Ding-Dong.
Leena raced to open the door, fear settling in her stomach. No one ever used the doorbell, since she didn't really ever have actual guests, just the regulars - Pete, Myka, Claudia, & Artie. Artie was the only one who was even there at the moment - Pete & Myka were in New Jersey, & Claudia was at the Warehouse, doing inventory. And the only reason any of them would ring the doorbell was if they were injured.
She threw open the door, & saw one of the last people she ever expected to see standing outside of the B&B - Douglas Fargo.
"Hello Fargo." she said calmly, willing her heart to stop racing in fear. "You nearly gave me a heart attack! Claudia isn't here at the moment, but I can call her - "
"No!" Fargo said quickly, stepping in the door. "That's all right. I actually came to talk to Artie."
"Oh!" Leena said, surprised. Fargo was terrified of Artie. "Sure, he's out back, with Trailer."
Fargo thanked the innkeeper, then headed out back to where the senior Warehouse agent - and Claudia's semi-father - was.
Sure enough, he was out back, playing ball with Trailer. When Artie first heard the screen door open, he looked up from rubbing Trailer behind the ears, smiling. His smile faded, though, as soon as he saw who it was.
"What are you doing here?" he barked at Fargo.
"Um - I - I - I wantedtoaskforyourblessingbecauseiwasplanningtoproposetoClaudia." he rushed, terrified.
"What?"
"I wanted to ask for your blessing. I'm going to propose to Claudia." Fargo repeated, more slowly now.
"Why are you asking me? Why not ask Joshua?" Artie asked, confused.
"Well, it's traditional to ask the father, and since Claudia sees you as her father..." Fargo trailed off.
They were both silent for a minute or so, before Artie spoke, making Fargo jump slightly.
"You really love her?" he grunted, & Fargo nodded so much that he looked like a bobblehead doll.
"Yes. Yes sir, I do. More than anything else - "
"Yes."
Fargo stopped, stunned into silence. "Beg pardon?"
"I said yes." Artie growled, then softened slightly. "I give you my blessing." Then he grew cranky again. "But if you ever, EVER hurt her, I swear on my Warehouse that I will hunt you down & kill you in every Artifact-induced -"
"ARTIE! LANGUAGE!" Leena called from down the hall.
"You get the picture." Artie muttered. Fargo nodded, pale & clammy, before dashing out of the yard in fright.
A/N ~ Hey, my people! Just so y'all know, this chapter is set halfway through Season 3, right after Steve left the Warehouse. There will be a few inconsistencies in the timeline, but I am trying to keep that as minimal as possible.
Thanks for reading!