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As promised, Jamie had stopped by the clinic, looking much improved, thanks to Thea's handiwork. He may have also bolstered the healing process by find a couple of uninjured duplicates to absorb. But that's what they're for, right? He comes by at about noon, and if needs be, he'll wait until she's free to run out for a quick bite. Read some magazines, do a crossword puzzle. You know, whatever passes the time. When she's ready, Jamie leads Thea out to where he's parked, and they drive the black Impala a few blocks until they reach their destination. It's not fancy, it's not well known, at least not outside of the locals, but Freddy's has the best ribs in town. Jamie leads the young lady inside, gives a bit of a wave to Freddy, and then moves to find the two of them a booth to slide into. There aren't too many people here, even at lunch hour, but those that have come all seem very happy. "Hope you had a light breakfast," Jamie says, grinning, "Freddy doesn't do small plates."
*
The french twist had come down, tumbling blonde waves over the shoulder of her not-nurses outfit. Indeed, it's a bold black and green abstract patterned dress that ends just above her knees, paired with black patent leather heels. She'd touched up her makeup, lips now red over bare, but most everything else was still nurse mode. Light on the makeup, tiny earrings. "Secret? I can eat like a horse. I just don't in public often, it horrifies my mother." There's a smirk tugging at her lips.
*
Jamie smiles at the answer, and lets out a soft chuckle. "Good. Freddy gets insulted when a newcomer can't finish their first platter," he says, sliding into the booth next to Thea, rather than across from her. "Think we're ready here, Freddy," he calls up to middle-aged black man behind the counter, who must be the proprietor. It takes a couple of minutes for him to finish up whatever he's doing before he can come down to their table, which gives Jamie and Thea a little bit more time to talk. "You look great," he offers. Always good to compliment a lady when you take them out for a date. Because that's what lunch is, right? I mean, Jamie picked her up, took her out, and plans on paying for the meal, so by definition, date. He's old fashioned that way. Pretty much only that way. "Hopefully it hasn't been too crazy at work today?" Ah, smalltalk. Let's skip that part soon.
*
Thea laughs. "Which job? " There's a tease there, a wink of one amber-brown eye. "I work at a hospital too. I'm just a busy Betty." Her head tilts. "How long have you known? About you, I mean?" Small talk - dispensed with. Thea goes right to the heart of the matter.
*
"Hey, don't need to explain to me about busy. I've got.." he lifts his eyes to the ceiling for a moment, counting. "Six jobs on the go right now? I'm at three of the currently," he says, and then grins. "Thankfully I can be in a few places at once." A busboy comes around to deliver a couple glasses of water to the pair, to which Jamie gives a nod of thanks. "Freddy'll be over in a minute, he's just finishing up an order," the boy says, and hastily departs. "I've known I was a mutant since I can remember. My parents used to tell me that they knew as soon as I was born. Popped outta my mom, doctor slapped me on the ass, and suddenly there were two. Apparently it was only a minute or so, but long enough to make the nurse faint," he says, apparently amused by the story. "What about you? Most people find out around puberty.. think I'm just a special case."
*
"Car accident." She murmurs, pulling a glass of water closer for a sip. "I wasn't hurt, I was on the sidewalk, wandering around the city. One of the drivers was hurt. Bad. I.. acted on instinct." She shrugs. "And then kept my mouth shut until a couple of months ago. You're the.. third person I've told?" Others have /seen/ her do things, but..
*
"Well, I'm among the privileged few then," Madrox says with a smile. "It's a shame even gifts like yours, which can do so much good in the world, give humans cause to fear," he muses, frowning a little bit at that. "Just another on the list of things we need to fix about the world, right?" The smile returns, just as Freddy steps up to the table.
"Afternoon, James," the older man says, his voice a bit gruff, but friendly. "Brought a friend today? No brothers?" He gives a wink. Obviously Freddy knows something about Jamie, but doesn't want to say it outright. He doesn't need to. "Welcome, Miss. Hope you find everything to your liking," he says to Thea with a big toothy smile. "The usual, James? Something for the lady?"
Jamie gives Freddy a nod, "Two of 'em," he says, eliciting a nod from Freddy, and another big smile to Thea. "Wonderful. I'll get those started for you right away, my man," Freddy replies. "And two colas!" Jamie shouts afterward, which Freddy replies without looking back, "I know!"
