It seemed like tonight was going to be a very long night, Jessica had Emma with her tonight. Normally she wouldn't expose her young daughter to the bloody mess of necromancy but she had no choice. Veronica was at the office late, and Christopher was called into Blood Dolls to help control one of the wereleopards there. So Jessica couldn't leave her young daughter with anyone. She really needed to talk to her boss about opening up a day - or well more like a night-care. She wasn't the only necromancer with children. However, Jessica really doubted that any of them had to take their baby out to the cemetery at night.

Jessica looked down to see her three month old daughter, Emma McClain, playing with her stuffed duck in the back seat. She looked just like her Grandmother, with her dark curly hair and large brown eyes. However she was a lot chubbier than Jessica was when she was a baby. Maybe it was something that she got from her dad. That was one thought that always made Jessica never want to look at her daughter again. She had Blaise's nose and little ears. Their little girl was ever starting to show early signs of his personality. Her laughter, moodyness, and being a sassy little brat, but Jessica still loved her to death.

Looking at her watch to check to time she had noticed that it was about time for her client to arrive. She didn't know much about this particular client because her boss didn't give her a file on him. Just a note saying that she had to meet him here at eleven. So here she was sitting in her car with a three month old baby waiting for a guy she didn't know. Can you say bad idea? Jessica wasn't happy about this and everyone knew it. She was going to have a serious talk about how in the hell she talked to and saw in the middle of the night. If the boss man tried this again she was gone.

After about ten more minutes of silence Jessica finally got out of her car and started to strech her legs and talk around the graves. She knew strayed to far from the car, because the thought of being away from Emma scared her. She didn't trust that one of the local blood suckers wouldn't take her. Stupid sons a bitches.

"Fuck, I'll give this guy one more minute then I'm out of here." Jessica said as she shook her head softly, letting her brown hair bounce around. She could hear that Emma was starting to become fussy, and sleepy herself. This was turning out to be a short night.

Gerard alway made sure that he remained well informed about ever new comer into this city that would have a chance to interest him. A new employee of In the Moonlight Animators interested him greatly. He was pleasantly surprised when this Jessica applied for a position in one of Isabel's new holdings. She had beaten him to the punch in purchasing the company. Granted what ever she owned was by vampire law his but her business ventures he let be her own little games. It was a sound business decision on top of it all. They had a limited number of providers which meant that within reason they could charge what ever they wished.

He also knew that today this one would be forced to bring her daughter with her to the raising. It was part of the plan to arrange a night that she would be there. Gerard held an interest in learning how the trait of necromancy and how that trait could be influenced to make the necromancer stronger or weaker. He was in the shadow of a near by tree watching the necromancer observing the way she handled such stresses and the potential lateness of a client. When she was at wits end he stepped out of the shadow.

Gerard was careful making sure that he kept his power closely wrapped around him. It was good that he was old and practiced enough to hide the bulk of what he was even from one that had an affinity to the dead. The only way she would ever be able to tell what and who he was if she directed her power into him and found his shields firmly in place.

“Please excuse my lateness. I was caught by the beauty of the stars here and lost completely track of the time.” He could not help but notice that she was looking back over and over again to her car. Exactly where the newborn was resting. “If you wish you may go check on her I do not mind waiting for you to come back. Further more, if you would permit it I can have one of my party watch over the little one until we finish here.”

Gerard gave her a very genuine smile and he let it touch his eyes. There was a very good reason why he was such an actor. That was to let potential marks feel comfortable around him.

As she gave the cemetery one more look around before making the choice to leave, she saw him. Jessica saw a guy walk out of the shadows and to her. If this wasn't her client, this wasn't good. Who in the hell goes walking in cemeteries at night away? More or less just comes up out of the blue and wants to have a zombie raised, and having the animator have no clue why. Can you say no way in hell? Jessica wasn't going to do the job until she got a little bit more information on this guy and why she was here.

“Please excuse my lateness. I was caught by the beauty of the stars here and lost completely track of the time.”

