The Muse — Roleplayer Guild

 Collab with: @Themerlinhawk@Snagglepuss89 

Sophia,  Jerry,  &  Catherine

"More ground? I’ve always been more of a "Journey not the destination" person. You men should know finishing something quickly isn't always the best thing."

There wasn't time for the cop to answer before the door opened in front of them to reveal Sophia Reese. The occasional sound of a violin called out from behind her, probably Zoey Reese. Catherine had tried her hardest to motivate the girl during her class over the last year, but it ended up being a lost cause. School, in the end, wasn't for everyone.

Her eyes drifted between Sophia and Jerry as they talked. Apparently it was the young woman's birthday, and Catherine, her neighbor, was currently standing here without a gift for her. Awkward. Salvageable, but awkward. Sure, it wasn't as if she knew the woman well or anything, but it wouldn't do to be seen as rude either. Thankfully, the deputy beside her gave the perfect opening to distract from that detail.

"Saving you might be a bit beyond my capabilities personally, but…"

Catherine rubbed her hands together as she spoke, as if warming up for a challenge.

"... I would love to pitch in and help set things up for you. A party? I haven't thrown one since I was in college! I have plenty of free time at the moment too, sort of a slow time of year for teaching."

Perhaps she was overcommitting herself here, and there was a nagging thought in the back of her mind that involving herself with the Reese family was going to be something she regretted, but Catherine couldn't take the offer away now. Besides, it was a rare opportunity for some fun, the woman had nothing of a social life these past few years, despite always being out and about. She didn't even know her own neighbors. Although, to be fair, in the case of the Reese household that was somewhat intentional.

Jerry turned and looked at Catherine again this time with something akin to awe at the fact that she’d just offered to put herself in the line of all manner of potential fire from the Reese family. With a shrug Jerry turned back around and smiled at Sophia again. ”Well, I guess someone else is interested to.” Leaning slightly to the left so he could see over Sophia’s shoulder he chuckled to himself. ”You’re going to have yourself a professional musician for a sister pretty soon it sounds like from the way she’s going”

Another turn of his head to acknowledge Catherine ”And that sounds like you assume I’m an average male. The fact that I can reliably tell you that a Foxtrot has a longer stride should have clued you in.” Jerry winked with something that bordered on impish glee before returning his attention to Sophia.

”So? What’s it gonna be? You gonna kick me off your porch or do I get to help?”
Sophia gently took the small box from Jerry as he spoke, looking at it in awe before glancing up and taking the card he handed to her. He knew it was her birthday? AND he got her a gift? Well, this was a pleasant turn around from her conversation with forgetful Elliot earlier. She smiled wholeheartedly, "Aw, you didn't have to get me anything. Thank you though!"

She laughed as he offered to "save" her, the question resonating in her mind. Jerry, her knight in shining armor, come to save her from... her family? Herself? Wait... was he flirting with her right in front of his girlfriend? "Maybe they're swingers..." Catherine didn't seem to be too bothered with it, so Sophia held her smile, turning her gaze to the blonde woman who offered up her own help with the party setup. Two more or less strangers stood at her front door, showing her more caring and thoughtfulness than her own best friend. The world could be so strange. 

"Well, I-" She was cut off as her youngest sister came flying down from the stairs, wrapped herself around Sophia in a hug and wished her a happy birthday. Sophi stumbled a step to the side, using her free arm to wrap around Georgina's shoulder. She laughed, "Thank you!" She ruffled her sister's hair playfully as she greeted the two at the door. As Jerry mentioned Zoey in the background, she nodded and let Georgina step away. "Yeah, if there's one thing she's passionate about, it's that violin." She glanced over her shoulder to look at Zoey, her eyes wandering to Georgina once again as she noticed that Kylie had returned. 

Sophia hadn't really planned on this being an entire neighborhood reunion along with the family, but it was too late to turn back now. She turned back to Catherine and Jerry, "I wasn't really planning a huge party, but you and your girlfriend are welcome to help." She paused, opening up the door a bit for the couple to step inside. "And to attend, of course. Come on in, James is making breakfast." 

Completely absorbed with Catherine and Jerry's generosity, Sophia forgot that seeing Jerry again might have made Kylie feel more awkward than she probably already did. Instead of focusing on that, Sophia focused on the little box and card that Jerry had given her. Unwrapping the present and opening up the small black box, Sophia revealed a little black pepper spray keychain. She grinned, finding the gift comical and yet again thoughtful. She giggled, looking up at Jerry as she set down the box and took out the keychain to hold it up. "Thank you! I actually already have a pink one of these, but two is better than one." Her father had gotten her one before she went off to live in the college dorms. She had never had to use it before, but now it was a nice momento of his to keep with her. 

Setting the keychain down and opening up the card, Sophia's eyes grew wide when she saw the amount on the gift card. "Jerry!" She locked eyes with him, "You did not have to spend that much on me! Are you crazy?" She couldn't help but keep an excited grin on her face as she looked down again at the four hundred dollar gift card to the spa. Oh, she was going to enjoy her next trip to the spa. It was going to be a long one. Setting the card down, Sophia walked over to Jerry and wrapped him in a hug, throwing all boundaries aside for the moment. "You're too sweet, really. Thank you so much. You didn't have to do that!"

Jerry accepted the hug and whispered in her ear ”I know I have been a big pain for your family lately and I’m sorry. This is part of me saying I’m sorry” Taking a step back Jerry chuckled. ”And for the record. As much as Miss Catherine is a very lovely lady the two of us are not together. Infact I just met her only a minute or two before you did.” Throwing another wink at Sophia he waved at Georgina as she took off back into the house.

