It's a Dale's Ramblings Christmas special, as we round out Volume Nine with a mammoth review of BBC Books' inaugural Short Trips collection. Nearly 17,000 words. Fifteen stories.
Merry Christmas, you lucky people.
And so, an ending. With the release of Short Trips, the BBC Books range has finally overcome one of the last major hurdles to its legitimacy
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A/N: So, I got like a handful of people who reacted to my post about this stuff saying that they would be down for reading snippets from my book as I work on it. Which is good enough for me to start posting those snippets. Now I’m not entirely sure how to format these so we’re gonna do it like I would a fanfiction because that’s the only way I know how to do things on this hellsite. Also this book is written in first person point of view. The pov we are currently getting is Lillian’s.
Pairings: (Eventual) James Carter x Lillian Graves
Word Count: 3632
Summary: This is a snippet of the conversation Lillian has when she first meets James while she’s working a shift at Nova Cities local twenty-four hour dinner as a way to introduce you all to two of the main characters. A little side note about James is that he’s a head empty heart full kind of guy, so think Bridgerton men only modern century.
“Hey Nancy.” I greeted as I walked into the diner noticing that the only people here where the three regulars sitting at the counter for an early lunch.
“Hey sugar, you’re gonna have to cover your usual tables and the other half of the counter today Mary called out.” Nancy told me as I walked behind the counter tying my half apron around my waist as I went. I dropped my shoulders as I gave her a very done look and stopped tying my apron for a second.
“Are you serious?” I asked her unable to keep the annoyance out of my tone as I finished tying off my apron and pulled my sweatshirt off.
“Hey Lillian.” Looking towards the window I saw our cook George giving me a small wave and a smile that I returned.
“Hey George.” I said before lookin back at Nancy who sighed heavily and nodded her head.
“Yep, she said something about something coming up with her boyfriend John and how she couldn’t come in because she had to deal with whatever it as, she wasn’t very forth coming with the specifics.” Nancy explained and I rolled my eyes as I shoved my sweatshirt under the counter and grabbed my order pad and pens.
“Yeah, sure, and what was it last week? Her car breaking down for the fifth time this month.” I commented and Nancy held up her hands and just shook her head looking just as done with Mary’s calling out as I was.
“As long as she keeps calling out with an excuse and keeps coming in every now and again there’s nothing that I can do, especially since we need the help.” She said and I sighed as I situated my order pad and pens inside of my apron before brushing my hair out of my face.
“If you ask me that girl needs to get more than just her car fixed.” Jim muttered from where he sat at the counter, and he picked up his coffee cop waving it in the air slightly before setting it back down.
“Isn’t that the truth, anyways how you doing Jim?” I asked him as I picked up a full coffee pot before walking over to him and refilling his mug.
“Bah! Same old same old, but I did get some new neighbor upstairs if the racket I heard up there last night was any indication of that.” He grumbled as he sipped his coffee and I smiled at him, going to put the pot away.
“Oh yeah? They any cute?” I asked him and he scuffed waving away my comment with his free hand as the other brought his mug to his lips.
“How would I know, I ain’t seen them yet, but if I catch a glimpse of them, I’ll let you know.” He said as he set his mug down and I grinned at him.
“Thanks, Jim.” I told him my gaze drifting to the door when the bell jingled above the door.
Pausing I took in the new guy as he walked up to where Nancy was standing at the register. His short fluffy black hair looked like he’d run his fingers through it multiple times before coming inside, and his hard oceanic blue eyes swept over our small diner examining everything and everyone they passed over as he walked up to the counter. His square and stubbled jaw clenching and unclenching in thought as he glanced over the back of the diner and then to Nancy who was standing in front of him patiently waiting.
“Where can I sit?” The deep baritone of his voice sent a shiver racing down my spine and had goosebumps breaking out across my exposed skin. I bit the inside of my cheek as I quickly looked away from him when his gaze flicked towards me, and I quickly grabbed a random rag pretending to wipe down the already clean counter. In front of me I heard Jim snicker into his coffee mug, and I shot him a quick glare before going back to wiping down the counter.
“Anywhere really, but if you want the best service in the house then right there at the counter next to the pie display. Lillian will be your server.” Nancy told him and I didn’t have to be looking at her to know that she was wearing that mischievous smile of hers.
