Getting in cars with strangers

who: Aiden and Amy
where: his car to her house
when: after 6 PM

There was really nothing to Marquette. Other than crazy fucking rabid cats. Aiden couldn't understand how Dorian lived here. Permanently. In a house. With teenagers. Shuddering at the thought, Aiden drove away from the diner where he had eaten breakfast and decided to give Dorian a call a bit later. So far, while he'd felt the off-atmosphere of the town, he'd yet to find anything remotely interesting. He knew the demons had to be somewhere. He'd find them.

Slowing down for a stop sign, Aiden's eyes flickered to the young woman crossing on the sidewalk. He pulled the cigarette from his lips as he studied her, sweeping his gaze over her. She dressed pretty conservatively, but he could see she had really great legs. Taking another drag from his cigarette, he smirked and inched his car forward until he was riding alongside her. "Do ya need a ride?" he asked, leaning slightly toward the window.

For Amy, so far, it had been just another routine day. Some would call it boring, but the repetition soothed her... even if it was horribly lonely sometimes. She'd been walking home almost entirely on auto pilot, ticking through a mental to do list for the night, when she realized there was a car beside her. And it wasn't going away.

And a handsome man was leaning towards her and talking. To her. Instantly, heat rose up into her cheeks, and her jewel eyes widened. Oh, dear. This screamed all kinds of danger, didn't it? Her mother would be appalled at the very idea of her getting into the car with a man she didn't know. ...but it was rather rude to decline, wasn't it? "Home isn't very far," she answered hesitantly. "It's really no trouble for me to walk."

Aiden nodded, glancing ahead briefly to make sure he wasn't about to hit anything before he looked at her again. "Understandable," Aiden replied and shot her a charming grin that he had perfect long ago. "But then again, I could find offense if you don't take me up on the offer, given that I've gone out of my way to be hospitable in a strange town. I promise I'm no psychopath. You just look like you've had a long day." Yeah, so this day and age, it would be insane for anyone to get into a car with a stranger. Aiden would never have done it, and he'd kill his sister if she ever did it, but hey, this girl was beautiful and it wouldn't hurt to at least get her name. "So you can either let me take ya home, or I can just follow along beside you to make sure you get there safely."

Oh, he had a very nice grin. One that had her heart beat quickening and her cheeks flushing more than before. And oh, she didn't want to offend a man she'd just met, and he said he would follow her home anyways. Amelia bit her lip, torn. He was being very nice. And charming, couldn't forget the charming. Home wasn't that far... well, what was the worst that could happen? It would be less of a hassle for him if she just got in the car, rather than him having to drive along beside her the whole way. "I suppose it couldn't hurt," she relented, though she made no immediate move for the door. She just eyed him speculatively, trying to get some gauge on his intentions. Were men really nice for the sake of being nice? She really wanted to believe so... But then again, she didn't even know this one's name.

He could see she hesitated. He couldn't blame her. Aiden pulled his car over to the curb,left it running and got out, waiting for the car coming down the street to pass before he jogged across to where she still stood, hesitating. He stopped in front of her. "Best to be formally introduced, I 'spose. I keep forgetting America is a bit more cautious when it comes to strangers, but I guarantee ya you wouldn't walk down a street in Galway without someone offering to take ya home. Aiden Quinlan." He offered her his hand and caught her blush. Naive and beautiful. His favorite kind of woman. "And you are?"

Ohh, he was even more handsome out of the car. What was she going to do? Amy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear nervously before taking his hand lightly. She hadn't been this flustered in... well, ever. She offered him a shy smile, resisting the urge to lower her eyes. No, she would maintain eye contact! It was good for conversations, really, it was. "Amelia Nickels... You can call me Amy, if you'd like," she added softly, fighting down more blushing. And then she realized, to her horror, she had absolutely nothing else to say. Darn! Why were casual conversations so hard to maintain for her?

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Aiden told her, holding onto her hand lightly enough as not to make her uncomfortable. "If you don't mind it, I'll call you Amelia. I've known a few too many Amys. Amelia is a bit more unique." He motioned to his car. "I'd like to give you a ride home, if you'd let me. Again," Aiden released her hand and held up his palms. "I'm not mad by any means. Of course, I'd be lying if I said I had nothing but pure intentions. I'm hoping if you let me take you home, I might get a bit more information about Marquette, as I've just arrived."

Her nerves scattered at that, trumped by the more important need to help. Amelia smiled warmly, feeling very reassured. Well, now she knew his intentions! And those were intentions she was entirely comfortable with (and mildly disappointed by). "That sounds like a fair exchange," she agreed with a cheery note to her voice. She headed over to his car, all doubts firmly erased from her mind. He just wanted to know about the town, that was all. "What brings you to Marquette, Aiden?"

