«Kick-Ass Accountant»

Cyril paused before mentioning, “Actually, the cake might be the best thing on the menu unless you enjoy off-brand cereal or MRE’s. We haven’t been back home in about a year and we haven’t docked at our more well-off ally ports in a long while too to get some better food. Archer thinks it’s a waste of time and fuel because he could just live off the cheap booze.”

As he spoke, he nearly just drifted completely from what he was saying, something in her eye caught him. It was felt captivating and inviting. For someone who could have possibly killed him about half an hour earlier, she was seeming more and more...safe.

His attention was snapped back into that moment as she spoke again. He listened with a soft smile, jubilant to hear that he did some good for once. It was a nice change from having someone yell and degrade you all the time. 

“Don’t worry about it. It’s a rough universe and we all got to make a living somehow. I get it. We’ve done some things that I’m not too proud of so I understand,” Cyril winced thinking of some of their less-than-kosher expeditions and exploitations. “You don’t have to apologize, you were just trying to survive and do what’s best for your daughter and there’s nothing more honorable than that.”

He finished his sentence with a serious look of admiration towards Maeve. She had a reason for committing these acts, but he couldn’t say the same for himself or his crew.

The gang arrived to the main atrium as Cyril finished his sentence. Pam and Cheryl were already there waiting. The large gray rock monster with dark speckles, Pam looked excited while the fiery redhead Cheryl sat at the table, looking annoyed.

“I hope whatever you have to say or do, it’s exciting enough to have been worth it to interrupt my masturbation session,” Cheryl scoffed, her head leaning on her hand, elbow on the table.

“That’s what that noise was!? Geez not even the noises I make are that...primal. I find myself not getting much sleep being your cabin neighbor these days and I find out that’s why,” Pam said in shock.

Lana sighed before gesturing to the two women - or woman and rock monster - before saying, “And that would be Cheryl and Pam. Guys, this is Maeve, and her daughter Dahlia. They’re going to join us in turn for paying off Maeve’s contract.”

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

Letting a relaxed smile appear on his face, he waited in line shifting his gaze between Maeve and the guy in front of them. “Well let’s hope that scenario doesn’t happen. It’s almost 2 o’clock on a work day so the roads should be fairly empty.”

He bent his back slightly allowing her to get better access to his back pocket. “Thanks. You can hold onto it and I’ll pay when we get up,” he said, as the man in front of them finished paying and headed towards the exit.

Lana sighed and explained, “He’s laughing because you said ‘adult stuff.’”

“Just think of all the implications!” Archer tried justifying, initiating a roll of the eyes from the others.

Cyril adjusted some more out-of-place knick-knacks on Ray’s shelf before replying to Maeve’s comment, “Yeah well hopefully it won’t be nearly as bad as Archer’s. I wish there was a device strong enough to keep his mouth shut sometimes.”

“Oh yeah, you’d like that Cyril!” Archer retorted.

“We all would, stupid!” Ray came to Cyril’s defense with an audible agreement from Lana and Cyril.

Ray instructed Maeve to place the dresser drawers back in their slots and then they’d be done.

As everyone finished their task Lana went to the center of the room to do a double check of everything. “Alright since everything seems good here, how about we introduce you to the rest of the crew. Starting with-”

She looked at Cyril as he talked about how much Archer spoke, rolling her eyes at Archer’s reply hard enough that she thought they’d just roll out of her head before mumbling, “See how chatty he is when I put my strap in his mouth,” and looking at Dahlia, taking her cleaning as a sign that her mumbling had gone unnoticed by the child.

Maeve looked at Ray and nodded, doing as instructed before standing up and looking at Dahlia with a smile. “I’m proud of ya, sweet pea! You always do a good job.”

Maeve bristled at the new voice, grabbing Dahlia firmly and pushing the girl behind her in a defensive manner.

“What’s going on?!” Dahlia exclaimed, sounding nervous at the mention of someone being killed. “I-I didn’t do anything-”

“Sweet pea, it’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Maeve replied in a hushed tone, making sure her voice remained calm as she looked at the others in a silent plea; Dahlia doesn’t deserve to be put through this stress. Maeve thought, brow furrowed in worry.

“They’re not idiots.” She started, narrowing her eyes slightly. “I’d like to think they’re all handling it pretty well, given the circumstances.”

