't be a lot of hard decisions. She never got attached to stuff, far too many times in her childhood she had to leave a place in the middle of the night with just the clothes on her back.

"Not Part of the Plan"

Kat took her seat and smiled with a slight blush to her cheeks. "A slight exaggeration I am sure, although the women may be jealous that I am with such a handsome man this evening."

She turned her attention to the sommelier and requested to hear about the whites. She admitted to an allergy to the sulfites in reds that caused her horrible migraines. They settled on a wine and she turned her attention to Paul. "So I hope your meeting with the Camp Hope contributor was successful."

"Please pass along my thanks for their contribution. The meeting I had this morning was actually presenting a new organization to the society for assistance. Regardless of what the board decides, I think that check will do a lot of good." She told him.

Her official title was donation coordinator, but she did so much more than that. She helped with grantwriting, and designing community programs, but all anyone ever really saw of her was the party planning, so she often just told people all she did was make things look pretty.