Aiden rounded the car with her and opened the door, smiling when she slipped inside. He pitied Dorian for not getting out more. Aiden got back into the car and put it in drive. "I'm visiting a friend of mine, Dorian Lockwood," Aiden explained. "Though I think I may be in town for a bit longer than I intended." He pulled away from the curb. "Where do you live?"

She put on her seatbelt from childhood habit, listening to him talk. She wondered what had changed his mind to have him stay, but decided against asking. That would be nosy. "I live on Ontario Avenue... the northeast side of town," she explained for clarification. "Just take the next left for now."

Aiden followed her direction and spared her a glance. She had put on her seatbelt. It might have been the first time in the car's history anyone had used the seatbelts. She was definitely beautiful, if a bit on the shy side. "Have you lived here very long?" he asked her, realizing that it was probably up to him to keep the conversation going. Otherwise he had a feeling she'd stare out the window in silence the entire ride.

Amelia was silently thankful he seemed capable of thinking up topics of conversation. She was horrible at this. It was why she preferred to stay at home. She offered him a grateful smile for saving her, even if he didn't realize he had. "I've been here about six years now," she nodded. "It's a nice town... well, most of the time. A lot of bad things have happened the past few weeks, though." Which really just made this entire scenario strange for her. So many murders, and she'd gotten into the car with a stranger... sigh. Oh well, Aiden had been very nice to her so far. He'd done nothing that was really that strange.

"Yeah?" Aiden asked, his interest shifting only slightly from her to the topic of conversation. He'd heard Marquette was a hot bed for demonic activity, and had read some strange things in the newspapers since he arrived. Still it was always best to hear from civilian's points of view. Sometimes they revealed much more than any newspaper article. "What kind of bad things? I mean, small town," he continued, turning his attention back to the road. "Can't imagine much happens here."

"Well, it's all mostly been in the paper. I haven't heard much about it--I don't get out much," she explained with a rueful smile. "There've been a few murders the past few weeks, which is really strange for the UP, and that little girl was crucified outside that bar only a few days ago... and it was burned down only yesterday," she added uneasily. It really did worry her. She liked to think she was safe, but at the same time, she didn't really have anyone in her life. She was entirely alone, and nobody would miss her at this point if anything happened to her. ...except for bill collectors.

He'd read about that bar, and the murders. Whether or not they were caused by something less than human was yet to be seen. For as many demon related deaths, there were just as many caused by good old fashioned psychopaths. "Terrible stuff," he agreed, maintaining his polite indifference. "But I 'spose small towns have their problems every now and then." Deciding to sway from the morbid, Aiden changed topic. "Six years, eh? Maybe you can suggest a decent hotel then? Maybe a B&B?I've been staying at this motel on Washington, but if I'm going to be in town for awhile, I prefer a place with a bit more comfort. There's only so much starch in a sheet I can take," Aiden added with a small smile.

She blinked at him, very surprised. "You're not staying with your friend?" Amy questioned. That was strange... Very strange. What kind of friend would send him to stay at a hotel? She hesitated again, lowering her head. She toyed with her wedding band, suddenly nervous. Did she dare? A handsome man her own age? ...but he needed a place to stay, and she did have so many empty rooms... "I have a few empty bedrooms," she offered after a long, drawn out silence. "It would be much more comfortable than a hotel. And the food would be better, too," she added lightly, managing a tiny, nervous smile.

That had been unexpected. Aiden blinked once, wondering if she had indeed just offered to let him stay at her place. Was the woman that naive? "He's got a full house, my friend," Aiden explained, glancing her way. "I didn't want to impose on him, though I'm sure the couch would have been open had I needed it. Do you make it a habit to offer your rooms to strangers?" Aiden asked, in no way condemning her actions, but honestly curious. "Not to say I don't appreciate the gesture, but I don't want ya thinking I was looking for an offer by asking for hotel suggestions."

Amy shook her head quickly. "I-I know you weren't." Oh darn, she was stammering, and making a fool of herself. It seemed she was doing this a lot more often, nowadays. "I've never offered before," she admitted softly. "But I don't usually talk to strangers who need places to stay. I have a big, empty house with lots of room. It really wouldn't be any trouble. I'm not even home much, so..." Oh no, she was rambling. Why was she doing this?! Darnit, darnit, darnit.

For a moment, Aiden remained silent, focusing on the road. While he was wondering how this woman could be so hospitable to someone she didn't even know, he was also wondering if there was something about her he didn't know. She could be anyone, or anything, and that was a problem. Not that he couldn't handle himself, should that turn out to be the case. Finally he looked at her with a grin. "You know, I might say yes, if you agree to take some money for it, and get to know me a bit better before trusting me in your house. And you promise you're not some crazy, psycho lady who lures good looking Irish men into her house to make meat pies."

