Working For the Weekend (Hank/Jan)

[Hank Pym]

Location: New York, New York
Date: 8/18/12
Time of Day: Afternoon

"Amazing! Janet, you have to see this!"

Henry Pym was at it again, eyes in a microscope as he observed a cluster of ants, "They're actually building a pulley system. I told you these Wakandan ants are smart." He took a moment to fantasize about traveling to Wakanda, where he'd be able to see these creatures in their natural habitat.

However, that was an impossibility. Not only could one not find Wakanda with a satellite, but even if one could, they would not be able to enter the land, their borders were closed. The rumor was that the mountains in Wakanda were made of vibranium, which was why it was so heavily protected.

Regardless, Hank turned toward his partner and benefactor, Janet Van Dyne, all smiles, "Really Jan, this is amazing stuff, you should really take a look and see what kind of research you're paying for." At the moment, Hank was fine tuning the technology they had that allowed them to communicate with insects, when really he should have been focusing on their growing abilities, like Jan had been asking him to for days now.

"It's amazing what tech Stark has laying around here, all the stuff that we can use, it's like candyland for scientists."

[Janet van Dyne]

Janet gave a soft sigh, "Let me see it then, Hank." She was interested in it for sure; but she could never feign the kind of interest that he naturally exerted at the sight of ants 'building some sort of pulley system' as he told her they were doing. "Wakandan ants." She repeated after him, giving a light smile. "How did you get your hands on those?" Jan sat back in an office chair, she idly ran a finger through her short (though starting to grow) hair. She unconsciously meant it to be flirtatious to some degree. He didn't pay no mind to it at all though, as usual.  

"Doctor Pym..." She started, calling him that somewhat jokingly as he stared back into the microscope with fascination. "Why don't you take a look at this. It's really pretty..." She opened up her sketch book to the newest costume she planned on wearing. It was much akin to the pattern on a bee's body, or rather a wasp. She had way too many designs that looked 'exactly' the same to the untrained eye. The differences were noticeable to her, at least. "It might not be breaking news, and it's clearly kit as exciting as looking at a few bugs..." She didn't mean any hostility, and any sarcasm detectable in her words was unintentional. She just felt a little ignored by him, that was all.  He wasn't paying attention to her, and she selfishly wanted him to pay attention to her. To work on things for her. To fix her growth abilities. To take her out. 

But here they were, with her sketch book open, Hank muttering something about how nice her design looks and going back to his work at the microscope. She knew that this would happen, she didn't know why it didn't surprise her anymore. "Let's go out, Hank." She started, already predicting his answer. "I'm... I'm a social butterfly." Would metaphorically using an insect help her case out? "I need to be out with others, socializing... and doing whatever butterflies do." 

[Hank Pym]

Hank completely missed Janet's attempt to flirt, but when she asked him about the ants, he looked up from his work, happy to explain, "Actually, I was at the Wakandan Embassy the other day, I asked if they'd accept me as an American liaison so I could take a trip out there for a little while at least, but no dice. All they'd offer me was a few of the ants that had ended up coming with them." He rubbed the back of his head and chuckled, "I'm glad I went, because these little guys are fascinating." He looked into the microscope again, trying to see what they would do next.

When Jan asked him to look at some of her work, he turned and watched for a few seconds. As she showed him a few designs, he smiled and said, "The yellow and black would look really nice Jan." Hank beamed before saying, "It'll be a shame that we don't match anymore though." He wasn't ashamed to admit that he found Janet stunning, he just had no idea that she was even a little bit interested in a guy like him.

"Let's go out, Hank." She started, already predicting his answer. "I'm... I'm a social butterfly." Would metaphorically using an insect help her case out? "I need to be out with others, socializing... and doing whatever butterflies do."

He looked up from the microscope again, thinking about it. He hadn't been out since yesterday, and he knew that if they stuck around much longer, Tony Stark would be craning his neck in to mock his work with insects. Now would be as good as time as any for a bit of a break. Smiling, Hank made a suggestion, "Maybe a bit of lunch?" He looked at his clothes before saying, "I'll have to change out of my lab stuff before we go."

Doctor Pym also felt compelled to explain the social butterfly term as well, "Technically, a social butterfly is only a phrase used because of the ways that butterflies move from one flower to another to pollinate them. They aren't actually social creatures."

[Janet van Dyne]

"Right, right..." Jan started with a small smile, "How can I forget that? Didn't I major in Lepidoptera?" She rolled her eyes playfully, "Hurry up and go change, please. We've been in this lab for too long. I think I forgot what sunlight is like." Of course she was exaggerating, but she was having fun with him. Little things like that meant so much. Hearing him chuckle at one of the jokes in her growing repertoire. Growing closer to him, you know, maybe as his benefactor she should have put in certain stipulations. Maybe they'd talk about that later, 1. You must take me to dinner at least twice a week. 2. We'll go dancing at least one night in the weekend. 3. You'll put down the microscope and pay attention to me... It'd go something like that. She gave a light, airy giggle at her thoughts as she waited for Hank to finish changing. 

