A Collection of Odds & Ends

Back Where it Began (Jai Courtney)

Here is a short "bonus" clip, if you will, of Jai and Cosette. I had started writing this, when I wrote "Filled with Laughter & Hope for the Future" originally, this was to be the third fic. Now, it is just a tidbit. I figured I'd post it today, to hold over until I get the final part of these two finished.

-----------------------

"Cosette!" Jai's hushed tone rumbled through the darkness. "Cos?" he called a little louder this time.

Damn that woman!

If she left him in here alone, he would be pissed. No he wouldn't, not for long anyway. He could never truly stay mad at her.

"Cos?" he called again, trying to find any sign of her in the dark water.

"What do you want, ya big baby?" Cosette called back to him, pushing her drenched hair out of her face. Funny, the first time Jai had ever suggested taking a nude dip in the secluded beach, it had been Cosette who had panicked.

"I just wanted to make sure you were safe." Jai shrugged, his shoulders lifting slightly out of the water before going back under.

"I'm fine." Cosette swam closer, the cool water felt great against her sun kissed skin. The evening was hot and the ocean was heaven. Lazily draping her arms around Jai's neck, she smiled. "Can I kiss you?"

"You can do whatever you want, no complaints." Jai chuckled, stealing the kiss. Balancing both of their weight in the water, he let his hands drag across her back, resting on her bottom.

"How much trouble do you think we'd get in, if we were caught doing this?" Cosette asked, her eyes glancing back to the shore line.

"Maybe a fine. No worries, love. I don't think they'd haul us off to jail or anything." Jai answered, kissing the tip of her nose. "Why? You plan on getting caught?"

"No." Cosette shook her head.

Her fingers tangled in the back of his wet curls, as she rested against his body, her gaze flickering over his face. His beard had slowly began to grow back, after the last role he'd taken demanded it be shaved. On his chest, a small patch of hair had began to reclaim it's territory as well. In the cool water, she could feel his chest pressing against hers, his arms wrapped snugly around her body keeping her from drifting away in the sway of the ocean.

Around them the air was quiet, the only sound audible was their breathing and the waves gently hitting the sandy beach. Rocking back and forth in the movement, Cosette smiled and brushed a few wet piece of hair out of Jai's face.

"I've missed this." her voice was quiet. "I know you had to go for work, but I really miss having you around."

"You know, babe." Jai paused, giving her another kiss. "I wasn't thrilled with the idea of spending our vacation here, but I'm glad we are."

"I told you!" Cosette boast, a smug smile etching across her face. She was so damned determined about everything, Jai had to eventually give in when she insisted they spend vacation in Sydney. "I knew it! You love this place, how could you not want to be here? I love being here, even if you do think it's a drag having your mom check in almost every day." she teased.

They had argued for the better part of eight weeks and two days, about whether or not they would vacation in Sydney or some other exotic location. Eventually, Jai had given in just to stop Cosette from nagging him. She had her ways of getting practically everything she wanted from him, no wonder. A man could only stand listening to so much.

Honestly, he'd be a little disappointed if she wasn't on his ass about something, or bossing him around. If she stopped, then it wouldn't be his Cosette. It didn't hurt that she liked to use sexual favours to get her way as well.

"Yeah, I think it's time to change the locks on my apartment." Jai nodded and laughed.

"We can do it tomorrow." Cosette suggested, tightening her legs around his naked waist, trying to stop herself from drifting.

"Naw, I think we'll take tomorrow to stay in bed." Jai scrunched up his nose and shook his head.

"Mmm, I'd love that." Cosette frowned. As much as she'd love to keep Jai naked and in bed, all day, he had previously told her that he had plans. Shame. "Didn't you tell some friends that you'd hang with them tomorrow?"

"I can cancel." Jai insisted.

"Really? You're going to cancel on your mates, just to change the locks, so your mom can't randomly come over?" Cosette let out a laugh. "Babe, you're being silly."

"I think they'll understand when I tell them, why I'm ducking out." Jai smirked, his fingers gently squeezing her backside. Cosette's brow furrowed, Jai never canceled plans with his Sydney friends, on the account he hardly ever saw them.

"Oh really?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "Are we talking about the same friends?"

"Trust me, babe." Jai rested his forehead against hers. "When I tell them I can't come out to play, because I need to stay home with my new fiancee, they will totally understand."

Caught between a squeal and a gasp, Cosette's eyes went wide and her jaw practically hit the water.

"Cos? Cosette?" Jai urged, gently nudging her. He assumed this reaction was pleasant.

"Oh, Jai." Cosette cooed, her arms wrapping tighter around his neck.

Even in the dim light, Cosette couldn't hide the fact her eyes were lined with tears. Holding his face in her hands, she smiled and began to laugh. "You crazy bastard. Are you sure? Are you sure that you want to marry me?"

"Only if you want to marry me. If you say 'no', then we forget I ever mentioned it." Jai laughed, leaning in and kissing her. His face still sandwiched between her hands, Cosette leaned in kissing him harder. "Is that a yes?"

Cosette giggled, kissing him again. "I love you, Jai Courtney, I love you so much."