Going To The Mattresses (Brendan)

[april]

Monday, 12th October 2009

April had been having a hard time at work. It was enough being editor of a newspaper, yelling at the employees to get their stories and articles to her on time in order to work on layouts. Then it was a matter of minutes to get it all sent out to the printers in time for the paper to be out on time. April was good at her job, don't get her wrong, she was one of the biggest and hardest bosses at the newspaper. But something had been letting her down of late, and she had almost lost her edge when the paper almost didn't make the printers.

So April had had enough, and had given her weeks notice to the big boss who owned the paper. They were disappointed in her somewhat, as they said that she was the best editor that they had ever had work for their paper. April had loved every minute, but she kept thinking that she hadn't been putting her all into it over the last few weeks. So this was her time to move on and work somewhere else. They even offered her to just work as a reporter, but she had declined. No, she wanted to move away from that newspaper, and just start afresh as a reporter somewhere else.

She knew that Brendan Harris worked for The Chronicle, and she wondered if that was her best bet. But that this point in time she thought it might be best to just take a break for a week or two, and just relax. It had been a week since she left the newspaper, and it had been driving her mad not doing anything. So April decided to just go out for a walk, and headed in the direction of a small cafe. She didn't want to go to Starbucks in case she bumped into someone from her old work, not wanting to explain herself for the upteenth time.

April stopped at the counter, and ordered herself a cappacino and a big chocolate muffin. She deserved it the way she had been feeling the last week. April paid for it, and then headed to a table in the back, so that she could have some time to herself. As she sat down a copy of today's The Chronicle was lying on the table. April slid it over to herself, and began to flip through it, seeing what was happening in 'her world'.

[brendan]

It was the beginning of another working week, and when he had left the office on the Friday, he was told he would have to go to Los Angeles on Monday, it was for some Newspaper Convention and Ian was too busy to attend, so he sent Brendan in his place. After making sure Libby was happy with him staying away for a night, which was stupid of him to even ask, she and Grayson were as thick as thieves when they got together, he packed his overnight bag and made his way to the airport. He sat in the departure lounge flicking through the latest edition of The Chronicle and sighed that he wasn’t going to be at home that night, only because he was so used to spending time with Libby and Grayson that he knew he was going to be lonely and he hated being lonely.

The Convention was a full day thing, but they were having lots of breaks which were just as well, Brendan had been to so many of these things now they bored him. Thank god for the two hour lunch break at this one, two hours of bliss away from boring talks and photographs and pie charts he had seen over and over again. It was no wonder the editor always sent the assistant editor to these god damned things. He walked out of the hotel where the Convention was being held, the same hotel he was thankfully staying in for the night and made his way to a cafe which was just across the road from the hotel the Convention was being held.

He went to the counter and ordered himself a latte and a chicken mayo sandwich and as he waited for his order, he began to take a look around the cafe. As he did this, someone caught his eye, he hadn’t seen in for quite some time, but he was damn sure it was her. She was the boss who gave him his big break and made him what he was today in journalism. He had a lot to thank her for. Once he paid for his latte and sandwich he slowly moved over to where she was sitting. He soon quickly noticed she was reading the latest edition of The Chronicle. “Damn fine paper yer readin’ there Boss, if I do say so maself.” He followed this with a chuckle, and after she responded, he spoke some more, “Mind if I sit with ya, it’s been a while, migh’ be kinda good to catch up, wha’ ya say?” Not wanting to be rude, he waited until she said if it was alright or not, before he actually went and sat down, she was still his elder after all.

[april]

April soon received her cuppacino and chocolate muffin, and thanks the waitress. She put the newspaper down, and took the biggest bite of the muffin her mouth could handle. She moaned at the taste, just loving every crumb. April then swallowed it down with the coffee, and that was just as good as the muffin. She was in heaven with the taste. As she looked down at the paper, she read the column, and had to laugh as some of the things said there. Lucky for her she was no mentioned in there, as that would be just downright embarrassing. But she would know who to blame if it was mentioned about her leaving the other paper. Her assistant editor would have had a few words to say, along with what he had already said to her. Well, really, if your heart wasn't in it, tough luck, and just hand over the reigns to the next person, which was him. She just couldn't seem to see him lasting a week in her chair.

April was so engrossed in reading a news article, when she heard that unmistakable voice. April smiled down at the paper, and then slowly made eye contact with Brendan. "Yes it is, Mr. Assistant Editor." She grinned, and then added. "I wonder how to get a job there?" April snickered, then listened to when Brendan asked if he could sit. She rolled her eyes playfully, and then flung her hand in the direction of the seat opposite her, gesturing for him to sit. "Why not? It has been a while."