She hoped that the newcomer would take the hint, between the obviously startled girl in the room and Maeve’s phrasing, but just in case…

“Dahlia, baby, I want you to plug your ears and hum a tune - Could you try doing… Our favourite song?” Maeve asked, voice a touch above a whisper as she looked at the girl. “You know what I mean…?”

Dahlia nodded, glancing nervously at Malory before plugging her ears with her fingers and starting to hum.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as they heard Malory’s voice. Her presence caused aggravated sighs to ripple through the group. Lana pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling an impending headache.

Malory crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze at the red-head who stuck out from the rest of the group. “So, now we’re just recruiting anybody is that it?” she scoffed.

Lana started to explain, “Malory, this is Maeve and her young daughter Dahlia.”

Before Malory could respond, Maeve was already lecturing her. “Now who are you to speak to me like that? Your kid seems fine to me. Did any of you brain dead idiots even think to search our guest?” she asked, annoyed.

“She’s fine, mother!” Archer exclaimed.

Cyril stepped up adding, “She has a child for god’s sake! can we let this go for now? We’re gonna help her and she’s going to in turn join us, making us stronger.”

“Is that so? Well then she’s your all’s problem and it’s your own fault if she murders you lot in your sleep! Speaking of, you interrupted mine for this! Just know that we’ll discuss this further in the morning…if you’re still alive,” Malory bitched before turning back to Maeve, “And you, if you think you want to be a part of this crew, you’re gonna have to pull your weight and be an absolute waste of breath. We already have so many of those. But for now, goodnight.”

Her body let out a glow before she dematerialized back into a ball of light and passed through the wall

“I’m a concerned mother, ma'am - she may seem fine, but she was already worried when you mentioned killing an intruder… And since she’s certainly not supposed to be here, she’s anxious. If she heard that I was gonna get killed, she would most definitely not be fine.” She explained, gesturing to the kid, who was trying her hardest to ignore what was going on with her humming and all. “And I’m unarmed… Unless the very tie I have in my hair can kill somebody in an efficient enough manner counts, but that’d be pretty damn difficult to pull off, what with the fact that I already have three other people I’d need to take care of, assuming you’re invulnerable to hairtie-related attacks. And I really don’t want to do that in the presence of my young daughter who - by the way - hasn’t experienced death at all in the two short years of her existence. So, yeah, pretty fuckin harmless right about now.”

Maeve groaned, running her hands over her face before adding, “Regardless of the fact that my daughter is here… I’m not interested in killing anybody right now. They’re going to help me, and I may be capable of killing, but I’m also capable of realizing that I shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds.” Before looking at Malory. “Trust me when I say I’m not planning to kill anybody currently on the ship, and I will try and help; It’s the least I can do.”

She watched as Malory dematerialized and went into the wall, waiting for someone to speak before letting out a massive sigh of relief and looking at Ray in disbelief.

“You’re telling me that she’s…? God, no wonder why Archer’s more fucked than a Tigrar thief in the Royal Court.” She commented, saying half jokingly, “Maybe you guys should’ve killed me when you had the chance to.” Before laughing, eventually letting out a sigh.

She opened her mouth to say something, only to pause when her stomach growled… rather loudly, at that. Damn, I haven’t ate since early this morning… She thought, pale cheeks flushing slightly in embarrassment as she quickly said, “So, we should get the rest of the introductions out of the way, yeah…?” Before looking at Dahlia and gently tapping her on the shoulder a couple of times.

Dahlia looked up at Maeve and smiled as the redhead nodded, unplugging her ears before hugging her and asking, “Is that scary lady gone…?”

Maeve laughed, nodding and saying, “Yes, she’s gone back to bed. That was Archer’s mom, as it turns out.”

Dahlia frowned, looking at Archer. “I’m sorry for you, Archer! She reminds me of, uhh… That reeeeaaally old earthen movie, where the witch shrieks about how she’s melting?”

Maeve grinned and picked her up, saying, “You remember that, sweet pea? You’ve only seen it once!”

“That and she’s just like that. As long as you don’t directly do harm to her or Archer, you’ll be fine. Plus she could use a verbal kick in the ass. Lord knows just me is not enough,” Lana added with a tired sigh.

Ray began walking toward the call box announcing, “I’ll let the others know what’s going on and we’ll meet y’all in the atrium.” And with that, he began to ring the cabins of Cheryl, Pam, and Krieger, summoning them to the main room for an important meeting. 

While met Ray was met with some tired and annoyed resistance, they all ended up agreeing to meet him there.

