For prodigalmess - A Meal to Remember

[youngestrose]

 As they stood outside the door to her grandmother's penthouse apartment, Margaery checked Malcolm over one last time. He looked impeccable as always, in a dark blue suit and perfectly shined shoes. The color of the suit complemented his eyes well and she found him so attractive that she'd been tempted to make them fashionably late by pulling him into her apartment and having her way with him when he arrived to pick her up. Alas, that would have to wait until after he'd dazzled her family with his wit and charm.

She was dressed a bit more casually than him, since she wasn't trying to impress anyone that night - a jumpsuit and heels she'd chosen out of her recently remodeled closet. Her turn would come soon, when she'd meet his mother and sister.  She wiped a bit of lipstick from his cheek where she'd kissed him earlier and smiled.

"Are you ready?" 

Comments

[prodigalmess]

"Perhaps this is a topic we can revisit later," Malcolm cuts in. Aka not when they're trying to have a 'meet the parents' breakfast. He shoots a look at his mother, one that contains both a plea and a warning.

Of course, this means he needs to come up with another topic of conversation, which he sucks at. Fortunately, Ainsley jumps in. "Where did you go to college, Margaery?" she asks.

[youngestrose]

Margaery can't believe that it's not possible for them to have a healthy debate, but between the hand on her knee and the look he's giving his mother, she gets that regardless of whether she and Jessica can handle it, he clearly can't. She puts her hand over his to reassure him that she'll let it go.

"Columbia," is the quick and simple reply. "You?" Very nicely done. Obviously Ainsley is well-practiced in heading off arguments before they get ugly.

[prodigalmess]

It's certainly possible for them to have a healthy debate, but Malcolm doesn't really want to have it right now. They're trying to have a pleasant breakfast, and things can get ugly when he and his mother have this talk. Malcolm would rather have it without the rest of her family present.

"Me too," Ainsley replies with a smile. "What did you study?"

[youngestrose]

"Business Management, as an undergrad, with almost a minor in psychology. Then I got my MBA." She'd heavily concentrated her studies in social sciences as well. She'd known from the beginning how she wanted to use her education.

"Is it safe to assume yours was journalism?"

[prodigalmess]

"Yeah," Ainsley replies. "I discovered that I liked presenting the news more than writing it though." She's done her share of research for pieces and in depth interviews though.

"Malcolm obviously majored in psychology, so you two have that in common," Jessica says. "Does your business degree help with the charity work that you do?"

[youngestrose]

Margaery nods at her statement of the obvious - she does have that in common with Malcolm. And her knowledge of at least basic psychology is, she suspects, why she has stayed with him where other women have not. With understanding comes compassion and patience, and less judgement. Most women wouldn't even try to understand why he has such high anxiety and night terrors. She never imagined that her higher education would give her relationship skills.

"It does help, particularly because I focused on non-profits and foundations. I wasn't sure if I would end up working for the family, but I knew I wanted to start my own foundation even then. Surprisingly, though, I used what I learned in psychology much more often."

[prodigalmess]

He appreciates her for that. Malcolm never really expected to find someone who understands him. While she can never know exactly what it's like to be him, Margaery does at least get why he is the way he is. That's more than he'd hoped for in a relationship.

"See?" Malcolm says. "Psychology is a valid degree. You were so worried that I'd never use mine."

[youngestrose]

"To be fair, there's little you can do with just an undergraduate degree. To work in the field you have to have a Ph.D." Jessica isn't wrong about that, and Margaery nods in agreement.

"That's one of the reasons I decided not to pursue it. That, and I realized that while trying to understand the human mind is noble, it's also an imperfect science. At the end of the day, people are weird. I'm not always going to understand why they do the things they do. But that doesn't mean I can't treat them with compassion anyway." While she finds the subject fascinating, she couldn't devote her life to the pursuit of something that doesn't exist - a perfect understanding of people and their motivations.

"Though Malcolm has come as close to that understanding as I've seen," she says as she sets down her knife and fork, suitably full, before grinning at him once more. She does love complimenting him.

[prodigalmess]

"Or just join the FBI," he chimes in. That had always been his plan. Jessica kept thinking he would change it.

Malcolm smiles at Margaery when she compliments him. "It's not an exact science, no. It will never be, because humans aren't automatons. Even though I can predict a lot of behaviors, it's not perfect. Honestly though, it's part of what I enjoy about my job."

He glances at her again, then inclines his head towards his plate, as if to ask if she's satisfied with how much of his breakfast he ate. Malcolm thinks he did pretty good.

