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[magglenagall]

Thanks for the sympathy and commiseration and advice in re. my last post, y'all. I appreciate it. *loves*

I'm feeling twitchy and REALLY need something to tear me away from refreshing fail_fandomanon every couple of minutes, so how about some drabble/ficlet prompts? Nothing too detailed, please - say, an object plus character or pairing. Can be holiday-themed or

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Part 1/2

[magglenagall]

The bells hanging over the door made a racket as Clare entered the Kreemy Kakes Diner. The place was nearly empty, most of the lights turned off and chairs flipped over atop the unoccupied tables. The light in the kitchen was still on, however, and Clare waved to the waitress who peered out at her from beneath the heat lamp.

"How late are you open tonight?"

"Just long enough for you two to finish and go," was her answer. "Chili's all we got left. And a couple slices of rhubarb pie."

"Coffee?"

"It's been on the burner a while."

Clare smiled. "That's okay. I need the extra octane to get me through the next few hours." The waitress nodded and withdrew. Clare slid into the booth opposite the diner's only customer and began peeling off her winter outerwear.

"Didn't think you'd make it," Russ said, setting down his spoon and wiping his mouth with a paper napkin. "Earla's been giving me the stink-eye the past few minutes."

"Sorry I'm so late." She paused to unwind her scarf from around her neck. "I had a minor crisis with a wedding rehearsal to deal with. Thanks for waiting. I was worried I'd miss you."

"Wedding rehearsal? I thought you were leaving for Virginia after the service tonight?"

"I am. My flight leaves Albany at 1:30 a.m." She groaned.

"Someone's meeting you, right?"

"My dad. He's always been an early bird, so getting up at 4 in the morning to drive to Newport News is no big deal." She smiled up at the waitress as she slid a large bowl of steaming chili in front of Clare, followed by a mug of coffee. "Thanks, Earla. Merry Christmas." She grabbed a handful of sugar packets and started emptying them into her coffee while Russ looked on in amusement.

"So what's with the wedding rehearsal on Christmas Eve?"

"Oh!" She scooped up a mouthful of chili and blew on it, uncomfortably aware of Russ' steady gaze on her pursed lips. "The wedding actually isn't until the day after I get back, but the bride and groom agreed to do the rehearsal tonight, especially since all the groomsmen and bridesmaids are in town for the holidays. They're doing the rehearsal dinner tonight, too, for the same reason." Russ grunted. "So what are your plans for Christmas?"

He nodded as Earla came by with the coffee pot to offer a refill. "Working."

Her eyes widened. "On Christmas Day?"

He shrugged. "Someone has to. Linda's gone down to Florida, so it made sense for me to be on duty instead of sitting at home feeling sorry for myself while Mark or Eric is out keeping the streets of Millers Kill safe from rampaging elves and missing spending the day with their families." Clare looked up sharply at the tone of his voice. "I gave everyone except Kevin the day off. He doesn't have to come in until noon, though."

She set down her spoon and laid her hand over his. "Do you expect you'll be busy?"

"Hard to say." He leaned back against the bench, stretching his long legs out into the aisle, and looked out the window. "Doesn't look like we'll get any snow this year, so the roads'll be clear for people travelling." He glanced over at her. "There'll probably be a fight or two that gets out of hand, maybe some drunk and disorderlies. Nothing too serious, I hope."

"God willing." She withdrew her hand to resume eating her chili. They remained in comfortable silence until she finished, Russ gazing out the window. When she was done, she washed it down with a gulp of coffee, bitter despite all the added sugar. As she tilted her head back to get at the dregs, she caught sight of the clock on the wall. “Oh my gosh, the time!”

“What?” Russ, stirred from his musings, looked over his shoulder. “It’s barely past five.”

“Yes, and I’ve got to go home and shower and get back to St. Alban’s before six.” She wilted, momentarily overcome with exhaustion. “Advent and Lent are supposed to be for contemplation, but you couldn’t prove it by me. I haven’t stopped going full-tilt since All Saints’ Day.” She started re-bundling up in preparation for braving the bitterly cold night.

Russ stood to pull on his own coat, a heavy brown parka with “MKPD” in gold on the back. “Can I give you a ride home?”

She pulled her hat down to cover the tips of her ears. “Thanks, but I’m parked just down the street.” She headed for the door.