Rough Day, by Pic

Rough Day

by Pic

Author's Notes: This story was written for the 2003 Secret Santa game. It was kindly shared by Demi-X.

Pairing: Mac27/Other

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Vodka tonic with Ketel One, Stan," a petite, strawberry blonde woman requested in a near desperate tone as she slid into a just vacated bar stool.

Reaching for the call brand with the ease of long practice, Stan asked, "Rough day, sweetness?"

"Enough for you to make it a double," she replied, extracting a cigarette pack from her purse in triumph only to struggle mightily with the plastic wrap.

"I thought you quit, Kari," Stan murmured.

"I did." Grimacing at a newly chipped nail, Kari said, "Elbowing my way through the mass of humanity at the mall put me off food and drinking doesn't satisfy my oral fixation, so it's back to bad habits for me." Nodding at the well-used ashtray next to Stan, she asked, "What's your excuse?"

Serving Kari her drink, Stan shrugged. "It's a week before Christmas. Need I say more?"

"Nah," Kari replied, leaning forward to bring her cigarette to the flame of Stan's lighter. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes. "Tis the season to be grumpy."

"Jolly."

Turning to her left, Kari muttered, "What?"

"Jolly," the original renegade android of the designation Mac27 repeated. "Tis the season to be jolly. It is a verse from a Christmas carol entitled Deck the Halls."

A wry smile made its way to Kari's face. "Thanks for clearing that up, Mr. Christmas Spirit," Kari said.

Stan appeared with a bowl of peanuts. "Someone over the age of ten has to be happy this month," he said, placing the salty snack in front of Mac27. "If you're that lucky bastard and want to keep it that way, I advise sitting somewhere other than next to Ms. Bah Humbug."

Dramatically rolling her eyes at Stan, Kari extended a hand to Mac27. "I prefer Kari to Bah," she said.

"Kari is a prettier name," Mac27 agreed, regarding her with undisguised curiosity.

She frowned. "Are you two playing with me?"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Stan replied over his shoulder as he moved to serve a boisterous customer.

A simple, "No," from Mac27 did more to ease Kari's mind.

"Good," she muttered, observing Mac27 though the haze of cigarette smoke.

"I wonder why Stan didn't call you Ms. Scrooge," Mac27 said. "Bah Humbug is the phrase of pseudo-expletive nature used by the character Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novel entitled A Christmas Carol."

"You're up on your Christmas stuff, Mac." Kari raised her glass to her lips. "I'll say that for you."

"I have a wealth of Christmas data," Mac27 said, "but I do not understand the holiday."

After downing another healthy swallow of her drink, Kari ventured, "What's not to understand?" Giggling, she added, "Maybe the wires of your Christmas lights have gotten crossed. You really should watch out for that, Mac. Someone could get hurt."

Mac27 bit his lower lip and focused intense green eyes on Kari. "May I ask you a question about Christmas?"

Gesturing grandly with her cigarette, Kari replied, "Ask away."

"Does everyone have ghosts of Christmases past, present and future?"

"Say what?"

"Does everyone—?"

"Have their version of the three Christmas ghosts," Kari interrupted. "Literal much, Mac?"

"Yes," Mac27 admitted. "It is a design flaw."

"Design flaw?" Kari mumbled. Mac27's earnest nod cut through the nicotine-alcohol buzz enough to inspire Kari to ponder its meaning.

"You do not wish to answer," Mac27 said. He pushed his bar stool away from the bar. "I understand. The question is too personal."

Kari put a restraining hand on Mac27's arm. "I don't mind answering, but I'm kind of afraid that what I have to say will disappoint you."

Mac27 smiled and Kari's heart skipped a beat. "I will assume that risk," Mac27 said.

"Ok," Kari sighed. "The answer to your question is no. The ghosts are fictional devices used by Dickens to … well, um, on second thought, maybe the answer is maybe."

Cocking his head to the left, Mac27 said, "I do not understand."

"The ghosts are fictional devices, but the symbolism isn't off the mark. Take me, for example. My childhood memories of Christmas are great; these days, I get so stressed that the Christmas season becomes an endless series of unwanted chores and … and …" A tear slid down Kari's cheek, followed by another and another.

"You are crying." Mac27 scanned the bar for Stan or some other form of assistance.

"I'm sorry." Kari wiped her face. "I'm not usually such an ass."

"You are not an ass."

"Thanks for saying so, Mac, and," Kari patted her posterior, "for not pointing out how prominent my butt is."

Mac27 looked where Kari indicated; the calculations were instantaneous. "Your gluteus maximus measures well within acceptable limits." Narrowing his eyes in thought, Mac27 said, "Unless by using the term prominent, you are acknowledging the attractiveness of that anatomical feature."

"I like you, Mac," Kari managed amid helpless laughter. "Another round, Stan, and break out your hidden stash of mistletoe. I have to kiss this guy."

"I'll see what I can do, Kari," Stan said. Giving Mac27 a thumbs up, Stan asked, "Another decaf coffee?"

"Decaf coffee?" Kari asked, incredulous. "Absolutely not! I refuse to buy him anything less intoxicating than spiked cider."

Mac27 smiled. "I will have an alcoholic beverage if you will explain why you were crying."

"Deal," Kari said, ignoring Stan's raised eyebrow. When the bartender went about his assigned tasks, Kari took a deep breath. "How to put this? I just realized that if I don't slow down and enjoy my Christmas present I'll have a huge ration of regret in my Christmas future." Kari reached out and took Mac27's hand. "Thanks for making me see that, Mac. I mean it. Oh, and ignore these tears. Personal epiphanies make me emotional. I've always been able to blubber without witnesses before." She reddened and lowered her eyes. "The babbling form of blubbering is the worst, sorry, Mac."

"Double vodka tonic with Ketel One, hard cider and mistletoe." Stan placed the recited items on the bar. "Is there anything else I can get you two?"

Kari regarded Stan's smirk. "Yeah," she replied, stubbing out her cigarette. "Gone."

"Done, my queen."

"Smart asses get lousy tips, Stan. Remember that." Kari nudged Mac27's drink toward him with her elbow. Raising hers, Kari said, "A toast to slowing down and remembering what all the Christmas fuss is supposed to be about."

They drank. Kari traded her glass for mistletoe. "It's tradition," she said as she lifted it over her head.

"It is customary for a couple to—."

Kari kissed Mac27 full on the mouth.

"Mac," she whispered, when they parted.

"Yeh … yes?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?"

"No."

"I see." Kari kissed Mac27 again. "You talk too much," she whispered.

With the barest hint of a grin, Mac27 said, "You kiss well, Kari."

"Forget I said anything," she said, smiling with genuine pleasure. "Keep talking. I need more excuses to shut you up. "

End

~~~~~~~oo(O)oo~~~~~~~

Feedback to Pic