XII: Frosty Returns
" Frosty, the snow bitch," Meredith was quietly singing to herself with a half quirked smile which Jack found mildly alarming. She was leaning back against the wall with her knees clutched to her chest. She looked like a drowned cat; wet clothes clinging in all the right places, unhappy, and very likely to expose her claws at the opportune moment. The best approach would be gentle, direct and apologetic.
" Apparently there's a leak."
I cringed at Jack's opening line. I suppose I would have to go through with it after all. ' Apparently there's a leak, well no shit Sherlock. You ship has just had a few holes blown in it. No big deal.' Instead of speaking my mind, I stayed exactly as I was. A few moments later Jack began to clear his throat in a condescending way which made me want to strangle him. I needed to be patient. My time would come.
" Meredith, how are you?"
I turned my face towards Jack in a nonchalant manner. " Hmm, oh, fine. I was enjoying my solitary confinement." I watched Jack wince and inwardly sniggered as he squared his shoulders.
" You sure?" Jack took hold of the cell's bars and peered at me. " You look out of sorts."
" Yeah. Some people like to think. This has given me time to really organize my thoughts."
" It is nice to be by yourself isn't it?"
"Mmhm." came my noncommittal reply.
"No one to bother you, just sitting." Jack removed his hands from the bars and began to fumble for the keys at his waist. " But one can think too much, sitting all by your onesie .All those thoughts swirling 'round, working out ideas and trying to figure things out." Jack continued rummaging through the keys, stopping to hold one up to me.
I held Jack's gaze as I walked my hands up the wall, slowly standing. " That's the general idea."
" Doesn't seem healthy."
" Depends upon the person. You might want to try it sometime." I stood at the door, waiting as Jack fit the key into the lock.
"Nah, too much to do." The lock clicked, and Jack opened the door, allowing Meredith to step out. " Listen, I wanted to ask you something."
I stepped around Jack so he was positioned in front of the doorway. " What?"
" I heard you had a talk with Sally yesterday." He moved closer, perhaps hoping to work his magic on me, only to be met with my hand's shoving him hard in the chest. Jack stumbled back into the cell, giving me a moment to slam the door shut.
" I do have that ability." I stated sweetly as Jack gaped at my brazen action.
" But that's not what I meant luv."
" I know. It's been a nice chat Jack, but I have shit to do. I'll see you later."
" But"
" Bye," I called over my shoulder as I turned on my heel and strode from the room. What I didn't notice was the way Jack stared after me before he burst into laughter.