Lexa sat behind her office desk, slowly making her way through a small pile of contracts awaiting her approval. She reached for the mug of coffee absently and took a swallow. Immediately, she grimaced in disgust only now realizing that it had long grown cold. She flicked her tongue out trying to dispel the gross taste and shoved the mug as far away from her as possible. Focusing back on the contract, she picked up her pen and began scribbling notes along the margins and slowly becoming enthralled in her work.
A knock came but it didn't register at first. Not until a loud bang and the door opening made her jump slightly. She scowled with a growl in her throat and scathing words on her lips for whoever dared interrupt her.
"I knocked," Anya said, ignoring Lexa's scowl as she came into the office. "Many times. It's not my fault you lost yourself in whatever you're doing."
"Still doesn't give you the right to bang like that on my door," Lexa growled out. "What are you doing here?"
Anya rolled her eyes, "Did you forget our plans for lunch? Grounder's?"
Lexa blinked having forgotten and checked the time. It was already after one in the afternoon. Which meant that she'd been sitting in her office reading through emails and contracts for too many hours.
"What time is the reservation," Lexa asked setting the pen she had been gripping down and flexing her fingers.
"1:45," she answered quickly. "We'll make it if we leave now."
Nodding, she stretched her arms overhead and rolled her neck. Standing, she stretched out even more before she grabbed her jacket and put it on.
"Great," Lexa said as she moved around the desk. "I'm starving."
Anya smirked, "Of course you are. Breakfast was before the sun was fully risen. Have you moved at all since coming in?"
Lexa rolled her eyes as they walked out of the office, "I got coffee earlier."
"No, your assistant got coffee for you," Anya argued as they entered the elevator and headed to the parking lot. "Don't forget. I know you, Lex."
"Whatever. Don't argue with me. I'm your boss," Lexa said as she leaned against the back of the elevator.
"And I'm your sister. I can argue with you if I want. Family perk," she said, crossing her arms across her chest and staring at Lexa defiantly.
"That's the only reason you're still alive, skrishmelon," she countered.
"Really? You're calling me names now," Anya said, glaring at her. "I'm just showing sisterly concern. Making sure you don't go blind reading over those damn contracts or grow a fat ass from sitting down all day."
"I don't have a fat ass," she said as the elevator stopped.
"Because I interrupt your day and make sure you move," she pointed out as they moved to the waiting SUV. "You should be thanking me. Not threatening to kill me."
"Get in the car," Lexa said, leveling a glare at her sister. "We have a reservation, remember?"
"I'm not the one who forgot," Anya said as she got in.
"God, you're impossible today," Lexa said as she joined her.
"I am not impossible. I'm just making valid points that you're becoming a workaholic."
"Whatever," she said, shutting the argument down before giving instructions to their driver.
Lexa pointedly ignored Anya by taking out her phone and scrolling through more emails. Anya let out a low groan at Lexa's actions and took out her own phone. The ride to the restaurant was silent as both women ignored one another.
They didn't come to their senses until the car stopped and the door to the front passenger opened. Anya stepped out first once the guard opened the back door and she stepped to the side to look around. The street wasn't crowded but people were moving about heading to one of the many restaurants and cafes that lined the street.
Looking at the restaurant in front of her, she was met with windows showing off a modern interior and the word, "Grounder's" in a playful script above a set of double glass doors. A nudge in her side brought her out of her inspection and she followed Lexa up the short set of stairs leading to the double doors. A doorman opened one of them and bowed at the waist slightly seeing them.
Even though they were in business attire, their intricate braids easily identified them as the Commander of Trikru and her advisor. With that knowledge came the respect that was received from nearly all the citizens of Polis. They barely had time to take in the grays of exposed stone and whites of marble before they were being escorted passed the bar and into the main seating room. To offset the gray and white of the walls, the tables were a dark stained wood and the chairs were a deep red while looking quite comfortable to sit in. They were seated far enough from the entrance to not be jostled while at the same time giving them a full view of everyone coming into the restaurant. It also allowed them their much deserved privacy.
