Dictation
I don't own Creed. That pleasure/pain belongs to Marvel Entertainment, Inc. and Fox Entertainment, (and now perhaps to Seed Productions from the latest rumors about the new Wolverine Movie).
A/N Ok at one point I realized that Victor Creed has to have some way of laundering all that money he makes on illegal assassination and terrorism, and since the comics have him shown in a more traditional business environment on several occasions, I wondered how he would deal with a Temp. As far as I know Creed Industries doesn't exist in the Marvel Universe but I think it should.
Chapter 4
She stood in line at Wang's to pick up his dry cleaning. She was bumped and pushed by busy people trying to get in and out and back on with their lives.
"What you need?" The older woman behind the counter said when she finally got there.
"Dry Cleaning for Victor Creed." She said.
"OHHH Mr. Creed. Nice boy." She wondered who this woman had dealt with. It had to be Varden.
"Her you go. Tell Mr. Creed blood hard to get out of leather, no." The woman said as she handed Bronwyn three large bags full of hangers. There were suits, shirts, even his jeans were dry cleaned and pressed, and in one bag, by itself was his famous fur covered uniform. He dry cleaned his uniform?
She just took the bags and paid using the corporate card. Logan was never going to believe this. She almost dreaded going back to the apartment with the bags, but they had an overnight mission so she was safe. She grabbed a cab and slid inside. She was really starting to look forward to that first pay check, her savings were almost gone.
She slipped into the apartment and hung his clothes on the back of the closet door in her room. It took her a moment to see the irony of the entire situation and she sat at the end of the bed and laughed. Here she was, working for Sabretooth, picking up his dry cleaning and living with the people he fought with on a regular basis. His UNIFORM – the clothes he wore to try to kill her friends was hanging on the back of her closet – and for all she knew he was out trying to kill them right now – in his underwear. She tried not to laugh hysterically at the image.
The next morning her roommates weren't back yet so she showered and slipped out of the apartment with the bags. The cab ride was uneventful – as was her arrival at the office.
"Oh God – thank you – I completely forgot." Varden said as she handed him the bags.
"He came back to the office and asked me to pick it up." She said.
"How was his mood?"
"Better than the afternoon."
"God – that means it was the OFFICE that had him pissed – not something else. He has a strict policy to leave the office at the office."
"Well – good for him." She grinned.
"We better get ready – and HOPE he is in a good mood this morning."
Bron had his coffee on his desk when the elevator doors opened. He didn't say a word to either of them, just pointed Varden into his office. She finished up what was on her desk and waited. His appointments were a little intimidating today – Mr. Lensherr was coming back, and the Presidential candidate – Graydon Creed was scheduled at eleven o'clock. Senator Robert Kelley was coming in at ten. It was going to be a very busy morning.
Varden came quickly out of the office, only a small stack of work for her to type. She was finishing up the last minute details for the luncheon tomorrow, when he came out of his office.
"You – do you own an evening gown?"
"No."
"Pick one up. I have a fund raiser tomorrow night and I am not going alone – too many sharks looking for a husband at these things. It'll be overtime on your check."
"Ok..." She was a little stunned.
"Green – I think." He went back into his office.
"Eep." She whispered.
"Well – that's a first."
"What?"
"He never goes to fund raisers. Says they are a waste of time. Why he is taking you I don't know?"
"Well – I certainly don't."
"Is everything ready for the luncheon tomorrow?'
"Yes."
"Then take a long lunch – to pick out a gown – pick several and bring them back, he will want to choose."
"Ok." This was really starting to get old. Who the hell did he think he was – telling her what to wear?
Mr. Lensherr was due in five minutes so she grabbed a cup and made his coffee – still fuming about the whole thing.
"Ah – Miss. Tillman, still here I see."
"Thank you – yes."
"Wise girl." He took his coffee from her and walked into the office. Things were quiet until a very clear shout came from the office behind her.
"I'll do what I like with my staff – Erik. I don't work for you anymore." Victor shouted. She and Varden exchanged glances.
Mr. Lensherr left a few minutes later with a smile for her as he passed.
Senator Kelley arrived a few minutes later, and she handed him his cup of coffee – before noticing the hand holding the cup was blue and covered in scales. Mystique smiled at her from the Senator's face and Bron watched as her hand morphed into a more normal looking one.
"Still a little wonky sometimes since the cure." She whispered. "Is Victor treating you alright?"
"Fine. I am just his secretary."
"Sure you are, my dear. That's what they all say."
She carried Victor's coffee into the office and slipped out quietly – fuming. What the hell were people saying?
"Oh God – he will shut her up – trust me. He doesn't want any hint of anything going on. He likes to keep his staff professional."
"Thank God for that." She said. She didn't know if today could get any worse.
Mystique just gave her a wink as she passed by – and an almost conspiratorial grin. It made Bron want to rip her – his face off.
"At least Graydon doesn't drink coffee." She said softly – looking at the notes on her computer.
"I don't know why Victor wants to see him – it isn't as if he is running on a pro mutant platform or anything. The last time they spoke the only thing that stopped Mr. Creed from killing Graydon was their blood."
"What blood?"
"Graydon's his son."
"Oh…well that makes sense." DAMN! He had a son – who was running for President.
Mr. Creed and his security detail arrived and she showed them into Victor's office. When the HELL had he become Victor? God she was getting too comfortable around him. That was almost scary.
