"That's pretty intense." She spent a moment imaging her father behaving like that and found it wasn't much of a stretch. If Mom had let him off his leash, he could have been worse.

"Dad never did that, but the few dates I had before...time became an issue, Dad sent an agent for security. Afterward, my security was doubled and I didn't date. I'm glad he likes you or he and I would be butting heads a lot."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"You're glad he likes me?" Qamar says, raising an eyebrow. "I was worried for a time that I'd wake up in my room surrounded by SHIELD agents to be interrogated by Dick Cheney!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

She grinned at the mental image. "Don't worry, Cheney doesn't have clearance for the helicarrier. How do you like living on a flying base?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"It's... different," he admits. "But in a lot of ways, the engine's sort of white noise. Ironically, it's sort of quieter than living in the city." He looks at her. "But I imagine you're used to it."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"If my parents hadn't taken me to work a lot while I was growing up, I wouldn't have seen much of them. That took me into my fair share secured and unusual places." She leaned on an elbow. "Dad would walk me around the flight deck and tell me that one day I would be in the top seat so I had to learn how to respect and treat each agent so they in turn could take care of the world." She looked back at him. "Brainwashed at an early age, right?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Maybe," he admitted. "My dad exposed me to a lot of Western culture, because he believed it was where Cairo was heading. And he expected me to become a doctor like him." He shrugged. "But I'm not necessarily going into med school."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"What you do is unique and important, and you aren't wasting your talents and abilities. That's a lot for a parent to proud of in any culture. I'm glad you made it as far as New York."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"I think he'd be proud of the work I do, even if he'd have an issue with the... costume," he notes. "He had some things to say about the extremist Muslim factions, and would be proud of the work I did to combat them."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Sammy just smiled at him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

He smiles back. "And I think if you decided you wanted to do something else, your dad would be okay with it, too." He considers a moment. "Well, maybe not okay, but he'd find a way to survive."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Would anybody in the restaurant notice how hard she was crushing on this guy?

She traced a line on the side of the water glass in front of her with a fingertip. "He would, but I've never wanted to do anything else. I like the career path I'm on. Sure, I tease him that I'd make one heck of a thief," or assassin, don't say that, "but what he does is important. It's not popular and the good guys don't like him much, but without someone like him on the front line, I think the world would be a very different place. Not in a good way, either."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Qamar nods. "Sometimes, the important things aren't pretty. But they're important, and it's critical to have someone trustworthy at the head of it." He smiles at her. "And I'm glad you're happy with what you do." He leans forward. "But... if you recognize it as brainwashing, even jokingly... I'm not sure it really counts as brainwashing anymore. More like... something you wanted to do, and he helped you figure that out."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

She leaned forward as well. "What time to you think we'll get back tonight?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

He considers. "Coffee ceremony, dancing, a walk in central park... maybe about 1 or 2 AM?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Sounds perfect."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Oh, and I have a surprise for you, too. When we get back. A good surprise." He feels the need to clarify. He's given her enough bad surprises over their relationship.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Do I get a hint?" Dangling a mystery in front of her was so not fair.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

He considers. "You don't need it to survive... just to live," he offers.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"You're spoiling, Mr. el-Sayed. Have I told you lately I adore you?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Only every time you consent to go out with me again," he replies."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

She really didn't deserve him, but she wasn't about to give him up. "We're about to get mushy, you know. In public."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"What will Internal Affairs say?" he asks, leaning forward.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

She leaned forward to whisper, "Whatever it is, I'll get Alice to hack their reports and make it all sound good."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"As long as we avoid talking in baby-talk, I think we'll manage without serious repercussions," he replies, whispering back.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Sammy laughed and reached out to touch him. "The Great Serious Repercussions Caper. Coming to a theater near you."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)