Jessica just put on her best professional smile and nodded her head. However, she knew that it didn't reach her eyes. Something about this guy was just off. Who looked at the stars in a cemetery? What was the real reason why he was so late? Also who talked like this? Jessica always asked questions about people and never looked at someone and thought she could trust them instantly.

After this client had offered for her to go check on Emma, Jessica didn't move. She wasn't about to turn her back to someone she didn't know. Also, the fact that he creeped her out, and offered to watch Emma while she worked was worst. Jessica didn't want anyone around her baby while she was working. Paranoid? Maybe just a little.

Walking back slowly to her Jeep she Jessica kept her eyes on the client. Once in the Jeep Jessica check on Emma and gave her a stuffed toy and wrapped a blanket around her closely. She could tell that Emma would any minute fall asleep and wanted the lights turned out. So that was exactly what Jessica did. She hated to leave her daughter in the dark Jeep all alone but hopefully this couldn't take to long and they both could get home and sleep. Once she had her daughter to sleep Jessica closed the door to the Jeep and cracked the window so she could still here her daughter.

Turning back to the client, Jessica had a smile on her face. Once again, it didn't reach her eyes. Though to night was about putting on a show, and telling the Boss man she could actually do her job. Even if he didn't give her any info on the topic.

"Thank you for the offer to watch my daughter, but I think she'll be fine. She is sleeping know and hopefully will sleep through the night. I don't think we'll need your men." Jessica tried to sound censear, but it didn't sound like it. "What can I help you with tonight? Is this a legal matter or have you just come to see a loved one? If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them. Oh, and my name is Jessica McClain."

This one was very interesting to Gerard. She was naturally distrusting of anyone she meant. He had a moment to wonder exactly what had jaded her so much before making a mental note to pull a few of the strings needed for a discrete and extremely deep background check. All knowledge was worth having and the more he could gather about this new necromancer the better he could gauge which path he would need to take.

The fact that she was jaded and seemingly paranoid about her child’s well being just increased the amount of interest the vampire had for her. Challenges were unusual for him and to pass one up was almost unheard of. He remained exactly where she left him after checking on her child. It was interesting that she refused assistance in her child care but he was not one to question it. Raising a child was after all the realm of motherhood and who was he to ever step on the toes of another when he had never raised a single human being.

So he waited exactly where she left him every now and then taking a step and glancing out over the stars. He had budgeted enough time that this would not run into any of his other engagements. The grave that he chosen tonight was one of the older ones in the cemetery. While his research suggested that she would be able to raise such a zombie with considerable effort he wanted to see it firsthand. As an added bonus he had the unique knowledge of a far older body that was buried even lower beneath it. If she was able to raise them both he would be impressed but even that would be considered a surprise for even the strongest necromancers that were allowed to live.

“Very well and for the record she was female the one that would have taken care of your child should you agreed to it.” He gave her another smile. “I have plenty of questions. I have a curiosity in how the dead are raised. If you would permit my curiosity could you walk me through the how and the why of each step of the raising. I assure you I do not belong to any sort of press or organization but merely wanting it for research purposes only.”

When she introduced herself he gave a slight bow of his head. “A pleasure to meet you Miss McClain. If you will follow me this is the grave I would like to be raised. Do you require me to be inside the circle or outside of it? Either way I will consent to it, it is after all your show as they say.”

Jessica just nodded her head and tried very hard not to scream. Of course, she would get the client that had to be very tecnical with the raising. Couldn't she just get the job done and everything be hunky dory? This was going to be a long night if he was going to ask what she was doing every five minutes. It took a hell of a lot longer and a lot more patcents on her part to not sick the zombie on this guy. Hopefully he wouldn't turn out like Mr. Goodall. Now that man would have made a priest swear and damn him to hell.

As Jessica was lead over to the grave she couldn't help but wonder how old this zombie out be. "Well the basic idea of raising a zombie is to bring the dead back to life. No not permently, but for a short time. I have to call the corpse from the grave and bring it back to us. On some accasions it has been known for a zombie to come back looking just like he was still alive." Jessica explained about how she could bring the zombie back.