They chatted about work matters as they perused the menus and nearly deciding at the same time. The menus had barely set on the table when a smiling young waiter was at their side ready to take their order. Lexa ordered a venison steak, medium rare, with wild greens to be paired with a sweet merlot. Anya, on the other hand, ordered a grilled salmon over wild rice paired with a pinot noir. They both ordered the house salad with red-wine vinaigrette. Once the waiter had left with their order, they fell back into light conversation to pass the time.
Lexa was raising a forkful of salad when a bright reflection caught her eye. She paused with the fork mid-motion and looked towards the entrance of the restaurant. A head of blonde hair that reflected gold caught her eye and her gaze traveled down to reveal a buxom woman in a form fitting, spaghetti strapped, sapphire blue dress that ended at the knees. Her eyes traveled the remaining length of the woman and witnessed shapely calves and feet encased in a pair of two-inch heels.
From the distance, the woman was stunning and Lexa unabashedly continued to stare as the woman remained oblivious. She watched as the woman moved elegantly further into the restaurant and turned her head away to address someone behind her. Lexa's eyes moved to follow the blonde's head and was met with another blonde. This one taller with extremely tanned features and a head of short platinum blonde hair. The second blonde wore a form fitting, charcoal gray suit that accentuated her muscular frame. Lexa noticed that while the first blonde seemed more relaxed and at ease in the atmosphere of the restaurant, the second one continuously looked around with a tenseness that bore signs of uneasiness. This made Lexa frown slightly.
Anya saw that Lexa hadn't moved in a good thirty seconds and nonchalantly turned to find what had caught her sister's attention. She saw the two blondes and with a knowing smirk turned back to Lexa.
She cleared her throat loud enough to be heard by Lexa and at the same time kicked her shine lightly to draw her attention. Caught staring, Lexa blinked and immediately brought the fork to her mouth and bit down on the greens that had somehow remained on it.
Anya chuckled which earned a light glare from Lexa before her attention was back on the blondes.
"See something you like, Lex," Anya teased. "I never took you for someone to go after the bleached blonde, tanning bed type."
Lexa scowled at her, "That look does make her stand out, but that's not why she has my interest."
"Oh, so, you are interested," Anya said, her smirk widening as she leaned an elbow on the table. "Do tell me, sister dear. Why does that fake Barbie interest you?"
Lexa rolled her eyes at the description of the tall blonde, but answered anyway, "It's her body language, An. It's nervous. Like she's unsure she should be here. While the other blonde seems completely at ease."
Lexa glanced at the two women who were now making their way in their general direction. Then by chance, she met the blue eyes of the tall blonde and it was like a shock went through her system. There was the tiniest amount of recognition before it vanished. She watched as the blonde's eyes widened in shock before narrowing, her mouth parting slightly and she paused. Lexa saw the woman's eyes roam over her and Anya quickly. It was all over in less than a second and then she was moving again, her gaze moving around the interior once more.
"The fuck," Lexa whispered to herself.
"What," Anya caught the whisper and looked at the two blondes again. "Do you know them?"
Lexa shook her head, "I don't…I'm not sure. I could have sworn there was something, but it's gone now." She sighed and leaned back slightly. "If it's something, it'll come to me. Just ignore them and let's enjoy our lunch, hmm?"
Anya spared them one last glance and noted where they sat before she turned back to her own salad, "I don't recognize either of them. The buxom blonde, though. She's definitely your type."
Lexa snorted, "Of course, you would focus on that. I don't need help in that department, An. I can do fine on my own if that's what I was looking for."
"And that's your problem," Anya stated, pointing at her with her fork and dripping vinaigrette just outside her bowl. "You're not looking. Come on, Lex. It's been nearly four years. You were dumped. Get over it and get back on that damn horse again."
"I wasn't dumped," Lexa growled. "Costia disappeared without a trace. Just like we did."
Anya gave a long suffering sigh and then pointed at the buxom blonde, "That is a beautiful woman over there. She obviously has taste if she's eating here. She looks relaxed and has even gotten her friend there to unbend. If someone like that can get fake Barbie to enjoy herself, she could probably get you to loosen up. You work too damn much and if you continue, you're either going to have a heart attack or send yourself to an early grave. I'm not saying to go out there and get a girlfriend. I'm just saying that there is more to life than work. God, you're even getting stress wrinkles."
