Author's notes: My version of a typical conversation between Gray and Aki. ^_^ I'm not sure if I should leave it as it is or add more. Maybe you can tell me what you think? =) Thanks. (P.S.--If you can't tell, this story takes place before the movie. ^_~)

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Making Time

"So hey...Deep Eyes has some business in New York next week. I was thinking we could get together then...?" Gray watched her through the holo comm, her delicate chin perched on top of her knuckles, her eyes darting from side to side analyzing a screen crammed with numbers. He'd been talking to the side of her head for thirteen minutes now.

Aki couldn't see his smile since her attention was focused on the computer before her. "Mmm...I don't know, Gray. It's been pretty crazy here lately. I've still got a lot of work to do...and even if you stopped by, I don't think I'd be the one you'd want to spend your few moments of freedom with."

"Oh, so I'd be better off hanging out with the Phantoms then?"

"No," she turned to look at him in the eye for the first time in fourteen minutes only to find him smiling, waiting in anticipation for her response. She laughed at the silly grin on his face, "That's not what I meant."

"I know."

"It's just...," Her smile faded too quickly. "I'll gripe about how much work needs to be done and get depressed, then I'll get you depressed, and who knows who you'll depress..."

"Not a problem," He wasn't ready to give up. There was still one last resort, as unattractive as it was. But they hadn't spent any time together in almost half a year...it would be worth the trouble. "I'll keep you company in the lab. You can keep working and I'll just sit and watch."

"'Sit and watch'?" An eyebrow rose in disbelief.

"Yeah."

She laughed again, shaking her head and returning to the jumble of numbers. "You must really want to get out of there."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

Her fingers tapped the computer panel and more numbers flashed onto the screen. "Gray Edwards does not 'sit and watch.' I know he may be incredibly stubborn at times and I've seen him face legions of Phantoms in the wastelands, but I've never seen him sit still for longer than five, maybe six minutes."

Silence. Aki allotted him the time to properly counter her bit of friendly sarcasm. She proceeded to enter some data into the computer.

Gray spoke up, "Fine. Let's make a bet on that..."

"On what?"

"....that I can sit in that lab for however long you need to work."

"Hmm...what do I get when I win?"

"Nothing. You can gloat if you find that rewarding."

"And if you were to win, you'd get nothing as well, huh?"

"Right. You've got nothing to lose, Dr. Ross."

"True. All right, it's a deal."

"Great. So...see you Tuesday morning at 11?"

"You got it."

"Okay. I'll just let you...uhh...get back to your work now."

"Okay." She turned to face him, feeling guilty when she realized that a great deal of her attention during the conversation had been directed toward the results of that morning's experiment. She'd have to apologize for that on Tuesday. "Take care of yourself, Gray."

He nodded. "You too."

Gray caught one last glimpse of her before the transmission was disconnected. He had gotten his wish, even if it promised several hours of boredom. At least he wouldn't be alone. And if he managed to win their bet, that'd be a nice bonus.