“Alright let’s get going they’ll meet us there in a minute or so,” Lana herded everyone out of Ray’s cabin while he hung up on his call.

Archer chuckled at Dahlia’s cute metaphor. “Right?” he agreed, walking beside Lana as she lead. 

Cyril slowed down, letting the others pass him while gesturing Maeve to walk with him behind the others.

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

He looked over Maeve’s bent over body; chocolate, cherry cheesecake, Superman, rocky road, mint chocolate chip…too many choices. He paused his reading when Maeve picked something out.

Cyril grabbed the pint from her, to confirm what she had said because it seemed too perfect. Adjusting his glasses he looked at the small print. “Wow, this is perfect. And I only now realized how hungry I am…” he said feeling his stomach growl.

“I can see it now: Maveve, Professional Ice Cream Selector,” he teased before kissing her cheek and handing the pint back to her. He started walking down a ways to the drink section to get drinks for the others. He grabbed a Starbucks mocha light frappuchino for himself and lemonade for the rest of the office. Knowing that it can be mixed with other things, most importantly alcohol, he figured he could satisfy them all with it.

She watched as he looked at the pint, grinning as he said it was perfect, before giggling at the mention of being hungry - she couldn’t lie, she didn’t have a lot to eat since breakfast.

“I know, right? And that sounds way more fun than waitressing.” She said with a giggle, smiling and kissing his cheek back before taking the pint back from him and following him.

As she watched him grab himself a starbucks frappuccino, she said, “Hey, can you grab me a salted caramel mocha iced latte…? Please and thank you~?” Before pointing to the drink a shelf above what he grabbed, which was also labelled with the Starbucks logo.

“Well maybe one day, you’ll be able to quit,” Cyril suggested, “Then we could have more time together and time with Dahlia.

Upon her request, he opened the cooler again, moving in a bit to get a better look at the labels before choosing the one she wanted. “Got it!” he called to her, holding the bottle up.

“Yeah especially at the hottest part of the day. But luckily we have a car with AC,” he assured her. His hands full of drinks, Cyril made his way to the checkout counter with Maeve at his side.

Lana sighed and explained, “He’s laughing because you said ‘adult stuff.’”

“Just think of all the implications!” Archer tried justifying, initiating a roll of the eyes from the others.

Cyril adjusted some more out-of-place knick-knacks on Ray’s shelf before replying to Maeve’s comment, “Yeah well hopefully it won’t be nearly as bad as Archer’s. I wish there was a device strong enough to keep his mouth shut sometimes.”

“Oh yeah, you’d like that Cyril!” Archer retorted.

“We all would, stupid!” Ray came to Cyril’s defense with an audible agreement from Lana and Cyril.

Ray instructed Maeve to place the dresser drawers back in their slots and then they’d be done.

As everyone finished their task Lana went to the center of the room to do a double check of everything. “Alright since everything seems good here, how about we introduce you to the rest of the crew. Starting with-”

She looked at Cyril as he talked about how much Archer spoke, rolling her eyes at Archer’s reply hard enough that she thought they’d just roll out of her head before mumbling, “See how chatty he is when I put my strap in his mouth,” and looking at Dahlia, taking her cleaning as a sign that her mumbling had gone unnoticed by the child.

Maeve looked at Ray and nodded, doing as instructed before standing up and looking at Dahlia with a smile. “I’m proud of ya, sweet pea! You always do a good job.”

Maeve bristled at the new voice, grabbing Dahlia firmly and pushing the girl behind her in a defensive manner.

“What’s going on?!” Dahlia exclaimed, sounding nervous at the mention of someone being killed. “I-I didn’t do anything-”

“Sweet pea, it’s okay, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Maeve replied in a hushed tone, making sure her voice remained calm as she looked at the others in a silent plea; Dahlia doesn’t deserve to be put through this stress. Maeve thought, brow furrowed in worry.

“They’re not idiots.” She started, narrowing her eyes slightly. “I’d like to think they’re all handling it pretty well, given the circumstances.”

She hoped that the newcomer would take the hint, between the obviously startled girl in the room and Maeve’s phrasing, but just in case…

“Dahlia, baby, I want you to plug your ears and hum a tune - Could you try doing… Our favourite song?” Maeve asked, voice a touch above a whisper as she looked at the girl. “You know what I mean…?”

Dahlia nodded, glancing nervously at Malory before plugging her ears with her fingers and starting to hum.

