Meet the parent

Who: Dodge, Jesse, and Jessie
Where: The James' residence
When: Late morning

It was hard to repress the happy jolt to Dodge's step as he climbed the stairs to Jessie's apartment. The weather was nicer than some spring weather they got in the city and he'd been up since dawn, busy taking care of things to secure his day wide open for spending time with Jessie. There'd even been some time to watch the aftermath of the police commissioner stepping down at the police station prior to his current appointment. He was whistling to himself when he knocked on the door, fedora pushed back to show his face and suit jacket draped over one shoulder, leaving him in the standard vest, tie and shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Jesse opened up the door after a few moments, having been in the kitchen looking through the cabinets to see what they needed from the store. He planned to get some necessary shopping in today, not that it was the most riveting of experiences. Still. When he did open the door, and saw the kid standing there, he arched a brow. "I don't remember it being halloween, you playing dress up, kid?" he asked, after taking in the clothes. It was the first time he'd opened up the door to see some boy standing out there, and he wasn't a huge fan.

Well, well, well. Dodge couldn't hide his pleased surprise at the sight of Jessie's father at the door. He'd opened his mouth to greet Jesse when the older man asked about his clothes. Looking down for a moment, Dodge checked himself before looking up again. "I'd hardly consider it Halloween," he countered. "I dress like this most days."

"Well, you look like some kid trying to play dress up like he's in the fucking mafia." Jesse told him. "Consider me unimpressed. And if those are the types you're trying to impress, or trying to get other people to think you're in with, then you can find some other girl to hang out with." he said, quite clear on that. "She doesn't need trouble, especially not from some punk kid trying to get her to hang out in bars, and thinks he's king shit." Because yes, he knew of Dodge's reputation. Had seen the kid around before, even if it was only in passing and they'd never spoken. Mostly, really, the way he'd heard of him was in the capacity of 'don't leave anything unattended around that one, it'll be gone faster than you can blink'. As far as people knew he had his own street gang, too, which just added more onto the plate of him being not someone overly sutiable for Jessie James. At least in her old man's opinion. He'd seen the smile that was there for a second, before he spoke, and wondered how often he tried to be smooth and charming, and how often it worked. And how often it worked on his baby girl.

Dodge didn't flinch, despite the over-protective-dad act Jesse was throwing his way. He'd been around adults enough that he wasn't easily intimidated. As far as Dodge was concerned, Jesse wasn't brandishing a weapon yet, which meant Dodge was still safe. "Rest assured, I've no affiliation to any Family in town," he countered, equally as clear on his point as Jesse had been on his. "I take care of myself and mine without their help."

"You're affiliated with your own, though, and don't tell me you're not trying to make a statement, dressing like that." he said. Considering seriously now--kids his age just didn't do that. They didn't wear suits unless it was sunday and they were being forced to, and they definitely didn't run around with fedoras. So Dodge was making a statement. Proving a point. What that point was, could be a lot of things rolled together. And Jesse didn't so much give a damn what it was. "Let's be clear. You run a street gang, and cause a lot of trouble. Your reputation isn't winning you any favors here, and they aren't about to, either. You put one toe out of line and I find out about it, and there's going to be hell to pay. You hurt my daughter? Even so much as a single tear's worth? You're going to wish you'd never in your life even so much as crossed her path. Do you understand me?" Dodge's unresponsive reaction wasn't helping his case any either. At the very least, one should respect their elders, in Jesse's opinion, but just standing there like it was all nothing? That was insulting. And really just kept adding more to the 'this is a bad thing' column.

Dodge frowned a touch. He'd hardly consider his group a 'gang' nor did he think all they did was cause trouble, but he supposed that from an outside view it looked that way. He'd heard adults refer to it as such before. "A statement, yes, but not the one you were thinking," Dodge explained, raising his free hand in a sign of surrender. "And I have no intention of hurting JJ," he went on, using the pet name on purpose. "Nor will I let anyone else." The comment reminded him that he still owed Maddy a conversation about manners.

