December 23, 2017
Gen didn't see anyone in the lounge room when she went to the kitchen that morning. She made herself some toast and put the dallah on, filling Bear's bowl when he trotted in, nuzzling her knees happily before turning to his breakfast. When the dallah boiled and the smell of fresh coffee elicited no response, Gen went to Shaw's bedroom. The door was open, but Gen knocked anyway. Shaw met Gen's eyes, Root sprawled across her, one hand of Shaw's lazily running over her back. Gen held up Shaw's mug and Shaw nodded. Gen haded Shaw the mug, and although Shaw was careful the slight movement woke Root. Gen could see the seizure of muscles down Root's back through the singlet that matched Shaw's when Root woke, saw Shaw's hand chase them immediately.
"Morning, sunshine," Shaw said ironically as Root finally relaxed. Gen put the second coffee on the bedside table. "Give me a hand?" Shaw asked, and Gen helped Shaw to get Root sitting up. Shaw grabbed a bottle of pills and held them out to Root, who took half of those offered and swallowed them dry. Gen handed over the coffee as Shaw tipped the excess pills back in the bottle, holding onto the mug until she was sure Root had a firm grip on it.
"Sorry kid, I'm worse in the mornings," Root said, sipping the coffee. "Worse before coffee, I feel better already." Root smiled shakily at Gen, and Shaw's hand went back to rubbing Root's back.
"Museum of Modern Art today, right?" Shaw asked, and Gen nodded.
December 23, 2014
Shaw was a rooftop with a rifle and a nightscope, one of her favourite places to be.
"You ready," Root purred into Shaw's headpiece, and Shaw raised the tip of her rifle twice in acknowledgement. She fired two shots at the target, then packed up and switched to a handgun as she flew down the stairs, Root's voice directing her. There were shots through the alleys, and Shaw heard one followed by a gasp from Root.
"Where are you?" Shaw asked.
"Irrelevant. Move forwards, your next target is half a block away on a fire escape. When you turn the corner aim up 45 degrees along the side of the building." Shaw took him out without breaking stride.
"Root, your location?" Shaw asked again.
"Next target in the building to your left. Entrance on the East side, two floors up the stars." Shaw thundered up the stairs, took the shot.
"Root, your location?" Shaw couldn't hear her own gunshots in the background of Root's call.
"I could use a hand," Root conceded. "Two blocks North, red brick building. Entrance South side." Shaw swore and raced back down the stairs.
It didn't take Shaw long to reach the building, and from there she just followed the sound of gunfire.
Shaw could hear Root talking to someone, and she sped around a corner only to skid to a halt. Root was circling the room and there was someone moving opposite to her. Root was asking questions, but Shaw saw her nod and took out Root's opponent.
"We clear?" Shaw asked, kicking away the gun of the unknown person. "Or did you have questions for this guy?"
"I do, so I appreciate you using Reese's technique." Root crouched over the man holding his knee, Shaw watching, gun in hand.
December 23, 2017
Root knew a surprising amount about art, Shaw found out. It was like having their own tour guide, and Shaw saw other people listening to her as she explained to Gen and Shaw the history of some of the paintings.
"How do you know all this?" Shaw asked as they ate lunch at the cafe.
"I did a bit of forgery, back in the day. If I wasn't coming back to work for our mutual friend, I would take it up again. Very lucrative work," Root said, winking at Shaw.
"Not setting the best example for my kid, Root," Shaw grumbled, seeing Gen's eyes widen. "Art theft is not a career that would fulfil your potential," Shaw said sternly to Gen, who nodded.
"Did you apply for the NASA course I sent through?" Root asked, and Gen nodded enthusiastically. "Good, much more acceptable career path for someone with your capabilities," Root's hand drooped and she dropped half of her sandwich, which Bear promptly ate. Shaw sighed and handed over half of her second sandwich.
"You're booking in with a physio tomorrow," Shaw said sternly. "Even if it's just to get a rubdown." Root nodded meekly and chewed haw's sandwich thoughtfully.
December 23, 2014
Shaw stood by watching as Root interrogated the fallen man. Shaw saw movement in the shadows and threw herself at Root, knocking her over, even as she fired into the darkness. A scream, cut off suddenly, told her she'd made her mark. She looked down at Shaw, and the bullet-hole in the wall behind where her head had been. Root followed her gaze.
"Why Shaw," Root purred, trapped beneath Shaw. "I didn't know you cared." Shaw glared down at the woman beneath her, feeling where Root's hand grasped her through her coat. Her eyes caught on Root's lips for a moment, then Shaw hurriedly got to her feet. "Get your intel, and let's get out of here."
Notes:
It is very hot here and my body thinks that fainting is an appropriate response.
I felt bad about not buying melons for the bird so she has a kid's snack pack to devour tomorrow, which is Christmas here as it's the 24th already and I am very behind. Watch out for the one-shot tomorrow.