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controlledvariable) wrote2014-02-02 07:59 pm
controlledvariable) wrote2014-02-02 07:59 pm
exsilium; ic inbox
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[He glances over at his laptop. Of course there's nothing incriminating on there — those files are all back in his office, in the safe in the wall, for the most part — but he's still hesitant. She'll probably have questions.
And then there's all the information on Jesse. He could take some time, move things around...
If only that weren't impossible. There's no way to separate the two.]
If he shows up. I'll give you the files if he shows up. Whatever action we take doesn't have to be immediate — as long as I know he's here before Jesse does and can intercept him before the two make contact. That's all I want you to focus on for the time being, okay? Just be my eyes.
And then there's all the information on Jesse. He could take some time, move things around...
If only that weren't impossible. There's no way to separate the two.]
If he shows up. I'll give you the files if he shows up. Whatever action we take doesn't have to be immediate — as long as I know he's here before Jesse does and can intercept him before the two make contact. That's all I want you to focus on for the time being, okay? Just be my eyes.
[For a moment, it seems like she might argue that, demand to see the files, but eventually she just nods.
From the way he's acting, she guesses those files already exist and are on that laptop, which won't be too hard to hack into if she needs to.]
You know that's not gonna be easy with Jesse doing the whole cookie thing. [She might not have actually partaken in any of the free cookies, but she pays attention.]
From the way he's acting, she guesses those files already exist and are on that laptop, which won't be too hard to hack into if she needs to.]
You know that's not gonna be easy with Jesse doing the whole cookie thing. [She might not have actually partaken in any of the free cookies, but she pays attention.]
Aw, shit.
[Somehow, he'd forgotten about that. He buries his face in his hands for a moment, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes. There's no way Jesse would stop, and Saul wouldn't ask him to just because of a possibility.
When he moves his hands away, he sees spots.]
Okay. Okay. That's — I can stick with Jesse at the tent. All the new Transports come from the same place, right? The Hold. I'd need you stationed right outside.
[Somehow, he'd forgotten about that. He buries his face in his hands for a moment, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes. There's no way Jesse would stop, and Saul wouldn't ask him to just because of a possibility.
When he moves his hands away, he sees spots.]
Okay. Okay. That's — I can stick with Jesse at the tent. All the new Transports come from the same place, right? The Hold. I'd need you stationed right outside.
[Really, Saul?]
I can be inside the Hold.
[A thought occurs to her, then, and it's kind of obvious by the way her expression sours and then hardens.]
You said he's got a family, how devoted is he to his wife?
[It's--
She hates that she even has to make that suggestion, but if they need a distraction, nede a way to lure Walter away from Jesse, well.
Batgirl isn't really useful, there, but Steph could be.]
I can be inside the Hold.
[A thought occurs to her, then, and it's kind of obvious by the way her expression sours and then hardens.]
You said he's got a family, how devoted is he to his wife?
[It's--
She hates that she even has to make that suggestion, but if they need a distraction, nede a way to lure Walter away from Jesse, well.
Batgirl isn't really useful, there, but Steph could be.]
[For about two seconds, he looks surprised. Then he just looks mad.]
Absolutely not. No. Are you crazy?
[No, really. She's kidding, right?
He rubs his eyes again.
This is too much. Never mind the fact that it wouldn't work, he just — Stephanie. No.]
Absolutely not. No. Are you crazy?
[No, really. She's kidding, right?
He rubs his eyes again.
This is too much. Never mind the fact that it wouldn't work, he just — Stephanie. No.]
[She just shrugs, the most casual of gestures, as if this really isn't a big deal at all. It is, and she'd kind of hate it, but serving as a bit of a distraction wouldn't kill her.]
I've only got PTSD, I'm clear on everything else.
[Answering his question as if it's a legitimate question.]
I've only got PTSD, I'm clear on everything else.
[Answering his question as if it's a legitimate question.]
[God, was this a bad idea. He stares at her for a long moment, expression caught somewhere between anger and concern.]
I don't want you interacting with him directly.
I don't want you interacting with him directly.
[That mix of anger and concern is such a familiar expression it makes her miss Babs so much more.
'Hugpunch' really was accurate.]
Okay. [Another shrug, but she's a little relieved, except:] You're not my boss, though.
