sbpd_papabear (
sbpd_papabear) wrote2012-04-04 09:24 pm
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OOM: After Stumbling On Milliways
It's been a couple days since they stumbled into some sort of shared hallucination (which is really the best thing he can think to call it) and neither one has broached the topic. For Henry's part, he's decided it's either too weird to talk about or never happened at all.
Instead, he's working late on Thursday night fixing paperwork that tried to claim Gus' car insurance as a state billable work expense. Nice try.
Just after seven, the station had gone more or less quiet - the steady din of the workday tapering off to the solemn click of a few keyboards punctuating the otherwise still environment. It was kind of nice... perfect time to grab a coffee and check out the snack machine for options to stave off dinner until he went home.
Instead, he's working late on Thursday night fixing paperwork that tried to claim Gus' car insurance as a state billable work expense. Nice try.
Just after seven, the station had gone more or less quiet - the steady din of the workday tapering off to the solemn click of a few keyboards punctuating the otherwise still environment. It was kind of nice... perfect time to grab a coffee and check out the snack machine for options to stave off dinner until he went home.
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He's actually pretty sure most people would think the expense report's a better option.
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"Uh, anyway, salary or not, don't spend all night here. You should have a better dinner than, uh, nougat."
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"I'm getting pretty close to done," he shrugs, offering her a slight smile; "maybe we could get some sandwiches or something? Assuming you're going to be poking that budget a few more hours."
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She stacks the printouts of spreadsheets and cost allocations and closes them in a bright red folder. Eye-catching, to remind her to get right back to them in the morning.
"Do you like Chinese?"
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"I could go for some noodles," he smiles again, but without the awkwardness of before; "if you could go for the company."
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It's perhaps a lot to ask, to leave their biggest commonality off of the table, she realizes that as she stands and holsters her gun. But she'd like to not be the Chief for a little while.
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Not wanting to look like he's in as much of a hurry to get out of there as he is, Henry ditches his suit jacket and loosens his tie as he shuts down his computer - and sends himself an email reminder to go over the regulations with Gus again on Monday.
And then it's back to better things... different things, at least. "Your car, or mine?"
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"Both, you can follow. We do live on opposite sides of town, after all." And opposite directions from the station and the restaurant she has in mind, for that matter.
"Do you know Lotus Garden? Off Mariposa?"
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"Yeah, of course. And I'll follow you."
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That happened sometimes. It was nothing to be worried about.
If she told herself that enough, she'd eventually believe it, right?
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And that they were catching dinner to catch up on sports scores or how things are going in her life after so awkwardly admitting his own less-than-grand existence.
He parked behind her off the street, quick to shut off the engine and meet her at the door.
"This must be the place."
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"I, uh," she pauses, hand on the door handle. "Thanks for joining me."
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It's true in the absolute broadest sense. After a slight pause, he hesitantly adds; "And, you know... I uh... you're good company."
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Or at least one of the reasons.
"So, I don't imagine someone who can cook like you can has a lot of use for restaurants, unlike me."
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"Are you kidding?" He chuckles softly, raising an eyebrow, "I learned to cook in self defense... I'd eat out more if did always end up with a fridge full of leftovers every time I do cook."
He's not yet learned the art of cooking for less than four - or two guys with healthy appetites.
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She laughs, it's kind of sad how undomestic she is. She dropped the ball there, somehow.
"My fridge is full of takeout boxes instead of Tupperware."
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"You're welcome at my table any time, Karen," he looks back up at her with a soft smile; "I'll remember to bring you by some of the good stuff."
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It is a kind offer, and she chooses not to read anything more into it. Henry is a good man, and is becoming a good friend. And she could use a few more friends.
"So have you done any fishing lately?"
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"Nah;" he shakes his head, "been busy with everything going on lately... was thinking about heading out this weekend if all goes well, though. It's been a pretty quiet week."
All things considered, really. Long hours... a bit of overwork and lost sleep, but mostly quiet.
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"It must be peaceful, out on the boat, just you and the water and the fish."
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"I never managed to get quite the right things, I ended up just getting gift certificates after a few failures."
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After another comfortable quiet he adds; "I'm sure you've got better things to be doing anyway than being out on a boat."
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He doesn't miss trying to make a marriage work when he's gone all the time.
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