[SCENE] Jake and Lana in: "Crossing Paths Again"
_<]]'>Lana: *early afternoon--Lana Skye arrives back at her PI agency after what appears to have been a rather hectic morning "in the field." She seems a bit tired and it shows in the manner she greets one of her employees en route up to her office; she asks the man to field any incoming people and calls, then heads to her office and shuts the door. Fixing herself up a cup of coffee and taking a seat at her desk, she starts checking the messages on her phone, and then her computer...*
Jake: *clad in his fringe leather jacket, matching shotgun chaps over his denim jeans, and his usual cowboy hat on his head, Jake Marshall walks down the hall with slow, confident steps. The faint jangling of his spurs can be heard before he walks into the agency and takes a look around, surveying the joint*
Clyde: *the person Lana had just been speaking to--a taciturn man in his early fifties by the name of Clyde-- glances up when the front door of the agency is opened. He sees to recognize Jake, as his eyes open the tiniest fraction wider, but if anything it makes his greeting all the more gruff* Miss Skye isn't taking visitors right now.
Jake: *acknowledges the man with a friendly smile* Howdy, pardner. *gives his hat a nudge and takes a few steps in* I'm a stranger in these parts, I know -- but I ain't lookin' for no trouble. All I want is a job. *holds up a few sheets of paper in his hand*
Clyde: *his eyes widen again-- it's definitely a peculiar day-- and he stands immobile as he gives Jake's words some consideration* .........
Clyde: Up the stairs, third door on the right.
Jake: Thanks, pardner. *and he goes on his way*
Jake: *when he reaches Lana's office, he plants both feet firmly in front of the door, pauses for dramatic effect, and knocks three times*
Lana: *a few seconds pass without any response--then, from within the office sounds the voice of Miss Lana Skye, with its "I'm on the Phone at the Moment" tone* Clyde? Just a minute, I'm speaking with a client.
Jake: *loud and clear* "Clyde?" You want a Clyde? Then get yourself to Texas.
Lana: *there's a pause again, followed by what seems to be a "I'm sorry, but I'll have to call you back" spoken quietly and the light click of a phone receiver being placed down* ... *and at the previous volume level, meant to address someone standing just outside the room* Hello?
Jake: *opens the door and enters* Afternoon, miss. *shuts the door and walks up to her desk, reaching out his hand* The name's Jake Marshall. How are you this fine day?
Lana: ... *is standing by the time he makes it over to her desk; she stares at his outstretched hand and then at the rest of him quite blankly, not quite comprehending what he's up to*
Jake: *simply* Somethin' up? You look like you seen a ghost.
Lana: ..... *reseats herself at her desk--she doesn't seem irritated or angry, but she still doesn't take his hand* What are you doing here? *it's said more in surprise than anything else*
Jake: *a short chuckle as he withdraws his hand and adjusts his hat with it* Pardon me...Am I at the right place? I thought you had a job opening.
Lana: You're... looking to apply here.
Jake: *doesn't answer the question; takes a seat in the chair in front of her desk, taking his hat off and placing it on his lap* You ever have the kinda dreams that play tricks on your mind?
Lana: *studies his features, finally seeming to relax somewhat when she reads his expression. She knows him well enough to know that a direct approach will do no good right now, and so she offers him a small smile instead* ...Yes, I have. Why do you ask?
Jake: I had one once, a long ways back... *directing his gaze to the window rather than straight at her* The night before an important date. Guess my nerves were affectin' me more than I thought. It was all-fired vivid.
Lana: *smiles slightly again, at that* What was it of?
Jake: Upon meeting with my date I decided, heck, I feel like wearin' a different jacket! Wasn't important in the least, of course...but you know how we are in dreams. I told 'er to excuse me a few moments while I went to fetch it and parted from her.
Jake: *sits back in his chair and looks at her as he speaks* Well, the forces that be were against me and tossin' everything it could my way to cause delay. The trolley broke down, and I had to go by foot. I was forced to take a long route due to some fancy parade blockin' the roads. I stepped in some filth and had to find some means to clean my boots...and so forth. Things beyond my control.
