A Late Gift

~Mettalic~
*he sings softly to himself as he heads down the halls towards the garage....strange shapes can vaguely be determined through the large canvas ruck sack hanging heavily over his shoulder, a large dark stain in its corner...it had been a while since he had worked on his baby... and thats what he planned on doing today...besides, she could use an oil change, and there was no way he was trusting her to anyone else...that was his girl..*

~Shifter~
*Sitting in her room she pulls out the package she had since Christmas.. Knowing how he felt she wasn`t sure if she should give it to him now.. Still she owed him a jacket and she wanted to see him again.. Despite everything.. Sighing she finds out where he is from the computer.. Grabbing the package she heads down to the garage.. She had never been there before..*

*The bag drop heavily on the ground and he kneels down beside it, the tools strangely quiet as he roughly rummages through them, finally coming up with what he wanted..he kneels beside the bike slidng the pan beneath as he undoes the filter..an old styx tune still on his lips*

*She stops in the door watching him.. He looked so good.. No.. He had told her that he only thought of her as a friend.. She had to remember that.. Finally she pushes away from the door..* Mike...

*the filter suddenly pops off and he catches it...dropping the wrench in the process, a samll amount of oil splashing up...he puts the filter down and reaches for a cloth..his hand stopping part way as he hears a familiar voice* Hey *he turns towards her, a smile on his lips...he had been wondering if she'd avoid him after yesterday* Hows it going?

*Smiling she moves over towards him.* It`s going ok.. I wanted to bring you something.. *She pulls the package out from behind her back.. It`s a badly wrapped Christmas gift.. A medium sized box.. One that was big enough for a leather jacket.. Very similar to the one he had loaned her in France that had gotten destroyed..*

*he remains kneeling as she aproaches, looking up at her* glad to hear it *He almost automatically reaches out for the package before stopping himself...grinning almost apologetically as he cleans the oil off his hands*you didn't have t.... I mean its nice and all but...*he sighs and shrugs as he looks at her as he accepts the package * thank you..what is it?

Yes I did.. *Grinning she steps back her hands going behind her back as she rocks on her heels.. * Open it and see.. I meant to give it to you a long time ago.. *A long time ago was obvious from the wrapping paper.. Another few months and it would be Christmas again.. *

No you... *he opens up the box..stopping mid scentence as he sees what it is...*..you didn't have....*he nods appreciatively as he pull it from the box* its nice..but its too expensive ..* well actually it wasn't especially for a kid who was GUARD raised..everyone collected a pay cheque the second they were GUARD, just that most of the kids were only given an allowance until they became rookies..by the time one was full GUARD they were rich*...its nice..*he stands up to try it on...and of course it fit..the beauty of shopping in the complex mall, all files were easy acess for sizing..* thank you...*..if it wasn't for the christmas paper he probably would have politely refused it..but it was obvious she had bought it months ago..he looks almost sheepish* but..I didn't get you anything..*.in fact he didn't get anyone anything for christmas, but that was beside the point*

*She had been receiving money since she was born and until recently had never had the chance or desire to spend any of it.. Money really didn`t mean anything to her.. Not when all of her needs were met by GUARD.* I got it to replace the one I destroyed in France.. Is it ok? *She doesn`t worry that he didn`t get her anything..* I hadn`t ever gone Christmas shopping before.. *In fact she hadn`t ever known about Christmas before.. Christmas hadn`t been considered a need to know.*

*he chuckles* I had forgotten about that one...*he shakes his head* it didn't matter...did you more good than it did me...*he extends his arms, checking out the length* its perfect, thank you *he steps forward giving her a quick kiss ont he cheek...not even thinking about it until afterwards...it was just habit for him to be nice to the ladies...hell it made him a little more popular than some..and the fact that he sang didn't hurt none either, though he prefered to just shut up and play*I don't think you missed anything...I avoid christmas shopping, or just shopping anytime I can *he mock shivers* sales are the worst

*Stunned by the kiss she lifts her hand to her cheek.. As he goes on to talk about shopping she shakes her head laughing..* I`m not so big on the crowds either.. *She doesn`t add that her fear of crowds has gotten worse since Christmas.. It wasn`t a good idea in guard to advertise any weaknesses.. She had already panicked when he offered to take her out.. No need to make it any worse..* I`m glad it fits..

