Hayley was quiet when Bullock walked in, playing every part the unwilling, surly teenage daughter. She scoffed on cue as Bullock kissed Francine's hand and then hers, rolled her eyes as he and Stan exchanged banter about Steve's future as a CIA operative, and sighed heavily when Francine asked her to help set out dinner. it was an act that she had put on for so long that it came naturally to her, even in the wake of Bullock's freshly pressed suit, the way his shirt collar stood out crisply against his neck, his bold stance, and his deep, dangerous gaze. Hayley was fairly certain that her quickening heartbeat was audible as she disappeared into the kitchen with Francine.
"Why are we putting on this big dinner anyway?" Hayley whined as Francine handed her a covered tray.
"You know how your father is." Francine sighed.
"But why does it have to be like this? I mean, I feel like I'm in the 50's."
"Your father likes formal occasions to be traditional. You know that, Hayley. Besides. He's hoping that it inspires, I don't know, some kind of nostalgia or something for Bullock."
"That is so wrong." Hayley sighed, but turned and took the tray out into the living room. Bullock was by himself, sitting at the head of the table.
"Hayley." Bullock said, looking up.
"Pardon my reach, Director Bullock." Hayley said, stretching to place the tray in the center of the table. Right as she set it down, Bullock casually reach up and trailed his fingers along the back of her thigh.
"Avery!" She hissed, eyes wide. Bullock chuckled.
"Do you want to get out of here?" He asked, voice not as quiet as Hayley would have preferred.
"Not in front of my parents, okay?" She said, being unable to help smiling back at his cocky smirk, "Later."
"I'll save you a seat." Bullock said, touching the chair angled next to him. She rolled her eyes and smiled, before returning to the kitchen.
Together Hayley and Francine got the table all set as Stan returned from the basement, holding a bottle of brandy. He and Bullock shared a few easy drinks and Francine brought out a bottle of wine and a 20oz of Sprite for Steve. They all took their places, Stan and Bullock laughing together about something that had happened in the office, before Stan said a quick grace and Francine began serving from the trays.
Hayley tried to keep her eyes off Bullock, but it was a favor which he was not returning. Every time she looked up he was either glancing at her, or referencing her in conversation, giving himself an excuse to stare. She blushed under the attention, a fact she didn't think her family noticed until she turned to her side and caught Steve's eye. A dumbstruck expression of mild horror was written across her brother's face, and when the conversation turned from the Smith brood's education back to goings on at the CIA, Hayley used the break to excuse herself and Steve to the kitchen.
"What?" She demanded in a hushed whisper, turning on her brother as soon as they were far enough away from the living room.
"Hayley, are you having an affair with Dad's boss?" Steve asked, his voice high and frightened. Hayley swallowed down a lump in her throat and clasped her brother's face in her hands.
"Don't say a word. Don't say a damn word." She hissed, glancing back at the living room. Steve let out a strangled sound as Hayley pressed his face tighter, "Okay, how did you find out?"
"Wrophjer." Steve spluttered, his lips pressed out like a fish from the pressure of Hayley's palms. She let go and Steve brought up a hand to massage his face, "Roger told me." He said, "A few weeks ago."
"Why didn't you tell me you knew?" Hayley said incredulously.
"I needed some blackmail material on you." Steve said, straightening out his suit coat self-importantly. Hayley raised an eyebrow.
"I don't think you understand how blackmail works."
"Shut up, Hayley." Steve said, "Besides, we're not the only ones who know."
"What?" Hayley asked, her heart dropping. Surely if her parents knew they would have said something?
"I told Jeff." Steve announced proudly. Hayley relaxed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
"Oh. Wow. Terrified." She said, glaring at her brother, "Just, keep your mouth shut and your eyes on your food, okay? If Mom and Dad catch you staring at me like a freak they might just finally lock you up."
"Hayley, it's so gross though!" Steve said, suddenly pleading. Hayley shook her head.
"You are such a baby, you know that?"
"But why him, Hayley? He's practically as old as Pop-Pop!"
"I can't explain it, Steve. I just... I like him, okay? Just leave us alone. Please." She stared pleadingly at her brother before turning around and leaving him in the kitchen.
"That was a lovely dinner, Francine." Bullock announced, smiling at the Smith matron. Francine waved her hand dismissively at him, giggling lightly.
"I do my best." She said, "Hayley, would you mind helping me with the dishes?"
Hayley stood from her seat and began gathering dishes, at which Bullock stood too.
"Allow me to help you, Hayley." Bullock said, reaching over for Stan's plate.
"Oh, no sir. Let the women get it! It's why they were put on this earth!" Stan laughed.
"Nonsense, Smith, "Bullock said, "Where I come from it's only proper for the guests to help with cleaning up after dinner."
"England?" Steve asked.
"Georgia." Bullock replied with a raised eyebrow, before following Hayley into the kitchen. She dropped her handful of dishes in the sink before turning and coming face-to-face with Avery.
"Bullock," She murmured uneasily, stealing a glance at the living room. Bullock hooked his finger under her chin and angled her face up for a soft kiss. Heat rose in Hayley's face and she dropped her head. "My family could see us…"
"I'm not sure that I care too much." Bullock said, raising a hand and caressing her neck with his knuckles. She felt a chill work up her spine and she pulled him lightly into the corner of the dining room where the family wouldn't be able to turn their heads and see them. Avery studied her face before taking up her mouth again, pressing her lightly into the wall behind her. He reached for her hands and their fingers laced together as he brought her arms up, pinning them to the wall. He broke the kiss and ran his lips down her cheek, pressing them into her neck and sucking softly. She sighed at this and felt herself stir. Her head began to swim, but she was brought immediately back by Stan's voice.
"Hey, where did you go?"
Bullock broke away from Hayley. She thought quickly and turned toward the corner, crouching down.
"What are you doing?" Stan asked, his voice confused.
"I thought I saw a mouse in here, Dad." Hayley said, touching the baseboard with her fingertips. Stan gasped, horrified, and approached them.
"Sir, I assure you that my house does not have mice!" Stan said, taking Avery by the shoulders and guiding him out of the kitchen. When he was sure that Avery was safely in the living room, he rushed back to Hayley's side and whispered in her ear, "Get the trap out of the cupboard, that little fucker's reign is at an end."
Hayley's eyes widened in surprise, but she just nodded and approached the cupboard. As she was fishing the trap out of the back, she heard a knock on the door.
"Who is that?" Stan asked, his annoyance evident. Hayley heard him approach the front door. She rounded the corner just as Stan opened it.
"Hey, Mr. S." Jeff said, "There's something I need to say."
"Jeff!?" Hayley said incredulously, crossing the living room swiftly and standing next to her dad.
"Hayley! I need to tell you something!" Jeff said, stepping into the house, "I love you! You don't need to be with Mr. Bullet."
"What the hell are you talking about, Jeff?" Hayley asked, before the realization hit her like a brick.
"Mr. Bullet!" Jeff said, gesturing toward Avery, "You don't need to be with him anymore. I'll take you back, babe!"
"Hayley, what is going on here?" Stan asked, glancing between her, Jeff, and Bullock.
"Jeff, you're high." Hayley said, pushing on his shoulder to guide him out of the house, "Director Bullock is my father's boss, he's here for a dinner party. You're confused. Go sleep it off."
"I'm not confused, Hayley!" Jeff demanded, standing firm against her hand. She was surprised at his standoff, but even more surprised when he stepped forward and took Hayley's face in his hands, pressing his mouth to hers in a passionate kiss.
~o~O~o~