The Clayton Residence, Home to Jolie Clayton

[Jolene]

"If they don't taste good, I'm kicking you out," was her response before she hung up the phone and rested her forehead against Jack's shoulder. She drew in a slow deep breath. "I really just want to be alone."

"And we both know that's probably not a good idea. Just let him stay for a while. It's either him or Andrew."

"Do you really think it's a good idea for him to be here given how Jessica has been acting?"

"Probably not but it's not Jessica I'm worried about right now and you're not giving me many options right now. I gotta go babe. Love you."

"Love you too. Be safe."

He opened the door and she tilted her head up for one last kiss before he jogged down the stairs to his car.

[Christopher]

Chris saw Jack leaving Jolie's house and driving off in his car just as he started to pull up. What the heck was he doing there? Why did he drive out of his way to be there? To talk to her? He was doing crazy things and he didn't know why. For a moment, he even contemplated driving off but a force made him stay and before he could stop himself, he was out of the door.

He made his way up with a small white pastry box from the bakery holding six of the most decadent strawberries. At least this could cheer a woman up or at least better than she had been.

Jessica was no treat this evening either. He almost lost control but because of their son and he was no woman beater, he couldn't draw a hand on her.

Sighing, he knocked on the door and stood back, leaning against the frame until she answered it.

[Jolene]

Jolie took a deep breath and reluctantly opened her door before leaning against the doorframe, one hand out in expectation. Jack expected her to let Chris hang around for a while because he was worried about her state of mind. It didn't take a genius to see that. She'd humor him but not for long. "Hand over a strawberry. If it's not good, you're leaving."

[Christopher]

"You really should work on your manners. Being mean doesn't really go with the good church girl image you're trying to uphold," said Chris, taking a step in front of her before placing his hand over her shoulder, the door giving way.

"I don't even get a hello," he said, shaking his head and then without much effort pushed past her into the house and sat on the couch, tearing the string from around the box in an effort to obtain a strawberry.

"This is comfortable. You want one or what?"

[Jolene]

"There's nothing mean about sticking to the deal I told you before you even got here," she said rolling her eyes and shutting the door. Goodness, who did he think he was coming in and making himself comfortable? "Wait until Calista hears about your awful manners."

She crossed to the living room where he was sitting and plucked a strawberry from the box. She didn't put it in her mouth immediately and instead studied it. "Believe it or not, I was doing something before you came bulldozing in." She gestured at the soft short-like material that molded to her lower body and the tank top.

[Christopher]

"Wait until my mom hears about your awful manners," he said, the soft color in his eyes darting to her face before taking a bite into one of the white and dark chocolate strawberries. It was juicy and sweet ... and didn't hesitate to finish it off in another bite.

"I figured when your boyfriend answered the phone but whatever, I'm here now," he said, taking in her body fit with the fitted material over it. "Wait, let me guess, you were doing yoga or something. You seem like a girl who likes to connect with nature and yourself."

[Jolene]

"She already knows about my awful manners and she doesn't expect anything better. White chocolate is disgusting," she added watching him. "I felt sick just watching you."

"Carly dragged me to a yoga class once. Almost drove the instructor insane. He said somebody like me would never master the art of inner peace because my brain doesn't know the meaning of silence and I created fidgeting. I think he was sad that I was so utterly untrainable." She shrugged. "So me and my punching bag make do.

[Christopher]

Chris draped his arm around the top of the couch and listened to her rant as he ate another strawberry and finally placed the box down on the coffee table. "Good. I'm glad it made you sick. I don't know why you were watching me anyway."

After shrugging he burst into laughter at her yoga experience .

"I am positive he was sad at your lack of commitment there. I cant imagine you sitting there for long, since you rarely could stand still for one moment during the party, especially when you're around me. Don't pretend I didn't notice. You made me all self conscience. It's why I showered before coming over here."

[Jolene]

"You're in front of me. What am I supposed to do? Stare at the carpet?" She frowned but finally bit into her own dark chocolate coated strawberry.

"I'm having troubled understanding something. Maybe you can help me make sense of it. Why do you insist on thinking you influence me? There was nothing for you to notice. I don't act any different around you than I do anyone else, other than when you get on my nerves. You and I both know you shouldn't be here. Jessica will have a conniption if she finds out."

[Christopher]

"There are other points of interest in this room that are not me. But I guess I can't blame you ... I am rather handsome," he chuckled. "Or at least that's what my mom says." He smirked widely at her, plucking his last strawberry from the box before sliding it over to her.

"I'm only making an observation over here Jolene. But at least its good to know that I get on your nerves. It's something I strive for everyday."

He frowned at the mention of Jessica. "I can do as I please when I please. Jessica is not my girlfriend or anything so I really don't need to answer to her. The only reason why I left was because I refused to let her ruin Cari's birthday."

[Jolene]

"You are by far the most difficult man I've put up with lately. If you insist, I'll stare at the wall for the remainder of our conversation. Sheesh. And only you would find pleasure in annoying me," she drawled reaching into the box for another strawberry in spite of herself.

"Whatever you say, Christopher. It's none of my business either way," she said, aiming for a cool and disinterested tone. "I was just trying to prevent any extra drama." Jessica certainly had the flare for it but she wouldn't result to gossiping. She kept her opinion of the younger woman to herself and promised to pray for patience and understanding later.

[Christopher]

"Like you don't take joy in returning the annoyance," he said, tilting his body so his head was resting on the arm of the couch and his legs propped up on the other. "I have to say, for the most part, we got along really well today. But I don't think I can stand being that nice to you anymore. It required way more effort than I thought." Chris reached for the pillow and tossed it at her.

"Drama? What drama? That was nothing, really. She was just pissed off because I paid more attention to you than her the entire time. She said I lingered by your side too long and the way I looked at you at times ... she was imagining things. I swear, that girl has an active imagination."

[Jolene]

"I don't remember ever admitting to that." She moved his arm to the side and finally claimed a seat on the couch as well. He'd made it more than clear he didn't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Just as she sank down, he tossed the pillow at her. She caught it and promptly beat him on the head with it. "You're like a big kid. At least take your shoes off. Goodness, you're worse than me."

"Don't worry about what drama. You're missing my message here. I don't care. As long as she doesn't drag Junior into the middle of it, it's none of my business. I told her and I'll tell you, I'll step in if I have to and it won't be as Jolie the church girl," she warned in all seriousness.

[Christopher]

Chris actually listened to her, dropping his flip flops onto the floor and wiggling his feet before crossing them at the ankles. He placed a hand over his mouth when he yawned but turned his sleepy eyes at her. "You don't have to admit anything. I already know it." He laughed softly. "But tell me, how worse am I? You can't make a judgment like that. You hardly know me ... or have you been catching onto me?"

Shoving a pillow behind his head, Chris put up his hand and moved it side to side. "You don't worry about my son. I won't let her do that to me. She hates it when I put her in place and I would do it all the time if I had to. She's just jealous ... she thinks I have a thing for you Jolene."

[Jolene]

"Yes, of course you can make yourself comfortable, Chris. I don't mind at all." She rolled her eyes and tucked her feet underneath her on the couch. She didn't want to get too comfortable. She needed to send Chris on his way, take a good long shower, and maybe go over some cases before bed.

"I know you better than you think. You say a lot of things with few words and actions. It's pretty telling."

"But you don't and you've told her that, just as I've told her I don't have a thing for you. Hello, I'm with Jack. Our break wasn't a break up...technically. Whatever. She has no reason for it and it's getting a little annoying. Are you not allowed to associate with other women?"