Lexa frowned making her brow furrow.
Anya immediately reached out and put a finger over the line that had formed between her brows, "See. That right there is proof enough."
Lexa swatted her finger away and huffed in irritation, "Stop that, An. Look, I'll cut you a deal. Once we figure out a way to stop this current situation, I'll take a vacation. Some isolated tropical island far enough away that I can't get cell service or internet. I drink fruity alcoholic mixes and stare at scantily-clad women for a week. How does that sound?"
Anya frowned slightly, "Only a week? You've been working nearly non-stop for four years. Four weeks. One week for every year."
"Two weeks and I'll let you come with whatever flavor you're currently indulging in," she countered. "Final offer."
"Fine," Anya grumbled. "You've got a deal. We fix this mess and then you go on vacation for two weeks."
"Good," she replied just as the waiter brought out their main course.
They waited silently while the waiter took their salads away and laid their main course in front of them with a flair. They smiled politely and thanked him. He bowed and left them to their meal. Their conversation died as they indulged in the delicious meal in front of them. Lexa kept glancing at the two blondes and noticing every movement they made.
She could admit that she found the buxom blonde beautiful and just watching her gave her a sense of calm. It was strange. Her eyes followed the woman's hand movements and found it slightly mesmerizing.
The other blonde was also attractive, just not someone she would willingly take to bed. If that was what she was interested in pursuing. Which she wasn't. She was just admiring a beautiful woman enjoying a nice lunch.
A few times she had caught the tanned blonde looking in their direction, deep blue eyes narrowed in thought and a slight frown on her face. But the other blonde would say something and her attention went away immediately. That made Lexa frown as her mind tried to figure out why there was a short spark of recognition when their eyes had met the first time. It was like her brain was telling her that she knew who this person was, but at the same time, the memories just weren't there. And after waking up from that nightmare of pain, it made it more frustrating.
Eventually, the meal finally ended and she knew that it had been one of the best venison steaks she'd had in a while. Anya paid for the meal since it was her idea and as soon as the waiter was back with her receipt, they got up to leave.
"I'm going to step outside and have them bring the car around," Anya said abruptly. "Why don't you go introduce yourself to the blonde while you wait?"
Lexa started and stared at Anya, "What?"
Anya pointed to where the buxom blonde was now making her way to the bar, "You know the blonde that you kept staring out during lunch. Introduce yourself. Be your charming self and make a lasting impression. Give yourself an up close personal view of what is definitely GEC from this angle."
"Seriously, Anya," Lexa snapped at her. "Now that's all I'm going to see when I pass her."
"You're welcome," she smirked and headed out the door.
Lexa grumbled and felt a slight blush rise as she walked up to the bar to wait for her car. Because, now, that was all she thought about as she tried to nonchalantly lean against the bar and surreptitiously glance at the buxom blonde. Then her elbow slipped and she stumbled slightly when she heard the blonde's husky voice.
"Oh, shit! Are you okay," the blonde looked at Lexa in alarm.
Lexa felt the heat rise in her cheeks as she tried vainly to play it off. She cleared her throat and straightened her jacket and tie while reassuring the blonde, "Yes, of course. I think I've been at my office too long and forgot what spatial reasoning was."
The blonde chuckled and it sent a shiver of delight down Lexa's spine and pool in the depths of her belly.
"Here you go, miss," the bartender said, interrupting them.
"Thank you," the blonde replied and toyed with the drink as she looked back over at Lexa. "Usually I have to down several drinks to forget how far on object is from me."
Lexa made a show of watching where her elbow was placed on the bar which made the blonde smile.
Lexa returned the smile with a small one of her own and tilted her head towards the drink, "Is that your attempt to render objects to such a state?"
The blonde looked down at the glass that held a thumb's width of gold liquid and then back at Lexa, "Afraid not. My sister asked me to get this for her. She had a bit of a rough morning."
