Handler

Date/Timing: 14 January 2019
Setting: The Shed; Vaucluse, NSW, Australia
.
=== 1445 — Paperwork; quarters ===
I can barely keep my own life straight—how'm I supposed to take care of two of the most important guys on the planet?
What the fuck am I doing?
Swallow, fight a wave of—
Derek.
This is just the anxiety.
Deep breaths.
I can do this.
Open WholeMaster.
Fill in the birthdays from Chantell.
So weird Pietr's married. 
Has kids, too.
[There're plenty of married Rangers, sure, but only Ranger Hansen has—
And Cadet Hansen's not a toddler.]
Shake head.
Focus.
The 'day to day' tab's hopping and orange.
Switch views.
Hansen's due for his annual dental and vision checks.
Request appointment.
Pietr needs the full Ranger physical.
Request appointment.
Open Sticky.
Reminder: The Cadets need to submit ideas for SE's name [and logo] to Command by the end of the month.
Reminder: Get Pietr's signature on his new insurance policy.
Requisition: Three full SE kits for Pietr.
Requisition: Four British Sign Language instruction books.
Requisition: 8TB portable data storage device for Hansen's design files.
Note: Pietr drinks lots of black coffee.
Note: Always face Pietr directly to speak to him.
Note: Never grab Pietr's hand to get his attention; tap his arm, flick the lights, stomp a foot.
Note: Never insult Max in front of Hansen.
Tap out of Sticky, open MasterPlanner.
Appointments're sitting pretty in the calendar awaiting confirmation.
Holy shit that's fast.
Confirm them all.
Check tickets for Pietr's leave next month.
They're fine.
Add reminder to self about the trip.
Close MasterPlanner.
Open MaintainMe.
Requisitions're pending.
Close MaintainMe.
Check email.
Nothing new.
Send email: Ask Officer du Croz which of you should keep track of Max's info now.
Send email: Thank Chantell for birthday info.
Review Cadets' schedule for tomorrow.
One last email check.
Nothing.
Close email.
Close WholeMaster.
Power down tablet, stow in bag.
Stretch.
=== 1930 — Dinner; canteen ===
Fork full of curry's halfway to your mouth when—
"Why didn't you tell us you were in town?" Jack slides in across from you. "We thought you were still in L.A."
Oh fuc ....
Fork crashes to plate. 
Curry lands on your tablet.
"Ye trying to hurt our feelings?" Logan drops in beside Jack.
Stare.
"Think he's been busy," Jack says sympathetically, but it's probably patronizing.
"Too busy to talk to us? What they have you running around doing?"
...
Logan nudges Jack. "He's doing that 'rabbit-in-the-headlights' thing again."
"You still haven't grown outta that?"
...
Jack sees your tablet.
Watch him take it.
Logan hands him a napkin. "Think the password's the same?"
Jack carefully wipes away the curry. "Betcha it is." He punches it in.
Tablet unlocks.
Your brothers look at each other.
Feel yourself deflate.
"Lessee ... these're Squire apps."
"Didn't know there was an opening. Who for?"
The team information'll vanish, Chantell-Jamie-/someone'll appear, they won't find out, the power'll go out—
"'Team SE'—"
"You're working for /Chuckles?!"
World slides to the left.
Silence.
"This won't do," says Jack.
"You wanna have a li'l chat with Shortstack?" Logan cracks his knuckles.
Cringe. {Again.}
"And the Marshal tomorrow." Jack stands[—
Oh dear god no, please.
—yanks Logan to his feet—"No brother of mine's working for /him."—drags him toward the door.]
Logan waves, calls, "Later, Mouse!"
Rest your head on the table.
Deep breaths.
=== 2100 — Debrief with Jamie; quarters ===
Jamie flops onto the couch, undoes his tie. "How'd your first day go, Officer?"
Ummm ....
Damn it.
"Ran into your brothers, ay?"
Nod.
"Then they ran straight into your Rangers." Snickers. "Logan's sulking with an ice pack over his eye and Jackson swallowed some aspirin before he locked himself in his room."
"A-about, uh ...?"
Shakes his head. "I'm not sure /what your boys look like, but ye may wanna keep aspirin in your bag tomorrow and pick up some bandages from Medical, too."
Swallow, nod.
"Don't worry, all of 'em give as well as they get. Wouldn't be Rangers otherwise." Shrugs. "'sides, if it gets bad enough, the Marshal'll step in. Just do your job and the rest'll work out." Pats your back.
[Stifle a jump, sigh.]
"A [good movie'll take the edge off]." Pats your shoulder. "AGNIS, dear, what do you recommend?"
""A remedial class in etiquette, Mr Walker.""
["/My Fair Lady it is, then."
Snork.]
=== 2300 — Turn in; quarters ===
Yawn.
Power down the tablet.
Change to PJs.
Shuffle to the washroom.
Brush teeth.
Shuffle back, lock the door.
Flop onto bed.
Sigh.
Lights out.
Derek's First Day arc: (Convo) | (Roomie) | (My Old Friend, Fred) | Squire | Glitch | Assistant | Clone | Handler | Solution 
Category:Ficlets with images
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Category:Ficlet
Category:Skeleton Key
Category:Derek
Category:Derek's POV
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Category:Derek has an anxiety disorder
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Category:Derek's First Day arc
Category:My Fair Lady (reference)