Chapter 3 – Talk to me
For the fourth time in the past ten minutes, Sarah rolled over into an new position, trying to bury herself in the soft, warm bed sheets. Normally, she would be out like a light by now with her music playing softly and the lights completely out. This time, however...she couldn't. It was the second day sleeping in this room she was assigned to, one that she did not share with Bria. Sarah wasn't thrilled about this, but neither was her sis so...they went with it. At least they didn't have to worry about anyone breaking in and...well she was just glad they were safe.
Sighing, Sarah threw off the covers and got up. There was no hope in sleeping right now. Maybe something warm will help her to sleep. She slipped into some more appropriate clothing besides her sleeping shorts and tank top, and headed out to find the mess hall.
Kirk yawned as he put away the PADD, and the door to the mess hall swished open. It was huge, but the crew still had to take turns. Walking in he saw a familiar woman by the food replicator, looking at the menu. Smirking he strode over and looked over her shoulder, "If you're looking for a midnight snack, the cheesecake rangoons are pretty good," he murmured in her ear. He delighted in the squeak and cute, surprised jump she did. He wasn't stupid, he knew what effect his breath on her ear caused, and he was doing it on purpose now, "Fancy seeing you here. Can't sleep, obviously, but is there a reason you'd like to talk about?"
Sarah blushed hotly as she forced herself not to scurry off. She was a big girl, and needed to start standing firm. "Yes well...I was thinking of having some Apple Cider actually. I try not to eat before I go to bed." Focusing on the replicator, the brunette began her order. "I would like a glass of Apple Cider."
"There are 14 different types of Apple Cider on this replicator. Which do you want?"
"Uh..." Blinking she shifted nervously, sensing the Captain's amusement, "Plain apple cider."
"Hot or Cold? Alcoholic or non-alcoholic."
"Hot and non-alcoholic." Sarah sighed. Why couldn't she just get her drink already? The replicator finally 'magically' brewed up some of the nice, hot drink, which Sarah got and turned to leave. However Kirk still blocked her way, so she quietly murmured, "Uh...excuse me, please."
"Come on, why are you avoiding me like the plague? I'm sorry for snapping at you, and I accepted your apology. I just want to talk to you. Is that so bad?" Jim grunted in frustration. He had had his fare share of rejections, so hers wasn't surprising, /'Am I being too forward or something?'/ he thought, and decided he would tone it down. He took a breath and held his hand out, "We got off on a bad start, so allow me to make it up to you. I'm James T. Kirk, and it's a pleasure to meet you."
Sarah eyed his hand for a moment before sighing and lightly placed her hand in his, "Sarah E. Hawthorne," Her cheeks flared again at the contact between their hands, "and...it's not that I'm trying to avoid you..I just embarrassed myself is all. I...hate being embarrassed." Her heart pounded away in her chest which didn't help her to focus at all.
Jim grinned, "Just call me Jim. You don't even have to call me Captain," he told her, "Come over here and sit with me. I was about to get myself something to eat. That apple cider smells /really/ good," he led her to a table and sat her down, "About embarrassing yourself...is that about what happened on the bridge when you fell? No one thought anything of it or mentioned it. Anyway I'll be right back." He turned around and went to the replicator, "Caramel apple slices," he ordered it, and after waiting a minute, he picked up his tray and went back to Sarah, plopping down next to her, "I love apples. What's your favorite food?" Nice and simple! This wasn't so bad.
Sarah couldn't help to giggle in her head at how he started this new conversation. He...acted like such a little kid at times, so eager for attention. "You'll think I'm weird," she cracked a smile, sipping at her cider. It...had been a long time since she had had the drink. The instant mix wasn't exactly easy to find, and forget about actually making it. Sarah settled for the tea that Bria always made, which she enjoyed, but they both wished that they could have more..verity. Such variety that the Enterprise offered. "I actually do not have a favorite food or drink. I got cider because its different and also been years since I last had it. I mean, sure, I have things that I like more than others, and things that I hate. But as for favorites, I am...neutral. Bria will get upset with me at times because I tend not to make decisions. She'll ask me to pick something and I'll shrug and tell her that it's up to her." When she finished her explanation, Sarah became painfully aware that she had been rambling out all of this.
