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video | un: vaquero

[ The sheepish look on his face is not one that he's proud of, especially because of what's happening immediately behind him. There's a dog on its back, all four legs in the air, and its chewing on the rope of his lasso. He only wishes that he could say this has happened to him before. ]

If anyone's seeing this, I could use a little help to get out of this...situation.

[ The dog barks. ]

I don't know if I'll get arrested for this, but I think this animal might belong to someone and is lost, so any distractions for the police would be very appreciated.

[ Another bark, like the dog approves and is enjoying its upside-down antics, kicking its legs in the air like it enjoys it. With a wary look back at the screen, Vasquez gives one last pleading look of help in a single expression. ]

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[ She's laughing. She can't help but be laughing, right now. ]

Oh my God, you two are adorable.

[The laughing isn't appreciated, especially not from Claire of all people. He spends a lot of time staring at her, giving her an unimpressed look.]

You should be glad you're not near me, so I can't take the lasso and put it around you for calling me adorable.

[ That... does nothing to help with the laughter. She lets it taper off into a grin, bringing her hand up to prop her chin up.

Wow, Vasquez. Way to make it sound kinky. ]

There's nothing wrong with being adorable, Vasquez. Gotta ask, though, what'd you do once you lasso'ed me? Think that will make me stop thinking you're cute?

I think that maybe if the lasso didn't do the trick, then maybe a gag.

[He flinches, though, because now that he hears himself, he can start to hear how inappropriate and awful this is. Kneeling down to start untying the dog, he gives her a glower from where he's set the device on the ground.]

Are you going to keep laughing or are you going to come help me?

[ Eek. Well, all right, that was unexpected. As is the flush that rushes up her cheeks. No, Claire. No.

Instead, she rolls her eyes, still quite amused, already putting her coat on. ]

I'll be there in 10. Don't shoot the dog, okay? Just give him something to eat, maybe.

I'm not going to shoot the dog, I only put a lasso around him so he wouldn't die, why would I undo all my good work?

[He shakes his head like he doesn't believe her for asking, but ends up tugging at the mutt to get to a bench, sitting there and digging out a cigarette to absently smoke as he waits. Luckily, the dog doesn't decide to do anything but sprawl near his feet, like he's lost energy or something.]

[ She finds them like that, only minutes later. It's still cold out, but not as bad as it was just a few days ago. Still, she digs her hands in her pockets, her breath fogging ahead of her.

When she arrives, she immediately crouches to the dog, offering her hands for him to sniff. ]

Hi! Who are you, huh? How did you end up in this situation, little guy?

[ When she looks up at Vasquez, she grins again, full of fondness. ]

Hi. Haven't seen you in a little while.

[Vasquez is just about done smoking, though he hasn't tried to do anything like pet the dog, which has resulted in it trying to reach out and pat at Vasquez's foot with his paw, like he's trying for attention. Greedy little perro, that's what he is.]

This isn't exactly how I thought I'd see you next. You save one dog from being flattened and then it doesn't leave you alone.

[It's probably hungry, thinks Vasquez, but feeding it gives a bad impression - like he might actually still keep taking care of it.]

No? How did you think you'd see me next?

[ To her, it feels like just as good an occasion as any. She has no idea where he is in his grieving Buffy process, and she's not going to push him, but he's the one that asked for help. Straightening up, she offers him a hand. ]

Are you going to keep him?

I thought maybe I would get a request that we go out to a bar or maybe another dance? [He's trying not to sound too casual about this, but he means it. He's been thinking about it for a very long time, but hasn't wanted to rush.

When she asks about keeping, he gives her a dubious look. Taking her hand, he shakes his head, scoffing with disbelief.]

Are you loco? I don't know how to take care of anything or anyone. Why would a dog be any different?

[ Claire grins, tugging Vasquez along - whatever he decides to do with the dog, the pet shop and the animal shelter are in the same direction anyway. And it's cold, but not so cold that walking is too much of a pain. Her hand stays tucked in his, and she doesn't pull it away. ]

Oooh, a dance. I'd like that. [ An occasion to dress up? Count her in. They had a lovely time, when they got to dance together before. And she's been wanting him to ask for a little while, now. ]

You can always learn. Dogs don't require much else than to be fed, walked, and loved.

[He doesn't let her take her hand away from his, not wanting to lose any chance for either warmth or for the intimacy that she's giving. After all, he's got to take what he can get.]

I heard that there are some good ways of dancing that I would have never heard of before. Maybe you could even show me some of those at the awful bars I like to be at.

[He's ignoring the dog, but the dog is refusing to be ignored, nudging at his knees with its snout, which is beginning to annoy Vasquez.]

You heard that? What kind of ways?