I glanced over to see him practically swaggering over to the seat that Nancy had mentioned, and I bit the inside of my lip as I quickly glanced away from him. Stepping back from the counter I shoved the rag in my back pocket and instead moved to staking the clean drink glasses next to the fountain drinks. Watching him covertly it wasn’t until he had sat next to the pie display that I stopped pretending to care about the glasses and turned fully to face him. He gave me a grin that could only be described as charming, his gaze traveling over my body as I walked up to him an unfamiliar heat rising in my neck. If he was anyone else, I would be annoyed and maybe even disgusted by the way he was looking at me, but as it was it didn’t. There was something about his gaze that was… different, not different in a bad way but not entirely in a good way either.
“I was told you were the best server in this joint.” He commented propping himself up on the edge of the counter leaning forward. I scuffed lightly as I smirked at him resting my hands comfortably on my hips.
“Please other than Nancy I’m pretty much the only other server here. I’m not that impressive she’s just happy I show up and that I’m still here.” I told him and he raised an eyebrow at me.
“Bah! Don’t listen to her boy! She’s the only reason I keep coming back here.” Jim called out before either of us could say anything and I rolled my eyes crossing my arms over my chest as I turned to look at Jim.
“If anything, that just makes you a pervert Jim.” I told him and Jim threw his head back in laughter. I smirked as I uncrossed my arms and pulled my order pad and pen out of my apron before turning my attention back to the new guy.
“Oh, I don’t know doll that’s two votes against one I’m startin’ to think they may be right; you really are the best server here.” He commented and I let out a breathy chuckle as I shook my head, but before I could say anything else the others all voiced their agreements with his statement. Looking around at them all I gave them a deadpanned look before looking back at the new guy to see him spreading his arms in a ‘look see’ gesture. Scuffing I rolled my eyes a small smile threatening to spread across my face as I raised my order pad.
“Alright, well then, now that I’ve been ganged up on by everyone, what can I get you?” I asked him and he grinned at me his eyes practically shinning with something akin to mischief as he looked at me. He glanced around the diner his eyes lingering on the pie display as he hummed before looking back at me.
“What would you recommend?” He asked and I tilted my head to the side smiling in slight amusement at him.
“You haven’t even looked at the menu, how do you know I’ll suggest something actually good?” I countered and he smirked.
“You ‘ve got some high praise here, I trust that you’ll suggest something good.” He stated and that charming smile was back. Fighting a dumb smile of my own at his charming grin I tapped my pen against my pad as I hummed in thought.
“Well, whatever you get you’ll have to get a side of fries with because we’ve got the best fries this side of the East river. With that said I’d recommend our breakfast burger. It’s a burger with all the normal toppings on it plus a fried egg and homemade hash browns. It’s one of our more popular burgers plus George makes one hell of a burger.” I told him and he hummed in thought before nodding.
“Alright, I’ll have that and a side of those fries you spoke so highly of.” He said and I grinned at him, writing down his order.
“And what would you like to drink?”
“I’ll just have a regular coke.” Nodding I added that to the order before ripping off the slip.
“Coming right up.” Turning around I walked over to the window and stuck the slip in the order carousel, opening my mouth I went to tell George what it said but he was already grabbing the slip.
“I know, I heard you two, 20 minutes.” George stated before disappearing further into the kitchen. Widening my eyes, I held up my hands mouthing an ‘ok’ before moving towards the soda fountain and grabbing one of the freshly stacked cups.
“Here you go, your food should be out shortly.” I said as I walked up back up to new guy setting down his glass in front of him and he flashed me a smile before taking the glass.
“Thanks, my name’s James by the way.” He said as he held out his hand. Smiling I took his hand and shook it taking note of the callouses that littered his palms which was odd cause he didn’t seem like the physical labor type.
“Lillian, but you already knew that.” I said as I pulled my hand away and he let out a deep and rumbling chuckle that was most definitely something I wanted to hear again.
“I know, but I figured we deserved a proper introduction… so what makes a girl like you want to work here at a diner?” He asked and I shrugged as I busied myself with wiping down the counter again.
“It’s close to my apartment, and as you can see the people here are more than nice, plus they were the only place willing to hire someone without any experience.” I told him and he nodded. He opened his mouth to say something else but was cut off when the bell jingled over the door allowing for the sound of loud rambunctious talking to flow through the door and into the diner. My smile grew a little when I saw Jones, Commissioner Davis, and a few other officers coming in for their normal lunch.
