It Just Comes Natural {Hannah}

[Markus Koenig]

Markus looked in the mirror and adjusted his tie one more time. He never could get the darn thing strait. He just had on a nice light blue button down shirt on and a dark blue tie. His pants were black and his shoes matched. Overall he didn't think he did too badly. He had shaved and done his hair nicely. Hopefully she likes what she's getting. Making his way out of the door he grabbed a decent black leather jacket, his phone and his wallet. Markus wouldn't be taking the jacket, but he needed some place to put these things and there is no way in hell he was carrying a purse.

The best restaurant in town was a local steak house that used all natural beef. Markus was sorely disapointed. He had wanted to take her to some place ritzy and fancy, but no...steak house. He had grumbled over it all last evening while he was by himself making his own dinner. Ahh well, they could get to know each other just as well and he might be able to save a few hundred bucks. It bothered him though that he couldn't give her what he was used to and more. Hopefully she didn't mind.

He flew out of the door and almost forgot to lock it. Fumbling with he keyes he knew he would be late now. Practically running he made his way to her door and fixed himself before he knocked. He took a quick peek at his watch and saw that he was there at 6 o'clock on the dot. Perfect! How did he manage that one...

[whirleybird86]

Outfit ==> www.polyvore.com/something_nice/set?id=6654520

Hannah wasn't really nervous... okay maybe a little. This was just a friendly date with Markus, she kept telling herself. She stepped out of the shower and laid her clothes on her bed. Her dog Finn laid on the floor and looked up at her. She quickly dried her hair and fixed it up, did her makeup and started to get dressed. She checked her makeup again, and was ready. " How do I look? Not too much?" she asked Finn. Finn looked at her and groaned and laid his head down. He wanted mommy to stay at home and rub his ears while she watched a chick flick. Not tonight! She rubbed his head and put on a little perfume, and she heard a knock at the door. She slipped on her shoes, and slowly walked to the door. She opened it, and there he was. Not bad. He cleaned up nicely. " Hey Markus," she said and gave him a little smile.

They walked down to his car, and they rode together to the place of his choice. She wasn't really picky about where he took her. She was so used to the pricey rich places that she wouldn't care if he took her to a local bar and ate cheap burgers and ketchup. She may be a girl from the big city, but she did enjoy the simpler things that life offers. They got to the place, and she stepped out of his car when he offered her his hand and opened her car door for her. She smiled and they walked inside.

[Markus Koenig]

The door opened and Markus couldn't believe his eyes. The girl who was very pretty in her riding breaches and sweats was absolutely gorgeous now. Markus gulped, suddenly nervous. He never got nervous, so he wasn't quite sure how to handle himself. "H...Hey Hannah." Extending his hand to her he led her to his truck. It was just a Ford F-150 but he kept it nice. Quickly he opened the door for her and them hopped in the driver's seat.

He could barely keep his eyes on the road as he drove because she was sitting next to him. The drive was a silent one, but Markus really didn't think it was awkward. Maybe it was just because he was so tongue tied himself that he thought she would be as well. He really couldn't decide whether he was more comfortable driving with one hand or two and so he kept switching. First his arm was resting on the window and then his hand was back on the wheel. Markus was so relieved to get to the steakhouse that he practically jumped out of the truck, tripping on his way out. He hadn't fallen over but it definitely wouldn't have been considered graceful. Walking to her side of the truck he opened the door for her like any gentleman should.

Again he proffered his hand to her and they walked into the restaurant. "You look great tonight Hannah." Then he stepped up to the waiting host and smiled at him. "Hello Sir. Two for Koenig." He nodded and took two menus to their waiting table. Markus motioned for Hannah to follow and went off after the host. He would have walked with her, but the isles between tables were much too skinny. The host set their menus down and Markus thanked him. Then he pulled Hannah's seat out for her before he went to sit in his own chair.

"Have you ever been.." Before he could finish his sentence the waitress had come to their table. She was pretty and in her twenties. By the light blush on her face anyone would be able to tell she thought Markus was good looking. Well anyone, but Markus. He was a bit blind to such things. Politely she asked them what they would like to drink, staring a bit too long at Markus and not making enough eye contact with Hannah. When she left Markus smiled at her politely and then turned his gaze back to Hannah. "As I was saying, have you ever been here before? I haven't."

ooc: Whirley you need to be careful of Godmoding. Make sure you don't control others' characters in posts. No big deal, just know for next time.

