(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.

[agtninetynine]

"Recon," she explains, with a brief nod.

"Another agent and I were supposed to infiltrate the party of a man who'd been pretty notorious in his dealings with dangerous materials."

[works_in_space]

"I did something similar once," he says without thinking. But then it's easier to compare notes than to address the real issue of the day, isn't it? "It was no party, though." He signals a waitrat and asks for hot cocoa and a damp cloth. And a painkiller not available in the 21st century.

[agtninetynine]

She glances down at her hands again, nodding in response to his words.

"Ended up ripping the dress, but it was kind of purposeful. It's hard to kick someone when your legs are bound up."

[works_in_space]

"It does sound like it was quite an adventure. Is there a chance you can tell me about it?" A chance, that is, to let him into her real life just a bit.

He hopes he isn't pushing too hard. But maybe he has to.

[agtninetynine]

"Well, at the end of the day, everything sort of culminated in our agency needing to stop a bomb from killing the President," she answers.

"Turned out we had a man on the inside working with the enemy the entire time, and none of us saw it."

[works_in_space]

"Dear lord..." He knew that was an unstable period. And it's not like such things stopped with the rise of a single world government. But it is hard to hear about first hand. "He's safe, now, right?"

[agtninetynine]

"Crisis averted," she says, with a slow smile.

"A few bumps and bruises are just something to be expected at this point."

[works_in_space]

He nods. Thinks for a moment, again.

"I wish you had told me sooner. We have more in common than I ever guessed. And...I can't say I've kissed too many heroes." He's trying so hard to keep it light.

[agtninetynine]

"I'm not a hero," she murmurs, ducking her head.

"I'm just an Agent."

[works_in_space]

He smiles softly. "I know that feeling, too." He is quiet for a while till the cocoa arrives.

"Laura...this is...I'm afraid to say the wrong thing. And I have no idea how I should feel. But...

"You will let me figure it out, right? If nothing else, I am not going to push you away. But at the same time..." He feels so confused. A little angry. Quite impressed. And just glad to see her, no matter what.

"Here. Take one of these." He hands her a pill. "It's an advanced painkiller. A descendant of ibuprofen, I think."

[agtninetynine]

She nods slowly, understandingly, reaching out to clasp the pill he holds out to her, and takes it discreetly.

"I get it. Look, after everything - I'm not expecting you to welcome me back with open arms."

[works_in_space]

"I want to...I mean, I wish I could. But the foundation of a relationship is truth. Or at least something close to it." At least he still wants to make it work. How many times did something special end on him in a split second over his career and his little while lies clad in command gold or maroon?

[agtninetynine]

"I'm not asking you to."

The relationship part gives her pause.

"Are you saying that's something you'd want?"

[works_in_space]

"It has been something I've though about over the past few weeks. Not that I would want to rush anything. Even without this...addition...it would be complicated. Maybe even unwise." A small smile runs to his face. "But Bones likes to say how reckless I am."

[agtninetynine]

"And my job really doesn't come without its share of complications."

She does smile at the mention of the doctor.

"I met him, briefly. Before."