He hadn't even noticed the rambling, "Oh really? So you're pretty indecisive and prefer having things chosen for you?" Kirk tilted his head at her and bit into an apple after dipping it in caramel. He pulled his PADD back out, "I have actually been looking up what happened between when the time the third war started and when it ended. Those first five years were the /worst/. How did you and Bria survive? The weather was awful because of all the ash from the super volcano polluted the air, not to mention the two or three nukes that went off around the world. The media hyped up the vulcano more than it really was, though. It didn't like...spontaneously combust, but a bomb opened up a hole for it to bleed through if that makes any sense at all. It let off the pressure like letting the puss from an injury out through one spot. If it had like.../completely/ gone off though, then none of us would probably be here because Earth would be dead. It would've set off so many chain reactions..." he shuddered at the prospect.
Sarah's face fell and she stared down at her cider, wishing she had her hoodie on. "It...wasn't easy. We constantly had to move around, sometimes even staying in train carts, just...wherever it was safe for us. I...was useless. I mean I...was able to steal when we needed it, but I...was always scared, and Bria...I caused Bria to close up, to toughen up even though she was carrying such a heavy burden. I was selfish and pathetic." Becoming more and more upset with herself, Sarah shook her head, "If you want to know how we made it, you should ask Bria." Sighing, she put her cider down and sank back in her seat. "We had each other, but I was a parasite. If I had been on my own, I would have long been dead or worst. And by the way, it's not that I want people to make choices for me, it's just...I don't want to make a bad one."
Silently he watched her, studying her, nibbling on a couple more apple slices, before saying, "She cares for you and needs you. I'm going to take a wild guess and say you probably tried leaving her, argued with her, and tried to take your own life but she thwarted you. I'm not sure what's true or not in that statement, that's why I listed the possibilities," he shrugged, "I think you were more important than you allow yourself to believe. Without you, where would Bria be? Probably dead, because she had nothing else to live for. I think it's a good thing, despite your negative thoughts, that you stayed with her. She had someone to protect, to stay alive for."
"...I almost got us both killed," Sarah murmured after a few moments, reaching up to where her blue crystal necklace rested on her chest, "We were having to hide from some thugs that were after us...and my necklace broke. I stopped to pick it up, but I didn't see the guy right behind me. He...grabbed me and started to drag me off when Bria managed to knock him out with a bit of lumber. If she hadn't done that, the guy would have called the others and we would have been dead. It would all have happened because I went back for my necklace...I tried to sneak off that night because I knew she didn't want me to go, but I wasn't quiet enough and she woke up. We did argue about it, and I gave in...but I still...I started having nightmares of being dragged off and causing Bria to...to be hurt..." Shaking her head, Sarah shifted nervously. She...she didn't want to say that she had tried to make it all go away, but... "You know it's not fair how you can make me spill my guts."
"I seem to have a knack for that," Jim's lips twitched up from their frown to smirk at her, "You needed to let it out, though. You're not alone anymore, Sarah, and I'm here to talk. Just say the word, and I'll make time. Don't ever think you're bothering me, okay?" He held out a caramel covered slice, "Now, I'll give you one of these for a sip of that. Fair?" he tilted his head at her. There needed to be some lightheartedness in here somewhere. Though, the thought of /Sarah/ being hurt by the thugs in question made his blood boil. There was no doubt about what would've happened if Bria hadn't saved them.
Sarah eyed the apple slice before smiling and nodding, "Sure, I guess I can do that since you had to sit through my sob story." Taking the slice before handing Kirk her drink, "If you want you can have the rest. I...guess I didn't want it as much as I thought." She looked off to the side, munching on the apple in thought. "I...Thanks, by the way, for listening."
"Of course, but you can take this back to your quarters if you want," Kirk swallowed and handed it back to her, enjoying the idea of an indirect kiss, "Just bring it back here tomorrow and pit it in the cycle so it can be re-replicated." He shrugged, and he finished his last slice, then stood up, "I've gotta head to bed, I don't fare well if I don't get any sleep. Being Captain's hards work," he rubbed his neck, sighing at the crink he felt and his stiff shoulders. He wouldn't complain, though, she had a tougher time that he did. "Hey! Tomorrow I've got the shooting range booked for me, you, and Bria. I wanna see how you guys fare for aiming and combat. Spock's going to hold the bridge for me while we're doing that. 12 PM. Make sure you get Bria up. Then just tell the turbo-lift where you want to go."