Jake: The more time it took for me to complete this simple task, the more I dreaded. "She must be mad as a peeled rattler by now," I thought to myself. I was cursin' myself for headin' home to change in the first place. I had a good chance with her, but I blew it.
Jake: That's when I woke up. That dream felt so real, I had to check what day it was. *chuckles* Let me tell you, I was powerful relieved...that awful date hadn't happened at all. I still had a chance.
Lana: *her eyes wander down to his jacket before drifting back to his features once again* *calmly* And what became of it all?
Jake: I ain't one to kiss and tell. But I've digressed too much. *leans over and slides to her on the desk the papers he'd been holding* There's my application for your review, Miss Skye. I believe everything's in order. Got my forms, my identification, proof of my history as a detective for the LAPD...and, of course, my PI license.
Lana: Your PI license. *reaches for the papers he'd set on her desk, sifting through to the last few items. Her features are almost a deadpan neutral, but her hands are clearly shaking* You managed to...
Lana: *sets the papers down and swivels her chair abruptly around so that its back--and hers-- are to him* *bluntly* E-- excuse me.
Jake: *blinks with confusion* Somethin' the matter?
Lana: *curtly, unmoving* I just need a moment. You startled me.
Jake: ...*puts his hat on the desk and stands up, serious* No. There's somethin' wrong.
Lana: *stands up when she hears him do so, taking some quick steps away and crossing her arms* It's fine--really. Just give me a moment.
Jake: *smirks* No filly's gonna turn her back on Jake Marshall without good reason. 'Specially one with a face as pretty as yours. *walks up to her, trying to catch her expression*
Lana: *tries to turn further away from him, but she's a little too slow-- and so she stops short and glares at him in reproach for walking over, instead. It's not as effective as usual, given the tears welling up in her eyes*
Jake: *stares at her, dumbstruck; in all the years they've known each other, this is a first for him* *softly* ...Bambina, are you crying?
Lana: No. *and turning off to the side again, she reaches up with a hand to cover her eyes--or wipe at them, as the case may be* ......... I never thought that you'd go through with it. Or that you'd want to.
Jake: *steps in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders* Now why would you think that?
Lana: *stays still, her features still hidden by her hand--her voice is slightly muffled* ...I'd given up on it.
Jake: ... *looks at her for a moment before embracing her gently, holding her to him* I don't blame you for that. We've been through the mill and then some. ...But things were good before the storm hit, weren't they?
Lana: Yes. Yes, they were. *softly, closing her eyes* Do you think--do you really want to-- *leans in to his hold, for once* What is it you want to do?
Jake: I realize now we've been goin' about things the entirely wrong way. That relationship we used to have -- it's dead. Has been for years. And like fools, we kept tryin' to bring it back to life and caused ourselves a whole lotta grief. *puts his hand to the back of her head* We ain't the folks we once were...so we gotta start buildin' a new one.
Lana: From the very beginning...? *something seems to click for her--she lowers her hand, looking to him with slightly reddened eyes* Hence your introduction.
Jake: *something about the redness of her face makes him smile* What's your policy on romance in the workplace, Miss Skye? Not that I'm...suggestin' anything.
Lana: .....
Lana: *raises an eyebrow--then frowns*
Lana: My, my. You assume you've been hired already? *pulls back from him--albeit a little reluctantly-- and gestures to the other side of her desk* Have a seat. I'll be reading through your application properly.
Jake: *rests his hands at his belt* It was worth a shot. *moves back to the chair and seats himself* Ah, about that date I had...
Lana: *takes another moment to wipe at her eyes, then sits quite businesslike down at her desk. As she picks up his papers:* Oh--yes?
Jake: *takes his hat and smoothes out the rimming* We hit it off good and...I fell completely head over heels in love with her. *pause* Never did stop lovin' her, too.
