so a criminal and an astrophysicist walk into a bar

[rosenbridges]

The following hour is probably the longest of Jane’s entire life. She’s anxious and agitated and excited and nervous.

Nervous – like she’s in high school or something. And, so much so that no one else drops by the rest of the time save Darcy, who tells her goodbye and this was fun but Gotham is creepy and she’s going back to New Mexico, thanks.

Leaving Jane alone and clutching an envelope stuffed with a fairly considerable amount of charity money and her coat hanging over her arm and hiding it while she waits for Jonathan.

Comments

[arkham_doctor]

And Jonathan saunters back at 4:55, keeps an eye on her from a distance until she finishes up, and then goes over to meet her.

"Hello again. How did your last hour of, ah, charity work go?"

And he's smirking a bit because he's still amused by the crowd she managed to attract.

[rosenbridges]

Not funny, Jonathan.

"Badly," she grumps, hugging her jacket to her. "Or at least, slowly. No one else stopped by." Probably because of her expression.

"Where are we going?"

[arkham_doctor]

"Pity. Not my fault, I hope." But he was fairly sure no one had seen him, or at least recognized him, so he didn't know if it would be.

"Now that is a surprise. You'll find out, though. Don't worry." He offers her his arm. "Are you ready?"

[rosenbridges]

"Nah. Not at all."

He's getting another look though, but she takes his arm anyway and shifts her jacket to her other arm.

"Lead the way, Doc."

[arkham_doctor]

This time he just smile in response to that look. He keeps her close as she takes his arm and does just as she asks, starting off in the correct direction. Luckily, the place is close. Definitely within walking distance.

"So other than your lack of clients, how was your day Doctor Foster?"

[rosenbridges]

"Well, I've definitely had worse," she admits, cutting a look at him. Like, having her van stolen with her in it worse.

"But, you know -- not terrible. I'm alive and kicking, so there's that."

[arkham_doctor]

He did apologise for that. Several times.

"I'm very glad of that." He informs her with a small smile. "I'll admit it did brighten my day to find you helping put a deserving charity."

He is probably going to tease her relentlessly about that. The narration says sorry.

[rosenbridges]

Yeah, yeah. Doesn’t mean she’s quite forgotten it.

“Mmm. Did it.” Jane’s torn between scowling at him and laughing. She can’t blame him for teasing her, honestly – she’d tease her, too. “I’m glad someone got a kick out of it, at least.”

[arkham_doctor]

"It did." He answers quickly. "I wouldn't put it that way, though." He pauses a moment to consider how exactly to phrase this.

"It was nice to see someone helping a deserving charity in a way that benefited me as well."

[rosenbridges]

Traitorous pale skin of hers, blushing like that.

"I think I know what you're saying." She tightens her hold on his arm a little. "And I'm glad. I think."

[arkham_doctor]

He chuckles a little at her blushing. She was easy to read, most of the time, but he was also better at reading people than most.

"Ah, good."

They were nearing their destination now. It was small and fairly respectable, but not so respectable that he was risking his freedom by going in.

And it was clean and the food was good. That was what counted, right?

[rosenbridges]

Jane shoved her envelope into her pocket, shifted the jacket, then slid her arm free so she can catch his hand in hers.

"So how far?"

[arkham_doctor]

"Two more blocks and around the corner." He tells her before giving her hand a light squeeze. "I hear the fettuccine Alfredo is excellent."

Yes, the place is run by the remaining Italian mob in Gotham, but it's surprisingly not a front for anything.

[rosenbridges]

"Italian, huh?"

She's not going to ask that question because she doesn't want to know. She's good with just holding his hand and walking by his side.

"One of my favorites."

[arkham_doctor]

"Seems like I took a good guess then."

He's glad of that. It very easily could have gone the other way. Some people couldn't stand Italian.

"What's your favorite?" It's just a friendly inquiry to pass the time as they walk.

[rosenbridges]

"You did. Good job." Selvig didn't care much for it, as a matter of fact.

"Hm...There's this one dish -- and I can't remember what it's called. But it's got a bunch of cheese on it, like...gorgonzola, I think? And stuffed noodles and chicken..." And whatever spices. Jane has no idea she never cooks. Ever.

[arkham_doctor]

He listens to her description then smiles. "I think you've just described most Italian food containing chicken." He teases, but it's good natured.

But they've just arrived, and he gently leads her in that direction. "He we are." He lets go of her hand to get the door and pauses a moment to let her go first.

[rosenbridges]

She stops to think about that for a moment, then has to laugh to herself.

"Shows you how often I cook, right? Darcy likes poptarts...that was really one of the staples around the lab."

She goes inside then turns to wait for him, though she takes the opportunity to look around. Seemed respectable enough. No scary tattooed men doing coke in the corners, so that's a plus.

[arkham_doctor]

"Poptarts? Really?" He was never a fan. They always tasted like cardboard to him.

He follows her in and puts a hand on her back as they wait for the hostess. Then, as they're seated, he lets her go first.

"Anything look good?"

[rosenbridges]

"Darcy loves them, yep. She does a lot of the shopping because she knows I forget to eat..." She scans the menu when they're seated, stomach rumbling. Someone forgot to eat this afternoon, apparently.

"All of it does. Any recommendations?"

[arkham_doctor]

"Yet another similarity. I find myself forgetting to eat sometimes as well. Maybe it's just a common trait of scientists."

As for recommendations, he's not sure. "As I said before, I hear the fettuccine Alfredo is excellent, and I've had the chicken parmesan myself, and that was wonderful as well..."

[rosenbridges]

"It must be." Eating, sleeping -- her schedule is never going to be considered normal.

"Hm. I think...I'll go with the first. The alfredo. I haven't had that in a while." She snaps the menu shut, satisfied with her selection, then leans on the table.

"So what drew you to a charity festival in the first place?"

[arkham_doctor]

Yes, that is definitely something they had in common.

"Sounds lovely. I think I'll stay with the parmesan, myself." It was safe, familiar, and he was content with that.

"Oh, you know. I get around." That was code for 'I really have no idea.'

[rosenbridges]

"Fate, maybe?" She grins, tugging the sleeves of her shirt over her hands. "Just wandered up, no idea why or how you got there..."

[arkham_doctor]

"Well, I know how I got there." He answers with a smile of his own.

Then the waiter comes to take their order. He let's her go first, then ordered himself.

Once the waiter leaves he looks back at Jane. "But to be perfectly honest, I did just sort of stumble upon your little fair."