[audio]

[anunluckypenny]

Crazy week, huh?  People dying, people coming back to life for a day, the network turning into a weird version of The Sun.  I'm not a fan of gossip.  What people do, who they do it with--that's all their business, no one else's.  

I'm even less a fan of murder, but I'm sure the police will take care of that.

Coming back to life, though... that's really something.  I ended up running around the garden most of the day.  Maybe this doesn't make sense, but being alive seems to make everything brighter.  Things taste better, flowers smell better, running is more fun.  I never would've guessed that I'd actually miss getting my heart rate up and needing to breathe.  It was a nice day, but being like this--being dead, I mean--isn't bad.  It's way better than not being in the City would be, and I still get to do the things I care about and meet people.

[Her voice takes on a gloomier tone that is very unlike Penny.]

Jenny went home.  I checked the Hall and there she was.  I'll definitely miss her.  I didn't know her for very long, but she's always so sweet and cheerful, and she's pretty much the only person I've ever had a serious conversation about freeing the animals in the zoo with. 

She said I could be part of her family, too--that I'd make a good sister.  I've never had anyone invite me into her family before.  Having a family...

[There's a brief pause, a sniff, and then, with forced brightness:]

So!  Charlie, Sophie--shopping tomorrow, right?

Comments

[dudeimbatman]

Yeah. I've been pretty much living at the police station.

[If you look closely, you can tell he hasn't been sleeping. You could pack for an European vacation in those bags under his eyes.]

[anunluckypenny]

[This is Penny's Serious Face.]

Are you taking care of yourself? Don't lie. I'll be able to tell.

[dudeimbatman]

Psssh yeah. Of course.

[Grin and a wink to distract her. He's been living on coffee, donuts and the occasional take out that Elena brings him.]

[anunluckypenny]

[Hey, there will be no trickery here!]

Of course. [This is disbelief.] What kind of food do you like? Actual food, I mean.

[dudeimbatman]

[It's not trickery! It's distraction.]

Homemade stuff? Or take out stuff? [There's a difference okay!]

You asking me out on a date, Sweetheart? [Teasing. Not that he wouldn't go.]

[anunluckypenny]

Homemade. Take out isn't real food, come on.

If you want to count me making you eat something decent as a date, then sure. [Wait. Is she dating Wilson? Did their Thing escalate to Dating? No, that doesn't matter. This isn't a date.] I'll even bring food up to station if you want.

[dudeimbatman]

[He only takes a second to think about it.] Pot roast with the potatoes and carrots. Maybe some sugar cookies for dessert.

[Usually he'd say pie but his Mom made sugar cookies when he was a kid and here in the City. Sugar cookies are something he associates with homemade food and someone giving a damn.]

If it's in the next few days, that's probably where I'm going to be.

[anunluckypenny]

Gotcha. The roast'll take a little work, but this? This is going to happen.

How does Tuesday look? Can you clear off enough room on your desk for some food then, do you think?

[dudeimbatman]

If it's too much work, don't worry 'bout it. I don't wanna put you out.

Tuesday looks good though. I'll get some stuff cleared off.

[anunluckypenny]

You won't. I wouldn't've offered to make something if I didn't want to.

Tuesday it is!

[dudeimbatman]

See you then, Penny.