When Mitchell woke, she was alone in her bed. Unfortunately.

You really need to tell him how you feel, you know

Yeah.

She just wasn't all that great at doing stuff like that. Besides, at the moment, she had to be able to focus on what she was doing, and she couldn't do that if she kept mooning over Carson.

And what you're doing now is better?

No, probably not, but at least this way if he doesn't really feel the same way I do, I won't know until later…

It was definitely one of those things that were best put off until later.

And if he does feel the same way?

Well… it'll wait.

Probably.

Relationships were so complicated. Melony stretched and debated whether or not to hide from the day – and her feelings – and just go back to sleep.

We have things to do

Yeah, I know.

She dragged herself out of bed and let habit take over. A pot of coffee was started and she headed for the shower, allowing the hot water to start the process of waking up – something she never did quickly at the best of times, unless Talon stepped in and helped her out with a jolt of adrenaline, which he didn't do all that often.

I spoil you enough already

Uh huh.

She got out of the shower, dried off and dressed in a fresh uniform and sat on her bed and downed a cup of coffee before she even bothered to reach for her laptop.

Maybe you should go find Kale and check on him

Yeah.

But first, go find Carson and tell him thank you for making you take a break last night

Okay, mom.

Talon sent her a wave of amusement, but she knew he was serious about her finding Beckett, so she poured herself another cup of coffee and carrying it in one hand and her laptop in the other, she headed out the door and towards the infirmary.

OOOOOOOOO

Carson was exactly where she'd expected to find him, but he was busy – which she hadn't expected. He had decided that it wouldn't be a bad idea if more than just his staff and a few of the Marines and others were trained in first aid, and had implemented classes – which Weir had approved of completely and had made pretty much mandatory. Melony, too, thought it was a good idea – although she knew first aid and more because of Talon's extra knowledge and didn't actually need to take the class. At the moment, Carson was instructing one of the advanced classes how to put stitches into a piece of torn cloth. (which was better than actually practicing on people)

He saw her when she walked into the infirmary, and gave her a smile that didn't quite look right, but Melony was so busy admiring him that she didn't notice.

He's so much more awake in the mornings than I am, she told Talon. Could you imagine me trying to teach anyone anything this time of day?

I'm surprised you can walk this time of day

She smiled, and held up her coffee cup, asking him silently if he wanted a sip, and this time his smile was warmer when he nodded and told his class to keep practicing and he'd be right back.

"Good morning," she told him, handing over her coffee cup. He took an appreciative sip and handed it back to her, a look in his eyes that made her feel gooey inside.

"Good morning."

"I missed you when I woke up."

"You were sleeping pretty soundly, so I figured I'd just let you sleep. You probably needed it."

"Probably," she agreed. "Thanks for the break last night."

"You needed that, too."

She nodded

"I know."

He looked back at his class, and she knew she was being stingy with his time. Besides, she had things she needed to get done as well.

"You'd better get back to them, huh?"

"Aye. Will I see you for lunch?"

Say yes, or I'll give you cramps the rest of the day

She smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Come find me, okay?"

"I will."

She wanted to kiss him, but didn't dare do it in front of his class. Adults or not, they could be just as childish as a group of ten year olds when someone showed affection to someone else – and with her running around with a naked alien, she was pretty sure the rumors were already flying, although she hadn't heard any. Instead, she touched his hand for just a moment – just enough that he had a chance to squeeze it in return, and then smiled.

"I'll see you at lunch."

He nodded, and she left the infirmary, glad she'd taken the time to see him.

I'm a genius

Sometimes.

He let it go at that, and she headed for the quarters that Kale had been given. She didn't want to wake him up, but if he was awake, she was ready to start talking about making a harness – and for that, she needed to see the size of his talons up close and without having them jabbed into her shoulder.

She knocked lightly on the door, but when there was no answer, she decided that he was either sleeping or had left his quarters to find something to eat – or someone to talk to – and she decided that she'd check the commissary first (and maybe grab a bite to eat herself).

That room was practically empty as well, and Kale wasn't there. Nor were Sheppard or anyone else who might have seen him. She sighed, and sat down at one of the long tables, a plate of pancakes in front of her on one side, and her laptop opened on the other. She'd give it a bit – maybe he'd come looking for her. Until then, she could take another look at some of the planets she'd decided might be worth checking out. Ignoring the people around her, and barely touching her breakfast, she delved into her files and only came up to take a drink of her rapidly cooling coffee.