Office Hour

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She's parked herself at her desk, grading speeches that she's been putting off. She's entirely interruptable...and it might just smell like chocolate cake in her office.

[[Jack for sure...and anyone else]]

Comments

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack, wearing one of his presents (no, not the leather pants, the sweater), comes in. "Hi, Mom. Thanks for the party last night. The piñata in particular was killer."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Hey cutie. Yeah, um, I didn't plan that part. I'm sorry."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grins and pulls up a chair. "No, it was cool. I got to use my sword for real."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Well, um, good?" she laughs softly and shakes her head. "You never got to make a wish last night."

She produces a chocolate cupcake and pokes a candle into it. Lighting it with a small lighter, she holds it up. "Blow it out."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grins, closes his eyes, and leans forward to blow it out. Surprise, surprise, it goes out at once.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"What's your wish, Chip?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Who says I only made one?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"With an answer like that, it makes me wonder if I'm spoiling you." She smirks and pulls the candle out and passes him the cupcake.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack takes the cupcake and pulls off a piece. Popping it into his mouth, he licks frosting off his fingers. "Spoiled rotten," he agrees.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"So how do you think I can top the birthday, huh?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"You don't have to top it," Jack said hastily. "I think 18 parties in one day is an untoppable thing. I think they retire the record or break the number or something."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"That sounds almost like a dare, Jack!" A slow, wicked grin broadens her mouth, "Are you daring me?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack answers with a matching grin. "Okay. Fine. I dare you."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"How about...Ooh, how about I don't tell you at all what I have planned since it involves me and Ten and our anniversary."

Laughing maniacally, she pulls out a cupcake for herself.

"So, do you really want a pony?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No, that's quite all right. Although if you ever needed help planning anything, you could ask." Jack takes another bite of his cupcake. "Pony? What would I do with a pony? Much easier to have a hovercar."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Parker said something about ponies last night. I was just curious."

Licking all the frosting off, she's really mature and shows it to him before pulling her tongue in and swallowing it.

"We don't have hovercars here, Chip. Sorry. How about a Vespa?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"What's a Vespa?" Jack takes another bite and considers opening his mouth to show her the half-chewed cupcake, but figures he'll be mature about it.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"A scooter. Like a motorcycle, but small. Here..." she pulls up an image on her computer. "See?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack nods. "I like that. I bet I could outrun vampires on that. Which is a handy thing in this town." He leans back. "You don't have to get it for me, though."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Good. I'm not going to." she leans back and smirks at him. "Spoiled rotten...you don't get anything more until you come home more often. Waffles and LEGO and swords are just bribery. Come see me more often or I'll get you another pinata."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Hey!" Jack protests. "That's just mean. Dangling things in front of me and then yanking them away." He fakes the best pout he can, which is really quite good.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"I'm also not giving you my credit card anymore. See how you like them apples." She glares at him, also really quite good. "You know that kind of thing doesn't work on me. Pouting gets you nowhere, kid."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack drops the pout and frowns thoughtfully. "How about begging?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Begging works sometimes." she looks like she's seriously considering this and nods.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack leans forward and props his elbows up on the desk, resting his chin in his hands. "How about negotiating?"

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"What do you bring to the table? Negotiation is all about reciprocity, Chip. You learned that last term."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack grins. "How about... I spend every Saturday night -- barring nights that I have dates -- and Sunday day at home, with you and the Doctor and whoever else is joining us, and you continue to spoil me rotten."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Throw in helping with breakfast and coming on Sundays regardless of dates and you have a deal."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Deal," Jack says instantly, and holds out his hand to shake.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

She extends her hand, but catches him by the wrist instead. "Get over here."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Jack gets up and comes around the desk. "Yes, Mom?" he asks innocently.

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Give me a hug, you weirdo." She laughs softly and pulls him close. "I really lucked out finding you."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He wraps his arms around her and squeezes. "What do you call it when you're beyond lucky? 'Cause that's what I am. Thanks, Mom."

[prof-cregg.livejournal.com]

"Beyond lucky is defined in the dictionary as 'Harkness' I think."

SHe hugs him back tightly, rocking back and forth. "I love you too, kiddo."