She intrigued him.
Kane was in the sickbay waiting to be officially discharged from Ash's care. He remembered very little from the planet; LV-426, also known as Acheron.
He remember her teasing him on the planet, on their way to the derelict craft. Her impish sense of humour made him feel like a teenager again. He had noticed her looking at him at times when she thought he didn't notice.
He noticed.
He heard that while he was unconscious, she had checked in on him. She was very concerned about him after what happened in the derelict. He wasn't sure what to make of it all. But evidence did seem to point to definite attraction.
Despite the casual sex going on with the other crewmates, he and Lambert had never indulged together. He wondered if that was because the attraction they shared was 'too good' for simple casual sex to initiate it.
Or was this all in his mind? Maybe she just didn't want sex with him.
No, he thought. The others were concerned about him as shipmates, even as friends, but she was concerned on a more personal level.
He had enjoyed being the great explorer with her in the derelict, perhaps he had been too reckless trying to impress her with a man's natural desire to impress women with bravery. There was no need to explore that hole in the deck. Not really.
He was getting impatient. How much longer would he have to wait until he could rejoin his crewmates? What was taking Ash so long? He tried not to think about it, he didn't want to know.
Perhaps he should ask Lambert to take some leave with him when they got back to Earth. Perhaps then, they could clarify their feelings and he could know where he stood. Damn this delay.
The word came through, and he finally left sickbay.
As he made his way along the corridor, his thirst had already returned. He had never felt so hungry before.
When he took his place at the table, the others gathered around him. They really were concerned about him. Lambert was sitting close, but not too close. Her eyes confirmed what he suspected. When they got home, they would talk about their future. Together.
He began his final meal.