Getting his way

Chapter 15

Realizing he didn't really have any plans today, he contemplated what he'd do, drumming his fingers on the dashboard with a vacant look in his eyes. He could always just go home and wait for her to be done with school, but that just seemed so... passive. He sighed as he turned off the ignition again, and leaned back in the seat. Might as well call up Ash and hear if it's even possible to borrow him for a few.

He reached down and pulled his phone out from his pocket, scrolling through his contacts while he tried to figure out what he'd called him. He'd renamed him once on a drunken night out, but it's been a while since he'd have to actually call him up. Taking a chance on one called "Ugly McScarface" (vile, he knew that, and promised himself to fix it after they were off the phone) he pressed 'call'.

"What?" a voice bit at him, barely having rung once. Chris raised an eyebrow. "What's with that greeting?" he puffed. "Oh, I'm so sorry, to what do I owe the pleasure, oh great sir?" Chris could almost hear the eye roll through the phone. Scratch the 'almost'. He could definitely hear the eye roll. "Wrong number."

His old sergeant started yelling a slew of insults, but he just took the phone away from his ear and hung up. Well, no reason to change that old fucker's contact name, he thought as he scrolled down further, then finally just sighed and called the phone conversion of the organization. "Hello, I'd like to talk to Ash, formerly, uh, C-7. I'm not sure if that's still his rank and title." A soft click, and then a dial tone. Chris sucked on his teeth as he looked around, before being greeted by Ash´ familiar voice. "Ash, G-9. Hello."

Chris sighed, relieved. "Hi, Ash, it's Chris." A short pause occurred, while Chris could only hear a bit movement on the other end, before Ash toned in again. "Hi Chrissy. How's it going? Haven't heard from you in a while." A smile spread on Chris´ lips, and it could be heard on his tone as well. "Hey, now, what's the policy on nicknames for a higher standing member?" he teased, and Ash´ curt response made him smile even wider. "Stuff the f*****g policy where the sun doesn't shine."

After they exchanged pleasantries and caught up a little, Chris finally got down to business. "Well, I have a big mission coming up-" Ash interjected, dryly: "Good for you." "- and I was wondering if you and Claire wanted to come and babysit my fiancée?"

Ash got a bit quiet, seemingly mulling over the job offer, before breaking the silence again. "Depends. What would it entail?" Chris rolled his eyes. "Can't a friend ask a favour without any questions?" A short grunt from Ash. "No, it's nothing bad. I just don't feel comfortable leaving her home alone, you know?" Ash made another grunt, but this time of approval.

"Fine, I'll do it. She coming over here?" Chris looked towards the school, then glanced back down on his steering wheel, picking away imaginary dust with two fingers. "No, I'd prefer if she could stay here. She likes her school."

Ash sighed. "Y'know, it would've been easier if you'd stayed on the inside." Chris laughed, but knew there was truth in his statement. "You'd know, huh? Where do you live now? Cabin in the woods somewhere?" He felt comfortable just teasing him now that he'd agreed.

Shooting the s**t for a few more minutes, Chris steered the conversation back until they'd drafted up an actual 'mission' statement, then finished off the conversation, called up the Organization again, and made the mission call, Ash-only.

Even if it was little more than a favour, he'd feel bad if his friend didn't get his proper credit for it.

Well, that was a productive morning. he thought to himself, slowly driving out of the parking lot. Might as well be a bit unproductive for lunch. He took a trip out to the seaside, for no other reason than to feel the wind lapping at his clothes.