InsaneJournal

That man is annoying. Generous, but annoying.
Who: Alex, Lorna, and Mavis, and Winston Frost
Where: their hotel
What: drinking, recovering, talking
When: This evening, 06/01
Warnings/Rating: PG-13 for allusions to the events of the Evil Dead plot.
Status complete


Alex was grumpy. He was tired. He was annoyed. He was also sitting at his computer and scanning exact cruise dates and availabilities and getting more annoyed... until he spotted one and grinned wider. Then he lifted his phone and dialed.

The voice answered on the line immediately. “Hello Alex. And---?”

“Hi. Yeah, you were right. There is only one cruise we can do that soon, and it’s only going to be possible if we have a lot more... “

The voice, gruff and impatient, interrupted. “Money, yes, I know. I told you so. Done.”

Alex sighed “...yes. You know I don’t want to---”

Again he was interrupted. “I know. You’re just as stubborn as my daughter and step-grandson.” There was exasperation and pride in the voice. “Is it important? Will you really lose it if you don’t get some time out of there?”

“...yes. Maybe homicidally, yes.”

The voice was swift to answer. “Very well then. Do it.”

“Seriously. Even so, you don’t have to...”

“Alexander Summers. It’s taken care of. The tickets will be booked in a minute and a hotel on the other end.”

“... thank you.” Alex sighed as he accepted,. grumbling.

“Good. Now have a nice cruise and come back and stop being so silly.”

And the line went dead.

“That man is annoying. Generous, but annoying.” Alex spoke to himself for a moment, before he got up, stretched and headed for the kitchenette. They were going on a cruise. Holy crap.

Lorna laughed at that. “Um, yeah. I was pretty sure Emma came by it honestly.” She looked up from the sweater sleeve she was working on. “So, Alaska?”

Mavis smiled from her little corner of the suite, setting down the book she was pretending to read. “I thought you wanted to go on vacation. What are you all grumbling for?”

Alex grinned. He smirked at them. "No real reason. And yes, we three are booked on a week long cruise to Alaska, and a two week stay there. Lorna and I get to write a paper on geophysics there for the university in conjunction with Frost Enterprises. You, Mavis, will get to be our research associate, we all get paid by a generous grant from dear old Winston, and you even get college credits."

“I think we’re just in the habit of complaining.” Lorna noted. “So that’s actually amazing awesome, as far as vacations go.” She put her work aside and stretched out, groaning softly. “What do they need a geophysics paper for?”

“Getting paid to travel. That’s the way to go,” Mavis said, grinning. It reminded her a little of when she used to tag along on her father’s business trips. “I guess getting time off from Frost won’t be an issue.”

“Apparently there is a fascinating rock formation and volcanic sedimentary exposure on a mountain near, coincidentally, a new geothermal plant Frost is opening up in a city not too far from where the cruise will dock.”

Alex smiled as he sat back more, relaxing on the stool as he cooked for them. “So, we get all expenses paid to laze about for most of the time, as long as we go take a look with our skills and knowledge and tell them what the heck is there and if it will interfere with things. We’re getting temporary liaison badges that will make us Frost and USGS bigwigs to cut through egos and red tape.”

Alex grinned at them. “All because a little birdy talked to another birdy who spoke to Big W.” He was amused, now.

“I’m never calling him that.” Lorna said with a laugh. “And I don’t think your sister-in-law would like to be called Big Bird.” She smiled brightly at Mavis, excited at the idea of leaving Orange County for a while. “What do you say? Ready to go on an adventure with us?”

Mavis smirked, flicking her tongue over her fangs. “Red tape. Yum.” And then she burst out laughing, because she couldn’t actually picture herself using her vampire powers just to intimidate some big-shot in a boardroom. She was just happy they were all together, and able to crack jokes again. “What sort of adventures should I be packing for?”

Alex laughed, and eyed them both, grinning. He felt a surge of relief to be out of the Agency holding, and to be fine, undamaged and unhurt now, after their little shenanigans. He swallowed as he looked at them, feeling a surge of emotion for both. “Rock climbing, business-rooming, dusty reference room peering, and fine dining, probably. And cold weather.” He chuckled. “Even in Summer, Alaska is far colder than here.” He bounced. “Oh! And bathing suits, for the cruise line.”