Jamie's attention turns back to Thea. "Hope that's okay?" He didn't even ask what she'd want, but in this day and age, the man does the ordering. If it's a problem, he'll rectify it after the fact. Besides, he knows the place, and she doesn't, so Jamie just assumes that she'll defer to his superior knowledge. Perhaps just a little bit of a chauvinist that way. "Plenty of people know about me. I don't really try to hide it. I am what I am, and if people can't accept it, then fuck 'em, I say. Can't change it now, right?" Not that he would if he had the chance. There are definite upsides to being the Multiple Man.
*
Thea smiles up at the older man, trying to shake off the shame that remembering that first time knowing always brings her. There's a faint flush at Freddy's comments. "I hear you're the best. I'm trusting him here." No, she doesn't mind him ordering. He knows the menu, and she doesn't want to sound foolish. "So what is the usual?" She arches a brow, looking at him.
She'll sip her water, eyes on his face. "You're lucky, then. That you're not beaten up more often. I've heard.. horror stories." There's a brush of blonde behind her shoulder. "What is it you, do, Jamie? That lets you be you?"
*
"Ribs, slaw, chili, and cornbread. Enough to feed a family of four each," Jamie says with a light laugh. He's not kidding. It's not more than a couple minutes before that same young busboy arrives with two glasses of Coca-cola, setting them on the table next to the two waters already given, and he scurries away again without a word. "Oh, I get beat plenty," he admits with a bit of a shrug. "Fortunately for me I've usually got lots of backup. Most people are cowards when they don't have the numbers on their side. I'm not afraid of a fight, whether there's one of me, or ten. Lucky for me, though, I'm never really all on my own," he says, grinning again. "I try to do my part to make sure there aren't more horror stories than needs be. Not really a hero of the people, but I make the rounds. You know, try to keep bullies from doing too much more damage, if I can help it." He gives a bit of a shrug, and takes a sip of the coke. "My other jobs are pretty mundane, though. Right now, I'm working at a warehouse by the docks. Got another one waiting tables downtown. Done a little bit of everything, really. Kind of a jack-of-all-trades, I guess."
*
Thea nods as she pulls her cola closer. "Better a jack of all trades, master of none, than simply a master of one." She agrees, looking away from that handsome face finally to look over the place. "I.. in order to do what I think is going to do the most good, I can't… be me. If that makes sense?" She glances back at him. "My neighbors think I'm some sort of miracle worker."
*
"I don't like to tell people how they should live their life, I can only speak to what works in my own," Jamie says, his voice softening a little bit, losing the edge of wry humour he usually speaks with. "Nobody can say that helping others isn't worthwhile. You're a nurse, you save lives and heal the sick. Your mutation helps you do that. I don't know the details of it, but I've known other people with abilities in the same category, and from what I've heard, it's never easy. So nobody, not me or the gods themselves, if they're up there, have any right to criticize how you go about the good you do. I don't think anyone should have to hide, but I understand why people do, and I don't think less of them for it. But I try to make the world a little more tolerant, by any means I can, so people like you don't feel like they have to keep themselves a secret," he says. And then, just like that, Freddy arrives, carrying two /huge/ platters of ribs and accompaniments. Jamie's eyes light up, and you might even see a tiny bit of drool. "You two are /both/ miracle workers," he says, grinning. "For different reasons, though. Thanks Freddy."
"Enjoy," Freddy replies, setting the plates down in front of the two, before stepping away to tend to another customer.
Fortunately, there are plenty of napkins.
*
Thea shakes her head. "I've always been one to stand up to bullies, you know? Had them where I went to school" She will leave out how private school and everything is where she went. There's a hint of a chuckle and a smile at the mention of the gods above that she doesn't explain, reaching for a napkin to studiously tuck into her neckline on her dress. "No making fun of me now. I know how messy ribs can be." Another is spread in her lap.
*
Jamie laughs, and foregoes his own napkin. Because he's a pro. He'll also probably make a damn fool of himself, but that's the name of the game when it comes to saucy ribs. The mess is part of the meal. "There'll always be bullies, unfortunately. It's human nature. Doesn't mean you stop trying though, right?" He smiles, and picks up one of the racks from his plate, tearing a section off without hesitation, and without consideration of proper decorum. Hello, ladies.
