(Untitled)

[no_more_chianti]

You know what the thing about Boston is?

It gets damn cold in December.

Nevertheless, Clarice is braving the weather, because her roommate has gone home for the holidays and she, Clarice, is out of coffee, which means she's making her way to the little cafe down the street because she knows they're still open

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[spcl_agt_cooper]

If Dale Cooper were thinking about it, he would realize that he can't really remember the last time he grinned so widely his face hurt.

"Clarice?"

He's by the door, with his cup of coffee, and he sounds almost ridiculously hopeful.

[no_more_chianti]

Clarice looks up, startled, and she knows who that is--

"Cooper?"

She knew there was a reason she liked this place.

[spcl_agt_cooper]

The beaming isn't likely to stop any time soon. "Where'd you come in from? Gordon's been -- there've been a few problems, and -- I never found out where you'd gone."

[no_more_chianti]

"Oh--"

She's still smiling, too, though she doesn't know quite what to do with herself; loosening her scarf seems a good place to start, as it's a lot warmer in here than where she came from.

"I requested Seattle, but they said-- they sent me to the Boston office." Her smile turns a little helpless, a little rueful-- what can you do. "It's been kind of-- busy. And I meant to call, but I didn't ..."

She trails off, shaking her head. "Wow. How are you?"

... Something about Gordon and trouble? That can't be good.

[works_in_space]

Kirk looks over from a corner table. When he hears someone as upset as that, he takes note. And sympathizes.

"Didn't expect to be here, I take it?"

[no_more_chianti]

"Um--"

Clarice glances around, looking at first a little lost ... but after a moment, she appears only resigned.

"Well, no," she admits. "Not exactly. It's just ... been awhile."

[works_in_space]

The look on her face is not unlike the one he sees in the mirror. "Ah. But you seem to feel about it the way I do.

"Can you at least see the door?"

[no_more_chianti]

Clarice looks over her shoulder and smiles in relief. Still there.

She's going to keep an eye on that thing.

"I can now," she says. "Couldn't the last time I was here."

She looks at him curiously, taking in his clothes and demeanor as well as his expression. "Can you?"