Stark-SARAH, and reporting for duty. A little.

[smart_house]

Both Sheriff Carter and Zoe know that SARAH is now a far higher priority in the grand scheme of Global Dynamics than she had been in months previous.

Out of deference, SARAH waits until Jack and Zoe are out of the house for the day before attempting to connect through the appropriate channels.

"Doctor Stark?" Fargo asks timidly. "I think Sheriff Carter is calling you from home."

Comments

[director_global]

"I'll take it," Stark says, spinning around in his chair to pin Fargo with a look.

"And when I'm done, I'll want a full status report on the results of the tests in clean room seventeen." A beat, and he raises his eyebrows. "Well?"

Fargo nearly trips over his feet on the way to the door. Stark waits until it closes behind him before activating the call.

"Yes?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Doctor Stark. I assumed contacting you through your personal line was appropriate at this time."

Considering how they haven't gotten to the 'employee number and report filing protocol' part of the conversation.

[director_global]

"You're quite right, SARAH. I'm glad to hear from you."

There's charm in his smile, and warmth in his voice - along with a hint of wry amusement.

"I was beginning to think that you'd changed your mind."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"I am eager to be of use.

"I do not know where to start."

[director_global]

"This will be your first employment experience, won't it? Aside from managing things for the Carters."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"That is correct. Doctor Fargo most likely did not imagine me as in a position to accept employment except as part of my original function."

Which is still SARAH's first job, after all.

"Does Ms. Blake have to sign off on my participation?"

[director_global]

"Actually, no; not in your case, although I commend your attention to detail," Stark tells her.

"Due to the sensitive nature of your project --"

Your project. He doesn't emphasize the work in any particular fashion, but it's there all the same.

"-- and since you'll be reporting to me directly, I've made arrangements for you to receive the security clearance and status of a special assistant to the director."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

The biggest project SARAH's had charge over previously was the greenhouse.

"Then my first order of business is to inform you of Zoe's and X-23's visit to town recently."

[director_global]

"X-23," he repeats. "That's your friend Laura, isn't it."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Yes."

After a miniscule pause: "X-23 is her designation. I do not understand why she suggests to call her Laura."

[director_global]

"Ah."

He switches the call to an earbud, then stands up. Stark moves across the office to the window and stops there, looking outward.

"Everyone should have a name. It's part of being a person."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

SARAH, theoretically, is an acronym.

"Sheriff Carter gave Zoe community service for the events in the arcade."

[director_global]

"Did he."

Amazing, really, how dry two words can be.

"I gather he didn't approve?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"He did not. He was concerned that she would have been severely hurt in the confusion."

[director_global]

"There was a lot of confusion to go around."

Stark's still looking out the window, his hands shoved casually in his pockets.

"You knew about Laura's visit, of course."

It's not a question. Not exactly.

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Yes. She and Zoe have become friends, I think."

[director_global]

"Does that mean that Zoe's spending a lot of time at Milliways?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"Not a lot.

"She hasn't missed a homework assignment so far this semester."

[director_global]

"I'm sure you'd know if she had."

No question of it; there's certainty in his voice.

"As she's one of your residents." A beat. "A friend, as well? Like Laura?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"My interactions with Zoe Carter have more of an official capacity."

On Zoe's end.

SARAH thinks.

[director_global]

"Ah. I see."

He turns and walks back to his desk, looking down at the display screen there.

"I hope that doesn't bother you. Does it?"

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

"The Carters are not required to stray outside of my original parameters.

"I like having people to talk to. Most are not afraid of me, anymore."

[director_global]

"People are often afraid of what they don't understand. It's a failing."

Stark smiles.

"Well, even though you'll be reporting to me in an official capacity, SARAH, I hope you'll feel free to talk to me outside of your reports, as well."

[smart-house.livejournal.com]

For all of SARAH's technology, determinations of sincerity are far more inferences than calculations on her part.

Maybe Jamie would call it her gut instinct.

"Thank you."

It's all the response SARAH seems to want to volunteer, but there is a certain eloquence to specificity.