Issue 1 Downtime

Janice had waited in line and come away with a cheeseburger and fries. Sitting down, she eyed the cheeseburger for a moment.

Then, she poked the bun with a finger.

"Brigid said they're pretty good today." Kay says when she sees Janice looking at her cheeseburger suspiciously.

"Sure it's not fine dining, but it's at least actual meat," John provided as he walked up. He had two of the cheeseburgers. With his baseline appetite, this was more of a snack.

"Why, hello hello hello! How are we all doing this fine day?" Will smiled, keeping both hands behind his back.

Janice relaxed once she heard Will's voice, looking over her shoulder.

"Oh, there you are."

"Miss me?" Will joked.

"You look a bit better," she smiled.

"I. Am in a great mood.

You know why I'm in a great mood? Because I'm the X-Teams Leader. And that brings with it a lot of pull. Including with the lunch staff here. I was able to cut in line and grab these -- last four pieces. How lucky is that!" Will said, revealing that he was carrying a tray with four slices of chocolate cake with mint frosting.

"And you three look like you can go for some cake. Bon appetit!" he smiled, passing out plates, and sitting down across from Janice.

"I feel like I've missed something," John said, lost.

"You're gonna miss cake if you don't eat cake."

"Oh, wow, thanks Mister Stanton!"

"Hey, I know better than to say no to cake."

"Had to be chocolate, eh?"

"There a problem, Janice?" Will said, with a sly grin on his face. "I thought you liked chocolate!"

Meanwhile Kay has no reason to hesitate and is eating her piece of cake.

Janice chuckled.

"Alright, alright. I've got to eat my lunch, first."

"Yes, your lunch. A cheeseburger! Excellent choice. I had a feeling you'd go for it."

Will was clearly fucking with Janice this time, and the grin wouldn't go away.

Kay and John, of course, would have no idea what the hell was up with fearless leader.

John gave the both of the other college students a hopelessly confused look.

"Don't mind me, John. Eat up, eat up. Grow big and strong," he joked.

"And I'd bet you skip straight to dessert," she teased back.

"I've got a bit of a sweet tooth. I think it's third from the back, on the left. Is that a molar? I can never remember," he grinned.

"Anyway, I wanted to talk to you -- set up another date, you know? Get some good practice time in and the like -- maybe in a different setting?"

"I think you're making it sound weirder than it is," she chuckled.

"Well, call it what you'd like then," Will laughed. "We'll crank the weirdness up to twelve next time, if you want.

That is, if you're still interested."

Nina wandered into the cafeteria. Having to fix a ton of injuries had left her feeling a bit famished. She compensated by getting fifteen jello cups from the line.

Spotting Will she headed over, "Will! What a surprise seeing you here where you live and work!"

"I know, right? I really need to learn how to be a deadbeat."

"Couldn't decide, huh?" She asked, looking over the Jello.

"Why, whatever could you be talking about?"

"Today is Jello Day," Nina say to Janice, as if that explains everything.

Nina giggles at Will's comment, "You should, you'll live longer."

"Word around the Helicarrier is that you had some troubles," Nina says.

"I'm pleased to know I'm being spied on by not one, but two government agencies," Will said, a little less chipper.

"Oh, Will," Nina says, "We spy on everyone here."

"Charming."

"Mmmaybe not the best conversation," she said with a glance to the high school students around.

Nina rolls her eyes, "I'm just trying to say I was worried about you, dummy."

"You are my friend," Nina says.

"Well, then I'll take it in the spirit it was delivered," Will smiled.

"And if you need anything, just ask," Nina says, "I'd love to get the chance to examine you again."

Nina smiles cheerfully.

"See, when you put it like that, how could I refuse," Will joked.

"Just think about it, alright?" Nina says, "The people you encountered have a nasty habit of leaving really nasty surprises behind."

"Don't I know it. But I've got a few surprises myself, I'll...probably...be fine..." Will considered.

"He's been training pretty hard," she said awkwardly.

"She's been helping."