(no subject)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

There is a Chase, in the bar, with a book that he is only pretending to read.

It's difficult to pay full attention to a book when one is keeping a wary eye and a half out for certain daughters and certain fathers-in-law-to-be that one has to make certain apologies to or risk certain...something.

If your name just happens to be Angela or Jack, you might want to just happen to stop by the booth.

And if your name isn't, you're certainly perfectly welcome to stop by anyway.

Comments

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

A man whose name happens to be Jack is sitting in a nearby booth.

...hey, when you're in a bar full of people from books, films, television shows, plays, comic books and legends, you might want to be more specific for which "Jack" you ask for, otherwise you might get Jack the Ripper. And nobody really wants a serial killer, do they?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

Well, this Jack will do well enough for the moment. Chase nods politely but distractedly at him.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

Jack nods in return, a glass of wine in his hand. "Good evening."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

"Hey." He toys with the pages of the book for a few more seconds.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

"Something bothering you?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

"Just a few arguments with some people," he says, trying to make his shrug look casual.

[jackdriscoll.livejournal.com]

"Ah. I can buy you a drink if you'd like."

[angela-edmunds.livejournal.com]

Angela comes downstairs from Kim's room and sees her father, then goes over.

"Hi, Daddy." She's smiling and she reaches around him for a hug.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

Chase returns the hug with a right good will and ends it with a squeeze. "Hey, Angie."

[angela-edmunds.livejournal.com]

"Interesting book?" She slides into the seat next to him and leans her head on his shoulder.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

"Actually, I don't even know what it's about. I was just trying to look busy while I waited for you and your grandpa." He smiles wryly. "What's up?"

[angela-edmunds.livejournal.com]

Angela sighs. "Not much, I've been staying with Mom the past few days. You know we had a fight?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

He has picked up on little things to that effect, but knows absolutely none of the details.

"What kind of fight?"

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

This is not--well, actually, this probably is the Jack Chase is looking for. This Jack is just rather well-hidden, being at one of the infinite number of dark corners of the bar. He's picking at a plate of pasta and generally looking like he's lost one of his best friends.

Which, in a way, he has.

He also hasn't noticed Chase, as he'd come down to the bar in a daze. No sleep will do that to you.

[ooc: Running off for CSI in a minute but will be back at 10 EST if it's not a repeat and wanted to tag before I fled.]

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

[OOC: No prob.]

The very Jack Chase has been keeping the eye-and-a-half out for, yes. He notices Jack eventually, and immediately knows something's wrong.

Chase never bothers with little things like debating whether or not he's welcome before attempting to assist with Jack-problems. If he hasn't caused them directly, he considers them fair game even if Jack's pissed at him. Thus, he is up and wandering over shortly after spotting Jack, book left behind at the table.

"You okay, Jack?" he says quietly.

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

"I'm fine," Jack says shortly, not looking up. He knows it's a lie, he knows Chase knows it's a lie, but still, he doesn't really want to say what's really going on. He's not exactly looking forward to hearing all the "I-told-you-so"s.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

Well, if there's one person who hasn't actually told him so, except briefly when Compulsed, it's Chase.

Since he knows that pushing won't do anything to help at he moment, he opts for an "Anything I can do?" rather than a 'you sure?'

[action-antihero.livejournal.com]

Unless you've got a time machine handy, no, Jack thinks grimly.

What he says, though, is a somewhat listless, "No, not really." He fiddles with the food on his place for a moment before adding, "I might be heading out of the bar sometime soon."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

A pause before he nods.

"When do you think you'd be back?"

[agirllost]

How about certain wives-to-be?

Kim places a cup of coffee in front of him and sits down.

"You looked like you could use it."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

Certain wives-to-be will be received with grateful hugs. "Thanks. How's the, um, practicing coming?"

He's glad she's doing better with the powers than he was.

[agirllost]

She hugs him back, perhaps a moment too long.

"I'm almost able to do real things -- I moved something with air yesterday," she smiles slightly.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

"That's great!" He likes hearing of her progress, even if Mesaana creeps him out. "Was it like a big thing, or a small thing?"

[agirllost]

His enthusiasm for her lessons makes her almost grin. "A...medium sized thing? I moved a chair. Oh, also a book. But I'm not sure that counts because it wound up on top of a table, not in my hands."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_righthandman_/]

"Yeah, but still." He kisses her cheek.

"You want a drink or anything?"