[FLASHBACK] JP: LtJG Core and Lt Rahman: First Night

[Rich]

((Engineering Lab 3, USS Pioneer, four years ago - 2387))

::Tomorrow was the big day. Seven months of work. Countless hours poured into research, thousands of papers read. It should have been an exciting time, and yet, Roshanara found herself still in the lab, working on some last minute calculations.::

::She must have gone over the formulas a hundred times already, but the work never seemed to be done. There was always something left to tweak.::

::She should have been happy. Gratification--no, vindication awaited. And yet, deep down, she wasn't looking forward to tomorrow at all. It wasn't a secret that the deadline had been pushed ahead of schedule over her objections. A pessimistic thought gnawed at the back of her mind. They needed more time. But administrators and the higher ups, even those in engineering who supposedly knew better, had their own deadlines to meet, it seemed.::

::She took another look at the EPS grid layout when the doors to the lab swished open.::

Core: Still here?

::She looked up and smiled at the sight of the Rodulan engineer.::

Rahman: A researcher's work is never done. That's why they call it "re"-search.

Core: I knew the word was in existence for a reason. I wasn't aware it meant remaining in this lab during dinner time.

::He had a cheeky smile, his head tilted (probably too far to the right) from his intrigue over her obsessing.::

::She frowned and looked back at the chronometer. Was it that late already? She cursed under her breath.::

Rahman: I have to be up in less than eight hours. The chief is already a bit nervous about the whole thing...

Core: You know, half the reasons experiments like these don't end well is because everybody is nervous and worried that it won't work. ::He folded his arms, leaning against the bulkhead.:: I say you both need to have a little faith.

::She rolled her eyes at him and his all-too-comfortable stance.::

Rahman: You're telling me you're not even a little bit... on your toes about tomorrow? All those hours you and I put in over these past few months. Tomorrow's judgement day.

Core: That's the whole reason for putting in the hours, isn't it? To go over every simulation, every possible hiccup that we might come across, to be sure that it *works*.

::Regardless, the uncertainty in her tone of thought wasn't hard to miss even as he tried reassuring her. And to think that yesterday (or was it the day before?) they'd both been confident about everything - until they'd found the more serious hiccup, of course. It hadn't phased Tristam, but it'd left Rahman somewhat nervous.::

Core: We've *done* that - there's a slight build up in the EPS systems, but we know how to compensate for that. If we didn't know how to handle it, we wouldn't be doing it.

Rahman: Hmmph. I suppose you're right. ::She sighed looking away, back at the EPS grid diagram before a small grin escaped on her face. She glanced back at Tristam.:: I suppose I am getting a little hungry.

::His serious tone returned to being peppy.::

Core: Great! Dinner?

::She returned a quizzical look.::

Rahman: You haven't eaten already?

Core: Well, I've kind of been waiting for you to show up in the Mess Hall and that *kind of* didn't happen, and like the greatest guy ever, I was concerned for your well-being and that you may have passed out due to hunger, so I high-tailed it over here to see if you were still conscious. And - look at that! You're conscious! And the Mess Hall is pretty much empty - dinner at my place?

::He had spoken so quickly, that when he extended the invitation, she was caught a bit off guard.::

Rahman: Your place? Um...

::A few alarms had gone off in her head, which Tristam heard loud and clear. As interesting as a thought like that was . . . ::

Core: No. *Artist*, no - I didn't mean it like that.

Rahman: Oh, no! I didn't mean...

::But of course she did. She let out a nervous laugh and took a breath.::

Rahman: Sorry. Ahem. Dinner sounds lovely.

Core: After- that- *slight* misunderstanding, yeah. It definitely does.

::Though whether or not he could somehow *get* that far . . . He shook his head to himself. Something told him he wasn't supposed to have heard that one particular thought.::

::Thus, ever the gentleman, he stepped towards the door to the lab and gestured onward. Roshanara took a final glance back before shutting off the lights and following the Rodulan.::

((Tristam Core's Quarters))

Core: I don't know what it is - I swear, every time someone sees Rodulan eyes for the first time, they freak out as if we're going to eat them or something.

::Roshanara chuckled as she scooped up a final bite of Edosian suckerfish with her fork.::

Rahman: Hey, at least they don't confuse you with some other race. You know how many times people have asked me how many previous lives I've had?

::She shook her head.::

Rahman: They say we look like the Trill, but I don't see it.

Core: You know, neither do I.

::They exchanged grins as they finished their meal.::

Core: But at least you have a cool spot pattern. I get stuck with creepy black eyeballs.

Rahman: Aww, they're not creepy. Kind of cute, actually. Hmmph.

Core: You only say that because you feel sorry for me. 

::She furrowed her brow.::

Rahman: Sorry for you? What are you talking about?

Core: Epically cool spot pattern versus scary eyes. I'm normally a good dress up for this Terran Halloween thing. You? I could sit here and count your spots over and over forever.

Rahman: Easy there, tiger. You sure there wasn't any synthehol in these glasses? ::She let out another giggle though.::

Core: I wouldn't do that to you. Ever. That's just . . . not normal. ::He grinned.:: Besides, what kind of a friend would I be if I did that. ::pause:: Though I *would* like to see you drunk.

