"You coming with us for drinks later?" Maggie, another assistant poked her head into Root's office, "It's a Friday night tradition." she added.
"Why not?" Root agreed and hoped that maybe Shaw would be there, too, if it was in fact a company tradition. Only that she couldn't picture Shaw mingling with co-workers and talking about office gossip and nonsense. But, she was willing to try and find out.
Unfortunately, Shaw didn't show up, and so Root stayed as long as it required to be polite, feeling more disappointed that she should have been. Just when she was ready to get up and leave, she spotted a dark head in the crowd walking towards their table and smiled. Biting her lip and busying herself with her empty cocktail glass she pretended she hadn't spotted Shaw yet.
"Ladies," Shaw joined them, slipped into a seat opposite Root. "Sorry, I'm late. Had to wrap something up," she nodded at Root.
"Don't you worry, Sam!" Marla from the fifth floor waved her hand, her bracelet jingling with at least a dozen charms.
It was very strange to observe Shaw interact at ease with all those people. The longer they sat and talked, Root detected the little signs that gave her away. That even though Shaw laughed and joked along, she was playing a role and wasn't actually enjoying herself. Root wondered why Shaw was there in the first place. It wasn't like her cover required her to spend spare time with those people.
When they stepped into the brisk nights air later that night, Root kept glancing at Shaw.
"What?" Shaw dropped her demeanor the second they stepped out of the bar.
"Nothing," Root fell into pace next to Shaw and they walked in silence.
"So, how does this work?" she inquired but Root slightly shook her head, signaled her this was not the place to talk.
"Got any plans for the weekend," the hacker asked casually instead.
"The usual," Shaw narrowed her eyes for a second and played along. "Some shopping, probably going to hit the gym and then grab some dinner. You?"
"I could use a good workout," Root winked at her and Shaw actually chuckled. She had missed this, though she would rather shot herself in the foot than admit it.
"Can you recommend a good gym?" Root inquired and bumped shoulders with Shaw.
"You actually work out?" Shaw raised an eyebrow.
"It's never to late to start, is it?"
"Right," Shaw grabbed Roots arm, "you could use some workout indeed!" She stated and pinched the biceps with thumb and forefinger firmly, "All skin and bone."
"Thanks, I've been a little busy," Root slapped her hand away and rubbed the spot Shaw had squeezed.
"Give me a call tomorrow, you can tag along and check the place out." Shaw shrugged.
"Excellent," Root leaned her head to the side, smiling. She slipped in just enough innuendo in her voice for Shaw to get what she was actually saying. It was a different kind of innuendo though. It would give them a good opportunity to establish a connection and get to talk.