Day 2 -Ulysses S. Grant Library-

Emma was skimming through the books in the historical section hoping to come across one that would grasp her attention. Her finger’s glided over their smooth binding as she passed by dropping suddenly as her eye caught sight of a timeworn novel that seemed like it would fit perfectly in her collection. The dusty book had a crimson torn cover with gold illegible writing across the binding, but unfortunately located on the very top shelf lying half open on its side. Emma bit her lip thinking of all the possible ways of retrieving it, knowing she was far too short to reach that high. Looking either way to make sure no one was watching and to confirm the whereabouts of the high-strung librarian to be out of sight, she hesitantly stepped onto the bottom row of the bookshelf stretching her small arm as far as it could reach. “Think tall…!”

Walking into the library in itself was weird for Chuck, considering he was never one to sit down and read for long periods of time. It was obvious that he didn't really belong there, but he just didn't care. He was a student there too, so he had every right to be there. After browsing the aisles for a certain petite brunette, he finally found her, climbing uneasily onto a bookshelf. After her spill in the classroom, this couldn't end much better. Wasting no time, Chuck walked over to her. Bending down, he wrapped his arms around her thighs and lifted her easily up to the book she had been reaching for. "Up you go, Emma."

Releasing a small surprised squeak Emma braced herself against the bookshelf with one arm, using the other to cover her mouth as Chuck lifted her up. “You startled me…” She whispered hoping that the very unladylike sound that escaped her lips hadn’t brought unwanted attention their way. Placing her hand on his shoulder –to balance herself- she moved her arm from the shelf happily retrieving the book that had been evading her Looking down at Chuck she whispered a small meaningful thank you then turned her attention back the book, sweeping her hand over the cover to rid it of the layer of dust that had settled from sitting unread for so long.

As much as he enjoyed holding onto her thighs, Chuck decided to set her down before the librarian -or worse, her brother- decided to invade their privacy. Her set her carefully on her feet, noticing her attention was already on the old book in her hands. "You must have really wanted that to risk climbing a bookshelf. Do you always do that?" He asked her.

Once Chuck planted her firmly on her feet Emma opened the cover of the book flipping through its frayed pages, searching for any hint revealing the title that she had been unable to decipher as it had been far too timeworn. Catching Chuck’s gaze, Emma’s deep brown eyes flickered with amusement at his question. “No, not always. Normally most of the books I want aren’t out of my reach, but every so often I come across one that is. I’m forced to compensate for being so small, since I can’t seem to stop thinking of something once it’s captured my attention.” Although Emma had started out talking about the book, where she had ended up at was referring to something or in better terms someone much different.

Hugging the book in close to her chest, Emma glanced out the nearby window that spanned nearly the entire height of the library’s wall. The weather had taken a turn for the worse; the bruised swollen clouds threatening unleash their fury onto the small island. A simple thunder storm and possible down pour wasn’t uncommon this time of year and although this storm didn’t hold much of anything potentially dangerous, the tiny brunette didn’t fancy getting caught in it. Turning back towards Chuck she had to admit he did look little out of place, curiosity getting the better of her she asked, “ So, what’s brought you to the library?”

He smiled at her, cocking his head a little as he studied her. "Well, I'm not much taller than you...just a few inches. I don't mind it though. Being short actually has helped me out in a few situations before too." Chuck explained, not giving her too many details on that topic. Somehow, he doubted she'd be excited to hear about his fights with random people. Emma seemed more like the kind of girl that would worry and fret over someone who was in a fight rather than cheer them on, screaming 'whoop their ass!'

As for why he was in the library when he certainly looked out of place, Chuck could have come up with an excuse or maybe a lie...if he was creative enough to get away with it. Trouble was, he was never good enough to lie, so he just said whatever he was thinking. And what he was thinking was true, though a little blunt. "I'm only here because I figured you'd be here. Looks like I was right."

Chuck’s interest in her whereabouts left Emma confused. She was a rather bright girl, but this boy she couldn’t seem to grasp her mind around him. Normally –outside of class- she flew under the radar not the type of girl to catch anyone’s attention while hiding behind her books. The only person who ever came looking for her was Kyren, and occasionally her red headed bouncy friend Cholena. BUT this time it was Chuck Wilder who came for her, neither her brother nor friend anywhere in sight. Although the why escaped her, a warm feeling overcame the petite brunette bringing the ever present soft blush to her cheeks.

Making the slightest of movements, Emma leaned back against the bookshelf her eyes fixated on Chuck’s. A strand of her brown hair fell free –unnoticed- from her pigtails, brushing against the side of her flushed face. Though the number of people occupying the library had slowly dwindled away, Emma’s voice kept its hushed tone as she spoke, not wanting to bring anyone attention to herself…except the boy’s that she already seemed to capture. “So now that you’ve found what you were looking for. What are you going to do with it?” She asked her curiosity causing her shyness to shrink away.