"Aww you won't come pick me up?" Sarah smiled, then froze in horror. Had...she just said that out loud?! Why did her mouth say things before her mind registered them? Sure, most of the time it was the other way around, which was why she stumbled over herself a lot. However, if she was trying to be funny with someone...she tended to just say things that make her want to palm herself right after. "I-I was just kidding. We'll be there, I'll make sure of it." she quickly stated, standing up too, the drink clinched her hands. She awkwardly bowed her head, "Well, uh, g-goodnight."
Jim watched her scurry off and he held his hand out, but the door already closed behind her. Well, she was going to be quite the challenge if she flustered that easily. Chuckling, he found it quite amusing what she said, and decided to take her up on that. Making his way back to his quarters, once inside he set his alarm for 11:30, that way he could go pick them up and escort them to the range. Tomorrow was going to be fun!
X
In the other room, right next to hers. Bria tossed and turned as the nightmare she was having wreaked havoc on her mind. Being a light sleeper, she awoke with a gasp, looking around the room in a panic. She wasn't thinking straight...the room was pitch black, like she hadn't even opened her eyes, and she didn't hear her sister's breathing. "Sarah? Sarah!" The bed felt too soft, too warm, and she threw off the blankets, "Light...light...where's the light?!" she fumbled for the keychain she always had with her...where had it gone?! But the lights snapped on and the room was illuminated, but she was blinded, and gasped.
When her eyes adjusted she looked around the room. She was always quick to come to her senses even after just seconds of being awake. The room...Starfleet Enterprise...space...she was on a space ship. She sniffed and wiped her eyes, jumping up, and went to the door, turning the privacy lock off and leaving, quickly going to the next door room where her sister slept. "Sarah?" she called, knocking, assuming the privacy lock was on as well since it didn't open right away. She waited, but nothing happened, and she felt even more upset, pounding, "Sarah?!" She wasn't /that/ deep of a sleeper...
The only other explanation Sarah wouldn't be in her room was because she was hungry, or something and went to the mess hall. A sob left her, and she sank to her knees, leaning against the door, and brought them up, burying her face in them, feeling lonely and scared. Having just woke up, though...it didn't take long for sleep to take her again.
A few minutes later, a tall, Vulcan male strode by, nearly passing Bria altogether he was so immersed in his thoughts. Uhura had been silent 'as stone' (as Jim called it) since the incident in the med-bay. Tonight, she had him stay with her until she fell asleep. When she did, Spock found himself unable to do that same, feeling...uneasy. In an attempt to clear his head, the Vulcan took up roaming the halls.
Bending down, the Vulcan male gently reached out to tap Bria's cheek. "Brianna? You should awake now. I shall help you to your room if you would prefer."
Jerking, her hand shot out and she grabbed his hand forcefully, her head snapping up and she once again reached for her pocket, which wasn't there. Her eyes focused on him and she quickly let him go, "Spock! I'm...I'm sorry. I still haven't broken the habit of being on alert." She shook her head and looked around, frowning, "Sarah's not back..." a soft sigh left her, and she put her hand on the wall slowly standing and she groaned at her stiff legs. She'd been in that position a while... "I'll stop troubling you, and go to my room."
Spock stood as well, however he stopped her from leaving. His eyes scanned over Bria's face, noting the sleep line under her eyes and how...dull her eyes appeared. "Brianna...what is wrong? Why were you waiting on Sarah? Whatever it may be, I am willing to aid you in any way I can." He...wanted to pull her close and make whatever trouble she felt just go away. That was, however, highly illogical, as it would be impossible to make things simply 'go away'.
She looked down and away, "/Bria/," she reminded, though if he kept it up she'd just stop trying to correct him, "I had a nightmare. Sarah and I were being attacked and when I woke up I panicked. I'm not used to the room being pitch black. I'm not afraid of the dark, but I need at least a little light to see where I am and what I'm doing." She shook her head, "I'm okay now. I shouldn't bother you, Uhura might get even more pissy if she finds out. I'm sorry about what happened in the medical center, and I'd tell her that but this ship's so big I haven't even caught a glimpse of her."
