Title: Trenchmates
Rating: K
Diclaimer: I own a crappy computer and twenty filled notebooks. Not this.
A/N: Well, I'm Taren it up in here with another fic in the same night! I normally don't do this, because I like to have at least one review before the next chapter goes up but, hey... I spent a sleepless night writing much Tobyfic and I have a surplus. Okay, okay... Pre-Beach Day, then post-The Job.
Toby kind of liked Karen, if only because she'd given his hopes a stay of execution. Not that anyone ever asked him, but yeah, he did. For what it was worth.
She walked into the annex matter-of-factly, like it was an extension of the kitchen and she wanted to grab a napkin, and sat down it the extra chair. He looked at her. She stared back, waiting for him to speak.
For a few seconds the only sound between them was Kelly's infinite supply of chatter wafting over the partition. Then he said, in his tired way, "Can I help you?"
"...I'm interested in getting some information about transferring," she said crisply.
'Well, I can make some calls," he said haltingly, "How... How soon are you thinking?"
"Oh, um... Actually, I just wanted some information," she said, façade of professionalism slipping a little. "I want to keep my options open. I don't know if things are going to work out... here."
"Do you want to stay at the same level, or are you looking to move up in the company?"
"Whatever's available."
He nodded. "I'll definitely see what I can do."
"Thanks. And this is all confidential, right?"
"Of course."
She nodded absently and made to no move to leave. He knew what had to be coming, but the words came out automatically because... He's HR. It's what he does. "Is everything else all right?"
"Still confidential?"
"Mm-hmm."
She shook her head no, and for a moment her competent businesswoman mask slipped off completely and she looked like she might cry. There was an achingly familiar look of helplessness in her eyes, of riding the first few feet of the avalanche, knowing it's too late and knowing there's so, so much further left to fall.
He wanted to tell her he knew how she felt, that he had been there and he knew, like trenchmates on the battlefield know the same horrors civilians could never comprehend. He wanted to confide in her about his crush on Pam and tell her Jim was an idiot and share some stories about how immature he was. He wanted to invite her out to commiserate over drinks or something. He wanted to tell her that he kind of liked her, and not just because she'd given his hopes a stay of execution.
But he wasn't that man, and she wasn't that woman. He met her eyes. "I'm sorry," he said quietly.
She looked away. "Yeah, me too." Her voice was low and husky with emotions held desperately in check. Then she pulled her mask on and marched off like a good little soldier back to the front lines.
ooo
Toby called Kendall and related the situation. The corperate rep told him that few branches might be able to take on another sales rep, but with immanent downsizing looming, it was shaky at best. However, the relatively stable Utica branch's regional manager was retiring and the position was up for grabs at that point.
"I've never had any complaints about Ms. Filipelli, but I've never had a chance to observe her either. Do you think she could handle management?'
"...Yeah," Toby replied, looking through the double-layer of glass that separated him from the rest of the office. "After what she's been through here, I think Karen can handle anything that comes her way."
ooo
The office was in a state of uneasy productivity as everyone tried to ignore the fight in the conference room. After a hellish eternity in which even the camera operators seemed uncomfortable, they emerged. Jim staggered to his desk; Karen stormed off to the break room.
Then to the annex.
"Put the transfer through," she said, her professional mask clamped down tight, and turned on her heel.
"Karen?" Toby called softly, not expecting her to take notice.
She did, though, and glared over her shoulder like a trapped animal.
"For what it's worth... It was nice working with you."
She walked away without a word, shoulders shaking with sobs she couldn't quite hide.
A/N II: I've always found Taren fics to be... a little hackneyed and too convenient, in most cases. Not that it isn't a fun concept. I personally feel bad for Karen 'cause she got the shaft really badly. I don't know why, but as my fandom progresses, I've really come to resent Pam and Jim and all the fallout they caused.
The next chapter is held for ransom! Five reviews or it's a no-go! Come on; there are alerts on this story from people who haven't reviewed... I NEED VALIDATION! (gasping) I need to stop posting at four in the morning...