milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Today, Tess is sitting by the fireplace, taking up an armchair and a footrest. She's wearing a trendy scarf and some fantastic shoes.

She's simply relaxing, resting her head back against the chair, a glass of scotch in one had and the bottle nearby.

Ah, lazy, fall evenings.

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'Hope you're sharing.'

If not, he will absolutely just help himself.

Hi, Tess.

"Having trouble with your tab?" She asks, not looking up.

He isn't and she knows it.

"You know I'd be happy to float you a loan."

Which really means Hi, Jim, you better have brought your own glass.

'Don't be a pain in the arse.'

He calls a rat to fetch him one, and lounges indolently on an armchair opposite, legs hanging over the side of the arm.

'What's up with you?'

It seems like a great effort to stop slouching and sit in a position where she's comfortable but can still see him. Effort, Jim.

"I'll be whatever I like. I'm relaxing. It was a long day at work."

'I should probably go away, then.'

He's not a relaxing person. As evidenced by the fact that he doesn't go away.

'Why, what happened?'

She waves a hand. "Dull business crap. You wouldn't be interested."

'You\re probably right, but I'm good at pretending.'

Also, zoning out when he needs to.

The rat comes back, and he helps himself to a drink.

"They want to take the company public again."

She sounds bored about it. She is.

"I'm not so inclined."

'Then tell them to fuck off.'

There. Problem solved.

This is totally why Jim is a consultant.

"Those exact words are my next option."

She'd fire people, but they're good at what they do and for the most part, don't bother her.

Jim shrugs, and has a drink.

'You're in charge, it's your decision. If they can't understand that, get rid of them.'

She rolls her eyes and drains her glass.

"And go through an upper executive level hiring process? No, thank you."

'You can hire someone else to do the legwork of recruiting. You only have to give the final stamp of approval yourself. Don\t you have a HR department?'

If not, she should get a HR department.

Let other people do her work for her? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS?

"Like I'd trust them to find the right people."

He shrugs again, the epitome of a man who doesn't have to worry about these things.

'It's your own fault, then. But just think - a public company, run by a board of directors. Answerable to share holders.'

Ew.

"That's the whole reason I got it back to private."

And wasn't that fun and easy.

"I'm not gong through that again."

'Do you want me to come and blow some people up for you?'

He's kidding. Y'know. Probably.

'The rest would stop bothering you after that.'

She huffs out a laugh, ruining her attempt to remain serious.

"The last thing I need in my world is you."

Jim's mouth falls open.

'That is harsh, darling.'

He is ~~genuinely~~ hurt, and sniffs as he drains his glass and reaches for a refill.

'Pretty sure I didn't deserve that.'

"You," she says, pointing directly at him, "would cause mischief. I don't need more mischief in my real life."

Then she holds out her glass for him to refill it for her.

'That would be the point.'

He would absolutely cause mischief, and his grin says he appreciates her recognising the fact. He tops her up with a generous hand, and goes back to lounging.

'And you'd love it.'

Of course he'd cause mischief. What else does he think he does?

"I'd love watching you fail."

Which he would, eventually. She'd make sure of it.

'Fail?'

He snorts.

'You'd be waiting a long time. It hasn't happened yet.'

"No, but then you haven't gone up against me in my world."

Not that she has any desire to play games with him there or in Milliways.

Jim shoots her the look he saves for everyone who thinks they have a chance against him. Equal parts amused, and disparaging.

'Yes, dear.'