It had been a week since Mindy first met Mark Watney in person, and she couldn't seem to get him out of her mind. It probably didn't help that for two-plus years, her entire life revolved around watching his every move on a whole other planet. Needless to say, she was having some difficulty focusing at work, two hours into her night shift and a few minutes before her first break. She was currently trying to study some imagery from Olympus Mons, when she decidedly gave up and went for her break early. Standing up, she stretched her arms high above her head, trying to crack her back but having little success. She picked up the empty coffee mug and headed to the breakroom, stopping by Bob's desk before she left.
"Hey, I'm making a coffee run, did you want a refill while I'm up?" Bob looked up at her from his work, nodding gratefully while handing her his mug.
"Thanks, Mindy." She smiled, before turning towards the door and walking down the short hallway to the Mission Control breakroom and coffee pot. When she got there, she realized the pot was empty and groaned in irritation. Quickly filling the pot with water, Mindy replaced the old grounds and started it back up again, intent on a cup of coffee even if she had to wait the duration of her break to get it. She thought to herself while she played on her phone, wondering the last time was that she'd called her Mom. Before she could overthink it and chicken out, she hit the speed dial and listened to it ring.
Her mother answered in a few seconds, her voice sounding a bit tired.
"Hello?"
"Hi Mom, it's just me."
"Mindy! Sweetheart, how are you? I haven't heard from you in weeks!" Mindy rolled her eyes a little before responding.
"I'm fine, on break at the moment, I was having some trouble focusing on work, thought I'd call. How's Dad?" She heard her Mother snort on the other end of the line.
"He's fine, still complaining about the Royals' losing the game the other night. Why are you having trouble focusing? You're working too much again, aren't you?" Mindy chuckled, her Mother worried about all the little things.
"It's not a big deal, I'm just a little tired tonight, that's all. I'll be done before I know it, and then I can go home and snuggle up with Zeus." Zeus was her flame-tipped Himalayan cat, who, she was certain, was currently fast asleep on her bed at home. Lucky bastard.
"Oh, sweet little Zeus! Sweetie, when are you coming home to visit? You haven't been back in months. I miss my baby girl, and I know your Father would love to see you." Mindy sighed, trying not to feel guilty.
"I'm sorry Mom, but I've been super busy with work. I'll try to take a few days off in a couple weeks to come and visit you guys, I promise." Now it was her Mother's turn to sigh. Mindy felt bad, really and truly, but her job took up a lot of her schedule.
"Alright dear, I understand. Just as long as you don't forget about your dear old Mom!"
"I won't Mom, promise. Love you."
"Love you too!" Her Mom ended the call first, and Mindy took a deep breath and sighed. She really should go home to visit, she missed her parents, and she could use the time off work to relax and maybe reset herself a little. She shot off a text to her Mom, having made a decision.
Mindy 11:08 PM
Free next weekend? Could pack up the car and Zeus, come stay a couple days.
She was just filling up the two mugs in front of her when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Checking the message, she smiled to herself.
Mom 11:12 PM
Of course, always time for my baby girl! Xoxo
Mindy rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress her smile, her Mom was a goof sometimes. Picking up the two hot mugs of coffee, she began her trek back to the Mission Control, stopping at Bob's desk first to return his mug, to which he thanked her again, then heading towards her own computer and plopping back down in her chair. Finally feeling like she could focus, she began going through her emails and sending data out, like she used to do before she became Mark's personal space paparazzi. She was so focused, in fact, that she had worked for four hours, only taking a break when Bob yelled a 'goodnight' to her, having worked way past his shift. Letting out a yawn, Mindy glanced at the time, seeing that it was almost 3:30 in the morning. She stood up and headed back to the breakroom, needing more coffee and something to eat, a container of Easy Mac calling her name.