She put the labcoat that he left on the table on, just to try it. There really was no mirror around for her to look at herself though. It was big on her of course, and she felt a little silly wearing it. But it was his, and that made it okay. It bothered her that she went to such lengths and he hardly noticed her. She flirted with other guys trying to provoke jealousy. She spent copious amounts of money on funding his projects. He probably would have never gotten those Wakandan ants if it was t for her. 

Janet shook her head. It was okay. She was forgiving. She loved him, and she would get him to love her as well. It would happen. She turned around, startled as he walked back into the lab changed, and in 'normal' clothes. Her cheeks turned red, she was caught in his coat! Oh, not that it mattered much anyway... "How do I look, Dr. Pym?" Jan asked curiously, waltzing over to him with a grin on her face. "Do I look like a scientist?" 

[Hank Pym]

Hank was changing into a light colored suit, making sure he wouldn't be boiling in the August heat. He was just starting to realize that he probably spent far too much time in his Ant Man attire, usually because it was simpler to rather than wear street clothing. The dirty blonde scientist ran his fingers through his hair before deciding that he looked good enough to go out. He knew Jan's plan, she was going to keep him out all afternoon, Hank was mentally prepared for that. Smiling to himself briefly, Hank headed out to find Janet so they could leave.

When he returned, he caught Jan wearing his lab coat. She turned toward him and asked how she looked in it, evoking another grin out of the scientist, "Very much so. Especially with the Pym embroidered over the top pocket. All Pyms make great scientists." He thought that he was teasing her, until he realized the implications of his words, "Um, not that I'm saying you're married to me, uh, not that I wouldn't want to marry you, or if we actually did get married that you should take my last name, er, I'm rambling. Sorry Jan." Rubbing the back of his head nervously, Hank tried to move the subject along.

"So, where should we go for lunch?" He paused and said, "I'm not going back to Stark's shwarma place. That was good, once. Let's go somewhere further in the city, maybe to Soho for pizza or Korean? I know a couple places down there." What Hank didn't remember, was that some of New York's finer clothing stores were situated in Soho and Greenwich Village, which was right there as well.

[Janet van Dyne]

"It's fine, Hank, really." Jan started removing his labcoat, and she placed it on a coat rack. "Maybe I can have my own eventually...I wouldn't mind if it said Pym." She played with him, she didn't get embarrassed like he did, she didn't stutter, the only thing that happened was her cheeks turned a light pink color.  Jan really hoped that he'd take all the hints she was dropping, especially this last one. I wouldn't mind if it said Pym. She repeated in her head, could it get much clearer than that? Hank was a brilliant scientist, but when it came this he was denser than Osmium, atomic number 76 and the most dense of all elements on the Periodic Table. "Both of those sound nice, let's just have whatever we see first." That sounded like a good plan!

She grabbed her purse off of the table, and she stopped to stare at the Wakandan ants inside of their habitat before looking back to Hank, "I think we can go now." Jan looked at his suit, that was an odd thing. When did he ever dress like that? Outside of his labcoat and his Antman clothes? "You look very nice, very fashionable." She gave him a thumbs up. 

The two ended up walking down the streets of Soho, doing a bit of window shopping and looking for a place to eat. Jan really hadn't gone into any stores yet, of course she'd save that for after she ate. Shopping on an empty stomach? No way!

[Hank Pym]

Hank ran a hand through his light colored hair, turning a little red as well when Janet joked about the idea about them getting married. Honestly, Hank hadn't even though Janet liked him in that way at all, let alone want to marry him. "I um," Hank stammered a bit, "I think that would be, um. We should get you a lab coat too Jan. You work here, you deserve one, of course." He smiled warmly before running of and changing, coming back.

First thing was first, Jan had complimented his clothing choice. Hank chuckled again before saying, "I'm glad you like it. You picked it out." Janet was in charge of making sure Hank was presentable at all times. She'd designed his Ant Man costume as well. With a big grin on his face, Doctor Pym nodded toward the door and said, "Let's get going. JARVIS, if you could call us a cab to Soho?"

The house soon responded, "Of course Doctor Pym. There will be a cab waiting for you and Miss Van Dyne when you reach the lobby."

Nodding, Hank thanked the Artificial Intelligence, "Appreciate it JARVIS." He looked to Janet and said, "Let's get going." He wanted to make sure she was entertained for the day. Keeping Jan happy was important to Hank, he just wasn't always great at it.

