If Misery Loves Company

Chapter 9

Pegged

By Kristen Gupton-Williams

(Aw… I wasn't talking about those of you who request updates but also give words of encouragement. I was talking about the ones that only leave a review saying, and I quote, "whers the update". Notice the fact that it's misspelled, too. Gotta love it.)

Well, the rest of the day went without incident, other than the fact that I'd turn around here or there and find Shera looking back at me. There was that Goddamned gleam in her eye of "I know it was you that's looked after me" the whole time. I'd really wanted to avoid that but in the end, I knew she wasn't stupid so I guess it wasn't all that hard to figure out.

She did a good job with dinner and all that, though, and I was happy. When it got to bed time, I went to turn in, but after my shower, I decided that I wanted another of those cookies from the kitchen.

I stepped out of my room and ran right into Shera. I'd thought she was already in bed so I hadn't bothered to put a shirt on and her eyes instantly fell upon the injury I'd gotten in the fight with Gregory.

Think! You've got to come up with a good explanation for this! You know she's onto you but she don't need to know you got hurt! Shit!

"Good Lord, Captain!" she gasped, looking a little sick. "He cut you, didn't he?"

No, of course not… Damn, if only I had a cat to blame this on…

As I noticed had become my usual tactic when I didn't know what to say and Shera had me pigeonholed, I just walked away. "Mind your fuckin' business and get your ass in bed. I cut myself machinin' a part out in the shop."

That may have not appeased her, but she disappeared into her room and didn't say another word about it.

The next day, she did all of her duties right on time and without complaint, not that I'd ever heard Shera complain, mind you. I set about getting things for the new charter business in order and setting my finances straight. I also continued to ride Brad over the phone about getting her damn car to the house. He told me that things were busy, though, and that he would do it when he could.

Honestly? I just don't think he wanted to have anything to do with Shera or her car. That seemed to be how everyone in town was working lately. They didn't refer to her kindly in conversation, and as I went about my business, I could hear people snarking behind my back that I had her living with me.

It wasn't good.

As I came up with my plan of attack for the new venture, I realized that I was going to have to have someone else working for me since I couldn't do both the flying and the booking. The second I realized that, I knew that I wanted that person to be Shera. First, I knew that it would be the closest thing to a real job that she'd be able to get. Secondly, it would give her a reason to stay other than just making me happy. Besides, if she was honestly working for me and getting paid for it, no one could make that argument that it was a charity case.

When I finished my four o'clock tea, I looked across the table at Shera and pitched the idea of her working for me out there. She seemed a little shocked at first, or maybe she didn't really want to do it, I worried, but as the discussion continued, I could see that she was onboard with it after all.

Then came the tricky part. I knew that when she had been under the employ of Shin Ra, that Shera had been pulling in a pretty penny. I didn't want to insult her with what I could offer her financially, so I made the best offer I could. "Now, it's gonna take about forty percent of the gross to keep that plane fueled and runnin'. Taxes are gonna take another fifteen. That leaves forty-five percent of the gross to go to my pocket. I'm gonna give ya a salary of a third of that profit."

Her eyes went wide. "But Captain, I—"

I lifted a hand. I knew I had just basically cut her old pay at least in half of what she was gonna be accustomed to making and I felt bad. I wasn't intentionally trying to keep her poor so that she would be trapped here. That wasn't it at all, but I still had to keep enough of that profit to make the bills every month and I was covering her living expenses. "I know, it ain't gonna be much compared to what y'all made as an engineer, but it's the best I can do for now. I mean, I'll still cover all the utilities and the house payment, so I figure it'll be enough for you to get all that girly shit you need and save a little on the side until ya can get back on your feet."

Then came that great smile of hers. "No, Captain, it isn't that. I feel I owe you enough that I shouldn't be paid at all."

Holy fuck? Is she kidding??? She'd basically sell herself into slavery for you, Cid?

I was ashamed to have that sort of devotion from her. The way I'd treated her was far from deserving of such a thing. "Miss Shera… you ain't my indentured servant, ya know? You're gonna need a little pocket money now and then."

"I can work for you during the day for free and then get a job in the evening to pay my way," she said back meekly, that smile still there.

That actually hurt on some level to hear. I would not take advantage of her like that. "You know damn good and well ain't no one gonna hire your ass after this. Shin Ra has had you blacklisted, sure as anythin'. At the very least, it's gonna be months before the media flap over this shit dies down and you'll even have a chance at gettin' a job."

Shera suddenly looked away and I wondered if I had said something wrong. "Do… you think that what I will be paid will be enough for me to get a place?"

Well, that crushed me right there. I figured I must have said something along the line to now make her want to get the hell out. "It might be, but it's a cold chance in Hell that you'll find anyone who's gonna rent to you, I'd reckon. I don't mind for you to stay here as long as ya need."

Please stay, Goddamnit…

Instantly, her smile returned. "Captain Highwind, you've been far too kind. I don't deserve any of this."

No, you surely don't… You deserve far better, I wish I could give ya more…

Crap! Wait! No! She's onto you Cid! Pull the fuck UP!

I tried to push the mushiness I'd sank into away. "It's just a matter of convenience. You need a job, I need an employee. Don't try to read shit into this, Shera."

Clearly, she saw right through me anyway and smiled again. "Of course, Captain."

I went and got the ledgers that I'd started for the business and tossed them to her. "I've figured out my charges for different flight destinations and there's a list of the days I'm willin' to fly. You better learn that shit and fast, because the next time the phone over there rings, you're on the clock."

She seemed in danger of laughing at me. "I will do what's needed, Sir. I won't let you down."

Now Shera was just toying with me. I didn't have my bluff in on her anymore. I snapped back, somewhat annoyed that this woman had me figured out by far better than I had her pinned. "Like I ain't heard that one from ya before…"

Ouch.

A little later, Brad finally showed up with Shera's car. I signed for it and paid his rip off fee for the two damn block tow. I could of pushed the thing the whole distance, flat tires and all and have gotten it here sooner. Like I had cash to burn after being unemployed for the last several weeks. Once I shut the door, I caught Shera looking around the corner. I supposed she was afraid that it was going to be Stephenson again or some such. I didn't tell her one way or another, curious to see if she would sack up and ask outright or not.

I got back to some television watching, seeing that after a few minutes of hovering, she went to the window to look out. Quickly, she turned to face me. "Sir!"

Inwardly, I laughed, but I was also seriously trying to hear what they were saying about a airship crash in Junon. "I'm watchin' the fuckin' television, Goddamnit! Don't bug me!"

As always, she didn't shrink back from my words. She just smiled again and I heard her laugh a little to herself as she eventually flitted off into the kitchen again.

Goddamn, she had me fuckin' pegged and there was nothing I could do about it.