Aereopagitica: Monday [9-18]

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana opened the store a little early today. She also decided it was time to do some light dusting and straightening up even though the store always seemed to stay very neat and clean.

She hummed as she worked.

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack wandered into the store mid-morning, two coffees in hand, and grinned when he heard Lana humming. "You're in a good mood this morning."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Jack!" Lana's face lit up even more. "I'm so glad to see you. And yes, I am in a good mood this morning."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Think coffee could make it better?" he asked, holding one of the cups out to her and laughing a little. "And what's made you so happy?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Coffee can always make things better!" Lana took a cup from him with a smile. "Thank you so much."

"And for the happiness... I've kind of met this really great guy." She blushed a little.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You mean besides me?" he teased, leaning against the counter. "I'm devastated." He pulled a sad face as he drank his coffee. "You'd better tell me all about him, so I know what I'm up against."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Aw, you'll always be a great guy to me," Lana said, grinning at his sad face.

"His name is Jim and he's one of the new students and we really hit it off." Her eyes got a little dreamy. "Really hit it off."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack hid a smile at the expression on Lana's face. "That's very sweet, Lana. I'm happy for you. Someone has threatened him, right? Because I understand that's very important."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

She laughed. "He actually made a sign-up sheet for his door for everyone who wanted to threaten him. It's pretty full. And I don't know about important, but I was kind of worried for a while that he'd decide I wasn't worth all the aggravation."

Her face became very pensive.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"He sounds very thorough. You've got to admire that," he said as he watched her. "What aggravation?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Being threatened by people he's never even met before? Willow threatened him over the radio - sight unseen!" Lana made a face. "It's really sweet of them all, but I'm sure it's just about the last thing he wants."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Nah - it'll just convince him you're worth it - which you are, by the way - if that many people care about you enough to threaten him." Jack laughed, and added, "I bet he was completely smug about it."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Smug?" Lana thought for a moment. "Not really. At first he was bothered by it, but then he seemed kind of amused. And it's sweet of you to say I'm worth it."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Truth is truth," Jack replied as he sipped his coffee. "And if he was amused by it, I think it's a good sign."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Well, we seem to be mostly past the threatening stage," Lana said with a grin. "And the lots of kissing stage is working out really nicely."

"I'm just a little worried about the whole after the kissing stage."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"The kissing stage is one of my favourites. The after kissing stage is even better. What's worrying you about it?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Experience. He... I'm pretty sure he hasn't done, well, anything beyond the kissing stage before. And I think he thinks I haven't either."

Lana curled up into a chair near Jack. "I don't think he'd deal well if he knew... some of the stuff I've done. He thinks I'm a sweet innocent girl."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Bet nothing you've done's even close to some of the stuff I've done. Not that that helps." Jack looked around and found another chair and pulled it over, then sat down and propped his feet on Lana's chair next to her legs. "I'm not sure I get why he'd care? Or why experience makes you any less sweet. Or - unless you've been up to anything nasty, which I really can't see - innocent."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Guys... at least from here and now, tend to think it's okay for guys to have lots of experience, but not girls. He's already feeling a little uncomfortable because this is all so new to him."

She sighed and took another sip of the coffee. "And no, I haven't done anything that I feel bad or ashamed about, but I also know it's stuff that people back home would think was bad or wrong. They'd say I was a slut or a tramp."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"This time period makes no sense. It has a seriously screwed up view of sex." Jack shook his head. "I like it when I meet someone who knows something I don't know - not that it happens a lot - it's fun, and you get to learn something new."

"Not really sure what I can tell you, except that if Jim lets something as dumb as that turn him off you, he doesn't deserve you."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana grinned wryly. "Well, here's hoping. And if he does, well... assuming Shep doesn't get himself killed, he should be back in another year or so. He rather enjoys me just the way I am."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"If I wasn't currently taken," and yes, he did look as if he was boggling at that, "I'd love a chance to enjoy you just the way you are."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Really?" Lana looked a little surprised. "I know the flirting is fun, but I didn't think... Well, yes, if not for the you being hopelessly taken and me maybe being hopelessly taken now part, I'd be right there as well."

She smiled at him. "And no more nonsense from me. You didn't come here for me to be all broody."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Really." He grinned and let his feet fall to the floor. "And apart from another opportunity to spend time with your lovely self, I'm also in search of a book on US history - something a bit fun. Think you can help?"

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana grinned. "You have no idea how many people have been in looking for that sort of thing lately."

She led him over to the appropriate area. "This (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Guide-American-History-Fourth/dp/1592574769/sr=8-2/qid=1158614852/ref=sr_1_2/104-6249941-3932714?ie=UTF8&s=books) might be what you're looking for."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack picked it up and flipped through it. "That's perfect! It's even got cartoons." He kissed Lana on the cheek and said, "Thank you. It's exactly what I was looking for. You're good at this."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"It is my job," she said with a smile. "And seriously, a ton of people have come here looking for cultural references and history type books in the past few weeks. But you're welcome. And thanks." She returned the kiss lightly.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He smiled when she kissed him. "It's not for me, it's a gift. So it's even more perfect that you had just what I was looking for."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Then I'm even more glad I could help," Lana said.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Me too." Jack looked through the book again, then cocked his head and smiled at her. "And I should pay you for this. It's the most important part of any business transaction."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Right. And allows me to keep my job, which is always a good thing." She rang up the book and showed him the total while she slipped the book neatly into a bag.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack dug out what turned out to be exactly the right money, and slid it across the counter. "Thanks, Lana. For the book and the company."

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"You're very welcome," she said with a smile. "And thank you. For the coffee and the listening ear."

"You'll have to meet Jim sometime. I think you'd like him."