“All of that sounds amazing.” Lorna said with a smile. “Well, maybe not the business part. I’ll need to work on a nice sweater.” Luckily she had juuuuust enough yarn left to make something nice for herself. “I’ll work hard and finish up all my commissions, so we’ll have extra money to spend.”

“Do you want me to contribute anything to the spending money pool?” Mavis asked. “I’m not exactly hurting for allowance money.” Her uncle Nikola still insisted on giving her grocery money every so often, when he wasn’t off on business, or whatever it was that he did when he left town.

“If you want? You don’t have to, but you are welcome to. I don’t want you to feel you have to, or feel bad if you feel like you want to contribute.” Alex stretched and then shivered; a flash of something dark crossing his vision. “I just want to get the hell out of here....”

Lorna nodded, and picked up her sleeve again. “Me too. It’s up to you, Mavis. If you want to help I could teach you to crochet.”

“Could be fun!” Mavis said, “I learned how to do a really basic chain stitch, once, but I never really got any further than that. I had yards and yards of crocheted necklaces and bracelets when I was little.” She glanced over at Alex. “Do you need a hug, sir?”

Alex blinked at the sir, then grinned. “Yes, sir does need a hug. Get over here, cutie.” He held his arms open to her. This arrangement was still odd, but he liked it, a lot.

Lorna giggled, smiling brightly. “Oooh, ‘sir’. Better watch out, Mavis, he might think we respect him or something.”

“No, ‘sir’ is what I call people I can’t stand,” Mavis said, her voice laced with sarcasm. She crossed the room, and sidled up to Alex’ stool, insinuating herself into his arms. She winked at Lorna, and kissed Alex’ cheek. “Welcome home, Alex.”

Alex hugged Mavis, and blushed a little, then bent his head to kiss her forehead and her temple. “Thank you, Mavis.” And he hugged her tight, sighing out a lot of tension, as he did so, and just hugged and hugged. Okay, maybe he needed a lot of hug.

Lorna got up and hugged Alex from behind, her arms wrapping around Mavis as well. She was so happy Alex was safe, and that the nightmare of the previous week was behind them.

Seeing Alex blush was kind of cute, and Mavis nuzzled his neck a little as she held on just as tightly. She reached around to grasp Lorna’s arm gently as well--there had been a lot of snuggling in Alex’ absence and it was good to have everyone back together.

Alex hugged her for a long time and even snagged Lorna with one backward reaching hand, feeling himself calm, and relax. These two made it easier. He loved Lorna, more than life, and she made him feel like a million bucks. And Mavis... she was slowly inching her way into his life and he loved her too, in a way.

Mavis’s nuzzing brought a soft groan from him, and well, the obvious reaction lower down.

Lorna giggled, squeezing them both. “This is going to be an amazing vacation. I can’t wait to share it with you guys.” She wanted them all safe and away from Orange County, even if only temporarily. They all thoroughly deserved a vacation.

“Mhm!” Mavis leaned over and nipped gently, playfully at Lorna’s jawline, just below her ear. “You’re both wonderful,” she said, “And we’re going to have an amazing time.” And if anybody tried to mess with them, Mavis would kill them with cuteness.

Alex shifted so he could hug them both, and kiss both’s hair. He felt warm, and shaky, and he shivered in their arms. They helped, but sometimes, like now, he felt almost like he could feel some of what the person who had been possessing him had felt. And that wracked him with disgust. “Thank you, both. You make this easier.” His voice did not crack, but it was close.

Lorna kissed his neck, hugging him tight. “You know we won’t let you down, baby.” Her voice was certain. She could be strong for him, she had plenty of strength to share.

“I can keep an eye on things here,” Mavis said, gesturing to the kitchen. “If you need a moment?” She could feel Alex trembling, and sense the subtle changes in his breathing and his heart-rate as his body processed the stress of trauma that he probably couldn’t even consciously remember. “Whatever you need.”

