(no subject)

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

A single lamp burns brightly on the corner of her desk, aimed to illuminate the pile of papers loosely gathered in front of her.  Bundles of more paper and files neatly stacked are mostly in shadow; she puts down the pen in her hand and pulls out one folder that, when brought into the light, reads, "Q4 2007".  She opens it onto the desk and begins to read:

TO: All Employees

FROM: Jesse Chambers

RE: Q4 Strategies

 

I wanted to start out by saying Thank You for all of your hard work this year.  The first three quarters of 2007 have been tremendous, and we couldn't have done it without all of your diligence and dedication.  I especially want to thank our testing group for their work on getting the bugs worked out of the QS system.

 

We've got a lot to do, continuing to build up for the start of the holiday season.  I'm hoping that this quarter will be our strongest...

 

She continues reading, absently tapping one finger to the faint music emanating from her headphones, until finally reaching the end of the page.  Pursing her lips, she thinks for a moment, and then crosses out a few words, only to scrawl in a few changes here and there in the text.  Satisfied, she snags a post-it from a pad, puts it on the memo, and writes, Make changes as indicated, then distribute on Monday, and slides the folder back onto the top of the nearest pile.

 

Reclining back in her chair, she stretches out her legs, smiling and humming along with the music.  Wally would be rolling his eyes at the song, she thinks to herself, but we've all got our guilty pleasures.  And besides, this new Kelly Clarkson album is really good... As she does, she catches a glimpse of the time listed on the impressive-looking desk phone, and abruptly sits up straight.  "I've been here WAY too long," she says out loud, and begins straightening up what she can of the carefully controlled chaos of her desk, slipping some of the stacked papers into a slim leather briefcase and closing it with a snap.  I'll get to the Titans information later; don't want to just leave it laying out here...

 

As she heads out and gets into her car, she muses to herself, Some days I just want to get back to what I used to have.  Less time in the office, more time out with the team.  Don't necessarily miss the awkward drunken moments, but the rest...  She smiles in such a way that could be considered as fondly reminiscing, or something slightly more daring.  I'll just head over to base...someone's probably still up and around. 

Comments

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Nightwing buries his face in a gauntleted hand, then points at Jesse.

Go ahead, laugh it up. Go right ahead. Laugh at the guy having to deal with his teenage daughter talking about her sex life right in front of half the team. I'll get my payback.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

Mar'i blinks. "Uh ... the batteries," she says carefully, "are for the wireless game controller. Grant's teaching me how to play Battle in the Brickyard. Y'know, the racing game?"

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

"Wait... what--?" Grant stands there for a moment, his eyes quite wide, watching Bette practically rolling around on the counter, a look of abject terror spreading over his features at Nightwing's words.

"No! We weren't... I mean. We were - the video game. The controller was out of batteries," he stammers, glancing over at Mar'i. "Mar'i, what are they talking about?"

It's a good thing he didn't come pounding up the stairs asking if his girlfriend had found the jelly. What is wrong with these people?

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Long pause.

A very long pause.

During which he stares at the two of them. Then at Mar'i, specifically.

Well, how was I supposed to know?!

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"You could've asked. Hoo." She straightens up, looking very dignified. "Besides, we aren't going to start using toys for a few more months yet."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"Oh God."

Bette's still laughing. Because if anything, this is now much funnier than it was before. She slides off the counter and tries not to curl up on the ground.

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

Jesse reaches down and tries to help her up, but ends up almost falling off of her own chair.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

You tell me even when I don't ask - wait, that's not the point! And I did -not- need to know that!

Wait. What -is- the point?

[damage-granted.livejournal.com]

It really isn't that funny - they were just playing video games! Is that really so bizarre? Man, some people... Grant thinks, glancing over at the two female heroes, shaking his head, still appearing somewhat perplex.

Turning back toward Mar'i, Grant jerks a thumb over his shoulder. "I'm, ah, going to head back upstairs. Don't be too long, or I'll start without you," he says, showing her a smile.

With another quick glance at the two women - and a very brief shift of dark eyes toward his girlfriend's father - Grant beats a hasty retreat, heading back into the hallway.

[mari-grayson.livejournal.com]

"Wait for me!" With a tilt of her head directed at her father, she flies off after Grant, the precious batteries still in her hand.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"So. Awesome."

Bette gasps and looks at Jesse for a moment and has A THOUGHT.

She's not saying it, though.

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

Jesse manages to right herself back onto her chair.

"Oh, Nightwing. I'd like to say I'm sorry for all of that, but I'm afraid I'm really not."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Dick rubs at his temples.

Humiliated utterly, and I still haven't eaten yet. How is this even remotely fair?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"You are not utterly humiliated. Please."

Bette looks at him, sitting up, starting to calm down finally.

"It would take a lot more than that."

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

Jesse takes a moment to silently push the bag of carrots towards Nightwing.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Dick takes one look down at the bag of baby carrots.

....

His brain is so completely in the gutter at this point, it's unreal. He clears his throat awkwardly.

If it's all the same with you two, I think I'll opt for a foodstuff that's a little less, uh... suggestive.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

Bette snickers softly, "Good luck with that."

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

Beat.

I'd say 'bite me,' but y'know, I think you actually would.

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

Jesse opens her mouth as if to interject something, but instead hops off the chair and heads to the refrigerator, opening the door to rummage inside for something to drink.

"Nightwing...", her voice slightly echoing, "I'm fairly certain that there are lots of non-suggestive food items in here." She emerges, milk carton in hand.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

Bette looks like she's going to say something but instead picks herself up off of the floor and just winks toward Nightwing.

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He looks long and hard at the milk.

Oh, God.

His stomach rumbles.

....I don't suppose there's any OJ, is there?

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

"you two..." Jesse mumbles to herself, and looks back inside the refrigerator. "yeah, there's some OJ back here." She pulls out the container and bumps the door closed with her hip.

this is MUCH better than time at the office...

[-nightwing-.livejournal.com]

He can feel the color rising to his face again, and busies himself with the search for a glass and some bread to make a sandwich.

A sandwich will work. Nothing like a PB&J sandwich.

[3x2-9yz-4a.livejournal.com]

Jesse snags two glasses out of a nearby cupboard and hands one to Nightwing.

"So, umm... Thanksgiving. I'm not sure what I'm doing yet."

slightly safer ground. maybe.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bird_of_flame_/]

"No JSA thing? I know there normally is."

Bette pops another carrot into her mouth.