xp_logs | Hank, Rahne, Friday afternoon

A log-ette in which Rahne is welcomed back by Hank, and given her belated Christmas present.

Hank was taking a little break from trying to puzzle out Jono's condition... and listening for Haroun, in case he woke up and tried to wander away or something... by playing with an old slinky he'd found hidden under his Twinkie-stash. He liked the steady rippling noise it made, and its firm adherence to scientific principles. Also, it was shiny.

He looked up when Rahne peeked around the door, and brightened. "Rahne, good afternoon!" he said cheerfully. "I am impressed by your attention to duty, my dear, coming down to help out on the very day of your return."

She smiled a little self-consciously. "Well, I did leave a bit suddenly. It felt odd, even if Dr. Bartlet *did* say the helpers were off for the holiday."

Hank returned the smile. "I'm glad you had a holiday, my dear, but it is good to see you back." He glanced towards the room Haroun was in... no sign of stirring... and got up from the desk. "And if you will come into my office for a moment, I have something for you."

Rahne followed him, though she saw the glance and made a mental note to find out the latest mishaps. "I only really cooked desserts for most people," she admitted, "which isna really very unusual."

Hank rummaged around in the closet where he'd stored his remaining gifts and... aha, this was Rahne's. The tartan paper was a clue. "This is part Christmas present, part I'm-sorry-for-neglecting-you," he said seriously, handing her the carefully wrapped box. "I haven't been spending the time with you that I should, and I'm very sorry for it. I promise to be around more often, now."

He'd toyed with the idea of going with the Red Riding Hood one, or something, but Rahne always got wolf-themed gifts. So, after a lot of thought, he'd chosen a music-box with a red-haired princess dancing with her Prince Charming atop it. He'd thought it would appeal to her. And the tune it played was a very pretty one.

"I understood ye were busy," she assured him. Not that this kept her from grinning a little at the paper and opening the gift carefully but eagerly. "Oh! That's lovely." Not that Hrimhari ever looked -- *Stop that. Silly.* "Thank ye so much." She went to wind it, then glanced back over her shoulder and didn't. Patients might be sleeping.

"Go ahead. It's not very loud." Hank smiled. "Our only resident at the moment is Haroun, who's sleeping off a bump to the head."

"What hit him?" Rahne started winding.

"The floor, as I understand it." Hank said ruefully. "Training accident. Nothing serious." Apart from Haroun apparently having his head wedged where the sun didn't shine, just at present, but Rahne didn't need to know that.

"Pesky things, floors. And perfectly placed for ambush, too."

"Indeed. Almost as bad as walls, for sneaking up on one." He smiled as the soft, tinkling tune started. "What do you think?" She wasn't the easiest person to shop for, and he'd really hoped she'd like it.

"'Tis lovely." Rahne had grinned at the song and turned the smile back up at him. "How was yuir holiday, then?"

"It was fine." Hank smiled at her. "And yours? Did you have a good time being at home for a while?"

"'Twas good to be there for a while. Very different." A pause. "Much quieter."

"It was very quiet while everyone was away, too." Hank grinned. "Quite unnerving, in fact. I kept expecting something dreadful to pop up out of the front lawn... or, at the very least, have someone put pink food colouring in my shampoo again."

Rahne looked up at him, bemused. "Someone did?"

"Oh, yes. Years ago. I had purple patches for two days." He grinned impishly. "Never did find out who that was... and usually I can counterprank with the best of them."

"Purple's becoming a popular color around here lately," she observed. "Well, for being purple."

"Purple's a fine colour. Although not so good as blue, of course." He smiled, reaching out to give her hair a very gentle tug. "Red is quite charming, too."

Rahne chuckled a little. "Works for me."