*
Thea laughs softly, eyes warm as she watches him tear into those ribs. "I haven't ever stopped yet.. So I guess not?" There's a grin, as she goes for a piece of cornbread first. There's a little sound of delight. "Nothing like real cornbread. It's so.. perfectly homey, you know?" Eyes glance at him, a hint of a flush. "Thank you, Jamie. For bringing me here. Asking me to lunch… letting me be me for a while."
*
"The pleasure is all mine, Thea. I'm a simple man, who enjoys the company of beautiful women, and good food," Jamie says, his rather flowery words likely marred by the fact that his lips and chin are all but covered in barbecue sauce. "Truth be told, I'd been looking forward to this since I left your clinic," though whether he means the ribs or the company he doesn't say. Probably safe to assume the company, since the ribs he already seems to know quite intimately.
*
Thea chuckles, that hint of a flush remaining. "I was hoping you'd come back through.. not injured." There's a glance at him from under lashes. "But this.. is lovely." She's a little more precise and delicate in taking on her ribs. She's not dainty, but… not a demolition crew.
*
"Well, I hate to leave a disappointed woman in my wake," Jamie says with a sly grin, taking a moment to dab his face with a napkin to clean up the stray sauce. He opts for a bite of cornbread next, chewing thoroughly and swallowing before speaking again. Because he's a gentleman, you see. "I probably eat here more than I should.. it's going to wreak havoc with my figure if I come take you for lunch every day. I'll have to double my workout routine," he jokes.
*
Thea gives him a smirk, even as that blush continues to truly notable now. She'll swallow that bite of ribs before she licks sauce from her lips. "Your figure? Mine would go to hell in a handbasket." There's a smile that lights up her eyes. "Though I often bring lunch. If you like Greek food."
*
Jamie chuckles, "I'll eat pretty much anything. I was raised on a farm, so I've seen it all," he says rather casually, reaching for another rib. It's going to take some time to get through all of this, but Jamie has the freedom to take it. Thea, on the other hand, might not, if she has to get back to the clinic to finish up her day. And there's still pie to be had.
*
Thea is, thankfully only a part time volunteer. She's doing it for the experience, and not a paycheck. So they let her come and go as she pleases, so long as she puts in a certain amount of hours. She'll pick up her next rib, smirking at him. "Greek food is nothing like down on the farm, honey. I'll make some, have you over, if you like?"
*
"If you're inviting, I'm not saying no," Jamie says cheerfully, and then starts in on another rib. He's making good progress here, but he wasn't kidding when he was said the plates were huge. Freddy intends for people to use their whole lunch hour to eat, apparently, and then return to the office too full to move, or wear properly fitted clothing. "Remember, darlin', we can pack it up to take home, if it's too much for you," he says, teasing a little bit, in a good-natured tone.
*
Thea arches a brow at him, her head tilting slightly. "You really… aren't familiar with many nurses, are you, Jamie? We eat to eat, because we miss a lot of meals." She'll work on that second rib, before there's a pause for some chili and cornbread. Welcome to Stubborn Thea, Jamie.
*
They eat. They talk. They laugh. Hopefully, no-one cries. Jamie may or may not let out an unintentional burp, but would promptly excuse himself because he's a gentleman. And they finish. Jamie polishes off his plate, and is suitably impressed that Thea does the same. Nice to see a woman that can eat. They rise from the table, and Jamie makes sure to leave enough to cover the meal, and a bit more. Freddy's got a kid to put through college on this, after all. He shouts his thanks to the older man, and gets a response in kind. Freddy's a great guy. Lunch successfully packed away, Jamie offers Thea his arm, and escorts her out of he rib shack, back to the car. "Guess I'll drop you back at the clinic then, darlin'? Before your co-workers start to think something untoward is going on?" He smirks, and opens the passenger side door for the woman, waiting for her to slide onto the seat before closing it and heading around to the driver side.
*
Thea also adds a couple more bucks to the total, because she's aware of how undertipped a lot of servers are. She likes to make sure everyone is sort of over-tupped. She'll wave to Freddy with a smile, before she'll laugh and take Jamie's arm. "I just need to stop in there, yeah. I'm pretty much done there for the day." Then there's a shake of her head, laughing again. "They hope you do something untoward, I'm sure. They're probably all buzzing because Thea actually went on a lunch date."
She'll slide into the car, leaning over to make sure his door is unlocked. Once he's inside and her seatbelt snapped in place. "So when do you want to dare try my greek cooking, hmm?" There's a sidelong glance from under lashes, a mischievious smile.
