benumbing | inbox.

Is that our 'thing'? I wasn't aware.

Neither was I. The devices seem to be sending out messages on our behalf again.

It could be our thing, of course, but I don't think I know you well enough to know where to begin.

They're troublesome - or not. The more I think about it, the more it sounds like it could be fun. What if we did get to know each other a little better?

Then I think I would find more reasons to make fun of you than you would of me. So why not?

[She's teasing already, glad at least that the message she sent him wasn't as bad as it could have been.]

It just means that your embarrassments are buried deeper. And I do enjoy the dig.

But I'll start by wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day in return. Are we making it a good one?

Good luck. I cannot be outmatched when it comes to digging.

[Using her powers is probably cheating...but who said there were rules?]

What constitutes making it a good one by your standards?

[rules? jack heard nothing about rules. so cheating would be both permissible and impressive.]

Hmm. Nice gifts, lots of sex. Love.

I've been baking cookies all week, and you're welcome to some of them so that would constitutes gifts. As would a couple of the actual gifts I've actually found for others.

[She doesn't volunteer where she stands with sex and love because It's Complicated.]

What about you?

I would love some cookies. Now what can I get for you in exchange...

I know. I can start seeking out your Mr. Right. Or Mr. Right Now.

Or Miss Right. Whatever makes you happy. But for you, I'll make sure that it's only the best.

Mr. Right is a fairy tale, and I'm not interested in a Mr. Right Now. Or Miss Right.

If you'll enjoy the cookies that would be enough.

Do you really believe that?

Perfection in a person is unattainable, so yes, I really believe that.

That's true, no one's perfect. Some less than others.

But sometimes there's that person...you want them, imperfections and all. Maybe they're not Mr. Right, but they're right for you.

Let's see them put that on a candy heart.

That...that is closer to what I believe as well, yes.

From the way you talk about it, I assume that you have someone like that in your life?

[She remembers what she saw in Johnny's head, but she and Jack have never discussed it so...]

I do, against all odds. Which makes me entirely optimistic for everyone else.

You're very lucky then. It seems easier by far to find the wrong person entirely than to find someone who could be right.

I went through my share of those first. Like you said, it's far easier.

Would you like to take about it?

No, it's fine. I'm a good judge of character, so at least I don't have to worry about that often.

And there is someone here who I have been getting close to, who seems a good man at heart.

Have you made plans with him?

No. We're not...it's not the sort of thing we really talk about.

[SHE'S BEEN TRYING NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT labels imply scary things, even if part of what made her resistant to something more official isn't a factor the way it was before.]