Author's Note: normal disclaimer applies.
Those more computer illiterate than I will know XP3 is unreal, however I needed a computer software program, and Microsoft is what I am most familiar with. I figured, as this take place a couple years in the future, Bill Gates would probably invent something past XP, and hence the XP3.
Also, for the sake of this story, I needed Mike to have a last name, and gave it as Ross. If this is not correct, it can be dealt with. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
April 12, 2005, 9 AM, Le Blues Bar
Darcy too arrived earlier than normal, and when the bells noted her departure, the chiseled face of Duncan MacLeod lost all its color. "Are you *two* trying to give me a heart attack this morning?"
Darcy looked startled. She had worn her leather coat over a pair of khakis and a light blue tee, cut to show her stomach, and had the jacket and a small purse folded over her right arm. She called the leather her spring wear, and although Duncan tended to think of her style as inappropriate for the workplace, he had learned wisely not to comment. Darcy wore what she wanted, despite what he liked or did not like, said or not said.
"I didn't do it, Mac. For once, I am innocent."
Despite himself, Duncan's smile betrayed his amusement. "Of course you are," he mumbled.
Bemused, Darcy shook her head, and stuffed her jacket and purse into the small cubbyholes she had deemed necessary, and had prodded Mike and Richie into building below the bar counter for employee use. She took an apron from the stash, released it from balled form, and tied it loosely around her waist. "Asher in yet?"
"In back. The computers again. Said she wanted to upgrade them again."
Darcy tilted her head slightly. "I thought you knew computers."
Duncan frowned, and feigned interest in the box of unopened alcohol he had been stocking. "I could use some help, perhaps," he mentioned, desperate to change the subject.
"Later. I'm not on until half past," and to the music of Duncan's sigh, she slipped into the back office. "You appear busy, Asher."
Asher glanced up from the scream, and smiled at the sight of Darcy. Despite the short acquaintance, they had become close. For first, they had bonded over a shared mutual teasing of Duncan's expanse, but soon learned each had found a confidante in the other girl. It was usually Asher, who helped Darcy when it came to boy troubles, and Asher liked the simple idea of having a girl friend again.
"Not really. I upgraded to Windows XP3. The software is still downloading. Just get in?"
"Yeah. Mac wants me to work. I thought I could bother you instead."
"Glad I could be of service," smiled Asher. "So, how'd the date go last night?"
"I'm not sure," drawled Darcy, and Asher raised her eyebrow in question. "I mean, I think I may have fallen for him."
"Heavens forbid," laughed Asher, and before Darcy could respond, the computer finished, and Asher for all her wit, sarcasm, and compassion, turned back to her first adoration. Content, to watch, and unhurt at the sudden lack of attention, she settled on the couch, and wondered what it would be like for a relationship to last.
Richie wandered in soon after, grunted a salutation in Duncan's general direction, and with a quick sweep of the bar, he too ducked into the backroom. Seeing, Asher completely into her work, and oblivious to her surroundings, made him smile, and he went to stand behind her, and bent to kiss her head. Undisturbed, Asher reached for his hand, and leaned back against his stomach and chest, half-listening to the computer, and half- listening to the comments float between Richie and Darcy.
All three missed the arrival of a young man, of mixed European and Asian blood in appearance. Decidedly mortal, and dressed in a three-piece business suit, he introduced himself to Duncan as Sam Clarke, and asked if he could speak to a Mike Ross.
Those more computer illiterate than I will know XP3 is unreal, however I needed a computer software program, and Microsoft is what I am most familiar with. I figured, as this take place a couple years in the future, Bill Gates would probably invent something past XP, and hence the XP3.
Also, for the sake of this story, I needed Mike to have a last name, and gave it as Ross. If this is not correct, it can be dealt with. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
April 12, 2005, 9 AM, Le Blues Bar
Darcy too arrived earlier than normal, and when the bells noted her departure, the chiseled face of Duncan MacLeod lost all its color. "Are you *two* trying to give me a heart attack this morning?"
Darcy looked startled. She had worn her leather coat over a pair of khakis and a light blue tee, cut to show her stomach, and had the jacket and a small purse folded over her right arm. She called the leather her spring wear, and although Duncan tended to think of her style as inappropriate for the workplace, he had learned wisely not to comment. Darcy wore what she wanted, despite what he liked or did not like, said or not said.
"I didn't do it, Mac. For once, I am innocent."
Despite himself, Duncan's smile betrayed his amusement. "Of course you are," he mumbled.
Bemused, Darcy shook her head, and stuffed her jacket and purse into the small cubbyholes she had deemed necessary, and had prodded Mike and Richie into building below the bar counter for employee use. She took an apron from the stash, released it from balled form, and tied it loosely around her waist. "Asher in yet?"
"In back. The computers again. Said she wanted to upgrade them again."
Darcy tilted her head slightly. "I thought you knew computers."
Duncan frowned, and feigned interest in the box of unopened alcohol he had been stocking. "I could use some help, perhaps," he mentioned, desperate to change the subject.
"Later. I'm not on until half past," and to the music of Duncan's sigh, she slipped into the back office. "You appear busy, Asher."
Asher glanced up from the scream, and smiled at the sight of Darcy. Despite the short acquaintance, they had become close. For first, they had bonded over a shared mutual teasing of Duncan's expanse, but soon learned each had found a confidante in the other girl. It was usually Asher, who helped Darcy when it came to boy troubles, and Asher liked the simple idea of having a girl friend again.
"Not really. I upgraded to Windows XP3. The software is still downloading. Just get in?"
"Yeah. Mac wants me to work. I thought I could bother you instead."
"Glad I could be of service," smiled Asher. "So, how'd the date go last night?"
"I'm not sure," drawled Darcy, and Asher raised her eyebrow in question. "I mean, I think I may have fallen for him."
"Heavens forbid," laughed Asher, and before Darcy could respond, the computer finished, and Asher for all her wit, sarcasm, and compassion, turned back to her first adoration. Content, to watch, and unhurt at the sudden lack of attention, she settled on the couch, and wondered what it would be like for a relationship to last.
Richie wandered in soon after, grunted a salutation in Duncan's general direction, and with a quick sweep of the bar, he too ducked into the backroom. Seeing, Asher completely into her work, and oblivious to her surroundings, made him smile, and he went to stand behind her, and bent to kiss her head. Undisturbed, Asher reached for his hand, and leaned back against his stomach and chest, half-listening to the computer, and half- listening to the comments float between Richie and Darcy.
All three missed the arrival of a young man, of mixed European and Asian blood in appearance. Decidedly mortal, and dressed in a three-piece business suit, he introduced himself to Duncan as Sam Clarke, and asked if he could speak to a Mike Ross.