doubleohblonde | Bond's Office [Period Three, Wed] (Reply)

After making the final adjustments to the mid-term simulation, and sending out a pair of ~~handwaved~~ messages, Bond settled back in his chair and waited for the miscreants to show up.

Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis had no idea why they were being called to Bond's office. Well, both of them, anyway. But she was perfectly prepared to be very loud about it.
Seely Booth	Seely, meanwhile, was trying to stand between Aravis and the door in a very inconspicuous manner. It wasn't working.
Aravis Tarkheena	"Just go in," she hissed, poking his arm. "I'm right here. He won't hurt you."
Seely Booth	"It's not me I'm worried about," Seely hissed back.
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis just gave him a look.
Seely Booth	"You're the one he has a thing about."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Like I'd let him hurt me."
Seely Booth	"I'd kill him if he even tried."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Seely. Just go in."
James Bond	"You are aware of the fact I can hear you?" Bond asked from inside the office. "Do come in and close the door after you."
Seely Booth	Glaring at the door, Seely entered the office, still trying to keep between Bond and Aravis.
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis continued to roll her eyes as she shut the door behind them. "Did you need us for something?"
James Bond	"Take a seat, both of you," Bond replied, tone pleasant but clipped.
Aravis Tarkheena	"I'd rather stand, thank you," Aravis replied, folding her hands behind her back.
James Bond	"It wasn't a request. Now sit."
Aravis Tarkheena	"I don't want to."
James Bond	"I don't care," Bond replied flatly. "Of course, if you'd prefer, we could be having this conversation down at the police station."
Seely Booth	Staring warily at Bond, Seely reached out to nudge her arm. "Aravis," he said softly. "Maybe we should sit."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis glared at Bond, but took a seat. "All right. Did you need something?"
James Bond	"First I have to ask if you really thought you could steal my car and get away without consequence," Bond said. "Because you really didn't strike me as so mind-breakingly stupid."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Steal your car?" she asked innocently, sliding her hand down to discreetly take Seely's. "I'm not sure what you mean."
Seely Booth	Seely curled his fingers through hers. "What makes you think we took your car?" he asked, then awkwardly added "Sir."
James Bond	"You mean apart from the security footage of you the manager of the depot was kind enough to give me?"
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis froze. "We took it to clean it. You're not very grateful."
James Bond	"You cleaned it?" Bond asked, skeptical. "Then used eau de sex as an air freshener?"
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis tried to look more innocent. "...yes?"
James Bond	"I don't believe you."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Well, I don't know why your car would smell like that, and frankly I'm offended at your insinuation," Aravis said haughtily, sitting up straight and looking down her nose. "As though a lady of my standing would ever do that. And in a car, no less. There are no words for how deeply I'm insulted." She thought that maybe if she could convince him, or stall him, or make him mad at her, he wouldn't punish Seely, at least.
James Bond	Bond's only response was to raise one eyebrow. "Well, since your reputation is apparently unimpeachable, am I to assume that Mr Booth here acted alone?" he asked. "Is that what you'd like me to say in my report to the police?"
Aravis Tarkheena	"It was my idea," Aravis said immediately. "I just didn't have sex in that car, because my virtue is none of your business. But it was my idea to borrow it. I actually had to coerce Seely into it."
James Bond	"You're not coming across as the most reliable of witnesses," Bond said blandly. "I think I'll just stick with Mr Booth as the culprit for now."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis knew enough about law to understand the concept of priors and what it would mean if Seely got in trouble for this. "This is a confession. I did it. Leave Seely out of it. If you're calling the police, tell them it was me."
Seely Booth	"No, she didn't," Seely said quickly. "I did."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Don't lie, Seely," Aravis grit out, and she squeezed his hand tightly. "My idea. I'll take the punishment."
Seely Booth	"You don't need to punish her for something I did," Seely protested, wincing slightly.
Aravis Tarkheena	"Except I did it and he's playing hero to save me," Aravis said, rolling her eyes exaggeratedly and resisting the urge to kick Seely.
James Bond	"Or you're equally at fault and are trying to protect each other from a well earned punishment." Bond suggested blandly.
Aravis Tarkheena	"No, it was me," Aravis tried, scowling.