Spock's brow creased as he remained in place, blocking Bria's escape. "Bria...it would be ill advised to to face Uhura at the time being. She is still upset. I would not think into the matter as Uhura will overreact at times. I...can not say I say I am...unconcerned that you both fought. For future reference, I would appreciate if you did not provoke her." He raised at brow at the human in a knowing manner. "I know you held back, but kept up your insults, You wanted her to strike first so that you would have justified means to fight back as you did."
Truth was, Spock felt...torn when the two started that fight. He...did not know who to defend. The Vulcan supported Uhura do to their relations and that she sometimes used her anger to get a point across to him. Bria...understood him. She and he shared a common pain, and she...fascinated wanted to see into her mind, to explore her thoughts...to comfort her. "If it is not any trouble...would you care to join me in the training room? I can only assume that you need company, but you also need to relieve some stress. I am willing to spar with you if you would like. I am in need of a task to focus on."
"Indeed I did, as I have done a lot. I'm not usually one who can come up with comebacks and insults, I fumble and stutter when faced with something like that. I tend to stand down, hating confrontation just as much, if not secretly more than Sarah. I have no idea where the confidence came from. I'm being honest with you here, Spock," Bria sighed and brought her hand up, rubbing her face, "Ah...I just realized I forgot to get my glasses. I'm nearsighted, that's why I recognized you. If you allow me to get changed, I'd gladly go with you to the training room. I haven't been there yet. I think I might ask Bones if I could get contacts for things like that." She mused, then sighed, "I realize she's still angry, and I was expecting it. I still want to say it even if she'll bitch me out again. I don't like holding grudges or having people angry with me, even if it was my fault." She slipped by and he walked with her to her door, and it swished open at her presence, but she only stepped halfway in, halfway out, and looked back at him, "Considering what the whole argument was about...how are you doing, Spock?"
"I am...alive." Spock stated, "You have...surprised me, Bria, being so willing to apologize to someone who had said such wrong things about you. You are truly...fascinating. I will speak with Uhura. Perhaps if I am able to calm her down, the chances of your apology being accepted might substantially increase." It would...make living on the Enterprise much easier. The Vulcan male would at least be more comfortable knowing that the two woman could run into each other and not try to kill another. "I am willing to help in any way you should ask that I am capable of preforming."
"Fascinating, huh? I don't think so, but it's you're opinion," she shrugged, "Spock...you keep talking about how willing you'd be to help. Why? Do you feel obligated because I saved you? If you don't want to, don't. You don't owe me any favors. I'm sure I would've run into her eventually, and sorted it out. I'm going to refrain from insults, so not to provoke her again."
"It is not out of obligation that I am offering my service," Spock stated firmly, "You and I are...similar to another, Bria. We have experience great loss. However, I do not wish for you to suffer alone. I merely am offering that I am willing to aid you through whatever trial you may go through. If you and Uhura...were to be able to tolerate another, my assisting you would be much...easier." Although what he said was the truth, as Vulcan cannot lie, Spock felt a sort of deeper connection with Bria. However, he was with Uhura. He would not...express any feelings, rather rational or illogical for the new comer.
Bria smiled at him, "Alright. I understand. I'll get dressed now, wait here, okay?" The door slid shut behind her as she went inside to change out of her night gown. She wondered who it was he had lost that made him gain such a haunted look in his deep brown eyes. He blamed himself for it, just like she did. They always would, but his earlier words had helped, even if they partially sounded like he was speaking to himself as well. Throwing off the gown she put on her glasses, and then fumbled through the bag she hadn't unpacked yet, taking out a bra, a pair of black stretch pants that flared at the bottom, and a red tank top. After she donned them, she found her red flats, and exited the room while she put her hair in a ponytail. Taking a shower here had been /wonderful/ that first night, and she hadn't seen her hair so lively and shiny in so long she almost didn't recognize herself. Finishing it off, she looked at Spock, "Ready. Lead the way."
Spock raised a brow as he gestured down the hall to the turbo-lift. It was interesting her choice of colors. They reminded him of the tactic division red... When they reached the lift, Spock allowed Bria to enter first and to order it to take them to the training room. "The training room is open whenever you need to use it." Spock stated, deciding to offer some conversation while they stepped out of the replicator. "I am also willing to offer my assistance whenever you should need it." Spock lead her past the several work out equipment to a long matted area stood where two people could spare if needed.
