Sunnydale AU: at the corner of your eye

[americas_son]

The problem with Grahame being in LA and Mother spending most of her time in Sacramento is that, for all intents and purposes, the Chandler household has been whittled down from three (from four) to one. That makes less work to go around, and it's getting harder and harder to justify keeping on all the staff. Cal is combing intently through records and other paperwork, trying to find a balance between what's best for the Chandler finances and what will cause the least amount of difficulty for those who depend on the Chandlers for their wages.

Comments

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

(As a selfless bid to make absolutely sure Cal is thoroughly distracted?)

Cal brightens. Then smirks.

"Yeah, I bet."

[if_inconvenient]

It would be utterly absurd of him to blush, wouldn't it.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

It totally would.

Cal's smirk is not going anywhere.

[if_inconvenient]

Perhaps it's just a trick of the light.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Perhaps Cal is not buying that explanation.

[if_inconvenient]

Perhaps Cal is wise.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal takes a few seconds to - well, smirk some more, then says,

"I seriously want to meet this chick."

[if_inconvenient]

"I am sure it will happen eventually."

And he's definitely not plotting at this very moment to make sure that 'eventually' is at least six months away. Of course not. No.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Well, it'll have to," Cal says cheerfully. "You got to meet Tina."

He pauses for a second, then adds,

"Like, normally. Not stalking her."

Another second. Pointedly: "I won't stalk Bella."

[if_inconvenient]

"Sensible of you," he says, smiling. "Her father's the chief of police."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Oh, like that matters," Cal says dismissively. "You've met my head of security, right?"

Because when Cal said he wouldn't stalk Bella, what he really meant was that he wouldn't have any of his staff stalk Bella.

[if_inconvenient]

"No," he deadpans.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal snorts.

"Just as well, you'd probably hate him."

[if_inconvenient]

He has to crack up at that.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

Cal laughs, too, pleased with himself.

[if_inconvenient]

"The furthest thing from it, I assure you."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, yeah." That's what they all say.

Or - something.

[if_inconvenient]

"Now why on Earth would I be lying about that?"

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"I don't know. Why would you lie about that?" Cal asks sternly.

Sort of.

[if_inconvenient]

"I certainly have no idea. If I secretly hated your head of security, I would have gotten him fired long ago."

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"With the Post-Its."

Cal remembers that.

[if_inconvenient]

"Precisely, yes."

And he hasn't! Because he is quite fond of Peter Beardsley. And the man is admirably good at his job.

[americas-son.livejournal.com]

"Well, I'm glad you haven't," Cal says. "I don't feel like looking for a new one."

[if_inconvenient]

"And you'd be hard put to find a better."

[chandler-npc.livejournal.com]

"Please," calls a voice as its owner walks past the door, "I'm blushing."