Lana: ..... *blinks, looks hurriedly down at the papers and holds a hand to her eyes again--she's not quite tearing up again, but evidently she recognizes the threat of it*
Jake: *respectfully glancing off* Not that I'm complainin'. It's kept me youthful.
Lana: I've aged a little too quickly, I believe. *smiles softly* I can only hope to learn from your example.
Jake: You're too young to be worryin' about that sort of thing.
Lana: Taking guesses at my age already, are you. *flips the pages in her hands--it really doesn't take her long to skim the entirety of it. When she is finished, she looks back up at him*
Jake: Well, you're either too young or you haven't aged as much as you claim. *looking back at her with a smirk*
Lana: *shakes her head at him, though she can't help but smile fully as a result. Setting down the application, she extends her hand forward* Well. I look forward to working with you.
Jake: And I finally get my handshake! *leans forward and takes her hand, pleased* Happy to be on board, miss. I may be a greenhorn, but you'll show me the ropes, won't ya?
Lana: Oh, I will. *tilts her head* But I expect you to be a quick learner, Mr. Marshall.
Jake: *with a mischievous tone* I can be bull-headed when I know I'm right. Hope you're prepared for it.
Lana: *laughs lightly* I'll keep that in mind.
Jake: *stands up and takes his hat, putting it back on his head* ...Much obliged, Miss Skye. You've done me world of good already.
Lana: No-- I'm the one who needs to thank you. *stands up, nodding over to the door* Come on--I'll introduce you to everyone else.
Jake: Wait. Hold up. *puts his hands on his hips and glances down at his chaps* You ain't gonna tell me to stop wearin' these?
Lana: *en route to the door, she glances down at his lower body*
Lana: ...Of course I am. That's not proper workplace attire.
Jake: Well, why haven't you said nothin'? *following her*
Lana: *primly, opening up the door and stepping on out to the hall* Because I hadn't noticed up until you asked.
Jake: *teasing* Well, I'm offended! I wore my best pair hopin' to impress.
Lana: I assure you, if I'd noticed it, it would have counted against your application. *walks down the hall and heads down the stairs*
Jake: *chuckles* Shoulda known this place don't take kindly to my type.
Jake: *clad in his fringe leather jacket, matching shotgun chaps over his denim jeans, and his usual cowboy hat on his head, Jake Marshall walks down the hall with slow, confident steps. The faint jangling of his spurs can be heard before he walks into the agency and takes a look around, surveying the joint*
Clyde: *the person Lana had just been speaking to--a taciturn man in his early fifties by the name of Clyde-- glances up when the front door of the agency is opened. He sees to recognize Jake, as his eyes open the tiniest fraction wider, but if anything it makes his greeting all the more gruff* Miss Skye isn't taking visitors right now.
Jake: *acknowledges the man with a friendly smile* Howdy, pardner. *gives his hat a nudge and takes a few steps in* I'm a stranger in these parts, I know -- but I ain't lookin' for no trouble. All I want is a job. *holds up a few sheets of paper in his hand*
Clyde: *his eyes widen again-- it's definitely a peculiar day-- and he stands immobile as he gives Jake's words some consideration* .........
Clyde: Up the stairs, third door on the right.
Jake: Thanks, pardner. *and he goes on his way*
Jake: *when he reaches Lana's office, he plants both feet firmly in front of the door, pauses for dramatic effect, and knocks three times*
Lana: *a few seconds pass without any response--then, from within the office sounds the voice of Miss Lana Skye, with its "I'm on the Phone at the Moment" tone* Clyde? Just a minute, I'm speaking with a client.
Jake: *loud and clear* "Clyde?" You want a Clyde? Then get yourself to Texas.
Lana: *there's a pause again, followed by what seems to be a "I'm sorry, but I'll have to call you back" spoken quietly and the light click of a phone receiver being placed down* ... *and at the previous volume level, meant to address someone standing just outside the room* Hello?