*
Jamie slides into the driver's side, and buckles up as well. Safety first! Also the fact that a crash would likely result in several dead duplicates as he flew through the windshield, and that just brings up more questions than a coroner really needs to answer. He's so thoughtful. Jamie starts the car, the engine revving a little bit more loudly that one might think it ought to, but the smile on his face makes it obvious that's to be expected. One arm on the wheel, the other swung over to rest on the back of the seat just behind Thea's head, he glances back as he shifts it into reverse, and pulls out of the parking space.
"Done for the day, huh," he comments, bobbing his head a bit. "If I'd had known that, I'd have taken you somewhere a bit fancier," he says. Given how much he truly loves that rib place though, you'd be right to hold onto some skepticism there. "So, swing by the clinic, and then.. my place or yours?" He asks, his tone obviously intending it as a cheeky joke. "More importantly, what are you going to tell the other girls?" He cracks a grin, and pulls out onto the main road, headed back to the clinic.
*
"Why? I enjoyed Freddy's." There's a line between her brows. "Do I strike you as the fancy type, Jamie?" Her hands slide into her coat pockets, as she leans a little against her door to watch him. "You're welcome to come to my place, if you like." There's a blink, a perfectly innocent expression. "Why would I tell them anything, past it was a nice time? Do you know how those women /gossip/?"
*
"Not specifically, no," Jamie says. "I'm glad you liked it, darlin'. One of my favourite spots in Harlem. And.." he pauses. "Damnit!" He shouts, and then turns to face Thea, even taking his eyes off the road a moment. Safety? "We forgot to get pie." Jamie looks somber, and turns his eyes back to the road. "I never forget the pie, what the hell is going on in this world," he says sadly, shaking his head a bit. "I always thought the gossip was the best part. You know, leave 'em hungry for details." Clearly, Jamie is not a girl, because if he were he wouldn't think such a scandalous thing is funny. But he's not, and he's got kind of a twisted sense of humour. It takes only a few minutes more driving, and the clinic comes into view.
*
Thea smiles faintly. "I did. I always enjoy new places. I like new food. I've had barbeque before, of course, but you know what I mean." She blushes a bit, before she bites her lip on a smile. "Well, I'll just have to make you a pie to make up for it, sometime soon?" She shakes her head. "I prefer to not have people thinking about my personal life at all. For the obvious reasons."
*
Another problem Jamie doesn't have. People can ask about his personal life (lives?) all they want. He's got nothing to hide. But, again, understanding of the situations of others. "I'll never turn down pie, darlin'," he says with a grin. "But don't think I'm not heading back down there tomorrow for two pieces." The car pulls up to the curb just outside the clinic, and stops, but Jamie keeps the motor running. "Go on and get your things, I'll keep 'er warm."
*
Thea blinks. "You offering to take me home, Jamie Madrox?" There's a lean and a kiss to his cheek. "You're sweet. I'll be right back." She'll unsnap that seat belt and scoot out of the car to dash into the clinic. She'll be gone a few minutes, before she re-emerges, bag slung over her shoulder before she slides in. There's a mischievious grin on her face. "Do me a favor?" She asks even as she's closing the door. "Kiss me. They're all watching and dying to know who you are."
*
Jamie just grins, "Miss Harman, I'm surprised at you," he says. But never one to leave a lady disappointed, he's soon leaning in to give Thea a kiss, right on the lips. Nothing raunchy, nothing pornographic, but definitely something for the girls to talk about. He slips his hand around the back of her head, briefly pressing his lips against hers, perhaps with a slightly open mouth. Pulling back ever so slightly after a moment, just enough to talk, he smiles again, "How's that work for you?"
*
There's a hint of a breathless laugh as he leans in, and those brown eyes are alight with mischief and humor. She lets him pull back that tiny bit before there's a grin. Her hand wil llift to the back of his neck, kissing him a little harder to really put on a show. "You're a good man to have around, Madrox."
*
"I aim to please. Hopefully that'll give 'em something to chatter about for a while," Jamie says when the kiss finally breaks from the second round. Once everything is back in place; hair, mussed clothing, etcetera, Jamie shifts the car back into gear, and pulls out onto the road again. "Hell's Kitchen, right?" And off they go, into the sunset. What happens next is up to the lady, and whether or not she's got roommates, Jamie supposes.
*