noteasytobepink | Ah, those phonecalls ~ AU Bill/Clarice

Ah, those phonecalls ~ AU Bill/Clarice

It had been a few days since his new patient appeared. Appeared being the operative term since Bill and the girl both had filled him in. On one hand, he was an old man and he didn't like the world getting set on it's ear so much. On the other, well, he'd always believed there was more out there, enjoyed X-files shamelessly when it was airing, and felt that Clarice was an excellent opportunity to observe alternate biology pathways.

Plus she was a cheerful, if bad patient.

It was the second part that had him on the phone to Bill.

Well, Bill's answering machine. "Bill, it's Dr. Mitchell. I nearly have all the proper paperwork done boy, and certainly not too soon. She's one of those type you know? Needs to be doing something. I nearly had to tie her arm to her side to keep her form doing arm exercises. As if she'd lose muscle mass that quickly! And the room, don't get me started on her cleaning, and moving, and sneaking off to read to the kids in pediatrics..." No, don't get him started.

"....who think she's a fairy by the way. I guess this is a roundabout way of asking if you've found anyone with a hunting cabin she can hole up in yet."

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"I have the vague suspicion that Dr. Mitchell may be planning to write a book, or paper or something about things I tell him." She huffed and thunked her chin on her fist. "He listens...too well." Avidly, attentively, and with notes.

"He may think I'm messed up. I'll do the asking people questions thing though. We'll start with you Bill...why are you doing all this?"

"He's probably just tryin' to write the next X-Files movie."

Bill threw her a smile, then looked back at the road.

His eyes cut to her in a quick glance at her question, and he focused on making another turn.

"I'm not one of those chatty people." He gave a short chuckle, then a partial shrug.

"Because... it's my job, an' because I can. Y'know, I try an' help folks out, an' you needed a hand, an' I could give it so... so, here we are."

And they were here, as he pulled into the driveway of his small house.

It was a nice place; gravel drive, porch up front, and a big live oak in the yard.

"I'm not sure I want my life on television." She wasn't one for Hollywood fame?

"And you're chatty enough with me, else I'd have gone crazy in the hospital. I just had to wait until your visits." Doom doom doom? "You've absolutely no reason to help a random stranger who appeared with a crazy reality skipping story Bill. Not saying I'm not grateful, but still, it does beg the question doesn't it? It's okay if you don't have a reason though, that happens sometimes."

Ooooo, nice house. And a tree she'd no doubt be climbing!

"Yeah, I don't blame you."

Bill wasn't too keen on the whole spotlight and fame thing, either.

Pulling the key from the ignition, Bill got down and rounded the truck to get her door and try and help with the things she had to carry.

"What if it's just 'cause I'm a nice guy?" He liked to believe that answer was good enough.

"In many worlds nice just means 'Naive' or 'Slow', terms I don't think apply to you." She chuckled and slid down from the truck once he had her door open, the duffel already swinging to rest on her good shoulder.

"Do you think it's just because you're a nice guy?"

He held out a hand to steady her in case she needed it, then closed the door.

"Here nice means just that. Nice."

At least, that's what Bill liked to believe.

Leading the way up the porch steps, he pointed out one that was a bit wobbly, and worked on getting the front door open.

"An' I am gonna say it's because I'm a nice guy. My world nice, not yours."

She didn't need, girl was good on her feet even when injured, but she touched his hand lightly in thanks anyway. "Nice. Huh." Or sheltered, country folk who didn't deal with things like demi-gods and evil dictators!

"Nice is a rare thing Bill. True niceness that is. I'm Just going to reel in shock a bit alright?" Reel, teasingly, while avoiding wobbly step anyway!

"You can reel, just don't faint, because I'd hate for you t'crack your head open or anything."

Opening the door, he gave a smile and gestured inside.

"This is it. Can give you the tour if y'want. Your room'll be right down the hall, first door on the right."

"Ah, but wouldn't a nice man catch me before I cracked my head?" she laughed, looking around at his livingroom curiously. "That's what happens in all the good romances right? Swoon...catch...etc etc." Illustrating that she really had no idea about romance books but hey, fun to tease!

"This hall?"

Bill wisely chose not to comment on swooning and romances, and instead led the way down the hall.

"Yeah. Living room, kitchen's there, bathroom," he pointed towards the other rooms, and knocked on the bathroom door as they walked past, then stopped outside the doorway to her room.

"Here it is. An' lucky for you, all the junk that used t'live in here's been moved to the garage. Sarah, that's Dave's wife, left some more clothes. Those're in the closet and dresser."

The room was small, but there was evidence that an effort had been made to make it comfortable. The sheets were all fresh and the bed made, there was a small dresser in one corner, and a desk up against the wall, and it all smelled like clean.

Bill stood by, waiting for a verdict.

She eyed the room, eyed the bed, took in the obvious effort and...

..."Better than mot places I've ever stayed Bill, thank you." She'd make do with the clothing, being a rather different build than most. "Granted, most places growing up were camps or cots in a big room, and since then has been skipping around but..." See her smiling? Smiling was good right?

"Well I'm glad it beats a cot in a big room." He laughed, and the smiling was definitely good.

"I'm sure you'd like to give your own touches an' all, and get your own wardrobe. Go ahead an' do whatever, long as you don't knock any walls down, an' we'll get out an' get some shopping done soon."

He nodded towards the closet.

"Got my hands on an' old sewin' machine, so it's in there if you wanna use that. Thread an' stuff, too."

"You say that like I've used a sewing machine before," she chuckled. "Needle and thread will do me just fine, in fact, better than trying to use a machine. It might go evil on me or something." She was teasing...probably?

"And you wouldn't have objections if I painted the room pink or something?"

"Oh. Well, uh... that's probably in there, too?"

Chances were good there was. He'd explained the situation to his mom (minus the portals, other worlds, faking all of Clarice's information for this world, and oh yeah, the part where she'd be living at his house), and Mrs. Pardy had come through with a decent sewing kit and one of her old machines to lend.

"Pink?"

Bill eyed the walls.

"Well... I guess if-- are you sure?"

Pink?!

"Camouflage," she offered, deadpan.

What? She wasn't really going to do it! She just wanted to see his face!

And yes, she knew all the general objections to Pink. How not?

Realizing she was messing with him, he gave her a Look, and shook his head.

"I've already gotta go beatin' the trees lookin' for lost hunters in green an' brown, I'm not come home an' do the same lookin' for you with all the pink."

His Look was met with an amused LOOK of her own!

"I promise never to hide from you?" she laughed, batting her lashes. ""Or to die in a hunting accident in my room?"

Bill shook his head again, and stepped back.

"Nope, you ruined your chances. No pink."

Giving one more glance around the room, he looked at her.

"I reckon I'll let you get settled in, then."

"Awwww, but daaaaaaaaad..." she interrupted her own whining by falling into a giggle fit but hey, it was fun?

"I shall get settled then? I guess?" Or catch a nap? A nap sounded good. Damn healing.

He laughed, and patted the doorframe.

"Don't call me that, you'll make me feel old."

Smiling in amusement, he turned and headed down the hallway.

"Y'need anything, just ask."

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Ah, those phonecalls ~ AU Bill/Clarice

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