A Few last-minute Things by Gale

Chase doesn’t land the Leapfrog until late that afternoon, just before sunset. He parks it in a pool – “it’s cool,” Karolina says, “they’re friends of my parents, they won’t be back from Cannes for another, like, month” – and the five of them go get something to eat.

Actually, no, Nico and Karolina stay behind with Molly while Chase and Gert head to a deli, which is fine with Gert. The last 24 hours have been just weird enough that she’d like a break from them. She’d like a break from everyone, but that’s not an option.

This time yesterday, she’d been on her way back from dinner, wondering if she should check her email before she took a shower and waited for her roommate to fall asleep. Now she was wandering through a deli with a guy who she was – sort-of involved with, on the run from government agencies and various respectable institutions, including, but not limited to, the Avengers.

Also, she’s wearing a hat.

”I still don’t see why this is necessary,” she mutters, tugging at the hat with her free hand. Her other hand holds a basket.

“The police are going to be looking for a short cranky girl with purple hair and glasses,” Chase says, scanning the aisles. He’s holding a basket, too, but he looks…normal. Very latchkey-kid. Which makes sense, because that’s what is. Or was, anyway. “I figured the hat was easier than asking you to be perky or wear heels.” He glances at her. “And I’d like my hat back in one piece, so stop playing with it.”

Gert glares at him and stomps off to look at the drinks.

They’re being frugal, at least until they start checking out the trust fund situation, but they’re splurging tonight. She grabs two six-packs of Coke, then rethinks it and replaces one with diet. No way Karolina’s drinking excess calories if she can help it. But it’s keeping her from thinking, which is good.

God, she’s still so mad at Chase she can hardly see. Six months and nothing, no word, not so much as a stupid *forward*, and he’d just showed up tonight like no time at all had passed, complete with Old Lace’s location. And yes, that was so great she was speechless, but he had just gone like freaking smoke and come back without any kind of warning, and she’d really *really* meant that slap in the park.

“So,” Chase said, appearing beside her, “done being mad at me yet, or are we going to keep this up for the rest of the night?”

“I’m thinking about it,” Gert mutters, not looking at him. She can already feel some of the anger draining away, though, so she’s pretty sure it’s not going to last too long, at least not at this strength. “Six months, not a word. Not a *word*, Chase.”

“I already told you—“

“I know, I know.” Bread, check; drinks, check; snacks, check. They’re basically ready to go. “I’m just…I hold grudges, okay? So it’s going to be a while.” She shoots him a look. “Saving my life and getting my dinosaur back only get you so far, Stein.”

“Yeah,” Chase says. “I’m getting that.” It sounds snarky, but he’s smiling when he says it.

They get the rest of the stuff in relative silence – also weird, because until now, Gert wasn’t sure Chase *could* shut up without being unconscious. But then, what does she really know about him? Hell, what does he know about her?

Sure, they got together once a year – because their parents made them. Chase is two years older than her, and he played lacrosse, and has a subscription to Playboy, and…that’s it, really. And what does he know about her? That she’s smart, and likes old movies, and has a pet dinosaur. Not a lot.

But he’d distracted that thing in the Gibborium’s lair to save her life. He’d tracked Old Lace down for her. You didn’t just do that without reason. And he’s standing next to her now, companionably bumping his hip against hers and looking way too pleased for someone on the run.

So, okay. Maybe she doesn’t totally hate him. Maybe.

Gert looks at him, opens her mouth to speak.

“Hey, condoms!” Chase glances at her. “Should we—“

Gert punches him in the arm. Hard.