Monday Noonish: Lunch Date

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She got to Ching Tai early to get a big table. Each and every one who got a voice mail probably thought they were meeting her alone. That was a fine assumption. She couldn't wait to share the good news with her family.

[[Lunch with prof_cregg, ten_and_chips,prof_methos,geoff_chaucer,shane_mcc, brambless, and time_agent]]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

[Jack raises his eyebrows at the big table.] Planning on a lot of food?

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff walks into the restaurant and looks around. Spotting CJ and Jack at a table, he heads in their direction.

"Hello there, my lady CJ, Jack! What's going on?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Hi Uncle Geoff," Jack sings out. He grins cheekily.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

He shakes his head at Jack but returns the grin. "Lucky for you I'm one of those permissive uncles who lets the nephews and nieces wreak havoc while the parents are away."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You're my favoritest uncle ever," Jack shoots back immediately.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

As she steps into the restaurant, Shane's eyes carefully scan the room for CJ and both of her eyebrows arch in surprise as she sees her at the large table. She can see Geoff is there, as well as one of CJ's students. Must be Chip.

Pulling her cellphone from her pocket, she brings up her text-message interface and frowns at it as she approaches the table.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

"Just keep that in mind when my birthday rolls around then," Geoff retorts.

He spots Shane and turns to greet her with a close hug. "I didn't know you were lunching with us, too! Looks like there'll be something of a party going, then."


[ooc: Headed out shortly to lunch myself. Mod Geoff as needed.]

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I didn't know I was, umm -- I didn't know you guys would be here," Shane says, stuffing her cellphone back into her pocket and then returning the hug. Once Geoff lets her go, she tucks both of her hands into her coat pockets and the two of them survey the table. She looks tired, but the tiredness is offset by her curiosity. "Yeah, I guess so."

Looking over at the guy who had been speaking with Geoff when she'd arrived, Shane offers him a smile. "Hi," she says, pulling her hand from her pocket and holding it out to him. "I'm Shane."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I'm Jack," Jack says, smiling at her. He shakes her hand, and then curls both of his around hers. "Your hand feels cold," he says, by way of explanation, as he holds them between his and tries to warm them up.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Shane looks down, seeming a little surprised and nonplussed as Jack rubs her hand, and then looks back up at him again, blinking. "Um, thanks," she says quietly, though not unpleasantly. "Yeah, it's -- it's kinda cold outside."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He smiles and lets go. "Sorry. I just..." He shrugs. "Didn't want you to be cold."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

Chip's harmless Shane. Touchy like me. [She smiles as they get to know each other. She's been arguing with the waiter, and is just now able to join in.]

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Stuffing her hands back into her pockets, Shane offers him a small but reassuring smile. "It's -- it's okay, I'm fine," she murmurs.

Glancing over at CJ, she nods, the smile lingering on her lips. Normally, she would have no problems meeting new people, but events over the weekend -- including resouling Angelus, helping Tara to make Mr. Phale better and Belthazor threatening her and Tara at the faire -- have left her exhausted and slightly on the defensive in spite of herself.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

How you doing, sweetie? I didn't really get to say goodbye Saturday...but since you didn't wind up on the doorstep I'm guessing it went ok?

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Pulling out a chair, Shane takes a seat and slouches down into it, slipping her hands back into her pockets. "Yeah," she says quietly, slowly nodding her head. "It's... fine. He'll be okay, I think."

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Frowning, Geoff pulls his chair close to Shane's a slips his arm around her shoulders. "Sounds like you're in need of a break, lady Shane."

He looks over at CJ with a raised eyebrow. "What's going on, by the way, that has you ordering us all in here for lunch?"

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[Ten yawns and stretches as he comes in and spots the rather massive table set up. He looks vaguely surprised, just in time to hear Geoff's last remark.] Afternoon, all.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

Geoff grins up at Ten. "Afternoon, Ten. Sit down and join us. Did you have a good weekend?"

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

As Geoff drapes his arm around her, Shane doesn't respond, she simply just lets her head settle onto his shoulder, improbably grateful that he's there.

Hearing Ten's voice, though, she looks up and smiles a little. "Hey," she says.

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

Methos is a bit distracted, but arrives. He hesitates a moment when he sees the large crowd gathering.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[He takes his coat off and drapes it over the back of one of the red lacquered chairs, smiling and nodding at Shane.] It was all right, though I could have lived without seeing this one [gestures at Jack] of a Sunday. Did you get plenty of work done?

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

[She waves him over, standing.]

Adam, you came.

[geoff-chaucer.livejournal.com]

"A pretty fair amount, I'd say. Enough to allow myself a little interaction outside the shop, anyway."

He looks over at Jack. "So what did the kid do then? Walk about naked and scandalize the ladies?"

[prof-methos.livejournal.com]

[joins her] Of course I did. You asked.

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

How did you know?! [Ten spots Methos entering and grins at him.] I mean, it's not as if he makes a habit of i--DON'T MAKE A HABIT OF IT, JACK.