"I asked if you understood me, you arrogant little shit, now either answer, or fuck off and don't darken this door again." Jesse said. Yeah, this kid certainly had a chip on his shoulder. And didn't have the sense to even think that Jesse could do anything. Which made him stupid, too. Not a good combination. Jesse James had his own reputation, really. Also, he didn't so much enjoy the idea of Dodge signing up to be her hero with the 'nor will I let anyone else' line. He was certain that one worked on all the girls. He'd known one hell of a lot of women in his time, and a pretty huge percentage were looking for someone to rescue them. it was part of why he'd raised his daughter not to need one. A lot of those girls got hurt. Bad. He had sisters, he knew it well enough from the other end too.

Even with the colorful language spewed his way, Dodge didn't completely back down. He did though, offer up a meeker look, in an instant looking younger, like less of a target. "I understand," he conceded, though he didn't sound defeated or intimidated, merely just agreeing to the terms.

"You know, standing there, playing the big man card, all that? Means you're not all that bright. There are times to play that and other times to back down, and clearly, you're not smart enough to know the difference. It's not going to bode well for you. Because eventually, you're going to run into someone who'll knock your dick in the dirt over it." Jesse said. And his tone suggested it wasn't outside the realm of possibility that it would be him that did it. "Keep your hands to yourself, too. Don't touch her."

Dodge couldn't help but guess there wasn't really a right way to handle this situation. Not backing down meant he was being arrogant and if he'd just wussed out, completely succumbing to the verbal attack, then he probably would have been riled for being a baby. There was an urge to smart off, but it was outweighed by the fact that Dodge did actually want to spend time with the man's daughter today so he just nodded, tucking his hand that wasn't holding his jacket in his pocket. "No touching," he agreed, believable even if he was lying.

Jesse kept his hard gaze on Dodge for a few long moments, just staring him down. "Remember that." he said. "You can wait outside." he finished, and shut the door. Jessie could meet him out front. He was stunningly unimpressed and any twitches he'd had in the first place really hadn't been alleviated. Not in the slightest. If anything, they were worse, and now he was agitated as hell. He was even considering going to talk to Evie, since she was his youngest sister. Which was saying a lot, because he was still pissed at her. But still. Some things rated as more important. Like this.

Of all things, Dodge hadn't really expected Jesse to shut the door in his face. Scowling a little at the now closed door, he waited a moment then opted to move back down the hall towards the stairs, settling himself on the top step to wait for Jessie.

After a few minutes, Jessie opened the door and came out, making her way to Dodge at the end of the staircase. She had her hands in her pockets already. "You really pissed my dad off," She said, because it really wasn't hard to tell. She'd heard quite a bit of their conversation from where she'd been in their apartment.

"In my defense, I think he wanted to be angry at me. And I don't think I did anything to directly piss him off," Dodge said, standing with his smile in place despite the conversation topic. "You ready then?"

Jessie shrugged. The conversation she'd had with her father was still hitting very close to home and that wasn't likely to change anytime soon, but she didn't exactly want to tell Dodge that one of the reasons her father didn't like him was because he didn't think he was the best person for her to spend time with. Even if her dad had kind of said that much already just minutes ago. She also didn't like the feeling of second guessing she had right now. She didn't like the feeling that she was leaving and making her dad feel uncomfortable with a situation. "Here's a tip. Don't pretend like you're my hero or something. I can take care of myself so telling that to my dad wasn't the best idea," She started, glancing down the stairs absently. "Where are we going first? Remember, I said no bars, so..."

Dodge looked back at the door, smile fading a touch. "I think he was calling me names long before I offered to keep you from getting hurt, but sure. No hero stuff. Never was the best at that anyway." He actually felt like he made quite the hero, but he didn't want to fight her on it. "No bars, I remember," he said taking the first step or two down so she was closer to his height. "There's an old gents club on the west side of the city. It's a nice place, mostly white hairs who like to smoke cigars and whatnot, but they've got a table there and I was able to score us some time." Dodge held his hand out to her, as if offering to help her down the stairs. "Shall we?" It was paired with his best smile, the charming one without a hint of mischief.

Jessie watched him for a moment then took a few quick steps down the stairs. "I live here, remember? I walk these stairs a lot more than you do. Not to mention that you promised not to touch me. If my dad finds out you're lying, he's gonna do a lot more than just yell at you." She'd heard that last bit too, having come in around the time that Dodge had set himself up to protect her from himself and everyone else in the city. Still, she smiled to Dodge a little, but it wasn't exactly the same as the smiles she'd given him before. This time, there was an apprehension behind it. She felt like she was in a very awkward situation, going out to spend time with someone she considered a friend but someone her father didn't like.

