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The Hound Wolf Squad had a lot to think about from the previous day. While on the one hand they had received verbal forgiveness from West over their reaction during the infamous pre-Christmas op, on the other they still had not seen or heard from L. Captain Redfield didn’t take calls from her at work, as far as they could tell. Not certain as to if she was working the same hours, or if they simply missed Redfield’s contact with her.
They were a little on edge, as their Alpha informed them by the end of the previous day that L would be coming to the office after meeting with the Director. Was she still upset? West seemed to be easy-going, but would his kindred feel the same?
Chris had gotten up just before eleven from his office, making his way to the kitchenette to put on the kettle. As he walked by, Piers heard the faintest of chimes sound from the man’s back pocket. If Redfield hadn’t been so close, he wouldn’t have caught the message coming in. From the corner of his eye, he saw Redfield check his phone and then flick the switch to activate the kettle.
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Fenrir: Just heard Alpha’s phone ding.
Umber Eyes: I see the kettle is on, she must be done the meeting with the Director.
Canine: Hopefully it went well…
Tundra: She didn’t seem mad when Claire and I questioned her before dinner that night.
Night Howl: It was the Captain’s reaction to the situation that set her off, I think.
Lobo: I hope she doesn’t punch me in the face. I have a date tonight.
Fenrir: West didn’t, and his fists are lot bigger. We raised guns at him too.
Canine: Don’t underestimate the wrath of a woman who barely reaches Alpha’s chest without shoes. Those women are like Tasmanian Devils when you piss them off.
Tundra: ….have a story or two to share with us, Canine?
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Soon enough the elevator notified the Squad that L had arrived. The soft sound of her boots along the floor caught their attention, and the scarlet red winterized trench coat was almost an advanced warning system to the expression on her face as she entered. Her hair was tamed back into a thick French braid, ice blue eyes harder than diamonds and brows slightly furrowed as she made her way straight to the kitchenette where Redfield stood making a cup of tea for her.
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Tundra: Never seen her hair pulled back before. Those cheekbones could cut glass.
Lobo:…her face is worse than the Captain’s when he’s having muscle cramps on top of paperwork errors and you’re evaluating her bone structure like she’s a model?
Tundra: I think I could take her, if I had to. She’s smaller.
Fenrir: Keep thinking those good thoughts, Tundra. She’s dating Alpha, do you really think she can’t defend herself properly?
Tundra: Fair point.
Canine: She’s mad as shit.
Umber Eyes: Maybe not still at us?
Night Howl: Shhhhhhhh. Wanna hear this!
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Chris handed L the large mug after taking her coat with a gentleness the Wolves rarely saw him demonstrate. Seating themselves, she took a careful sip of the steaming brew and made a pleased sound.
“Figured nae be anything but coffee hounds working here. This is a nice mint blend.”
“Claire bought it for me a few months back when I was having stomach troubles.”
“Mm.” She hummed and sipped once more.
“I didn’t hear any announcements for emergencies when your meeting was done. Does that mean it went better than expected, or is he dead already?” Getting a soft snort in reply, he smiled a bit.
“He kept trying to press me to engage in medical screening prior to signing up, or at least have my records sent to Dr. Chambers here for analysis. He was courteous at first, all politely political in laying out the benefits of accepting a contract here at the good ol’ BSAA. Same thing as West was offered. Office hours expected, mandatory overtime, with recurrent training on the latest techniques for re-certification provided on an as-needed basis. My own office in Med Bay, all for the low price of my bloodwork, an MRI, and fitness test.” She leaned back in her chair with the mug between her hands. “The man has no idea that I cannae serve fifteen clients in one day if they all come in with complex issues. I know I have the degrees needed, but my hands can only do so much per day. Overtime made no sense to me whatsoever. Neither did the office hours five days per week, unless he’s hoping to foist someone else’s work on top of me. I’m nae a physiotherapist.”
“What did you say to him?” Chris listened, noting that the Wolves had ceased typing when L had sat at the table with him.
“Fuck ‘em. I will do two days per week office hours, no more unless therapy is needed post-op. No office in Med Bay, I’m not going anywhere near them and all the pointy-stabby-things they have at the ready. I’m beholden to no man for my schoolin’, and I’ll nae start relying on ‘em now to do the upkeep when certs expire.” She scowled. “Either he can find me a spot somewhere else in the building, or he can go an’ shit up a gum tree. No skin off my nose.”
Redfield laughed softly and took a drink of his cooling coffee.
“You didn’t answer if he’s still alive or if the receptionist is panicking about if she needs to call a Code Nine or not.”
