Bella Donna Boudreaux is a cheerful assassin (petitmort) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-09-24 23:33:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, bella donna boudreaux, winston frost |
5Who: Belle Boudreaux and Winston Frost
Where: Belle's place
What: having tea
When: 9/21, before this log
Warnings/Rating: pg
Status complete
Belle was feeling much less irritable the second day of her amnesia. She could read now, so that helped. Her memories were coming in faster than she’d thought. She remembered more of her CIA training, thanks to her handler (who was always close), and Vanille gave her someone cheerful to talk to, even though she could tell the girl was as sad as Wolfwood.
She hummed as she made tea, singing a silly song in Creole. It was a jump rope song the lady from the next door RV sang while doing double dutch for the girls, but Belle didn’t remember that much. She was still getting used to knowing a whole new language.
Winston had known he had to see her, no matter her current condition. He had looked in on her when she was in the hospital, but not talked to her, merely made sure she was protected and utterly without pressure to do anything. He had words with her handler, and with the CIA director, and the NSA, and words were spoken, old memories exchanged.
In the end, Belle was free, and not to be bothered.
And so it was that he arrived at her house bearing cookies.
Belle perked up when her handler opened the door. The man snorted, as thought suppressing a laugh. “She’s awake now, obviously.” He led Winston to the kitchen, and Belle stopped what she was doing, her head tilting curiously. “Donna, this is Winston Frost. He’s your former asset and employer.”
She nodded and moved closer, holding out her hand to him, before realizing shaking with him might be strange for him. “Wouldja like some tea?”
Winston smiled and shook her hand, and nodded. “I would love it. “ He glanced at her handler, one eyebrow lifting, an invitation to leave, and his smile was warm as he turned back to Belle. “I brought some cookies. I thought a little sugar might make the day a little brighter.” He extended the box, the cookies inside not store bought but home-made.
Belle peered at the cookies and grinned. “Oh! They’re so cheerful!” She smiled at Winston and poured her tea, then grabbed another cup. “D’ya like ginger?”
“I do.” He smiled “I’m glad you like them.” He chuckled, watching her. She was amusing like this, and he hoped she enjoyed it.
She carried the tea mugs to the dining room table and set them down. “I’ve heard your name a lot, Mr. Frost, but not much about you.”
“I’m a businessman, one who values family. You worked with me, and for me, and you are one I value, as a person, not just an employee. I wanted to make sure you were doing okay, here.”
Winston smiled as he settled the cookies down and nodded to her, waiting for her to sit.
Belle sat down with little grace and grabbed a cookie. “When I’m not mad about things I’ve forgotten I’m fine.” She sighed a little. “Everyone else is pretty sad.”
“I can imagine it’ll be odd for you. People have lost a colleague and a friend, someone they trust and like. They don’t know how to react.” His voice was kind and gentle. “Most are not as old as I, nor have they lost as many people as I have.”
Belle nodded. “I understand, but I feel bad for makin’ ‘em sad. Even if I didn’t mean t’.” She sipped her tea, sighing softly. “I just wish I could remember stuff.”
“It will likely return in time, but if it does not, do not push yourself. The mind is a funny thing and goes at it’s own pace.” he smiled at her again. “I hope you find you like this place. And memories or not, a job awaits you at Frost Enterprises when you want it.”
“Sure, when I can do things again.” She propped her head up on her hand. “I can’t drive, can’t read, and I don’t get left alone. The Cat Man was in the bathroom while I was takin’ a bath, like I’d forget how not t’ drown.”
“You’ll get there. And it will come in time. I believe in you, Belle.” He stroked his chin. “People sometimes are overprotective when they care.”
“I know, but there’s so much I actually can’t do I wish people would let me do the things I can.” It was frustrating enough not remembering, but being babied on top of it was becoming more and more annoying. She frowned for a minute. “I remember how you take your coffee. The Starbucks down the street.” She felt like the least consequential memories came first.
“Let me talk to the Cat man…” He chuckled at that name. “Sometimes things come out of order. I’m sorry.” The Starbucks also was a drop spot, so something important, that poked it up to the top of her mind. But why remember one part and not the other.
Belle nodded and tried to remember. She knew him. He was a friend. Slowly she got more information. He had a daughter. Vanille worked for him at night. “Oh, I remember what an asset is. You were mine?” She was confused, because he didn’t seem like he needed training, and that was her relationship to her handler.
“Yes. I was. You were there to make sure I was both safe, and not a threat.” He spoke plainly to her. He would not lie to her.
“How could you be a threat? You’re so nice.” Belle was genuinely confused.
Winston chuckled. “KNowledge is power, my dear lady, and I have a great deal of knowledge. And some people are afraid I might not always be the best about keeping it to myself.” He smiled sadly. Then he thought of something and brightened. “Would you be willing to see my daughter? She is a person who sometimes can help those who have problems. No promises, of course, but I would like to see if she could help you.”
“Um, okay? I kinda remember bein’ mad at her.” But not why. “She’s nice?”
“She can be acerbic, but she is a good woman who cares a great deal. She won’t hurt you. In fact, she would rather put herself at risk than hurt another.” He smiled. “She might not the the nicest of people, but she’ll do you no harm.”
Belle nodded. “Okay. If you say she’s okay then she must be.” She thought for a minute. “I got my retirement papers today. I don’t know what t’ do.”
“You don’t have to worry about it until your memory returns, or a small amount of time has passed and it does not.” He smiled softly. “If your memory has not returned in several weeks, then I will help you. If it does, well, I will help you then, as well.” He nodded.
She nodded. “You think they’ll make me move? Handler says they pay for this place.”
“Nah. Your salary from my employ more than will cover it. I’ll make sure you can stay if you want.”
Winston smiled to her, feeling sure he could arrange things.
She nodded. “Okay. I just don’t wanna make Vanille move. She’s too nice to go through all that.”
“If it turns out you two do, I know some people who can make it painless for you.” He had some old friends skilled in making things vanish from one place and show up another without any trace in the old place.
“Okay. I’ll let you know.” Belle said with a nod. “I wish I could remember Wolfwood. He was so nice to me, and he looked so sad. I know it would make him happier if I remembered him.”
“You will, or you will make new memories.” He nodded. “If it is meant to be, it will happen again.” He knew this to be true.
“He said he loves me.” Belle confided, sipping her tea. “Vanille loves me too, but different.” She remembered that conversation, and vaguely the events that led up to it.
“Give it time. It seems you are remembering things steadily.” He watched her, sipping his own. “Love is something to treasure, but to take your time with…”
“Do you think I was in love with him? Were we goin’ too fast?” She was worried about a relationship she couldn’t even remember. Maybe if she got advice now it would be easier to take when she got the memories.
“I think you were in a relationship with him, but as to whether you were in love, I know not. And as far as going too fast? No. You were always cautious in your relationships.”
Belle nodded. “That’s good. I don’t wanna make any stupid mistakes when I get all my memories back.”
“Of course. Just take it slow until then, is my advice. You’ve got a lot to relearn, but you’ll get there. I happen to believe in you.”
Winston nodded.
“Thank you, Mr. Frost.” Belle said sweetly. “You want another cup of tea?”
“Sure. I could do that.” He smiled to her. She was coming along just fine. And he hoped that things would only continue to get better for her.