Lessons in Diplomacy
Chapter 3: Charge d'affaires
George Washington University Hospital, 900 23rd Street NW, Washington DC
"If you wanted to see me again Kol, I don't think concocting this injury was the best way to go about it," Bonnie drawled, regarding him seriously on the stretcher.
"You wish, Bennett," he shot back.
"Oh, so what you're telling me is that you're just clumsy?"
"I thought Doctors were supposed to have a good bedside manner," he growled.
"Well, not for patients that put themselves in harm's way and expect sympathy for their efforts. This is the third time I've seen you this month."
"What can I say? I'm a person who puts myself bravely on the line for my team."
"I'm not sure, to be honest I can't tell whether you're brave or stupid," she teased, picking up his chart and inspecting it closely.
"You've never even seen one of my games, so I really think it's not appropriate to judge my choice of profession."
"Well if you didn't get beaten up on such a regular basis and take time away from my other patients, I might feel differently."
"Who said I was beaten up?" He baulked, obviously offended. "You should see the other guy."
"Who conveniently happens to not be in my ER?"
"You know, you should really reconsider coming to one of my games and seeing the master in action."
"Oh please," she groaned. "I think I'll leave all that fawning to your little groupies from the sidelines. As for this injury you should count yourself lucky that it's just superficial and nothing was broken."
"Why is it that every time I'm talking to you I feel like it's Niklaus judging me?"
"Gee, way to compliment a girl. I'll have you know that comparing me to your brother isn't going to get you favourable medical treatment."
Bonnie Bennett was an honorary member of the Mikaelson family after meeting them while she was studying her medical degree abroad in London. Her and Klaus had both been students at the University of London and had stayed in contact over the years. Since he'd arrived in Washington DC, Klaus had insisted she be his and Darcy's personal physician which she'd only accepted given their connection but apparently Kol thought that honour extended to him as well.
"What happened to your medical code of ethics, Bon Bon?"
"I have no qualms in abandoning them, especially if you continue to call me that," she scowled. They'd met at the local pub on a cold and rainy night in London for Klaus' birthday and the two had been trading barbs ever since. Kol said he liked to keep her on her toes but everyone knew it was usually the other way around.
"Well, maybe I should consider changing my physician then?"
"Go right ahead, Kol, although I don't remember agreeing to that in the first place."
"Oh, so Darcy is good enough for you but I'm not?"
"Do you really want me to answer that question?" She asked. "How is my favourite little girl anyway? It feels like forever since I've seen her. I thought when she and Klaus moved to DC I'd see them all the time but my nightmare of a schedule keeps getting in the way."
"I think they're fitting in quite well. I said I'd take Darcy to the Smithsonian National Zoo next week, so you're more than welcome to join us if you can spare the time away from insulting me, oh and saving lives."
"Visiting your friends the apes are we?" She giggled, unable to help herself.
"If you must know, we are going to see Sparky."
"What is a Sparky exactly?"
"The new Sumatran Tiger," he said knowingly.
"You've certainly done your homework."
"Have you met my niece? If you don't know what you're talking about Darcy can see right through you. Apparently they've been studying zoology at school so I thought it was a fitting excursion."
"Sounds like someone is trying to run for Uncle of the Year."
"Well, someone has got to beat Rebekah at her own game with all those girly shopping sprees, Elijah too with all those pesky skype calls and packages from London."
"Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you," she conceded.
"All the more reason to bring in a ringer. Given how much she loves you, even though I'll never completely understand why, I think I'll have this won yet."
"You have a funny way of asking a favour but I'll think about it just for Darcy's sake. However, in the meantime no more coming into my ER, got it Mikaelson?" She asked, poking him in the chest accusingly.
"Whatever you say, Bon Bon," he smirked; knowing just how much mentioning the nickname she hated again would frustrate her.
British Embassy - 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington DC
"You realise Senator Baker has a shellfish allergy and that the Thai Ambassador hates the South African Ambassador, who you've just happened to seat next to each other, right?" Rebekah sighed in despair. She wasn't an event planner but sometimes she felt the need to interfere because they were all so damn inept at their jobs. "I thought you would know that given you've held how many receptions over the years for new Embassy appointments?"
She was at the British Embassy to check on the status of the upcoming welcome reception; lucky for Rebekah she had connections with the Ambassador himself so she could interfere even if he didn't altogether agree with it. Her argument was that if she was going to be getting the who's who to this party then it better be a damn good one otherwise her reputation would be at stake. The fact they couldn't organise a simple seating chart or adhere to menu requests was a worry though.
"There's that charming personality I remember so well," a distinctly English voice said behind her. She rolled her eyes thinking how her day had suddenly gotten worse in a split second.
"I don't even need to turn around to know you're giving me that smug smirk, St John."
"You know me too well, Beks," he shot back. This time she did turn if only to reprimand him for using her most hated nickname.
"What have I told you about calling me that?"
"Not to, but when has that ever stopped me, Beks," he grinned cheekily.