As Brendan sat, April closed the paper, and moved her drink and plate to accommodate for his own. Propping her chin in her hand, she looked at him. "So what brings you hear? I thought you were based in Las Vegas or in Nevada at least?" Then it hit her. The convention. If she was still editor, she would have gone to it. But she was kind of relieved at the thought of not going. One less thing to report on. April sighed. "Of cause. The convention thing was on today, right? Glad I didn't have to go to that one." April sat up then, and took a sip of her coffee. "I don't think I could sit through another one of those boring things. Been to enough of them in my career to know that they tell you the same thing over, and over, and over again. Then it is always the same, boring type of people, no matter how old they are." She soon realised that she was rambling a bit. "Sorry. But that is what I always think of those conventions. There really is no point. A memo would be sufficient for new information."

[brendan]

{10 days to reply - raah - so sorry - I hope I can get back to normal from today lol}

Brendan couldn’t believe his old boss was in the cafe he had just went to for his lunch break from the damn Convention he’d had to attend. In fact it was boring him so much, and the same crap as last time, he was seriously thinking about not going back to it when the two hour break was up. What was the damn point in it? It wasn’t as if he was learning anything new. Curse the editor for making him go. Why couldn’t he have sent one of the rookies instead? Anyway, bumping into April was a pleasant surprise, he hadn’t seen in her for, well since he had stopped working for her and branched out into bigger things, like assistant editor of The Chronicle. It came with such perks at times, not. Brendan couldn’t stop grinning at her when she replied saying that it was indeed a fine paper she was reading.

“Yeah, tha’s me alrigh’, worked maself up good an’ proper, couldn’a done it without yerself mind ya.” He continued to grin, and then she added something about wondering how to get a job there. Was she being serious? He figured she was, so he relaxed his grin a bit, “Ya serious Boss?” He was pretty sure he’d be able to get her a job at The Chronicle; she had taught him everything he knew, so it wasn’t as if she didn’t come with fantastic credentials. Brendan had then naturally asked if he could sit with her, the gentleman coming out in him as always, he couldn’t help but chuckle when she rolled her eyes and gestured to him to sit. Once he sat down opposite her, he smiled again, “Yeah, it sure has been a while. Wha’ ya been up to then? Ain’ anythin’ good if yer askin’ abou’ a job at ma place.”

Once Brendan was settled, and took a sip of his latte, April was asking what brought him to Los Angeles, he was just about to reply when she answered her own question, and he sighed pulling in his lips in a little, as he gave her that unmistakable grin, tilting his head to the side, “Yeah, tha’ be the reason. Damn I hate them things. They’re always the same borin’ crap. I been sent to so many now ya know? Wish the editor would start sendin’ some of the rookies, but no, it’s always gotta be maself. So, ya don’ need to apologise, I know full well why ya think wha’ ya do abou’ them.” Next time he was going to tell Ian to send someone else, or he’d leave and start up his own newspaper. Although deep down Brendan wouldn’t do that, he was too loyal. “So, come on then, hit me with it, why ya lookin’ fer a job? It migh’ jus’ be possible fer me to get ya somethin’ they’re always lookin’ fer people fer somethin’.”

[april]

April smirked. "Well I can't take all the credit for your job title. All I did was steer you in the right direction, and look where it led you." She knew the thing that she had said about getting a job with his paper would be hot to his ears. April straightened up, and looked at him seriously. "Yes, very much." But she knew that she would have to explain herself as to why she was after a job. Though it didn't seem that Brendan was going to push it any further, so April left it at that. She was glad when Brendan sat down opposite her, and then spoke more about her saying about finding a job. April looked out the window, sighing, then looked at Brendan with a weak smile. "Have been busy, and the job thing is a long story."

April had to smile, as Brendan spoke about the convention that she guessed he had been attending. She saw that grin of his, and had to smile even more. He was sure a charmer, no matter what the subject he was talking about. That was why she had always sent him on the difficult assignments. He was always the one that got the job done. "Well normally we, the editors would go to them, but sometimes we can just persuade our assistant editors to go in our place, if there is something more important that we are needed for." April burst out laughing then, knowing that a few times she got out of them, with that excuse, but never in two years in a row. She always broke up the years, so that it wasn't too obvious.

