[for warrick and karen]

[formerfratboy]

While Nick didn't spend as much time in the lab as his coworkers and other lab-type friends did, he still let the honor fall to him to show Warrick around the place.  He had the nagging feeling that he was supposed to be somewhere, but he couldn't quite remember what he was supposed to be doing.  So instead, he walked Warrick through the lab,

Comments

[alaspoorwarrick]

I know that look. It's one part pussy-whipped and one part oh shit. Now, I'm cool here, and I could let him go, but what's a best friend for if not to get a guy in trouble with his lady, you know?

So I give him the aw, man, you're not leaving me here eyes, and say, "Nah, I'm thinking it's time I meet your lady." Then I pause a beat, smile wicked, and add, "I promise not to call you 'Baby' in front of her."

[formerfratboy]

Nick made a face. He knew where this was going to wind up, and it was only going to result in trouble for everyone. There was a reason that he kept most of the women he dated in Vegas away from his coworkers. First, meeting the coworkers was practically like meeting family, which was always weird. And second, they all had way too much dirt on Nick.

"I'm really just going to be there for a couple of minutes," Nick said, trying to reason with Warrick. "Just, you know, grabbing my stuff and going, so it's not like, chatting time. You're, really, you're welcome to just chill here in the lab, I'm sure Griss'll put you to work or something."

[alaspoorwarrick]

I shake my head sadly. If he'd said sure thing, bro I mighta let him skate out of it, but now it's a matter of principle.

"That's perfect, man," I tell him. "I meet her, she meets me, we exchange hugs... I say 'hey, thanks for taking care of Nicky for me', and we're outta there before things get awkward." Wrapping an arm around Nicky's shoulders, I steer him toward the door and add, "Then she and I can get together for coffee or something, you know. Get to know each other."

[formerfratboy]

"Oh, god," Nick groaned under his breath, letting himself be steered towards the door. "That's just what I'm afraid of." It was bad enough that Karen and Greg got together for, like, Nick-gossiping coffee-parties or something (well, or at least, he imagined they did). Greg was socially awkward and a little weird at times. Warrick... was Warrick. He could get information out of a rock, so Nick was fairly sure that he'd charm Karen and they'd wind up as best friends always talking about Nick's cute little quirks over lunch and, hell, he was doomed. Doomed.

They made their way outside, and despite his better judgement, Nick found his feet carrying him to Karen's hut. "You know, she might not even be home."