"I think you could start off with a map and places I might find of interest," Bria laughed, "I didn't know you had a training room. This is going to help a lot." She actually took off her flats and tossed them in the corner, shifted weight on the mats to get a feel for them, and then took a step back to do some stretches. Toe-reach, crouch leg stretch, pitiful attempt at the splits, hand on hip while leaning to the side and other arm over her head, then reaching, and last she just rotated her torso, cracking her back and sighing. "I taught Sarah what I remember of my classes for self defence, but we were hardly ever apart so she never used them, I always came to her rescue."
She coughed and thumped her chest, "Oh man...I'm going to get sick as hell. It's been too long since I've been in /clean/ air, my lungs are going to try and clear up all the gunk it's accumulated over the years. I expect the same for Sarah." She noted his look of concern, though she she had learned Spock was rather indifferent and stoic, and everyone else except Kirk thought he was emotionless. He very subtle signs. It was mostly in his eyes, and the very slight twitches; eyebrows for concern, eyes for anger, both for frustration, mouth if he was amused. There was also a slight head tilt if he was curious, and he also did that amusing eyebrow raise if his interest was piqued. "I'll ask Bones for what he recommends. I think he wanted to see us tomorrow afternoon around four, anyway," she assured.
She got into a fighting stance, "I still want to do this, though. We came all the way here and I'm dressed, so don't say 'oh we can do this another time'. We'll call it when my asthma kicks in." Which probably wouldn't take long, but she would try and ignore it, like she always did.
"If you are certain. I will hold back, Bria, as Vulcans had superior strength than humans. I do not want to harm you," Spock raised a brow, but followed suit into a stance. He already monitored her body language. The moment her body gave the sign that she had enough, he would stop them whether or not the woman wished to continue. Her safety concerned him more than indulging her fantasies. "Are you ready?" he asked, wanting to test her abilities after the display with Uhura.
"Yup! You go first," Bria tried to accommodate for her weak points, and she felt her chest burn, but her mind jumped into gear. As his body shifted, she felt hers still, and she kept track of how he was moving. He didn't seem the type to feign attacks, so she simply waited to see what his first one would be. It all seemed to happen in slow-motion, when in reality it was a matter of seconds.
Spock studied her for a moment before striking with his left palm towards her chest, his lips twitching with a hidden smile. She had blocked his attack and countered to which he blocked. Her accuracy and precision impressed him seeing as he was able to step up his level of attacks to a moderate one so that he felt he was actually testing her. Aiming for her shoulder, the Vulcan wanted to see if she could block him.
Instead of blocking, Bria used her shortness to duck and dropped down, swiping her foot to try and knock him off his feet, but he quickly avoided, and she got to her hands, leaning more on her right so not to agitate her left, and twisted, trying to round-house kick him. However, she was unbalanced, and he easily caught her once he got out of the way. She had yet to actually hit him, and she was mainly a defensive fighter.
"Am I too advanced for you?" Spock curiously asked, releasing her with a hard push to make her stumble. "You have yet to hit me, Bria. Do I need to hold back more?" Perhaps taunting her a bit would accelerate her abilities. He still kept a watchful eye on her body language in case her asthma should act up. Hooking his foot behind Bria's knee so that he could make her bend that leg. This allowed him to grab the middle of her left arm. He avoided her wrist as he had heard it was a weak point for her.
Where Spock grabbed was actually the weakest, and she gritted her teeth, "I get that you've got superior strength to a human's, but don't toy with me!" She brought up the knee he had made he bend and while he maneuvered his body to avoid being kneed in the stomach like she had done to Uhura, she kicked out, and kicked him square in the chest, and he grunted, but didn't let go. Alright, fine. She kept her leg up and brought up her other one, deciding to use gravity to her advantage as she hooked her feet behind his neck.
The Vulcan stumbled forward, having been pulled off balance. In mere seconds he calculated that the fall would do Bria more harm than himself. Not about to allow the woman to be harmed while it was in his abilities to prevent it, Spock angled the two of them so that as gravity took over in their fall, it pulled at him enabling him to roll under her. Of course the mat, although padded, stung his back harshly seconds before Bria's full weight landed on his chest. He grunted painfully, recovered quickly as he raised a brow at her, satisfied with his results. "It seems that you have accomplished hitting me."
