Song: Problem Girl, by Rob Thomas
Rating:PG
POV: Ranger
Spoiler: EoT excerpts
Disclaimer: Don't own Janet's characters or Rob's lyrics, not making any money, etc.
Problem Girl
I watched her sitting in the bond's office, talking to Connie and Lula. She was laughing and joking with them, but something seemed...off. She'd lost some of her fire. I know she hadn't seen Morelli since shortly after the Slayer's. They had the same argument they always do, and she'd walked out. Of course, her mother had been after her to change jobs again. She doesn't let up. This time she had Val's assistance. Valerie didn't understand her sister any more than their mother did.
Don't let 'em get where they're going to
You know they're only what they think of you
You heard of this emotional trickery
And you felt like you were learning the ropes
But where you're going now you don't know
Her friends weren't much better, actually. She grew up with a lot of the local cops, but they made jokes about her to her face. I hate to think what they said behind her back. Most of it was good natured, but sometimes she had a thin skin, especially about the job and her competence to do it.
And when the kids on the street say
What's your problem girl
And the weight of their smile's just
Too much for you to bear
When they all make you feel
Like you're a problem girl
Remember
You're no problem at all
You're no problem at all
She'd always stood up to the jokes, the pressure, all of it. She did as she pleased. I love that about her even when it frustrates me. Maybe that's not what this is about. Could be her recovery from the trauma of the Slayers isn't as complete as she wanted us to think. Hard to tell, since she was avoiding me as well as Morelli. At least we were on equal footing, for once.
Pride like promises can let you down
You thought that you'd be feeling
Better by now
You worry all the things they could do to you
You worry about the things they could say
Maybe you're seeing things the wrong way
I left before she caught sight of me. I'd have to make it a point to bump into her this afternoon.
Good, Steph's here. From the looks of her she's having a bad day. I'm not sure I want to know what she rolled in this time. Definitely garbage, who knows what else.
I gave Connie the file and receipt on Robbie. Lula was excited, seems she's been promoted...to Stephanie's job. She confirmed it. Says she's thinking of getting a job at the button factory. Something's very wrong.
Try
If you stand or you fall
You're no problem at all
I smiled as I left, but my mind was already formulating a plan. I drove around in the turbo, debating the merits of stealth vs. direct confrontation. I'd have to stop by her place to check on her later.