Cece and Warren: A Modest Proposal

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Warren follows up on Cece's suggestion for his extra finances.

Making another note in his imaginary list, Warren felt fairly pleased with himself. He'd managed to give everyone what they'd asked for AND he did it mostly by himself. There was only one person left.

Heading down to the medical lab, he wasn't surprised to find Cece doing...whatever it was that she did throughout the day. He wasn't actually sure. After all -- it was a home full of super powered people. He highly doubted a doctor was needed THAT often.

"My darling doctor," he cried out, his voice booming in the small space. "I have yet to receive your proposed Italy itinerary. Please rectify this as I would like to tan."

Cece tried not to groan as she looked up from the pile of files that had taken over her desk. She was woefully behind on charts, a bad habit left from the days when she was the only doctor in the medlab. Now the place was constantly buzzing, and paperwork was actually important. A shame.

So today, of all days, she didn't need a distraction, and certainly not when it came in the form of a loaded lothario who she'd managed to more or less stave off after an ill-advised one-night stand. Not that she hadn't enjoyed that.

"Warren," she said with a smile, "you know that it's not hot in Italy until, like, June, right?"

He waved her off. "I can tan whenever I want, no matter what the season. The sun does revolve around me, after all." Warren gave his best thousand watt smile. "Come on -- don't turn down this once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Warren..." She raised an eyebrow, but the smile stayed on her face. His charm was certainly effective. "I only suggested it, because I didn't think you'd say yes."

"I always say yes."

"I know," she said dryly, with a slight twinkle in her eye, "and it's not your best quality."

"I'll have you know," Warren pointed out, "that they made a movie about a man who decided to say yes to everyone. Hilarity ensued AND he got a girl who was waaaaay out of his league." He raised an eyebrow. "See where I'm going with this?"

"I do." Cecilia couldn't help but blush a little. "But, see, this is my problem. I don't want to go to Italy and traipse about and then, you know, have you pay for the whole thing and we get back to wherever we're staying and, you know." She waved her hand in circles. "I don't want to..."

He gave her a blank look. "..have a good time? Spend money that isn't yours? Enjoy your private suite with whatever wait staff you desire? Help me out here."

"Really?" She raised her eyebrows again. "This is the one time you don't have sex on the brain?"

He grinned. "I just want to hear you say it."

"Fine." Cecilia pushed away from her desk, swiveled in her chair and crossed her arms. "Warren," she gave him her best intense stare as she met his eyes, "I'm not fucking you."

He met her gaze, his grin widening. "I'm not fucking you either. Bobbi told me we're exclusive. I had to look that word up in the dictionary."

"Really?" Cecilia looked as surprised as she assumed she was meant to. "And what did you learn?"

He wrinkled his nose. "That my picture was absolutely not next to the definition but, since Bobbi isn't a gold digger, nor is she of questionable repute, I suppose I should make her happy and try to follow through." He paused. "But if you're really disappointed by my vow of monogamy, I'm sure I could talk her into a threesome."

"Warren." Cecilia rolled her eyes. "Come on."

"You're right," he said, nodding sagely. "I need to put a ring on her finger before I suggest that. You have the best advice."

Cecilia sighed. "You're impossible." She pulled a hair band off her wrist and began pulling her hair back. "You must know that I slapped Arthur once, right? I'm not above violence in very specific situations. Like this one."

Let it not be said that Warren didn't know when to stop. Even though he had many a choice comment to say back, he could see that he'd pushed his luck. "Fair enough. I simply wanted to follow through with my offer for the Italian conference. I like travelling so I wanted to go too. We could bring Bobbi if you're waffling on it." he gave her a plaintive stare. "Please?"

"You really want to do this?" Cecilia raised an eyebrow, but she was being sincere. "I mean, I'm not — why?"

"Because in four years I'm running for president, and I want people to know I keep my promises."

"Well, that would be quite the thing. I can see the ads. 'I'm Warren Worthington the third, and I had one of my people tell me that I should approve this message.'"

"Open honesty." He stretched his arms out and grinned. "I believe in transparency. The kind that involves nudity, that is."

"You know, having seen you naked," Cecilia responded archly, "I'm not sure that campaign will work out.."

"Your disdain is clearly noted. So let's get back to the Italy thing, or else it'll be December and you still will have a horrible tan."

"Yes, yes, fine," Cecilia waved a hand. "Ignoring the fact that I always have a tan, because hello, I will give it some serious thought and get back to you."

Warren raised his hands in defeat. "Well, it took me months to get to you, so I suppose it's only fair if it takes months for you to respond. We'll talk again in what, 2018?"

"Sure. If you're lucky."