“Take a seat anywhere you want boys and we’ll be with you in a moment.” Nancy called out to them, and they waved back in response as they made their way over to the round corner booth. Jones broke off from the rest of the group and came bounding over towards the two of us. He glanced at James as he came to stand next to him as he leaned against the counter with his arms crossed and a large grin on his face as he looked at me.
“Hey Lils, how are you doing?” Jones asked as his gaze quickly traveled over me searching for any hints of the injuries that I had last night. Internally I rolled my eyes, both of us knowing that it was unnecessary of him to do that no matter how touching his concern may be.
“Hey Matt, I’m doing good, you guys want your usual coffees?” I asked him already turning around and starting to gather up the mugs and the tray for their coffees.
“Yeah, if you could, and you’re sure that you’re doing, ok?” He asked again and this time I did roll my eyes especially when he spoke with a lowered tone like he was trying to hide what he was saying from James even though he stood a seat away from the man.
“Yes, detective Jones, I’m completely fine.” I put extra emphasis on the detective title as I shot him a look over my shoulder and he held up his hands in surrender, standing up a little straighter.
“Ok, ok, I was just making sure.” He stated his tone calm if not holding just a slight amusing hint to it. A hint that had me scowling at the tray as I carefully placed the full mugs onto it.
“And I thank you for that, but I’m fine, I promise you.” I told him as I picked up the tray of mugs and turned around to face the two of them to see Jones looking at me with an amused glint in his eyes and James looking at me with his head tilted slightly in curiosity. Once again James’ gaze traveled over me this time going much slower as he probably searched for the injuries that Jones had been hinting at. Only while Jones’ gaze had held worry for a friend James’ gaze held… something else.
“If you don’t mind me asking but what happened to you last night?” James asked as his gaze settled back on my face and he hadn’t found anything wrong with me. I shot Jones a look and he shot back an apologetic look.
“It’s nothing really, I tripped and fell down like four steps in my apartment building last night and Matt’s too much of worry wort to realize that my nurse of a roommate has already given me a clean bill of health.” I told him giving him a reassuring smile.
“Ah,” James muttered as he glanced between the two of us while nodding his head and not in the slightest looking convinced by what I’d told him.
“Yep, now come on Matt.” I stated as I walked around the counter with the tray balanced on my shoulder and hand and headed towards the corner booth. Jones followed after me, sliding into the booth next to Commissioner Davis once we go there. Setting the tray down on the table I started passing them out to everyone.
“How’s the investigation going?” I asked in a hushed tone towards Commissioner Davis.
“Nothing yet on that mutant but we were able to get prints off the gun for the other two and turns out they’re repeat offenders. Once we find them, we’re gonna bring them in for questioning, if you want to stop by.” Commissioner Davis spoke around the lip of his coffee mug, and I nodded.
“Text me or call me when you find them.” I told him as I tucked the tray under my arm and stood up straight. “Let me know when you’re all ready to order.” I added on at normal volume before turning and walking back to the counter, catching James watching me as I did. There was a moment of silence as I wiped down the tray and staked it back on the pile while James sat there until he finally broke the silence.
“You two seem close.” James commented and I looked at him my brow furrowing slightly and eh gestured with his head towards the table of adamantly talking cops. My brow furrowed more as I looked over towards them and then my eyes widened in realization and my gaze was snapping back to James who raised an eyebrow at me.
“You mean me and Matt?” I hissed at him, and he nodded.
“Yeah, the two of you seem rather close, is he your partner or something?” He asked me and I bit the inside of my cheek trying to stop myself from letting out a shocked laugh at the very suggestion of me and Jones dating. Had I been drinking when he said that I’m sure I would have spat the thing out in my shock and surprise.
“Oh… oh god no, no, no, me and Matt are not… we’re not partners, we’re just friends. It’s just him and my roommate where like the first two people I met and befriended when I moved to this city, so we’re all close to each other but other than that he’s just a friend.” I told him and he nodded his head.
“So, you two aren’t dating then?”
