#offtherecord

by Alicia McKenzie

 

 


DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to Marvel, and are used without permission for entertainment purposes only. With all the doings on IRC of late occupying part of my mind, perhaps it's not entirely coincidental that this idea hit me. :) This is set sometime after the Nemesis Contract in CABLE, when Nathan was captured by SHIELD. This was written very quickly, in a highly sleep-deprived state, so read at your own risk. ;)


*** Now talking in #offtherecord

***Topic is ‘There's no time like the century that just flew by your window screaming for mercy. . .'

***joins: GW <DeskJockey@gothicafe.com.us.6667>

<GW> Oh, good Lord. Great topic...

***joins: CableGuy <dayspring2@javacafe.com.us.6667>

<CableGuy> Caaable-guy!

<GW> If Dom's been taking you to see Jim Carrey movies, I'm going to shoot her.

***CableGuy is now known as Nate

<Nate> Not if she shoots you first. <G>

* GW looks at Nate suspiciously. "Have you been drinking?"

<Nate> The blood of my enemies, as always. :)

<GW> ...I never know whether to take you seriously or not.

<Nate> And that's the way I like it.

* GW glares. "Bastard."

* Nate grins. "Son of a flonq."

<GW> So...javacafe?

<Nate> Don't ask. The place is packed full of university students making far too much noise, and I'm about to...do something drastic.

<GW> No, you're not.

<Nate> Probably not. Not worth the trouble. But they do serve great coffee.

<GW> Lemme guess...sixth cup?

<Nate> Seventh.

<GW> I should have figured. You're too happy. ;)

* Nate snorts.

* GW drops a pin.

<Nate> Very funny.

<GW> Well, you weren't saying anything.

<Nate> Maybe I don't have anything to say. I mean, what is there to say, G.W.? We keep doing this...running off to cybercafes and talking to each other on the sly...doesn't it seem a little ridiculous to you?

* Nate smiles sarcastically. And by the way, I haven't seen Domino in weeks.

* GW blinks.

<GW> Wait...you mean, you haven't talked to her since...

<Nate> Before I joined the ranks of the mindblind, yeah.

* GW shakes his head. So she doesn't know about any of...what happened?

* Nate is going to virtually throttle you if you don't quit bringing that up.

<Nate> I've told you it's not your fault how many times now? It wasn't your idea, to come after me, and I know flonqing well that you would never have sanctioned me being handed over to Frankenstein and company for experimental purposes.

<GW> I could quote your own sermons on personal responsibility back to you right at the moment, you know. You walked right into it.

* GW gives a weak smile.

* Nate sighs.

<Nate> Please don't.

<GW> Just kidding...

* Nate hasn't missed your excuse for a sense of humor. Not one bit. ;)

<GW> Are you all right? Really?

<Nate> YES. For the last time, yes.

<GW> I'm glad.

<Nate> What about you?

<GW> Growing fond of the desk...

* Nate chuckles. Bullshit.

<GW> No, seriously. I'm getting too old to be out in the field. I don't mind kicking back a bit...

<Nate> Heh.

<GW> Something funny?

<Nate> Nothing. Just thinking, that's all.

<GW> About.

<Nate> Ships and shoes and sealing wax...

* GW sighs.

<GW> Are you SURE you're not drunk?

<Nate> No, I'm taken the pledge. Sober as...sober can be, I guess.

* GW frowns.

<GW> You sound a little strange, Nate. Are you sure you're okay?

<GW> Nate?

<GW> Did I lose you, or are you just ignoring me?

-> [#offtherecord] PING

<GW> Nate, come on. I've got you at 2 seconds, so I know damned well you can hear me.

* Nate can hear you, GW. No need to shout.

<GW> Damn it, what's the matter?

<Nate> Nothing. I just was thinking, that's all.

<GW> About?

<Nate> Being philosophically forbidden to apologize. Makes moments like this really awkward, you know...

* GW blinks. Apologies?

<GW> You know, you're alarming me here, just a bit.

* Nate is just an old dog, trying rather futilely to learn a new trick at the last minute.

<GW> The last minute.

<Nate> Never mind.

<GW> Oh, RIGHT. If you think I'm going to let you off with that, you need your head examined. Stubborn ass.

* Nate smiles.

<Nate> Don't worry about it, G.W. You know me...can't help being enigmatic. It's part of the show...

* GW is getting the impression there's a little more to it, here.

<Nate> Oath, G.W., even I can't read minds across an internet connection. Just take care, all right? I'll...see you when I see you, I guess.

<GW> Don't you dare leave, Nate. We're not done talking yet.

<Nate> Keep your head down, G.W. :)

***joins: Dom <domino@cafenoir.com.us.6667>

<GW> DOM!

<Dom> Well, look at this. My two favorite assholes, both in one place. :)

* Nate slinks towards the door...

<Dom> Not so fast, you who haven't been replying to any of the e-mails I've left for you...

<Nate> I've been out of the century? <meek look>

<GW> Nice try. A for effort.

* Nate throws something at GW.

* Dom smiles sweetly.

<GW> I'm getting the feeling I should be logging this. Or leaving you two alone....:)

<Dom> Nonsense. Three's company. ;)

<Nate> ORGY!

* Domino blinks.

<GW> He's on his seventh cup of coffee.

* Domino ahhs.

<Dom> Then I'll have to talk advantage of the talkative mood while I can, then, won't I?

<GW> Might as well. You never know what he might let slip.

* Nate is mum. Silent as the dead.

<Dom> All right, what's going on?

<Dom> Nate?

<GW> Not this again...

<Dom> Nate. What's the matter?

* Nate has to go now. Just saw Apocalypse buying a bagel across the street.

<Dom> Don't you DARE, Summers.

<Nate> Take care, both of you.

***Nate has quit IRC (Quit: Carpe diem)

<Dom> Damn it.

<GW> Carpe diem? You think he's trying to tell us something, Dom?

<Dom> You know something?

<GW> What?

* Dom really wishes you weren't on the other side of the continent right now.

<Dom> I could really use a hug....<weak smile>

* GW hugs. You want me to hunt him down and beat the shit out of him?

<Dom> Maybe later...could we just talk for a while?

<GW> Sure. I don't have anywhere to be. ;)

<Dom> Jerk.

<GW> Love you too, Dom.

 

fin


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