(Untitled)

[works_in_space]

Jim rides Rachat slowly through the newly fallen snow. It's not a day for galloping but instead for trotting, hoof prints lost in eight to ten inches, powder occasionally swirling around. At least it's sunny, and Jim is warm in his excursion jacket, but he probably won't be out for long

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[agtninetynine]

It's not often CONTROL has to deal with a bomb that could destroy the city of Los Angeles.

But thanks to Max's somewhat unorthodox way of working, the crisis had been averted.

It does explains why, when 99 finds herself in the Bar instead of the hotel room CONTROL had offered to pay for in order to get washed up, her originally-flawless white clothes are covered in dirt (with an accompanying matching streak on her left cheek) and she's favoring her left side.

(Getting dragged on an airplane banner behind a runaway, burning mini-van has the tendency to leave a bruise or two.)

Apparently, she realizes, Bar means for her to have a different kind of recuperation - here.

[works_in_space]

"Laura?" Seeing her upon re-entering the Bar, Jim feels his heart race. It thus takes a moment for him to see that she looks off.

"Are you alright?" Or maybe, for once, she looks awful.

[agtninetynine]

And here comes the part where she's probably got a lot of explaining to do.

Because, in addition to the whole being-covered-in-dirt as a fashion accessory, she's also carrying her fair share of weapons.

"Jim - hi."

[works_in_space]

The closer he stepped, the more he notices. The more his heart races, but now it's not entirely excitement. "Laura...what's going on?" Now his mind races as well, since there are a lot explanations, not all of them good.

[agtninetynine]

"I - "

She falters, for a moment, realizing the sight she must be at the moment.

"I guess you had to find out sooner or later."

[works_in_space]

He nods silently and steps closer. "Should I take a guess?" He tries to smile.

[agtninetynine]

Her own smile is a little tired. She hasn't been sleeping much lately.

"What would you guess, then?"

[works_in_space]

"Possibly a police officer. But not likely." Not with that much ordnance. "Not a soldier, since you don't wear a uniform.

"So that would leave a federal agent, perhaps. Assuming you're on the right side of the law." He knows of the sort of criminals and extremists of that era. He can't imagine Laura would be one. But he knows that a good agent can be very convincing.

He holds his breath, waiting for a reply.

[agtninetynine]

"We're counter-espionage," 99 blurts out. "Actually. But I do work for the United States government."

Her smile takes on its share of apology.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I just - it's not the kind of information we're supposed to share."

[works_in_space]

"I..." He thinks about it. At an intellectual level, he understands. He's dealt with secrets for a long time, too. But it still hurts.

"I suppose it's not entirely different than the limits on what I can tell you about my time. I just..." He takes her hand, gently. "I didn't expect this.

"Though it does explain a lot."

[agtninetynine]

"I know."

She gnaws on the inside of her cheek, dropping her gaze when he takes his hand in hers. It surprises her, then, when her eyes start to sting, her vision blurs.

"Just because - it doesn't mean that how I feel about you - "

She lifts her eyes to his face, blinking through it.

"That wasn't a lie."

[works_in_space]

"No, there wouldn't be any reason to lie about that, would there." He sounds cold. And then catches himself.

"I'm sorry. That was...harsh." If not, he could note, undeserved. "This is a lot to take in."

[agtninetynine]

She catches herself before she says anything she'll regret, but her watering eyes narrow for a fraction of a second.

"I thought it'd be safer for you if you didn't know anything that was too sensitive."

[works_in_space]

Think before you talk, Jim. He's old enough to know that. And to understand how hard it is to be in the fleet and have a relationship. What things could he never tell Carol? Or even Antonia.

Not letting go of Laura's hand, he takes her to sit.

"I think we will need to talk about this. Like mature adults. Like people who care about each other. But not right now. Since you look like you might need a doctor. And a towel."

This isn't easy. Not at all. But he was failing for her. Hard. And he thinks that no matter what else, that WAS real.

[agtninetynine]

"I'll be fine," she insists. "It's just a bruise, some dirt. All I was planning on doing was taking a shower and throwing these away - "

She indicates her ripped, ruined coat and pants with her hand.

" - since I'm pretty sure I'm never going to be able to wear them again."

[works_in_space]

Jim laughs just a bit. "I know how that feels. Our old uniforms had a way of ripping way too easily." He never got how they made fabrics of such advanced and yet such flimsy polymers.

"That outfit with the wig...that was for undercover work?"