sunnydalealum | (no subject)

"I've just got the one bag --"

That's when she spots the car, and starts to wave.

The back door opens, and out steps a man - could be any Caucasian fella, reasonably tall and broad shouldered but not buff in any sense of the word; stocky is more accurate a term. All things considered, from the dark brown hair to the equally dark eyes, it really could be anyone. But the bright grin on his face, and the way it just fits the rest of his features is one hundred percent Lorne.

So is the voice. "Baby girl!" Arms open wide, he's so going for a hug. Hugs before luggage. 'Nuff said.

Edited 2010-07-22 11:54 (UTC)

For a moment she's taken aback, even knowing to expect it -- but it isn't until he moves, until he speaks, that the identity slots into place and it is Lorne.

The hug is awkward but heartfelt, her arms going as far around him as she can reach and holding tight.

"Hey," he murmurs, squeezing his eyes shut to push back the renewed blast of emotional upheaval - she's fine, she's okay, she's gorgeous and alive and just absolutely fabulous.

"It is so good to see you."

"Hi," she says, muffled by the fabric of his jacket.

"...I missed you."

It's a plain one, compared to his preferred ensembles, but it's good quality. It'll last him a long time, and it...fits this new face of his, fits the entire body, glamored bit by glamored bit. Although, who cares about clothes? This isn't just any normal occasion, this is a reunion, not a time for noting silly things like fashion statements.

"Missed you too. Goodness gracious, I missed you so much, worried like crazy." He presses a small kiss to the top of her head, then leans back a bit. "Shall we?"

Twenty minutes later they're at a place somewhere between a café and a diner, pleasant but not too pricey. Beth bites her lip anyway as she studies the menu.

"I can't really afford more than a coffee," she mumbles.

"No, see, why don't we play it like this... This time it's on me. Huh?" This in itself naturally implies he'd like a next time, but also that he's open for suggestions.

In other news, this is fantastic. He's at a diner. In broad daylight. Money can't buy you this feeling, bubbling and rising through his torso. It's nothing short of wonder.

She glances up at him, and smiles. "Thanks," she says softly. "I'll pay next time? Um --" And her smile shifts, taking on a tinge of nervousness -- but also a faint hint of mischief. "That's assuming I can afford it, which ... it would help if I could get my old job back?"

"What do you mean get it back?" He murmurs softly, and leans down with a wink. "You never lost it.

"The boys and girls and everyone in between missed you, you know."

Her eyes light up with relief and delight. "How is everyone? Do they... do they know what happened?"

"Everyone's fine, and to answer your more pressing question, no," he shakes his head, thinking he'll have a large cup of coffee, and let's see...waffles or a steak sandwich, choices, choices.

"You had to go away for a while on family business. Everyone knows that much."

She chews on that for a moment, reaching for her glass of water.

"Some of them will be able to tell, you know," she says very quietly. "What's changed."

"Yeah. And they'll very probably gossip it up, but it'll die down before long. Most of them won't care if they do notice something is different. Apart from your glowing complexion, I mean."

He means that, too. "You look absolutely wonderful."

She smiles crookedly. "I guess being under house arrest agrees with me. Or maybe it's getting out."

"I think it's just being you. That's what puts the spring back in your step, that's what brings some color to your cheeks. That's all."

He gestures at the menu. "What are you having? I know I'm having trouble deciding on anything other than coffee."

Just being you. And that's it, isn't it? Just being her. Not having to be what they call her.

"...I kind of want waffles."

"Ooh, me too." He grins suddenly, and he'd slap his knee if he wouldn't look completely ridiculous - he wonders fleetingly if he's too flamboyant for this look, or if his quirks fit the glamour. He suspects that somehow, he seems even more of a queen than normal...but that maybe that's okay. Of course it's okay, it's who he is. If people want to make assumptions, let them. He's never cared before, why should he start now?

"Let's have waffles."

"And stop waffling," she says, and giggles.

"Exactly!" Oh, she's a darling when she's happy, and if Lorne isn't a bit smitten, he doesn't have a heart. Though to be perfectly honest, he's been smitten for quite a while now; this is just icing on the cake.

"Come on, let's see if we can't catch the attention of one of the darling staff. No more waffling."

There's a lot to talk about over the waffles, once they arrive. Some of it's just gossip, but slowly it starts edging around to other things.

"...and it wasn't so bad by that time," she says, pushing a piece of waffle around in the syrup on her plate. "I got outside once a day, and somebody kept leaving me books ... I don't know who."

"Books?" He thinks he has an idea who, but he hasn't the faintest clue why. Then again, he's very probably wrong. "I'd ask what sort of books if I had even an inkling who it was leaving them for you."

She shrugs. "Some romances, some men's adventure novels ... some kids' books, even. Once a book of crossword puzzles. It was better than just doing nothing."

"Uhuh... So, it's someone who doesn't know what you like to read. Or if you like to read, period." Long fingers just barely touch the hot cuppa refill, but his eyes don't stray far from his enchanting brunch date (brown eyes, he still can't believe it, doesn't feel any different unless he happens to touch his own skin, human skin, and the teeny tiny hairs that go with).

"I think you got yourself a secret admirer, sugar."

"At the Academy? I doubt it." The corners of her mouth tuck in, not quite wry, not quite bitter.

"Maybe someone just felt sorry for me."