Heart Don't Fail Me Now, Courage Don't Desert Me | Closed to Jake

[mustachioedmaiden]

When we last left our heroes, Jane and Jake's date had been abruptly interrupted by a series of confusing texts from Sollux, requesting that Jane heal Tavros in exchange for his eternal servitude. Distressed by what this could possibly mean in concordance with her already-present suspicions regarding her mother's true nature, Jane resolved to venture to her childhood home, a place she had refused to revisit since finding her father's body there years before, in search of clues. Jake, seeing her obvious apprehension and distress, resolutely deigned to join her, and so they set off together, tension high. 

Jane had only taken the time to change clothes and grab some gear before hopping in her truck alongside Jake, her trusty fedora (a gift from her father) tilted smartly atop her wild curls. It was not far from her apartment to her old home, a 45 minute trek at most. When they pulled up front, the house towered above them, the truck almost seeming dwarfed where it rested in the winding, expansive driveway. They parked right outside of the elegant steps that led to the door, and Jane took a slow breath, gathering herself. ".... I have not been here in 7 years." she said, giving a small shake of her head in disbelief. "I... I didn't even get my things after he died. My room should be just as I left it when I moved into the Crocker U dorms freshman year..."

Comments

[hoperidesagain]

Jake had used the time Jane took to change to prep himself mentally. Their date was going in a new direction, and well...it wasn't really a date now. That had kinda ended. But this was something important to Janey, and she needed him now more than ever. He wasn't sure what he could do in this...but he was her partner. He'd do everything he could.

He took slow breaths as they drove, making a mental note to contact that ass who had freaked her out later. Man needed a lesson in how to proper talk to a lady. His hand reached for her shoulder as they pulled up to the absolute monster of a house, squeezing softly and giving her a nod. "You can do this...I'm right here with you. Something tries to get in your way, I'll give em the ol' one two. ...and you don't have to do this, either. We can come back later if you don't feel prepared. This house isn't going anywhere after all."

[mustachioedmaiden]

"If I don't do this now, I never will." Jane said, already unbuckling her seat belt. She climbed from the car and grabbed the knapsack she had brought along with her, slinging it over her shoulder. From her trenchcoat's pocket she produced a key that was secured to a golden chain, a silver "C" attached to its end. Jane didn't even think before taking Jake's hand as they ascended the front staircase, giving it a squeeze.

"... This is one of the only things I have been using my inheritance for." Jane said as they reached the front porch and headed for the door. "I know it is silly to pay for a house I do not use, but I couldn't bear to part with it..." She took the key and stuck it in the door knob... But it did not turn. Jane's brow furrowed, and she gripped the knob, wiggling it a bit before trying again. ".... What in heavens name..."

[hoperidesagain]

Jake nodded at that, giving another squeeze to her shoulder before slipping out himself. "Alright...just making sure you know this is all your choice. And no matter that choice, you got me right beside you." His hand slid right in place to her own, fingers lacing with hers as they moved up the stairs.

He looked to her as she spoke, glancing back to the house and...well, almost getting a feel for the massive wealth that was her inheritance now. He probably couldn't ever hope to come close to this, even if he some day got that restaurant. And as a note for their next date, Jane could probably pay. He wouldn't feel too bad about it. He was brought out a bit from the money haze when her key didn't seem to fit, looking between her hand and the door. "Uh...everything okay there Janey? Something wrong with the door?"

[mustachioedmaiden]

"I don't know. My key isn't working." Jane frowned and withdrew the key, looking it over for any sign of it being bent. But it had been sitting in a box in her room for years; she knew good and well that the key was not at fault. "... I think the lock has been changed."

[hoperidesagain]

He raised an eyebrow at that, looking to the lock and frowning. "...changed? But..." He moved his gaze back to her, an absolute vital and unknown fact leaving his lips. "This is your house."

[mustachioedmaiden]

No shit, Sherlock. Jane took a slow, gathering breath. "... Yes. That is the issue at hand here." She clicked her tongue before pocketing the key, eyes sizing up the hulking home. "... We could always bust a window, but I'm not in the mood to explain to a police officer why I felt the need to break into my own home. Nor am I in the mood to be questioned any further." She glanced around and noted a nearby tree that rested close to the window of her old room. Unbeknownst to her mother and father, that window's latch had been broken for years, the tree serving as a frequent ladder during her rebellious years. She took Jake's hand again and they headed for the oak in question, the tree gladly accommodating their rise to the top. She slid her window open and nodded for Jake to scurry inside.

[hoperidesagain]

Jake nodded, very pleased with his contribution so far to the trouble. Truly, he was an invaluable addition to this investigation. He was preparing to suggest perhaps checking the backdoor when Jane's personal knowledge of the land seemed to take them on a better path yet.

