Reality Bites (Tina)

[i_can_hit_that]

Quinn sat in his room at the Symkarian Embassy, going over the particulars of his situation after his recent discussion with Tina. She was right. He needed to clear his name but he didn't know where to start. If he went to SHIELD and told them everything, they'd ask questions he couldn't answer. How did the Dutchess die? Why did he run? What relationship did they have? 

The answers to those questions wouldn't land well on him.

He needed to talk it over with Nika and see what she had to say but she was busy. He'd catch up with her later. He flipped through the channels on the television, looking for something to watch. Wait a second...

He'd flipped past E! but something drew him back. He went back to the channel and blinked as he saw Tina on the television.

"No way." he said, turning up the sound.

Yep. That was her voice. She didn't mention a TV show when they last talked.

He picked up his phone and dialed her number.
 

Comments

[i_can_hit_that]

"Hey there. What are you doing right now?" he asked.

[notmadeofglass]

"I'm sitting on my couch trying to decide if I want to go find my fuzzy socks. Why?"

[i_can_hit_that]

"The blue ones with the little pink ball on them?" Quinn asked.

"I was just watching this show a few minutes ago. Reality TV crap. The girl in it looked so much like you, it's crazy. Have you seen that one?" Quinn asked.

[notmadeofglass]

"No, the green striped ones. The blue ones with the pink ball are in the laundry," Tina said.

"Which channel? There are a ton of junk TV shows out there."

[i_can_hit_that]

"It was on E! and I was just passing it. Eh, I probably won't see it again anyway. Reality shows are just another reason the world is falling apart. People get on television and start acting like crazies." Quinn said.

[notmadeofglass]

"So you saw my show, huh?"

[i_can_hit_that]

There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment.

"That was really your show?" he asked, disbelief in his voice.

"When did /that/ happen?"

[notmadeofglass]

"Yeah, I have a show on E. It happened awhile ago. We did most of the shooting while you and I weren't speaking."

[i_can_hit_that]

"Oh." was all Quinn could say. She had a reality show.

His girlfriend had a reality show that people were watching.

She was rich. She was gorgeous. She was insanely smart. She had a reality show.

She was so far out of his league that they weren't even on the same planet anymore.

"So...how is the show going?" he asked.

[notmadeofglass]

"Eh. I don't even know if it'll get a second season. I doubt anyone's watching it. You know how boring I am, what with my fuzzy socks and all." She paused a moment. "Are you mad?"

[i_can_hit_that]

"I don't get to be mad about what you do." Quinn said. "I did lie to you after all. But...I'm just worried about you." he said.

He paused for a moment to try put what he felt into words.

"You're amazing. If people aren't watching your show, they're stupid." Quinn said.

"But soon you'll be hanging out with other reality show types, then movie stars and...that's probably a lot better than having a boyfriend you have to sneak around to see because he's a wanted man." Quinn said.

"I just don't want to hold you back."

[notmadeofglass]

"Quinn, I grew up around famous people. My mother dated people who were famous simply for being wealthy, the occasional actor, society greats. I've 'hung out' with people like that my whole life and I couldn't care less. They're just people with enough money to buy distractions from their self-esteem issues. If I'm sneaking around to see you it's because you're a wanted man, not because I'm on a television show."

She sighed.

"And most of the reality starlets I've had the misfortune of speaking with are so stupid I'm surprised their bodies are capable of remembering to breathe in and out."

[i_can_hit_that]

"I always thought that being rich would be great. A lot of my friends had rich parents growing up. My dad and I got by but he wasn't Stark wealthy. Not even close." Quinn said.

"They aren't going to want to see me on the show, right? Do they even know you're seeing someone?"

[notmadeofglass]

"I told the producers that my relationship was complicated. I'm not having you on the show and that's fine. Like I said it probably won't even make it to a second season so you don't have to worry about it. Quinn, I still feel like you need to reach out to SHIELD to clear your name, but I'm not going to do anything that would jeopardize you in any way. Ever."

[i_can_hit_that]

Quinn took a deep breath.

"I've been thinking about that since you suggested it. I know you're right but...I've been running for a couple of years now. I thought I'd be further along on figuring out who set me up but I don't have anything else to go on." he said.

"Do you like being on TV? Those guys do a good job with your wardrobe and I know how picky you are about clothes." he said.

[notmadeofglass]

"Okay, so I'm right. What do you want to do about it? Hon, it's possible that you don't have the resources to clear your name and that you need SHIELD for that," she said.

"I don't hate it. Actually most of the clothes are actually mine. They just got a stylist to sort of put things together a little bit better for me. They have introduced me to a couple of new designers, though. That's been pretty great."

[i_can_hit_that]

He was quiet for a moment.

"You're right. I can't put my new friends, or you, in danger while I handle this. I'm just scared." he said.

He hadn't told anyone that, but telling Tina made it real...and made him feel better.

[notmadeofglass]

"Quinn? It's okay to be scared, but it will be okay. You just have to do it. It will be okay."

[i_can_hit_that]

Quinn sighed.

"There might be another mission soon. Not sure to where but the Boss wants me on standby." he said.

"Is there any way I can see you soon? Like, tonight? I just need to see you." he said.

[notmadeofglass]

"You can come over if you want. They're not filming right now so you'd be safe to do so."

[i_can_hit_that]

"Okay. I'll be over in a just a few." Quinn said, hanging up the phone.

There was a knock on the door.

Quinn arrived with a bottle of wine, Chinese food, and some extra snacks. He wore a dark blue coat and a baseball cap.

"Hey you."

[notmadeofglass]

"Hey. Get in here." She pulled him into the house and closed the door behind him.

"You brought food. Babe, you didn't have to bring food."

[i_can_hit_that]

"If I'm going to impose on you, I figured I'd feed you, at least. Besides, they're probably starving you on that TV show." he said, stepping inside and hugging her.

"You didn't eat already, did you?"

[notmadeofglass]

"No, I didn't. I was on the phone with you so I couldn't eat. But they don't starve me on my show. I eat normally."

[i_can_hit_that]

Quinn looked her over from head to toe. She didn't look like she'd lost any weight.

He went and put the food on the table.

"Well, I meant before I called. But good." he said.

"I'm going to talk to SHIELD tomorrow. I just wanted to see you before I did. In case I don't get to see you for awhile." he said.

[notmadeofglass]

Tina paused for a moment.

"Then I hope that you realize that you're staying the night with me. Just in case you can't spend the night for awhile."

[i_can_hit_that]

Quinn blinked for a moment. They hadn't spent the night together since their home in Italy. And he'd gone and messed that up by lying to her.

But she was inviting him to stay tonight.

He'd tell Nika about turning himself over to SHIELD in the morning.

Tonight, he just wanted to be with Tina.

"There's nothing in the world I'd rather do, babe." he said.