The Artful Dodger

1.02 Late Nights

I hummed lightly as I searched through the cabinets in the back room of the operating theatre. They keep most of the drugs back here -- from what I can tell at least they do. I closed the drawer to my right in frustration as I did not find what I was looking for. You would think, with this being an operating theater and all, that they would have this place organized. However, that is not the fact. Chemicals and drugs are thrown miscellaneously into the cabinets. There is no system of organization. Even the table in the center of the room is askew as 3 sets of surgeon tools and miscellaneous essentials for surgery are thrown about.

I huffed as another cabinet turned up no results. "I thought you were going home for the night" I heard making me jump. I turned to see Jack leaning in the doorway. "Don't do that" I scolded. I brought my hand to my chest, taking a deep breathe to calm my heart. "Sorry, Kim" he said softly. "It is fine" I mumbled as I went back to my search.

I closed the cabinet I was in and moved to the next one -- just to the right of where I had been. "I thought you were home for the night" he repeated. I bit my lip lightly. I do not particularly wish to tell him that I am avoiding my house and the suitor that mother keeps trying to push onto me. "Where are the vitamins kept? Do you even have vitamins here?" I asked. It seems like the best change in subject.

I looked to see that his eyebrows were drawn together. "Vitamins? Why do you need vitamins?" he asked confused. "Jack, do you have vitamins in this hospital or not?" I asked him. I leaned onto the counter in front of me as I took in a deep breathe. I shouldn't be angry. I have no reason to be angry, yet anger grows.

"Come, they are in the hall medicine closet" he said. I pushed off the counter to see he remained in place but his hand was outreached to me. I walked to him and took his hand. "You are aware how late it is, right Kim?" he asked me as he began to lead me down the hall. I paused and looked out the window to see that it is in fact getting dark out. "Oh lord. It will not be safe to return home. Will it?" I asked him. I have never been outside of the estate this late. Mother always made sure I was home before dinner and then never let me leave after. Her fear that I could be taken again still resides within her. I do not blame her, but as a woman who is in adulthood, it tends to become a little overbearing at times.

Jack chuckled lightly. "You truly know nothing of the town, do you" he replied. I just shot him a small smile. "You can stay here tonight" he said softly. I bit my lip. I do not know if that is the best idea; but I do not know what it is like out there once the sun has set. I do not particularly wish to learn that today. Jack dropped my hand as he made it to the closet. He opened the door and shifted around the contents for a few seconds. "Here we are. Vitamins, just like you asked" he said. Jack turned to me and held the bottle up. I gave him a smile before taking the bottle.

"Why do you need the vitamins?" he asked. This man really cannot go without an answer. He then began to lead me away. Once in the center entry way of the hospital, he lead me up the stairs. "They are for my elder sister, Belle, she is with child. I have read that Casimir Funk and several other doctors have said that taking vitamins will help with fetal development. Or at the very least help her remain in more of a prime help while she is pregnant" I told him. He hummed in response as we made it to his room.

Jack held the door open and motioned for me to go in. Inside Fagin sat in the chair at Jack's desk. "Out, Fagin" Jack practically ordered him. The older man appeared to be ready for bead. I went to argue but Jack shot me a look, telling me to keep quiet. I just stood back and watched as Fagin complained as he left the room. Jack began to take his layers off.

I blinked a few times shocked. I was not prepared for him to start undressing. "Here" Jack suddenly said. He pulled off his shirt and held it to me. "You can wear this" he said. My eyes glued themselves to his chest. He is so fit and has the slightest hint of defined ab muscles. Jack cleared his throat as he shook his outreached hand. I looked up to see he was smirking ever so slightly.

I cleared my own throat slightly as I took his shirt. "Will you help me with the ties?" I asked as I turned around. I took a sharp intake of breath as I felt his hands on my hips. His fingers trailed the small of my back as he moved to untie my skirt. The moment it was undone, Jack let the material drop to the floor, bringing his hands back to my waist. I leaned back into his chest as his hands circled around my torso. His hands came to my right side as he unbuttoned my dress top. Once it was unbuttoned, his hands made their way underneath, slowly making their way back to my hips.

I twisted my head ever so slightly so I could see him. He was already looking at me. I bit my lip as I watched him looking between my eyes and lips. An endless circle of my eyes then lips. "I will need you to turn around" I said so quietly I was almost unsure if I had actually said it.

Jack silently and slowly let his hands slide from my hips -- him turning to face the door. Carefully, I took off the dress jacket and placed it over the chair. I took off the rest of my clothes, leaving me in just my undergarments. Sliding Jack's shirt on, I cleared my throat. He turned, his eyes raking over my body as he took me in. He slowly closed the space between us.

I smiled at him as he brought his left hand to cup my cheek, his right going to rest on my hip. His eyes traced every inch of my face, occasionally going down to catch a glimpse of me swimming in the material of his shirt. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "We should go to bed" he whispered in my ear. Heat raised to my face but I nodded none the less.

I turned and went to his bed, throwing his sheets over. I crawled in and got settled. Jack laid down beside me. I pulled the covers over the both of us before I laid my head on his bare chest. I brought my hand up to rest near my head, occasionally tracing shapes into his skin. "Are you sure it is alright I stay here?" I asked softly. "I am sure, Kim" he reassured. I nodded lightly and closed my eyes.

I am not sure how long I was asleep for. I know that he had fallen asleep because he had fallen asleep before me. I never knew how easy it was to fall asleep to the even breathing of a sleeping person. I was awoken, however, when Jack gently moved me off of him and sat up. I rubbed my eye lightly, sitting up ever so slightly. "Jack? Are you alright?" I asked him. I looked to see it is still very dark outside. "I'm fine, Kim. Go back to sleep" he said softly. I watched as he went to his cabinet and put on a new shirt. "A-are you sure? It's still late and you're dressing" I mumbled as I sat up more. I pulled my legs to my chest, making sure to keep them covered -- it is slightly cold in here.

Jack let out a chuckle. "I am sure, Kim. I am just going out for some air. Unless you prefer me to go out only in my under garments" he said teasingly. Silently, I shook my head, biting my lip. He pulled on his pants from yesterday, buttoning them up as he walked back to me. He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "Go back to sleep, I'll be back" he whispered. I nodded lightly before doing as he said. I watched him finish putting on the bare minimum before he left. I closed my eyes and let sleep take over once more

(A/N I know that vitamins were not a thing till the 1900s, but we're pretending here)