He wasn't quite used to seeing Jane just command a plant like that, looking at her almost in wonder as she gave him the nod. "That's...still really cool." He moved past her and slipped into the room, dusting himself off and...this looked like a bedroom. Specifically her bedroom. He'd stayed the night with her a few times, sure but...still the only time he'd been in her room with her had started with Dirk there. Now it was them two, alone and- He actually literally slaps himself to snap out of that line of thinking. Jane Crocker needed him to help confront this painful past. Stop thinking about smooching a lady and help her, dammit. He turns to her with a renewed vigor about him, hands on his hips and eyes determined. "So! What...are we looking for exactly?"

[mustachioedmaiden]

"I know." She said with a smile, still a bit amazed herself at the control she was able to demand. When she had first begun, Jane thought that maybe she would need to work her way up to bigger plant life, but it seemed that her realm of control was pretty straight-forward. It was the healing side of things that it seemed she still needed to hone.

She slipped into the bedroom behind Jake and landed firm on her feet, glancing around. She barely heard him at first, so wrapped up was she in the memory of it all. "... I'm not sure yet." She murmured, moving to her bed and allowing her fingertips to trace along the dusty duvet. Her eyes stung, and she swallowed heavily. Posters littered her walls of mustachioed men, Problem Sleuth memorabilia, and favorite movies. A few recipes were tacked here and there, along with the stray sticky note or reminder. She walked to one and peeled it off the wall. "... Pick up cake batter. You're not a teen anymore, Janey!" She frowned, her voice growing soft. "... This was only months before it happened..."

[hoperidesagain]

Jake watched her closely as she moved to her bed, eyes taking in a few more of the details of the room. When he saw the posters of multiple men with mustaches, he stroked his upper lip in thought. Mustache. Definite option.

Then he heard her speak, and he was right by her side. His arm wrapped around her shoulders and he gave a squeeze, head laying against hers. "...I'm so sorry. So much changed for you so fast...I can't even imagine how hard that must've been." He would have some knowledge of course...losing his grandma was not easy, but it was a slow thing. No sudden loss of parents...no sudden shift in life. Just a rough bump in the road.

[mustachioedmaiden]

A hand rose to pat Jake's wrist, and she leaned back against him, taking a slow breath. "... We should keep moving." Jane said after a moment, leaning up to give his cheek a light kiss before parting. She placed the note upon her dusty dresser and headed for her door, turning the handle before exiting. "... We already know that someone has been here. At least we can infer that beyond reasonable doubt, considering the fact that the door's locks have been changed, and I sure as hell didn't do that. I came here briefly to grab a few things in the days that followed my mother's death, so no one with access to this house was alive to do so but me. Something fishy is going on here. I suggest that we check my mom's room first. It was always forbidden." She narrowed her eyes, mind going a mile a minute as they ascended a staircase and headed down a hall. "She has secrets."

[hoperidesagain]

Jake smiled at the small affection, giving her hand a small squeeze with his own as they began to move once more. "I get you...lead the way then, Janey. I'm with you, every step of the way."

His eyes glanced around the rooms as they passed on through the home, shaking his head and mumbling to himself. "Lord, this place is like the size of ten apartments..how could anyone fit enough stuff in here?"

He focused back on her and the stairs as she spoke again, an eyebrow raised. "...well. Detective Crocker. Constable English is here to help uncover those secrets and save the queen's jewels." He gave a wink and pat to her back at that. He knew he wasn't doing much, but if he can help keep a smile on her face, that's all he could ask.

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane gave a little eye roll at Jake's exaggeration, continuing onward. They reached her mother's study soon enough, and Jane hovered her fingertips above the door handle. She hesitated, and turned back to look at him for a moment. "... I suppose I should ensure that you are up to speed. What all have I told you about my... Situation... So far?"

[hoperidesagain]

Jake eyed her with a little concern when she didn't really seem to smile at his little joke. Alright. Not the time then...he'd have to be a little more serious. He was so used to being the guy to put a smile on her face that it was gonna be a little weird pulling out of that role.

When she looked to him and asked, he took a deep breath and cleared his throat. "Well...you told me about how your dad was the company owner. Married ya mom. Mom kinda took over cause she was more business. They had you, things going fine. Then your dad dies in an accident...gas right? You felt like your mom was acting weird cause of it, so you stopped going to the Crocker university and went to Skaia instead. Bit thankful for that, by the way. Then your mom passed as well...missing any details?"

[mustachioedmaiden]

"We're going to investigate this properly." Jane said with a sigh, setting the paper to the side and pulling the cabinet doors shut. Her mind was swimming; there was no way she could process all of this information right now. "I will have the locks changed first thing tomorrow so that whoever had them changed in the first place won't be able to get back in. I will start coming up here after work to sort through these files and try to make sense of all of this hullabaloo."

A hand rose, and she ran her fingertips through her hair, knocking her hat lopsided in the process. She turned back to Jake. "... And I'll need to speak to Feferi. Sollux, too."