So now the next question, which was linked to the earlier one, which she hoped she could get away with telling him the full story. But with Brendan, she knew she couldn't hide anything. April sighed, but then took a sip of her coffee. Putting it down on the saucer, she knew it couldn't be avoided any longer. Rolling her eyes, April sat forward. "Okay. Here is the sad and sorry story. I basically wasn't putting my entire self into being editor of the paper, and just felt that I shouldn't be there anymore. I told the big honcho of the paper that I was giving my weeks notice to him. Well that went down, not, and they tried to get me to stay and work as a reporter only. I declined, as I needed a change of scenary. So now it has been a week since I quit, and I am just itching to do something. Anything."

April sat back down, and looked at Brendan, wondering if what he said about it being possible to get her a job at The Chronicle, was true. "So there you have it. I am an unemployed newspaper editor, after anything that might be out there. I will start from the bottom if I have to, damn it." To be dramatic, April bashed the table with a closed fist. She then looked at Brendan, and gave him a cheeky grin. "Sorry. A bit dramatic, but making my point."

[brendan]

Brendan had a feeling April wouldn’t have taken all the credit for getting him where he was today, and she was technically right, she had pointed him in the right direction, but he did do all the hard work himself getting him to the point of where he was at today. He gave her a warm smile then, the deep type that easily shows off his dimples without him grinning like a Cheshire cat. Always being the charmer, and not wanting to agree with her, he just replied with, “If ya insist Boss, if ya insist.” But the truth was if she hadn’t taught him well when he was working for her; he probably wouldn’t have been good enough to work himself up to Assistant Editor at The Chronicle.

Brendan had then asked if she was serious with her remark about getting a job at The Chronicle, and he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrow when she said she was being serious. He rubbed his chin with his thumb and finger, “Well, I’ll be damned.” He then gave her another one of his smiles as he tilted his head to the side, he certainly hadn’t expected his old boss to come asking him for a job, it was kind of strange in a way, but then she wouldn’t be working for him, she’d be working for Ian. He had then asked what she had been up to, commenting that it couldn’t have been anything good if she was asking him for a job. She replied saying she had been busy and the job thing was a long story.

“Well, I ain’ got anythin’ better to do with ma time, am a good listener if ya wanna get it off yer chest so to speak.” He had two hours to kill, but he wouldn’t give a damn if it ran longer than two hours, he really didn’t want to get back to that god damned Convention, they weren’t telling them anything new anyway, so it wasn’t as if he was missing anything important.

Brendan had then ranted on about having to attend the Convention and why they couldn’t have sent one of the rookies annoyed the hell out of him. He had to chuckle at April’s response. He had a feeling she might have gotten out of a few of them, and now he’d been to many of them he didn’t blame her one little bit. “Yer a righ’ sneaky woman April Stevens, ya know tha’?” He was teasing her of course and she would know that, “Don’ blame ya righ’ enough. I have been Assistant Editor fer a few years in tha’ place now, so am damn well passin’ the honours onto one of the columnists next time.” Now it was Brendan’s turn to laugh out loud. He could just imagine Connor’s face when he told him that he was going to attend the next Convention, poor guy lived for his music reviews column, well it would serve him right for being a smart mouthed little shit thought Brendan, even though he loved Connor, he was one of their best columnists and reporters.

Brendan had then asked April to hit him with the story of why she was looking for a job, he hadn’t wanted to hassle her right away, but he was interested to know why she was willing to work for his paper, when she used to run one herself. So he listened to everything she said, nodding his head in several places and when she was finished he replied. “I see, so ya’ve had a bit of a rough week then Boss eh?” So he began thinking about ideas of a job there might be for her, he certainly wouldn’t want to offer her something a rookie could easily do. Then a thought hit him, and he was about to say something when April spoke some more, finishing her words with a thump of the fist on the table, which she looked at him after and grinned at him, saying she was sorry for being a bit dramatic but she was only making her point.

“Tha’s alrigh’ Boss. Ya know, there migh’ be somethin’ ya could do which would help me out a heap to be honest with ya.” He took a sip of his coffee and then continued, “How abou’ bein’ a Special Features Editor? Most of the columnists send their pieces to me to edit fer them, but I also hafta deal with their special features an’ all, an’ sometimes I jus’ feel a bit swamped with it all ya know?” Brendan then gave her a smile, and wondered what she would think of that, and decided it wouldn’t do any harm to explain a bit more as to why it would help him. “Got maself a daughter ya see, she ain’ long been in ma life, be real nice to spend some more time with her, instead of dumpin’ her on her uncle all the time.” He really hoped this might be something she would seriously consider, it would mean the two of them would work together, probably share his office, she’d be like his assistant so to speak, but have her own official title.