Bria snorted, and rubbed her arm since he had let go to hold onto her more securely, "My aim tends to suck, so I wasn't all surprised I hadn't been. I also misjudge distance so punching never works out in my favor. Kicking has always been my strong point." she shrugged, and she slipped her feet from around his neck, planting them bellow her as she leaned forward, her hands on his chest for leverage as she got up, "That round house kick I pulled was a bit too advanced for myself, I'd never even attempted it before." She blushed and rubbed her neck, "Um...anyway, in your terms I believe that will be sufficient."
"Indeed." Spock agreed, standing as well, while noticing her blush. "Bria...have I embarrassed you? Your cheeks have increased in color, therefore, I must have upset you to which I am sorry. For a first attempt at such a move, you did...well. With practice you will be able to perform it without difficulty." She had impressed him as most humans would have long ended the match when it became apparent that they would be unable to keep up with the Vulcan. The only exception being the Captain when he convinced Spock to spar with him. He was stubborn, but still lost.
"No! No it's nothing you did," Bria swallowed thickly and shifted, "Uh...it's just, after so long my inhibitions have been lowered and had that not knocked you off balance like I hoped it would, in order to get you to let go of my weak arm, I would've resorted to hitting you 'below the belt' or 'played dirty' as the terms go. You're smart, you can figure out what I mean. I'm blushing because I visualized my next tactic." She looked away from him, too embarrassed to see his expression, and she held her arm protectively. "I'm just a very imaginative person and can picture outcomes and other things clearly, that's all."
"It is logical to resort to other means in order to protect oneself, Bria," Spock stated, confused as to why she would be embarrassed by this, "It is a needed quality for one to have in a fight, to visualize your next more as it could mean the difference between life or death. Had you have resorted to such means, I would have understood." he noted her protective hold on her arm and he approached her slowly to show he was not going to attack as he gently took her arm in his hand to study the scar. "Are you in need of medical assistance? I am able to call Dr. McCoy down here if you wish it."
"No...he's more than likely asleep at this hour, don't bother him. I'm not hurt," Bria assured, though she felt herself relax at his gentle touch, the fight or flight burn dying down, "I always get scared when I'm caught by my arm, because I know I could be held imobile with just the right pressure in just the right spot. I don't want to break it or get in a cast again, so I do my best so I don't get injured or it gets used against me. It's nothing against you. I rather enjoyed our spar, Spock."
She discovered that was another similarity between him and Max; the reassurance that she was alright. They were both extremely intelegent, too. The third similarity was the brown eyes. Last was the warmth of his hands felt nice on her chilled skin, and she wanted to wrap herself in that warmth...but that would be inappropriate. With a dejected sigh, she pulled back and looked to the turbo lift, "I shoud get to bed. Thank you for the stress relief, Spock. I feel better."
"I am glad to have been able to assist you, Bria." Spock nodded, his arms folding back behind him. "If you should ever need someone to spar with again, I will find a way to be available to you." He looked over her carefully before remembering something, "Bria, the captain is having me watch the bridge tomorrow so that he will be able to take you and Sarah to the range at 12pm. I am certain that he is wanting to test your abilities in the matter of firing a phaser." He wanted...to continue speaking with her, to learn more and more about this mysterious human who had saved his life. However, she was correct that she would need to sleep so that she could wake up on time.
"Really? A phaser?" She furrowed her brows, "Is that what you call the laser pistol? I've only fired one once, and did pretty good," she shrugged, "Thank you, I'll set my alarm. I'll see you whenever, then," she waved as she went to the turbo-lift, since he seemed like he wanted to train more, and then stopped before stepping inside, turning, "Hey, on that map I requested, do you have a greenhouse area or something? It's...been a long time since I've been around lively, green plants and trees and stuff." Why was she stalling? She felt the exhaustion start to kick in, but she still wanted to be with him. Uhura would have his head, though...and she didn't want that. It wasn't her place to meddle in their affairs no matter how much she disliked it.
"There is not such a place on board, however, if I will be able to show you some place that will suffice." Spock stated, his lips tugging into a non-smirk, at the thought of showing her the Holodeck. "Perhaps after you are finished in the Range, I will be able to show it to you."
"Uh, Dr. McCoy wants to see Sarah and I around four, so it'd have to wait until after that...but that sounds good," Bria nodded, "Goodnight, Spock. Sleep good, whenever you manage to get to bed," she smiled, joking since he was the type that'd stay up working on...well, work. She waved one last time, and stepped into the turbo-lift, letting the doors close.