Who: Shiloh & Gwen What: A chance encounter Where: Bathos, first floor then to Bathos 106 When: Monday morning Warnings: Harmless flirtations?
The one thing Shiloh hated most about traveling was the change in time zones. Nothing like departing Beijing at 8am only to arrive back in Seattle at 9am. An hour later, though his body was telling him a good twelve hours had passed. Really, he just wanted to cry. He and Preston had already parted ways, and he felt like a zombie as he pulled his suitcase down the hall to 106. Once he was there, he had to whine, realising he had no idea where his keys were. Suitcase? Carry-on? Somewhere back in Beijing?
Dropping his carry-on to the floor, Shiloh dropped into a crouch, unzipping the bag and pawing through it, struggling to simply keep from falling asleep in the hallway where he stood. His carry-on would make a nice pillow, wouldn’t it?
Gwen was a creature of habit, and she was finding that her old ones were dying exceptionally hard. She had just come in from her morning walk, her thoughts completely consumed by her usual debates: Was she doing the right thing? Should she go back to her night work? Should she find something new? Again and again, the same worries circled back through her mind, especially on her morning and evening walks.
She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t realize where she was going. She had lived in Bathos and on the first floor for years now, so while walking down its hall was new, moving through it wasn’t. She hadn’t noticed that she had completely missed her apartment until she found herself right by her old apartment, 106, and almost into its new tenant.
“Damn,” she softly cursed before realizing she probably could’ve turned around and he wouldn’t have noticed, if not for her exclamation. She threw him an embarrassed but polite smile. “Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean to bother you.”
It was the curse that drew his attention, looking up with a surprised expression, before he smiled and shook his head in the negative. “It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re not bothering me. I’m probably blocking the hallway, crouching here like a moron.” There was a chuckle as he stood up, rubbing at the back of his head. “I can’t find my keys. And I’m too tired to even think. I shouldn’t be allowed out right now.” Dropping his hand to his side, Shiloh looked her over, a brief moment spent so as not to appear weird or creepy.
“I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. Shiloh. Shiloh Preston.” He stuck one hand out towards her, his manner easy-going.
“Gwen Dailey,” she replied easily, only a half a beat hesitation as she shook his hand. She wasn’t used to meeting her neighbors but there wasn’t a way to avoid it, and here none of her usual excuses. At least he was new. She wouldn’t have to explain the sudden change in stature.
“You do look exhausted,” she teased gently as she gave him an equally quick once over. He was handsome, the new tenant, even if he looked completely beat. “Want some help? I’ve been up since dawn but I’m got a little more pep in my step it looks like. Obviously I haven’t walked nearly as far as you’ve traveled.” She tossed a glance down at the bags surrounding him.
“It’s a pleasure, Gwen, and help would be incredibly awesome at this point. This is what a trans-pacific flight does to you. I don’t recommend doing it often.” He managed a laugh as he released her hand, dropping back down into a crouch beside his bags, gesturing to his carry-on. “They’re somewhere in there. I hope. I really don’t want to dig through my suitcase.” He let out a sigh, his shoulders sinking down. “Remembering where my keys were wasn’t exactly the first thing on my mind when I was packing this morning.” A shake of his head, and Shiloh looked up, offering her a smile. Red hair. He liked that.
He was dropping to a crouch and Gwen shook her head. “Sit down,” and she gently nudged his shoulder with a hand and a smile. She was far too used to giving orders to men who were dead on their feet. She dropped down to a crouch and began to go through his carry on, carefully peeking through every pocket and corner as she looked for his elusive keys. “So where’d you just get back from?” He mentioned flying over the Pacific but that didn’t exactly narrow the field down.
Shiloh couldn’t help but laugh as she pushed him down, sitting as told, watching as she poked through his carry-on. “China. Beijing, to be a bit more specific. Have you ever been?” He tilted his head to the side, hoping that her nimble fingers found his keys hiding in there. It wasn’t like him to just misplace something like that, so they had to be in there. Somewhere.
She shook her head and unzipped another section. “Nope, never. I’ve been meaning to. My...” She almost said that she always meant to go to Asia with her daughter, the one who was there right now according to her last passport scan, but caught herself. “Never really traveled much. What were you doing there?” Just as she asked her fingers brushed against the jagged edges of the keys. She fished it out and held it triumphantly for his inspection. “Answer, then prize.”