[april]

April gave Brendan a weak smile, when he commented about her being serious about the job thing. She saw that smile of his, and wondered what he was thinking. "Yes, your old boss needs a job. She is crawling on her hands and needs for one." Then Brendan had commented about how April said the job thing was a long story. "Yes you do have time, but don't want to go into it right now." But April knew that she would have to eventually.

April looked sideways, smirking a bit, still liking herself getting out of so many over the years. "I know. But now you must keep my secret. I will know who told on me, won't I?" April then started laughing a little then, knowing it didn't matter now anyway, as she was away from that newspaper as Editor. She shrugged, adding, "But really, why do I care if they know. I no longer work for them." April then nodded, when Brendan commented about not blaming her for not going. "And yes you should. Just do what I did, and you will be fine. I won't tell a soul if you do take my advice."

April then got in and told Brendan the whole story of what happened, to lead her to this moment, looking for a job. "You could say that. Kind of an understatement. I have tried to write a few articles, which might help in getting a job somewhere, because I haven't written anything, since being editor. Just too busy with editing. But that hasn't gone down well. Just have nothing to write about, unless you count what happened to me through quitting. But anyway, will just keep plodding on, and hopefully something will come up." April looked at Brendan, wondering if there might be a job going at The Chronicle for her, even if it was a crumbing desk job.

April took a few mouthfuls of her coffee, soon noticing that she had almost finished it. Just when she thought that their conversation might just move on from her non-exisiting job, Brendan mention that there might be someting she could do which would help him out a bit. April raised her eyebrows, wondering what he was getting on. "Helping you out? Work getting to much for you Brendan? Thought I made you tougher than that?" She laughed a little, then listened to what Brendan said. April squinted a bit at him with her eyes, thinking about what he was offering her. So she would still be an editor, but not of the whole newspaper. Maybe she could do that for him.

April propped her chin in her hand, and looked at Brendan. "So, it would be like I was looking after a certain section of the paper, not the whole paper, which I suppose I could handle. Could handle anything right now, what with having a week of doing shit all. That had been driving me insane." She then thought for a second. "And I suppose I would be working under you then, not the other way around? Should be interesting." She snickered at that thought. April then listened to Brendan talk more. This time it was more to do with his personal life. Well April had had a fair share of her own personal stuff in her lifetime, so it was nice to here that his life was somewhat happier.

"Well Brendan, how is that goin'? How old is she? Tell me all the details." April had always been the person, back in the day, that you could tell anything to. But over the last couple of years, everyone had seemed to avoid her, and keep their personal lives to themselves. So maybe it was best for her to step away from the newspaper editor position. It was turning her into a crabby old woman, even if she wasn't that old.

[brendan]

Brendan didn’t want to push the issue with April, but he really couldn’t help but wonder why she was, as she put it herself, on her hands and knees begging for a job. However, when he told her he had the time to listen, she had agreed he did have the time, but she didn’t want to go into it right then. Brendan nodded his head, “Fair enough, I ain’ gonna push ya, but am ready to listen when yer ready to talk.” He left it that, knowing if April wanted to tell him she would when she was ready, there was no need to force it any further.

April had then let away one of her secrets from his days of working with her, on how she used to get out of going to Conventions. When she said he would have to keep her secret, or she would know who spoke, he started to laugh along with her. “Well, whether ya work there now or not, I promise yer secret is safe with me, an’ damn righ’ am gonna take yer advice, no way am I goin’ to another one of them things, they’re life drainin’.” Brendan pretended to stifle a yawn and then followed it with a chuckle, as he just continued to grin at her showing off those awesome dimples and sparkling eyes of his.

After April had told him her story, and he had listened carefully, nodding his head in several places, he had spoken mentioning that she had a bit of a rough week, when she replied saying he could say that, he gave her a sympathetic smile. April then went on to say she had written a few articles in the hope that it might get her a job somewhere, but it hadn’t gone down too well as she was too busy editing and that she had nothing to write about unless you counted her quitting. That was when Brendan began to think she could become an assistant to him, after all Brendan had to deal with editing the columns as well as the special features, and he might even be able to take her with him if he ever had to go on a job reporting on something.

He had to laugh out loud at her response when he said he could do with some help. “You did make me tougher than that.” He laughed along with her, and when he gained his composure, he then went on to describe the kind of job he was thinking about, so that it was still in the way of editing, but just not the full paper. He just felt it was a good enough job for her without being in complete charge, but not a menial desk job either. He then told her he had about Libby and would like to spend more time with her. “Yeah, ya pretty much hit the nail on the head, jus’ thought it be good fer ya to have a decent enough job without it bein’ top dog, ya know? An’ yeah it does mean ya’ll be workin’ under me so to speak, but ya know am always gonna call ya Boss. Besides, I was thinkin’ ya migh’ wanna come out on assignments with me sometimes an’ all. Someone who can do the interviews while am busy snappin’ photos ya know?” Well, he was certainly doing everything he could to sell it to her.

