Phone Call To M. Parker, Thursday afternoon

[fh_jackass]

After receiving an email from Parker, Logan decided they should have a talk. He picked up the office phone and dialed her number.

Comments

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker was on the beach (http://community.livejournal.com/fandomtownies/961927.html?view=39459207#t39459207), enjoying the sun, and laughing at the pirates under Ammy's command. She didn't look at the Caller ID when she answered the phone. "Parker."

[fh_jackass]

"Hey, Parker," Logan said. "Someone sent me an email in your name. Thought you should know."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

She smirked. "No, that was me. Amazingly enough. I hope you've got time free this month, I'd hate to trade in that ticket for one with a later departure date."

[fh_jackass]

"What's with the sudden generosity?" Logan asked.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Combination of factors." Parker paused, holding her place in her book with one finger. "For one, it might make Callisto mildly less homicidal for, oh, two or three hours, if she thinks you're not in L.A."

[fh_jackass]

"It would?" Logan said in surprise.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I did mention that she's just become more angry, not less, over the last two months, didn't I? No? Well, she has." Parker sighed. "She really wants to be there. Only you are. Resentment is building. So at least I can tell her I did something, and she can have her wholly unreasonable afternoon of glee about it."

[fh_jackass]

"Okay," Logan said. He looked at the email again. "There doesn't seem to be a return date."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"That's because there isn't one." Parker grinned.

[fh_jackass]

Logan sighed. "Forget it, then."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Aww, c'mon. Seriously. This isn't a hint, Logan. Except it is." She smirked. "About fiscal responsibility. That's a first-class one-way ticket. You can change it in for a tourist-class round-trip easily. Your call, though, on whether you want to go."

[fh_jackass]

"You want me to fly coach to Vegas and you're not even providing a per diem? Sorry, Maureen, it's going to take more than that to get rid of me," Logan said.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Fine, your loss." She sighed heavily. Dramatically. "I guess you're not serious about staying on with Angel's agency after all. Pity."

[fh_jackass]

Logan snorted. "Like you have any say in that."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I have every say with that, if I want it. But I won't have to do jack." She probably sounded bored. "Who do you think got Angel his private eye's license? Do you think he found it in a box of Cracker Jacks? Or his identity papers? Or set him up with the mortgage? If I wanted to-- which I don't-- all that could go away tomorrow." She paused. "I was going to offer to do the same for you, if you were staying. But since you can't even fly coach...."

[fh_jackass]

Logan raised his eyebrows. "Parker?" he said. "Bite me." He slammed down the phone.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker glared at her phone, sighed.

Then hit LAST CALL RETURN.

*ring*

[fh_jackass]

Logan sighed, and picked up the phone. "What?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Don't hang up. I'm... apologizing." If it sounds like Parker is saying that through clenched teeth, it's only because it's accurate.

[fh_jackass]

Logan smiled. "Go ahead, then."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry I was being a manipulative bitch. There." Parker paused. "But I'm serious about the paperwork. Do you actually *have* any? Angel didn't seem to think you really did."

[fh_jackass]

Logan considered asking if she was apologizing for *all* the times she'd been a manipulative bitch or just this time. Then he decided not to press his luck. "I have an ID," he said.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"So... no DMV records. No high school graduation records. No actual social security number or passport, then?"

[fh_jackass]

"Well," Logan said. "Not yet."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Uh-hunh," Parker said skeptically. "You've got a guy working on it? As we speak?"

[fh_jackass]

Here.

[fh_jackass]

"It hasn't really been a priority," Logan admitted.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Another sigh. "I'm not your mother, or your sister. But seriously. I *have* to offer this. It could get Angel in such trouble if you get picked up, or someone thinks you're an illegal alien. If you're going to stay... just let me know, okay?" She paused. "If you're not, we can forget about it."

[fh_jackass]

"I'm going to stay," Logan said firmly.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Right." Parker was quiet a moment, thinking about that. "This is going to take a few days longer than Angel's stuff. I assume you want it to match your real life here, just so it doesn't get confusing? With the addition of a high school that exists there?" She paused.

[fh_jackass]

"Yeah," Logan said. "That'd probably be best."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Good." She looked out over the water, and grinned suddenly. "I honestly thought you wouldn't last six weeks in that job. I thought you'd either get scared, or sick of dealing with Angel's stuff. I don't say this often, and I know you don't *care*, but: I'm impressed."

[fh_jackass]

"Thanks," Logan said, touched. "Hey, could you check on something for me?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Sure. What?"

[fh_jackass]

"I should have some money coming to me. From," he paused, "well, you know. Maybe you can find a way to shift it over here?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker blinked, realized what he was referring to, and said, "No, that shouldn't be a problem. You already have a savings account, I assume?"

[fh_jackass]

"You mean here or there?" Logan asked.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I meant there. Whatever form the... assets... are in here, we can convert it to bonds or cash easily enough. It's just easier if you have a savings account already, the deposit limit is higher." She paused. "There will definitely be papers to sign before they turn over anything. This could take a few weeks."

[fh_jackass]

"Yeah, it's cool," Logan said. "I know how that stuff goes."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Right." Of course, from when his mom died. "I'll call next week, then, when I have the new paperwork ready. And Logan?" She was quiet. "Seriously think about that trip. Even if I sent the ticket to placate Cal, you deserve a break." The grin was probably audible. "And you can always earn your return ticket at the poker tables."

[fh_jackass]

"If you could advance me some of that money I've got coming, I'd have the stakes to do it with," Logan said.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Hmmmm." She rolled her eyes. "Okay. Fair point. I'll spot you a thousand, as soon as you've got the reservation made. I'm not telling Cal about *that* part."

[fh_jackass]

"Deal," Logan said.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Cool. Later, then. And tell the Brooding One that Isabel's gone for a week, but would like to hear from him, would you?"

[fh_jackass]

"Will do," Logan said. "Thanks."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, yeah. Bye."

Parker hung up and hoped like hell that Callisto would never, ever learn about that conversation.