[Video]

[tom_hanniger]

[Shock and awe, Wonderland. Tom has been here for how long and this is his first time on the network unaffected by an event. But anyone who knows him knows he hates the friggin' thing. Or, more to the point, just really doesn't like drawing too much attention to himself.

But hey. He's happy for once in a very long time. He's in love! And instead of jumping around on someone's couch or screaming from the roof tops, he's sitting outside the back of the house with a power saw, a generator, and a stack of timbers that he has lugged from the closest closet.

A lot of you he hasn't met but you might remember him proposing a football game a months or so back, but he wasn't feeling quite himself then. Living alternative lives and all that.]

Was thinking about doing some work out here. Idle hands and all that.

[It's a beautiful autumn day, guys. Come out and do something constructive.]

Could use some help to get the walls up. Not like we've got much else to do.

Comments

[Video/Private]

[righteously]

[He returns her dubious look with a flat one of his own, arching a challenging eyebrow. What, would you rather him have said slept with you? kissed you? played tonsil hockey? Canoodle was the least offensive word that sprang to mind, cut him some slack.

And oh no, how bad must it suck to be persecuted for mistakes. Oh dang, what a poor pity party for poor little Tom who accidentally maybe got some people killed once or something.

Boohoo Tom what a hard life. B|

His mouth snaps closed when she gets serious, jaw muscles twitching. Her quiet sadness, the guilt he feels at we never talked about things is just... not something he wants to deal with. His tongue works behind his lips, working over his teeth as he keeps himself calm.]

Look, how about let's not, okay? Frankly, I don't wanna hear you defend him, or tell me all about how his ass spouts roses, or whatever. I just- I don't wanna hear that crap from you. Not right now.

[Don't tell him all about what a great guy his replacement is, Jo. Your logic isn't helping him get over this. It actually makes him sort of want to push things a little more, and he's been doing so damn good about his restraint.

...Current conversation and comment to Ellen notwithstanding.]

[Video/Private]

[lightgunhustler]

Because it's just easier to hate him instead of me?

[Not that she wants him to hate her. She doesn't. But damn it, this whole thing is a huge mess, and it's a mess she made, and while it's getting better, there are still more than enough bad feelings and accusations to go around.

She clenches her jaw, wishing she could take that question back, rhetorical or otherwise, but she can't. She'll just have to steer this in a different direction if she doesn't want it to end with them not talking again. She's not sure she can take another month of silence. The last one damn near killed her.]

I'm sorry.

Look. I just-- I'm not trying to say he's perfect and I don't expect you to be friends. But... do you have to make things harder with my mom?

I just got her back. I don't want to waste time fighting with her about this crap, too.

[Video/Private]

[righteously]

[He's not going to answer that question. One look should be able to express that much.

(But the answer is yes.)

His arms tighten, cross harder over his chest as his face schools impassive. It was a dick move, he can admit that, but it felt pretty damn good. He doesn't want to tell her he'll lay off only to lose his temper and disappoint her, either, so he hedges the request.]

She's your mom, Jo, she wants what's best for you.

[And it's not too damn hard to tell that he's hoping what Ellen thinks as best for her is getting far the hell away from Tom.

Because he's petty.

He sighs.]

Fine. I'll lay off of him until your mom warms up to him. After that, though, it's all fair game. Deal?

[Video/Private]

[lightgunhustler]

You may recall that what my mother thinks is best for me is staying home and not having a life -- and it didn't include you, either.

[Ellen had clearly disapproved of them taking it any further than 'just friends.'

She sighs, too, giving a reluctant nod. Okay. She can deal with those terms.]

All right. Terms accepted. Deal.

[Video/Private]

[righteously]

[Wellp, that ship sailed, didn't it?

Either way, he got what he wanted. He got his green light.

So he flashes her a tight smile.]

Awesome.

[And promptly hangs up the phone.

Live with your choices, Jo. Live with them. He has permission now, that's all that matters.]