Maneuvers

Date/Timing: 16 January 2019
Setting: a very posh bar in Merivale (Sydney), NSW, Australia
Note: this ficlet has been made redundant by "Diversionary Tactics"
.
["—but seriously, Vantablack? That would've been /so /cool—"
You've said, Piercings, like, eight times—] 
A familiar face.
A familiar face who can help.
Oh thank Jack's lucky tribble socks.
Logan pushes to his feet—"I've got this round."—makes tracks for the bar, places the order, taps the little brunette on the shoulder.
.
"Uh oh," breathes Jamie, sitting up straighter.
Nate watches him over the rim of her drink. "That would not seem to be a good noise."
"Possible hitch in our evening's entertainment."
She follows his gaze, drawls, "Oh yes, Ace talking to a person in a short dress. Quite the problem, Walker, best sound the alarm."
"Exactly," murmurs Jamie. "Com/pletely out of character." Shifts the sheer curtain guarding the balcony, snaps a picture with his mobile.
jaywalker: [photograph.jpg]
jaywalker: Who's tlkn to logan?
AGNIS: I will happily perform a time-consuming facial analysis on your blurry snap.
AGNIS: It's not as though I have a major military installation to run.
jaywalker: Thx!
jaywalker: Ur the best <3
"Since your charge is almost certainly not looking for a tryst, what do you suspect for a motive?"
"Nothing good," grumbles Jamie.
.
The brunette blinks up at him, breaks into a warm(ish) smile. "Well, I'll be. My former favourite pickpocket."
"'ey, Lamb," greets Logan.
"It's been a while, eh, Kitten?"
"Four years, six months, twenty-seven days."
"I must be really special to you if you remember the date."
Logan waves it off. "'s a curse. Listen, I need you to do something for me."
"No 'how're you doing?', 'how's the family?', 'what've you been up to?'" Lamb pouts.
"No time. I need to get me and my brother away from Piercings over there before she talks us to death."
"You poor babies."
Logan rolls his eyes. "Consider it patriotic service."
"Like that's an inducement," she scoffs. "Why don't you just walk away?"
"Idiot brother's too—" Makes a disgusted face. "—/polite for that."
She snorts, points out, "You could start a fight."
"Police. Commanders. PR people. It's a whole  ordeal and I don't need it."
Lamb snickers. "Well, I don't do anything for free—"
Logan does not sigh.
"—so what's your offer?"
He thinks a moment, then grins. "Date with my brother." Jerks a thumb over his shoulder.
Lamb peers around him, considers. "Deal."
"Awe/some."
"Gimme your mobile number."
Logan dictates.
Lamb taps in the contact, slips her mobile into her purse. "You collect your drinks, go back like nothing's up. I'll take it from there."
Logan grins, flicks a salute.
.
Jamie's phone squawks. "/Please have good news for me."
""The conventionally attractive person conversing with the Ranger is identified in law enforcement databases—""
Jamie pinches the bridge of his nose.
""—as Alica Jane Simoi, she-her-hers. Her police record is as long as your proverbial arm and consists largely of convictions for fraud and theft.""
Jamie exhales. "Okay, that's not—"
""And—I almost forgot, silly me—two long probationary terms for unlawful restraint.""
"Fuuuuuck."
""Language, Officer.""
Jamie disconnects, scrubs a hand down his face.
"Bad news?"
"She's a criminal—" Deep breath. "—who likes to tie people up."
Nate hums.
"What're you thinking?"
"I think I should introduce myself. Perhaps I could learn something from her."
Jamie rolls his eyes.
.
Logan, beers in hand, strolls to the table, passes one to Piercings. 
There's not even a hiccup in her babble.
Jack accepts his with a sigh.
Logan sits, whispers in Jack's ear, "Whatever happens next, go with it."
Jack grunts, swigs.
""'scuse [me~!]"" Lamb insinuates herself between Jack and Piercings.
Jack scoots closer to Logan.
"We were talking," huffs Piercings.
[Lamb leans closer.] "I know and I'm /so sorry, but I just /have to know where you got that pendant. I've been looking all /over for an onyx and that thing is[—" Gently brushes the back of Piercings' hand. "—]/gorgeous."
Piercings blinks rapidly, cogs grinding as she tries to shift mental gears. "Ah ... what?"
Lamb giggles—
Jack goes a little heart-eyed.
Logan kicks his ankle.
—says, "I really like your necklace."
"Oh." Piercings beams. "Cool!"
"Where did you get it?"
"Oh, um, at this little vendor at an open market—"
"Before you go on, can I sit down? My feet are /killing me."
"Oh, here, have my chair," says Jack, hopping to his feet.
"Thanks, sweetie," coos Lamb, settling in. Back to Piercings. "Now ... you said something about an open market?"
"Yea! Off Circular Quay once a quarter. They have the /best—"
Logan glides to his feet and tows Jack out the door as fast as he can without looking suspicious.
Blessed freedom!
.
"Well, that scene went totally Helena Handbasket." Jamie drops his head to the table.
Nate chuckles, "Mx Handbasket is certainly entertaining."
Jamie grumbles.
"Were you just out-maneuvered by, what did you call them? 'A closeted nerd and an amoral hooligan'?"
Jamie groans.
.
Logan hangs up the payphone, says, "Driver should be here in five."
"Cool, cool." Rubs his neck. "So, uh, who's our knight in the little black dress?"
"Someone I know from back in the day."
"They owed you one?"
"Nah. Had to promise her something." Rocks on his heels. "Specifically, a date with you."
Jack gapes. "You—A da—/What?!"
"Remember when I told you I knew a chick who could do the cherry stem thing?"
"What does—?"
"That's her."
Jack turns pink. "Oh. Umm, thanks?" 
"Welcome."
Tags: Ficlet, Logan, Logan's POV, Logan's internal clock, Logan (ficlet), Jackson, Jackson (ficlet), Cameryn, Cameryn (ficlet), Jamie, Jamie (ficlet), Jamie's POV, Nate, Nate (ficlet), Lamb, Lamb (ficlet), Lamb (description), Conversations by SMS, Conversations on phones, AGNIS (ficlet), AGNIS, Star Trek (reference), Ficlets with images, Ficlets with tweaks
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