"I would have to draw a ring around the grave and then sacrifice a chicken or goat for the raising to work. Though, I was fresh out of farm animals so I'm going to have to do this the hard way. If the sight of blood dissagrees with you then please turn away." Jessica told him how she was going to do it, now came the part for the actual act.

Jessica pulled out the dagger she held in her boots and looked down at the grave as she opened her arms up. Soon a cold breeze made her face and arms colder. Though there was no wind. Jessica called something inside of her that let her raise the dead. She knew that this was her power, no one elses. This was something that made her feel at home. Something dead.

Pushing her power into the ground Jessica felt like she was out streching her hand into the dirt and looking into the ground. She first found a corpse that was in a grave. However, she felt something deeper, something more in the depts of the eath. Curiosity got the better of her and she couldn't help but each out for the body. Jessica wanted to know who was down there, or maybe what was down there.

Making another cut on her other arm Jessica allowed more blood to flow on to the ground. She wanted to know what was in the ground, and she was going to find out. Something that she was very good at was determination. If Jessica set her sites on something then she was going to get it. Most of the time it had it's advatages, like now, but others it really got her into trouble.

"Just a little more. Just a little more, come on." Jessica whispered softly. Pushing all of her power down into the graves and bringing up the corpes slowly and then regrowing broken and decomposing flesh in order to realize the zombies were who they were. Finally after using most of her streigth Jessica had pulled both corpses out of the ground and now they were standing in front of her. She offered them her blood and they agreed. Now it was just a matter of controling both of them.

"Were these the two you wanted?" Jessica asked in a raspy voice.

Gerard paid careful attention to each and every last one of her movements. He had found that over the years of watching such raisings that there was always a common element between them. At first he thought it was just merely a coincidence but then upon further research he realized that there was a common theme between them all. Necromancers all over the world practiced within the same realms calling to the lines between life and death. No matter where he went he could never find one that would be able to answer that final question. How was it that vampires rise every night? That one answer would be enough to further increase his influence and his own power if he could understand that.

With each step Gerard nodded filling away this particular ones style so that he could replay it later and add it to the growing collection of his notes. He was actually impressed that she was able to raise not one but both Zombies without the aid of a sacrifice. Her own blood and a minor death mixed with power was all that was needed for not one but both zombies. He felt her power through the circle and was a bit surprised when they both rose and fed from her. Sure he noticed she had nothing left and this simple act would probably be enough to exhaust her abilities to raise any types of the dead for some time. It was a necessary expense for the company and now he had a better feel for her abilities. More importantly he knew the flavor of her power and now will be able to follow its taste and know exactly what she had done and worked with.

“Yes those would be the ones thank you Ms McClain. Are you okay that looks like it took more then you would have liked out of you. If you need you can put them back and rest otherwise I would enjoy seeing the amount of control you have over these two.”

Breathing very heavily Jessica couldn't help but want to just cuddle up with some TV and a blanket. Raising something this old took a lot out of a girl, and personally Jess couldn't do it all night long. She might be able to do it once or twice a week but if she had to raise another zombie tonight for another client it would be impossible. This one had taken a lot of willpower and power just to get one zombie, but to have the second one come out as well... it was just a bitch.

Jessica listened to the words her client was saying, but she didn't know if she could really understand him. The only thought on her mind was directed to the two zombies sucking at her scared and bloody arms. Jessica looked over at him and stared at him for a while, before she finally comprehinded what he had said. Then she simply will and forced the zombies off of her. If they kept drinking from her like this she was going to have to go to the hospital before to long.

"I'm fine. I just need to rest for a second or two." Jessica said over her shoulder to the client. This guy was really going to start to piss her off. Though, she had to be nice. Most people didn't know how hard that was for Jessica at times. "What would you like for me to order them to do?"