[Janet van Dyne]

They made their way into the cab, and Janet sat comfortably before strapping her seatbelt into place. Hank did the same. For a while she stared out the window lazily, looking at all the buildings they passed by. In the background she heard soft music, but wasn't paying attention to it. She shifted her attention from the window and to Hank. She patted the suit jacket along his arm. It wasn't dirty, but it was a way to get his attention while he'd think she was only trying to keep him clean. In part she was, because she didn't like fashion problems, and a dirty suit would be a big one. 

"We're going to have a fun day," The raven-haired woman started, she was happy to get Hank out of the laboratory, and herself. She had been doing a lot of online shopping because he never wanted to leave his studies. She liked his dedication, but perhaps it was borderline obsession. At any rate, she was quite excited with what she had planned for him. They would eat something, and then they could spend most of the afternoon and early evening out shopping! She wasn't letting him get off easy, not when she's been in that lab for what feels like forever (though, admittedly being with him in his element was fun).

The cab came to a stop as they made it to their destination, "Thanks," Jan said to the driver, reaching into her purse to give them their fare. She slid out of the taxi with Hank. The city felt nice at this time of year, and...Jan felt her stomach grumble. Did I have breakfast?

[Hank Pym]

Henry Pym was always distracted by his surroundings. What had him interested at the moment was the lady bug crawling around the other side of the window in the cab. It was rare to see that type of insect in New York City. If he had the time and his helmet on, he might've even asked it what it was doing here in the Big Apple. However, the feeling of a hand on his arm caught his attention.

He looked to Jan, who appeared to be dusting off his sleeve. Was this suit dirty? That was embarrassing. Certainly Hank was aware enough to keep himself clean. When Janet announced today would be fun with an air of certainty, Hank smiled and nodded, "Definitely Jan. Soho is one of the most interesting parts of the city, outside Central Park." Soho, and Greenwich Village in general were very green in comparison to other parts of the city, and therefore, there were far more things to study.

They got out of the cab, Janet paying long before he got a chance to even reach for his wallet. Outside, everything looked rather nice. There was a pizza place on Bleecker that Hank was dying to try, and a block over from there was a Korean barbecue he knew was excellent as well. Hank grinned before asking, "So, what do you feel like doing first lunch or-"

A car crashing cut Hank's sentence off. He watched as it rolled by them and then looked on ahead. A large, and by large he meant Hulk-sized, man in a burgundy outfit and dome like helmet was standing in the middle of a four way intersection, looking rather proud of himself as he stomped around the evacuated cars.

"You can't stop me! I'm the Juggernaut!"

Hank looked to Janet and sighed, "Looks like we're going to get that work out before lunch you always want me to do in." When Hank had changed earlier, he'd forgotten to mention that he'd put on his spare uniform under his suit. He suspected Janet might've done the same.

[Janet van Dyne]

[/i] Jan grinned, "Ready, Ant-Man?" Rather quickly, the girl's clothing changed. From evening wear to a super hero suit. The suit she wore at this time was not definite, and she still had many more designs that she was going through until she found the perfect one. This one though; much like a working-title, only temporary.

The Juggernaut smashed vehicles, the street trembled underneath his monstrous-angry footsteps. This wouldn't be just any old walk in the park...[/ul]

[Hank Pym]

When Hank had told Janet he was going to change into a suit, he didn't lie, Hank had certainly put a suit on. The only thing that he didn't mention to her was that he was still wearing his uniform on underneath the suit. When they saw the Juggernaut smashing cars and causing a ruckus for no particular reason, Hank only reaffirmed in his head why this kind of thing was necessary to have at all times. After all, he and Janet didn't have natural superpowers like Thor. They were more like a mix between Stark and Banner, able to manipulate their size and use specialized technology to combat evil.

"Ready, Ant-Man?"

Hank chuckled a bit, "I love it when you call me by my codename Jan- I mean Wasp."

With nothing else to say, Hank shrunk down, his suit falling to the ground. There was a buzzing down below as Henry climbed onto a winged ant and spoke to it through his helmet, allowing him to communicate with the insect. The two began flying toward the large man in the armor, Hank was sure that Janet wasn't too far behind them.

Cain Marko wasn't a mutant, nothing like that at all. No, he'd gained his powers through the gem of the Cyttorak. According to his SHIELD file the gem made Cain it's avatar and turned him into what could only be described as the Juggernaut. He didn't age, he healed all wounds, and he was the embodiment of an irresistible force. Once Cain started moving, only he was capable of stopping himself, barring few exceptions, he was literrally unstoppable. The man had but one weakness, he was weak mentally. A psychic attack or a strong headache would practically cripple him, thus the protective helmet.

Hank was flying in towards the man's head when he called back to Janet, "Jan! We've gotta do something about his helmet! See if your stingers can stun him, any part of his body that's unarmored!"