DISCLAIMER: I do not own any rights to the characters or do I make money off of this, I only own Alex and Erik and their plotline. All rights beyond that belong to Janet.
Propping my phone up with my shoulder I look down at my outfit choices with a sigh. What does one wear to an unexpected interview? I've seen the way Ranger dresses, all black with a gun on his hip..my kinda outfit if I'm honest but do I need to look a little more..professional for this? I almost snort at the thought of me being associated with the word professional..it's just not my strong suit.
"So you're really gonna try to work security?" Erik says, his voice amused. Erik knows me well enough to foresee how this could be disastrous. Between me and Stephine I'm pretty sure destruction is just laced in our DNA.
Erik is my only long term friend, more like a brother really. We did many missions together before his contract ended and he moved on. He was my second for a long time and even though we went our separate ways years ago we've stayed in touch. Now that I'm back in Trenton we have plenty of time to catch up.
"It's more promising than the button factory." I mumble, deciding on a pair of black jeans and a white and black baseball tee. Casual enough but not too slouchy.
"I don't know, the thought of you working at the button factory was pretty funny. I would have paid good money to see it." I roll my eyes at the grin evident in his voice.
"Jerk." I hiss, if I took a job at the button factory I'd likely shot myself before my first day was over.
"Yes, as you remind me often. But let me know how it goes, I have every bit of confidence in you, that you can make security work."
I'm not one for mushy back and forths but that does make me smile a little. "Okay maybe not too much of a jerk. I'll call you later with a verdict."
He barks a laugh. "Funny how your perspective changed so quickly." He teases.
I look at my phone imagining it's him and muster up my nastiest burg glare. "Goodbye, Erik."
"Okay okay, good bye meanness and best of luck."
After a quick thanks I hang up and throw my phone on my bed, grabbing up the outfit and throwing it on, for shoes I go with some simple lace up work boots and add a comfortable black jacket. My thought process concluded that I might as well dress like I normally would.
I grab the keys to my car and throw my hair up in a tight ponytail. When you don't know what to do..improvise. It works, for me at least.
"You ready?" I ask as Steph slides into the passenger seat, her outfit a little more modest than mine being a pair of worn out jeans, a plain blue t-shirt and doc martens.
"Yeppers." She sends me a speculative glance. "Are you?"
I think about it for a moment. "Yes, yes I am." My voice comes out a lot firmer than I thought it would, a resolve I hadn't decided on flowing in it. If she had asked me an hour ago I might have made a snarky comment but now..plainly as it is I am ready.
"You sure? It has only been three weeks since you got home, you're allowed to take some time off."
I pull out of her parking lot and send her an amused look. "Steph I know you mean well but I can't put my life on hold because I need time, I prefer to work. It keeps my head clear and makes the days easier." Truth is sitting alone by myself while everyone else moves on with their life consumes me too much. I have to keep moving.
She contemplates my words silently for a little while. "I suppose that makes sense, as long as you don't relapse into those intense panic attacks like you had a few years ago, Rangeman will be good for you."
"Doctor, Kilimern cleared me after my last mission, Steph. I'll be fine." Okay so that was only a little true, yes Dr. Kilimern did clear me, but she also said that the full effects could take a couple weeks to sink in.
But I think I'm fine, and as long as I keep telling myself..well maybe it'll stay that way.
"Okay, I trust you're doctor and I trust you to tell me when you are and are not okay." She finally settles on with a resigned sigh. She knows she's lost this one. But she's oddly persistent so I'm sure the conversation will arise again.
After a few wrong turns and sisterly arguing we make it to the Rangeman building, which is huge might I add.
"Damn..Ranger doesn't play when it comes to his office does he?" I say, almost in awe, looking around the lavish garage filled with a ton of black cars. All shiny and sleek, looking almost brand new.
Steph chuckles. " I thought pretty much the same thing when I first saw this place, and no he really doesn't..so good luck if you do leave this meeting with a job."
The way she says it makes me a little grim, that statement can't be good. "I thought you said you work here on and off?"
We step up to the elevator linked to the garage and Steph looks at a security camera, sending a smile and a finger wave at it before pressing the button to open it.
"I do, but I mostly do research and distractions." After her little wave the door clicks open.
My brows shot up a little but I can't help but be impressed. "Nice."
"You'll meet with Ranger and possibly the core team, I really don't actually know what all he has planned. Then again I never do." She steps in and I follow her, watching as the door closes.
I'm really doing this.
"Lover's spat?" I say, cocking a brow with a grin.
She gives me her best squinty eyed glare. "Don't even."
I throw my hands up with a quiet chuckle. "Okay, okay, touchy."
She goes to say something, likely not a very nice thing but the elevator opens with a ding before she can, saving me.
"Hold that thought." I say inching out of the elevator, away from her. I'm really gonna have to work her into accepting she likes Ranger.
She narrow's her eyes at me but steps out before the door closes on her. "You're lucky that door opened."
"Oh yeah, for sure."
She walks past me, mumbling something under her breath along the lines of you and everyone else here will get along just fine. Before walking up to a desk.
Looking around I notice a lot of eyes swiveling our way, including that of the man who occupies the desk she stops at.
"Hey, Tank. Is the big guy in his office?"
I look at Tank, seeing immediately why he's called that. He's huge! Hell half of the guys here are huge. Another little peek around the room shows me that it is just a lot of men as well. Not another woman besides me and Steph in sight.
I hope that doesn't become an issue.
Tank looks up from his computer screen and nods, he looks slightly confused seeing me behind Steph…I wonder then how much they know about Ranger agreeing to this meeting.
"Yeah he is, who's that?" He jerks his head in my direction.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Classy Are the words that threaten to spill out but I reign them in and keep my expression blank as I look at him and Steph.
"My name's Alex Plum." I answer before Stephine has the chance to. I might as well introduce myself just in case I get the job.
My words spark a reaction around the room, everyone is looking at us now.
"Plum? How are you related to Bomber?" Another guy behind us says.
I send Steph a questioning look. Bomber? What the hell does that even mean?
"I'll explain it later." She says with a sigh, that very much says I'm done.
The room goes to launch into more questions, I can tell by the eager and curious looks all around the room, until a door across the room opens and everyone freezes.
"Get back to work everyone, you can ogle Steph's sister later." Ranger says a bit sharply, looking around at all his guys with a firm glare.
Oh I can already tell this is going to be fun.
I share a grimace with Steph before allowing her to go into the office first, a variety of shocked looks from the guys tell me that just like Ranger was last week everyone is shocked to know that Stephine has another sister.
Oh well, let's get this over with. The door closes behind us. I have the slightest feeling that I just walked into a lion's den.
A\N: Heyyy thanks for reading! My goal is to update at least three times a week if I can't manage daily. I'm trying to make Alex's intro to the plum world fun for readers but not make it too fast paced. Hope you liked it! ~ Abi
Also sorry for any typos or grammar mistakes..I try to catch them all but am not always successful.