Stargazing ((Chase))

[Chase Connors]

Chase didn’t want the kiss to end but, like all good things, it did end. As they pulled apart slightly they both struggled to breathe properly, and neither of them really let go enough to let the other move. As Emily stumbled over her words Chase moved the hand that had been against the back of her neck and used it to brush her hair back from her face, watching as her eyes almost glowed. Had he really been the cause of that?

He couldn’t hold back the groan as she did the lip biting thing again. The same hand that had been brushing her hair back trailed down her cheek then rested over her lips. ”Keep biting your lip like that and we’re gunna have problems, babe.” He grinned, leaning closer to replace his fingers with a gentle kiss.

He’d meant to leave it at that but he didn’t pull back far before he changed his mind and trailed butterfly kisses down her jaw line, pausing just under her ear before skipping a patch of skin to place a lingering kiss on the base of her neck.

He wondered what would happen next between them. Would he see her again? Would something become of it? Despite telling himself for years that he wasn’t going to pin himself to one girl, he was seriously rethinking that self-promise. But, what if they left here and didn’t see each other again aside from across the hall or a corridor? Or maybe a class room?

A rare stroke of bravery over came him and he rested his forehead against hers and smiled down at her, staring into her eyes. ”Are you busy on Friday?”

[Emily Prescott]

”Keep biting your lip like that and we’re gunna have problems, babe.”

Emily laughed lightly and immediately ceased biting her lip, not even realising she had been doing it until he said so. Any reply she'd intended on giving however was quickly snuffed out when Chase replaced his fingers with his lips in a ever so gentle kiss that still sent tingles through her body. A soft smile played on her lips as he trailed kisses down her neck, setting her entire body alight. Unsurprisingly she really didn't want this moment to end any more, and gave up trying to think about how this all happened. The fact was it had, she wasn't going to over think things just yet, though she knew she'd be doing just that when they finally went their separate ways.

As he let his head come to rest against hers, Emily smiled softly and bit down on her lip before quickly remembering he'd warned her about that and she stopped. "Friday night...I have nothing planned..." she replied, pulling back to look at him properly, a smile tugging at her lips, "Why? Did you have something in mind?" she asked, doing her best to ignore the sudden way her stomach had knotted itself up. She was nervous now? Damn, she wondered where those nerves had been less than 5 minutes ago.

She was finding it increasingly difficult to keep the smile from her face when she looked at Chase, only just now realising how infectious his own smile was. Biting down on her lip she leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him again, were this new boldness had come from she had no idea, it really wasn't like her. Perhaps Chase was bringing out some side of her she hadn't yet discovered. Pulling away she shot him a smile and shrugged her shoulders lightly, "Had to be done." she said truthfully.

[Chase Connors]

He felt more relieved than he probably should have when she said she wasn’t busy, but what was he actually relieved about? That she didn’t have a date, or that she didn’t choose study over him? What was going on with his head?

”I have a few things in mind actually, but I think some of them would be best kept there.” he grinned and winked at her as he had so many times. ”But I was thinking maybe, you, me, ice cream… maybe some chocolate?” He kept a serious voice as he said it, eyes open in an ‘I’m being honest here’ expression even though he couldn’t fight back the smile that threatened to ruin his act.

He knew what it sounded like, which was why he said it, but he knew she’d see his joke.

Chase was just about to warn her again about the lip biting thing when her lips met his and he pushed it from his mind. Kissing her back softly. He must have looked shocked and a little surprised because she shrugged and told him it had to be done.

He didn’t even want to know what he face must have looked like when she said that but he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her, carrying her back to the ledge and sitting her on it. He didn’t move from his spot in front of her, instead dragging her mouth back to his for another kiss. He just couldn’t get enough of her.

”I take it that’s a yes?”

[Emily Prescott]

Emily arched an eyebrow and battled a smile when Chase suggested that a few of his ideas should probably remain in his head. Now if that didn't make you want to know what he was thinking, Emily wasn't sure what would, but she let the matter rest, her own mind wasn't exactly staying in the most platonic of places, especially when she realised how close she was still to Chase. Smiling she shook her head and laughed lightly, pretending to mull over his suggestion she'd known was only meant as a joke...didn't mean it didn't sound very appealing.

Damn!

Seriously! Emily reigned in herself, not sure what was possessing her to think and act the way she was tonight. It was so out of character for her. After kissing him she was stopped from encouraging a more neutral tone of conversation when Chase picked her up effortlessly, surprising her yet again and sitting her on the ledge of the roof and swooped down for another breathtaking kiss, that she all but sank into....yet again. This she doubted she'd get tired of doing any time soon.

All too soon, which seemed to be the theme tonight, he pulled away leaving her breathless once more as he spoke. Looking at him she laughed lightly and nodded her head, her fingers idly toying with the collar of his shirt, "That is a most definitely a yes..." she told him, giving him a smile. A few silent moments passed though, before another thought occurred to her and she looked straight at Chase, "Probably a good idea we keep this between us for a bit though...just to see what this actually is before anyone else knows..." she suggested, really hoping he didn't take it the wrong way. She just didn't feel like it was any one else's business to know.

