Idris couldn't help laughing at Vanessa's retorts, wondering if this was going to be another battle of flirty almost-but-not-quite pick up lines. After three-thirty a.m. was not naturally a time when his mind was working fast enough to hit on a pretty girl without a little bit of effort.
"The socks weren't half bad." It wasn't a remark made only to keep up the banter; Idris did prefer things to stay interesting, no matter how small the change might be. He really didn't see many ladies walking around in striped socks while at their place of work. "And sure I'll save you, granted I can get downstairs in time. Who knows, I might get distracted on the way down--"
He started as Vanessa raised a hammer into the air victoriously, excitedly declaring it a worthy find. In amusement he shook his head, smiling. "Not sure if that's the greatest idea. You do want me to hear it, right?" He said this as he took the screwdriver from her, using it to open the smoke detector. "This is much better. Hand me the batteries?" Idris put the screwdriver on the counter near his water bottle. Quickly he removed the dead batteries and silence instantly descended upon the apartment. It was a sheer, unadulterated relief.