Chapter 7–Intermezzo
Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all clean.
--Maya Angelou
* * *
An Cho headed down to the engine room, as directed by the captain. Tolbert needed an extra hand, and since the communications officer wasn't currently in high demand, she'd gotten the assignment. She didn't mind, she quite liked Roberta, and anything that took her away from the bridge and Kamden Anders was a bonus. She couldn't keep her eyes off of his wrists; even though they were all but scar free, she knew what had once been there, and that knowledge made her stomach ache.
For the most part the help Tolbert needed consisted of handing her tools and holding things as the engineer climbed in, under and around engine parts.
"I appreciate you doing this, An. I could have asked Buddy, but I figured if there was someone available on nights, I'd let him sleep."
"No problem. It was nice to have an excuse to get off of the bridge." She paused. "Do you think there's any way I could arrange to get switched to the day shift?"
Tolbert stopped and looked at her in surprise. She didn't know Cho well, but hadn't gotten the impression she was unhappy with her job.
"You have a problem working with Captain Harkness?"
"What? No, he's fine. I mean, he flirts a little, but he flirts with everyone. I don't think he means anything by it."
"Well, if not Harkness…"
Cho shook her head.
"I shouldn't have said anything. Can you forget I mentioned it? Please? It's nothing. Really."