Everyone stopped what they were doing as they heard Malory’s voice. Her presence caused aggravated sighs to ripple through the group. Lana pinched the bridge of her nose, feeling an impending headache.

Malory crossed her arms and narrowed her gaze at the red-head who stuck out from the rest of the group. “So, now we’re just recruiting anybody is that it?” she scoffed.

Lana started to explain, “Malory, this is Maeve and her young daughter Dahlia.”

Before Malory could respond, Maeve was already lecturing her. “Now who are you to speak to me like that? Your kid seems fine to me. Did any of you brain dead idiots even think to search our guest?” she asked, annoyed.

“She’s fine, mother!” Archer exclaimed.

Cyril stepped up adding, “She has a child for god’s sake! can we let this go for now? We’re gonna help her and she’s going to in turn join us, making us stronger.”

“Is that so? Well then she’s your all’s problem and it’s your own fault if she murders you lot in your sleep! Speaking of, you interrupted mine for this! Just know that we’ll discuss this further in the morning...if you’re still alive,” Malory bitched before turning back to Maeve, “And you, if you think you want to be a part of this crew, you’re gonna have to pull your weight and be an absolute waste of breath. We already have so many of those. But for now, goodnight.”

Her body let out a glow before she dematerialized back into a ball of light and passed through the wall

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

He looked over Maeve’s bent over body; chocolate, cherry cheesecake, Superman, rocky road, mint chocolate chip...too many choices. He paused his reading when Maeve picked something out.

Cyril grabbed the pint from her, to confirm what she had said because it seemed too perfect. Adjusting his glasses he looked at the small print. “Wow, this is perfect. And I only now realized how hungry I am...” he said feeling his stomach growl.

“I can see it now: Maveve, Professional Ice Cream Selector,” he teased before kissing her cheek and handing the pint back to her. He started walking down a ways to the drink section to get drinks for the others. He grabbed a Starbucks mocha light frappuchino for himself and lemonade for the rest of the office. Knowing that it can be mixed with other things, most importantly alcohol, he figured he could satisfy them all with it.

Lana sighed and explained, “He’s laughing because you said ‘adult stuff.’”

“Just think of all the implications!” Archer tried justifying, initiating a roll of the eyes from the others.

Cyril adjusted some more out-of-place knick-knacks on Ray’s shelf before replying to Maeve’s comment, “Yeah well hopefully it won’t be nearly as bad as Archer’s. I wish there was a device strong enough to keep his mouth shut sometimes.”

“Oh yeah, you’d like that Cyril!” Archer retorted.

“We all would, stupid!” Ray came to Cyril’s defense with an audible agreement from Lana and Cyril.

Ray instructed Maeve to place the dresser drawers back in their slots and then they’d be done.

As everyone finished their task Lana went to the center of the room to do a double check of everything. “Alright since everything seems good here, how about we introduce you to the rest of the crew. Starting with-”

Cyril was taken by surprise at her suggestive tone upon timidly asking her to temporarily move so he could pass. The bar was more crowded than usual for a Tuesday evening, but Cyril had managed to spot an empty seat. However, the taller woman was standing slightly in the way of his path.

“I’m sorry…?” he managed, in a tone that was half statement, half question. Wondering if she mistook him for someone else, he repeated his original question to avoid embarrassing her, “Excuse me, do you mind moving for a sec? I’m looking to sit in that seat.”

Figuring, she wasn’t going to move without alternative measures, and seeing as there was no more space around the bar he quickly formulated a compromise in his head that would prevent him from having to move her while also getting a place to drink.

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

“Other than the AC giving up the ghost, anything else happen at the agency…?” She questioned, smiling when she noticed they were hitting red lights.

When they got there Maeve walked in with him, wincing at the heat.

“That’s usually how it goes, unfortunately.” Maeve pointed out as she hastily opened the door, making sure Cyril had a hold of it before stepping into the building with a sigh of relief.

She headed towards the coolers, looking at the options before saying softly, “I dunno what I want…” As she looked. “Ooh, ice cream!”

She looked at Cyril with a knowing smile, saying, “I did say that I wanted a snack… How about we split it?” And tilting her head. “I mean, the others aren’t gonna find out, either way… Assuming they’re not feeling nosey.”

Once in the cooler section, temptation over took him; arms held up in an “L” shape, he walked until his body and face met the cold glass. Letting out a sigh of relief as the condensation dampened his work clothes, still wishing Malory would let them wear shorts into work.