April then asked him about Libby, how was it going and how old she was. He immediately went into his wallet, and with a smile on his face, he showed her the picture he carried with him, not the one of her as a young child, but a more recent one. “She’s real pretty an’ got a fantastic personality. She’s ten; she’ll be eleven in December. She only came inta ma life back in June. She arrived home to find her mom dead. The poor girl didn’ think she had any other family. But the social services tracked me down an’ next thing I know I have a daughter to care fer. I love her to bits, an’ we bonded quite quickly, now I wouldn’ be without her. But am always so busy at the paper, I don’ get to spend as much time with her as I’d like. So, as ya can see, ye help would be great.” Brendan then took a few sips of his coffee, realising he had said quite a lot in one breath, “Sorry fer the detailed ramble, but ya did ask.” He then chuckled, as he took the photograph and put it back into his wallet, smiling as he did so.

[april]

April nodded, when Brendan told her that he wasn't going to push, but was ready to listen when she was ready to talk. That was another thing that she had always admired about him. He knew when to push, but also knew when to lay off the questions. Unlike April, who was always pushing until she got the answers she was after. But you had to sometimes in the industry they were in. Sometimes you just couldn't afford to be soft and understanding. You just had to be firm but fair.

"Good. And you should take the advice," April said with a smirk, and then had to laugh a little. She had been the sneaky one every couple of years, but as Brendan put it they were definately draining. April rolled her eyes at Brendan, when she saw that he was pretending to yawn. "It's a wonder I don't have any grey hairs to speak of. But really you can't tell when I get my hair dyed. Who knows what under this colour." She might have been pulling out her hair a few times, but with this hair colour it would cover any grey hairs she might have.

April felt better, telling Brendan of what happened, then had gone on about what she had been trying to do. It had been a difficult week for her, what with not working, then not being able to even write one stupid article to have with her at interviews. And then Brendan had mentioned the job of editing the special features for him. After her comment about thinking that she had made him tougher than that, she had to laugh at what he said then, more than what she had been.

Just hearing what the job entailed, it seemed easy enough, especially for someone who used to be editor of an entire newspaper. And then Brendan commented about how she had said right about the job, and he thought it would be good for her to have a decent job. April then had to smile at him, when he mentioned about it also meaning that she would be working under him, but he would still call her Boss. Just hearing the rest of what he said, it did sound like something that she would be interested in. "Well I can see that it would be a great job. But shouldn't you run it passed your editor? Won't I need some sort of interview, even though I am more then qualified for the job?" April had to add that in, even though Brendan knew what she was capable of.

After she asked Brendan about Libby, April grinned then, as she watched him take a photo of Libby out of his wallet. April took it from him to have a good look. She listened as he spoke, occassionally looking up at him, nodding, but then glancing down at the photo. Brendan mentioned about how she had found her mother dead, which made April put her hand up to her mouth, gasping. "Oh my... That must have been terrifying for her." April listened to the rest of the story, then had to comment on Libby. Brendan apologised, which April disgarded straight away, as she handed the photo back to him.

"Brendan, no need to apologise. It seems we both had our stories to tell each other today, so don't worry about it. But I can hear that you truly do love her. And I can see by the picture that she is a lot like you as well. Great to see you happy thought." April then had to tell him her answer. "And when you editor says that the job is mind, tell him that my answer is already yes." She gave him a smile, then drank a bit more of her coffee.

[brendan]

When April said he should take her advice, he grinned, “Don’ worry abou’ tha’, I’ll definitely be takin’ yer advice, got maself a few reporters who’d be happy to do somethin’ their boss should be doin’, they won’t know wha’ they’ve got themselves inta until it’s too late.” Brendan laughed out loud, wondering for a few seconds if that was really nasty what he had just said. Then he figured what the hell, he’d done it for years now, it was someone else’s turn and it wouldn’t be the first time one of them had asked if they could go instead and Brendan had always thought it best to say no because it was either the editor or his assistant who should go.

When April started going on about grey hairs, and not being able to notice because she dyes her hair anyway, Brendan shook his head. Always the charmer with the females it was an automatic reaction for him to say the next few words, “I don’ think ya’ve got anythin’ to worry abou’ there Boss, ya ain’ tha’ much older than me ya know, an’ I ain’ got any yet.” That was actually a little white lie, he did have a few grey hairs, but not in his hair, only when he grew his stubble a bit longer than normal, so he usually kept it short. Although, known Brendan if someone told him it looked fetching or he suited it, he’d probably not mind if they were on show.