Lorenzo St John was a Secret Service Agent who'd worked all over the world and was assigned to the Secretary of State's protection detail. He'd crossed paths with Klaus over the years in his capacity as Ambassador and unfortunately for her they were really good friends. Rebekah had taken an instant dislike to the forthright and terse guy whose ego, in her opinion, rivalled her three brothers combined.
Her first experience with Enzo was when she was visiting Klaus in France. She'd come face to face with this unfortunately good looking and opinionated agent and he'd told her in no uncertain terms to move out of the way and even though it was his job, Rebekah being Rebekah was immediately offended because she was usually the one telling other people what to do and didn't take too kindly to being ordered around. Things between them hadn't improved much, mainly because he seemed to take enjoyment out of annoying her incessantly.
"Stop bloody calling me that," she growled, realising just how loud she'd said it when everyone sent them curious glances. Not wanting to embarrass herself, Rebekah marched him towards the corner of the room trying to ignore the intoxicating scent of his aftershave at the same time.
"Oh I love it when you manhandle me, darling."
"Are you stalking me or something?"
"You wish, princess," he smiled, deviously. "Last time I checked I had every right to be here during the planning stages given the Secretary of State will be attending, so too a number of international dignitaries under my charge but I'm not sure what you're doing exactly. Are you auditioning for the role of charge d'affaires?" He asked referring to term for the second in charge to the Ambassador.
"Hardly," she snorted. "I'm handling the public relations and given it's my brother it's hardly unusual that I'm taking on a bigger role in proceedings than normal."
"Have you told him that?"
"Of course I have."
"You always did love interfering; now you have the perfect opportunity."
"If only I could vet the guest list and remove your name."
"No, honey that's just one of my many jobs. Speaking of that maybe you're too much of a risk to be allowed to attend."
"Oh, and how do you figure that?"
"I've seen those rage blackouts first hand, Mikaelson" he chuckled. "You know, I wouldn't want you endangering the US Secretary of State."
"You arrogant son-of-a..."
"Aunt Rebekah! Uncle Enzo!" A melodic and familiar voice called out, stopping Rebekah from sharing her untoward thoughts towards the smug Secret Service Agent. She turned around and enveloped the little girl; she loved more than anything, in her arms.
"I think we broke this playground fight up at just the right time," Klaus interrupted.
"We're not children," she hissed, trying to be subtle in front of Darcy.
"I think that is yet to be proven. Do I need to separate you two again?"
"There's no fun in that though, Niklaus, I've told you that before," Enzo whispered, before lifting Darcy in his arms and twirling her around. "I think someone has gotten even prettier since I saw her last."
"Aunt Rebekah bought me a new dress," she shared, proudly showing it off.
"Well, it seems like your Aunt has some taste after all," he shot back, unable to help himself. "How's my favourite First Lady of the British Embassy?"
"I'm good but I really want you to introduce me to the President, Uncle Enzo."
"Yeah Uncle Enzo you should introduce her to your best friend, Obama." Rebekah puffed her chest out triumphantly, noticing Enzo falter slightly.
"Anything for my favourite girl," he promised, sending Rebekah a dirty look behind Darcy's back as he placed her back on the ground.
"That's what you get for being so damn smug."
"Two can play at that game. It's so on, Mikaelson," he warned.
"Bring it," she mumbled, before looking guiltily at her niece who was now dancing happily around the massive ballroom.
"Glad to see you're both setting such a mature example for my only child," Klaus snapped.
"He started it," Rebekah said as he spoke over her at the same time, not surprisingly to Klaus.
"It was her."
"Is it too much to ask that Darcy's godmother and godfather could maybe just get along for five minutes? You know I put you both in these roles hoping you could maybe set an example for her."
"Yes we can," they both shot back in unison.
"Well, at least you two agree on something I suppose," Klaus said shaking his head as he did it.
"So, is the babysitter all organised for Saturday, Niklaus?" Rebekah asked, choosing to change the subject for obvious reasons.
"Babysitter? What happened to Jane?"
"Keep up, godfather, Jane is sick so he's hiring a waitress slash nanny who spilled foie gras all over him."
"I'm not too sure where to start, the number of questions is just too overwhelming," Enzo murmured in confusion. "Should I be worried that your potential babysitter is a bad waitress?"
"Something we both agree on for a change," Rebekah admitted.
"She's a fully qualified nanny with an academic degree, I think we can all agree that waitressing wasn't her best career choice and she did promise me that it was well and truly past her," he replied defensively.
"You dog, you like her," Enzo laughed, the realisation sweeping over his face.
"Wow, something else we agree on," Rebekah replied in disbelief.
"Calm down you two, it's one night of baby sitting and nothing more," he said, trying to reassure them and himself. Klaus had half expected her to refuse given her feisty nature and his wicked choice to include the china handling instructions. He was of two minds thinking that either she knew the opportunity was too good to pass up so decided to hold her tongue or she had some sort of revenge in mind. If Klaus was being honest he wasn't adverse to a little bit of both.