Disclaimer: Not mine
Notes: Takes place post-series, spoilers apply. Also-- while I still believe in my heart of hearts that Trip is one hundred percent Katiesexual, I also have no qualms with turning him into the fandom bicycle (I've signed up for a challenge to pair him up with five different characters; this is one of five)
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"Natalie Zick." Nadira pressed a button as she continued to read the data pad out loud. "Date of birth October 14, 2978. Occupation… kindergarten teacher."
"It's a cover identity," Trip explained when she looked up at him. "I figured you'd want to keep quiet for awhile after…" He smiled, sadly. "Well, everything."
If it had been anyone else in the world, Nadira would have found it patronizing. Another uppity Time Force officer thinking he was being charitable to the poor mutant with her daddy in jail. But even though what she knew about Trip basically amounted to the time she tricked him so she could steal Circuit away from him and an attempted robbery turned birth… she knew he was better than that. When Trip helped someone it was for two reasons only: he thought they needed it, and he wanted to. Nothing else.
"Not that you have to use it," he added as his smile went from sad to sheepish. "I-I just figured that…"
"That most parents wouldn't want the daughter of a psychopath, reformed or not, teaching their precious babies to read and write," she finished for him. For the first time in days, Nadira managed a smile of her own. "Thank you for this-- thank you for everything. If it weren't for you, I'd probably…"
Another thing Nadira was grateful for was that Trip knew when not to say anything. She looked over his shoulder at Katie (who, while she had become one of Nadira's first genuine friends since coming back to 3000, had kept quiet so far). However, her eyes were warm as she mouthed he knows to Nadira.
"Speaking of my cover identity, I better get to work." Nadira looked down at her designer watch, then at Trip again. "I just wish I could think of a way to thank you back." Her voice was softer than usual, but she didn't care. "Trip, if there's anything I can ever do--"
"I'm just glad I could help."
Nadira nodded as she pushed a strand of pink hair away from her face. "Of course you are." She began to turn away… and then a thought struck her.
Aside from Daddy, he had done more for her than anyone else in the world. And she liked him. So why not?
Before either he or Katie could react, Nadira ran up to Trip, grabbed him by the shoulders and claimed his mouth greedily.
Finally, he managed to stumble away, and Nadira did her best not laugh at how red his face was (which contrasted loudly with the green hair). "What… what was…"
"That," she replied archly, "was my way of thanking you." Her work done, Nadira waltzed off to the school.
Katie rolled her eyes as she dragged Trip off by the arm. "C'mon, lover boy. You have work too, remember?"
Trip nodded dazedly as she pulled him away. "Right. Work."