Her heart beat was slowing from the loss of blood it was evident in almost every part of her. The skin was a bit pale and he could feel the body trying to keep up with the sudden loss of the blood and power behind it. She was dead on her feet yet still she decided to not give up and put them to rest. There was something to be said about the sheer persistence and stubbornness of this woman. If he had to guess it was apart of raising that small child on her own while having the oddest hours.

Gerard felt the slight flex of her will with the blood running through the zombies’ veins. When she said she was fine and took a moment he knew that she was gathering the last bit of her strength. “I do not need you to prove to me that you are able to control them. Merely having your word to it will suffice for me. You may put them to rest now should you desire it.”

Jessica was glad to hear that she didn't have to use anymore of her power to control the zombies. However, she still needed to put them back in the ground. That still took power, and it would use up the last of hers. Jessica was running low on strength and still having to take Emma home with her tonight was something that she didn't know she could accomplish. Maybe she could call Christopher to come pick both of them up.

Using the last bit of her power, Jessica put both zombies to rest. It was really pointless for her to raise them and then to just put them back. Who in the hell was this guy? Did he just want to see her to it? Or was he some crazy that was watching animators like herself? All of these were good questions to ask, but Jessica wasn't going to do it because that might upset the client.

"Ok they are gone. Now if you would please excuse me I need to sit down." Jessica started to stumble her way across the graves to her Jeep. Tonight was not a good night. Jessica started to feel light headed and then slowly her vision only faded away into a dark nothingness. She was consumed in darkness, and for the first time in months it feel wonderful.

There was nothing left within the necromancer. She was running on less then fumes and the last ounce of her power left her the moment she placed them into the ground. Gerard knew then that he would have to deal with yet another necromancer that had bit off far too much then they could chew and pass out at his feet. It was becoming quite bothersome with having to make the arrangements ahead of time with every last one he decided to meet. Luckily he thought ahead. When he saw the first wavering step it was all over.

“By all means Mss McClain, please sit and rest.” The words were barely out of his mouth before the knees buckled and she started to fall to the ground. Suddenly Gerard was there supporting the fallen woman in his arms so that she did not injure herself more when she struck the unforgiving ground. “Violet, please inform the house that it went just as I expected and that Miss McClain needs assistance in recovering from tonight. If you will be so kind to take her home and when she wakes to prepare a breakfast for her. I will be sending the certified care taker to the house now so that you will not have to deal with the little one.”

The orders issued he rode with the fallen woman in her own car with Violet driving. His usual car followed behind him so that he would be able to arrive back at his manor once everything was arranged. When she was to wake up she would have all of the paperwork for the caretaker with valid and up to date day care license, a note from her boss to take the next two days off with pay, and finally a phone number with no name attached to it. They all rested on her nightstand so it would be the first thing that she would see when she woke up. Gerard also instructed violet to declothe the necromancer and to lay out the clothing for the day when she was to awaken.

Everything that was needed to be done was either finished or all ready underway. The only thing Gerard had to do is wait back at his house with a good book for the call and the explanation he would most likely have to give. More than likely he would also have to fend off claims against his honor in the process.

Jessica woke up the next morning with only a vivid memory of the events that had accured last night. She could remember that her daughter was falling asleep, meaning tall dark and creepy, and raising two zombies. Though, she didn't know how she came to be in her bed at home. Where was Emma? What had happened last night? And why was she.....naked?!

The realization of her current state hadn't hit her until this moment. She was naked in a bed. She couldn't remember how in the fuck she got like this. Also, her daughter was missing. Son of a bitching, this wasn't turning out to be a good morning start.

Turning over on her side Jessica pulled the covers closer to her. Looking over at the night stand she had found a phone number with no name on it. Then there were a few folders on the desk as well. Reaching over Jessica picked thim up and started to read them over. It had just stated that all of the paperwork she would have done last night for the raising was finished, a licence for a care taker for Emma, and lastly her favorite part of this whole bloody morning - a note stating she had two days off with pay. Now, this was starting to becoming an even more uneasy morning.