There was another laugh, his hand lifting to take the keys, but he let it hang in mid-air at her stipulation. Giving her a grin, he dropped his hand back down to atop his leg. “Fair enough. Dragged my brother there for a vacation, probably his first one in half a decade. So half the reason I went was to give him a break, and then I went for myself. I haven’t been there in a long while, not since I lived there back when I turned thirty.” He cracked a grin, holding his hand out again, palm up.
“You should travel more. It does a mind and heart good, I’ve found. You come back, and the world seems new again.” His smile was easy, eyes bright on her. “You’ll come in for coffee, won’t you? As my way of saying thank you?”
Her smile was polite and attentive, growing slightly more at the mention of a workaholic brother. She knew that type, she was one. Surprise made her eyebrows raise when he said that he lived there but she filed that question away for another time when he held out his hand. She made a great show of placing the key in his palm, but then slid her hand to grasp his own. She didn’t let go, not when she started to rise from her crouch, and not when she was bending over him awkwardly. She gave the gentlest of tugs to help him back onto his feet.
“You get the door, I’ll get your bags. If you can brew without toppling over, I’ll take a cup. But I wouldn’t be wounded if we rain checked it and you got some actual rest. I’m betting the jet lag is kicking your ass.”
Keys back in hand, Shiloh was ready to push himself up to tired feet, but then she had to go and clasp his hand, preventing that from happening. He didn’t protest, simply curling his hand around her own as she got up to her own feet, him following moments later with her assistance. She was a tough cookie, and he had a feeling she wouldn’t put up with any arguments, so wisely, Shiloh nodded in agreement. “I think I can handle getting the coffee brewing,” he said good naturedly, releasing her hand and fiddling with the keys for a moment until the proper one was found. The door was soon unlocked, the apartment dark, the air still from a week without its inhabitant.
“But,” Shiloh started as he flipped on the lights, welcoming her in. “I may have to take you out for a proper cup once I’ve gotten some sleep. If you wouldn’t be adverse to that.” He cracked a grin, tossing his keys on the kitchen counter, striding to the kitchen to start that coffee. “Just put the bags anywhere. I’ll deal with them... later. Much later. I hate unpacking more than anything.” It wasn’t long before the coffee was on to brew, and he gestured to his table. “You’re more than welcome to have a seat. The couch is more comfortable, but either works.”
She was thankful the bag wasn’t particularly heavy and his suitcase had wheels, because when he oh so slyly asked her for a proper cup of coffee she almost dropped what she was carrying. That was quick. She laughed softly and cast him curious glance. It was flattering, to say the least, but he was half asleep so she didn’t put too much stock into it. He wasn’t thinking or seeing clearly. She wouldn’t hold it against him.
Gwen set his things down by the couch but decided to go for the table. The couch certainly was more comfortable but considering his state, maybe that was a bad thing. “Is it too soon to be reminiscing about your trip? We can talk about something else.” It had been a long time since she had small talk with a complete stranger, and her mind was drawing blanks as to what could be a topic of conversation. “When did you move in? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.” It had to have been recently, as she only moved out of the apartment in January. She took a quick glance around the room and laughed to herself softly. “It’s just funny how different this place is. I know they had to do a lot of repair work but you’ve decorated it far better than I used to.”
The rich scent of coffee soon filled the air, the happy percolating noises emanating from the maker. Shiloh busied himself for a moment, fetching two coffee mugs and setting them by the coffee maker before taking a seat across from Gwen. “A bit too soon considering I was just there this morning.” Shiloh chuckled softly, folding his hands atop the table, leaning forward slightly towards her. There were dark circles under his eyes, clearly tired, but still in good spirits considering. “And I moved in near the middle of February. I’m a curator at a museum nearby and teach at the university.” His gaze softened slightly and he leaned back, tired yet restless. The news that this was once Gwen’s apartment was amusing to say the least.
“If by decoration you mean the bits and pieces I’ve gathered from living on my own for years, then I suppose it’s nice.” He laughed at the concept. “It’s nothing special. I’ve never been one for doing much with the place I lived in. I suppose that’s why I like apartments. No obligation.” Pausing, he gestured towards her. “Why did you leave this one? Hopefully it’s not haunted or some other reason for leaving that I should be wary of.”