Jake: *opens the door and enters* Afternoon, miss. *shuts the door and walks up to her desk, reaching out his hand* The name's Jake Marshall. How are you this fine day?
Lana: ... *is standing by the time he makes it over to her desk; she stares at his outstretched hand and then at the rest of him quite blankly, not quite comprehending what he's up to*
Jake: *simply* Somethin' up? You look like you seen a ghost.
Lana: ..... *reseats herself at her desk--she doesn't seem irritated or angry, but she still doesn't take his hand* What are you doing here? *it's said more in surprise than anything else*
Jake: *a short chuckle as he withdraws his hand and adjusts his hat with it* Pardon me...Am I at the right place? I thought you had a job opening.
Lana: You're... looking to apply here.
Jake: *doesn't answer the question; takes a seat in the chair in front of her desk, taking his hat off and placing it on his lap* You ever have the kinda dreams that play tricks on your mind?
Lana: *studies his features, finally seeming to relax somewhat when she reads his expression. She knows him well enough to know that a direct approach will do no good right now, and so she offers him a small smile instead* ...Yes, I have. Why do you ask?
Jake: I had one once, a long ways back... *directing his gaze to the window rather than straight at her* The night before an important date. Guess my nerves were affectin' me more than I thought. It was all-fired vivid.
Lana: *smiles slightly again, at that* What was it of?
Jake: Upon meeting with my date I decided, heck, I feel like wearin' a different jacket! Wasn't important in the least, of course...but you know how we are in dreams. I told 'er to excuse me a few moments while I went to fetch it and parted from her.
Jake: *sits back in his chair and looks at her as he speaks* Well, the forces that be were against me and tossin' everything it could my way to cause delay. The trolley broke down, and I had to go by foot. I was forced to take a long route due to some fancy parade blockin' the roads. I stepped in some filth and had to find some means to clean my boots...and so forth. Things beyond my control.
Jake: The more time it took for me to complete this simple task, the more I dreaded. "She must be mad as a peeled rattler by now," I thought to myself. I was cursin' myself for headin' home to change in the first place. I had a good chance with her, but I blew it.
Jake: That's when I woke up. That dream felt so real, I had to check what day it was. *chuckles* Let me tell you, I was powerful relieved...that awful date hadn't happened at all. I still had a chance.
Lana: *her eyes wander down to his jacket before drifting back to his features once again* *calmly* And what became of it all?
Jake: I ain't one to kiss and tell. But I've digressed too much. *leans over and slides to her on the desk the papers he'd been holding* There's my application for your review, Miss Skye. I believe everything's in order. Got my forms, my identification, proof of my history as a detective for the LAPD...and, of course, my PI license.
Lana: Your PI license. *reaches for the papers he'd set on her desk, sifting through to the last few items. Her features are almost a deadpan neutral, but her hands are clearly shaking* You managed to...
Lana: *sets the papers down and swivels her chair abruptly around so that its back--and hers-- are to him* *bluntly* E-- excuse me.
Jake: *blinks with confusion* Somethin' the matter?
Lana: *curtly, unmoving* I just need a moment. You startled me.
Jake: ...*puts his hat on the desk and stands up, serious* No. There's somethin' wrong.
Lana: *stands up when she hears him do so, taking some quick steps away and crossing her arms* It's fine--really. Just give me a moment.
Jake: *smirks* No filly's gonna turn her back on Jake Marshall without good reason. 'Specially one with a face as pretty as yours. *walks up to her, trying to catch her expression*
Lana: *tries to turn further away from him, but she's a little too slow-- and so she stops short and glares at him in reproach for walking over, instead. It's not as effective as usual, given the tears welling up in her eyes*
Jake: *stares at her, dumbstruck; in all the years they've known each other, this is a first for him* *softly* ...Bambina, are you crying?
Lana: No. *and turning off to the side again, she reaches up with a hand to cover her eyes--or wipe at them, as the case may be* ......... I never thought that you'd go through with it. Or that you'd want to.
