Tag: Caitlyn

Jeanette, Chapter 32

Oowatanite!

AAAHHHH! Okay, so he might be shy, but holy cats he rocked the room. Although we’re still on very different time schedules, last night we were absolutely in sync.

Three or four times.

Just before I fell asleep in a glorious haze of after-sync, Aiden asked to use my computer.  I don’t remember answering him, but I would have given in to anything right then. The next thing I knew, the sun was shining. It was just after 7 already.

Aiden pointed out that I was singing while making french toast. I denied it, but couldn’t stop smiling.

He told me the french toast was beautiful, and I looked delicious. Or something. I told him that he was delicious too.

He made some suggestions as to what to do after breakfast. We returned to the bedroom to follow up on some of those.

However, before long it was about noon, and Aiden had to leave, to take care of some things at the bar before the evening crowd. I reluctantly kissed him goodbye; he said he’d call me later.

I was puttering about when Caitlyn called.

“There’s a flea market going on in the downtown market. You want to go hit it up?” I hadn’t been to a flea market in years, and hanging out with her is always fun.

“Sure!” I couldn’t wait to tell her about last night!

“OHMIGOD!” She high-fived me. “Tell me all about it!”

I wasn’t subtle. She’s my best friend! I told her everything as we wandered through the market. There seemed to be a lot of lamps, but some funky furniture was out for sale as well.  It was after 2 by then, so I grabbed some pho for lunch.

I’m getting much better with the chopsticks, but I wasn’t quite prepared for…

… the spice!  Gah!  It was yummy, but wow it was hot.

Caitlyn pointed out the basketball court nearby, and “challenged” me to some throws.  Balls?  Basket drops?  We sportsed for a bit.

Of course she’s way better than I, and in way better shape. I think she was just trying to get me out exercising a little more than my 6 or 7 days a week of nothing.

I’m sure I totally would have won though, if Trisha hadn’t taken that exact 10 or 15 minutes to walk out on the court and talk to me.

“Have you tried this soup? It’s really hot, isn’t it?”

We spent hours at the market, checking out the stalls, laughing and hanging out and failing at basketball. When the sun began dropping behind the mountains, I invited Caitlyn out to dinner. I was hungry.

She might be right about this exercise stuff.

Naturally, we headed over to the Chowder House.

Caitlyn disappeared to the washroom, and came back with a complete change of clothing.  We’ve been out since lunch time, and this is her third outfit. She didn’t see anything weird about it.

Anyway, we ordered a couple of glasses of wine and some dinner, but before the wine ever arrived at the table, my phone rang.

It was Aiden, asking me out on a date.

“Go!  Go, for heaven’s sake!” Caitlyn laughed and made shooing motions. “I’ll pick this up and take it home.” I thanked her multiple times, and I’m certain she may have heard some of them as I ran out.

I met Aiden down at the old ruins. I spotted a bonfire near the centre, but there didn’t appear to be anyone there. It certainly wasn’t the dance party I was used to down here.

The fire was mesmerizing. It was deserted, and romantic.  And since we were all alone out in the vacant ruins …

We set fire to each other again, and nearly this bush.

The stars were out, the moon high, and I knew I had to call it an evening. It was nearly 2am again, and since it was Monday already, I had to get some sleep.

I had to get some food too, since Caitlyn had the dinner I’d ordered.

I made a quick sandwich with leftover french toast (I’d left it out this morning. I was distracted.) and some … ham? I think? I fell into bed.

 

 

Jeanette, Chapter 30

It Was A Great Day, Part Two

Ugh.  I vaguely remember coming home, and stumbling into the living room. I sat there for a bit trying to think of … something I was … work!  Right.  It was already after 8, and work started at 10.  I could try to nap, but nodded off thinking about it.

It took a few moments before my brain put together an idea, and I remembered what I do for a living.

I make magic potions!

I’m going to say that my morning with Aiden scrambled my rational thinking; that’s easier to deal with than simply forgetting I was carrying around several serums that would juice me up. I knew it was risky, but this should keep going all day.

It worked.

Trisha was at reception when I got in, and I resisted the urge to dance around her chair telling her I was dating Aiden now. We hadn’t talked about the other night, but she also hadn’t been anything other than friendly since, so maybe I was paranoid.  Maybe I still am.  Dammit.

I did let Caitlyn know, she was excited for me.  She was so excited, that she broke both computers during our conversation.

“What happened?”

“I think Meghan was here,” she said.

“I just saw you break …”  Sigh.  “Fine.”

I swear I spend more time fixing things around here than doing actual lab work.

The various tasks assigned to me today all involved testing out the multiple functions of the simray. Unfortunately, I was feeling the combined effects of my amazing, heart-soaring morning with Aiden, the wondrous energy from the serum I’d quaffed, and the apparent incompetence of my fellows and friends at the lab, and I may have let things get out of hand.

Maybe.

Just a little.

When he woke up – and warmed up – I was called into the boss’ office.  I was certain I was going to be fired, but apparently everything was “absolutely and 110% on track!”, and so he promoted me to head of the division.

Now, I’ll admit that this is my first real job at a civilian research lab, by the title on my nameplate went from “Pioneer of New Technologies” to … “Mad Scientist”.

I’m not making this up.  I have business cards that say “Jeanette Ross, Mad Scientist”.  I laughed maniacally for a second or two (I figured it was required), thanked him for the opportunity to advance mad science, and went to tell Caitlyn.  I went to wake up Caitlyn, and tell her.

The funny thing about working at this science lab is that we kind of brush off the myriad experiments as they happen. Well, other than Malcolm.  He’s still holding a grudge from the wormhole experiments. But after Caitlyn woke up and Trisha unfroze, they suggested we head out to celebrate.

We took the new express train into the city after Trisha suggestion.  I hadn’t been downtown yet, but the little food shops everywhere intrigued me.

Street food!

Luckily, there was nobody around to see me make a complete fumbling mess eating with chopsticks.  As long as I can practice in private…

DAMMIT.

Okay, at least everyone else was having troubles too.

Skylar had joined us by then, and together we burst into the karaoke bar across the street.  Caitlyn can sing!

I … made words come out of my mouth.  But cripes it was fun!

At sometime during the night, after several songs and even more wine, I needed to use the washroom.

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?

I think this was the washroom.  In any case,  I may have to return here. This thing was … thorough.  And, um … thoroughly pleasant.  I wonder where they bought it?

Eventually, the evening turned to night, which progressed into morning. It was hard to tell in the middle of a brightly lit city.  Trisha had had a few too many shots of whatever it was she was drinking, and argued about leaving and freeze-rays and unfair treatments on behalf of whatever-the-heck she was on about.  Skylar and Caitlyn took that as a sign, and together we got her home safely.

It was a really good day.

chapter 31 …