| "In a Sunbeam" | ||
|
Paige's Place April 29, 2008 Joshua had come back at some point during the night though he did not wake her when he did. He had stayed for only an hour or so apparently satisfied that she was all right. He had not kissed her either when he had left and she had been secretly thankful for that. Those kisses before leaving seemed to signify that their relationship was more than it really was. It seemed to her that Joshua was becoming just one more burden that rested heavy on her shoulders. She tooled about her apartment having nothing in particular to do. The feeling of being watched was seeping back into her system, but it wasn't as bad as before. She wasn't sure if it was because she wasn't as tired as she had been, or if she was just a little less caring. (May 2) Friday morning proved to be the first really warm day of spring. She sat most of the day out on her balcony watching the boats and the seagulls. She didn't think much, a little about getting a job, a little about who was watching her at the moment, and a little about everything else. She could formulate no plan, had no objective in mind, hell, even the Bathroom Tigers had let up on her, calling her attention to the data only a few times when they got bogged down in a particularly tricky area. They were filtering the first primer through the code and seemingly quite happy playing by themselves. Tonight, Alpha would be heading to Samovar and she would be getting a little tension out. A few drinks, a few dances, loud music, flashing lights, all equaled up to a night of trouble and she was more than game for it. "Gray," she said excitedly after dialing his office number. She had come up with an idea, nothing crazy, but certainly worth an effort. She lay on the floor in a sunbeam with her bare feet up against the sliding glass doors. Michael the Fish, his bowl next to her, swam lazily around in the sunbeam, his water flecking sunspots over the carpeting in a dizzying effect. Sunbeams had always fascinated her. A glowing source of pure light that provided warmth and reminded one just how dusty their apartment really was. Michael seemed to like it as well as he grabbed a mouthful of air in his thin blue lips and blew bubbles to the surface. Looking for a mate, she thought, he was building a bubble nest for the mate that would never come. It was kind of sad actually, preparing and hoping for something that would never come to fruition... "What's the matter Paige," Gray asked sounding concerned, not concerned, and suspicious all at the same time. Paige playfully twirled her hair in her finger, "well, you know I've been feeling kind of...I dunno...kind of bummed lately." "If 'bummed' is the term you care to use...then yes, I've noticed." "Well, I'm thinking of heading out...with Alpha...to a new club..." "Samovar," he said easily. Paige paused for a moment, how would he know that? As if reading her mind Gray continued, "I was the one that suggested it to Sebastian, I thought if anyone, he could certainly motivate you three into something recreational." Recreational? Had he just referred to going out drinking, dancing, and hopefully getting some pure, meaningless sex as recreational??? She furrowed her brow, that was actually, a cool way to think of it. "Recreational, yeah." Got to play this right, she thought. She cleared her throat, "it took a few days to warm up to the idea but I'm kind of looking forward to going out...you know have a couple drinks maybe...unwind." "You could use some unwinding, I'm glad you're willing to go." "Yeah," she grinned muffling a snicker, "just have to worry..." she let it trail off. "Worry about what?" Gray asked though he seemed preoccupied and she could here papers being shuffled. "Just worried about having a few drinks and not getting a ride home...you know how I am. I worry about everything and everyone and everything about everyone..." "Yes, you do tend to do that...I can send a car for you," he stated. "Um, do you think Alpha could possibly go together?" Paige asked. "Go together? Sure. Can't they all meet at your place?" "I was kind of hoping, since you're the head dude and all, maybe pull strings, if you wouldn't mind maybe splurging for...say...a limo or something?" "Paige, really. I've told you before, if you want something you simply have to ask." "Ok," she said grinning, "hook us up with a limo for tonight so we can get totally wasted and not have to worry about killing ourselves on the ride home." "That's fine, I'll send one over at 7." She sat up, "thanks Gray, it means a lot." "Yes, yes, is there anything else?" "Um, yeah, can you make sure the bar is stocked?" "Good bye, Paige," he said hanging up. She grinned tapping Michael's bowl lightly, "he so is hooking us up tonight." She stood up and turned to go into the kitchen but froze when she saw him. One of her Tigers got out again and stood just a couple feet from her in stalking mode with one huge paw curled in the air. Had he been sneaking up on her? Was he gonna get her? His head was lowered as he stared intently at her with those large yellow eyes. "No," she said calmly pointing at him. "You can't come tonight, I need to relax a little, too." The Tiger