After Brendan had gone into more detail about the job he had in mind for her, April said it would be a great job but shouldn’t he run it passed his editor and mentioned about having an interview. Brendan chuckled, yeah some editor he was, hardly done a thing for the damn paper, Brendan might as well be the editor, never mind assistant. “Don’ worry abou’ all of tha’, hell it was yerself who gave the reference I needed to start in tha’ place, an’ I’d be as well the damn editor fer all he does in the place.” He hadn’t meant to sound so off about it, but it was true, how many articles had he written? Hardly any, in fact, he wasn’t sure Ian had written any since he took over from Daniel, at least Daniel wrote something, even if it was just trivial stuff.

The conversation had then turned to Libby, and Brendan heard the gasp from April when he told her she’d found her mom dead, and then caught the movement of her hand going up to her mouth. “Yeah, I’d say it was terrifyin’ fer her alrigh’, lucky she had me, an’ found herself with a much bigger family than she ever would’a had if the social services hadn’ been able to track me down. She’s alrigh’ now, jus’ wants her daddy to be happy. I am happy, I keep tellin’ her I’ve got yerself, course am happy, but she can see righ’ through me, even fer her age. I guess the righ’ woman will come along when the time is righ’.” Now that was what you could call a Brendan Harris ramble, but then talking about his little Kitten always got a ramble response from Brendan, he just couldn’t seem to talk about Libby enough, no matter who it was with.

Brendan had then apologised about his rambling over Libby, but she had asked about her, he gave April a warm smile when she told him there was no need for apologies and she could see that he loved Libby truly and she was a lot like him. “Yeah, am happy, an’ she is a good bit like me, even in personality, it’s kinda funny at times, like she’s a mini version of me only the opposite sex. She gets on great with ma brother Grayson; ya should see the pair of them together, honestly, thick as thieves the both of them.” April then went on to say if the editor said the job was hers that she had already said yes. Brendan chuckled.

“Well, to be honest with ya, am kinda the one who does the hirin’ an’ firin’ so as far as am concerned ya’ve got the job, ya can start whenever ya wanna.” Brendan then took another sip of his coffee, he knew that he was probably going to have to head back to the Convention soon, but he didn’t want to, so decided not to say anything about the time to April, as he was enjoying talking with her and catching up. It sure would be great to work alongside April again, even if the positions would be slightly changed, what with April working for him now, but she’d still have quite a good job, and to Brendan, it would just be like old days.

[april]

April could only smile and shake her head, at what Brendan said. There had been many a times when she had started out, as a reporter, when her boss would send her out once or twice to those convention things. April had forgotten back then how boring they were. Then a few years later when she had to go to one, she had just thought that maybe they would have changed with the times. But no such luck, so that is why she made sure that she got out of them every second year, which she did. When Brendan responded to her comment about grey hair, she had to laugh, and nod. It was true. She wasn't that much older - only by eight years, but still, old enough to be telling him what to do. That thought made her snicker to herself.

April nodded, when Brendan said that not to worry about him having to run it passed the editor about her new job role. but then she giggled a little, when Brendan made it clear that he might as well be editor. "Well, I can see that you could be a fantastic editor, but you might have to go someplace else, seeing as he is editor already. Never really heard of two main editors for a paper, but you can always make history." Then she could right about that, if it happened.

"Well I am glad that she found you, and all. And I am sure the right woman will come along Brendan. Who wouldn't love you. I love you, but not in that way, of cause. Sorry to say that you will never be like that to me, ever, even if you persuaded me." April looked sideways, then burst out laughing. "But you let me know when you find her, cause I sure would like to meet her. She might just have a brother who might like to date a high maintenance woman like me." April smiled at Brendan, wondering he would consider finding that out for her. But really she was only joking, maybe. Then Brendan spoke more about Libby, and April could see that he was so happy to have her in his life right now. "Well we might just have to have a lunch date with her then, if I am ever in Las Vegas. Might just have to pop around for a cup of coffee." April liked the sound of that, and knew that if she got the job she would have to move to Las Vegas anyway.

When Brendan mentioned that he was kind of the one who did the hiring and firing, she raised her eyebrows. "Really? Well then, how did the interview go?" She burst out laughing then, realising that he had said she had the job. "Sorry. Okay then. Well I will have to up and leave L.A. first, and move to Las Vegas. But I can pretty much ast as soon as possible. Today is Monday, so how does Thursday sound? I could almost just let my house sit and have it there when I need to come here reall, as I have the money." April looked at Brendan, "Do you know of any places near where you are that I could buy?"

