Barmaid on Duty!

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine comes downstairs, clad in t-shirt and jeans, her hair braided back, and goes to the bar to pick up her tray.

She wonders who she will meet today, and what news she will hear. Elaine's ears pick up on many things.

But for now...Barmaid on Duty!

Comments

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

Tony is seated at a table with a couple of newspapers at his disposal. He sees Elaine, smiles broadly and waves her down. "Hey!"

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine beams. "Hello, Tony!" She gives him a one-armed hug. "Do you need anything from bar or kitchen? And you do look quite happy today."

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

Tony belatedly notices that someone else has touched him. After what's happened between himself and Michelle, he doesn't mind receiving hugs. Well, from the right people. If Elaine were a man, his reaction might've been quicker.

"Yeah, I am. Michelle and I are getting married."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Tony, that's wonderful! I'm so very happy for you!" Elaine is already planning out her wedding gift...

"I don't think I've seen you since my return, but this is the best news I could hear from you. When do you think the wedding will be?"

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

“Not sure yet. Haven’t gotten around to planning, you know? We’ll figure something out, I’m sure.” He pauses. “Hey, when did you get back? I missed you!”

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"I've been back...Nearly two weeks. I've not been downstairs very much, what with Chris being ill and all. But now she's better, and I can work again. I'm so very glad to be back, I can't tell you..."

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

He tilts his head curiously and says, “Where did you go? Ryan was worried sick about you.”

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"I went to Los Angeles, July through August of 2003. Do you remember the Day and Night Diner?" Elaine gives up the pretense of working for now, and gets a hot chocolate as she sits down across from Tony.

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

Tony’s eyes move upwards trying to spot an answer in his brain. He remembers it soon enough, a typical diner across the street from headquarters that he frequented before it closed. Simultaneously, as he draws up the diner in his mind, he’s reminded of a waitress, a new waitress at a time not long before it closed, who came from England and was named…

He staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaares.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine smiles wryly and wiggles her fingers at Tony. "Hi."

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

Tony’s staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaare is interrupted by a few blinks.








“…”

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Yes. Not that I could actually tell you anything while I was there, of course, but what on earth could I say? 'Hullo, you'll be meeting me in a few years at a restraunt at the end of the Universe?' I'm sure that would go over well."

[iwasalevel6.livejournal.com]

Tony blinks himself out of his stupor and laughs. “Yeah, that would have sounded a little crazy. Did you meet anyone else from CTU? Jack? Ryan?” Oh, goodness, if she met Ryan back then…

[smallestopener]

Hi! Tom said he talked to you last night and I haven't seen you in forever.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine beams. "Hello, little one! I've missed your blue hair and shining face! How are you today?" she asks, crouching down more to Ingress's level.

[smallestopener]

I'm fine. Tom said I could have ice cream.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Wonderful! What kind would you like? I'm the waitress today, so I'll get it for you."

[smallestopener]

Okay, thanks! I want a sundae with rainbow sprinkles.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine goes up to the bar and gets that for Ingress, with a long spoon for the sundae. "And what have you been doing with yourself, Ingress?" she asks as she sets the sundae down before the little girl.

[smallestopener]

I've been playing and learning slingshot and archery and I've had my sword lessons and I'm learning new words and maths and lots more.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Well, it sounds as if your days are quite full and busy! I'm taking up my lessons again, as well. It's no fun when one does not practice for a few days. I'd advise against not practicing."

[smallestopener]

I practice nearly everyday.

*She spoons a large glop of ice cream into her mouth and smiles sunnily.*

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"And so do I. We're model students, I'd say." She grins.

[smallestopener]

*She laughs.*

You're a grown up and you're still a student?

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Aye. I didn't have much learning time, when I was small. You are a very lucky girl."