[whirleybird86]

The ride heading over to the steakhouse wasn't too terribly awkward for Hannah. She was actually trying not to laugh at the awkward silence, and she glanced at Markus and gave him a little smile. She rested her arm on the window side, and looked out the window, and crossed her legs slowly and softly cleared her throat. They arrived to the place, and she looked out the window. This place looked familiar, but she doesn't think she hasn't been here before. She had lived here since she graduated college, and she hadn't been to every place in town. She smiled when he offered her his hand. She softly placed her hand in his and smiled as she stepped down from the truck. When she got out of the truck, she looked at him and smiled. Still holding his hand, they made their way inside.

She smiled when he complimented on how she looked. She blushed slightly, and looked down as she brushed some hair away. It wasn't everyday she was complimented on. When she was back home she was complimented on how she looked by friends of her parents at galas and parties, but rarely by a guy. She gave his hand a slight squeeze and she looked back up at him, " You look nice to cowboy," she smiled. She followed the host to their table, and slide through the narrow spaces easily, and held Markus' hand. She smiled when instantly Markus pulled out her chair. She looked at him and thanked him and sat down, and was handed a menu. She looked down at the menu, and was taken aback by the prices. Not that she couldn't afford a large steak, but could he? She saw the waitress and noticed that she spent most of her time looking at Markus, and not to both of them. Hannah looked down and just listened, but when she left she looked back at him. " I have lived here for a about a year, and I have actually never been here. I pass by here when I go to get a cup of coffee. So this is a new experience for both of us," she said and smiled as she glanced at the menu.

[Markus Koenig]

Intently Markus studied the menu. He really wasn't sure what he wanted and honestly he was too consumed with what Hannah was thinking to really understand what he wanted. Maybe he should just pick something manly. A steak would do it. Ooo they had steak oscar, with the crap and asparagus. Yeah that was definitely right up his alley. "Hannah get whatever you want." He flashed a smile at her and then added, "And if you'd like a drink feel free."

Just then the waitress came back to take their orders. Of course she looked at Markus first. "Oh umm, shouldn't the lady be first?" He smiled at her and winked at Hannah. The waitress flushed and turned to Hannah to ask what she would like. Once Hannah had ordered Markus asked for his steak oscar, medium well, and a bottle of sparkling wine for the two of them. The waitress nodded, still a little flustered and sped off.

"So Hannah, where are you from?" He never really knew how to start these conversations, but they needed to begin somehow. Markus was from Washington D.C. and it was honestly his favorite city ever. The ethnic diversity within the city was amazing and he loved to try new foods and learn new things. However, the country was his real love and he was glad to leave. Thankfully his family would live there for the rest of time and he could visit whenever he wanted.

ooc: Feel free to play with the waitress, I just made her an extra character. You can control her too.

[whirleybird86]

Hannah listened to Markus and smiled when he said that the waitress should take the lady's order first. She blushed slightly and cleared her throat. When the waitress turned to her, she ordered her meal and looked at Markus as he ordered. She watched the waitress quickly turn and walk off almost in a hurry, " Should we leave her a good tip?" she leaned forward and whispered. She chuckled slightly and took a sip of her water.

When Hannah finished taking a little sip of her water, she heard him ask about where she was from. She set the glass down and answered, " I was born in Asheville, North Carolina. I honestly love it there. It's not too big like Chicago, but also it's near the mountains where I can go hiking. My grandfather lives in Montana where he owns a horse breeding ranch. My mom is from Ireland, and my dad is from Virginia. So I guess I'm a bit of a mutt. What about you Markus? Any siblings... evil exs that I should be aware of," she asked.

[Markus Koenig]

A low chuckle escaped his lips when she said about leaving a good tip. He leaned forward on the table and kissed her nose. "I'm sure she'd appreciate it." Sitting back in his seat he absentmindedly unfolded his napkin to put it on his lap. He placed each of the utensils down on the table in the correct order. Just about then the waitress came back with their wine. Markus waved her off before she could pour the glasses and instead uncorked the bottle himself. As he listened to her talk about where she's from he poured the wine for both of them.