[Her pride demands that she remind him of that fact. She's deferring to his expertise with Walter, that doesn't mean he can give her orders.]
'Hugpunch' really was accurate.]
Okay. [Another shrug, but she's a little relieved, except:] You're not my boss, though.
[Her pride demands that she remind him of that fact. She's deferring to his expertise with Walter, that doesn't mean he can give her orders.]
[And Saul's pride won't let him let that comment go.]
That doesn't mean you can get away with not listening to me.
That doesn't mean you can get away with not listening to me.
Or what?
[It's not... angry, not really, but there's an edge to it, if only because she's so damn sick of men thinking they can tell her what to do.]
[It's not... angry, not really, but there's an edge to it, if only because she's so damn sick of men thinking they can tell her what to do.]
[That's not exactly how he meant it. Poor word choice.
But since she's asking...]
Or you'll put all of us in danger. Me, you. Jesse. Jesse's friends. You said you have mutual connections, right? If Walt shows up and decides he needs Jesse in the same position he was in back home, he'll go through anyone and everyone to make that happen. We can't take any risks.
But since she's asking...]
Or you'll put all of us in danger. Me, you. Jesse. Jesse's friends. You said you have mutual connections, right? If Walt shows up and decides he needs Jesse in the same position he was in back home, he'll go through anyone and everyone to make that happen. We can't take any risks.
[And now she's angry, just staring at him in silence for a moment, her jaw tense.]
Talk to me about risks again, and we're done. [She doesn't need to be lectured on that.] I will listen to you because you asked for my help, and because you know this situation better than I do, but don't for one second think that means you can give me orders.
Talk to me about risks again, and we're done. [She doesn't need to be lectured on that.] I will listen to you because you asked for my help, and because you know this situation better than I do, but don't for one second think that means you can give me orders.
[He clenches his own jaw for a moment, ready to gear up for a fight — but then he sighs. There's no use.]
I'm trusting you with this, Steph.
[So don't fuck it up.]
I need you to be as careful as possible, okay? That's all.
I'm trusting you with this, Steph.
[So don't fuck it up.]
I need you to be as careful as possible, okay? That's all.
I thought I told you not to trust me.
[She regrets it as soon as it's out of her mouth, visible in the way she winces, eyes closing.]
Sorry.
[She rubs at her brow, like trying to dispel a headache, before finally looking back at him.]
It's gonna be okay, Saul, I know what I'm doing.
[It's her way of saying that she'll be careful, that she'll listen when she neds to.
She's not as reckless as she used to be.]
[She regrets it as soon as it's out of her mouth, visible in the way she winces, eyes closing.]
Sorry.
[She rubs at her brow, like trying to dispel a headache, before finally looking back at him.]
It's gonna be okay, Saul, I know what I'm doing.
[It's her way of saying that she'll be careful, that she'll listen when she neds to.
She's not as reckless as she used to be.]
Tough shit.
[He almost continues with a line about vigilantes and how the hell is he supposed to trust anyone if he can't trust her, she who is supposed to be on his side, but doesn't. Whether she likes it or not — and he's not exactly keen on the idea, either, for the record — he trusts her. And she's an adult, right? So she can deal with it like one.
He nods at her reassurance, only half-convinced.
Maybe they'll get lucky. Maybe she won't have to prove that she knows what she's doing, because maybe Walt won't ever show up. Maybe the cancer will get him and he'll drop dead before the Initiative has a chance to pick him up in their little lottery. Maybe everything will be okay.
Saul can dream, right?]
Anyway, I'll take your word for it. And I'll give this whole thing some thought — we can reconvene closer to the beginning of next month.
[He almost continues with a line about vigilantes and how the hell is he supposed to trust anyone if he can't trust her, she who is supposed to be on his side, but doesn't. Whether she likes it or not — and he's not exactly keen on the idea, either, for the record — he trusts her. And she's an adult, right? So she can deal with it like one.
He nods at her reassurance, only half-convinced.
Maybe they'll get lucky. Maybe she won't have to prove that she knows what she's doing, because maybe Walt won't ever show up. Maybe the cancer will get him and he'll drop dead before the Initiative has a chance to pick him up in their little lottery. Maybe everything will be okay.
Saul can dream, right?]
