Jean and Garrison: Pawsitive Conversation (Backdated)

[xp_phoenix]

Jean runs into Garrison while pet sitting.



"Tom Thompson came paddling past... I'm pretty sure it was him." Kane sung softly to himself as he trudged down the snowy path towards Harry's, listing to his music on his phone. Many people were decrying the weather on the journals, which allowed him to make his typical Canadian superiority regarding the snow. To be fair, it was damn cold out and not the easiest route unplowed.

The sound of quick, light footsteps, panting, and a jingly breath came up from behind him before a Labrador retriever dashed past him, their tongue hanging out of their mouth as it disappeared around a corner. A familiar voice yelled in the distance.

"MIRANDA! COME BACK!"

Kane moved so fast he almost blurred. In a few seconds, he emerged back on the trail, the dog's collar in his grip. "Alright buddy. You don't get to run free."

The dog wiggled in Garrison's grasp, barking excitedly before finally giving up with what sounded like a 'harumph' and flopping on the ground.

"Garrison?" Jean said, puzzled as she came upon the seen with a laugh, trying to catch her breath.

"Thanks. I would've used my powers but it's generally frowned upon in public," she said, crouching down to scratch the dog on the head before wagging her finger at her.

"You, missy, are in a lot of trouble."

"Don't you shame this lovely beast. You were just excited, weren't you girl?" Kane said, scritching her cheeks hard and planting kisses on her nose.

The dog responded by enthusiastically licking Garrison in the face and enthusiastically trying to bowl him over, her tail wagging so fast that it was blur. Jean quickly grabbed Miranda's leash and gently tugged her back.

"This lovely beast just ate the hamburger I was planning to have for lunch and bolted out the door went I tried to stop her," Jean said sternly. She eyed Miranda a moment, then softened.

"Oh my, you're breaking my heart with that face," she said with a sigh, then glanced over to Garrison.

"She does this to my sister too. Scoundrel."

"I'll buy you a new hamburger." Kane said, still ruffling her fur. He liked dogs, but his lifestyle didn't make sense for one. And he'd acquired a cat by accident.

Jean laughed. "That's okay. But if you wouldn't mind keeping her occupied while I finish my lunch that'd be great. I'm watching her while my sister's family is out of town."

"If she ate your lunch, you're not going to be able to take her to Harry's. Let's get this girl inside safely and I'll provide a burger."

"Thanks, you don't have to buy the burger. Just be a dog babysitter. She's probably about ready for a nap anyway after the mad dash," Jean mused with a smirk.

"I don't mind paying. I make that law enforcement money, you know. Unlike doctor money, which is why you're stuck paying for drinks."

Jean laughed. "Alright, but only if you're sure," she said.

"There's a diner a block up the street that's dog friendly."

"I was thinking Harry's"

Jean quirked a brow. "I love Harry and all but you realize there are other places to eat?" she said, scratching Miranda behind the ears.

"Lies. She spins lies and tells falsehoods." Garrison joked. "It's close and they like us. Unless you want to go into the city. Salem Center is a terrible food destination."

"See, that's foodist," Jean said, wagging her finger at him. "You haven't even tried it yet. Besides, if we go somewhere else, Harry will miss us. Absence makes the heart grow fonder after all. I just came from there and the bite of the hamburger I had before Miranda snatched it out of my hand was delicious."

"I will go to your place that is not Harry's, but under protest. And with skepticism. And shaming. Lots of shaming." Kane said, giving Miranda a final pat. "If there isn't beer, we're done."

"Shaming? Boo. Me think the laddie doth protest too much," Jean said with a grin. "There's beer. And mimosas. And of course...seven different kinds of pie."

"I care not about pie. Booze, booze, the firemen cried." Kane said, but fell into step behind her.

"You'll eat your pie and drink your booze and you'll like it, countered the....um...doctor," Jean shot back as she led Miranda back the same way.

"They don't exactly have the selection of Harry's fine ales but there's a decent amount."

"I will eat your pie, but I will be angry about it." Kane said and stopped. "Sorry, I will eat what the restaurant you are pitching offers and be angry about it."

Jean laughed. "Good. Anger makes the pie taste better," she said with a grin. The walk was a bit longer than Jean remembered. Or perhaps Miranda was just really fast. As they made their way back she could see the remnants of her burger dotted across the snow. Or at least the parts that Miranda hadn't eaten.