[brendan]

When Brendan had joked with April that he may as well be Editor, he had to chuckle at her response, but also feel quite proud of himself that she figured he could do it without any problem. “Why thank ya Boss, I’d like to think I could, but yeah, only room fer one main Editor, he jus’ never seems to be around ya know? Always swannin’ off doin’ this or tha’. I don’ mind bein’ in charge most of the time, maybe I should start a paper of ma own, or start...” He trailed off as a thought came to him, he could start a sister office, or, maybe a magazine which would be affiliated with the newspaper, the main office might be situated in New York, but there were plenty of other smaller offices in different locations, different States. “Ya know, ya migh’ jus’ have given me a thought.” He left it at that for now until he thought about it some more.

After Brendan had more or less rambled to April about Libby and how he was glad to have her in his life, he smiled as April responded. Then he had gone on to say Libby just wanted him to be happy and he guessed he would find the right woman when the time was right. April responded to that saying he wouldn’t love him, she did, although not like that, not even if he persuaded her and then she burst out laughing. Brendan couldn’t help but join in, he leaned forward then, “Listen, between yerself an’ I, I couldn’ even think abou’ askin’ ya on a date, ya were ma Boss, it jus’ wouldn’ be righ’, but I do love ya an’ all, like a big sister ya could say.” That much was true, because Brendan was the oldest out of his siblings, and he often thought it was nice to look up to someone, and he looked up to April, he had ever since he started working for her and she built him up to be the god damned good reporter he was today.

April then asked him to tell her when he met the right woman, because she might have a brother, “Well Boss, ya jus’ never know do ya? I migh’ hafta remember an’ ask her when I meet her an’ sure I’ll let ya know.” He had to admit, that he couldn’t understand why April didn’t have a man in her life, she might have been busy most of the time, but she was a good person to be around. If he thought he could get her a man, he’d give a damned good try. When Brendan then spoke some more about Libby, he had to smile when April suggested they had a lunch date together. “Well, tha’ sounds good to me Boss, an’ Libby’s always up fer meetin’ new people.” He knew the minute he told Libby about April; she would ask if she would be meeting her soon.

Brendan couldn’t help but laugh along with April when she asked how the interview had gone, “Yeah, ya migh’ jus’ hafta to do tha’, but, somethin’ ya said earlier, sure got me thinkin’, I was wonderin’ how Ian would feel if I started up a magazine to run along with the newspaper, I mean, fer wha’ he does himself, I’d be as well Editor of tha’ damned paper, at least tha’ way, I get to be Editor of the magazine, an’ then ya could be ma Assistant Editor, an’ don’ worry, I wouldn’ go sendin’ ya off to Conventions, I’d pass tha’ buck to one of ma employees.” He was pretty sure that most of the staff who worked on the paper would be only too pleased to work for the magazine as well, because the magazine would probably only be once a week rather than once a day, so they would have a longer period of time to get things done for it. He wasn’t sure if April would go for that, as it would mean slightly more work, but not as much as it would be if she was Editor, and the whole idea of asking April to work for him was so he could spend more time with Libby, but he would be able to, with it being a once a week magazine, he would have more time to himself.

April then spoke of having to move to Las Vegas, which she would have had to do whether she was working for the paper or the magazine, asking him if there were any places available near him, “There migh’ be a few yeah, ma place is kinda huge mind ya, takes up a good couple of acres, but there migh’ be somewhere fer ya. I could send ya an e-mail with some real estate details if ya wan’ me to?” He asked smiling at her, it sure would be good for April to be living in Las Vegas, as she was a good friend to Brendan and it would mean they would get to see more of each other.

[april]

April was listening to what Brendan was saying about the current editor, when he trailed off. She frowned at him, wondering what he was about say, when her question was soon answered. April raised her eyebrows slightly, wondering what the thought was. "Okay then. When you feel like you want to share it, let me be the first you tell." It was going to really bug her now, until he felt he wanted to tell her.

April didn't know why, but she had to make it clear about her not being the woman for him, romantically at least. She laughed at his response. "Good. I would love to have a younger brother to pick on. Never get a chance to do that with my younger sister." With being so busy, April hardly saw her sister and her husband. Plus missed seeing their kids, who April loved like they were her own. "I should make a time to go and see them actually. Their kids are growing up so fast." April pulled out her phone to make a note of that to do later.

