OOM: Suite 130

[watching_you]

Veronica leads Mills through the labyrinthine corridors of the Milliways guest area until, eventually, they reach the right hallway.

"This place can be a bit confusing at times," she offers apologetically. "Things have a tendency to move. But I'm right up here --"

She cuts off, stopping short. This hallway's not empty.

Super.

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[watching_you]

She steps back from him slightly, startled.

"I -- I don't know. I suppose she might, if I asked... Why?"

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"I know you, Agent Mars. The moment I walk away, you'll have questions. And I see no reason not to answer them, if I can."

"I mean, you know about the... accounting." The euphemism makes him chuckle a little. "Hell, forget I said anything."

Because the next logical step is him asking for her file. And he's not sure he's ready for everything that implies.

[watching_you]

"I'm not going to do that." She's frowning, annoyed. "I shouldn't have done it in the first place and I'm sure as hell not going to do it to you. Anything you want to tell me you can tell me yourself."

A pause.

"And I hope that goes both ways."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

He can't help but give her a wry smirk at that.

"It does. Damn you," he teases.

[watching_you]

"Good."

Her feathers de-ruffle.

"Is there anything you want to tell me?"

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"Nothing you don't want to find out on your own in good time," he deadpans, still deeply amused.

He gestures to an empty table.

[watching_you]

"Fair enough."

A glance to the table, then back to him, and she takes a seat.

"So. What shall we do next?"

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"Well, let's review, shall we?" He sits beside her, his back to the wall. "There was beer with advanced evasion techniques, and then tequila and impertinent questions." He leans in a bit. "Footrubs at no extra charge. We did impromptu criminal intervention at the farmer's market. Feel free to jump in here at any time."

[watching_you]

"You bought me a flower and I freaked out your neighbour and then we ate dinner."

She ticks off her fingers as she recites, not counting to anything in particular.

"And then, we, ah..."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"Ah, yes. Can't forget that, can we?"

"Not that I'd want to," he adds quickly.

[watching_you]

"Yes, well."

She's blushing, just a little.

"Point is, I think we've covered all the bases, really."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"Right."

He looks at his hands, and then back at her.

"Walk you home?" There's a hopeful look in his eyes.

[watching_you]

He looks like he doesn't want this day to end.

She can't blame him.

"That would be nice."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

He nods and stands, holding her chair for her and then offering her his arm.

"We should do this again," he says. "Sooner rather than later."

[watching_you]

"I don't think I would object to that."

She grins, looking thoughtful as they make their way to the stairs.

"Part of me wants to suggest paintball in our future, just for the trouble I know we'd cause."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"Mmm, possibly."

He holds the door for her.

"Or you mentioned something about karaoke."

He manages to keep a straight face for all of three paces.

[watching_you]

She hops up a couple of stairs ahead of him, then turns.

"Yes!" It's enthused, at first, then insistent. "Yes. We'll do that. Good idea."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

Mills' laugh fills the enclosed space. "Get up the stairs, you." The moment she turns to head back up the stairs, there's a playful swat across her backside.

[watching_you]

She stops at the first landing and turns to stare at him, her face reading, 'you are completely insane and you will suffer for your impudence.'

It's a very expressive look.

"You want to try that again? Do you? Punk?"

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

Mills has his own look and it's expressive in it's own subtle way. Like a tiger eying a dangling string, about to pounce.

"I could turn you over my knee. If you'd prefer."

[watching_you]

She tsks at him.

"Yeah, my daddy issues don't run that way. Sorry, Old Man."

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

"Old man. You keep saying that like it's a bad thing."

He wonders if she'll see his next move coming as clearly as he does.

His shoulder drops and he bends forward, scooping her up and throwing her over his shoulder. "Which way was your room again?"

[watching_you]

"I'm saying it like it's a what no what what are you doing no no no no no no no no no oh God oh God put me down put me down put me down --!"

She would squirm if not for the horrifying prospect of being dropped face-first down the stairs; instead she squeezes her eyes shut and digs her fingers into the back of his jacket like a panicked cat.

[particularskill.livejournal.com]

He's laughing still, affectionately, one arm curled tight around the back of her thighs to keep her from falling.

"Hang on, hang on," he soothes. "Agent Mars, the sooner you tell me which way your room is, the sooner I can deliver you there."

[watching_you]

The long panicked squeak stops just long enough for her to say, "Next floor. And I can walk there myself you maniac!"