Varden told her to take off for lunch – and reminded her to take a long one – and bring back the dresses she picked for Vic—Mr. Creed's approval. She was going to nip this in the bud right now. It wouldn't do to call him Victor around the apartment – Logan would kill her.
Today she was meeting Kitty for lunch – which made her feel better. Kitty tended to be less judgmental than Marie or Jubes could be.
"Hey – how's things going? Did you ever find a job?" Kitty asked as she sat at the table.
"You mean Logan's not ranting the roof off at the mansion?"
"No. WHAT!?"
"I am Victor Creed's executive secretary." She said. Kitty covered her mouth with both of her hands.
"Oh. My. God. And Logan KNOWS!?"
"Yes – and isn't happy about it – but I told him I want to keep the job."
"No WONDER he's been a pain in the ass in the Danger Room this week." Bron was startled by Kitty's language.
"What! I'm not a kid anymore – I can say ass." They both laughed.
"Are you busy after lunch?" Bron asked
"No – I was planning on going to the library, but it can wait if you need something."
"Help picking out some evening gowns."
"Why do you need evening gowns?"
"Mr. Creed has a fund raiser tomorrow – and I have to go with him to keep the husband hunters away – at least that is what he said. He's paying overtime on it so I guess I will go."
"WOW! YOU going on a DATE with Sabretooth."
"It's not a DATE! It's work."
"Sounds like a date to me."
"Kitty!"
"Ok fine – it's work. I don't know why you are asking me for help, Marie or Jubes would be better at this sort of thing."
"Because if I tell them – they will think the same thing – and I DON'T want Logan finding out – until after the fact."
"AHHHH so it IS a date!"
"NO! I catch enough hell as it is – I DON'T want any more."
"Sure."
"KITTY!"
"Alright – but Pete will get a kick out of this."
"If you tell ANYONE – even Pete – Oh God I am doomed."
"Ok there is more to this than meets the eye – give."
"Just – Mystique was in the office and insinuating that I am sleeping with him – and I am NOT! And WON'T! That was after he TOLD me – not asked – told me I was going to this thing with him – and told me it was overtime."
"HE told you it was overtime – so it really IS work."
"Yes."
"Well Mystique is a snake – no pun intended – she would think something like that. If you aren't – and I believe you because Logan WOULD be shouting the roof down over that – then I wouldn't worry about it. People are going to talk – you are a pretty girl working for a rich – and single – guy. Ok so he's probably on every most wanted list in the world – and ugly as sin to boot – but people are always going to think the worst in a situation like that. Those who matter will know the truth – you – Creed and your friends." Leave it to Kitty to put things into perspective. She was right – she had dealt with rumors like this before on another job, it was normal office gossip.
"Ok – so where should we go looking for a gown." She asked.
"What kind of a budget?"
"Corporate card – I am supposed to pick several and have him pick the one I am going to wear."
"OH GOD! He's a control freak." Kitty said.
Bron just laughed. Kitty had no idea.
They spent a couple hours shopping and found about six dresses to choose from. Bron begged and pleaded and finally Kitty agreed to at least help her carry the dresses into her office.
It looked like he was still out to lunch when she got there – so they hung the dresses on the rack behind her desk. Varden grinned at her. She was introducing Kitty when she heard her name roared from the office behind her. She cringed but went into the office.
"Close. The. Door." He was stepping out of the washroom.
She hurried to obey.
"Why is Shadowcat in my office?"
"She was helping me carry the dresses for you to pick one."
He growled. "I know they are your friends – and you live with them – but I DON'T want them in my OFFICE!" He roared.
She stood her ground. "She is just helping me – and she's not in uniform and neither are you." He turned and looked at her – stunned at her comeback.
"What did you just say?"
"You aren't in your uniform – I know I picked it up at the drycleaner's last night – and she isn't either. She hasn't been a part of the team in a year – she's in school full time."
"I still don't – never mind. Fine she helped you – now get her the FUCK out of here. And my coffee's cold."
She hurried out the door. Kitty had already left. She hurried to get him his coffee.
"Now bring in those dresses."
"Yes, Mr. Creed." She grabbed them off the rack and carried them into his office.
"Just leave them there. I will let you know which one – you can return the rest Monday."
"Yes, Mr. Creed." She turned on her heel and walked out the door. She wanted to wring his giant neck.
She went back to her desk – and finished the pile of typing. She printed them out and handed them to Varden to take into his office.
"I'm done with him today – unless he roars at me again." She said, Varden tried to hide a smirk.
"It's nice to see you actually have a temper – and will stand up to him. You have to – or he will walk all over you."
"I could have used that advice earlier." She snapped.
"Probably." He grinned at her.
Five o'clock came around slowly. He came out at four thirty and dropped one of the dresses on her desk. "Leave it here you can change here tomorrow – bring shoes and whatever else you need. Is everything ready for lunch?"
"Yes, Mr. Creed."
"Good. The event starts at six-thirty; I don't want to be late."
"Yes Mr. Creed."
"Fine." He turned and walked to the elevator. She waited until he was in the elevator and it was on its way down.
"Jerk." She whispered.
Varden just laughed as he shut off his computer.
"A jerk that pays quite well."
"I know – right now that's his only saving grace." He escorted her to the elevator. Well – the pay and the company. Varden was a really nice person to work with.