Wheelsy AU ~ Tire changing

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"You know Bill..." Clarice drawled cheerfully. "When you said you wanted to show me the nearest 'city' I thought you meant we'd actually get there." She took her hat off and fanned herself with it, the ballcap doing little to stir the hot, damp air, but at least it was better than glowering.

"And yeah, that really does look like dry rot in the spare there. Never seen it in a tire before but I've seen it in other materials..." She wasn't even sure why they had headed out. A better bar where no one expected him to fix their problems? A place she was suppose to get fitted for a civilian aid uniform? Who knew!

Comments

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

It's funny what a little liquid courage could do, because after five... six? shots, the awkward from earlier has been drowned right out.

He was still nervous, and a bit surprised by the question, but he didn't freeze or shy back. Instead he gave her a smile, eyes flicking to her lips and back to her eyes.

"Sure. I uh, don't mind the whiskey."

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"Well then!" Well then indeed. She leaned her cue on the table, sauntered around, and then..reached up to trace his cheek with her fingertips before leaning in for a kiss.

A gentle, soft kiss. No need to do more than lean into him, smiling and happy.

"Thank you," then she could take her shot!

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

His heart rate quickened a few beats as he watched her close the distance.

Tilting his cheek into her touch, he met her halfway when she leaned in.

His smile was warm when he pulled back, and he was just as happy.

"No problem."

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Lack of panic and flailing post-kiss was good! She approved!

She did sink the eight though.

That left a few shots just...sitting there though. "Should have asked sooner huh? Didn't want to make you stare at me though."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

[ooc: Hello! Quick question, um, did she just win or lose? Or did you not mean the 8-ball? Just checking in before I tag back :)]

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[I lost track of how many she had left. If she sank it early then we can say kiss distracted her? :)]

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

Bill's smile certainly wasn't going anywhere.

Especially when he looked over the table and chuckled.

"No, I think that came at just the right time. I uh, also think you skipped my turn. An', you just lost."

He nodded at the one ball she had remaining in the far end of the table, and quirked a smirk.

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"I...oh." Crud. She looked down at the table, chagrined. "You know, I cheerfully blame the sexy, sexy sheriff." SO THERE HA!

"So...what does that mean for the shots?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

He beams at the sexy comment, and looks at the remaining shots.

"Tell you what, I'll split 'em with you, an' then you can bet to hustlin' some of these folks," since he knew she was looking forward to that part.

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"Alright. You should be the good Samaritan that tries to warn them away, just so they can't say later that they didn't know!" She leaned her cue on the table edge, came around to wrap an arm around his waist, then tugged him over to the remaining shots. "After all, you probably know me best of anyone on this world."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

It was natural to put his arm around her shoulders as he let her tug him along, and he reached down to pick up two of the small glasses; offering one to her.

"I could say the same 'bout you. Next to my mom I don't think there's many folks who know me half as well as you."

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Natural and comfortable feeling wasn't it? Her free hand, the one not attached to his waist, took the shot glass and lifted it in a toast. "To fixing your truck!" Because that was a noble cause!

Then...

"...hmmmm. Doc. He has some pretty canny insights you know. If I lived with him I'd worry almost as much as living with my dad."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

It certainly was. Bill was happy to toast the good health of his truck, and so he clinked his glass against hers before downing the shot.

"Doc don't know as much as he thinks he knows. I mean, he was wrong 'bout how we'd get on."

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Two shots down, a few to go. She passed him his next full one then grabbed her own. "Your turn for a toast!" she pointed out cheerfully!

"And you know...Doc could be an evil mastermind. Tell me he's worried so we'll talk about that and work through it, all with the intent of match making..."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Oh, uh... how 'bout, to not bein' on the side of the road still, thanks t'glowy pink portals?"

Swallowing his shot, Bill tilted his head.

"He told you he was worried 'bout what?"

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She swayed a moment, getting her bearings after so many shots, then shook her head to clear away the fumes. Wow. One more shot to go, hers since she'd screwed up. "I'd make them less pink if I could, for male sensibilities." She would!

"He was worried about how you'd react to living with anyone full time, much less a woman. That may have been an evil plot though."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

Bill lifted his beer to chase his two shots with, and wondered if it wouldn't be better to stick with it for the rest of the night.

"I appreciate the thought, but hell, it got us where we were goin' so I ain't complainin'."

Lifting one of the remaining chicken wings, he dipped it in ranch and took a bite.

"Thought I couldn't do it, or what?" Bill snorted and nodded. "It would be like him t'have somethin' up his sleeve."

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"Well, you did enjoy hesitating and poking my portals with sticks. I wonder if you would have trusted them sooner if they were a different color..." yes, she was teasing and leaning aginst him. "I think I want cider after this. That was...a lot of shots." And she had to munch a bit too.

"And yeah, I bet he was hoping, and may have money riding on, one or the other of us deciding to kiss the other." He was a sneaky doctor like that!

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"It wasn't the pink, it was the portal," he said, the pointed out, "You're pink, an' I trusted you right away."

Hearing he may have been part of a wager, and knowing she's probably right, he frowns.

"I wish my lousy love life wasn't so entertainin' for folks. Gettin' all the pity is bad enough without them bettin' on it."

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"Nah, you were worried about me straight off," She chuckled and leaned up to kiss his jawline gently. "Who is this strange woman bleeding in my town? Bet she's drugged up or a tattoo addict..." Yes, still joking.

"And I don't think the doc pities you. I think he wants you happy."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"Well you were bleedin' on the side of the road in the middle of no where," he said, teasing as her kiss made him smile again.

"He meddles a bit too much for my comfort, but maybe you're right. You hear anything 'bout money bein' made, though, you tell him I want half."

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"Oh, now you show your true colors! You're just in it for the money!" She laughed and finished off the shots before leaning on a chair to eye the table. Could she play and win still?

Yep.

Alrighty, time to snare some players!

"I see how you are. Rig the bets, take your cut, play all innocent Sheriff when caught..."

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

Bill snorted and grinning at her over the rim of his beer.

"Right. If I'd of been asked an hour ago I'd have said I didn't have a shot in hell with you."

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"Oh?" She asked, arching an eyebrow as she racked. Someone would come over, it was inevitable. "Why would that be?"

[no_andy_taylor.insanejournal.com]

"'Cause you're you an' I'm... me." Which didn't sound right, and made no sense so he tried again.

"I mean, you're pretty, an' outgoin'. You've been all them places an' had all them adventures. You go runnin' for miles for fun, an' think nothin' of blinkin' off to the other side of the world."

His tone came out with a certain fondness and admiration as he gave voice to the things he'd taken notice of since she moved in with him.

"An' me, I'm a small town homebody. Didn't think I had anything that might interest you."