Free Time

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

Vic was in his "garage", his private work space in Titans Tower where he could build and engineer as he as pleased. He was looking over some schematics, and idly bobbing his head to the music playing in the background. This in itself wasn't unusual.

What was unusual was that, for once, the door was open. Normally he kept it locked, since he didn't like being disturbed when he really into a project. Plus he didn't want the "kids" to just barge in and wreck his stuff.

But he figured he could stand to be a touch more sociable. Plus most of the important projects had been completed, and he was mostly tinkering with a few designs to keep him busy.

Comments

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

She asked, he answered. He wasn't going to spread peoples business all unnecessarily.

"...and she's on her way to pack her things and go home."

He didn't seem to be terribly bothered by that, if he was bothered at all. In fact, he made a small noise of excitement as he got an idea, and started scribbling notes on the paper he was looking at.

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

The pen's out of his hand before he has a chance to make another mark, and Jesse's leaning against the table, tapping the pen against one palm.

"She looked pretty upset. Did you fire her?"

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

After giving a brief look at Jesse, he calmly pulled out another pen.

"Technically, no. She wanted to fall on her sword, so I let her. In practice, she's just suspended without pay until she finally gets her head out of her ass."

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

This time she just leans over and takes the pen.

"What did she do, other than fall on her sword?"

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

There was a slightly annoyed look this time, but he took The Hint and put the papers down.

"Just stupid teenager stuff. She invited her boyfriend along on a mission, but didn't bother clearing that with anyone." From his tone, he was clearly not too high on her boyfriend.

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

"Oh man. Who is she dating, some random schmuck from the local high school?"

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"If only it were so simple..." It'd be far less of a headache.

"She's dating Zachary Zatara."

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

"She's what?" Her mouth drops open in surprise.

"Zatara? Skinny white kid, magic user, way too full of himself?"

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"Thinks its perfectly ok to set people on fire and use extreme and lethal force?" He added in for her. "Yep. That Zachary Zatara."

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

With a shake of her head, Jesse grabs a nearby chair and pulls it up to the desk, sitting down across from Vic.

"One point in her favor, that he wasn't some dorky kid who couldn't protect himself..."

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

He waved off that particular topic.

"I can't say I approve of who she dates, but its not my place to approve or otherwise. Doesn't mean I want him popping up out in the field."

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

A shrug -- she can't disagree with that.

"So are you going to tell her that it's suspension without pay?"

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"Nope." And he was perfectly fine with that.

"And neither are you."

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

This garners a laugh.

"Oh, I'm not? I really don't think you could stop me if I wanted to go find her."

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"I have... my ways," he stated, in a mockingly menacing tone.

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

"Oh, I'd like to see you try." Said with a laugh and a mock-fierce expression, which then relaxes into a smile, as she leans back in the chair.

"Don't worry, I won't tell her a thing. I wouldn't want to overstep my bounds anyways -- this is something for you and Kory to deal with."

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"I bet you would," he teased.

"It'll all clear itself up soon. I just need to make sure she learns a thing or two along the way."

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

"So aside from scaring the crap out of the younger Titans, what have you been up to? You've been quiet." She's still fiddling with one of the pens, tapping it at near-blurry speed on her palm.

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"The usual; working like a madman to make the impossible possible. In this case, I'm helping to bring cell phone service down to Sub Diego."

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

"Waterproof cell phones and everything? Let me know if you need some legal help on getting a patent submitted."

Useful to have her own company, sometimes.

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"Something like that," he chuckled.

"I'll be fine with the patents. I've submitted so many that I know the process inside and out by now."

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

"So have you spoken with Bette recently?"

An abrupt change of subject, and Jesse's very much not looking directly at Vic when she asks it. That pen, quite fascinating.

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"Not really..." the change did catch his attention.

"Is there something I need to know about?"

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

A wave of her hand, and she shakes her head, cheeks flushing pink.

"No, not a thing. I'm sure she'd come and talk to you if there was."

Oh, well done, Jesse. Perhaps you can backpedal out of this one.

[vic-stone.livejournal.com]

"MmmHmm." Yeah, he's really buying that.

"Try again."