Sitting up and grabbing a rob which Chrisopher had bought her last Christmas, Jessica started to finally wake up. Her body was still exhausted from last nights events, but she needed to find Emma and something smelled really good down stairs. Then she would have to call that mystery number to find out what in the hell was going on around here.

As Jessica walked down stairs she found that Emma was playing on the floor with Christopher, while Ronnie and who Jessica assumed was the care taker. She just smiled softly over in their direction as she went over to pick up Emma. "Hey baby girl." Jessica soon started to check her daughter for any cuts, scrapes, or bruises. She still didn't trust strangers with her baby. "Here go to Christopher and Mr. Huggles." Jessica gave the baby back to Christopher and said her thank yous to the care taker and told her she could leave. The woman didn't say anything to her and just left. Ronnie started to try to get the scoop on things, but Jessica just shook her head and said she would fill her in later. Right now she needed to make a phone call.

Grabbing a plate of bacon and eggs, Jessica went back to her bedroom and closed the door. Jessica walked over grabbed her phone and the number and called Mr. Mystery. She wanted to at last thank him, and ask why in the hell would someone do all of this. Normal people don't do this unless they have a motive. He had to have one for paying so much for that raising.

So as she sat on her bed still naked Jessica just let the phone ring until someone finally picked up.

It was a very good thing that Gerard was an early riser. He had expected her to at least sleep past noon but was a bit surprised when the phone started ringing before the second meal had been served to the house. It mattered not the afternoon was open besides for a few business transactions that need to be dealt with. Even with the passing of the new laws and making vampires legal there were many business that still did not want to operate on night hours. It mattered not for he could accomplish it during business hours or the night time. One of the wonderful beauties of having the power that Gerard enjoyed.

The number that he had provided the young mother was a line that was just recently connected to the house. While it was not a direct line to him it did provide a quick access to the Master of the house. When the phone rang after the second ring a feminine voice picked up the line. “One moment Ms McClain, I will connect you right away.” The phone went silent without a moments hesitation. After a few moments Gerard picked up the line.

“Good morning Miss McClain. I trust the caretaker preformed adequately for you. I must apologize for pushing past your limits last night. It was the least I could do was to make sure you were well taken care of. I did not wish to leave you in the graveyard after our business was complete. I had to act with the best interest of the little one. I hope you can accept my apology.”

When Jessica heard his voice come on the phone she knew who she was meant to call. Her client. The creepy guy who had told her nothing about himself or the real reason why both of them were out there. So the real question right now was why did he want her to talk to him right now? Did he have another job for her? Or was he just consernd about her well being. The lather of the two would not have been her first guess.

"Yes, I do accept your apology. However it wasn't your fault on testing my limits it was my own," Jessica had to play nice with this guy or he might not come back. She was sure that her boss might be pissed if she turned away a client like this. Oh yeah, great way to start off a new job. So right now she had to play the sweet little animator that she wasn't. " Also yes the care taker was very kind in taking care of my daughter, and once again I think you for that. However, I do wish that you wouldn't do that again in the future and just call my office instead. Though I appresiate the jester."

All of the small thank you talk didn't get either of them anywhere. Yes, Jessica was thankful for it but she wanted answers. So how do you get answers out of a guy over the phone who doesn't really want to give you any? Talk her away into it slowly and just ask quickly what she wanted to know. Pfft. No, that took too long. Jessica just wanted to know now, and sometimes just asking was faster.

"So would you mind telling me why you wanted me to call you? What is your name, by the way? I never did catch it on the paper work nor was it writen on the paper that you gave me. " Jessica tried to keep the sweetness in her voice but she knew that it was slipping away.

Gerard was smiling on his side of the phone. From what he had read on this necromancer, she was not one to accept help from strangers. She would be even more wary of him now that he not only invaded her home but actually took more than decent care of her child and her house. That had to piss her off even more than being taken care of. “You are correct Ms McClain I have overstepped my boundaries. My only thoughts were for the well being of you and yours next time I shall call your office and make the appropriate accommodations.”

