Different RPs

James looked up at her from the couch. "I wish I had the answer," he said gently. He set his tea down and patted the couch.

"Do you want me to stay tonight?" The words had slipped out before he could stop them and he turned his head away embarrassed. "I mean, till you fall asleep then I can go."

Rana blushed and sat next to him. "You don't mind? I just don't want to be alone..."

"I don't mind. I just want to make sure you are alright with it," James said. He gave her a smile and put his arm up on the back of the couch again.

"I trust you," she said quietly. "I need a friend here...with me."

"I'm right here," James said. "You don't have to worry anymore. Things will work out."

Rana wiped her eyes. "You promise?"

"I stake my life on it," James said. "No more tears tonight, okay? Why don't we just sit here and listen to music and talk until bedtime?"

Rana wiped . "Okay," she said quietly. She got up and turned on the music player, putting on some soft music and then sat back down next to him. "Tell me about your mom?" she asked,

James smiled and subconsciously put his arm around her as he began talking about his mom. "And even though father is very rich, mum insisted on making this cake on her own, only she doesn't cook very well." James was telling her about his eighth birthday party and how his mother had insisted on doing everything on her own instead of just buying things or paying someone else to do them.

Rana giggled. "Your mom sounds sweet."

"She's wonderful," James said. He smiled remembering that day all over again.

"I think it's great how close you are..."

"Almost like you and your dad," James said. "You'll like her."

"I'm sure I would." She stifled a yawn.

James smiled seeing her yawn. "Sometimes when I couldn't sleep she would tell me a story. Peter Rabbit was always fun."

"That was always my favorite story," Rana said sleepily.

"There once was a very bad bunny named Peter," James began in a soft voice.

Rana smiled, listening. He was a great storyteller and had a charming voice. She forced herself to stay awake, but eventually and unknowingly, fell asleep, laying her head against James.

James moved his arm closer around her snuggling her against his side as she fell asleep because he wanted to make sure she was comfortable like he was. He reached over the back of the couch and picked up the blanket her mother had made draping it across her and kissing the top of her head. He debated on leaving but it was nice so he just sat there, relaxing and fell asleep as well, his head leaning back and sideways against the loveseat.

Rana let out a sigh in sleep. She really had a crush on this guy and allowed herself to dream about him.

James woke a little later having to use the bathroom. He groaned softly because his neck was stiff. He found her curled up with a smile on her face. Gently he extracted himself, laying her head on the couch and went in search of her bathroom in the darkened rooms. He came back a little later and picked her up intending to put her to bed and go.

Rana stirred slowly and stretched, relaxing her head against his chest, content. "James?" she asked sleepily.

James paused. "I was going to lay you in your bed," he explained. Now that he was holding her he realized how light she was and how perfect she was and she wasn't frightened of him. He didn't want to leave but could he go back to snuggling on the couch without seeming improper?

"Don't leave....please...it's late...stay?"She looked at him with doelike eyes.

James smiled, drawn into those eyes. "I'll stay then." He sat down on the couch still holding her in his arms. "I'm right here."

Rana smiled hugely. She sighed and lay her head against his chest. She was comfy but was he?" Are you sure you're comfortable?" she asked.

James swallowed hard. "I don't want to push you. You might think something I'm not meaning to convey." He knew he would be more comfortable laying down and so would she but how would she take it if he suggested it?

"I trust you James...." she said quietly."You wont hurt me...I know that."

"Laying down would be more comfortable," James admitted. "Rana, you can't tell Darren about this." He thought maybe she would think he didn't want to be here with her. "He'll think the worst of us."

"I promise... Why would I tell? He doesn't have to know everything. But you can't tell Ayanna either," she said quietly.

"I swear," James said. He rose effortlessly and carried her to her room. "You really must be part bird. You are very light." He set her down on the edge of her bed.

Rana blushed a little. "Daddy said that too."

"Maybe that's why the owl showed itself," James teased. He smiled and pointed to her feet. "Shoes off?"

Rana laughed and nodded. "Maybe." she yawned and blushed, nodding slowly.

James bent and pulled her shoes off gently looking at her feet. "You don't have dancer's feet," he commented. He'd been drawing for so long that he'd seen all kinds of feet and was surprised to see hers were perfect.

Rana giggled and looked at him. "I don't?" she asked, confused.

James looked up from where he knelt by her feet. He shook his head and ran a finger along her foot gently. "Dancers have deformed areas on their feet, especially older ballet dancers."

Rana blushed. "That's because they don't know how to care of them." she said quietly. "That or I'm just lucky."

James let her foot go and sat on the bed beside her. "You are just lucky," he said with a smile.

Rana grinned. "I know. I have to be to have a friend like you."

James laughed. "Nothing like a middle of the night ego boost." He patted her bed. "That's a great note for dreams."

Rana giggled. She kissed his cheek and then laid down, looking at him expectantly

James saw her look and gave a crooked smile as the thought hit him that he could stand to have her looking at him like that everyday for the rest of his life and never tire of her. He kicked his shoes off and laid down beside her. Should he put his arm around her or was laying there the limit? He sighed. He wished he knew the answers.

Rana smiled. "Thank you for everything. Goodnight James." She yawned, tuning on her side, facing him, curling up in a ball, just barely, closing her eyes.

James brought the blanket up to her shoulder. "Goodnight, Rani." He closed his eyes and soon was asleep, far more tired than he had a right to feel.

"Goodnight, James," she whispered, falling asleep. Sometime during the night,. she'd curled up to him, snuggling.

James draped his arm over her as they slept, subconsciously protecting her. His alarm on his watch started beeping at 7am as it was supposed to, but he slept on.

Rana sighed, sleeping peacefully, better than she had since the death of her father.

James groaned as the beeping finally got into his subconscious. He opened his eyes to find her snuggled against him and quickly lifted his arm turning it off. He sudied her in the morning sunlight. "You are so beautiful," he whispered.

Rana sighed, smiling in her sleep. She looked so much at peace.

James closed his eyes silently wishing that he would see more of her this way. When he opened his eyes and she was still there he whispered "thank you" and slowly replaced his arm across her body just watching her sleep.

Rana stirred a few hours later and yawned sleepily. When she saw James, she sighed. "am I dreaming?" she whispered.

James smiled a soft smile and shook his head slightly. "Not anymore, but you had a pretty smile while you were dreaming."

Rana blushed. "You are sweet. Her heart was pounding. She definitely had a crush on this man.

James looked up at the ceiling and stretched, giving himself a little time. How he wanted to kiss her. "Looks like it's going to be a fine day," he said figuring her comment didn't really require a response and he was embarrassed a little too.

Rana smiled. "A gorgeous day," she whispered.

James looked back at her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Rani, I'm so glad I met you."