Chapter Text

"Is this the part where you show me the flying cars?" Claudia's shoes squeaked as they made their way down one of the many hallways within Global Dynamic.

"Weeelllll..." Douglas Fargo drawled as he continued forward, "It's actually part of a project run by Tesla..."

Turning to face Claudia to explain, he discovered he had been talking to himself. His brows furrowed slightly as he spun in a slow circle before spotting his lost audience, who had plastered herself against a lab viewing window. Her hands were splayed against the glass in a way that made Fargo cringe at the idea of the smudges that would be left behind, eyes wide with fascination as she watched the activity within the lab.

"Is that..?" She breathed out as Fargo's steps approached her, not bothering to look away.

"A hover board? Yup. Although we call it the Air Razor," Chuckling at Claudia's expression as her gaze flickered back and forth between him and the lab, "We've been tinkering with a proto-type for a few years now. The brakes still needs some work."

"Can we play with it?" Claudia stuck out her bottom lip when Fargo hesitated, "Please?"

Fargo glanced between the pleading red head and the scientists in the lab. Making a decision, he side stepped past Claudia and pressed the intercom button next to the viewing window.

"Good afternoon," Fargo winced as one of the scientists startled and dropped a tool, the metallic clang echoing through the intercom, "Ah.. Dr Jenkins, how are the revisions coming along?"

A young man with sandy blonde hair briefly glanced at Fargo before making a final adjustment and setting the solder tool on the table and pulling his safety glasses off.

"We were about to take it for a test drive, Director," Dr. Jenkins tugged at the fingers of his gloves to work his hands free.

Claudia tugged at Doug's sleeve when she heard this, a hopeful smile playing on her lips.

"Why don't you and your crew take a break and grab some lunch," Fargo ran a hand through his hair, "I'd like to inspect your work."

The group of scientists looked around at the others before shrugging and sliding out of their lab coats. The automatic door slid open with a whoosh as they exited the laboratory, nodding at Fargo as they passed. When the last of the crew was disappearing down the hallway, Fargo grinned at Claudia as she bounced on her toes in excitement. Stretching his arm in front of them, he bent at the middle in a small bow.

"After you, m'lady."

Claudia practically ran into the lab, laughter filled with pure joy trailing behind her that Fargo pondered the possibility of his heart skipping a beat. Following behind her, he punched a button on the wall panel that made the door shut quietly behind him. Claudia's hair fluttered around her face as she danced across the room to examine the hover board, brushing her fingers across spare parts and tools along the table. As Fargo joined her, a brilliant smile lit up her features that he knew without a doubt caused his heartbeat to stutter. He felt the blood rush to his cheeks as he quickly turned to the hover board that can captured Claudia's imagination, found the power button just under the lip of board, and carefully set it on the floor.

"Just takes a moment to warm up.." Fargo murmured as a low humming buzz was emitted from the board. After a moment, neon blue LED lights flared to life as it began to rise from the tiles, "There we go!"

Claudia clapped her hands together as she took a step forward. She was about to lift her foot onto the board when Fargo lightly touched her arm. When she turned to question him, he was rounding the board so he stood opposite her, and pointed to a rectangle the blue lights had created.

"This area here is where you stand while going over flat ground. You want to position the board so the green sensor is facing forward," Fargo motioned to a small green circle of lights, then to small red lights grouped in an X, "Green means go, the red is your brake."

Finally, Fargo turned his attention back to Claudia and held a hand out to her. When she slid her hand into his, he guided her forward as she tentatively stepped onto the hover board. She was biting her lower lip as she concentrated on standing up straight and finding her balance.

"Okay, now what?" After finding a comfortable standing position, Claudia turned to him for instruction.

"Tap the green sensor to move forward," Fargo tapped his toes softly in example, "Each tap builds up speed. Tap the red X to slow down the same way, and keep your foot pressed to bring it to a stop."

"Here goes," Claudia's hold on his hand tightened slightly as she quickly tapped the green sensor. The board slowly began to move, inching across the floor. Feeling confident, she tapped the green a couple more times, causing the board to move at a brisk walking speed. The burst in speed shot her forward out of Doug's grip. She gave a whoop as she cruised around the lab. He cheered her on for as she lapped around him, filling the room with laughter.

As Claudia rounded the last table before reaching Fargo, she started tapping the red sensor so she could slow down. Her speed stayed constant, despite the fact that her foot was now firmly pressed down on the sensor. She felt a jolt run up her leg, and realized she was now going faster as she headed straight for Doug.

"It won't slow down!" Glancing down at the board, her eyes widened when she saw sparks flying from the board, "Dougie, I can't stop!"