Then she started in with small talk and the only thought that was running through was how precious and strained she was trying to be. There was an attempt at sweetness buried underneath her words but quickly it faded out. “I wanted to make sure that you were okay. Is it so wrong of me to be concerned of your well being as well? If it is I will make sure that it will not happen again. You are correct Miss McClain, it was not on the paper work nor on the card. My name is Gerard though. Is there anything else I can do for you today?”

Great now she was just being a bitch because she wouldn't let him help her. Jessica took a deep breath in slowly in through her nose and let it out through her mouth. She had to be nice to him and actually realize that he wasn't that bad of a guy, no matter how creepy he was. He could have just left her and Emma out there, but he didn't. So that did give him a point in the ok department. However, doing all of these things for her was starting to make Jessica feel a little uneasy. Why was he doing it?

"I'm sorry for my rudness Gerard," Jessica said as she controled herself. "Please accept my appology. Is there any thing I could do for you? You have been very generous with me tonight and well I've just snapped at you the whole time. Please let me make this up to you, I would hate to lose our buissness agreements over my rudeness."

Oh yeah she was laying it on thick there at the end. Jessica didn't want to lose this client because he had paid boo-coo bucks to the Boss man. If he didn't come back that would mean a lot of the money would be lost, and Jessica would be out of a job. So breathing was a much, and some sucking up would be a lot.

Even over the phone he felt one of the walls release from within the woman. When she spoke again he could hear the change in her voice enough that she was accepting at least his help. This was always the first step. They had to accept and lower the first defense then it was all but over. “Your apology is accepted Miss McClain. I can understand why a mother such as yourself would be wary of anyone helping you.”

He let her hear over the phone an intake of breath. Something that was entirely human and usually only brought out to make them feel better. “I can understand how hard it has been, that was why I offered the services of my caretaker. To help ease some of that hardship especially after such a difficult night.” He smiled once more but this time let the smile touch his words for her. “You have not been rude enough to make me rethink my investment in your services Ms McClain it will take a far greater amount of uncouth behavior for that.” He gave a slight chuckle so she would know it was the beginning of joke.

“What do you have in mind to make it up to me as you so put it?”

Oh great now she had to think of something to make it up to him. At first Jessica couldn't think of anything that a rich guy like this would like. Offering him a nice big present sounded to much like a bribe. She didn't want to insult him. However, the present didn't sound to bad. But Jessica just kept thinking for now. What in the hell could she give him? A date? Maybe, it was one of the things she could actually offer.

"How about a date next Friday?" Jessica asked. She bit her lip softly and started to ramble a little bit around what she was proposing. "I mean not like a date date, just a dinner date. No not a dinner date, but a dinner among friends or well aquantences. Do you like Crimson Kisses? I've heard great things about the place, and well we could meet there and have dinner and then well I've repaid you. Does that sound fair?" Jessica was making a fool of herself. Great.

The moment the words left his mouth he could almost hear the gears turning within the head of the young necromancer. She asked him him out on a date. Gerard could barely contain the chuckle from coming out of his lips. Here he was over a thousand years old and was just asked out on a date. This was certainly an unexpected change of pace. Then she asked him to yet another place that he owned. This was something more reason of an acquisition.

Ever since Sigurd had came into his house and become a part of his ranks he now owned everything that was once his. Since he had then left the city they now fell to him to manage. “Thank you for such a compliment Miss McClain I have the great honor of owning that establishment Though this is the first time I was ever invited to my own restaurant.” This time he did offer a slight chuckle. “How about we compromise Miss McClain, I will invite you to my estate for a dinner you will not forget. Though I will have to ask you a question first.”

“What is your favorite type of food so that I will have it prepared by my chefs for you. I will also be sending my car to pick you up an hour before the dinner. If you will also speak with my seamstress I will have a dress prepared for the evening as well for you. Does that sound adequate for you?”

