TITLE: A Quickie
BY Annabel Lee
DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these fantastic characters, nor anything even remotely related to Will & Grace. No copyright infringement is intended; I'm just doing this for fun!
FEEDBACK: Yes, please! I LOVE it! Plus, it helps me.
DISTRIBUTION: Please just let me know where it will be, and keep my name attached.
SUMMARY: Short little fic, not sure where it might go... A work in progress...
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is my first Will & Grace fic... I'm used to writing stuff. Hope I made a decent transition...
A Quickie
Later that afternoon, the door to Grace Adler's office opened once again, revealing yet another man. He was quite handsome and well-dressed, though clearly a different personality than Jack McFarlane. Grace? Lunch here... he said loudly towards a door across the office, waving a paper bag through the air.
An aquamarine blur with clashing reddish hair suddenly jetted out of the adjoining room and towards the well-pressed visitor. Hey Will, how are ya? Glad to hear it, now gimme, it said quickly, allowing no time for an answer. A hand shot out and grabbed the baggie. The bluish entity, which could now be identified as Grace, settled hurriedly into a chair and ripped the paper open. she exclaimed thankfully. She huddled her entire body over the uncovered sub sandwich like a possessive little animal.
Jeez, you nearly took my hand off... Hungry much? Will asked, massaging one hand with the other to rid it of a sharp stinging sensation.
Oo haf NO idea, Grace mumbled around a mouthful of turkey and lettuce. At her friend's disgusted look, she swallowed with a gulp. Karen left this morning and I've been too busy to go get something for myself. This new client of mine is so indecisive, it's killing me. He wants everything done, then redone, then done all over again! I don't know how much more I can take, especially without a decent assistant around. She immediately stopped speaking to tear another chunk of her sandwich off with her teeth.
Well what do you really expect from Karen? I mean, it's Karen. I don't even remember why you hired her. Will paused to search his memory.
The redhead swallowed, a pensive look on her face. You know, you're right. Another pause. That's it, I give up. I'm firing her. Grace put her sub down decisively.
Whoa there, Will said as he put his hand up in a typical Will-gesture. The hunger must be affecting your better judgment. You know what you just said?
I said I was going to fire Karen.
And you're sure you want to do that? Will asked doubtfully.
Grace's eyes looked at nothing in particular, and she nodded quickly. Yeah... yeah I'm sure. If I want to be able to get things done more efficiently, I'm going to need an assistant that can actually help me out. You know, assist me for once. Karen obviously has no intention of doing actual work, so I need to find someone that will. It's time for me to get serious. This is an important client.
Will was incredulous. You really mean all that, don't you? It sounded more like a statement than a question. She nodded solemnly. Alright, then I guess I have no choice but to support you on this... Especially since you're going to need major backup when you plan to drop this news on Karen...
Yeah... But she doesn't exactly act like the job means that much to her, you know? She's always running off to do her own thing. Do you really think she'll care all that much?
--------------------
I'm what?!?! Karen hollered the next day.
You're, um, you're... you're fired, Grace managed to stutter, eyes shifting nervously as she scanned the room for potential weapons that might be within arm's reach of the angered brunette.
HA! Like you have that kind of jurisdiction over me, Karen said, suddenly haughty.
Um, actually, I do, replied Grace, scratching the side of her neck uneasily. See, I'm your boss. I hired you. You get how that works?
I need a drink, Karen said simply as she turned towards the office minibar. Grace stood by quietly until her employee's vodka was poured generously into a glass. Karen proceeded to drain the glass and then reach for a refill. At this, the other woman sighed and re-adjusted the sleeves of her blouse, which was covered in little pink cats. The bang of an empty glass on a table-top made her look back up at Karen, who began to speak again. Alright so let me get this straight: my job lies in your hands? Grace nodded. Oh Sweet Jesus, how can this be? She collapsed into a chair dramatically.
Look Karen, you'll be fine. It's not as if you actually cared about this job anyway. I mean, you were never here, and then when you were, you never did anything to help out, Grace tried to explain.
Oh, so you expect me to run around and do errands and take messages for you or something? What am I, your slave?!
Karen, that's your job! It was your job until now...
Karen looked angrily at Grace. You are so cold.
The redhead looked at her feet. I'm sorry, Karen. I really am.
Oh, sure, she said, turning her head away with a sniff.
Grace was suddenly sympathetic. Look, if you were able to at least help out a bit here and there, then maybe I would reconsider.
Karen perked up slightly. Grace nodded. Well, I suppose I could help out a speck. But I'm still taking lunch breaks with Jack. Little poodle would be heartbroken if we didn't go out anymore.
Alright, I suppose you can still have an hour or two around noon to go eat.
An hour or two?! That's all the freedom you're giving me?
I can't let you have the entire afternoon! You've always had the afternoon, not to mention the morning. I see you for maybe three hours a day, tops. Things have to change, Karen!
Okay okay, calm down. Don't have kittens... The brunette suddenly burst into laughter, slapping her knee in amusement. Get it? Kittens! she exclaimed, pointing at the cat-print blouse. Her laughter faded at the sight of Grace's death-glare.'
It's not a great idea to insult the woman in who's hands your job lies, the Boss hissed sourly.
One or two hours off a day is fine, she said quickly.
Great, it's a deal, said Grace, holding her hand out to her employee.
Karen looked blankly at the hand, then pointed at it with a perfectly manicured finger. Honey, what is this, what's going on here?
Never mind, Grace hollered, storming off into the sideroom. Karen stood alone in the room, nonplused by the exasperated redhead. Instead, she rummaged through her Gucci bag. Finding the emery board that she had been looking for, she took a seat at her desk and began to file her nails.
It's inhumane, what she's asking of me... she muttered to herself under her breath.
--------------------
another AUTHOR'S NOTE: so sorry for the hold-up. i've been kinda busy relaxing... i'm on spring break and lovin' it. thank you all for the great feedback on the first chapter. i was working on this one for quite some time, but am slightly unsatisfied with the outcome. i'm extremely picky about my writing, though... i'll try to write more as quickly as i can, but in the meantime, PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW! thanks so much.