Wellspring Arms & Meditation Center, Saturday

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

The advantage of losing some of your employee base was that there were suddenly some pretty flexible work times. Still, by Saturday, Cable was back in his store, watching the baby run around. For once, his mind wasn't on weaponry, or the safety of the island (and the child) or... anything like it.

He had to potty train Jan.

It was proving to be a Project.

Still, the sign said Open and the Help Wanted - Inquire Within one was still set up next to it.

[ flying OCD-less and braindead again ]

Comments

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"Nate, I'm kidnappin' the kid to be social!" Wade informed him upon arrival. "And your hair looks very nice today."

See? He remembered how to be in a relationship.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Nate said, after a short beat.

His hand might've gone for his hair, too. "...Social where?"

Paranoia senses: on.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

WIN!

"The school. To visit with Principal Winchester."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

Nate looked at him. Nate looked at Jan.

Nate looked at Jan's clothes, which were loaded with more monitoring equipment than you'd find at NORAD. "I don't know..."

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"You can be all stalky if you want, but the kid needs to socialize, Nate."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"She's been fine," Nate informed him. "She socializes with you and me..." Oh, Nate.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"She needs kids her own age," Wade pointed out.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"Howso?"

Not all the child-rearing books in the world.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

Wade stared at him. "Nate. Did you have kids your own age to play with growing up?"

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"When I grew up, my parents moved from homestead to homestead every few months," Nate noted. "I didn't really have the time to make friends..."

Then again.

He eyed Jan. Maybe if he just stayed close...

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"Maaaaaybe she could make friends. Since there's no plans to move right now." Hopefully. "And Grace is around her age, you know..."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

There was a long pause.

"You'll be armed?" Nate checked, "As will Principal Winchester."

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

That earned him an offended look. He was a professional here! "When am I not armed is the better question there, Nate."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

It could, for all intents and purposes, end in disaster - even if Principal Winchester was there. Nate wasn't too big on the whole 'foreign people touching his messiah child' thing. On the other hand, it might be good for her mental stimulation... no point in a messiah who was a complete sociopath.

He pursed his lips. "I'll be around the building," he said.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"Yes, yes, stalking like you do. I know."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"It's not stalking," he said, "It's security."

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"You say po-tay-to, I say po-tah-to," Wade replied with a casual wave of his hand. "So, can I take her?"

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"...For an hour," Nate said, finally.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"Hour and a half." Oooo, someone was negotiating.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"An hour and fifteen minutes."

... Nate was mostly going along for the entertainment value.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"Hour twenty."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"Hour ten," he said, and smirked.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"I will never blow you again," Wade replied sweetly.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"You're lucky I'm considering bargaining at all," Nate offered in turn.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

Wade remained unmoving and steadfast in this.

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

"One hour and fifteen minutes," Nate said, looking back at him. "...and a blowjob."

...What? Wade had brought them into the conversation.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

"An hour twenty and I letcha do that thing that broke the bed."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

It wasn't that much over the time, and Nate wasn't really a stickler for details... "I'll be outside the office," he finally said.

And ready to choke anyone to death who touched Jan without permission yes now.

[mouthy-merc.livejournal.com]

Wade just smirked. "Think of it as practice for when she eventually goes to school."

[spring-lost.livejournal.com]

...At that reminder, Nate had a stoic face to rival just about anyone else's. In the universe.