hostage | SIREN'S PULL

[--Which is probably good since Mike doesn't receive hugs so well from other grown men. He's grown callous from all the years of seeing what he's seen and doing what he's done. It isn't an option--involving your emotions is what gets people killed in this business.]

I should've known--set my watch to Pinkman time.

[A roll of his tired eyes, but that smirk stays put on his face, so it's not to be taken as true annoyance. Truth be told, he's glad to see Jesse is alive and well, glad to have someone else he knows in this otherwise foreign place. Besides Gus, at least.]

Nothing much upstairs. You call a truck yet? We can talk over coffee.

[Unlike most, he prefers arranging his meetings and discussing business in public places. Staying hidden by being out in the open. It's what Mike is good at. Mike turns and walks slowly but purposefully to the door, taking initiative and heading outside even though he doesn't yet know which way the diner is.]

[Just like old times. Jesse ducks his head to hide a smile and trots after Mike out the door, then takes to leading the way... although he's just barely leading, and more walking at Mike's side.]

Yeah, took care of it on my way here. So you crashed and, um... Took you this long to get my number? You ain't losing your touch, are you?

[Mike stops dead in his tracks,a sideways glance...well, glare cast towards Jesse as he speaks.]

Took you long enough to get over here.

[He continues walking, hands at his sides, always prepared to retrieve his weapon.]

Anyway, I got your number within the first, say, ten-fifteen minutes I got here. Finding people's what I do.

[A brief pause, contemplation.]

Wanted to get settled before getting mixed up in all of your nonsense. It's always somethin' with you. Speaking of, what've you gotten yourself into this time?

[It isn't in reference to anything specific, just Mike's ass-backwards way of asking how things were going for Jesse without seeming overly friendly, and of course expecting some lengthy story about whatever it is he's sure Jesse got himself wrapped up in.]

[At that, Jesse flashes a wide grin. Oh, he knows what Mike's expecting: that's he's partying all day and night, screwing up, digging himself deep into trouble. Not too long ago, that would've been true. But he's at a point now, at least, he's pretty sure Mike can be proud of him. (He hopes.)]

Nothing. I'm clean. I got a house, a job - like a real one - and a little side operation. It's good. It's all going good. Like, pulling in millions good.

[Well, Mike has seen more than Jesse has. Sure, at the time they were 'dealing with' the Cartel down in Mexico, Mike was still in the early stages of gaining respect for Jesse. So it makes sense the other would immediately think Mike was suggesting he was up to no good. But, Mike had come from a later time. He saw Jesse rise above. Jesse saved his life. Still, Mike always disagreed with the thought of who Jesse remained the most loyal to--Walter, mainly.]

Still clean. That's good.

[He nods and there's a proud look on his face. He's seen what this kid is capable of and what he's been through.]

Real good.

[There's a low whistle from Mike at the mention of millions. It's familiar to him, but what cash is in the duffelbag he's carrying is a fraction of his net-worth, most of which remains in their world.]

Doing what?

[Now he's curious. He's already spoken with Gus and he's slowly gathering information from everyone. It's what he's good at with his experience working as a P.I.]

[Jesse beams when he catches that look. It's not often that he makes someone proud, much as he tries. He keeps trying to play it cool, though, like he wasn't looking for approval at all. Sure, yeah, he's doing a lot better here than in New Mexico. No big deal.]

Well, I'm outta the meth business. Like, totally out. But it's a little hard to explain, um... Have you seen people using their powers yet? Did anybody even tell you about that?

SIREN'S PULL - contact.

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