Tony shifted his legs out from under him, moving into a cross-legged position on the floor in an attempt to get comfortable. It was futile under the gaze of a man such as Cat, but at least he could decrease the level of ache in his legs somewhat. He rummaged through the bag of tools until he had a handful of screwdrivers in varying sizes, then nudged the bag aside and started laying the screwdrivers out in order of size between himself and Cat.
“If you wouldn't mind, um...” he indicated one of the smaller screwdrivers, picking up the one next to it and twirling it expertly in his fingers. “You could use that to take apart the iPod... I need the motherboard inside, it's the green square with all the wires attached to it... but I'm sure you know that.” Avoiding Cat's eyes, Tony set the iPod in front of him and tapped the appropriate screwdriver again.
Ducking his head, he pulled the old computer over and swapped out his screwdriver for one of the larger ones, then set about taking apart the other shell of the monitor. His hands had not forgotten and his skill showed in the speed with which he dismantled the monitor. He numbered each screw mentally for fear his muttering would disturb Cat, then set aside the shell and delved into the complicated electronics.
Should it be starting to worry her that she was smiling, and so was Mercy? Not to mention, laughing, too. A voice in her head urged her to close herself off, to shield herself again, but she found herself craving the light-heartedness, the smiles and the laughs. It had been so long that her heart raced whenever she saw or heard them.
Fortunately, the hay stuck in her hair provided enough embarrassment to dull down the excitement. Offering a shy smile – something usually unbeknownst to her – she tugged the hay out of her hair, mussing her braid in the process. She didn't miss the way Mercy reached to rid her of the hay only to lower her hand before she completed the task.
“Thanks,” Chris muttered, tossing the hay aside. She tried slyly to cover her face and hide any blush that might threaten her bravado. “Yeah, I thought I'd start a new fashion trend. You wait, hay hair is gonna rock the world. Everyone'll be rolling around in the chicken coops.”
At Mercy's invitation, she followed her into a walk around the grounds. “You're welcome,” she said in response to being told she had 'saved' the other woman, for the second time. “You owe me, you know,” she teased, smirking to herself. She hardly expected nor required Mercy to pay her debt. She listened peaceably to Mercy's story, or lack thereof, regarding the necklace. She thought it might have had more sentimental value. As they walked towards the house, she tapped the Los Angeles Fire Department logo on her t-shirt. “I was a firefighter in LA. What about you?”