He looked crestfallen when she went past him, ignoring his offer of help. "I hardly think he meant me being gentlemanly was off limits," he tried. He actually assumed Jesse had meant to keep his hands off his daughter in all shapes and forms, but it didn't mean that Dodge wasn't going to at least look for a loophole. The smile that she gave him lacked the normal luster, and it kept the hurt look in place on his face. "What's wrong JJ?"

"You can go for a day without having to hold someone's hand, Dodge." She tried the smile again, tried to make it look like she was joking but serious all at the same time, but she still just didn't feel quite right. Jessie hurried down the last of the stairs and then out onto the street, turning to look back at Dodge. "I don't know..." She lied at first, taking a moment to breathe. She knew exactly what was wrong, but she didn't want to hurt Dodge's feelings by saying anything. "Which way is this place again?" At the moment, wondering about why a nice club specifically for rich people was going to let the two of them in to play pool was something a little easier to focus on.

Of course he could make it a day without holding her hand, but that was hardly the point. Dodge followed after her, and once they were on the street he started in the direction of the club. "You don't know? You're hardly the type of girl who doesn't have a handle on her own thoughts and emotions." He knew he was right, or at least she would think he was. Sometimes Dodge doubted her overwhelming self understanding, but he knew she didn't.

Jessie sighed, starting toward the direction he pointed. "I mean..I know but somehow I don't think it's something you're going to want to hear." She said, willing her feet to not shuffle as she walked.

Dodge nodded, watching her as he walked alongside her. "You think he's right then? About me? That I run a street gang and I'm nothing but trouble. I'll only hurt you?" he asked, reaching up to tug the fedora back down where it belonged and so it shaded the sun off his face.

She glanced over at him with a frown. "For one thing, you're not gonna hurt me not just because we're friends, but I'll kick your ass. But it's not about that. It's...he's my dad, Dodge. He's the most important person in the world to me and he doesn't like you. It's hard, knowing that he doesn't approve of me spending time with you even if he won't tell me not to. I don't want to upset him or worry him. It just puts me in a bad place, knowing that even though you're my friend, he just doesn't like you."

"I don't doubt you would," Dodge said, smiling a little at the thought of Mud getting pummeled on by her. "Still JJ, I hardly think it's fair. He doesn't even know me. He's decided I'm going to be some way and that's that." He shrugged a little, seeming like there was no way around it. "Unless of course, you think he's right and I am like that, that I've been lying to you since we started hanging out." Dodge stopped in his tracks, looking at her curiously. "If that's the case then I don't know why you're even here."

When he stopped, she took another half step before she realized and then stopped too, turning to look at him. "Dodge, I like spending time with you. Sometimes, you're annoying and persistent and I may never tell you this again, but I actually like taking walks with you and talking to you. I can't change the way my dad feels about you, though. Only you can do that." And even then, Jessie wasn't so sure how well it would work if he tried. "And I'll admit it. I don't like that you steal stuff from stores or people and sell them to other kids. I think it's wrong and I think one day, you might get yourself into trouble doing that. But I know that if you're hanging out with me, you're not doing the stupid shit that could get you in trouble, not that that's why I'm hanging out with you. It's not. You're my friend."

Dodge considered her for a moment before starting walking again, slipping an arm around her shoulder to get her walking in the right direction again. "Just so long as you still like me Jessie, I don't care about the rest of them." He gave her a little squeeze before she could duck out from under his arm like he assumed she would. "Let's forget all that and have fun today. That was the whole point of our new hobby anyway."

"You should care about my dad, he means everything to me." She glanced over at Dodge, feeling the squeeze he gave her shoulder just before she could, as predicted, slip out from under his arm. "And that means respecting his wishes. I want to see you go a day without trying to hold someone's hand or put your arm around them and we're gonna start right here, right now, with me. Friends don't always have to hold each other's hands." But she gave Dodge a small smile as she fell into stride beside him. He was right, they'd said this soiree into billiards was supposed to be something fun and she was interested in the game itself. In the back of her mind, though, she was still thinking about what her father said and knew she wouldn't be dismissing it anytime soon.