Title: Bad Day
Rating: T
Characters: Van Pelt
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.
Bad Day
Van Pelt slammed the front door a little too roughly in frustration, and her housemate came running, toothbrush in hand, slightly concerned.
"Bad day at the office, Grace?"
She an arched an eyebrow, dumped her bag and files in the hallway and stalked through to the kitchen. She was after something sweet, though, not chocolate or ice cream. After working at the CBI for a good seven months, both of those treats felt a little too much like something to celebrate closing a case, not something that could be devoured just because she was thoroughly pissed off.
"Something like that," she growled as she rifled through the refrigerator.
"Your boss, or that Jane bloke?"
"Both."
"Again?"
"Yup."
Ah. A cherry yoghurt. That'd fit the bill. After collecting a teaspoon from the cutlery drawer, she flopped at the breakfast bar. Having disposed of her toothbrush, Alicia Stewart, Van Pelt's best friend, confidant, housemate, shoulder to cry on and all-round good egg joined her. She stared at Van Pelt despairingly. She knew her friend loved her job, even if she did have to do all the boring jobs because no one else could be bothered to. Alicia had also heard her enthuse many times about everyone she worked with; it was just sometimes they grated with her.
"What happened?"
"One car. Three hours. With Jane and Lisbon."
She was still bitter that Rigsby had been sent elsewhere with Cho. Being the good rookie, she hadn't breathed a word, of course. The job meant too much to her. The others may feel settled enough to occasionally take a stand against Lisbon, but Van Pelt knew she still wouldn't for quite some time.
"Ah." Alicia had heard enough about Jane and Lisbon to know this was A Bad Thing. With capital letters.
"It's a wonder she isn't pulling her hair out," Van Pelt added. "Heck, it's a wonder I'm not pulling mine out, too."
Van Pelt finished her yoghurt, licked the spoon clean and disposed of the rubbish before continuing.
"I love them, Al, really I do. They've both taught me so much, but really, if there's a fight to pick, they'll go for it. Some days you just wish they'd shut up for five minutes. Or just hook up. It's obvious they like each other and they're just too proud to admit it," Van Pelt sighed heavily. She knew she was being hypocritical, but didn't really care. She pulled the elastic band and shook her head, allowing her red hair to flutter down her back before observing her friend. "How's the piece your working on coming along?"
"Oh, alright," Alicia replied dismissively. "Never mind your boss and Jane, now. How's Wayne?"
"Oh don't start."
end