Perception

Part 55

Sean POV

Whistling is a fine art. Owen doesn't understand the intricacies of such skill. I'm just getting to the really exciting part of William Tell Overture when Luke, Sang, and Victor pull up. I finally have an evening off from the hospital and I get to spend it with some of my favorite people, and skip a staff meeting. Owen has his suspicions, but conceded to my absolutely flawless reasoning.

I couldn't very well go into a meeting with Mr. Hendricks unable to keep a straight face, now could I? I'm on a mission to find the best new nickname for him. Rumpyfaceskin, Stanly Stainer, Sir Shartsalot, and other completely juvenile names float through my mind, before I pull my focus back to the trio in the other car. They return my wide smile, except Sang's grin looks slightly apprehensive. Luke pops from the vehicle, then tugs Sang out, bringing her to my car.

"Hi there, Pookie! Long time no see! Are you ready to hit the stores?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows. I hold back a laugh when her face tightens, but she valiantly maintains her smile. Poor little Pumpkin!

"Um, I guess. I have no idea what we're shopping for, aside from not clothing. I don't need anything!" she earnestly explains. What a cutie!

"Au contraire! Hey, look at me being all multi-lingual. There's a little something called sleeping arrangements we have yet to deal with. We have to replace Mr. Griffin's waterbed mattress, and we have a few other things we need to work out," I tell her, hoping she gets the hint that her future sleeping quarters are still in question. I give her a loaded look, but have to fully focus back on the road when Vic's break lights flash ahead of me. 

"Can't we just order that? I'm sure that there are places that will deliver. I'll even pay back whoever makes the order. It is partly my fault, after all," she says. I can hear pleading, and embarrassment in her tone.

"Where's the fun in that, sweetie? Can you just trust us a little?" I ask.

"I trust that I don't like shopping," she grumbles quietly. I can't help the laughter that bursts out of me.

"Oh, Pumpkin! You just wait! You've never really gotten a chance to shop with me! We were interrupted after you got your dress fitted...," I say but trail off, not wanting to let Volto join us in any way during today's advetures.

"Yeah, well can't we shop for something a little more fun than mattresses?" she asks, bafflement evident. Oh, Pookie! You have no idea!

"Just stick with me, sweetie! I'll show you a good time!" I say and laugh internally. I don't know which I'll find more fun, her innocent reactions, or when she will understand innuendo. I'm a dirty bastard, but I do so love her genuine naïveté. She just gives a gusty sigh, then crouches down in her seat. A quick glance at her surprises the hell out of me. Her cheeks are a nice rosy red. Huh. This may be more interesting than I thought.

We pull up to a shopping center on the outskirts of Charleston, and I quickly hop out of my door to help her out of the car. Luke gets to her before me though. He laughs as I narrow my eyes at him, but I suppose my smile ruined the affect anyway. Victor stands slightly to the side with one hand in his pocket, the breeze gently ruffling his wavy hair, his shoulders back and a indulgent smile on his face.

"Let's go, Sweetie! Time's-a-wasting!" Luke laughs out, and tugs her by the hand to the doors of the establishment. I hang back with Victor, and we manage to walk at a respectable speed, even though it would have been more fun to bounce along with those two--or, well, just Luke. Pumpkin is just along for the ride.

We make it inside in time to see Luke pulling Sang onto the nearest king-sized mattress. He shuffles further toward the middle, using his elbows and heels, then proceeds to flop around.