[Chase Connors]

He was grinning like fool and he knew it as she accepted the date. Even now his mind was racing with possibilities. What should he do? Where should they go? This, he was sure, was going to take a lot more thought. He returned her smile while he ran his hands up her back and over her shoulders, fingers brushing lightly up her neck before skimming her face, trying to memorise her at that very moment. One finger hand very lightly over the area just below where she’d had a gash on her head. He frowned slightly. He wanted to make whoever did this pay – for her and for Lachie.

His fingers threaded into her hair again as she began speaking again, suggesting they kept quiet about what was going on between them. With a grin he dropped a quick kiss on her lips. ”Embarrassed of me already, babe?” He laughed. ”Sounds good. Let’s see what we’ve got before we boast about it, eh Ems?”

He had no idea how she’d react to him calling her that but he’d said it before he realized. He pulled her close again. Hopefully another kiss would make her temporarily forget what he’d called her. He ran his tongue over her bottom lip, waiting till her lips parted under his before exploring her mouth, the kiss deeper and more thorough that the one they’d shared earlier.

After several minutes he reluctantly pulled away and smiled softly down at her. ”I could kiss you all night , beautiful, but it’s getting late. Want me to walk you to your common room? We can retry that goodnight kiss again.” He grinned down at her, wanting nothing more than to attach himself to her and keep her close the whole night – he just didn’t want it to end. Friday better come around quickly…

[Emily Prescott]

Emily had to admit relief when Chase readily agreed to the idea of keeping it a secret for now. At least that was one thing off her busy mind. She smiled up at him, loving how at ease and so un-Emily she felt. It was a welcome change. When he called her Em's all she'd been able to do was arch her eyebrow, unable to respond as Chase pulled her into him for another kiss. Not fighting it, she went willingly, once again melting against him, her hands moving over his chest to his shoulders, holding herself tighter to him.

When he finally pulled away, Emily couldn't fight the small pout that formed on her lips. Looking up at him she shrugged her shoulders lightly, brushing a lock of hair from her face as it blew in the wind. "As tempting as that offer is, we should probably just say goodnight here? After all it wouldn't do well for people to find out just yet...you know how these walls talk." she said, her fingers now toying with the top open button of his shirt before she looked back up at him.

Reluctantly she let herself slide off the edge till she stood in front of him, her hands now resting on his hips and having to turn her face upwards to maintain eye contact with him. "So Friday night...you'll have to let me know where to meet you..." she said, already doing a mental run down of her wardrobe, trying to figure out what would be appropriate, would help if they had any idea where they were going.

[Chase Connors]

He saw her pout as he pulled away and chuckled softly before her fingers moved over the open button of his shirt. When had that happened?

”Perhaps you’re right.” He said, somewhat disappointed. ”Though, it is technically on route to my common room. So it would hardly be a detour to see you safely back inside before heading down.” He knew that she was right about the walls talking and all that, but he just couldn’t help but see those shadows in his mind. The ones that moved and caused nightmares. She’d already been attacked once. As unlikely as it was, he didn’t want to see something happen again. This time, the guilt would fall completely on his shoulders because he’d have known that he could have been there but wasn’t.

No. He was determined to walk her back to her common room and see her safely inside. ”I’ll even let you try out that goodnight kiss before we get there so we won’t be seen.” He winked at her. Anything to convince her.

As she slipped off the wall to stand in front of him her hands dropped to his waist. He ran his fingers through her hair for a final time before wrapping his arms loosely around her waist, too, keeping her close to him but making it easier to look at her face while they spoke.

She told him to let her know where to meet her and he gave her a grin. ”I will, don’t you worry.” he dropped a chaste kiss on the end of her nose, ”I’ll even be a little more original than ‘meet me in the astronomy tower’. “ he remembered the comments she kept making about interrupting a booty call and he was definite – not that he would have anyway – that he was not treating her in the same way that he had done with girls in the past. She deserved more than his teenage hormones slobbering all over her. No – he’d think of something different that they could do together. Something she wouldn’t be expecting…

[Emily Prescott]

Rolling her eyes Emily chuckled and nodded her head, "Fine, you can at least see me to the staircases..." she compromised, with a nod of her head. Again though his next comment made her roll her eyes and poke him playfully in the chest. "You'll let me try it again? If memory serves right sweetie your the one that needs to try it out again." she reminded him, arching her eyebrow and crossing her arms over her chest.

Emily looked up at him and nodded her head when he confirmed he would in fact get in touch with her over the date. Realising it was indeed getting late, Emily leaned up and pressed her lips to his in a goodbye kiss. This included standing on her tiptoes again to gain some semblance of height. After several moments she finally pulled away and smiled, "I think you did better last time..." she teased shooting him a smile before sliding out from his arms.

