Couldn't Get to You.

Clara allowed a small smile to grace her lips as his hands rested on her waist. "Was it now?" She asked, punctuating her words with a raised eyebrow. She sort of liked how easily they seemed to fall into this act. While they both knew that they weren't actually a couple, it was nice to even just simulate being one. Maybe it was because Clara hadn't been in a relationship in ages. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been in one. Relationships sort of were placed on the back burner with her job, so this was honestly pretty foreign to her. She sort of liked it though. It was different, but nice...refreshing even.

Clara allowed a small smile to grace her lips as his hands rested on her waist. "Was it now?" She asked, punctuating her words with a raised eyebrow. She sort of liked how easily they seemed to fall into this act. While they both knew that they weren't actually a couple, it was nice to even just simulate being one. Maybe it was because Clara hadn't been in a relationship in ages. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been in one. Relationships sort of were placed on the back burner with her job, so this was honestly pretty foreign to her. She sort of liked it though. It was different, but nice...refreshing even.

Being stood this close, James finally had the chance to take in details of Clara he hadn't noticed at first. He was looking at her from a different perspective, in more ways than one. It was starting to add up with him that he owed this woman a lot... There was no need for her to take him in, to drive him across the country when all he had was a backpack and a dog. But she did. She pulled over, and let him into her car, and her life. No questions asked. He was starting to notice the more intricate details of her face; the lines of her lips and her nose, the way her hair seemed to curl onto itself as it rested on her shoulders. "It was..." James spoke softly, his right hand coming away from her waist. He raised his hand, reaching up as though he was going to tuck her hair back from her ear. The cashier calling 'Next' was the only thing that stopped him, prompting him to withdraw his hand completely.

This was probably the first time that they had been this close to each other. At least, as far as Clara could remember, it was. Despite the beard and scraggly hair, she could still tell that he was an attractive man. She'd seen the picture with his file. Though there were very noticeable differences, really just in the eyes and facial expression, she couldn't deny the fact that he was good looking. He was a changed man, but that hadn't taken away from his looks at all. She opened her mouth to respond, her eyes never once leaving his as he reached a hand up as if he was going to tuck some of her back behind her ear, but the cashier interrupted the moment conversation. "That's us." She said quietly before making her way over.

James stiffened up as the cashier called them forward, giving Clara a curt nod before following her forward. It seemed like he may have been playing into the role a little too much, and he was losing focus on what they were supposed to be doing. But it was hard not to, when Clara felt so familiar to him in a world that had become distinctly alien. It wasn't like he was a complete robot, contrary to the appearance of his arm. He was able to recognise that Clara was attractive, and that there was something between the two of them... He just didn't know what. Standing in front of the cashier, James made a point of putting his hands back into his pockets, as to hide his left hand from sight.

Clara set their items down onto the counter, grabbing a candy bar and pack of gum and placing it there as well. "The weather's lovely today." She commented, figuring she'd make some sort of smalltalk with the cashier. She didn't like silence very much, not when it was awkward silence anyway. Of course, Clara wasn't exactly aware of how certain New Yorkers were. "Yeah, I guess so." The woman said. Clearly this woman wasn't up for smalltalk. "Your total is $15.08. Cash or credit?" Yeah, definitely not up for making any sort of conversation. "Cash." Clara said, fishing a few bills from her wallet and handing it to the woman.

Unsure of what he was supposed to do whilst Clara paid for the items, James remained quiet. He felt interrupted, and slightly shaken up by what had just happened between himself and Clara. He'd felt like he'd known her for a while now, but it was something entirely different. It was a deeper connection than it had been before. "I'll get this," He murmured, reaching past Clara in order to pick up the plastic bag with their things in it. "All I'm here for, right?" He joked quietly to her, a small smile finding its way back onto his face.

"Yeah, it's all you're good for." Clara said, joking along with him. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she took his hand in hers, walking out of the drugstore with him. "Alright, so we have a few essentials...now comes the fun part." She grinned slightly. It was strange, putting up this act that she and James were together, but she didn't really mind it. It almost came naturally...she felt like they had some sort of a connection. She wondered if he felt it too.

