Per Diem: Peek 1 - That Time (PG-13)

[GuardianAngel]

My thanks to rijane for beta-ing for me. I'd be lost without her generosity and wondrous skills.

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. They are not mine, never have been, never will be. Bummer, I know.


That Time


SLAM

The sound of the door slamming shut had Mick out of the freezer, donning his pants and racing down the stairs.

“Beth?”

No response. Frowning, he listened for any sound in the apartment. Targeting a heart beat in the kitchen, he headed that way.

“Beth?”

The sight that greeted him was one he savored. The petite blonde had her back to him, bending over and rummaging through the fridge. His fantasies came to a screeching halt when she pulled something out, stood up and slammed the door shut. Again.

Mick jumped back before she could plow him down as she passed him and banged a container onto the counter and turned to pin him with a heated glare.

Feeling like something was expected from him, he raised his brows and asked “Bad day?”

“You could say that.” She all but spat at him. “Ben was in a bad mood today and it didn’t help that I was late.”

Beth slapped her sandwich onto a plate.

“I wouldn’t have been late except that someone borrowed my car and didn’t fill the gas tank.”

When she picked up a knife Mick took a step back but she only used it to spread some mustard before tossing it in the sink. The wicked gleam in her eyes told him that she hadn’t missed his subtle movement and she thought he had made a wise choice.

Not sure whether she expected an apology or if it would be better to stay quiet, Mick kept a blank face and took another step back out of her way.

Beth shook her head, rolled her eyes and, with plate in hand, brushed past Mick to make her way to the table.

His nose twitched at the change in her scent.

A quiet, amused “Oh” escaped before he could stop himself.

Beth turned and suspiciously eyed his innocent expression, the small smile hidden behind his hand, knuckle under his nose.

“Oh, what?”

“Nothing.” Thinking it wise to get her mind off his error, he turned to get himself a glass of blood and offered to get her a drink as well.

He should have known better.

Beth set her plate on the table but didn’t sit. “Forget the drink. What did you mean by that, Mick?”

Oh shit. His mouth opened but no words came. He lifted his hand, palm up and prayed that inspiration would hit.

Beth’s head cocked.

“I realized you were a little…..emotional….today.” And for the next four days he silently added in his mind.

More confused than annoyed, Beth shook her head. “Why would I be emotional today?”

Mick groaned and his expression became pained.

“Well….it’s that time…..your time.” Disgusted with himself he closed his eyes and sighed. “It’s your time of the month.”

Beth smiled.

Mick’s blood ran colder. He wondered if he could make it out of the room before she gathered enough air to begin. His thoughts were interrupted by her first question.

“So you think that I'm PMSing? That I’m just being emotional? It couldn’t be that I started off the day on the wrong foot because you borrowed my car and left me with no gas? It couldn’t be because being late pissed off my boss and put me on his shit list all day? Or that it was your turn to do some shopping and all there is to eat is cold cuts.”

Beth cocked her head and shook it sarcastically. “No. It couldn’t be any of that. It must be because I have my period. How stupid of me.” She punctuated the last words by hitting her palm against her forehead.

Mick may be old-fashioned, but he wasn’t stupid. If he let her go on any more he’d be on the couch. That just wasn’t acceptable. Sex during Beth’s time of the month was exceptional. He wasn’t above a little groveling to ensure his place beside her in bed. Donning her favorite grin, he sauntered towards her.

“You think it’s funny?”

“Not at all. I’m sorry about the gas. It was inconsiderate of me.” Mick stood in front of her with a repentant smile and ran a hand down her arm. “Here, I’ll sit with you while you eat and you can tell me all about your day.”

With one last searching, suspicious perusal, Beth sat down and began to eat.

As Mick listened to the blistering description of Ben’s treatment of her after she arrived at work he inwardly counted his blessings. An angry Ben wasn’t going to make passes at Beth. He, Mick was safely off the hook. He inhaled. And he had a very promising night before him.

[coco]

Just re-visiting my favourites. I think Mick is right to stay on Beth's good side

[Moonlighter]

Just re-visiting my favourites. I think Mick is right to stay on Beth's good side

ITA, coco. Mad Beth = Sad Mick. And we don't want that, do we?

Nice, GA!

[lila]

Oh, this is excellent! Heh, Mick is just one manipulating bastard, isn't he? And yet, somehow, that makes me love him even more... And makes me hope that you'll get the inspiration to write what comes after, GA!

[starbucksjunkie]

Pissy Beth and scheming Mick. Loved it then, love it now.

[jen]

Now this is just cute and proof that Mick has learned a lot in his eight and a half decades.

Nicely done!

[helloeeze]

I think for someone who has been not romantically involved with a human in 50 years, Mick knows how to handle one. It's true that sometimes women need to talk and have someone listen. Mick has learned that pretty quickly. Sadly, some "real life" men never learn that about women. Again, Mick's skills are far above and beyond most men, in the bedroom and out!

[jen]

Just slipped in for a reread.

Charming. The minor, one sided bickering was just spice to the relationship and you handled that beautifully!

[darkstarrising]

GA,

the Coffee house has steered me to this little gem! Loved the way Mick read Beth's danger signs and carefully keeps out of her way, but one little "Oh!" gets him into trouble.

He wasn’t above a little groveling to ensure his place beside her in bed.

But our boy knows how to get out of trouble as well

[librarian_7]

Very cute, GA...I can see this playing out on screen.

And thanks to the Coffee House for steering me in this direction...it's one I hadn't read before.

Lucky

[Phoenix]

When she picked up a knife Mick took a step back but she only used it to spread some mustard before tossing it in the sink. The wicked gleam in her eyes told him that she hadn’t missed his subtle movement and she thought he had made a wise choice.

Eeeeek.

Nicely done, GA.

[RangerCM]

The type of scene all the men in our lives, dread.

I love the way this story moves so smoothly along, intertwining situational comedy throughout.

[cassysj]

This is absolutely adorable. Men can't win when it's "That Time" so they should just keep the lady happy.

Very funny.

[redwinter101]

I have read this often, loved it every time and commented (somewhere...) but I'm grateful to the Coffee House for sending me back again. This really is just perfect in every way. You have the cadence spot on - their conversation, mannerisms, the to and fro:

A quiet, amused “Oh” escaped before he could stop himself.

Oh man I can SEE Mick.

Beth smiled.

Mick’s blood ran colder. He wondered if he could make it out of the room before she gathered enough air to begin.

Sigh. So cute, funny - and just real. Perfect.

ML should have been on cable. Then we might, just might, have seen something as marvellous as this.

Red

[wpgrace]

Totally Mick-humor. If Mick himself were to read fanfic, he would find this story MOST amusing.
I love that about this one.