Author's Note: This was something I did while bored one Saturday. Part of a "Bored on Saturday Lost fic Drabble Collection" I hope to finish soon. :D
Hi
By Osiris-Ra
Hi" Goodwin says with a wry smile, trying to look casual. "Do you have the time?"
She surreptitiously glances at him then her watch. "11:35."
"Did it get that late?"
She's meditating at the bottom of her glass.
"Buy you another one."
She glances over her shoulder.
"So what'll you be having?" He asks. She considers him for a moment.
"Tequila and tonic."
He orders it and watches her take the first sip.
"Are you having some trouble?"
This, for some reason, makes her laugh.
"Did I say something funny?"
Still laughing, she shakes no.
"So maybe you've got a joke you'd like to share."
Grinning, she stares at him blearily, resting her face on her palm. Everything about her asks: 'why're you talking to me?'
"Well I've got one." He continues. "What did one snowman say to the other snowman?"
"She doesn't feign interest. She humors him. "What?"
"Smells like carrots."
The payoff is received by a short burst of wry laughter. He grins and orders one of what she's having.
"So what are we drinking to?" He asks, sniffing the alcoholic mixture cautiously.
"Nothing in particular." She replies. He swishes his glass.
"Well, I like to have a reason to kill brain cells, so let's drink to you."
"How 'bout we drink to our brain cells?"
He laughs. "Alright, here's to you and our brain cells."
Clink. Down the hatch. He swallows hard. The liquid burns. She doesn't seem to mind it.
"So you didn't answer my question." He rasps.
"What question?"
"If you were having trouble."
"No trouble at all. Happy as a lark."
"Oh yeah?" He faintly studies her dark eyes. "Didn't you lose someone?"
She blinks slowly at him. Why would he ask that?
"No." She returns to her drink.
"Of course not." He snaps a finger. "Silly question. I don't know you."
"No, you don't." She agrees irately.
"I'm sorry to be presumptuous, but I kind of have an eye for these things. See, people don't hide well when they're troubled."
"I'm not troubled."
"That's what troubled people always say."
"Anybody ever tell you to mind your business?"
She moves her jacket away slightly, digging for her keys. He eyes the badge.
"So you're a cop."
She glares at the silver shield as if she forgot it was there.
"That's what it says."
"How's that been working out for you?"
"Pretty good." She exhales deeply like she's purging some pressure within. He notices the man at the pool table she's been eyeing all night.
"Save any cats lately?" He grins again.
"That's firemen." She corrects.
"Oh yes, our boys—and girls—in blue, they are beyond the mere cat-up-a-tree emergency. I bet you deal in the rough stuff."
She smirks.
"I drive a car." She divulges a random fact.
"Cars are good."
"Better than a desk."
"Much better than a desk."
He pays for the drinks.
"Whatever you do, don't ever let 'em put you behind a desk."
"Don't worry, I won't."
Goodwin rises, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"'night, Officer. You have a good one."