Turning his head, causing a squeak against the wet door, Cyril looked over at Maeve. “Ice cream sounds really good right now,” he agreed, pulling himself from the cold door. 

Watching Cyril, Maeve raised a brow and watched in amusement, trying to stifle her laughter as he pressed up against the door.

After a beat of silence, she couldn’t help but ask, “I take it that that feels nice…?” And grinning, the amusement evident in her tone. As he turned back to her, she giggled properly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Focusing back on the ice cream flavors and Maeve’s suggestions, he opened up the freezer door to get a better look. “Thanks babe. When you’re surrounded by people who don’t think, you get a lot of practice by doing the thinking for them,” he gloated playfully.

“You say that, but now you’re stuck with us misfits, some say it’s a fate worse than death,” Lana joked before they got to the door.

Upon looking around at the disheveled room Lana gasped. She quickly ignored the mess and her face turned soft as she watched Maeve interact with Dahlia, thinking of her own AJ back home.

“It’s no problem, I’m just upset I turned this place upside down for nothing,” Ray said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Lana was the first to greet her, bending down to her level, “Aww hi sweetie, I’m Lana.”

“Hellooo, I’m Cyril,” he said with a wave.

“Hey kid, I’m Captain Archer but, just Archer is fine.”

“And you know I’m Ray”

The four smiled at the young one as she giggled happily. It was refreshing to have an innocent bundle of joy on board.

Cyril chuckled at Maeve’s comment about Archer to Dahlia but was interrupted by Archer’s palm slapping him upside the head.

“You’re juuuust kinda proving her point dude,” Lana shot at him.

Maeve smiled apologetically to Ray, saying, “On the bright side, it still got found, so it’s not like your efforts were in vain, right? And I’d be more than happy to help you and Dahlia clean this up.” Before looking at the girl. “Riiiiight?”

Dahlia smiled and waved at the three, grinning as she made sure that the feather made its way back into her pocket before saying, “It’s nice to meet you!” And looking at her mom with a nod. “You’re right, momma!”

At the slap to Cyril’s head, Maeve opened her mouth to say something, but Dahlia frowned and said, “Hey, that’s mean!” Before putting her hands on her hips and looking up at Archer pointedly. Maeve stifled a laugh behind a cough, grinning.

At the words however, Dahlia raised her brows, saying, “Space pirates are gonna be here?! Man, I really did mess up by sneaking on!”

Archer sighed in defeat upon being told off by Dahlia. “Yeah sorry about that,” he apologized more to her than to Cyril.

“Well hopefully not here, but we’re gonna give a stern talking to some mean ole space pirates soon.,” Lana explained, hoping to reassure Dahlia that they weren’t in danger.

Another sigh and a groan came from Archer, knowing he was outnumbered and would be defeated if he tried arguing. “Ugh yeah okay fine, we should help clean up.”

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

“Other than the AC giving up the ghost, anything else happen at the agency…?” She questioned, smiling when she noticed they were hitting red lights.

When they got there Maeve walked in with him, wincing at the heat.

“That’s usually how it goes, unfortunately.” Maeve pointed out as she hastily opened the door, making sure Cyril had a hold of it before stepping into the building with a sigh of relief.

She headed towards the coolers, looking at the options before saying softly, “I dunno what I want…” As she looked. “Ooh, ice cream!”

She looked at Cyril with a knowing smile, saying, “I did say that I wanted a snack… How about we split it?” And tilting her head. “I mean, the others aren’t gonna find out, either way… Assuming they’re not feeling nosey.”

Once in the cooler section, temptation over took him; arms held up in an “L” shape, he walked until his body and face met the cold glass. Letting out a sigh of relief as the condensation dampened his work clothes, still wishing Malory would let them wear shorts into work.

Turning his head, causing a squeak against the wet door, Cyril looked over at Maeve. “Ice cream sounds really good right now,” he agreed, pulling himself from the cold door. 

“You say that, but now you’re stuck with us misfits, some say it’s a fate worse than death,” Lana joked before they got to the door.

Upon looking around at the disheveled room Lana gasped. She quickly ignored the mess and her face turned soft as she watched Maeve interact with Dahlia, thinking of her own AJ back home.

“It’s no problem, I’m just upset I turned this place upside down for nothing,” Ray said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Lana was the first to greet her, bending down to her level, “Aww hi sweetie, I’m Lana.”