“He probably told her nae to call Medical, as he brought it on himself. Shouldn’t have tried to loom over me like a damn villain to intimidate me into submitting for the tests.”
Chris choked on his mouthful, expression fully alarmed, eyes darker with emotion.
“He…did…what?” A low growl.
“He violated my personal bubble. So I grabbed him by the balls and twisted ‘em up a wee bit. He screamed like a girl with her hair gettin’ snatched and then was just moanin’ on the floor when I walked out. I gave him my terms, if he cannae abide by them, too bad.”
“…I’ll kill him.”
“No, nae do that, handsome Red. If you go to jail, I’ll have to do paperwork for the conjugal visits. I don’t want to do more paperwork.” She patted the massive forearm in front of her, earning a strained chuckle. “Besides, if he presses assault charges against me he’ll start a war with the DSO. So you won’t have to fill out conjugal papers either. Win-win situation.”
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Canine: What the fuck?! The Director tried to intimidate her?
Fenrir: If Captain doesn’t kill him, I will.
Umber Eyes: Get in line.
Tundra: She could put him up on assault charges if the cameras were recording, they can back her up
Night Howl: Lobo… you good, man? Deep breaths.
Lobo: ….yeah.
Tundra: Wait a second… conjugal papers? It’s official; L is doing Alpha.
Fenrir: Ugh…. That thought is like walking in on your parents christening the couch.
Lobo: Is brain bleach a thing yet?
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“If he gets a message to me, I’ll accept only the terms I have set.” L sipped her tea once more, noting that the Wolves seemed to be struggling a little with what they’d been eavesdropping on.
“That’s my girl.”
He looked over when he heard the elevator ding, the receptionist of the Director coming down the hallway with a folder in her hand.
“Ms. L? It seems the Director has agreed to your… terms. Please fill out this form at your earliest convenience? Thank you.”
It wasn’t lost on everyone that the woman stayed as far away from L as possible, nearly tossing the folder on the table before scurrying back down the hallway.
“Did you bite her on your way out?” Redfield chuckled.
“Maybe I should have, she’s lookin’ a wee bit uptight. Have ye a pen, Big Boy? May as well get this done now.”
He gave a small smile, handing her one and looking to the Squad, who were close to vibrating in their seats. Arching a brow, he could see the anxious face of Lobo furthest away, Piers looked a mix between murderous and disgusted, Umber’s face a barely contained mask of rage. Tundra appeared slightly excited and a little weirded out, Night Howl was full poker face, and Canine was still eyeing L like she was an unstable animal that may yet attack again.
L filled out her paperwork, holding up a finger in the direction of the Wolves that communicated for them to wait their turn. Nose wrinkling as she reviewed her work, she signed the bottom with a flourish. Chris collected them and made a couple of photocopies to keep on file in the privacy of his office.
“Insurance policy.” Were the only words he’d said in explanation when her head tilted in curiosity as he went inside to secure the documents.
Turning her attention to the Squad, she eyed each one of them before settling on Piers and Lobo and spoke with a low voice.
“The two of ye have some apologizin’ to do if ye nae done it already. Strike One. The rest of you are just as guilty for the actions in the field that brought me home a man in a state I never want to see again. Strike Two. Pull a stunt like that a second time and I’ll take the greatest of pleasures guttin’ each one of you like a fish, ye ken? There is no third strike.”
“Ma’am, yes Ma’am!” In stereo.
“Good pups.”
Chris picked that moment to come back out of the office, a brow raised at the chorused response he’d picked up. The team had sounded both enthusiastic and loud.
“Well, I suppose I’d better get these forms back up the stairs, ye ken? Wouldnae want to keep Sore Balls waiting on too many pins and needles.” Her smile would have looked warmer on a shark. Too glacial and on the side of feral that made Canine shift in his seat in slight anxiety.
“Sure you want to do that before lunch? Not sure he won’t drop of a heart attack if you get into close quarters twice in an hour.”
“I’ll let ‘em live today. Scout’s honor, Big Boy.”
“Before you go, we should probably introduce you properly to the Squad here…”
“Right. Formalities an’ all that. What’ve they been calling me all this time?” She snickered.
“Ms. L, because they’re polite.”
“Ah, I see.” Redfield placed a gentle hand on her lower back before turning to the Wolves.
“Squad, meet Líle Iarthar. Newest BSAA staff member and my girlfriend.”
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Umber Eyes: The Captain didn’t tell us he was dating a General
Tundra: We’ve finally been introduced! Her name kinda sounds like Lily.
Canine: In the interest of keeping my innards inside, I’m staying out of this round.
Night Howl: It does… Interesting.