[ Color her amused. Sorry, Vasquez, but she won't pop and lock, or twerk. ]

I guess I could teach you some salsa steps... Not sure that CriminALES is the best place for that, though.

I haven't only heard, I've seen it.

[After all, when he drinks just a little too much and stays to the end of the night, he sees the way people press themselves flush against one another to dance, ignorant of everyone else in the crowd.]

Salsa steps? I don't think I've heard of this kind of dance, which one is that?

[ Claire bites her lip, smiling to herself. Their hands are still tangled up, which is... well, it's nice. She hasn't been walking in the streets holding hands with a guy in a long time. ]

It's a Latin dance. It's all about the hips, and having fun. My mom loves it, and my sister and I took lessons when I was younger.

[ It can be very sensual, too - it's not a rumba, but still. It just depends on the mood, and the song. ]

I'm sure I still remember how to dance that - it's not like I'm very good or I can dance much else, as you know, but it also might depend on having the right partner.

We didn't do much dancing on the ranch, not even at home. We were taught to be useful and to be strong, not to dance.

[Not that he'd mind it now, especially if there's a pretty woman in the mix, but it's probably not something Vasquez is going to be very good at. He only barely managed at the fancy party and that had been because of the slow nature of it.]

You think maybe I could be taught to be a good partner? Maybe even the right one?

[ Her smile turns gentle, her shoulder knocking his softly. ]

I think you could, yeah. Being the right partner is not necessarily about being good, anyway. It's about chemistry, and having fun. And I think you and I have fun.

I know you and I could have fun, isn't that what we've always known?

[It's a bit wicked and a little mischievous, but they spent a very uncomfortable night at a bar while under a truth rain going over this very issue. So, now, he thinks that it's worth pointing out.]

Maybe once this dog is dropped off, we could go somewhere? Have a drink? Maybe some fun?

[ Claire laughs, nodding. Yes, they've known for a long time, but have been pretty exemplary in how they have managed to do nothing about it.

Until now, at least. ]

Sounds like a plan to me. You're lucky it's my day off today, I guess.

[ She leans closer, her shoulders hunched up against the cold. The dog, ahead of them, is walking happily, turning regularly to look at them, his eyes adoring. ]

But I don't know how you'll manage to drop him off without your heart breaking, though.

Am I? Well, then I guess you can definitely call me lucky. Maybe a hand of cards is in the mix.

[Frowning when he sees the way she leans in, cold, he reaches for the scarf he's been wearing, undoing it so that he can slide it around the skin of her neck, his fingers lingering there.]

It's an animal. I had them on the ranch all the time, including dogs. I never wanted to keep one. If this were a horse, I wouldn't be giving it up, that's for sure.

[ She smiles when he slides his scarf around her neck, burying her nose in it for a second, hiding the flush in her cheeks and the grin on her face.

And while she feels bad about abandoning the dog to a shelter, fact of the matter is, she isn't really an animal person herself. She prefers people, generally, and she'd really like to spend some time alone with this particular guy, now. ]

Hmm. Well, you can always get him back from the shelter if you change your mind, or you start missing him, or something. I don't like the idea of him going there, shelters can be so sad, but hopefully this place treats its animals well.

[ She pauses, before biting her lip when she looks back at Vasquez. ]

What if we had this drink at mine?

I'm not going to start missing a dog. It's a cute animal and I have respect for all of them and want them to be healthy and safe, but not in my own house.

[In an employer's barn? Sure. Where he can interact with them in town? Yes, why not? Where he has to be the one to take care of them all the time? Not so much. Raising a brow when she suggests her place, the shelter is officially much too far away.]

We could definitely drink at your place, once we drop off the perro.

Fair enough.

[ She can't begrudge him that; not everyone is made to have pets anyway. She prefers them when she can give them away, herself.

Claire throws Vasquez a little smile, nodding. When they turn the next corner, the shelter comes into view. ]

I hope you don't just drink tequila, because I have an excellent bourbon.

It's my preference, but a parched man would never turn down anything, especially if it's of high quality.

[That goes for other things in life too, not just drinking. Picking up the pace just a little, he doesn't take his arm away from Claire, but it's just to keep her warm, if anyone were going to ask. That's all.]

What's the occasion for the excellent bourbon?

[ Of course, there would never be any kind of ulterior motive in anything he does. It's all well above board. ]

And let me guess, you feel parched right now?

[ She makes a mental note of purchasing tequila. Just in case. Then, at his question, she shrugs, smiling to herself. ]

Possibly, as I grew older, I grew more discerning with what brings me pleasure. [ And if that's not a double-entendre... ] Cheap bourbon doesn't really do it for me anymore. I prefer to spend more and have it less often, but enjoy a real good drink from time to time.

video; un: sidekick

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