Chapter Text
It started with two cups of coffee. Two cups of coffee being held in front of Jack's eyes at 6:45 in the morning. She had just opened the door to an attractive woman, whose face was shifting from a smile to confusion.
Jack managed a passably friendly "Can I help you?"
"Oh! Um? I'm sorry. I'm looking for Miranda Lawson." The woman started looking around. "Does she live on this floor? I was pretty sure the number started with . . ."
Jack was not a morning person. And she didn't like a woman she had never met before showing up at this hour looking for Miranda. "She lives here. With me." She emphasized the last two words. "Or, maybe, I live with her. Either way . . ."
The guest seemed unfazed by anything Jack might be implying. "Oh, great! I thought maybe we could walk to work together."
Jack stood in the doorway, still processing everything. "You two work together?"
"Yes." The woman said it like maybe Jack was a little slow on the uptake. "We do. Did she leave already?"
"No. She's still here." Jack didn't want to say "...probably still in the shower" because she just imagined this woman imagining Miranda in the shower. She thought to herself, "I really have to get a grip on my jealousy . . ."
"Oh. Soooo . . . is it okay if I come inside?" The guest seemed slightly put out now.
Jack wanted to say No, nope, just go away, thanks, but she forced herself to say, "Sure. I'll let her know you're here. You are?"
"Dr. Kate Lupin. I'd shake your hand but . . ." She held the coffee cups up again. Jack scanned her memories. Miranda had said a few things about Lupin. Had started recently. Something about her being smart, analytical and intuitive . . . she couldn't remember exactly. Only that it was all positive. Annoyingly. And Miranda hadn't mentioned she was super hot.
With all these things filling her mind, Jack finally stepped completely out of the doorway, then gestured at the table. "Take a seat. I'll let Miranda know you're here." She turned to go to the bedroom, but was interrupted by the Dr. Lupin saying, "And you are?" (What the hell . . . but she probably should have introduced herself.)
"I'm Jack." She almost said "Miranda's girlfriend" but somehow that seemed. . . too cute? Before she could make another statement, Lupin said, "Jack? Just Jack?" A little condescending . . . and definitely like she had never heard the name before.
Then a voice called from the bedroom, "Babe, is someone here?" Jack smiled to herself. She thought, "She called me 'babe.'" Hope you caught that." She replied out loud, "Yeah. One of your work colleagues is here." (You're just the co-worker, doc. Don't forget it, she thought in Lupin's direction.)
Miranda stepped out of the bedroom, dressed for work. "Kate, what a surprise." Her tone was unreadable. Jack couldn't tell if she was annoyed or not. She wanted her to be.
Lupin let out what Jack imagined she thought was a charming little laugh. "Well, it was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision really. I know you love this coffee, and I was getting one for myself . . . and your neighborhood is on the way to the office."
(Such a load of shit, thought Jack. You've been planning this for days . . . At least.)
She heard Miranda's voice: "Well, thank you. It's a nice gesture. It's a little early . . . But I do appreciate it. And you've met Jack. Do you want to get going?" Then, "Jack, aren't you going to be late?"
"Yeah, yeah. I've got to head out." Jack pulled her bag onto her right shoulder and walked over to Miranda and kissed her on the cheek. "See you later. Babe." Then she turned to Lupin, "Nice to meet you, doc." (Not at all)
"Oh, the same." (Oh, I bet.)
She couldn't tell how Miranda felt about the kiss in front of her colleague, but she didn't pull away or give her a look, so it seemed good. Still, she'd have to talk to Miranda about all of this later. That woman had a crush on Miranda, and there was no denying it. Jack knew that sort of thing was going to come up sometime. But now? She wasn't ready to deal with it. But, too bad, she would have to . . .
Maybe she just imagined it, but as she headed down the stairs at the end of the hallway, she thought she heard the two of them sharing a laugh. Her stomach tightened a little. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you. Jack sighed. This was going to be a long day . . .