When she mentioned his exs he started to laugh. The bottle shook with his laughter and he spilled a bit of the wine on the table. Gently he put the bottle down and corked it before wiping up his mess. "No, no I think my exs should be more worried about you." His smile reached his eyes as he continued to chuckle. "I'm from Washington D.C. Yeah I know, how'd you learn to ride in a city? Well my parents wanted me to play polo when I was young and sent me to a stable right outside the city. I used to infuriate my instructors though because I wanted to be a cowboy, so I'd never ride like they wanted." He flashed a brilliant smile at her. Gesturing at himself he said, "How do you think I did?"

[whirleybird86]

Hannah smiled when he leaned forward and kissed her nose, and she looked at him, " Oh really, and why should your exs fear me? I'm not an ax murderer, just a straight laced OCD horse trainer," she replied acting all innocent. " Well I have had so many boyfriends, none of them lasted long enough to tell a story. They wanted me when I was all fun and bubbly, but they never were able to handle me when I was stubborn, and as one of my exs called me... infuriating. My longest relationship was actually with a guy who I actually work with now. Our schedules were so different, and he was working more than I was, so we agreed to end it. It was for the best, I think," she said and drank some more water.

" Oh really! I would have never had you pegged as the polo type. What, your parents from a wealthy family or something," she slightly joked trying not to sound like she was judging him. " I actually played polo a bit for fun when I was in school. I never could get the hang of it, so I just stuck with what I know," she shrugged and drank some of the wine. As far as siblings go, I have an older brother who was adopted. My parents couldn't have kids, so they adopted Theo, then a few years later they had me. Showed the doctors how much they know," she said.

[Markus Koenig]

Markus smiled and laughed light heartedly. Sure she thought she was just a horse trainer, but none of his other girlfriends had ever threatened a one ton pound animal after they kicked at her. No there was so much more to her than just a horse trainer. None of his exs could possibly compare to her. Her drive astounded him and he loved the fire in her eyes. The stuffy girls he had dated before had just had that homely little wife look to them. They just saw themselves as someone to carry on bloodlines. That was how it worked in high society. Markus never wanted a wife like that. He never wanted to take advantage of someone in that way, and these girls practically begged that of him. No, she was nothing like that. "Mmm well I'm glad you're schedules are just so hectic." He gave her a light smile. "You're nothing like my ex-girlfriends. They.." Markus stopped and scratched the back of his neck absentmindedly. "They... I'm just so glad you're nothing like them." A dazzling smile lit up his face as he reached for his glass of wine.

Her family sounded amazing and wonderful. They seemed like they loved each other very much. It was nothing like his own family. His parents were distant and only caught up with holding a reputation. He wished he could have a family like hers that loved him like that. To his father Markus was nothing more than a business investment. His father needed someone to carry on the family business, so he had a child. However, his father would only have accepted a male child. It is good he had Markus first because his father did not want any other children. "Your family sounds wonderful. I'd like to meet them someday."

Meanwhile the waitress brought their food. Markus thanked her and started to cut his steak. He didn't know what to say about his own family. There just wasn't much to say. "My father, he owns a financial company and.... we are quite well to do. They like their reputation." Taking a bite of his steak he gnawed on it slowly, thinking. "My parents had me so I could take over the family business, and I have no brothers or sisters." Markus looked at her with a painful smirk and then continued eating his steak.

[whirleybird86]

" Well, all us girls are different. Maybe you were just dating all the wrong ones, and was waiting till the right one shows. Better watch out, I might be another bad apple," she laughed and joked as she took another sip of her wine. Hannah came from a pretty well to do family herself. Her father is a top sought after lawyer in the state of North Carolina, and pretty much up the entire coast. Her grandfather set her up with a trust fund when she was in high school, so once she reaches the age to wear she can get it, she wouldn't actually have to work. She would never want that life of multiple servants, and big luxury houses. She liked to work, and earn her way in the world. She would attend parties and galas when she visited family in New York, but she would start to feel uncomfortable by the night's end. She'd just been out of that life for a while, and she became comfortable with the life that she lives now.