James Bond	"Of course, if you were honest with me, I wouldn't have to involve the police at all."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis stared. "...that's an interesting way of phrasing things. And you seem to know the truth already anyway."
James Bond	"Maybe I wanted to see if you'd own up before I gave you your punishment?"
Aravis Tarkheena	"I owned up. Several times over. Seely has nothing to account for. What's my punishment?"
James Bond	"Mr Booth also owned up," Bond pointed out. "We'll get to your punishment after his."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis just kept her eyes on him. "Are you calling the police?"
James Bond	"No," Bond replied after a moment. "I believe that we can keep this between ourselves. This time."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Mmm. Then what punishment are you giving us?" she asked.
James Bond	"You'll be helping me with my mid-term, without protest," Bond said. "While Mr Booth stays here and watches."
Aravis Tarkheena	That sounded frighteningly simple. Aravis clung tightly to Seely's hand, but said, "All right."
James Bond	Bond reached into his desk drawer and tossed Aravis a pair of handcuffs. "Now if you'll just secure Mr Booth to the chair."
Seely Booth	"What?"
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis looked at the handcuffs, horror dawning. "...no."
Seely Booth	Glaring at Bond, Seely squeezed Aravis's hand. "It's okay."
Aravis Tarkheena	"No it isn't," she said softly, shooting him a quick look.
Seely Booth	"I'll be fine," Seely promised.
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis shot Bond a furious glare. "I'm not doing it."
James Bond	"You can do it, or I will do it, I'm not particularly fussed on who, but someone is."
Aravis Tarkheena	"Why?"
James Bond	"How else am I going to be sure he stays put?"
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis glared some more and snatched the handcuffs up. "I'm sorry," she said softly, biting her lip as she looked at Seely. She knew she'd be gentler than Bond would.
Seely Booth	"It's okay," Seely said quietly. "I'll be fine."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis gently let go of his hand, crouching a little to press a kiss to one wrist before snapping the cuff around it as loosely as she could. She paused. "And you'll let him go after?" she asked, not looking at Bond.
James Bond	"Of course, I'm not needlessly cruel."
Aravis Tarkheena	"I have your word?" she asked, keeping her eyes on Seely.
James Bond	"Yes."
Aravis Tarkheena	It wasn't much, but she didn't think he was one to break his word. She slid the cuffs through the arm of the chair, and pressed another soft, careful kiss to Seely's other wrist before snapping the cuff around it. "There."
Seely Booth	"See, I'm fine," Seely said softly, twisting to try and look at her. "No harm done."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis didn't look much reassured. "Are they all right?"
Seely Booth	Seely nodded. "Comfy, even," he murmured, too soft for Bond to hear. "Maybe we should keep them for later."
Aravis Tarkheena	She almost smiled. "Good."
Seely Booth	"It was still worth it, even with this."
Aravis Tarkheena	She just gave him a look. "Idiot."
Seely Booth	"Love you too," Seely murmured.
Aravis Tarkheena	She did smile faintly at that, and mouthed, "I love you." She didn't want to be quite that vulnerable in front of Bond, if she could help it.
Seely Booth	"I'll be fine," Seely said. "You'll see."
Aravis Tarkheena	She nodded, still looking as brave as she could given the circumstances. And in spite of how fearsome she was going for, she looked very, very sixteen. "Well?" she asked, looking at a spot just over Bond's shoulder.
James Bond	"Oh, do stop acting like I'm going to hurt either of you," Bond said by way of not very comforting reassurance, as he turned Seely's chair to face the television. "You have my word neither of you will be damaged."
Aravis Tarkheena	"I have no reason to trust you," Aravis pointed out quietly.
James Bond	"No, you don't," Bond agreed.
Aravis Tarkheena	"I will kill you if you hurt him," she said quietly, her voice steady and calm.
James Bond	"I'm sure you'll try," Bond replied seriously, without a single trace of sarcasm in his tone.
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis was impassive. "Even a failed attempt would probably not meet with your criteria of how to spend a pleasant afternoon."
James Bond	"I doubt it would," Bond said in that same, serious tone. "Come along."
Aravis Tarkheena	Aravis stalled for a moment longer before moving towards the door, eyes on Seely. "I'll be right back. Soon as he lets me."
Seely Booth	"I know," Seely said, nodding.
Aravis Tarkheena	With a final, watchful look, she headed out the door.