“Hellooo, I’m Cyril,” he said with a wave.

“Hey kid, I’m Captain Archer but, just Archer is fine.”

“And you know I’m Ray”

The four smiled at the young one as she giggled happily. It was refreshing to have an innocent bundle of joy on board.

Cyril chuckled at Maeve’s comment about Archer to Dahlia but was interrupted by Archer’s palm slapping him upside the head.

“You’re juuuust kinda proving her point dude,” Lana shot at him.

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

He sunk into his seat at the thought of Archer being stupid enough to bring AJ into these kind of conditions. He perked up at her last point thinking he might have an arguement against Malory, but realized the lighting and few computers weren’t nearly running the bill up as high as a normal day with AC.

Sinking back into his seat, he looked tenderly at Maeve as she continued. Her perseverance and willingness to help was one of Cyril’s favorite qualities in her.

She focused back on him when he spoke, waiting until he was done before saying, “AC, please - before we both die looking like a pair of raisins.” And standing up. “I might grab a snack, too… But don’t tell the others; Our secret.”

He winked back. “Sounds like a plan.”

She walked with him, looking at the elevator with pursed lips as she entered it with a groan.

“’S it too late to take the stairs?” She asked in a semi-joking manner, sighing. “…Do ya know when it’ll get fixed, at least?”

She watched him and tilted her head slightly, wondering how long it’d take, before trying to come up with some ideas to make the heat less unbearable in the coming days; Quite a few of the people working at the agency were a pain in the ass, but Maeve still didn’t want anybody to be miserable in the heat.

Cyril wanted to put his arm around her shoulders, but stopped forgetting how miserable that would be for her in this heat, so he stuck with having her on his arm.

“Good idea, I can ask Krieger if he has anything…or can make anything we can use for the rest of the day,” he suggested, stepping out of the elevator into the slightly less hot air.

The seconds worth of relief was gone and he was back to feeling miserably hot. He guided Maeve to his parking spot, unlinking their arms to make his way to the driver’s side door. Unlocking both his and the rest of the doors he hopped in.

Once they were at his car she waited for the door to unlock, getting in and sighing in content at the cold air hitting her face.

The drive was short even though they hit every red light, which Cyril was glad because that meant more time in the AC. Soon enough they pulled into the gas station where he filled up his car then ran in to the store to get drinks.

“So much of that whole ‘not a threat thing,’ Cyril!” Archer complained, “You were gonna kill me! How is that as bad as turning in someone who may or may not be wanted!?” 

Lana raised her blaster then shot down, a beam of light zoomed out of the barrel past Maeve, narrowly missing Archer’s foot. “What the-!” he started.

“She has a kid, Archer!” Lana yelled, “I’m not just gonna turn her in.” 

“Well she can’t stay with us,” Archer argued, shaking from nearly being shot.

“Why not? We have room and with her electric power thing she could help us,” Cyril jumped in, not wanting to remain a third wheel between the two ex-lovers.

“Oh I don’t know, maybe this thing called deadly space pirates who will flock our ship in hot pursuit of Electro Gingersnap over here, who might I remind you was supposed to kill me!” Archer raised his voice more, resting his hands on his hips angrily.

“It’s not like she has a vendetta against you personally - although I’m sure she will after this - it’s just a murder-for-hire, kind of thing. What if we pay off her employers?” Lana suggested.

“Or kill them…” Archer muttered.

“That’s the spirit…” Cyril added sarcastically.

“…I need a damn spa trip after this.” Maeve mumbled, looking at Lana. “Thank you, by the way, ma'am… May I put my arms down?”

She attempted to blow a bit of hair out of her face, frowning at it as she commented, “Unless they mistook me for an escort, anyway.” before looking at Lana. “She’s right about the vendetta part… But if I’m going to be staying here, I suppose I can settle for antagonizing you on a consistent basis.”

Listening to their suggestions, Maeve said, “If it ensures my daughter’s safety, I don’t care what you do with my employers; Speaking of… Is she okay?” Before furrowing her brows in worry.

Lana nodded in reply to Maeve’s question, allowing her to put her arms down. Archer folded his arms in a pout as he rested with his back against the wall before adding, “Yeah actually Cyril’s kinda right, being an asshole is a big part of my personality and charm. Oh god did I just agree with Cyril?”

Lana snickered at the thought of another person bossing Archer around; plus she’d love to have another woman around who wasn’t bat-shit-insane, significantly older, or a rock monster.