" Maybe you will sometime, but no family is perfect. Some of my family can't stand each other, so reunions are always...interesting to say the least. It's just my dad, Theo and myself," she said and took a deep breath. Talking about her mom sometimes made her hesitant and she would clam up. She looked down and tried to find the right words to say to not make Markus feel sorry for her. " My mom got cancer when I young...and then she killed herself, so see my family is not so perfect and wonderful," she said getting a little choked up. She listened to Markus' story and frowned. Maybe he had it off worse than her.

[Markus Koenig]

Hannah had taken a big breathe, like she was about to do something extremely difficult for her. Noticing this Markus sat up and listened more intently. He didn't want to miss a word if she was only going to say it once. However, when she did speak it shocked him to his core. An immense amount of guilt for complaining about his own problems poured onto him and he felt terrible for this beautiful girl across from him.

Quickly he stood up and moved his chair around to her side of the table. He put his arm around her shoulders and hugged her to him. His strong arms held her against his side trying to imbue a feeling of safety on her. "Darling," Markus put a calloused hand on the side of her face and made her look at him squarely. "You're family is remarkable. And do you want to know why?" He pressed a kiss to her cheek and then replied before waiting for her answer. "Because they made you the strong, beautifully independant woman you are today." His big brown eyes searched for hers and connected with them then. He wanted to make sure she seen just how sincere he was, and he attempted to convey this with his eyes. "I'm sure your mother would be beyond proud. I know I am." Not really caring who was around Markus kissed her squarely on the lips and pulled her even closer to him. He just wanted to love her until she was blushing red and felt so cared for and protected she would never need anyone else.

The waitress cleared her throat behind them. Her arms were crossed and she looked pissed. Markus sat up then, but didn't attempt to fix his wrinkled shirt. He was so done being proper. "Here's my credit card." He handed the waitress the need little plastic piece from his wallet and then said, "We'll need two boxes please." Taking Hannah's hand he rubbed his thumb over knuckles rhytmically. When the waitress left he leaned over to her and whispered in her ear, "Wanna go for a drive, pretty one?

[whirleybird86]

Hannah sniffled a little bit and ran her fingers through her hair and looked down. She bit her lower lip that was trembling and she looked to the side, away from Markus, and wiped away a stray tears that came down her cheeks. She heard the chair move and saw Markus came over to her side, and she looked at him. She felt his hard, calloused hand touch her soft cheek and she at first wouldn't look at him. She felt knots tying in her stomach, and and eventually looked at him when his arm wrapped around her shoulders. " My family is remarkable? I'll be sure you bring you to New York to my aunt's house for the family for Christmas," she said and gave a little laugh.

A few more tears came down her cheeks and she quickly wiped them away, " I just wish she was here right now. She didn't have to die, I mean she was going to die eventually, but she could have spent those last few months with us. She could have seen Theo graduate medical school..." she said and trailed off. She heard the waitress and looked over at her as she crossed her arms. When he dismissed her to go and use his card, she looked at him and nodded. " Yeah, I'd like that. I'd really like that," she said and gave him a little smile.

[Markus Koenig]

The words just poured from her mouth and tears sprung from her eyes. Markus wanted to wrap her up in his arms and just be her protector. He wanted to hold her until the morning sun woke them and she forgot about her worries. "Shh, shh darling." Gently he kissed the tears from her face and then pressed his lips against her. Unfortunately a tap on his shoulder alerted him to the waitress' return with their boxes.

Turning around, but keeping Hannah's hand in his own, he looked at the boxes thoughtfully. "You know what miss. I don't think we will be needing that. The dinner was very good however. My compliments to the chef." He took the pad from her though and signed his name in elegant script. When the waitress walked off with their plates, he turned back to Hannah and promptly scooped her up in his arms bridal style. Markus really didn't care much about the rest of the people in the restaurant. Well ok, there was this one old lady in the corner that looked like she was about to faint. He worried a bit about her. Hurriedly he walked out to the parking lot. His strong arms held Hannah securely against his chest.