She giggled softly, feeling relieved. Getting to know each other? That was probably a good idea. A very good idea, really, and one she should have thought of first. "I can agree to those terms," Amy agreed with a warm smile. "And I promise I'm not a crazy psycho lady," she assured him. Really, she wasn't sure she had a mean bone in her entire body. It made living on her own rough, sometimes. She just couldn't say no. To anyone. Ever. Especially charming, handsome men. She bit back a sigh. I am the silliest woman in the world, aren't I? she thought miserably.

"Brilliant." Okay, so maybe Marquette wasn't completely dull. Though he found it amusing that Dorian was complaining about his lack of female companionship and Aiden had gotten an offer to move in a woman within ten minutes of knowing her. He'd have to brag about that one next time they went out for a beer. "So I'll pick you up for dinner tomorrow, you can get to know me, and then decide if I'm sane enough to take residence in one of your rooms." Aiden glanced out the window briefly. "You know, I'm pretty glad I picked you up. We've been driving for a bit and you've yet to tell me where you live."

Amy giggled again, feeling heat flush into her cheeks. Wait, was that a date? She didn't know. She'd never been on a date before... no, it was just getting-to-know-you dinner. Right? Right. "Turn right here. It's not far now," she assured him with a warm smile. "I'm sure you'll pass the sanity test, Aiden." She had yet to meet a soul she wouldn't offer her home to. Then again, she was just a naturally trusting person. It was in her blood.

"Yes, but the real question is, will you pass the sanity test," Aiden said lightly, turning the wheel to the right. The street was picture perfect suburbia at its best. And the woman sitting next to him had obviously been fairly sheltered most of her life. She was entirely too trusting of people. It was going to get her hurt, or killed, someday. Aiden happened to glance down, and spotted the wedding band on her finger. Ah, so there it is. Not that her marital status was a deterrent. It had never been an issue for him in the past when it came to women he was interested in. But it certainly made more sense now that she'd offer her house as a place for him to stay if she had a strapping husband to protect her.

She laughed quietly, offering him yet another bright smile. "That's true," Amy agreed. "I suppose we'll have to see. It's not very sane for a woman to offer her home to a man she's just met, is it? I think my score is already negative," she sighed. She kept a careful eye on the road now, since they were so close to her house. "Ah, it's... this one. Here," she said, gesturing to a large two story house. It fit very nicely into the rest of the picture-perfect neighborhood. It even had a white-picket fence.

"Believe me, you're on even ground right now." He pulled up to the curb and glanced at the house. If it were just she and her husband, then yeah, they probably had more than enough room. Of course, Aiden wasn't sure just how willing her husband would be in regards to his renting a room. Aiden kept the car running again, but quickly got out of the car and walked to the passenger side where he opened the door for her, offering a hand to help her out. "I can pick you up tomorrow, around seven, if you want."

"That's good to know," she said with a quiet laugh. After unbuckling the seat belt, she took his hand and stepped carefully out of the car. Anddd now she was blushing. Again. Darnit! "Seven tomorrow?" Amy repeated, just to make sure she'd had it right. "T-That's fine." Wasn't dinner at seven a date? She thought it sounded like a date. She'd never been on a date! What did you even do on a date!? Ohh, she was so confused...

"Then I'll pick you up at seven," he confirmed with a grin, releasing her hand to shut the door behind her. He would have walked her to her door, like a gentleman, but then again, he wasn't a gentleman. Shooting her another smile, Aiden caught her gaze and kept it as he walked back to the driver's side of his car. "One more thing, Amelia, don't accept anymore rides from strangers. Obviously, I'm the exception," he told her with a small wink, "but especially with the things going on around here lately, it's best to be safe."

Amy headed for her gate, stopping to look at him again. Her face was still flushed, she was still very confused about their dinner... thing, and now she felt chastised on top of everything else. Not that she didn't deserve it, of course. "Okay," she agreed softly, with a shy little smile. "I'll be more careful from now on. Thank you, Aiden," she said sincerely, holding his gaze with her odd jewel-tone eyes.

"Anytime." Okay, so the holding the gaze thing seemed to work. It usually did. Aiden got into his car, and leaned toward the passenger seat, calling out from the window. "I'll see you tomorrow, Amelia." He gave her a brief wave before taking off, tugging a cigarette from the pack between his seats. Husband or no, Amelia Nickels was definitely interested in him. Satisfied, Aiden lit the cigarette and tossed his lighter onto the now vacated seat. Maybe Marquette was going to be more interesting than he thought.