“No. If anything he’s more like a concerned, protective, older brother to me than he ever would be a romantic partner… why did you want to know?” I asked him as I raised an eyebrow at him, and he sat up a little straighter a smirk spreading across his face.
“No reason really, just wanted to know if I stood a chance.” He told me his tone sounding suggestive and it had my heart rate spiking again and my palms beginning to sweat.
“A chance at what?” I asked him and he flashed me one of those charming grins of his that was steadily becoming my second favorite thing to see right now. But before he could respond George was shouting order up. Glancing over my shoulder I saw that it was James’ food and I cursed mentally and looked back at James who simply winked at me in response. Scowling at him and his shoulders shook in a silent chuckle that had me smiling as I turned around and walked over to the window grabbing James’ plate of food.
“Thanks George.” I said as I picked up the plate and George grunted in response as I turned away from the window and headed back towards James whose eyes fell to the burger an interesting look crossing his face.
“Well, it looks amazing doll.” He said as he sat up straight and rubbed his hands together as I set down the plate giggling when he unfolded his napkin with a flourish.
“It’ll be the best damn burger you’ve ever had I guarantee you that.” I stated and he grinned up at me his eyes twinkling slightly. Biting my bottom lip in nerves I watched as he picked up the burger a few home fries falling out in the process. He groaned loudly and in an extremely overexaggerated manner when he bit into the burger, and I had to stop myself from outright laughing. Bringing my hand up I covered my mouth with it as I shook my head and he grinned at me with a mouth full of good. I couldn’t stop the giggle from escaping lips which only seemed to make his grin grow even more.
“Well, what do you think?” I asked him after he had swallowed.
“I think going with your suggestion as the second-best decision I’ve ever mad, this is the best damn burger I’ve ever had.” He said and I grinned at him standing up a little taller at his praise.
“Must be one hell of a good first decision to beat out that burger, nothing beats that burger.” I commented and he nodded opening his mouth to say something however he was interrupted before he could as one of the cops that had come with Commissioner Davis and Jones called out for a refill. I flashed James an apologetic smile to which he gave me an understanding look and I grabbed the coffee pot and headed over to the table.
After that I wasn’t able to go back to James to continue our conversation because after taking care of the cop who wanted a refill, the others were ready to order. From there I just spent the rest of the time taking care of customers which normally I wouldn’t mind too much, but right now it annoyed the crap out of me. I had really been enjoying talking to James, something that I hadn’t experienced in a long time, nor the emotions that came with talking to him, and it was something that I would have really loved to continue feeling. Though to be fair I’d never experienced those emotions period.
“Wow, they seem to really not like her.” James commented and I paused in handing out the cops food looking over my shoulder to see what James was looking at. I froze as I saw that it was the channel 6 news, and they were showing footage from last night’s robbery the captions displaying just how much of a failure the news anchors thought I was. My shoulders fell slightly, and my face paled as I read their words on the screen each one pointing out what I did wrong and what they thought I should have done instead. I hadn’t even realized that I was trembling until I felt someone’s hand wrap around my forearm that was still extended out holding a plate of food. Looking down I saw Jones giving me a reassuring look as he squeezed my forearm.
“Yeah, don’t listen to the news Space is one of, if not the best superhero out there. They’re a hell of a lot better than someone like Freefall or Whirlwind.” Jones stated looking away from me and towards James as he let go of my forearm and I shook myself out my shocked state and finished handing out the food.
“I’ve spoken to captain Smith over in Jackson city where Freefall is and all she can talk about is how much of an unhelpful jackass Freefall is, at least Space is willing to work with us on cases.” Commissioner Davis gave me a wink when I looked over at him and I smiled at him.
“Not to mention she’s the only hero who actually takes time to help with the small things and it’s not a publicity stunt either.” Nancy piped up and I couldn’t help but feel touched by their words and even more touched when Nancy changed the TV channel. Looking back towards Jones and Commissioner Davis I mouthed a ‘thank you’ at them before I walked away from them.
I apologize for this political post, but this is super important. Incase you haven't heard, the trump administration passed a law that removes non-discrimination protections for healthcare of transgender persons yesterday, June 12th, 2020 (source1 source2). I'm fairly certain that they decided to pass this during this time in hopes that it would go unnoticed due to the current events that are going on. Do not let them get away with taking away our rights. We can fight this together. I stand with my trans and nonbinary siblings.