When April made the comment about when he found the right woman, to tell her because the woman might have a brother. April felt like she was sounding desperate, but maybe she was, especially at her age. Her and Zeke had finally met up earlier this year, and something clicked again for them. But later on, it seemed to fizzle, which made April wondered if it really was meant to be after all those years. She definately needed an older man to look after her, or for her to look after. April could still be bossy, which might be her problem in relationships. When she suggested lunch, April gave Brendan a smile, when he replied. "Good. Well you just let me know a good time then."

Finally April heard what Brendan had thought about earlier. She gave him a bright smile, loving his idea, or the small idea that he was giving away. "Sounds like you might just have a good idea on your hands." April thought about it more. She had never worked for a magazine before, but really, it was connected to The Chronicle, so it sholdn't be that much more different. "Sounds like it might be a new challenge for me, so I would be up for it, if you do start it Brendan." April never passed up a challenge, especially if she got to work with Brendan, the one person she trusted, and knew how he worked.

When April mentioned the fact that she would have to up and move to Las Vegas, Brendan said that he could send her emails in regards to real estate details. "Sure that would be great Brendan." It would be great to just up and move somewhere where not everyone knew who you were, or you would run into someone from your old job. Looking at her watch, she saw what the time was. "Okay. I should head off and maybe start looking at moving then." April smiled. "I can't let the boss down, now can I?"

[brendan]

Brendan caught that frown on April’s face when he had trailed off, it wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell her what was on his mind, or the idea she had just given him, he just wanted to mull it over in his own head first to make sure he wasn’t about to suggest something which was ludicrous. So when April said he was to make sure she was the first he told when he felt like sharing it, Brendan chuckled a little, “Don’ worry course ya’ll be the first, am jus’ thinkin’ it over some more tha’s all.” He flashed a grin, the type that showed off his dimples to their fullest.

Brendan had to laugh out when April said she’d love to have a younger brother to pick on, he shook his head a little, “I didn’ say tha’ so ya’d pick on me. Don’ ya think ya did tha’ enough when ya were teachin’ me the journalism ropes Boss?” Brendan was teasing her of course, because April had never picked on him, she was a damn good person to learn from and if she ever did have a go at him about anything he benefited from it, so really he couldn’t say a damn thing about it. When April then said about making a point to see her sister and her family, Brendan smiled, “Tell her am askin’ after her.” Brendan hadn’t really met her sister, but heard enough about her he felt as if he knew her.

When April told him to tell her when a suitable time would be for the lunch so she could meet Libby, Brendan smiled, “Weekends are usually good, but ya could always phone afore hand, jus’ to make sure ya know?” Not that Brendan had anybody at home that a surprise visit from another female could cause problems or anything, but maybe by the time April could visit he might have someone, or he might have decided to take Libby away somewhere for a treat. He spoiled that kid, probably too much, but he didn’t care, she never asked for anything and was always grateful for everything she got, she hadn’t turned brat on him and he didn’t think she ever would.

Brendan then decided to April what he had been mulling over in his head about the idea of starting up a magazine, he wasn’t sure what she would think or if she would even consider becoming his assistant editor on it with him, but he couldn’t help but smile when April responded. “So, ya like the idea then?” It was obvious that’s what she had just said, but Brendan always liked clarification on things, so he would always double check. April then added that it would be a challenge for her and she’d be up for it if he did start it. “Well, tha’s great Boss, course I’ll hafta run it by the Editor who don’ know he’s the Editor, am pretty damn sure he don’ know it. But am definitely up fer doin’ it, am even willin’ to put the money in fer it, so I ain’ gonna imagine he’d say no. I’ll let ya know fer sure wha’s happenin’, but ya definitely have the job, ain’ no denyin’ tha’ one.” After all, if it was a magazine which was going to be owned and run by Brendan, then he was definitely the one for doing the hiring and firing, and if he wanted April as his assistant editor then there was nothing anybody could do about it.

When April spoke of there being anywhere available where Brendan stayed he offered to email her some real estate details. “Alrigh’, I’ll do tha’ when I get home. Yer email still the same I imagine?” He thought he had better just check, as he had known a few people to change their email address every now and then due to junk mail and hackers. Brendan soon caught April looking at her watch and then she mentioned she should get going and start to look into moving adding that she didn’t want to let the boss down. Brendan chuckled. “Tha’s sure gonna sound weird to me ya know, if ya call me tha’ when ma nickname fer ya is Boss. But sure, I best be gettin’ back to tha’ circus anyway.” He was referring to the Convention which he would rather just not bother going back to and sneak away to his hotel room, actually he might do that yet.

{ooc - up to you if you think April needs a closing post or not Mel - but if you don't can you let me know if you're archiving it, so I can mark it off my list, thanks.}