Curator and a teacher. Gwen was clearly impressed and though the changes on her face were subtle, he would’ve seen them from how close they were. She would’ve pressed for more information when he turned the questions back around on her. She ducked her chin slightly, a little embarrassed about bringing such a random bit of information up. Who tells someone they used to live in their apartment? She did, apparently.
“Mums the word on the poltergeist and the marching band that lives right upstairs then,” she teased with an easy smile. “Actually I just needed some more space. I picked up another roommate a few months back.” It was funny how quickly Darwin became less of a houseguest and more as a roommate. “And after that whole fiasco back in January, they redid all the apartments.” She took another quick glance around, lingering for a moment longer on the window right by them. The last time she saw it she had been half through it herself, Jack coming to her rescue just in the nick of time. Her fingers on her right hand unconsciously lingered over her left forearm remembering the cuts and Reaver bites that were no longer there. She shook her head out of her reverie and gave him a sheepish shrug. “I figured it was as good a time as any to get something new. But I still forget sometimes. I was so used to go down here that I nearly ran into you. You’re still much better at decorating than me. I’m going through a renovation myself. I’m pretty terrible at it.”
Shiloh listened with a smile, standing half-way through to get them both a cup of freshly brewed coffee, setting one down in front of her before the other was sat at his place. “I’m sure you’re just being hard on yourself,” he commented, lingering at the table for a moment. “Cream or sugar?” A pause, then he gave a grin. “For your coffee, I mean.”
“Both,” she replied, her answer smile was a touch more coy at that. She was used to flirts, she could name a few that were more that tried to sweet talk her on comms or through emails. But it was different in person, and different as just Gwen and she still wasn’t as accustomed to it as she used to be. “And it’s very sweet of you to say so, but believe me. When I lived here I never decorated. I used to work too much so I never cared. But now I have some time on my hands, I’m at a loss of what to do.” She gave him a slight shrug at that but steered the conversation back to him. “So you’re a curator? Then you have no trouble at all with art and ambiance.”
Sugar and cream joined the table, pushed in front of her so she could dose her cup to her preference. Sitting back down, Shiloh listened and took a long drink of the hot coffee before answering. He had wanted to ask her what had brought on the extra spare time, but with the way she quickly segued in to questions about him, he assumed that it was a topic best left untouched considering they barely knew one another. So Shiloh let her steer the conversation, and after another sip of coffee, he leaned back in the chair to answer.
“I’ve got my doctorate in Art History and had been looking for a museum opening. This one popped up, and since my brother lives here too, it was just too tempting to let slide. But I enjoy it. The history, the thought of people ages ago creating these things... I’m just addicted.” He cracked a grin then. “Dare I ask what you do that used to take up so much of your time?” Yes, he steered the conversation her way again, but he was honestly curious.
“A little of this, a little of that.” Gwen laughed softly and let him steer it all he wanted, making me wait for her to finish fixing her coffee. “I do a lot of freelance work. Computer security. Systems analyzing. Programming. That kind of thing.” It sounded modest but really she just was just trying not to lie. It certainly was the type of work that actually paid her bills and they did take up a fair amount of time she she was working on them. He just didn’t need to know about the other work and she wasn’t quite sure her work would even interest him. It wasn’t anything like what he did.
“Are you very close with your brother?” It seemed like a natural route for the conversation, though a silly question considering they just took an overseas trip together. She took a tentative sip of her coffee before giving a small sigh. “Thank you for this, by the way.”
“Computers, huh?” Shiloh nodded at that, humming a little in amusement. “I break computers. I’m... old-fashioned. I prefer paper files and notepads and pens to computers. And I don’t know a single thing about security or anything else you mentioned.” He laughed at that, shaking his head at himself. “As for my brother...”
Shiloh trailed off, siping his coffee for a long moment as he pondered how best to answer. “Yeah, we’re close. Closer than most brothers, I’d like to think. He’s been here for a while, so you might have run into him? Preston? Not that he’s home much. He lives at work, I think.” And by his tone, something Shiloh clearly disapproved of. He was a firm believer in hard work and dedication, but even he knew that sometimes you had to leave room for play. Preston did not play nearly enough, he thought.
