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Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2008 22:11:35 GMT -5
"Just hope he doesn't try calling in Miss Dawson for any snooping until her eyes get better. We don't need him adding up any more numbers in this equation."
Proteus lifted his head slightly. "For that matter, if he did call her, there's no reason why I couldn't--well, sorta stand in for her. I'll have to bring that up with her."
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Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2008 22:17:11 GMT -5
Caddy nodded. "That's not a bad idea. She should be recovered by tomorrow or the day after -- but like you say, it's best if Tiernan doesn't get the chance to think about how she got hurt. Flash burns like those aren't exactly a run-of-the-mill injury."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2008 22:28:35 GMT -5
"I'll mention it to her," Proteus said with a nod. "Once I see where she's got off to. I guess she must still be with Vance. I think she's pretty worried about him... and I can't say I blame her."
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Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2008 22:37:50 GMT -5
"Neither can I." Caddy said with a sigh. "It's a lot to try and recover from . . . and in Vance's case, I don't mean physically."
"Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if Daws followed him out back to keep an eye on him -- and to smoke." He shrugged. "I've been trying to talk her into quitting for a couple years -- but what do I know? I'm just her physician."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2008 22:51:42 GMT -5
"Those things aren't for me--but I can see how this business is no good for anybody's bad habits." Proteus gave Caddy a rueful smile. "I'll just go take a look-see, then."
The shapeshifter bowed slightly, then turned and made his way outside, in search of a pair of moody nicotine addicts.
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Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2008 23:07:28 GMT -5
True to Caddy's prediction, Daws had followed Vance out onto the back porch of the house; the two of them sat side by side on the top porch step, smoking and not speaking.
When the back door opened Daws glanced over her shoulder, cocking her head slightly. "Proteus?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 17, 2008 23:18:39 GMT -5
"Yeah." Proteus leaned his shoulder against one of the support posts of the porch, folding his arms. "Doctor Ollivard's got Doctor Van Linden settled in. I think Mister Rosenstein has gone--if he could find a ride home."
Vance nodded pensively. "Best thing for him... going to his kids."
The shapeshifter glanced at Daws. "I had an idea, Miss Dawson. It'll solve everyone's concerns if Nocturne calls you in before your eyes have cleared up." He smiled hollowly. "If he does--I could go in your place."
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Post by skybright on Jul 17, 2008 23:27:44 GMT -5
Daws raised an eyebrow and ran one hand through her hair, looking thoughtful. "Yeah . . . that's not a bad idea."
She smiled humorlessly. "Heck, with working eyes you'd probably do a better job of acting like me than I can at this point. I'm not much use for anything right now."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 18, 2008 22:07:12 GMT -5
"I think that's pretty true of all of us right now," Vance sighed.
He glanced at Proteus. "I'll try to dig up a cellphone you can borrow. That way Daws can reach you quickly if Tiernan calls her."
"That'll do," Proteus answered. "I'll be rooting around Tiernan Enterprises tomorrow, anyway. I hate to miss his early fireworks, but... I do need a night's rest first."
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Post by skybright on Jul 18, 2008 22:12:43 GMT -5
"Don't we all." Daws glanced in Proteus' direction. "Do you have somewhere to go for the night?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 18, 2008 22:23:33 GMT -5
"I'll go where I always go," Proteus replied nebulously. Then he smiled very faintly, and a little sadly. "I don't look like this when I sleep, you know."
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Post by skybright on Jul 18, 2008 22:28:27 GMT -5
Daws smiled thinly, rolling her cigarette thoughtfully between her fingers. "Never really thought of that." She admitted.
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 18, 2008 22:42:24 GMT -5
"I'll have to get my people back to base," Vance murmured. "Let them get some decent food and sleep. Then..." He sighed heavily. "We'll have our services for Shockwave and Scorpion and Volt tomorrow, I guess."
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Post by skybright on Jul 18, 2008 22:47:55 GMT -5
"Yeah." Daws rested her hand briefly on Vance's shoulder, giving him a sympathetic glance. Then she shrugged one shoulder. "I guess I'll go home, too -- no sense staying here getting in Caddy's way, and that's where Tiernan will try to get hold of me, if he does."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 19, 2008 22:35:16 GMT -5
With an indistinct grunt in response to the name, Vance slowly levered himself to his feet. "I'll go find that phone for Proteus."
He trudged into the house, and after a moment Proteus sat down on the opposite end of the steps from Daws. He regarded her for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.
"Are you going to be alright, Miss Dawson?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 19, 2008 22:44:54 GMT -5
Daws glanced at him in faint surprise, then ducked her head. "I . . . yeah, I'll be alright. I think so, anyway.
"I'll be better when this wears off." She gestured to her eyes with a somewhat pained expression. "I don't like feeling helpless . . . being helpless."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 19, 2008 23:01:57 GMT -5
"Nobody ever does." Proteus smiled thinly at her. "I guess we all need to be reminded that we have to ask for help sometimes. I hope you won't forget that." He eyed Daws critically. "If Tiernan asks for you before you're absolutely ready, don't get heroic. Call me."
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Post by skybright on Jul 19, 2008 23:11:24 GMT -5
Daws smiled crookedly. "I will -- I mean that. I wouldn't risk everyone else's safety over it. Especially not after what we just went through."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 20, 2008 21:52:21 GMT -5
Proteus nodded. "And you might try to keep Joey Falco busy around your office for a few days. I don't know whether I'll be posing as him or not, but... well, no sense letting him be around Nocturne's temper right now if we can help it."
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Post by skybright on Jul 20, 2008 22:01:49 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "I can do that with no problems -- I'll want someone with a decent set of working eyes around for a couple days, anyway."
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