Oh perfect, Jesssica had just invited him to his won restrant. How in the hell could she have known that he owned the place? Jessica didn't know anything about him, and hell she just learned his bloody name only minutes ago. So why was she going on this date again? Oh yeah, to no lose this buisness deal. Got to keep the people happy. So embarressing herself every few minutes would do that, then well fuck this was going to be a very long night... date.

Suddenly snapping out of her transe of over thinking, Jessica realized taht Gerard had said something. She started to blink slowly trying to prosses exactly what he had said. What kind of food she liked? Ok that was easy, Italian. He would be picking her up in one of his cars, ok that seemed a little bit over due but still it would only be nice to agree. However, when Jessica heard that he wanted her to talk to a seamstress about getting her a new dress. Jessica had to stop him. He was over dueing things for this little date of theirs. Maybe this was his big plan after all, and he was just now acting upon it. Or she could just be reading to far into this.

"My favorite food would be Italian and the car ride would be fine. THough I do not think that I need a new dress for this 'date'. I mean I appresiate the offer, but please Gerard it is to much. I have plent of dresses here at home and it would be fine if I ware of of those. Really you don't need to go out of your way to set all of this up." Jessica tried to explain to him. However, she was guessing that it wouldn't help much. Gerard seemed to be the kind of guy that got what he wanted.

Gerard heard the silence from the other side of the phone. She was considering not only the offer but all the offer could mean. So now the game of negotiation had begun. She had accepted the dinner at his manor and the car ride. The only thing left was to convince her that she needed the dress. Gerard had a grand idea how to press her on that part. “Well Italian food we shall have. I will begin forming the menu the moment we hang up the phone. The car shall pick you up at six precisely.”

“I understand that I do not need to go out of my way to set this all up but I enjoy doing so. You will have to forgive my exuberance in planning this. It is not every day that I am asked out on a date or dinner date as you happen to call it. I insist on the dress I will not have you arrive without any clothing. While the emperor will be pleased you chose to dress in his style I do not think the authorities will appreciate such an action.” He once again let his smile be heard in over the phone.

“If that is your desire though Miss McClain I am sure together we can make it happen. Though I do believe you would rather come to my house clothed, non?” He gave a very masculine chuckle. “I do not understand. I am offering you a new dress custom tailored to your ever curve and yet you refuse. Must I toss in a new pair of shoes as well?”

For a second there Jessica wanted to come through the phone and slap him. He had just said that he wouldn't mind her showing up naked! She knew the Emperors New Clothes fairy tale, because she had read it to Emma when she couldn't sleep at night. Jessica was still a little shocked that he would say such a thing to her,and yet she could believe it. So far her oppinion of him was nothing more then a cocky smooth talking buisness man -- the worst kind.

Great now he was seguesting that they go along with it! For Jessica to show up at his house naked, and have this date naked. Oh that was something she really didn't want to do. This date was just something to say thank you for the kindness and nothing more. She didn't want to get into all of the things that would actually happen on an actual date. For God sakes this is supposed to be dinner only. No romance. No looking extreamly handsome sitting across the table from her. NO sexual tention in the room! Just a simple date.

Becoming rather frustrated now Jessica glared down at the phone. She was starting to gret asking him how on the date of their's. But she needed to keep him happy so this date would go down. Crap.

"Ok, if you you insist on the dress then I will take it, however, no shoes. I do not wished to be spoiled and treated like freaking royalty. Mr. Gerard I am not used to this sort of luxery nor do I wish it. So please no more offers. I will talk with the seamstress and find a dress. I will be waiting for the car to pick me up at six and arrive at the house. Thank you for the wonderful offers, but I must cut our conversation short I think I hear Emma crying. Goodbye, Gerard." Jessica hung up the phone before he could say anything else to her. Yes, it was rude but it got her off the phone with him. What was this man going to offer her next? A plane flight to Paris, and spending a night in a wonderful hotel. Jessica didn't think so. He was rather pushy, and she didn't know if that was a good or bad thing.