Can't Fool Her

by SiverWrites

Filling a tumblr prompt: "Phoenix is going out to lunch with Maya, like they've done hundreds of times before. Athena teases them about it, having heard the affection in one or both of their voices. They realize they have another Pearl on their hands, but worse since this one has evidence" There's no fooling Athena. Implied romance.

"Come on, Nick, burgers in celebration!" Maya called across the office.

Phoenix glanced up from his desk, quickly trying to pull together a mess of files. "Hang on, Maya, let me finish putting this all way.

Before my desk becomes paper," he added in a mutter.

"Hey boss, I can clear that up," Athena piped up.

"Oh Athena, I don't want to put this mess on you…"

Athena privately rolled her eyes. Anyone could hear the hope in that voice. "It's no problem. I'll get it done tout suite! And, you lovebirds can go enjoy yourselves."

"What? We're not," Phoenix spluttered and the file dropped from his hand opening to scatter yet more papers.

Maya froze mid-way through putting on a coat with a cough.

"It's just a celebratory lunch," Phoenix said a little more calmly.

It wasn't enough. Nerves, joy, eagerness, Athena could hear it clear as a bell. For a man who got by on bluffing half the time he wasn't exactly good at hiding. She tried to put on a solemn look but a large smile was plastered across Widget.

"Of course. You go enjoy your completely celebratory-only burger that means nothing."

Phoenix waved a hand across the disastrous desk. "All yours." He hurried away to join Maya and she just caught the flash of warm smiles between them.

Just a lunch, huh?

Before they left Phoenix looked over his shoulder, "Can you water Charlie before you go too?"

"Ja ja! Have fuu-uun!"

Seated at a small booth Maya was already well into her large burger. However, Phoenix had hardly touched his.

Maya quickly swallowed. "Something wrong? I thought the trial went really well! Better than usual. You didn't even get hit with anything!"

"Thanks for that, Maya." It's not like it happens every time. Don't think of whips…or coffee…or birds… ugh.

"Not hungry?"

Phoenix took a bite then added. "I'm fine, but no one can match your speed." Seriously, where did she store it all? One day he'd figure it out.

No, he was hungry, just distracted. Athena was a great asset: smart, determined, tough. He was glad to have her on board. That mood matrix and her ability to read emotions were invaluable.

Until it seemed to have become a double edged sword against them.

When had she become Pearls 2.0?