Stopping at the door of the diner, Jean pulled it open. The smell of fresh baked bread and fresh coffee wafted out.

"I thought you'd be back," a jolly voice of an older woman echoed from the counter. She had a traditional diner uniform on, complete with a button that had a carafe of coffee and the words 'pot head' written on it.

"And you brought a friend. Have a seat. I'll be with you in a minute."

"I am a law enforcement officer. So if this is a pot infusion I can't be involved."

The woman didn't miss a beat as she let out a chuckle. "Good on you, honey. Cause we don't serve that here. Now coffee and pie? That's our business," she said.

"I was lured here by a hamburger. If that isn't happening, Rusty is in a lot of trouble." Kane yanked a thumb at Jean.

Jean looked partially offended but couldn't hold it for long as she smirked.

Meanwhile the woman grunted. "I said I'll be a minute, honey. Have a seat," she said.

Jean held up (at least one of) her hands. She had to steady the overly excited Labrador retriever. "I think we better listen to her," she said, taking a seat in one of the booths. This time she wrapped the leash around one of the posts on the booths. Miranda let out a whine and tried to wiggle out, wanting to make a beeline for the kitchen, but eventually gave up and plopped down on the floor.

"She's a good dog." Kane said as he slid into the booth. "I didn't think you were a dog person."

Reaching out to scratch Miranda behind the ears a moment, Jean grabbed two menus.

"I like most animals," she said with a shrug. "I just never have the time to take care of them. I have my own zoo."

"Zoo? Really?" Kane said. "I have a cat that chose me. What is your zoo?"

"My patients," Jean said, then laughed. "I'm kidding. But it feels like it sometimes. Especially on Fridays and Saturdays when the drunk crowd comes in."

"That's the problem being a do-gooder." Kane said, saluting her. "You end up with the waves of the dregs."

"It can be a pain but I don't mind it too much," Jean said, stretching her arms over her shoulders. "Better than trauma."

She opened up her menu, scanning it a moment.

"I thought about getting a pet, but I wouldn't think it'd be fair to them. So I live vicariously through my sister sometimes."

"Get a cat. There are literally five other people feeding and picking up after the damn one I somehow ended up with." He said, taking a look at the menu.

Jean laughed. "I'll think about it," she said, glancing up at him over the top of her menu with a smirk. "I'm noticing a little irritation there. What did the cat do to you?"

"Showed up one day and refused to leave until I started taking care of it and suddenly, I was responsible for the little bugger."

Jean grinned. "Sounds like it owns you," she said, then turned as she spotted the woman coming their way.

The woman eyed Miranda a moment with a light smile before looking back to Jean and clicking her pen.

"Let me guess, another cheeseburger and fries, no onions?" she said. Jean gave a nod and the woman then turned back to Kane expectantly, the name 'Gloria' on her nametag glinting off the florescent lights overhead.

"How 'bout you, honey?"

"I'm going to do the same as the Doc here. Extra mustard, extra pickle for me."

Gloria took a moment to scribble down their order, then, with a click of her pen, smiled. "Sure thing, be right out," she said, heading toward the back.

As they waited, Jean reached down to scratch Miranda's head.

"So how are things back at the office?"

"Slow. Turf war with SHIELD that we're losing, so a lot of what would normally fall on our plates is going to them. After all, nothing like getting a photo-op with agents in SHIELD uniforms and a chance at Captain America coming by to show the local voters how focused you are on law and order."

Jean arched a brow "Why are they getting more of the cases?" she said.

"Current political darlings. Plus, their mandate is wide enough that they can claim pretty much anything that is normally ours and usually the Administration agrees with them." He shrugged. "Politics as usual."

Falling silent a moment, Jean glanced over. "So after all of that, what makes you stay?"

"Because I made an oath and even if the politics gets in the way, I have a duty to help people. Quitting because it's hard isn't an option. I'm pretty sure you can relate, Doc."

Jean smiled. "I can. Sometimes it's just nice to hear the passionate ones talk about their calling every once and awhile to remind you why you do it."

"If we weren't, I can't imagine why else we'd add a leather uniform on top of all our other cares, eh?"