In the few minutes she had been gone, her computer had received a new email, and she noticed this as soon as she got back to her chair, sitting down and gazing at the unfamiliar email address, but her heart stopped in her chest when she recognized the last name. She hesitated for a moment before opening the email, and checking over her shoulders to make sure nobody else could read it but her.
FROM: mwatney
TO: mpark
SUBJECT: Found you!
Hiya! Remember me? Sorry if this is strange, I had to interrogate Kapoor to get your work email. He was being so difficult! I really enjoyed talking with you last week, you being my guardian angel aside, and I was hoping we could grab dinner some time? My treat, I think I owe you a meal since you, ya know, saved my life!
And don't even argue about it. You're one of the biggest reasons I'm here today, and I'm eternally grateful.
Friends?
-Watney
She was chuckling to herself by the time she finished reading his email, and she decided not to wait around to respond, hitting 'reply' right away.
FROM: mpark
TO: mwatney
SUBJECT: Re: Found you!
I see the role of stalker has been reversed! But I enjoyed talking with you too, although I feel like I've known you for years, which is probably a little creepy…
Anyway! Dinner sounds nice, but you don't need to pay for me.
Friends.
-Mindy
PS-Shouldn't you be asleep? Most sane people aren't awake at this hour.
Hitting 'send', Mindy leaned back in her chair, hoping for a response soon. Although she knew she shouldn't let him distract her, she got back to work checking the satellites and sending out information and coordinates to whoever was the next in her line of requests. She'd been working diligently for another two hours when her email chimed again. She'd already forgotten about the email from Mark, so needless to say she was surprised when she realized he'd actually responded.
FROM: mwatney
TO: mpark
SUBJECT: Re: Re: Found you!
In case you haven't realized, I'm not exactly sane. I'm still on Mars time…sucks to try and adjust back to a schedule that you weren't living on for two years.
Also, in all technicalities you HAVE known me for years, I just didn't know it! …Okay, that actually made it sound creepier. I swear I don't think it's creepy at all!
Are you still working? It's almost 6:00 in the morning, isn't graveyard shift usually over by now?
-Watney
FROM: mpark
TO: mwatney
SUBJECT: Re: Re: Re: Found you!
You and me both…about the Mars time, I mean. It's why I prefer working graveyard shifts. And I wanted to stay a little longer today, had some work piling up that I've been meaning to finish. I'll probably leave in another hour, before a lot of people start arriving for the day shifts.
I'm just gonna trust that you don't think it's creepy that I was space-stalking you.
-Mindy
Stifling a yawn, she closed her email and finished the last few reports on her desk, then downed the last of her coffee. She stood up and made another trip to the breakroom so she could clean out her mug before she got ready to leave. When she finished with that, she stopped by the restroom on her way back to Mission Control.
Mindy had been in her own little world, like usual when she's walking around at work, so imagine her surprise when she walked into Mission Control and saw somebody sitting at her desk. And not just anybody.
Mark-fucking-Watney.
What the…?
As if he could feel her gaze on him, he looked up and saw her, the smile instantaneous on his face. He reached up a hand waving at her. Frozen in place, she slowly waved back, shocked at his sudden presence. She made her way over to him, releasing a breath.
"What are you doing here?"
Mark grinned at her. "You hungry?"
Just as she was about to say she wasn't, her stomach had other ideas and let a loud grumble, reminding her it had been a few hours since her Easy Mac. His grin only widened, and her face turned an intense shade of red.
"I'll take that as a yes." He responded with a laugh. "Wanna go get breakfast?"
Mindy gave him a scrutinizing look, debating the offer in her head. Sensing her hesitation, he made an offer.
"I promise I won't pay for you." That got a laugh out of her, and she found herself agreeing.
"Okay." He stood up, letting her have her chair back so she could finish cleaning up her station. And when she finished, she grabbed her bag and they left the building, heading to the parking lot.
Any other morning, Mindy could care less about the sunrise. But this morning, there was just something about it that made her heart thump at its beauty.