A Date (Possibly) [for units_brigadier]

[dr_liz_shaw]

It had been a strange week - and it was unusual to use that word when there had been no invasions, crashes or emergencies, and the most catastrophic event had been a test tube boiling over on Friday.  But strange was, nevertheless, absolutely the right description.  After all, it wasn't every week one got locked in a cellar and emerged with a date.

Comments

[units_brigadier]

He didn't rush, much as part of his brain might have wanted to. He was curious about that particular train of thought. He never rushed - you planned ahead. There were times for improvisation, and others for careful, deliberate preparation.

But at the same time he wasn't sure why he was doing so. Strange and new things, really.

But he had carefully selected a suit - a gray one, why not - and carefully adjusted his tie and carefully made sure his shoes were spotless. And then he drove to her address. There was something in the back of his mind that was curious, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Was it nervousness? No, if it was, there was eagerness, too. Strange indeed.

He rang the bell, clearing his throat.

[dr_liz_shaw]

Perfectly on time. She wasn't surprised - he was, she suspected, always punctual - but it was gratifying nonetheless.

She stood, smoothing down her dress (longer, ironically, than she ever wore to work), and made it to the door in seconds, opening it without hesitation.

"Good evening," she said with a genuine smile, studying him curiously. "I must say, the out-of-uniform look suits you."

[units_brigadier]

"Ah, thank you. And you look lovely, naturally."

The way he said it, perhaps, might strike her as odd. Not dismissive, but casual. As if her appearance was universally just so.

He quieted for a second, looking about. "A quite nice place you have here as well, it seems." Which was, even as he said it, a rather foolish and awkward remark.

[dr_liz_shaw]

"Nice enough." She picked up her bag and coat from the table next to the door. "Not so useful while I'm not at Cambridge, but there are always the rooms at Headquarters."

He seemed a little off-balance. Not nervous, precisely, but then again not quite the cool, unruffled Brigadier she was used to seeing.

Odd how that made her feel pleased.

Dismissing the thought, she stepped outside, closing and locking the door. "Shall we?"

[units_brigadier]

He smiled, nodding. "Of course."

He stepped down, giving her room to close the door. As they began to walk to the car, he found himself smiling, for reasons he could barely understand. One of those things, he supposed.

"Had any ideas on where you'd like to go?" He asked, as they approached the car.

[dr_liz_shaw]

"I had considered it," she said with a teasing tilt to her lips. "Because as tempting as a thermos flask and a telescope might be, I think it's a little cold." As if to illustrate her poit, she pulled her coat tightly around her shoulders, shivering a little. "Don't worry, Brigadier. There's a restaurant not far from here I think you'll like."

She reached for the doorhandle, unwilling to allow him to do it for her. Whether or not it had actually been his intention, the fact remained that she was perfectly capable of doing it herself.

Catching his eye, she grinned. "Straight on to the end of the road, left, second left and then right. Do you think you can remember that?" Then, without waiting for his response, she got in to the car.

[units_brigadier]

"Ah, well then, I put myself in your more than capable hands."

And he had been about to do that, but he smiled, just a little, at her reaction. He should have expected that. And he might have been vaguely disappointed had she let him, now he came to think of it.

He closed the door behind her, almost smirking at her cheek.

"I endeavor to please, ma'am," he said, sardonically as he made his way over to his side.

[dr_liz_shaw]

She waited for him to get in before replying - after all, there would be no use in a reply if it were half-lost to the banging of the door.

"Now, that's hardly a general rule, is it?" she said with a raised eyebrow, fighting the smile that threatened to break out. "Does it only apply in specific situations?"

[units_brigadier]

"Ah, that one you'll have to figure out for yourself," he said, strapping in and starting the car.

"Can't give you hints, now can I?" He pulled out into traffic, following her instructions, from memory, to a t.

"After all, you are a rather intelligent scientist and person, beyond that. It would hardly be fair to just give you answers. I mean, really, be deny you the thrill of achievement and understanding? Perish the thought."

[dr_liz_shaw]

This time she did smile, glancing across at him as he drove. "No, I hadn't expected you to make it that simple." It was, quite honestly, rather unlikely she'd be here at all if she had.

"But I'll warn you that I am very good with puzzles," she added. "I don't need hints."

[units_brigadier]

"Well then," he said, suppressing a grin, "good luck?"

He turned into the restaurant lot, pulling smoothly into a spot with his usual military precision. One might have been able to check his parking for right angles. He'd always been good at that sort of parade ground precision, in the past.

And he'd hated every minute of having to do it, too, he remembered.

[dr_liz_shaw]

"I don't need luck, either," she said confidently. "Luck is simply our name for those times that we beat the probabilities without any discernible skill." They drew to a halt in the carpark. "You see? It wasn't luck that made you brake in time to avoid hitting the wall in front of us, it was skill. And when it comes to puzzles, I've had lots of practice."

She grinned at him, gathering her bag and reaching for the doorhandle. "And I'm making it far too complicated, aren't I? I'm afraid there are definite downsides to spending time with a scientist."

[units_brigadier]

"Oh, yes, because this is so much more complicated than dealing with our usual work," he said, then stopped.

"No, I take it back, this is more complicated. More unknown edges, and far less room to plan. Improvisation," he said, getting out of the car, "will indeed be key."

"Good thing for you," he added, with a slight smile, "that I quite enjoy challenges."

[dr_liz_shaw]

She shivered a little in the still-chilly air and walked around to his side of the car. "With your job, I rather think you have to," she said wryly. "You'd be no good to anybody if you ran in the other direction every time an impossible situation was put in front of you."

The entrance to the restaurant was mere yards away; she gestured towards it and began walking. "I do hope you like it."

[units_brigadier]

"I'm quite sure I will - everything that isn't base cafeteria food has nirvana-like qualities at this point."

He did, just to needle here a bit, open the door for her, with a beatific smile as if nothing at all had happened. Heaven forbid they stop competing for even a split second.

"Two, please," he said to the waiter, as they entered. He looked around. "Certainly looks interesting."

[dr_liz_shaw]

Of course he opened the door for her. He would. She raised an eyebrow at him, lips quirking in to what was almost a smile. "Thank you."

The waiter led them to their seats, and she sat down in her chair before he had the chance to pull it out for her. Not that this was a competition, or her making a point - of course not. It was simply entertaining.