Let's get down to business

[first_rule]

If Daniel had thought the last year had been a whirlwind, it was nothing like all that changed the moment they stood before Dylan in the park. A lifetime of hardwork, a year of risking prison and failure, and now he had come to the pinnacle of all he had ever wanted.

And it wasn't even close to over yet. Packing wasn't hard, and leaving behind his life had already been done. They had no idea where they were going, or what was coming next.

He did know that McKinney didn't stop making whatever sound that was at the ungodly hour of not even four in the morning, and he was about ready to scream if the coffee maker didn't go faster.

Comments

[first_rule]

"I'm using my mind to make it go faster. It's this thing called magic," he said, though he knew he wasn't actually doing that. "I'm sure you've heard of it," he added, smirking as he turned to look at her.

"Are you telling me you managed to sleep the last couple of nights? I haven't," he admitted.

[the_highpriestess]

She rolled her eyes, shifting to prop herself against the counter nearby as she folded her arms over her chest. "I kinda figured that was more Merritt's thing than yours. You know, with actually having to have a mind to use it."

She was teasing; she hoped he understood that. Either way, though, the amusement on her face faded at the question. "I think I've managed maybe twenty minutes total, but ... "

She shook her head.

[first_rule]

"I know you're caught up in my looks, Henley, and no one can blame you, but I do have a mind to go with the body. Feel free to worship at both," he said, smirking at her.

"Yeah, about where I'm at," he admitted, shaking his head and then reaching for a second mug for Henley. "Just... Once we know something, I'll be okay. I just hate not knowing."

[the_highpriestess]

"Pass," he replied, narrowly resisting the urge to roll her eyes again. Never mind the fact that they were -- probably were? she wasn't sure -- a couple again. Worship wasn't really something she did.

"But yeah, I know the feeling." She paused, fidgeting absently with one corner of her blouse. "And it's less the cops I'm worried about and more wanting to know what's next."

Less fear, more anticipation.

[first_rule]

"Feel free to change your mind whenever you want," he said, at least being in a bit better mood with their teasing and banter.

He chuckled softly, nodding.

"Not worried about any cop but one, and I just want to know what he has planned for us." Having no plans, no direction, it rubbed Daniel wrong and led to that irritability everyone was more than likely scowling at him for

[the_highpriestess]

"You'll be the first to know." A beat. "And we'll probably be the first to know, when he figures out whatever comes next. Which, considering he was the one who asked us to get our stuff together, I'm guessing shouldn't be much longer."

[first_rule]

"No, we'll be the first to know where to go to get the first clue to put together with another, to get to the first place that might give us an idea of what we're doing," he said, though the convolution of his words made him smirk.

"But still makes us first."

[the_highpriestess]

"Sorry, I lost you at, like, the eighth first." Never mind the fact that he hadn't said first eight time. She still couldn't quite wrap her mind around all of that without effort, and tired as she was, she wasn't sure she wanted to put that much forth.

[first_rule]

"The important part is we're first," he said, smirking at her. "Well, I'll be first, and you'll be up there. McKinney might fight to keep up but, you know, we can help him."

Yep, that was being entirely helpful, wasn't it?

[the_highpriestess]

"Okay, seriously, Danny? I'm pretty sure first has lost all meaning, now." Which was to say, no, he wasn't being terribly helpful, and she made a face at him, that in mind.

[first_rule]

"Only because you haven't had coffee," he noted, as if that changed everything and was why it had happened rather than his words.

"Could just eat the beans."

[the_highpriestess]

"That might have something to do with it." Never mind the fact that she doubted all the bullshit that had come out of his mouth a moment before would have made any more sense with. That might have been the caffeine withdrawal talking, too, however. "And trust me, I'm tempted."

A beat. "I get why you were making grumpy cat faces at the coffeemaker now."

[first_rule]

"I lived on chocolate covered beans on long night jobs," he admitted, considering those days before they were famous and then infamous.

He grabbed a much, smirking as he poured himself a cup... and then pushed it over towards her before moving to grab one for himself.

[the_highpriestess]

Henley couldn't say she wasn't surprised when he pushed the cup over to her -- pleasantly surprised, mind you, but still surprised. So much so that it earned Daniel a warm little smile when the look faded and as she reached for the cup.

"Thanks, Danny."

[first_rule]

"You're welcome," he murmured, smiling at her as he took a sip of his own drink. "I can be cranky and take care of my favorite girl at the same time."

He paused, knowing it was cheesy and unable not to add, "Course, you're the only girl here but you're welcome," he teased.

[the_highpriestess]

"And nailed it," Henley offered, along with a roll of her eyes. Never mind the fact that her smile had returned. She wasn't taken by the cheap jokes. Not at all.

[first_rule]

"Well, you're still the prettiest. Even if we put Jack in a wig," he added, leaning back against the counter and inhaling the fumes of his coffee.

[the_highpriestess]

"He'd probably look better in it than that thing that died on your face," she shot back, referring to the fake moustache he'd worn during their car chase with Dylan. She was also teasing rather than genuinely trying to get under his skin. They were doing well, today, so it was all in good fun.

She hoped it lasted.

[first_rule]

"Hey. I never wanted to look like a bad video game star," he teased, thinking about Mario and Luigi. "But it worked. Besides, I kept it. You can wear it next time,' she teased.

Things were good and he liked it. There had never been hope he could have her back in his life, or have any of this. Daniel had ever plan to fight for it.

[the_highpriestess]

"Wow, no thanks," Henley answered, making a face into her coffee as she took a sip. Once she'd swallowed and perhaps a bit more seriously, she asked, "Where did you even get that thing in the first place?"

And then less seriously, "Cut up one of Merritt's old toupees?"

She glanced towards the door she'd come in, that said, as if she expected Merritt to suddenly appear. She -- well. She hadn't meant anything by it, just remembered the promo photos she'd seen from his original run, after they'd all come together, and couldn't help herself. The hair he'd had then had been something of a nightmare. And did she mention she hoped he hadn't overhead that? She wasn't looking to accidentally hurt his feelings in busting his and Daniel's balls.

[first_rule]

"You'd probably look good in a handlebar one," he teased, though it was likely true. "I had it in a trunk," he admitted. "Just one of those things to keep on hand. People focus on it and not the hands," he admitted, which made the reason for carrying it make more sense.

He laughed at that, giving her a look. "Would I put something from his head on my face? You really are making that accussation?"

[the_highpriestess]

She didn't grace the handlebar comment with a response, just rolled her eyes, before popping one shoulder in a shrug. Okay, yeah, that made sense, and --

And then she was laughing, too, at the question. "The lady doth protest too much, methinks."

[first_rule]

"Don't even go there. I cope with him. I kind of don't hate him," he said. "That is just about all there is," he said, rolling his eyes.

[the_highpriestess]

"And yet you're still going." Never mind the fact that she'd probably be poking at him just as much if he'd declined comment. It was kind of a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation and she was taking far too much amusement from it.

[first_rule]

"Next time I'm drinking all the coffee myself," he said, making a face at her. "You all packed?"