Lexa replied sincerely, "I'm sorry to hear that. Was this lunch an attempt to lift her spirits with some of the best dining in Polis?"
She laughed, "You have a high opinion of this place."
Lexa shrugged nonchalantly, "I only speak the truth. This is the only place I will come to when I am in the mood for a good venison steak."
"That sounds delicious," the blond replied. "I did greatly enjoy their chicken paired with an exquisite merlot. But I digress. To answer your question, this was meant to be a celebration of her latest promotion and because I haven't seen her since Christmas."
"You don't see each other often," Lexa asked, keenly interested in the blonde's answer.
The blonde fidgeted with the glass and smiled at her sadly, "Not as often as we'd like. She's been overseas and is only home to help out on a personal matter."
Lexa nodded in understanding, but before she could say anything the blonde's sister showed up and frowning down at her phone. The blonde looked up and started seeing Lexa standing at the bar, but quickly schooled her features. If Lexa hadn't been watching intently, she would have missed it.
"Thanks, Clarke," the taller blonde said as she took the glass and quickly downed the drink.
"Better," Clarke said, turning her attention away from Lexa.
"Yeah," she replied, nodding. "That was the hospital. They can finally release Dad's body."
"Great," Clarke chirped. "We should get going then. We still need to swing by work before we head home."
"Yeah, we do. Do you want to stop by your apartment first and grab a few more things," the taller blonde asked.
Clarke sighed, "I need to get my mail, so yes. We'll swing by there first since it's on the way."
She nodded and Clarke turned back to Lexa to give her an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry."
"No worries," Lexa said, straightening to her full height. "Anya should have the car by now and I have to be getting back to work."
"Well, thank you for keeping me company. I'll have to try the venison next time I come here. It was nice meeting you…" Clarke held out her hand.
Lexa shook it, "Lexa. It was a pleasure meeting you, Clarke. I promise that you won't be disappointed with the venison."
"Lexa," Clarke said and the sound of her name rolling off the blonde's tongue did something to her. "I like that name."
"Clarke," the taller blonde said a little impatiently.
Clarke rolled her eyes and winked at Lexa, "Alright, Quinn. You complain about my lack of a social life and when I finally enjoy a conversation with a stranger, you nip it in the bud. Make up your mind."
They began walking away as the taller blonde, Quinn, retorted, "Well, if you hadn't insisted on driving to a different town to eat lunch we wouldn't be under a time crunch. Or work in a different town, for that matter."
Just as the two blondes walked through the door, still bickering, Anya was coming back in. She glanced at them before moving to Lexa and looking at her expectantly.
Lexa just rolled her eyes and started walking outside.
"Well," Anya asked a little impatiently.
"Her name's Clarke," Lexa answered knowing that Anya wasn't going to let it go. "They came here to celebrate the tall blonde's recent promotion."
"A name is good," Anya said as they got in the SUV. "Anything else?"
"The tall blonde's name is Quinn. She works overseas and their father just died. Clarke works here in Polis but came from another town nearby. That's all I know."
"Hey, that means there's a chance to see the buxom blonde again," Anya replied with a smirk.
Lexa just rolled her eyes, "I want to stop by the hospital and speak with Uncle Nyko. See if there's been any news about the drug that's invaded our city."
Anya nodded, "Sounds like a plan. We have the meeting with the ambassadors tomorrow morning. If Uncle Nyko has any new information, we can see if Floukru can give us any insights."
"I still think Skaikru is our best option in regards to the drug, Anya," Lexa said as she pulled out her phone and began going through her email. "Floukru is our best source of homeopathics. I'm not sure their knowledge will be able to shed light on it, but it won't hurt to ask."
"Maybe there's been a breakthrough on the case. It has been a couple of weeks since we last checked on it," Anya stated.
Lexa sighed and leaned her head back in frustration, "I am not going to hold my breath on there being a breakthrough. The disappearances are random and frequent. We just don't have the personnel to patrol the streets."
"We might be able to get Trishanakru and Sangedakru to lend us a few people," Anya suggested.
Lexa nodded, "We'll see."