let out a low growl quite unhappy with her. "Too bad, you have one primer...play with that," she bent to pick up Michael the Fish, to protect him from the big Cat. "Tomorrow, we'll look for the next primer." The Tiger growled deep in his throat before slinking off to the corner of the living room. He was willing to let her alone though apparently not willing to leave. She put Michael back on the table and glanced warily at her Tiger, "leave him alone," she said pointing to where the blue fish swam. The Tiger just licked his lips and glared mockingly at her. She turned on the stereo, something loud and obnoxious, stuck her tongue out at the Bathroom Tiger and hurried into the shower. She got changed into something that she was positive would demand attention. Black skin tight pants that boot legged at the feet, black boots, and a shimmery gray top that covered the front of her, but was completely open in the back save for a few straps that ran haphazardly across them. The backless bra was a bit uncomfortable but she supposed a few beers would take care of that. She curled her hair with rollers though she was quite sure, even with the wax and hairspray, her bouncy blonde curls would be gone by the end of the night. "Blessed with arrow straight hair, you are," she said to the mirror. She added some make up suitable for low lights (and making out she told herself) and then she was ready. The limo arrived at seven and she ignored her Bathroom Tiger that still lay in the living room and set the alarm to leave. Hector, the limo driver, who introduced himself as soon as he had picked his tongue up off the pavement, did very well in providing alcohol for them. They picked up Jordan, then Saf, and finally Baz before heading into the city. Baz smiled like a pimp at The Point with the three women with him. "I am one lucky guy," he grinned eyeing them over, for the sixth time. They all cast sideway glances at him as they sipped at their drinks. "I mean, I had no idea when I took this job that I would be rostered with three women that are sexy enough to take your breath away and bold enough to do it." "Bother with you," Sara said laughing. "When did you go blue?" Paige said referring to Baz's now blue hair that faded into a grayish white at the tips. "Oh, this?" he said dramatically brushing his hair back with his hand making the girls giggle, "I thought the spinach green of Samboy was played out. Really, blue is soooo in this week." The girls burst out laughing at his antics. "Paige, tell us how you came about this limo," Sara finally got out after almost spilling her beer. "Gray, actually," Paige said simply. "Gray agreed to this?" Jordan said giggling. "Well, how can anyone refuse me?" Paige pouted her lips slightly. "I dunno," Jordy said still giggling, "Saying no is usually a good start." The others burst out laughing as Paige mimicked Jordy before finally giving her a nudge and laughing herself. She thought she felt better, despite the growing knot in her belly, she was almost positive. "Seriously," Paige said attempting to clear her face, "I tried a roundabout way to get a ride and Gray said, Paige," she mustered up her best half British, half American accent, "if you want something just come out and say it." The others giggled at her impression, "so I said, 'Gray, tonight, I want a limo, and alcohol...lots and lots of alcohol'. And he says, 'anything for you Paige, you are the best Agent we've ever had, you are the best on your team, you..." Sara threw her little handbag at Paige. "Oh please, will you stop?" she said laughing harder now with the others. "What?" Paige said indignantly. "He knows who's the shit on this team!" Jordan, tears almost coming out of her eyes squeezed Paige's shoulder, "you better," she tried to catch her breath, "you better hope this limo isn't bugged." Paige cocked her head for a moment then the rest of the team burst out laughing again. She narrowed her eyes at all of them, "ok, that isn't funny." Which made them only laugh harder until finally a smile broke her own features and she started laughing with them. "Enough," Sara finally cried out, "my make ups running." "How we getting in, anyway?" Jordan asked after she finally caught her breath. "Guest list, Gray said we should all be on it," Baz said looking out the window. The little alarms went off in Paige's head...first he mentions Samovar to Baz and then puts them on the guest list? Either he really wanted them to have a good time...or something was up. Or maybe she was just being her usual paranoid self and should quit worrying and just have some fun. She finished her beer, having fun seemed like such the better option. A few moments later they finally pulled up to the front of the club. It was a large building, though not so large for Manhattan, and a line had already formed of fifty or so people. "Ladies," Baz said grinning as he was the first to get out of the limo. He helped them all out as they stood chatting idly near the curb as Baz spoke with the main security guard/bouncer type. Paige noticed the ogling looks of the males in line and the hated stares from their female counterparts...well, she noted, from the females in general. Return |
||