Authors Note: Please excuse my pathetic attempts at humour, and dialogue for that matter. In my defence I have not slept for several nights.

Disclaimer: Still don't know who owns it, but the point is I don't. If there are any similarities between this story and any others it is purely coincidental. No plagiarism is intended.

Chapter Two: Questions and answers.

"It kicks ass?" Molly stared at the man beside her incredulously. He tried not to smile as she gauged whether or not he was just playing with her. He failed miserably.

"That's my story, and I'm sticking to it."

"That it kicks ass?"

"Yeah. I drink coffee sometimes, but tea…." He glanced at her as he got up to refill his mug with the seemingly perplexing ass-kicking liquid. As the kettle came to a boil, Molly got up to leave. Noticing her head for the doorway, Cavennaugh touched her arm and tried to explain himself.

"I said I'd answer your questions, and I will. That's the only reason I have for drinking tea." He added as he guided her back to her seat: "what kind of question is that anyway?"

It had the desired effect and she smiled slightly.

"Well, there's so much I don't know. It seemed like a good place to start."

"I see. Hey, do I get to ask you questions?"

"Only if I'm satisfied with your answers." She gave him a smile, and crossed her legs as she looked at him over the brim of her mug.

"Favourite colour?"

"Original. I don't have one, but if pressed I'd say blue. You?"

"Ditto. Captain Kirk or Picard?"

"How do you know I watch Star Trek?"

"How would you know what I was referring to if you don't?"

"Picard."

"Kirk," a look of indignation crossed his face, making her laugh. "Childhood hero."

"Mmm, Wolf Fang " Molly frowned.

"Wolf Fang?"

"Kinda like Lassie, but way cooler. He used to save the day up in Alaska. Based on Balto."

"That dog they have a statue of in Central Park?"

"The very same, and he's half wolf." Shaking a finger he admonished, "don't forget that."

"Your hero was an animal?"

"You said childhood. As in before lucky thirteen."

"Right." Taking a breath to ask another question, he gave her a pointed gaze. Finally draining her coffee, she shook her head and went on with the next question. "Favourite author?"

"What makes you think I read?" narrowing her eyes, the contingency analyst glared at Cavennaugh. He held up his hands in surrender. "Brian Lumley, or Orson Scott Card. Wait, scratch that, I don't know. Depends. You didn't say who your childhood hero was."

"No, I didn't." Her cell phone went off, dragging her back to reality. "Fenway says he's found something about the crystallises occurring on the Big Horn's hull." Placing their cups in the token of the government's dishwasher, Cavennaugh followed Molly out as they made their way to the science lab.

Authors Note: I don't know how old they are, so there are some anachronisms. I am not satisfied with that, but hopefully it will get better. Thank you for reading.

Kai.