He looked Emma up and down slowly, taking in everything he could about her, every tiny detail. The way she shyly looked at him, the curiosity winning over the shyness, the single strand of hair that slid out of place to brush against her cheek... Without even giving it a thought, his right hand reached out and brushed it back away from her face, the calloused tips of his fingers barely grazing her pinkened cheek. Chuck leaned towards her, putting his left hand on the bookcase behind her to help keep his balance. If personal space was some thing sacred, he was a natural blasphemer. "Well," The Wilder boy murmured softly as his gaze held hers prisoner, "This is a library, right? I have my student ID on me and I found what I was looking for. Time to take it and check out." Although his tone was light and playful, the intense look in his eyes boldly stated that he meant business.

Be it a tree, window, or a bookshelf Emma seemed to find her trapped between them and Chuck quite often. Clenching onto the book that she held securely at her chest, Emma kept her gaze on him, finding it difficult to look away. Although his tone seemed rather playful, his eyes looked quite serious. The image he left in her mind with his statement was rather befitting of a Wilder. Chuck, carrying her over his shoulder as he approached the front desk…gingerly handing over his Student Id to the librarian all but asking to check out what he had found. Promising that he wouldn’t return it…

Taking control of her over active imagination, Emma blinked at him. He wouldn’t do something like that…would he? “Well for someone who doesn’t spend much time in the library, you seem to understand the way things work around here.” She teased, her lips curling into a smirk as she asked, “Where do you plan on taking it?”

Oh, was that a challenge from Miss Emma Stills?

The wide, wild grin that instantly broke out over his face was anything but gentlemanly. His white teeth gleamed a little as the grin parted his mouth, pink tongue unconsciously licking his lips - though it was unclear if he was just wetting them or if it was an allusion to hunger. It certainly could be the latter, considering how he was looking at her. It was as if he'd demolish anyone foolish enough to come between the two of them right now, no matter who they were. He definitely wanted to take her back to his dorm with him, even if he had to pick her up and carry her!

"Back to my room at my dorm," Chuck answered, glancing down at her lips and wondering what she would do if he leaned down and kissed them, "to study and enjoy what I've found. Should I carry you up to the front counter and check you out of the library, Emma? I don't have a very good track record for returning things, so I can't promise I'll bring you back anytime soon." He laughed, the sound rich and more than a little flirty.

Hmm, so he would do that…

The fact that her imagination might become reality caused a soft laugh, not much louder than their "inside" voices to slip from Emma’s lips. Her shoulders bounced slightly as she brought a hand up to her lips to muffle her laughter. Would she object to going back to his dorm? Probably. Unless she had a good reason to be there…but from the looks of it he might not give her a chance to object.

Straightening up a little dropping her hand from her lips, Emma responded, “I think I’m a little complicated, no matter how much you study...you might not get me.” Her playful statement wasn’t meant to be taken as a challenge, although as the words spilled from her mouth the tone came off as though she was tempting him.

“I think I’m a little complicated, no matter how much you study...you might not get me.”

He laughed a little -and was immediately shushed, to which he flipped the bird- and caught her by the hand, pulling it to his lips to kiss the knuckles while he stared into her eyes. "Don't be so sure I'll give up. I can be very stubborn, you know." Chuck winked and gently pulled her away from the bookcase, "There's a storm coming on outside. If we hurry, we can make it to my car before it gets too bad...that is, unless you want to get soaked. C'mon, I'll take you to the dorms."

As Chuck was shushed -in which he responded with a vulgar hand gesture- Emma instinctively reached out pulling his hand down, holding it in her own. Quickly apologizing to the to the thoughtless student, who now looked extremely regretful realizing he had annoyed a Wilder, Emma felt a small tug pulling her away from the bookcase and into Chuck as his lips met with her hand. To her surprise his lips were actually rather soft, as they brushed against her knuckles. Blushing she managed to nod, he was right if they didn’t get out of there soon they were going to get caught in a downpour. Heading up to the front desk Emma checked out her book, gathered up her belonging, and followed Chuck out towards his car.

Chuck opened up the passenger side door, closing it after she slid onto the seat and moved around towards the front, only to hop and slide across the hood, Dukes of Hazzard style. He jumped into the driver's seat and drove the two of them towards the dorms. But to Emma's surprise, it was his dorm he was taking her to, not hers. He hadn't said he'd take her to her own dorm, after all. Just like last night when he'd asked for a kiss and got one on the hand. Turnabout is fair play, Emma...

Link to ==> Chuck's Room