Used to doing things with heavy western saddles Markus didn't have to put her down when he opened the passenger side door and placed her gently in the seat. Then he climbed in the driver's side and pulled out. "I know the perfect place to take you. He smiled slightly at her as he drove down the now dirt roads. The road turned up and they drove up a steep incline in the woods. This was one of his favorite spots and he hoped Hannah enjoyed it. On the top of the mountain a large corn field covered its peak. He parked in the center by the lone oak tree standing there. "Wait here for just a minute." Scurrying out he threw down his tailgate and laid out the three saddle pads he had in there. It was a good thing he hadn't taken them out last week like he wanted to. Then he ran to the passenger side and pulled the door open. "Ok you can come on back now." He went to take her hand and show her the bed of his truck lined with saddle pads. The night was clear and the stars were bright. "I thought you might like to watch the stars with me to take your mind off things. It's one of my favorite places. He paused then. "So beautiful, just like you."

ooc: sorry this is late. I really shouldn't promise normal posts. We ended up watching a movie in like all my classes and I couldn't post.

[whirleybird86]

Hannah closed her eyes and felt him kiss her tears away. She took a deep breath and placed her hand on his arm and looked at him and smiled. " Thank you Markus," she said softly. She looked at him, but then looked over his shoulder at the waitress. Hannah removed her hand from his arm and looked away as he addressed the waitress. The next thing she realized, she was scooped up into his arms and he almost screamed in shock. She looked at him and looked around and people were watching them. She felt rather embarrassed that Markus felt the need to carry her out like she could not walk herself. When they were out, she put her hands gently around his neck and look at him, " I won't say that I will protest to being carried out of a public steakhouse, but why did you feel the need to carry me out like I could not walk. Not hat I'm complaining mind you," she said as he placed her into the passenger side door.

She looked out the window and looked at the scenery and was curious as to where Markus would take her. Clearly it was back to Saving Grace. They parked the truck under the large oak tree, and she was curious. She watched him walk around to her side of the truck, and take her hand. She climbed into the bed of the truck and sat on the saddle pads, and crossed her legs. She sat next to him and looked up at the sky. She was pulled from the stars when she heard him call her beautiful. She looked at him was glad that he couldn't see her blush because of just the moonlight.

[Markus Koenig]

Markus crawled into his truck bed and laid down on one of the saddle pads. He put his hands behind the back of his head and gazed up at the stars. Almost immediately he found the big dipper, the little dipper, and Orion. He watched the twinkle of the sky and thought about what she had said earlier. How could she not know why he had picked her up? Maybe it wasn't something she would have thought of. Well he mine as well explain it to her, "I picked you up because when I had seen you crying I wanted to protect you from anything that would hurt you." Markus sighed and scratched his neck like he had a bad habit of doing, "And the best place to keep you safe is right here in my arms." He crossed his arms and gripped at his biceps, suddenly self conscious.

He knew she wouldn't want to be protected, or that she even needed to be protected, but he wanted to. Looking back up at the sky he tried to avoid her eyes, not wanting to be judged, "And I know, I know that you are a strong independent woman. I love that about you, but I never want to see you hurt either." His arms itched to hold her again and to wrap her up in his embrace, but he resisted. She probably didn't even like him after that foolish display at the restaurant. He shouldn't have done it, but he was just so conscious of her pain and making her feel as though she was the only one in the world, at least in his world, that he hadn't even noticed the other people. Hannah had literally became his only focus. He shook his head. He didn't want to feel this way, at least not yet. This was too soon for such strong emotions, but Hannah was just so enticing.

It was the weirdest feeling. He just wanted to give her everything that she wanted and to see a smile on her face. But at the same time, he wanted to protect her from the world, and some of her foolish decisions, and allow her career to grow. Markus knew he shouldn't get too wrapped up. What if his father died and he had to go back to Washington D.C. How could he leave her? The family business had to be run, and he doubted that she would want to come away from this place with him. Uhh his head hurt. He didn't want to think of such heavy topics right now, so he just allowed himself to drift away in the beautiful scent of Hannah's perfume and the gorgeous view of the stars.