Crouching down she retrieved her wand from the ground, before turning back to Chase, her hands slipping into the back pockets of her jeans. "Okay now we definitely need to go before it gets any later" she said, not looking forward to another night spent with her dorm mates who at the moment she hated being around, purely for the fact all they did was remind her of all the bad things she craved to forget. "Plus I need to re-read my notes for Defence Against the Dark Arts tomorrow." she said, having already read over them at least six times these last two days.

[Chase Connors]

Chase let out a sigh of relief when she agreed to let him walk her to the staircase. At least from there he’d have a clear view down the corridor until she reached the portrait hole. He was glad she didn’t insist she go alone. He’d have found a way to try and encourage her to let him keep walking with her but he’d have settled for following her sneakily too.

He watched as she raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. ”Yeah I’ll let you try it again, babe.” he said, ignoring the rest of the comment, including her calling him sweetie. He didn’t mind it but…there were some he preferred to it.

Emily went up on tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips which he eagerly returned. He could kiss her all night.

He couldn’t help but sigh when she stepped out of his grasp. ”Perhaps we just need another go at it?” He grinned softly at her.

He stared at her, his eyes roaming her body as she crouched to receive her wand. His mind went all over the place but he pushed the thoughts from his mind. That wasn’t happening, no now and probably not for a while. But, he’d deal with it.

Emily told him that they needed to go and that she needed to read over her defense notes. He frowned. “I thought that test was next week…” Not that it mattered. Chase wasn’t the type to read through his notes before a test. He usually just winged it. Truth was, he just wasn’t bothered enough. Okay, yeah, he needed to pass his OWL’s and later his NEWT’s but… that was all. Pass. He didn’t need O’s in them all, he just needed a passing grade.

He held out a hand towards her to take, taking a few slow steps back towards the door. ”I suppose we should head off,” He grinned at her. ”and we’ll just have to wait for Friday.” His mind was already racing with possibilities. He had a plan, he just needed a little planning time… and some idea of where to go.

[Emily Prescott]

Emily looked at Chase and shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at him, biting down on her lip. She was actually tempted to say to hell with it and suggest they just stay here, but how she felt now she doubted they'd simply sit here and talk. Chuckling lightly to herself she blew out a breath, running her hands over her face then through her hair, turning away from him for a moment. "The test is next week but it doesn't hurt to be prepared now does it?" she said as she turned back to look at him.

Chase held out his hand for her and letting her gaze linger on the outstretched palm for a minute, Emily smiled softly before slipping her smaller hand into his. "We will indeed..." she said, biting down on her lip as she let him lead her back towardsd the door, reluctance to leave in every step she took until she was out the door and stood at the top of the stairs.

"You really won't tell Lachlan or Trent anything about this will you...if anyone is to tell Lachie it's going to be me...just not right now..." she said, biting down on her lip as they began making their way down the stairs. "I just rather talk to him myself you know...gets a little too protective over me...dread to think what he'll say when he finds out it's you I'm dating... she chuckled.

[Chase Connors]

Chase ran his thumb softly over the back of her hand when she took his. He nodded in response. They certainly would have to wait and see what was going to happen. Even now a thousand possibilites were racing through his mind. He was going to have a bit of fun with her on Friday... somehow. He was already sure of how to make it a date she wouldn't forget. Frankly, he couldn't wait.

Each step towards the stairs seemed to take forever and it seemed like neither of them really wanted to leave. It was probably nearing 2 in the morning by now though, so they really couldn't get away with staying up any later. For several long minutes they stared at the first step. It felt like the final step. The real moment of realization that their night in the tower was at an end.

Finally they headed down the first few stairs. Chase listened as Emily asked him not to tell anyone about them and that if anyone told Lachie she would. 'It's you I'm dating'. Her words spun in his head for a minute. It wasn't something he particularly cared about hearing before. Usually, he'd ask someone on a date because... well... that was the way it worked with girls. He'd never really cared about relationships before. For some reason hearing those words from this particular girl felt a little different. To be honest, it scared him a little. For now though, he didn't want to dwell on it. He'd go with the flow and deal with any problems as they arose. For now, it was one date.

Halfway down the stair case he spun her around fast and pinned her back against the wall, kissing her once more before holding her close. "I promise I won't say a thing, babe. No worries. This thing is between me and you." He dropped a kiss to the end of her nose before heading down the rest of the stairs.

The walk to Emily's common room was a short one and also a quiet one. She didn't complain when he walked with her beyond the agreed point at the staircase. As they got nearer his eyes searched the portraits. For the most part they were sleeping or absent. He pulled her to him and placed a soft kiss to her lips once again, savoring her. "Till Friday, then..."

She nodded. "Till then." Then, with a final smile she dissapeared into her commonroom.

Chase let out a sigh and headed back to the staircase. What a night this had turned out to be, though how he was supposed to sleep with so many things racing through his head he didn't know. "I think a trip to the kitchens may be in order..." He muttered softly.

OOC: Slightly God Modded with permission from Nat and also - this thread is FINISHED! Ta-da. Now for Friday night...