The Worriment Waltz

[Rebecca Talon]

"Yes, you can," Rebecca replied. "We can't fight the whole war for you, but we should be able to keep their acolytes off of you while you deal with the traditional targets. The High Council and I will be reserved in helping to deal with Dominus."

[Isabella price]

“Good we can use all the help we can get.” Bella said as she looked around the room. “Does anyone have anything else they wanted to add before we end the meeting?”

[Nick Ryder]

"Nothing that we can resolve today." Nick said as he glanced at Becca and then back to Bella. "I'd offer to take two of my favorite redheads out to brunch but I think you and Jon are going to be... busy?"

"Well, she did promise if I actually got dressed this was our only function of the day." Jon said and gave her a sly look. "Because let's all be honest here, Dominus or Bellatrix can rain down hellfire on us at any moment and maybe this is a semi-good thing... makes us reassess what's truly important."

Nick leaned over and whispered to Alice, "He's got that right..."

"As romantic as that all sounds sir... some of us don't exactly have the kind of... family you do. Although I would like to spend some time with the two of you, if Isabella is amiable to spending a couple hours with her cousin in law?" Nicole inquired.

"Lovely to see you back Rebecca. Stop by the tower sometime, Anthony and I have been working on a few new... anti-Ajem designs that could use a Master's touch in ensuring they work." Noonian said with a wink at Nick.

"You're saying I'm not a master too?" Nick said with a tone of mock hurt.

"Not at all but... she DID just come from their main world... did you? Besides... the only planet that needs you is called Alice." Noonian said with a smile.

"Did he just call you fat?" Nick gasped. "I knew Natalia was jealous of you." he chuckled and shook his head.

"How DO you manage to live with this one..." Noonian patted his shoulder. "And no, Natalia is not at all jealous... although maybe just tiny tiny bit... you're wearing clothes you had before you had Gale. I've just spent a month's salary on a new wardrobe for her."

"From where? Angel gives them to us for free." Nick raised an eyebrow.

"Ah but your wife does not." Khan winked. "Besides, I thought you of all people would know that even if it is given to you free... you still pay for the labor. Of course, your wife does have more in her personal account than you do."

"Well I AM funding an intelligence agency pretty much out of pocket so..." Nick said. "Oh and Bella... make sure Kassie keeps Gale out of your armory... he's learned how to unlock a phaser. Wonder where he learned that from..."
"

[Isabella price]

"I have no idea." Bella said looking rather guilty.

"Don't worry we're actually responsible despite what people might think." Jason said as he collected his pads.

[Kassie Kaine-Calhoun]

"Of course we are." Kassie said as she appeared holographically. 'I mean, I may wear collars and we're kinky in the bedroom but when it comes to the kids, you can trust us. Besides, Gale and little JC are awesome little guys when they're actually given something to do. Never knew Jason was so artistic as a child. Something i am entirely encouraging."

"You got my blessing." Nick chuckled lightly and patted Jason on the shoulder. "Speaking of art, when you and Mac come to be tested by Alice, we should jam sometime, it feels like forever since the two of you and I just played whatever. And your grandpa Leo did bequeath that violin to you Mac, the one that belonged to the pit master of the London Philharmonic. I kept the one that belonged to the New York Philharmonic because that's what he used to teach me to play with, until I stopped playing after I left for the Academy and ended up going more into guitar since there were like 90 thousand violin and viola players and everyone was into chamber music at the time."

"I remember you telling me you wanted to bring Rock n Roll and Blues back." Kassie said with a nod of her head. "I always love listening to Jason play. You know... that could be why the other versions of you and Jack are so evil, they don't appreciate beauty and music and art. It's all about just being a consumer, not a creator. But then again what do I know... I'm just a secretary and a part time spy."

[Mac Calhoun]

"Ah shut up Kassie you're pretty damn smart." Jason said with a grin.

Mac rolled her eyes, "I'll think about it. Right hand still gives me some trouble and I haven't learned how to play left handed. It's a bit more complicated than shooting."

[Nick Ryder]

"All the more reason to spend more time with me. I can fix that." Nick held up his hands. "These aren't exactly 100% organic any more but I can thread needles, play 5 different instruments, fix complex electronics and pleasure a woman."

"Ew man... " Kassie laughed.

"Massage." Nick rolled his eyes. "Y'know rubbing her neck and back..."

"Oh you poor girl Alice..." Kassie teased.

[Alice Ryder]

“A proper English woman never kisses and tells Kassandra.” Alice said with a grin.

[Rebecca Talon]

"Let's just say we're all better off without hearing about the details of that particular 'tell'," Rebecca teased Nick. "That tale is likely to be short and come up lacking."

[Nick Ryder]

"Eu tu Becca?" Nick said with a roll of his eyes. "At least I'm getting some." he teased back. "Annnyway... I guess we all know what we're going to be doing, and let's try to at least look on the bright side, if Dominus and Bellatrix's forces are in temporary disarray we have a bit more time to plan and prepare. Time we may not have been given previously."