I like watching crowds, I just don't like being in them...you see some really interesting types then..people act totally different in large crowds.. *he had the hand movement to the cheek and mentally berates himself for leading her on...but old habits are hard to break* So am I, thank you *he carefully removes the jacket and drapes it over the cycles seat ...he picks up the new filter and moves to put it on* maybe you can sit on the sidelines backstage sometime and see what I'm talking about.*the comment thrown casually over his shoulder, waiting to see her reaction*..the meekest person can become an exhibitionist when they think everyone else is

*She really didn`t think crowds were all that great from any distance herself, but she keeps quiet.. Quiet that is until he once more mentions her going with him.. Her face pales at the thought.* No! Um.. Thanks, but I have so much to do here at the compound.. *She tries hard to hide her fear and panic.. Her hands knotting together to try to stop them shaking.. Which might work if her whole body wasn`t shaking.. Her eyes show what she is feeling despite her words..

*he catches her shaking from the corner of his eye, but seems not to as he simply shrugs and concentrates on refastening the oil filter* Okay, don't blame ya *his nose wrinkles slightly* they can be pretty darn noisy *he turns towards her and chuckles slightly as his voice seems to whisper in her ear* I have an advantage there *he walks over to the bag to drop his wrenches, covertly watching her as he does so..making mental notes...why didn't a psi catch that?*

*He had no way of knowing that Pole and others were well aware of her growing Agoraphobia.. Pole was doing what he could to help her through it, but he was busy and didn`t always have the time to go with her.. She didn`t trust anyone else.. Maybe Nat.. Unfortunately for him she would probably go with him.. At least to some place not to crowded..* What do you mean? *There was an advantage to crowds?*

*he chuckles* I can redirect sound so its not as much its like wearing earplugs *his voice seems to muffle as he projects his powers* without the pressure on your eardrums *he smiles* its a nice ability to have at loud concerts *he pulls out a clean rag and returns to his bike, carefully wiping off any smudges as he changes the subject* so..you have any hobbies?

*Blinking she notices the change in the sound.* That must be great.. *She looks around the garage to see if there is someplace she can sit down that isn`t too greasy.. Years of living in a sterile environment left her not real thrilled about dirt..* Hobbies? What`s a hobby? *She knew work and work.. Hobbies had been another subject not high on the list of things to teach her..*

Well I like it..I could have had worse powers..ya know like poor old Illumina, ya probably saw her at the french base..the walking flashlight...*he chuckles as he watches her look around *then grabs the new jacket off the bike* here use this *He shrugs* not like it won't get dirty eventually anyhow *he sighs and shakes his head* they really kept you isolated didn't they?.. *she shrugs* something you like to do...a past time, something to occupy you ..*he gestures at the bike* I've got this and my music, what do you do?

*She did remember Illumina.* Or mine.. Not bad if you can control them.. *Frowning she looks at his jacket before finally taking it to sit down on a nearby stool.. Carefully laying the jacket down first.* I spend most of my time studying and practicing.. Yohann gave me some books.. I like to read them...

*he shrugs* the docs'll get things right eventually...you seem to be doing pretty good these days *he finishes wiping down the bike and moves towards the bag, putting his stuff back inside* thats a hobby, a mild one, but a hobby..I gotta get you into something else *he turns and grins at you* you like horses? *he winks* maybe I'll get you into that, not quite as good as a bike, but still good

I love horses.. The feel of the wind in your mane.. Jumping over things is great!! *She has never ridden a horse only been a horse.. Before she can continue her band beeps at her.. Frowning she looks down at it..* I have to go.. I`ve got a practice session..

*he chuckles* I meant riding one...big difference I'm sure...never been one myself *he looks down at his watch as her beeper goes off* oh damn I'm late..I should get going..new rookie assignment I have to deal with...name of Static..*he stands up and slings the bag over his shoulder* I guess I'll see you soon...and thanks for the jacket *He chuckles as he gestures towards it underneath her...he didn't want to just leave it*

Good luck.. I know us rookies can be a handful.. *Laughing she stands up picking up the jacket to hand it to him as she starts to move away.. Stopping she looks over her shoulder at him.* I really would like to go riding.. *That said she disappears out the door..*

*He watches Toshi leave then he hooks the jacket in his hand overtop of the greasy canvas bag as he heads out of the garage..one final glimpse at his watch convinces him that he will be late if he swings by his room first so he simply alters his path and heads straight down to the rookie quarters....the door chimes announcing him as he pauses before the one assigned to Static*