catko

scifiland

“Small fandom? Small?” She looked around the battered table, her eyes on fire. “We have one of the biggest fandoms EVER! They have a name! Hasn’t anyone heard of the Brown-"

The lovely woman opposite her widened her eyes and interrupted gently, “It’s probably not so much the size as the age. After all, we've been off for seven years. We’re neither a current show, nor a blockbuster, so—" The other woman tossed her hair and rolled her eyes. “But still. Small! Small! I—"

The woman seated next to her laid a hand on her arm. “Never mind, sweetie. It’s no matter." A shout from the other room made her turn. "Hey, baby! You two okay out there?" There was a muffled "yeah" and a squeal of laughter, and she turned back to the table, smiling.

The burly man across from her laughed. “Hell, it's not like Morpheus can't handle a three year old, right?" He craned his neck to look across the soundstage, shook his head, and turned back to the still-fuming younger woman. "C’mon girl, let it go. Let’s just enjoy the here and now.” He stretched out his legs and smiled complacently at the others. “And despite the profligate actions of the current Presidential administration, I for one..."

"Wait a minute," commanded the red-haired man at the head of the table. "Profligate? What are you saying? Do you know that under the PREVIOUS administration, federal spending skyroc-"

"Now now, boys, settle down," said the grey-haired man returning from the buffet table. He set down his mug of green tea and took a seat. "Let's try to stay away from politics." The burly man laughed, raised his fists to the red-head, and continued. "AS I was saying, I for one can relax and enjoy the pleasures of regular work and a season two.”

“Did someone say ‘Season Two’?” A voice at the door, mellifluous.

“Ah, our erstwhile leader.” The red-haired man gestured with a welcoming wave. “’Bout time you got here. Dragged you away from the mystery writing, crime solving, and adoring fans?” The man at the door quirked a grin, grabbed a chair, and straddle-sat. “Nah, just in from a literacy project fundraiser. And you? On a break from the movie-making?”

The redhead winked at the doe-eyed woman. "Hoping to get another guest shot on V." The newcomer nodded toward her. "Startin' up again in January, eh? Speaking of second seasons. Love the hair, by the way. Short suits you!" She smiled her thanks and fluttered her hand, as he looked around the room, nodding to each person like a family familiar. "Where's our brother-sister duo?"

"Seems she dragged him to an animal cruelty demonstration up in Ventura." The young woman grinned, her anger gone. "I guess she's gettin' through to him. When we were on Warehouse, he was talking some about it." Her eyes glowed charitably, and she looked happily around the table. "It sure is fine being together like this."

The latecomer nodded, and with a slight air of authority hitched his chair forward. "Sure is. Still and all, let's get a move on. We can catch them up when they get here. So, the business at hand." He cleared his throat and stared forward, intently. "Now what the HELL are we going to get for Joss's birthday this year?"