”Seriously though. I know I’ve been a pain in your family's ass. I’m seriously sorry. Let me help with your birthday. Hell if you want; my house is empty. You can go crash in the backyard by the pool and relax well away from everything if you’d really like to. I have a capable partner in crime now” Jerry shot another smile back at Catherine.

Stepping in Jerry stepped to the side of the entry way to let Catherine in gesturing with a gentle flourish. ”Ladies.” With a look over to the couch a small smile graced his lips at the young miss Reese’s playing. ”She is so good.”

"We may not be together..."

Catherine began, making her way through the door with a sarcastic curtsy as she passed Jerry.

"But planning a party together seems like as good of a blind date as any to me. Certainly can't be any worse than my last one. Hell, we could even attend the party as a second date!"

Here she was now, in the lion's den. Catherine tried not to show fear as half of the Reeses made their presence known. She was certain they could pick up on it like a shark could blood in the water. She let her eyes turn to Georgina for a while, gracing her with a smile as the older woman tried to take in all her details. Eventually she and this girl would be stuck together for the better part of the year. Hopefully she either was sane, or enjoyed history. Zoey had never been exceptionally whacko, but at the same time trying to teach her was like trying to turn a boulder into pebbles. With her fists.

Finally though, she settled on Sophia once more once the woman had finished hugging Jerry. Catherine slid her sunglasses down the bridge of her nose once more to look her in the eyes before giving a sudden wink.

"Right, my partner in crime here and I can handle the details. You should relax, get away for a bit. Between a cop and a teacher I think you can trust us to take the wheel for awhile."

Trust is worth more than gold, lock it away and keep only one key...

Perhaps she hypocrite, asking this woman to trust them for no reason. In fact, it made her a massive hypocrite, but in the end it was for a good cause, right? She couldn't speak for this cop she had just met, but Catherine already knew that she at least was trustworthy in this matter. Besides, she couldn't afford to lose her job over something stupid like petty theft or kidnapping.

"You're only doing your job." Sophia said, stepping out of the hug and smirking as he winked at her. Playfully she winked back. Was he flirting with her or not? It was hard to read this man, as she had only previously seen him in a serious manner. Nonetheless, it was fun to play the game again. 

According to the both of them they weren't together, yet Catherine seemed to believe this was a good chance for a blind date. She was interested in him then? Her eyes scanned Jerry for a reaction, wondering how he felt about this "blind date". The competitive side of her awakened somewhere deep down and she briefly felt a hint of jealousy until she realized how ridiculous that was. She barely knew this man, and he was the officer who had arrested her sister. Even if he was being rather charming, he was not hers. 

"Well, I think you'd make a lovely couple." Sophia grinned, half joking. "I would refuse all of your help, but who am I to stand in the way of a chance at true love for the both of you? It could be the cutest 'How did you meet?' story." She laughed, unsure if she was actually being sarcastic or not. Sophia gestured for them to follow her into the kitchen, heading that way herself. "At least have breakfast with us first."

Jerry’s eyebrows slowly rose as the comments about his relationship status went back and forth before he finally narrowed his eyes and decided to flip the table on both of them. Turning on Sophia he grinned as they walked towards the kitchen and dropped his line neatly as they walked towards the kitchen. ”Very funny Sophia you wanna tell her about how we’ve been together for like a month now? Or are you gonna keep leading her on?”

With a smooth step he put himself safely out of range of any retaliation from the eldest Reese. It was amazing how quickly things had turned towards his relationships. Given his reputation and his history with the Reese family things had escalated rather quickly. With a raised eyebrow at Catherine; Jerry smoothly maneuvered himself neatly into the kitchen and gave James a wave as he leaned against the edge of the entry way. 

Not how he’d planned on things going this morning. But. It could certainly be worse that was for sure. With a smooth motion he tugged his phone out of his pocket hitting the message ap with a quick swipe he brought up the message entry. With swift fingers he started his response.

Sounds lovely send me the address and let me bring something please. There is no way I’m invading your home without bringing something with me.

Flipping the phone back around he tucked his hands behind his back again and took in the table in the Reeses home. It had plenty of room for Jerry and Catherine. The thought gave Jerry pause. Two empty seats. That was incredible how the small things were the really morbid ones most of the time. Once upon a time he’d done a stint with L.A. county's Coroner doing weekly ride alongs. It was always strange standing in the homes of the dead, this one was still half living. It was a strange juxtaposition; so much life centered around such a profound death. 

Flicking his eyes back up Jerry gave Sophia a truly sincere smile. ”Thank you, I don’t think I’ve had breakfast in a home with so many people in years.”

Sophia chuckled as she made her way into the kitchen, towards James at the stove. "Oh, yes, we're madly in love actually. Due to be married." Her tone dripped with sarcasm, but she was enjoying the way he joked with her. Quite the difference from Elliot who at times acted as if she had the plague and could not touch him or even look at him in a certain way. 

Shaking off the thought she leaned up against the counter near her brother, eyeing the fluffy pancake cooking in the pan. "James, could you make some more pancakes for Jerry and Catherine? If you don't want to then I can take over..." She didn't want to make her brother feel obligated to tend to her guests. Pancakes were easy enough. Still, she couldn’t help but hope that James would oblige … she was starving. 

Catherine rolled her eyes at the two as she took a spot at the dining room table and sat down, content to move later if she was somehow disrupting some sacred seating arrangement. While she could carry on with their little three way charade, it was quickly turning from fun to tiresome. Still, her day had just taken an interesting turn to say the least. While it was likely to turn into an annoying experience, dealing with these people, she couldn't deny the perks. Free breakfast, and maybe even free booze later. The perfect situation for someone who was always woefully short on cash.

Well, free in the monetary sense. The cost to her sanity remained to be seen.

 @Viciousmarrow@SouffleGirl123@BlueAjah@Saint Girralo @lovely complex
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