[youngestrose]

She doesn't like the feeling that she's policing his eating, and in any other situation she'd reassure him that he can eat as little or as much as he wants and it won't matter. But here, she could just imagine one of her brothers mocking him for eating a less-than-manly amount of food. So she nods back to him and squeezes his knee under the table, and tells herself that she'll never do that again.

"But you don't work for the FBI," Garlan points out. Margaery hasn't told them Malcolm's entire employment history, but they know what he does now. "I can't believe the police are paying you to make educated guesses. And you like that you're probably wrong?"

[prodigalmess]

He doesn't see it as policing, though maybe it's a bit over the top to seek his girlfriend's approval on how much food he ate. That's kind of like a toddler looking to his mother and he'd rather not dive into Freudian implications there. It's something they can discuss later.

"I used to work for them. They trained me," Malcolm replies. "And my educated guesses are usually correct, otherwise the NYPD wouldn't keep me around."

[youngestrose]

"Used to?" It's the first time her father has expressed genuine interest in the conversation all afternoon. He's even put down his silverware, apparently also done with his meal.

"The FBI isn't in the business of training agents and then letting them leave." The insinuation is obvious and Margaery is staring daggers at her father. Inside her head she's begging him not to be rude, not to ask him what he did to get fired. Even she hasn't asked Malcolm that, because it's in the past and he's happy where he is now.

"Was your guessing not up to FBI standards?" Again, the emphasis on the uncertain nature of being a profiler. It seems her father and brothers have decided that Malcolm's job isn't a 'real' job. It's time to start looking for a window to make a hasty exit, because she going to need something a lot stronger than a mimosa if this continues.

[prodigalmess]

It's more than a little annoying that Margaery's father only pipes up to insult him. Maybe Malcolm shouldn't be surprised. Margaery is the only girl and so of course he's going to be hyper critical of any partner that she chooses. Of course, he also thinks it's ridiculously sexist.

Jessica opens her mouth to defend her son, then catches Malcolm's eye and decides to leave it to him.

"Clearly that wasn't the case, since they trained me to do their 'guessing'." Finger quotes and all. "Which is not at all what I do. A lot of data goes into my profiles, which are more often than not correct."

He's going to keep this polite, if he can help it, for Margaery's sake.

[youngestrose]

"Father, please." She knows that Malcolm can handle himself, and he's doing a fine job of not losing his temper. But Margaery knows that if this line of inquiry continues, it can only lead to unpleasantness.

"I'm sure you'll have many other opportunities to thoroughly grill Malcolm." She takes her napkin from her lap and sets it on her plate.

"I don't know about everyone else, but these chairs are starting to get a little uncomfortable. Let's go back to the living room."

Olenna follows suit. "Yes, I think that's a fine idea." She pats Malcolm's hand as she rises from her chair. "You come sit by me so we can have a little chat."

[prodigalmess]

Malcolm steals a glance at Margaery and then offers Olenna his arm. He's not sure if he just jumped from the frying pan into the fire, but he also feels like he doesn't have much of a choice but to join Olenna for her chat.

They take a seat in the other room. "Thank you for breakfast," he says.

[youngestrose]

Margaery ends up on the other side of the room, sandwiched between Jessica and Ainsley, casting frequent glances at Malcolm and her grandmother. She trusts them both, but knows that her grandmother's manner can be a bit direct.

"You're welcome. So, now that you're fed and comfortable in the hot seat, I think it's time you and I addressed the elephant in the room." She leans forward and looks Malcolm square in the eyes.

"I care nothing about your profession or fortune, so long as you make my granddaughter happy. What I do care about, however, is your father. Tell me about your relationship with him."

[prodigalmess]

The question takes Malcolm aback momentarily. He appreciates Olenna's directness, though it's still surprising. It takes him a second to decide how to answer. He decides to start with a clarification.

"Has... Margaery told you who my father is?"

They need to get that out of the way first.

[youngestrose]

Olenna resists the urge to roll her eyes. Were his father anyone other than a serial killer, they would not be having this conversation.

"She has, reluctantly, but she did not need to, I did a cursory background check before sending her on her date with you. While I decided not to hold your parentage against you, my son was not as generous once he learned the truth. Margaery came to me for help, and I convinced him that it was too soon to forbid her from seeing you. Besides, who could have predicted that a few dates would turn into a relationship?" It had been sound logic, considering Margaery's dating history.

"Now that you've met the whole family, it's too late for him to raise those objections again. But that doesn't mean I don't have concerns."