[hoperidesagain]

Jake nodded at her decision...a bit happy that she had said we as well. He knew this wasn't his best field, but he was going to help her anyway. Once he was sure she had said what she needed, both arms found their way around her and pulled her in a tight hug, voice soft as he spoke.

"Let me know if there's anything I can do at all to help in this, okay? We're partners in this. Dynamic Duo and all that malarky. I'm not the smartest guy around, but you won't find anybody else half as dedicated I bet you that. You got me?"

And he made a mental note to talk to Sollux later too. And by talk he means give a stern and possibly insulting lecture to.

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane smiled softly as he spoke, her expression growing warm and her heart half seeming to melt. Her arms wound back around him, and she squeezed tightly, giving a little sigh. "I'm sorry about all of this... And right in the middle of our date, too. I know this isn't how you wanted things to go. It certainly isn't how I pictured things, that much is certain."

That was only half true. The first part of their date had been absolutely amazing, and one of the best nights she had ever had. She was terrified that this mess had spoiled it for him.

[hoperidesagain]

He chuckled a bit at that, pulling back slightly and looking at her with warm eyes. "No, it really wasn't...so. We'll just need to make it up with another one some time. Agreed?" He gave her a small, shy smile, with a hint of red on his cheeks at the offer.

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane's eyes met his with equal warmth, and she swallowed heavily, gaze flicking over his face. She bit her lip, and sighed, pulling back ever so slightly. The hope that had so quickly risen in her at his words slowly began to drop. "... Maybe we shouldn't, J? Maybe I was... Foolhardy to suggest that we try this anyway." She frowned, eyes flickering with the beginnings of sadness.

[hoperidesagain]

Jake blinked a bit in surprise at that, pulling himself back farther with a sad look on his face. "Oh...well...I mean..." He sighs and scratches the back of his head, giving a small shrug. "If you think that's best...I had a wonderful time myself. Even with all of this happening. I know this wasn't the most ideal date, but I don't think it was a bad idea. It was...really nice. And besides, even this part was alright enough. I was with you. That's what mattered to me. But again...whatever suits you best, Janey."

[mustachioedmaiden]

"You don't mind about all of this?" She asked, waving vaguely to the cabinet behind them. She blinked a few times to keep from crying. This had been an emotionally trying night, to say the least. "I'm going to have... A lot going on. I just... Want to be fair to you." She sighed, and took a step closer, heart hammering as she placed both hands on his chest. A part of her remembered that this is how they had been standing before when they'd almost shared a kiss, and she flushed. "... All of this stuff with my mom, and our powers, and gosh knows what else... It's becoming increasingly clear that I don't have it under control like I thought I did... And I don't want you to get swept up in it in more ways than you can handle."

[hoperidesagain]

He tilted his head as she motioned to the cabinet, reacting to the question as if it was something utterly silly. He did smile when her hands placed on his chest, his own finding her shoulders. He shook his head at that, giving her a nod of his head. "Janey...even if we don't really have a chance to explore...this...more. I'm gonna be by your side anyway. I'm already 'swept up' in this whether you want me to be or not. And I know long as I'm with you, I can handle it. So...yeah. I don't mind. I'm sure about this. I won't push you one way or another...just making sure you know I'd love to go out again some time."

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane couldn't help but beam as Jake spoke, feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Jake always had been one of her dearest friends and confidants, and though he was not always the best in the way of social graces, he certainly did know how to put a gal's heart at peace. "... Maybe next time the after-dinner activities will not involve breaking into Janey's childhood home. Hoohoo!" She chuckled, not moving from where she stood as her eyes danced, simply enjoying for a moment the simplicity of his embrace. Betty could wait; she'd controlled Jane enough in life.

[hoperidesagain]

Jake laughed with her at that, glad to see that smile and hear that timeless 'Hoohoo!' form her. He'd give an arm and a leg to make sure that laugh of hers never died. He didn't feel like moving from the spot either, hands giving gentle rubs to her shoulder as he nods in agreement. "...and hopefully no really strange texts interrupting us either huh?" He flushed slightly at the statement, but shot a wink as well. That had really, really been the absolute worst timing.

[mustachioedmaiden]

Jane flushed at his words and gave a weak little laugh, her head tilting to rest against his chest before her eyes rose to meet his again. Her heart hammered as she recalled how close they had been, and with how near they were now, she was sure Jake would be able to feel its change in pace. "Hoo hoo! I'm sure you'd approve of as much. What was that, 3 times you have tried to receive a Crocker Kiss just since this past thursday?" She teased, sticking her tongue out slightly as she laughed.

[hoperidesagain]

Jake hummed with her, arm moving to wrap around her and place his hand at her back as the other stayed at her shoulder. He felt his face flush at her little tease, and they kept their red tone as he felt the words come out of his mouth without a thought barely to them. "...Well third time is supposed to be the charm. Maybe for this...it's the fourth?" He leaned in just slightly, breath giving a small catch.