milliways_bar | (no subject)

Jim eyes said child suspiciously as he sits on the couch next to her, and flicks the back of her newspaper.

'Been keeping that quiet.'

The paper folds down and Tess looks over at him.

"Well, he's six. They're not total screamers at this age. The Lego helps."

He rolls his eyes.

'I assume he's not actually yours, then.'

If so = kept it quiet.

She toes the boy gently.

"You'd love it if I were your mom."

There's a sullen reply. "No."

Back to Jim, "He's a little upset mommy and daddy went away for some adult time."

'Nephew? Random bastard you picked up off the street?'

Whoever he is, he doesn't seem to love her.

"Hey, Jon, why don't you go to the Bar and get that sundae I promised. Whatever you want."

The boy nods and stands, giving Jim a look before he goes.

Tess sighs.

"I've mentioned Oliver. He and his wife are Jon's parents. I'm kind of a last resort sitter."

Jim gives him a look right back.

'Is he used to being the only thing they pay attention to?' he says, before the kid's gone more than a few steps.

Jon hesitates a step but doesn't turn back.

Now Tess gives Jim a look. She knew he wouldn't be child friendly; there's a reason she sent Jon off for a treat.

"He's six, give him a break. And yes, he pretty much is when his father isn't being the Green Arrow. He's their world."

'Oh.'

Well. Jim looks at the kid's back, then at Tess again. He's got nothing. He hated kids when he was a kid, but that doesn't mean he couldn't teach one cool stuff! They just...might also end up with a bomb strapped to them if they got boring.

'If you're the last resort babysitter, where are all the others?'

Yeah, Tess doesn't really get it either. Her maternal instincts had their time to shine and they're gone now.

"Clark and Lois went with them, Mrs. Kent had a conference and Courtney's at college."

''Adult time' involves taking another couple with them? I'm impressed. I thought Americans were much less liberal about that sort of thing.'

As Jon's no longer playing with it, Jim slides down to the floor and continues to construct his Star Wars Lego scene.

'Who's Courtney?'

That one doesn't ring a bell.

Eye roll.

"They go to the same Bed & Breakfast every year. It's a silly tradition thing they have."

Which Tess is not included in. Probably because she doesn't have anyone to go with, but it still stings a little.

"She works with us. She's in a gymnastics scholarship."

Code named Star Girl, but Tess isn't being that liberal with information just yet.

'People have to have scholarships to come and join your little crime-fighting club? Because, what, you make them pay otherwise?'

Jim sticks Darth Vader into a half-built X-Wing, and makes Han Solo run for the Millennium Falcon so he can blow him up. Never mind that poor Vader can't fly a thing that's only half made. It's his own fault for getting in it. No one said life was fair.

'Oh wait, you mean she's got the scholarship at college. Of course. You have that whole system of-'

He waves a hand. Unimportant.

'Does Jon bitch every year about being left behind? Tell him he might be getting a sibling in nine months, that'll cheer him up.'

Right?