Walking Around Campus Thursday

[lis_rouge]

CJ had a meeting with the University president, which turned into a tedious game of kiss-the-mayor's-ass. She'd finally put her foot down and told him to come back to her when he had more than flattery to offer. It might not go over well, and she was well aware he might take out his frustrations on Ten, so her next stop was his office

Comments

[ten_sans_chips]

Type. Typity type type. Bonk bonk. Such were the noises from John MacDiarmid's office today. If CJ looked through, she could see Ten alternately typing and tossing a superball at the high ceiling.

Unfortunately, the sound distracted him, and he nearly broke a window by not catching the ball. "Shit!" he yelped, leaping out of his chair to catch it. "Come in, love."

[lis_rouge]

"Am I interrupting anything?" she said, trying not to laugh at his lunge for the ball. "God, right then you reminded me of Toby. What are you doing?"

[ten_sans_chips]

"Writing. The publishing company's been on my arse for another novel. And this is the best way for me to focus." He motioned for her to shut the door. "Seeing as medication doesn't work for various reasons." Wink.

[lis_rouge]

"You might get a lot more time here pretty soon." she said, closing the door before crossing to a chair and sinking into it. Crossing her legs, she rested her forehead in her palm. "I just had a fight with President Kiss-Ass."

[ten_sans_chips]

Ten put the superball down on his desk and poured her some coffee. The ball rolled off and started bouncing again, slightly. He ignored it. "Is that what we're calling him now?" he asked, setting the mug in front of her.

[lis_rouge]

"Today, anyhow. I think your working environment might just become a lot more hostile." she bent down and picked the ball up, "So, pretty much I was wondering if you wanted to get out of here, I'll buy you some..." she looked at her watch, "...tea, and we can discuss if you want to quit and how I'm fine with that." she said, words tumbling out at top speed.

[ten_sans_chips]

He raised his eyebrows very slowly and looked bewildered. "It was that bad, was it? Bad enough for tea?" Flicking his tongue against his upper teeth, he thought for a moment, then said, "You know I'm good at getting people back for making me miserable, so if he tries anything...you know."

[lis_rouge]

"I know...it's just, well, it's not even about you. But he's a petty little shit and it might just be easier to walk away." she shrugged. "I mean, I know you can be nastier than anyone...but do you want to?"

She made no move to get up, but looked over at him for a long time, glancing down and back into his eyes several times. "I'm sorry, Ten."

[ten_sans_chips]

"Depends on my mood if he does it. He doesn't know I've brought down governments." Ten actually yawned at this point. "I'll worry about it if it happens, ma belle. You did what you had to do, and I can't say I blame you."

[lis_rouge]

"I'm just so sick of him. He's...you know what it is? He's condescending. I can deal with a lot in the most diplomatic of ways, but this guy makes me want to claw his eyes out." she said before taking a deep breath. "So. Other than your insane wife...how's your day going?"

[ten_sans_chips]

"Frankly? My insane wife makes my day far more interesting," he replied, standing up and walking over to rub her shoulders. "You said something about getting the hell out of Dodge?"

[lis_rouge]

"Yeah. Off campus, out of service range. Just..." she tipped her head back and looked at him upside down. "...us. Is that selfish? Just wanting to be alone with you for a while?"

[ten_sans_chips]

"I don't see why it would be selfish at all. Everyone needs a break sometimes." He kissed her forehead, fingers sliding off her shoulders with a lingering touch, and went back to his computer, saving the file. Then he turned the laptop off and packed it up.

[lis_rouge]

"What about you?" she asked, getting up and adjusting her blazer. "Do you ever take a break? Really?"

[ten_sans_chips]

"Me?" He slung the laptop case over his shoulder. "Honestly...no." A slight embarrassed quirk of his lips.

[lis_rouge]

"What could I tempt you with? To get you to really let go of all this?" she said, motioning around the room but meaning so much more. "We should both really lighten up, I think. Take a chance."