Old Man of the Mountain: Fly Away with Me

[x-courier.livejournal.com]

Adrienne discovers Jake's ulterior motives: he wants her to come with the Trenchcoats (and Garrison) to Madripoor. Never let it be said that the boy has an overabundance of common sense. They discuss terms.

Posted slightly early d/t player unavailabilty.



"So, what can I do for you, Jake?" Adrienne asked with a smile when the waiter brought their dessert. As always with Jake, the food had been fantastic, the man engaging and amusing. They might have started out a bit awkwardly, what with it being their first rendevous since the disaster at Jake's apartment, but that awkwardness had been quickly put to rest by safe conversation topics, Jake's charming nature, and Adrienne's willingness to admit that she was perfectly happy having Jake as a dinner companion rather than a lover.

The fact that they were getting along well, however, didn't change the fact that they hadn't spoken in weeks, and now Jake had invited her out in a seemingly sporadic fashion, and seemed to be piling on the charm more thickly than usual, even considering the extra effort that had been required to overcome their awkwardness. He seemed to be trying very hard. Which made Adrienne certain that he wanted something. Perhaps it was just her suspicious nature and deeply-hidden sense of inadequacy, but she found it hard to believe that Jake was going to all this effort for no purpose. And he wouldn't be trying to get into her pants again, so what was he up to?

Jake tried his best innocent look. "What makes you think--" He stopped upon catching sight of the skeptical look on Adrienne's face. "All right. While I've enjoyed the chance to spend the evening with you, I will admit that I have ulterior motives." He regarded her for a moment, as though considering the best angle of approach, then leaned forward with the barest hint of a grin on his face. "How'd you like to go to Madripoor?"

The psychometrist frowned. "That tiny island near Singapore? I thought we broke up- how come you want to take me to an exotic locale, Stretch?"

He shook his head, smiling ruefully at the nickname. "You jumped the gun," he sighed playfully. "You were supposed to let me work up to it so I could talk you into going before you realized it." He pursed his lips, regarding her across the table as he tried to figure out the best way to approach what was bound to be a tricky subject; after all, the very abilities that made her useful in this instance were also behind the current awkwardness between them. "It's business, not pleasure, actually. I'm working a job there, and could use your help."

"A Trenchcoat job?" she inquired, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "The last job I went on with Trenchcoats I broke my collarbone. The one before that, I had to fight pirates. Convince me this job you're doing isn't going to be anything like those fun excursions?" she challenged sweetly.

"I'll be there this time," he returned, giving her his most winning smile. "Have you ever known me to go charging into danger? Seriously, though, we shouldn't need you for anything dangerous, just a bit of searching. It'll probably be a boring weekend, but at least it'll have good scenery."

"Yes well, that's always the way it starts out," Adrienne countered, sipping at her wine, "it's always 'come help us find this thing with your powers, nothing to it,' and then in the end there's kidnapping and guns and explosions and being shot at."

"I'm allergic to all of those things," he replied cheerfully. "I promise I'll drag you with me when I take off the other way. Morgan's going," he volunteered. "Does that help?"

"Not especially, no," she informed him. "In case you haven't noticed, Morgan has a bit of a violent streak in her, and thrives in environments with the guns and explosions and being shot at." Besides, she hadn't seen or spoken to Morgan since they'd gone to Harry's shortly after she'd broken up with Jake. She was sort of dreading their next meeting and the discussion of Garrison that would most likely result.

"Damn. I thought for sure that would work, or at least help," he admitted. He looked serious for a moment. "And I don't think 'it's a matter of life and death' will fly, either. Can I appeal to your sense of duty--someone needs our help very desperately?"

"You're under the impression that I care about helping people?" Adrienne steepled her fingers on the table. If it was a matter of helping someone she would begrudgingly go assuming her schedule was clear, but she didn't want to tell Jake that she had any sense of duty. "How about if you offer me some kind of incentive instead?" She wasn't sure if Jake knew that she could be bought with desserts, but if he tried to make any kind of serious offer she could always tell him she was kidding.

"I could do that," he said, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed smile. He regarded her for a moment as if contemplating giving up his deepest, most closely held secrets. "I could introduce you to some of the best bakeries in New York? My treat, of course."

The brunette narrowed an eye. The man was either really perceptive, or he really liked baked goods enough that he would offer a bakery tour before a real bribe. "Baked goods?" She wrinkled her nose in feigned distaste. "You're trying to bribe me into possible danger and being shot at with an incentive of desserts?"

"Very good desserts," he replied with a grin. "I was considering jewelry, but thought that might be a bit forward."

"Jewelry is never too forward," she grinned, "don't you know that by now? But I suppose brownies might not be an unreasonable reward for accompanying you on your business, so long as you promise me you'll take me with you when it's time to flee the explosions and shootings."

"Scout's honor," he promised solemnly. "No one runs away better than I do." He grinned then, knowing she was going to come with them. "And I can introduce you to cake that's so good, it will make you give up jewelry entirely."

"I doubt that a hell of a lot, Stretch, but alright."