“Well, welcome aboard I guess. Sorry for the lack-luster welcome wagon,” Lana said with a glare towards Archer and Cyril.

She continued, “It sounded like she was safe with Ray so if we find him, we’ll find her. The worst he can do is hype her up on sugar from those damn cakes he’s always baking. By the way, my name is Lana, and if you didn’t guess right now those, two pains-in-the-ass are Archer and Cyril.”

“The name’s Ray,” he introduced, adding, “And what’s yours? I know it’s not Barbara.” He continued looking under things and on his shelves to no avail.

The quad began walking down the hall toward Ray’s cabin in search of Maeve’s child. Soon they turned a corner and upon Lana pressing a button, the door split in the middle and it’s two halves swooshed into the walls of the ship, revealing a frantic Ray and Dahlia.

“Geez, what happened in here?” Cyril asked looking around the disheveled room that Ray usually kept looking immaculate.

✥ - Popping a button on their shirt, showing their chest/a bit of cleavage

Maeve couldn’t help but whine a little at the heat, wiping at her forehead with the back of her hand before exhaling and looking around the building, feeling bad for everyone else in the building.

As per usual she’d come to the agency to visit Cyril after her own job - given, they had to close early due to the AC refusing to work… but it was still after hours.

And Maeve was glad she decided against picking Dahlia up early.

Malory should take some notes… I hope she’s the one behind this, anyway. Maeve thought, pausing to knock at the door and say, “Babe, ‘s me!” before walking in.

She set her purse down when she had the chance, face flushed as she said, “Lemme take a guess, Krieger’s up to one of his stupid, wacky ass experiments, and that caused this place to become a sauna…?” before reaching for her shirt, unbuttoning the top button in a chance to get some relief.

He sunk into his seat at the thought of Archer being stupid enough to bring AJ into these kind of conditions. He perked up at her last point thinking he might have an arguement against Malory, but realized the lighting and few computers weren’t nearly running the bill up as high as a normal day with AC.

Sinking back into his seat, he looked tenderly at Maeve as she continued. Her perseverance and willingness to help was one of Cyril’s favorite qualities in her.

She focused back on him when he spoke, waiting until he was done before saying, “AC, please - before we both die looking like a pair of raisins.” And standing up. “I might grab a snack, too… But don’t tell the others; Our secret.”

He winked back. “Sounds like a plan.”

She walked with him, looking at the elevator with pursed lips as she entered it with a groan.

“’S it too late to take the stairs?” She asked in a semi-joking manner, sighing. “…Do ya know when it’ll get fixed, at least?”

She watched him and tilted her head slightly, wondering how long it’d take, before trying to come up with some ideas to make the heat less unbearable in the coming days; Quite a few of the people working at the agency were a pain in the ass, but Maeve still didn’t want anybody to be miserable in the heat.

Cyril wanted to put his arm around her shoulders, but stopped forgetting how miserable that would be for her in this heat, so he stuck with having her on his arm.

“Good idea, I can ask Krieger if he has anything...or can make anything we can use for the rest of the day,” he suggested, stepping out of the elevator into the slightly less hot air.

The seconds worth of relief was gone and he was back to feeling miserably hot. He guided Maeve to his parking spot, unlinking their arms to make his way to the driver’s side door. Unlocking both his and the rest of the doors he hopped in.

“So much of that whole ‘not a threat thing,’ Cyril!” Archer complained, “You were gonna kill me! How is that as bad as turning in someone who may or may not be wanted!?” 

Lana raised her blaster then shot down, a beam of light zoomed out of the barrel past Maeve, narrowly missing Archer’s foot. “What the-!” he started.

“She has a kid, Archer!” Lana yelled, “I’m not just gonna turn her in.” 

“Well she can’t stay with us,” Archer argued, shaking from nearly being shot.

“Why not? We have room and with her electric power thing she could help us,” Cyril jumped in, not wanting to remain a third wheel between the two ex-lovers.

“Oh I don’t know, maybe this thing called deadly space pirates who will flock our ship in hot pursuit of Electro Gingersnap over here, who might I remind you was supposed to kill me!” Archer raised his voice more, resting his hands on his hips angrily.

“It’s not like she has a vendetta against you personally - although I’m sure she will after this - it’s just a murder-for-hire, kind of thing. What if we pay off her employers?” Lana suggested.

“Or kill them...” Archer muttered.

“That’s the spirit...” Cyril added sarcastically.