the_gene_genie | (no subject)

To say he's nervous about this would be understating it a little. Not only is he weirded out by the idea of getting on a horse, he's also wearing jeans. Which is not a usual thing for him and just brings out the alien nature of this whole encounter. But! Needs must and every time he wavers on it, he just thinks of Westerns and it's enough to strengthen his resolve.

Besides, the Gene Genie isn't afraid of a damn thing and he'll be damned if some beast is going to stop him living out a dream. So here he is, early in the morning (less chance of anyone seeing) and already fortified by a good few nips of Scotch.

'Alrigh', luv?'

Stables smell weird. Horses smell weird. Grass smells weird when it's all damp like this (he's never normally close enough to it to realise that dew gives a fresh tinge to everything). He pulls at his hipflask again and eyes her.

'If y'get the urge t'laugh, jus' remember who's goin' to show you how to drive a car, yeah?'

Revenge will be sweet, should she be less than understanding.

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'Yeah, yeah, bloody nag,' he mutters, rolling his shoulder.

But he does wander off in Duncan's direction, limping a touch. When he catches him, he doesn't think twice about getting straight back on him.

'You never seen a Western? Bloody 'ell. Wha's wrong with ya?'

She doesn't like the look of that limp, but one thing she knows for certain is she can't take care of someone who don't want taking care of. Nag or no.

At least he gets up in the saddle without falling clean off again, and by her old world standards she'd say he'll end up just fine.

"A great number'a things, so I'm told," she replies dryly, settling back in the saddle. "Friend once said I could come watch 'em on 'is 'tee vee', but it just ain't never happened."

'An' I believe every one of 'em,' he throws back loftily, before turning Duncan carefully and making him walk over to Beaut.

Sore knackers are going to be the least of his worries tomorrow, he can already tell. But he isn't about to start whinging.

'So then, come an' watch 'em on mine.'

"Now, Gene, I ain't givin' you a physical..."

He rolls his eyes, clearly exasperated.

'Jus' what th' bloody 'ell d'you think I am? I was jus' tryin' t'be nice. Not everythin' is about gettin' in your knickers, y'know.'

Which is to say, he flirts a lot but it's usually only ever half-serious at best. And he's a perfect gentleman with women he actually likes and when they've already made it clear they're not interested.

'If you can' sit in a room with me an' watch telly without bein' afraid I'm goin' t'try and molest you, jus' forget I asked.'

He nudges Duncan back into a walk and aims him towards the bar.

She eyes him speculatively, a cautious but honest smile slowly settling on her face.

"Really?"

Trying to be nice to her? Well, he has offered driving lessons, but that felt slightly more borne from a spirit of obligation, not wanting any debts to his name. This she wasn't expecting.

"I jus' assumed you was teasin'."

Encouraging Beaut into a walk beside him, she keeps her eyes on the lane ahead.

"Y'have somethin' here at the bar?"

'No. Bu' I can do, in th' interests of your education.'

Which is to say, he'll get a room for the afternoon so they can watch TV. He sounds less than gracious about the plan now though, because he's got the hump. He forgets, often, that his brash exterior is near-on flawless and not many people would believe he's capable of being thoughtful. He is though. He just tries not to be, if he can help it.

For one thing, he would never have offered those driving lessons if he didn't mean it. If he doesn't want to be nice to someone, he isn't. Simple as.

'Not today though. I'm have t'fix myself before I go back to work, this afternoon.'

She bubbles with laughter.

"An' by 'fix yerself' I assume y'mean you're gonna pay a visit t'Miss Bar?"

Since he's obviously not interested in the infirmary. Kate might send him a nice basket of bath salts later, though.

'Few stiff ones, I'll be right as rain.'

He has not yet worked out that injuries here are not like injuries at home. And when he does, he won't know why. But this is going to be a lot more painful than he imagines, that's for sure.

'Takes more than a bang on the melon to stop the Gene Genie.'

She shakes her head.

"Right, then. I'll buy the first round."

She can't fight the madness, so she might as well jump on in and enjoy the swim.

"Thank you, Gene."

His head snaps to the side and he fixes her with a stare.

'For what?'

She meets his stare with all wide-eyed innocence.

"For invitin' me over."

She smiles, and though that touch of wickedness is still there, it's sincere.

"I'd like to."

His eyes remain fixed on her for a moment, like he's trying to work out if she's taking the piss. Which he is.

But then he nods. Just once, decisively.

'Righ' then.'

And that's that.