Robert Queen/Merlyn (hunters_moon) wrote in dc_nextgen,
@ 2010-04-04 00:04:00

Entry tags:

inactive - jane doe-smith, inactive - robert queen

Not A Goodbye.
The Queen Industries building in midtown Gotham explodes as he looks on, and Robert Queen calls this a job well done. He planned the attack for after-hours, when the least amount of people were there. He'd counted two guards and someone working late in an office, all of which were disabled and removed from the building before its destruction.

Innocents didn't deserve to die for Oliver Queen's sins, though the resulting joblessness would be an issue until the place was rebuilt.

He went home, showered, and used his new cell phone to call his only friend in Gotham (in fact, his only friend ever thus far) and tell her that he was leaving. His plane left early in the morning, and it was on to St. Roch to continue the pattern. His mission is clear, to him, but Gotham was good to him for what it was worth.

He picks up the phone and calls Jane, hoping she's up working on a case. If nothing else, the explosion probably woke everyone in town.

"Hey Jane....it's me." he says.

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	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 02:41 am UTC (link)
	And someday Jane might figure that out. She's pretty clueless right now. She hadn't heard about the explosion yet since she has no TV. She snaps her fingers. "Gosh. I knew I forgot something." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 02:45 am UTC (link)
	"I hope you returned that horrid mask. Teufeltiger is NOT invited to dinner." Jake jokes. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 02:48 am UTC (link)
	"Yeah. I did," She reaches up to rub the back of her head. "They were not happy that it got shot, by the way. I'm lucky they still paid me." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 02:50 am UTC (link)
	"Well, they can learn to live with it. We went through hell to find that thing, so maybe the next person who sees that thing will think twice about trying to use it." he says. "Hey...did you go to school to learn to be a detective, or did your father teach you all of it?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

jdoesmith
2010-04-05 03:00 am UTC (link)

"That's true. I did hear that they'll be working on security though," Jane says with a happy nod. "I think they'd hate to pay my hazard fee again."

She pauses as she dishes out their dinner then shrugs. "No school. I was never comfortable around lots of people. He taught me everything he knew. I study the rest on my own. I just took the classes I needed to get my lisences."

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	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 03:19 am UTC (link)
	Jake nods. "What do you think is the most challenging aspect of your job?" he asks her, as if conducting an interview. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 03:26 am UTC (link)
	"That's a tough one." She finishes dishing out their food. "I would say tracking down leads. It's always very hit or miss. And usually you get lots of misses before you score a solid lead." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 03:33 am UTC (link)
	"Have you ever come across a case you couldn't crack, no matter how much information you had?" he asks, rising to take up his plate. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 03:36 am UTC (link)
	"Yes," she says in a short tone. It's not something she wants to talk about. That case is very personal since it involves her. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 03:41 am UTC (link)
	"And my questions about your work stop right now." he says, setting the book aside. "The food smells great, Jane. Thank you for agreeing to see me again." he says. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 03:45 am UTC (link)
	The tension leaves her shoulders pretty quickly. She feels calm and much better. "Cooking isn't a big deal. I like doing it. And... I'm glad I got to see you." This is much easier than things that get close to her past. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 03:58 am UTC (link)
	"When I'm done with dinner, remind me to kiss the cook." he grins. He sees that talking about her work isn't something that she enjoys, so he decides to change the game up a little. "I'm probably giving up my mystique a little here...but is there anything you'd like to know about me?" he asks. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:07 am UTC (link)
	She just smiles. Then she tilts her head. "What exactly do you do? I know your skill level is pretty up there. But that can't be everything." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hunters_moon
2010-04-05 04:12 am UTC (link)

He paused for a moment to think on his response.

"I don't work for money, but I'm a mercenary of sorts. I work for what's right, to the best of my ability. My father abandoned my mother and I before I was born, and he refuses to have any contact with me.

My adopted father taught me everything he knows about how to fight, and my mother taught me about archery. I learned a lot from the both of them." he says.

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	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:17 am UTC (link)
	"So sort of what I do. Just more violent generally speaking," she says with a cocked eyebrow. "It's not a bad thing. I was adopted. Sometimes someone just has to step up to the plate." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

hunters_moon
2010-04-05 04:22 am UTC (link)

"A lot more violent." he says, not flinching from her gaze.

"Yeah, you could say that. My mother saw I needed a strong hand, and she found someone who could provide that. Granted, my father would have hated my step-father, had he given a damn, but he didn't.

He went back to his own life of womanizing, booze and promiscuity. He reminds me of men like Donald Kestrel. Oh, and he had children. He had a son he walked away from, and then started adopting kids off the street." Jake says.

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jdoesmith
2010-04-05 04:25 am UTC (link)

If she had more information she would know exactly who Jake is talking about. But he hasn't said enough but the picture is starting to get clearer.

Too bad she likes him. It's complicating things even though she is used to distancing herself. Somehow this time she can't.

"Ah. Well. Good for her. I never really needed anyone but Dad. I wasn't difficult. Just...." She shrugs. She won't go into it.

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hunters_moon
2010-04-05 04:34 am UTC (link)

"You have a relationship with your father, Jane. You have a treasure that many people would give anything they own for.

Honor that." he says.

"I moved around a lot as a kid, and my parents were very strict with me. They always pointed out what I could do better.

They cared enough to criticize and I loved them for it. I haven't seen them in a few years, but I'm a lot more self-reliant because of their teachings." he says.

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	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:42 am UTC (link)
	"Had," she says a little regretfully. "He was a good man though. Wouldn't give up the time we had for anything. I was lucky given my circumstances." She doesn't want to bring that story in though. She tries avoiding it but it keeps slipping in. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 04:49 am UTC (link)
	"Oh. I apologize." he says. A lot of things about Jane become clear to him in that moment. The reasons why she seems so alone, and reluctant to let anyone in. "You've done well for yourself, Jane. Anyone who sees you can attest to that." he says, eating heartily. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-05 04:57 am UTC (link)
	"It's okay. Really. I just don't.... talk about him to people much," she says with a shrug trying to shift the subject. "Thanks." She digs into her plate of food. She needs to forget things for a bit. Food not surprisingly helps. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-05 10:51 pm UTC (link)
	"I understand. We can talk about anything you like." he says. He lets the silence reign for a bit. (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-09 05:31 pm UTC (link)
	She moves food around on her plate with her fork. Her expression is serious and closed off for a few minutes. Finally she sighs deeply and speaks up again. "I've spent most of my life alone. Most of what I can remember anyways, on my own. I'm not used to being around too many people or opening up to anyone. Talking can be... weird. I never know what to say." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	hunters_moon 2010-04-10 12:34 am UTC (link)
	"Well, we can sit and listen to each other breathe if it's easier, Jane. I...I kind of understand where you're coming from. Yeah, I had my mother, but...I've never fit in anywhere. I had to make my own way, and I'm still doing that. You're the first person that's really...seen me, I guess." he says. "And there goes that weird you were talking about. I'm sorry." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)

	jdoesmith 2010-04-10 01:31 am UTC (link)
	Jane lets both of her eyebrows go up. She is fighting to not grin but looses. "I think it's the fact I'm not normally comfortable with people. I get the feeling you're the same way. People are.... strange. I have to step back and study what's going on to really get it." (Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)