“I know.” He breathed out, holding them, and smiled softly. “Thank you.” He loved Lorna, but he knew that Mavis was part of his life, now. And he was definitely wanted her to continue to be. “I’ll be okay.” He kissed Lorna and sighed, then smiled, standing up straighter. “Long enough to make food and relax with my fiance and my second best friend.”

Alex nodded. Lorna was his best friend, always would be. Mavis was now, undeniably, the next most important person in his life.

Lorna rubbed his back, and gently worked her way out of the hug. “I got us some movies. You up for the entire Mel Brooks oeuvre?”

“I’m flexible,” Mavis said, clasping her hands overhead and stretching a little. “I’m just happy to hang out.”

Alex smiled. "Sounds perfect. I'll order super-nachos. Yum." Then he was watching Mavis, mouth slightly open. "Ahm. Hanging out sounds good. We should have a super casual day."

Lorna whimpered, and reached out to grope Mavis’s butt. “Tease.” She said with a laugh. “Yes! I vote super nachos and super casual, also!”

Mavis wiggled her booty a little in Lorna’s hand, feeling playful. Things had been much too serious lately. “Should I be worried that your clothes are going to start falling off without warning?”

Alex laughed. “Falling off? No. But casual days do sometimes contain far less clothing.” He eyed her. “Would that be a problem?” They hadn’t done much more than hug and snuggle since the day of experimentation. Things had been complicated.

Lorna laughed, and moved to tickle Mavis’s butt and back. “We’ll give you plenty of warning, and opportunity to join us!”

“Well, I put my face in your neck just now and did not bite you, so...” She shrugged. “I think I’ll survive a little flashing.”

Alex bent his head then and kissed her nose, just because, and then kissed Lorna, full on. “Just a little?” He winked, then and nodded. “Okay, seriously now, Nachos, movies and couch time for all.” He didn’t want to have time to think.

Lorna kissed him back, then went toward the tv. “Okay, Blazing Saddles is first, and I’m going to get rid of these pants. Oh, wait, nachos. We need nacho delivery.”

“Yes.” Mavis went to reclaim her corner of the couch--even if they would probably rearrange themselves several times in the next while. She wiggled her toes at Lorna. “Alex was going to call. We should let him.” Just ignore her bare legs, ‘kay? ‘Kay.

Alex watched those legs go, and then sighed as he went to call. He spent five minutes with various places and found one that would deliver delicious super nachos for a nice tip, and then answered the door a minute later when the bell rang. He laughed as he signed for the small box, and brought it into the living room, shedding his shirt and pants as he came, leaving him in just underwear. He tore open the box and revealed a bottle of whiskey. “I think someone on the net was thinking of us.” He read the note and chuckled. “Yep.”

He flopped next to Mavis and clapped her bare leg. Just because.

Lorna peered at the box, and laughed when she saw what it held. “I guess we’re getting drunk. Who sent you alcohol?”

Mavis laughed, and pinched Alex’ calf with her bare toes. Because she was dexterous like that. “Let me guess. Was it a relative?”

“Someone who read the net post I was talking on.” He chuckled. “I have a clue, but that’s all.” He lifted the bottle and broke the seal and made a face as it opened. “Holy crap.” And then he sipped some and passed it to Lorna.

Lorna took a drink, coughing a little afterward. “Whoa. That’s intense.” She offered the bottle to Mavis.

“Oh, I never drink...” Mavis said, quoting the classic Dracula line in her best impression of Eliza Doolittle’s sophisticated alter-ego in My Fair Lady. The one that the expert had decided must be Hungarian, bleh bleh bleh. And then she giggled, and took the bottle, taking a sip in the interest of science.

“It’s a little late to ask this, but are we sure we want to be drinking whiskey that we have no idea where it came from, or from whom?”

“Yes. Good question. Yes, late. But... I suspect it is from an old drinking buddy of mine.” He chuckled, and sipped some next, stealing it from her, one hand resting high up on her leg, casually. “It’s good whiskey.”

Lorna nodded and pressed play on the DVD player. “Movie time now.”

~fin~