Holding Clara's hand didn't even feel unnatural anymore, not that it had in the first place. James had felt somewhat uncomfortable before hand, before he'd really had the chance to settle into the displays of affection with her... Still, they had to ensure that they were convincing. "Oh, the fun part?" He laughed quietly, still somewhat shy and uncertain in his actions. "You mean clothes shopping? I'm not sure I'd called that fun..."

Clara let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. It really was sort of strange how easily they'd fallen into their roles as a couple. She didn't mind it though. "Oh come on now! Clothes shopping isn't that bad." She said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I don't understand why guys hate it so much. What's so terrifying about a shopping mall?"

Recognition was the first word that came to mind. A shopping mall would have a lot of people in it. The more people around, the higher the probability that there would be someone who would recognise him... They weren't even in Washington even more, yet James was still afraid someone would be looking for him. Glancing across to Clara, those fears were soon calmed... He felt like he had nothing to be afraid of so long as she was around. There was something about the way that her hand fitted in his, and how she smiled at him, that let him know that she would lead him in the right direction. "Uh... You, in a shopping mall?"

Clara let out a quiet laugh. "So I'm what makes a shopping mall seem so terrifying? Little old me? You do realize I'm like half your size, right? There's literally nothing remotely terrifying about me." She told him, her tone light and teasing. It was strange how easily the joking and teasing seemed to come for both of them, but she liked it. A lot.

"Yeah," James laughed quietly once more, looking down at his smaller companion. Even though it was supposed to be some sort of act, he couldn't help but look at her with some level of adoration. This was the woman who literally took him off the side of the road, and accepted him without asking any question... He owed a lot to her already, and he wasn't going to treat her with anything but respect. "You, let loose in a shopping mall... Any man would be terrified."

Clara couldn't help noticing how he was looking at her. She told herself that it was all part of the act, they were supposed to be a couple. Of course he'd look at her that way, he was just that good. That didn't mean that she didn't notice her heart practically skipping a beat when he looked at her that way though. She'd become extremely attached to them, there was no denying that fact. "You're being very mean to me today." She said, feigning a slight pout.

"Me? Mean?" James grinned, nudging her gently with his arm as they walked down the street together. "You're the one giving me a fashion overhaul. Next you'll be asking me to cut my hair." James knew it was all for the best, but he still couldn't help but play the part of a disgruntled boyfriend who had to put up with his girlfriends shopping antics... He was even having some fun with it.

"Yes, you!" Clara said, nudging him back lightly. "Oh boohoo, cry me a river, why don't you? It's not really a big deal, you're making a mountain out of an anthill." She was actually having quite a bit of fun with this right now. It was all just really amusing. She knew that it was just an act, and none of it was real, but there was a part of her who wouldn't mind if it was.

"Let's just wait and see what you put me in first." James shook his head, smile still evident on his face. This things all seemed pretty trivial, compared to the greater picture of things... He was a wanted criminal, in the eyes of the government, and he was a stray asset to Hydra. Hopefully doing something normal, and changing the way he looked would throw them off for a while. But at least it was taking his mind off of things. Though he was aware of how much risk he was at, and how much risk he was putting Clara in, but it was no longer his greatest concern.

"Don't you trust me?" Clara asked, punctuating her words with a raised eyebrow. She couldn't help noticing the smile on his face. She liked seeing him smile. She wished it was something that she got to see more, regardless of whether or not it was all a part of this act.

"I trust you." James stated with the upmost sincerity. It was a slightly more serious turn in the conversation than there had been before, but it was the truth. James had put her trust in her, albeit slowly, and it was beginning to prove to be a good decision. If it hadn't been for her, he would still be walking alongside the highway, or hiding beneath a bridge in an attempt to get some sleep. "Do you trust me?"

Clara could tell that he was being completely sincere and honest with her. And, suddenly, their conversation had taken a much more serious turn. The expression on her face softened slightly. "Of course I do." She said quietly. "I trust you completely, James."