Smashing

Date/Timing: 18 January 2019
Setting: Chantell's office, The Shed; Vaucluse, NSW, Australia
.
"Hey, Chantell!" greets Andrea.
""Shhhh.""
"Are you /hungover?"
Chantell pinches, 'little bit,' sits up very, very carefully. "'Drink up,' he says, 'you'll be fiiiine'." Scowls. "'Fine' my ass."
"Who fed you something more alcoholic than a Shirley Temple?" asks Jason.
"My dad." Pillows her head. ""Fucking whiskey.""
"Doesn't he normally use his whiskey on du Croz and not tormenting you?"
"Yea, except when it's 'whiskey and whine' night and 'Henry, dear' gets some emergency dumped on him."
"Is the baby okay?" Andrea squeaks.
"Wha ...?" Chantell straightens. "Oh my god, no, nothing to do with the baby, [baby's fine]."
Collective sigh of relief.
"'parently Oldest Hansen was out getting smashed and ... smashing ... things. Possibly people." Grins painfully. "We're a liiiiiittle short on bail money right now."
Andrea says, dryly and with a weird accent, "Smashing." 
Jason queries, easing himself into a visitor's chair. 
'Nevermind,' flicks Andrea. 
Jason nods, flexes his knee. "Know what set him off?"
Chantell makes a 'dunno' sound.
"Guess he doesn't need reasons."
"Not lately. Between him and Logan ... ugh." Head back on folded arms.
"Would coffee help?"
""God, yes.""
"On it!" Andrea hops up and jogs over to the coffeemaker.
"When it rains, it pours, ay?"
Chantell groans.
Andrea places a steaming mug next to Chantell's hand.
""Thanks.""
No one moves for a few seconds.
"It only helps if you drink it, you know."
""Shut up, Egan.""
Jason nudges the cup a bit closer. 
""Egan.""
Eeeeeeeven closer. 
""You keep doing that and you'll be wearing it.""
"Just trying to help."
""I know."" Huffs. ""Hate my dad.""
Nguyen greets, "Ranger Hill—"
Andrea and Jason stand, [bow]. 
Nguyen bobs his head. "Officer Egan."
""I hate you!"" 
"So I've heard. Drink your coffee, Telly: it'll help." Toasts them with his cup—
Andrea and Jason bow. 
—heads into his office. 
Chantell sits up, cradles her cup. "'Drink your coffee, Telly'." Grumbles into her mug. "'It'll help'." Glowers but sips—"Oh my god this is good." Puts down her cup, leans back. "You were right!" 
""I know!""
"What about me?" pouts Jason. 
"I owe you absolutely no loyalty." 
"You threatened to pour hot coffee on me!" 
"And I still will if you don't stop squawking!" 
Andrea pats his hand. 
"I'll stop squawking." 
"Good." Sips, swallows. "Thanks, Ray." 
Andrea offers a thumbs up. 
"Something wrong?" asks Jason. 
"Nee—" Andrea claps a hand over her mouth, shakes her head. 
"You're going awfully pink," adds Chantell. 
Andrea's eyes crinkle and she makes a very funny sound and then she dissolves into giggles.
Category:Ficlet
Category:Skeleton Key
Category:Andrea
Category:Andrea's POV
Category:Andrea (ficlet)
Category:Jason
Category:Jason (ficlet)
Category:Chantell
Category:Chantell (ficlet)
Category:Du Croz (mention)
Category:Scott (mention)
Category:Logan (mention)
Category:Sydney Shatterdome (setting)
Category:Nguyen
Category:Nguyen (ficlet)
Category:Nguyen and coffee have a relationship
Category:Wild Thornberries (reference)
Category:Andrea is American
Category:Ficlets with images