“And you don’t have to thank me for the coffee. It’s my thanks to you for helping this old man find his keys.” Another grin and he lifted his cup to her before taking another sip and setting it down.
She wasn’t surprised by his reaction to her work and her smile showed it. “I have a friend exactly like you. She’d do all her business on a ledger if she could. I’m actually sure she does anyway since she doesn’t trust her computer to do the job properly.” She shook her head softly as she thought of Laura and her shop but then brought her attention back to the conversation at hand.
“Never met your brother, I’m afraid. But like I said, my work keeps me busy.” Another laugh, for there she was admitting to being too much of a workaholic to meet the other similarly minded person in the same building. “Clearly I don’t get out too much but when I do I seem to make the most of it. It’s no helping little old ladies cross streets but key assistance for ‘old men’ isn’t so bad.” Her voice lifted slightly at the end with laughter and her lips pulled into a teasing smirk before she took another sip of her coffee. He looked a bit older than her though not enough to warrant calling him an old man.
“Paper has never gotten up and eaten my information, so I can definitely sympathize with your friend.” Shiloh grinned at that, settling back to listen to Gwen, giving a roll of his eyes at her comment about assisting old men. “Please don’t tell me that I’m not the only one who’s needed assistance with his keys,” he said, leaning forward slightly, hands curled around the warmth of his coffee cup. “I thought I had control of that niche. If you tell me I have competition there, I might have to kick a little ass or something.” Though the thought of kicking ass made him laugh at himself. In his current condition, he’d be more likely to simply fall asleep on someone.
“I’m sure it wasn’t eaten!” she replied indignantly, as if all computer problems that happened to anyone anywhere were for her to defend and deny. “With proper backups the data wouldn’t have been lost, which is more than I can say if you spill coffee over your precious paper.” She grinned and when he leaned forward, so did she. “I’d like to see you go and kick someone’s ass just to control the market on needing-key-assistance. But if it helps any, you were my first, and don’t they say you never forget your first?”
There was a warm chuckle in response to that, amusement washing over him. “I’ll have to see what I can do. I’d hate to have some competition.” The corners of his eyes crinkled with his laugh, her last comment particularly nice to hear.
“They do say that,” he mused, and then leaning up out of his chair, he reached out to brush a lock of hair out of her face, the gesture lasting only a moment before he rose. “More coffee?”
She blushed a faint pink as brushed her hair away, and she ducked her chin for a moment. His offer, while tempting, made her shake her head softly and set down her cup. “Thanks, but I shouldn’t. It’s la--early,” she laughed softly to herself and at her correction. “And don’t you have some sleep to catch up on? Time zones to get re-accustomed to?”
“I might.” The answer was simple, and instead of refilling their cups or insisting that she stay a bit longer, Shiloh knew that she really was right. He was tired to the bone and a few hours of sleep would do wonders in helping him get back on schedule. So instead he held his hand out to her to help her up from her seat. “Would it be too forward of me to ask you out to dinner some night?” Shiloh asked, his expression hopeful, but mindful of the fact that she very well could have someone in her life.
She took his hand and headed out towards the door, though her flattered and shy smile never left her face. She hadn’t been expecting that. “No, not forward just...” She winced softly as she tried to formulate a right answer. It was an automatic response to say no, she always turned down things like that, even when she was single. And though a small voice at the back of her mind piped in that maybe she would do well with a rebound, she still found herself saying no. “I really shouldn’t,” she said simply as she opened the door and lingered in the doorway. “But I’ll see you around? I am, after all, on hand for all your key assistance needs.”
He didn’t press the question, watching the expressions as they flitted over her face, wondering what had brought her to this point, to reacting this way. It concerned him, ever so slightly, because she seemed to be a lovely young woman. So Shiloh simply nodded in response, a quiet smile offered to her. “You shall. And if I lose my keys again, you’ll be the first person I contact. Do be safe, Gwen.” And then, in a gesture born of politeness and gentlemanly behaviour, Shiloh took her hand once more, pressing a kiss to her knuckles before releasing her with a smile that was warmer than before.
Her grin grew wider at the kiss on her hand, for no one ever did that, least of all to her. “You too, Shiloh. Sleep tight,” she added, waving her hand slightly before heading back down to her own apartment.