[prodigalmess]

He's not really surprised that she did a background check. Jessica probably would have done the same thing. Malcolm's going to try not to take it personally.

"I do understand your concerns," Malcolm says, "but you have nothing to worry about. I have no intention of allowing my father to ever meet Margaery. I would never, ever let him hurt her." He speaks with conviction, a serious look on his face. If Martin ever tried to do anything to Margaery, Malcolm would end him.

He sighs. "My relationship with him is not a good one. I have visited him several times over the past year in relation to a particular murder that I believed he committed, as well as in relation to other cases that I've worked with the NYPD. He and I do not see each other socially."

Malcolm also stabbed him earlier in the year, so... there's that too.

[youngestrose]

Olenna nods. "I know you wouldn't let anyone hurt her. And I'm glad we agree that she should never, under any circumstances, meet him." Or speak to him. It would be best if she just forgot he existed completely.

She's not pleased to hear that he's still visiting the man, even if it is only for crime-solving purposes. It sounds to her that as long as Martin is alive, Malcolm will see him as a resource at the very least.

"So you have seen him recently? Perhaps you can answer a question for me, then. How far does his reach extend, beyond his cell? If, for example, he saw a photo of you and Margaery together on page 6, what's to stop him from attempting to contact her? Or send her something?" Is he even allowed a newspaper to begin with? She's sure Malcolm is aware of the inevitability of their relationship hitting not just the papers but society in general. Margaery is not concerned about this, but Olenna knows how brutal gossip can be. She will do anything she can to insulate her granddaughter from the potential social repercussions of having a boyfriend whose father is a notorious murderer.

[prodigalmess]

Malcolm takes a deep breath. He knows it's probably not wise to lie to this woman.

"My father gets newspapers, and he is able to send letters out of prison." Malcolm looks up at Olenna. "I haven't spoken a word to him about Margaery, but my father is able to... find out things. It's possible that he will find out about her and try to send her some sort of letter."

Malcolm would try to shield her as much as he can, but he only has so much control over his father and what he does.

[youngestrose]

Olenna had anticipated this possibility, and has already formed a contingency plan.

"I can take care of that." She'll simply have to have her granddaughter's mail screened before delivered to her apartment. Considering she owns the building and employs the people in the mail room, that shouldn't be difficult.

"I appreciate your honesty, Malcolm. I expect you'll let me know if any potential threat arises, however small or seemingly insignificant. We need to work together on this. Margaery is the most precious thing to me. There is nothing I won't do to keep her safe." She looks over at Margaery, who is watching them with a hint of concern while carrying on a conversation with Jessica. Ainsley appears peripheral at this point. Olenna smiles reassuringly to her granddaughter before patting Malcolm on the knee.

"I believe she could use a rescue. I think now would be a good time for the two of you to make your excuses and say your goodbyes." Now that she has the information she needs, there's no reason to put them through this discomfort any longer.

[prodigalmess]

Malcolm has absolutely no worries that she will take care of that, though he wonders how she plans to do it. Olenna has a slightly ominous air about her. Who knows? She might end up being his father's worst nightmare.

"Of course," he replies, following her gaze to where Margaery is sitting and giving her a reassuring smile before looking back at Olenna. "I care very deeply for her. I promise you that no harm will come to her."

He's relieved that she accepts this relationship and isn't telling him to get lost because of who his father is.

[youngestrose]

When necessary, Olenna can be a true force to be reckoned with. She may not be The Surgeon's worst nightmare, but she could definitely be a thorn in his side.

"Young man, do not promise that which you cannot deliver. Simply say that you will not let her be harmed by your family, and I will be sufficiently reassured." She can't help but wonder just how deeply he cares about Margaery, and whether he's told her how he feels. Margaery is not the type to jump into a relationship too quickly, and he doesn't seem the type to either. But she would not have brought him here if she were not confident that they will continue to be together. She makes a mental note to begin getting Mace used to the idea of his daughter getting married.

"Go on and keep your promise. It takes a lot to get Margaery as flustered as she looks right now."

[prodigalmess]

Olenna called him right out on that, didn't she? He knows he shouldn't promise something that he can't control, but Malcolm would honestly rather die than see Margaery hurt. Malcolm knows that he loves her, even if he doesn't think he's ready to say it yet.

He nods and stands up. "Thank you, Mrs. Tyrell."

Malcolm meets Margaery across the room and gently puts his hand on her waist. He leans in to kiss her cheek. "I think our work here is done," he tells her.