Anyway, I'll take your word for it. And I'll give this whole thing some thought — we can reconvene closer to the beginning of next month.
[Somehow, that actually makes her feel better, and she gives him an apologetic smile, though it only lasts for a moment before it's gone.
Then she just nods.] Normally I'd stop using this place once someone knows where it is, but I'll leave it for now. It's safe, if you ever need somewhere to go.
[If he doesn't feel safe in the housing complex, for whatever reason, Walter related or otherwise.]
Then she just nods.] Normally I'd stop using this place once someone knows where it is, but I'll leave it for now. It's safe, if you ever need somewhere to go.
[If he doesn't feel safe in the housing complex, for whatever reason, Walter related or otherwise.]
Thank you.
[He sounds genuinely grateful for that. And it's not just that he sounds grateful — he is. He might be here a little more than Steph bargained for, just for the sake of escape.
After a few seconds' pause, he shuts his laptop and starts packing up.]
[He sounds genuinely grateful for that. And it's not just that he sounds grateful — he is. He might be here a little more than Steph bargained for, just for the sake of escape.
After a few seconds' pause, he shuts his laptop and starts packing up.]
You're welcome.
[She shrugs, a little unsure how to deal with how grateful he sounds, when it's not something she hears often.
She waits until he's packed up to add:]
Just don't touch anything if you're here alone, 'cause I don't wanna get back and find you've poisoned yourself.
[Seriously.]
[She shrugs, a little unsure how to deal with how grateful he sounds, when it's not something she hears often.
She waits until he's packed up to add:]
Just don't touch anything if you're here alone, 'cause I don't wanna get back and find you've poisoned yourself.
[Seriously.]
...anything?
[There are stupid questions, and then there are questions that would seem stupid only out of context.
He has to make sure.]
[There are stupid questions, and then there are questions that would seem stupid only out of context.
He has to make sure.]
[No that's fair, she should have been more specific.]
Anything that isn't furniture.
[The furniture is safe.
And then she's quiet for a moment, considering him, deciding whether she wants to make the next offer.
Eventually:] You wanna know where the weapons are?
[Just in case.
Apparently she trusts him enough to tell him.]
Anything that isn't furniture.
[The furniture is safe.
And then she's quiet for a moment, considering him, deciding whether she wants to make the next offer.
Eventually:] You wanna know where the weapons are?
[Just in case.
Apparently she trusts him enough to tell him.]
[He's almost ready to start moving toward the door when she asks, and he has to set his briefcase back down and look at her for a moment before responding.]
What kinds of weapons are we talking about?
What kinds of weapons are we talking about?
Mostly bladed weapons, including longer ranges ones, but there's also escrima sticks, a collapsible staff, and an assortment of these-- [And suddenly there are silver batarangs in her hand, held between her fingers.]
They're basically stun grenades, tasers, smoke bombs, freeze grenades, et cetera, depending with what they're labelled.
[She throws a deactivated freez-a-rang so it sticks in the desk next to Saul's briefcase, so he can have a look; the centre of the batarang is a light blue coloured cartridge, which is apparently what she means by "labelled".]
They're basically stun grenades, tasers, smoke bombs, freeze grenades, et cetera, depending with what they're labelled.
[She throws a deactivated freez-a-rang so it sticks in the desk next to Saul's briefcase, so he can have a look; the centre of the batarang is a light blue coloured cartridge, which is apparently what she means by "labelled".]
[The mention of "bladed weapons" makes him wrinkle his nose — too messy, no thank you. The batarangs catch his attention, though. They could be useful.
But he flinches when she throws it, then tosses her a Look. Steph. That briefcase is real leather. Watch it.]
I'm good with darts, but I don't know... [He trails off and approaches the desk, carefully plucking the object from its surface.]
But he flinches when she throws it, then tosses her a Look. Steph. That briefcase is real leather. Watch it.]
I'm good with darts, but I don't know... [He trails off and approaches the desk, carefully plucking the object from its surface.]
So whenever you're done flirting with strangers on the network, I've got a few secondhand suits that need to be fixed up. I can pay you with actual money as opposed to bartering with baked goods. How's that sound?
i think we were bartering with his virginity, actually!
but money's fine, too.
but money's fine, too.
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