Jake: *steps in front of her, putting his hands on her shoulders* Now why would you think that?
Lana: *stays still, her features still hidden by her hand--her voice is slightly muffled* ...I'd given up on it.
Jake: ... *looks at her for a moment before embracing her gently, holding her to him* I don't blame you for that. We've been through the mill and then some. ...But things were good before the storm hit, weren't they?
Lana: Yes. Yes, they were. *softly, closing her eyes* Do you think--do you really want to-- *leans in to his hold, for once* What is it you want to do?
Jake: I realize now we've been goin' about things the entirely wrong way. That relationship we used to have -- it's dead. Has been for years. And like fools, we kept tryin' to bring it back to life and caused ourselves a whole lotta grief. *puts his hand to the back of her head* We ain't the folks we once were...so we gotta start buildin' a new one.
Lana: From the very beginning...? *something seems to click for her--she lowers her hand, looking to him with slightly reddened eyes* Hence your introduction.
Jake: *something about the redness of her face makes him smile* What's your policy on romance in the workplace, Miss Skye? Not that I'm...suggestin' anything.
Lana: .....
Lana: *raises an eyebrow--then frowns*
Lana: My, my. You assume you've been hired already? *pulls back from him--albeit a little reluctantly-- and gestures to the other side of her desk* Have a seat. I'll be reading through your application properly.
Jake: *rests his hands at his belt* It was worth a shot. *moves back to the chair and seats himself* Ah, about that date I had...
Lana: *takes another moment to wipe at her eyes, then sits quite businesslike down at her desk. As she picks up his papers:* Oh--yes?
Jake: *takes his hat and smoothes out the rimming* We hit it off good and...I fell completely head over heels in love with her. *pause* Never did stop lovin' her, too.
Lana: ..... *blinks, looks hurriedly down at the papers and holds a hand to her eyes again--she's not quite tearing up again, but evidently she recognizes the threat of it*
Jake: *respectfully glancing off* Not that I'm complainin'. It's kept me youthful.
Lana: I've aged a little too quickly, I believe. *smiles softly* I can only hope to learn from your example.
Jake: You're too young to be worryin' about that sort of thing.
Lana: Taking guesses at my age already, are you. *flips the pages in her hands--it really doesn't take her long to skim the entirety of it. When she is finished, she looks back up at him*
Jake: Well, you're either too young or you haven't aged as much as you claim. *looking back at her with a smirk*
Lana: *shakes her head at him, though she can't help but smile fully as a result. Setting down the application, she extends her hand forward* Well. I look forward to working with you.
Jake: And I finally get my handshake! *leans forward and takes her hand, pleased* Happy to be on board, miss. I may be a greenhorn, but you'll show me the ropes, won't ya?
Lana: Oh, I will. *tilts her head* But I expect you to be a quick learner, Mr. Marshall.
Jake: *with a mischievous tone* I can be bull-headed when I know I'm right. Hope you're prepared for it.
Lana: *laughs lightly* I'll keep that in mind.
Jake: *stands up and takes his hat, putting it back on his head* ...Much obliged, Miss Skye. You've done me world of good already.
Lana: No-- I'm the one who needs to thank you. *stands up, nodding over to the door* Come on--I'll introduce you to everyone else.
Jake: Wait. Hold up. *puts his hands on his hips and glances down at his chaps* You ain't gonna tell me to stop wearin' these?
Lana: *en route to the door, she glances down at his lower body*
Lana: ...Of course I am. That's not proper workplace attire.
Jake: Well, why haven't you said nothin'? *following her*
Lana: *primly, opening up the door and stepping on out to the hall* Because I hadn't noticed up until you asked.
Jake: *teasing* Well, I'm offended! I wore my best pair hopin' to impress.
Lana: I assure you, if I'd noticed it, it would have counted against your application. *walks down the hall and heads down the stairs*
Jake: *chuckles* Shoulda known this place don't take kindly to my type.