Rahman: Ha! You'll be waiting for a while then, Mr. Core.

::She flashed a toothy smile, using the formal address he hated so much before sitting back and letting out a sigh.::

Rahman: But seriously. You shouldn't be so self-conscious about your eyes. They're fine. And I don't feel sorry for you. Trust me. I *know* what it's like to have people feel sorry for you...

::She looked away, some sadness creeping into her expression.::

Rahman: I'm sure they mean well, but it still doesn't help.

::Oh, this wasn't supposed to be turning into a dreary night.::

Core: Oh, don't do that.

Rahman: I'm sorry.

::She cleared her throat.::

Rahman: It's getting late anyway. We should call it a night and get some rest before tomorrow.

::Tristam looked down. It'd turned from a fun conversation to a really dreary one within ten seconds flat. And he was disappointed. The Rodulan gave a slight sigh, setting his drink down on the table before retraining his eyes onto Roshanara.::

Core: Yeah. We probably should.

::She looked back at him, though, her coyness creeping out again.::

Rahman: So... now that you've been doing R&D for a while, what do you think?

Core: I . . . 

::He frowned at the sudden change of subject, feeling like he'd just been smacked in the face for the assumption that she'd wanted to go home.::

Rahman: Still feel we should be focusing on more "important" things besides propulsion?

Core: *Always*. Propulsion is the least of our interests - at least, it *should* be. I challenge you to tell me why propulsion is more vital than life support.

Rahman: ::chuckles:: Damn it. Really thought I had a chance at converting you.

Core: Never going to happen. 

Rahman: I look forward to the day you become a chief engineer. Be sure to let me know, so I can tease you.

Core: *If* that happens. ::He laughed.:: I prefer to be away from a desk, thank you very much.

Rahman: Hmmph. I suppose a couple of swuit sticks wouldn't change your mind?

Core: Swuit sticks . . . ::He laughed once.:: You know, I'd be happy to show you how to make them? After the experiment, of course.

Rahman: Of course. Well...

::She got up and reached to grab her plate to clean up.::

Core: Headed back to your quarters?

::Her actions were becoming more and more confusing for the Rodulan as he attempted to keep up with her mindset. She didn't really make solid decisions . . .::

Rahman: Is that a subtle way of telling me to stay away from the lab for the rest of the night?

Core: I wasn't attempting to be subtle . . . but if you want to look at it that way, then sure.

::She raised a hand in surrender.::

Rahman: All right, all right!

::She returned the plate to the replicator and looked back to him once more as she stood near the door.::

Rahman: Thanks for sharing dinner. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow.

Core: You know, you could just-

::He stopped in his tracks when something he probably wasn't supposed to hear got heard.::

::The truth of course was that Roshanara suspected there was more to Tristam's eagerness to help her these past few months than just a keen interest in research. Ha! As if.::

::Still, she hoped the experience had given him some more insight into the work and the process, just as it had for the students at the Daystrom Institute.::

::But after the accident aboard the Tempest and the cruelty of stares that followed... after Javed had hurt her so deeply... Roshanara had spent the past few years constructing walls around her to protect her from ever being hurt again, and they weren't coming down in one night.::

::He retained his smile, giving a slight shrug as his heart ached.::

Core: Nevermind. Stupid idea. ::He gave a slight huff.:: Can I walk you to your quarters?

Rahman: Oh, you really don't have to.

Core: I insist.

::Roshanara recognized his tone after working with him now closely. She knew the stubborn Rodulan had set his mind to something. Trying to change his mind now would be like trying to nudge a Rectyne monopod out of the way without a pain stick. Though now that she thought about it, maybe a pain stick would come in handy.::

Rahman: All right then.

::They made the short trek to her quarters, walking at a relaxed pace through the quiet corridors of the Pioneer.::

Rahman: I want you to know I really appreciate the extra time you've put in on this project.

Core: Anything to work with the great Roshanara Rahman. ::He smiled.:: I'm not sure what you'd do without me.

Rahman: ::giving him a sideways glance:: That bad, huh?

Core: Your propulsion theories have made your reasoning twisted. It could be much, much worse, I suppose.

Rahman: I'm not sure if I should be offended.

Core: Neither am I.

::They shared a chuckle as they finally reached her door. She stepped into the doorway and turned around.::

Rahman: Well, good night, Tristam.

Core:::he bowed his head.:: Good night, Lieutenant.

Rahman: Oh, and while life support may be most important now, eventually when the air runs out, you may find an engine comes in handy to get somewhere else.

Core: I think you'll find that, unless you have the air, working that engine yourself will prove difficult. 

::She raised her eyebrow.::

Rahman: Then I suppose you should always ensure to have someone else working with you.

::She returned a nod and a smile before turning back into her quarters, the doors shutting behind her.::

::As he walked away from the door, the Rodulan couldn't help but feel a slight uneasiness about her words. He shook his head, clearing his own thoughts as well as setting everyone elses aside. This was why he was working with her, to ensure that nothing but success would occur tomorrow.::

::At least that's what he kept telling himself.:: 

---

Lieutenant JG Tristam Core

Engineer, USS Pioneer

&

Lieutenant Roshanara Rahman

R&D Engineer, USS Pioneer