"Come on, what's the big deal?" Gabriel testified, not allowing any negative emotions to get the better of him.

"I've explained this to you, Gabriel," Moira said while organizing the stacks of papers she laid out on the desk before her, "I'm not a fan of social events. Go and enjoy yourself, I need to work on a few things."

I'd enjoy myself a lot more if you were there, was something he didn't say. Instead, he opted for, "Those few things can wait. I'm not asking you to become this 'outward'person, just to go up and have a few drinks or something."

"For someone whose coworkers scold him for associating with me, you're extremely adamant at flaunting said association around."

"Well, screw them, then."

The woman paused, curling her arms behind her back. "I don't know, Gabe."

"I know for a fact you'd enjoy yourself. And if you don't like it, just head back down."

When she glanced to the side, he decided to add, "Come on, you're my buddy. I like hanging out with you," before crossing his arms both nervously and awkwardly and leaning his hip into the desktop beside him, the cartilage of his ears threatening to melt off at the intense heat accumulating there.

Moira smiled, her gaze still focused elsewhere. "That's sweet," she said softly, and his heart fluttered at her words.

Her tone wasn't mocking or condescending, she was genuinely touched, and just...wow.

Before Gabe was able to respond, the woman blurted, "Fine, I'm feeling generous now."

"All of a sudden?" he questioned, still a tad embarrassed at the corny nature of his previous statement.

"You have a point, I may enjoy myself. And I'm not heartless; it's hard to decline when you tell me that."

He laughed before stating, "I knew you had it in you."

She shook her head lightheartedly. "Give me a moment to change."

"Want me to wait for you?"

"If you'd like," she said as she began to walk towards the back room, "I won't be long."

The small smile that Gabriel physically could not remove from his features...God, it was infuriating, but it wasn't a liar.

He was ecstatic, and it showed.

Even as a bit of time passed and Moira had since walked over to his location within the lab, he continued to smile.

"What?" she questioned.

"Huh? Oh, I'm thinking of something."

"Of what?"

Got to tell her something.

Gabe shook his head. "Nothing."

"What do you mean, 'nothing'?"

"I mean I really don't want to say," he laughed nervously, and prayed he didn't come off as rude.

The Doctor herself looked more confused than ever, yet (thankfully) she chose not to interrogate him further.

"Are we going, then?"

He nodded and spun around, the lanky woman at his side as they made their way to the common room.

There were so many answers he could have spoken that would have seemed plausible, and yet, he chose the I won't tell you route.

It simply felt right to offer such a statement at the moment, thought he couldn't place his finger on why.

Because I suck ass, was what popped into Gabriel's head, and the thought made him quietly scoff to himself.

Nonchalantly, he glanced up at Moira only to find her perplexed once more, although this time, a smirk was placed upon her beautifully contoured face.

"What? Don't look at me like that," he smiled.

"You're odd, Gabriel."

"I'm odd. Right, sure."

"I'd say as much."

"Alright, Moira, whatever."

She chuckled in response, oblivious to just how much he adored saying her name. "I'm glad you enjoy entertaining yourself."

"I mean, I think everyone enjoys entertaining themselves." The look he was hit with meant his quip did not go over her head.

"You're insufferable."

"I had to."

"No, you did not..." Her sentence trailed off into a laugh that was punctuated with a small snort at its end. "Damn you," Moira smiled as she covered her mouth.

"See? Who doesn't like shitty jokes about masturbating?"

"I could very easily turn around, and that would be the end of this."

Gabe couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, alright. I'm sorry, Your Highness."

"Hmm, I suppose you're forgiven. For now, that is."

God, she was so beautiful.

Everything about this woman was so fucking amazing. From her personality to her unique quirks to her lovely body; she was beautiful in his eyes, and fuck everyone who tried to tell him otherwise.

I'm losing it, he thought. Oh well.

Gabriel looked over to his tall friend (who was a much happier camper now) and simply watched her walk alongside him for a few a moments for no other reason than the fact that his eyes happened to land on her.

She-

Oh, fuck, no. He immediately looked away. Come on, Gabe, really?

It was true, this was the first time he has ever felt so strongly about another person, but he never imagined allowing himself to entertain anything...sexual.

Deny it all he'd wish, however, the split moment thought of she definitely plays with herself down here and the image that came with it made his lower belly stir and burn.

"Any reason you don't like parties? Or people in general, I guess?" he asked her. There was no way in Hell he was letting himself venture down the hole he was standing at.

No way in fucking Hell.

Moira seemed to ponder his question for a moment. "I was never a fan, particularly."

She paused. "My father never allowed me to enjoy such things, either. That could be a factor."

That was enough to peak his interest. "He didn't?"

The Doctor stopped at the elevator and shook her head. Although she stood next to them, it didn't seem as if she had any intention of pressing any buttons.

Gabe didn't mind, however.

"My father was not a kind man," she started, her voice lowered by emotion and her gaze averted. "He was controlling and...twisted."

"What would happen?"

He wanted her to open up and feel comfortable around him, but when that time would come wasn't for him to decide.

That didn't mean he couldn't help her along, though.

"He wouldn't allow me to spend time with groups of friends;" she continued, "he explained that it wasn't safe. And I was not allowed to have anyone male in my life, besides him." The redhead paused once more. "I remember he told me that I couldn't date or marry, and if I ever became pregnant, he would throw me down the stairs or poison my food."

Oh, fuck.

"He used to hit me, and it would leave bruises and scratches, and if I ever explained to anyone the true cause of those injuries, that I would be so sorry, I'd wish I weren't born." She shook her head. "And the reasons I'd be punished were ridiculous. Dressing a certain way, or if my scores weren't up to his standards, or if I gained this...small amount of weight." Moira sighed, and it was quick and troubled. "And he'd mock me if I told him how I felt. I was psychotic if I were angry, and a pussy if I were depressed." Her expression contorted into something more lost. "I apologize, I didn't mean to be so heavy."

"No, y-you're fine. You can talk to me."

There was a moment's wait before she spoke up once more.

"I blame him for the way I am. This..." Moira shook her head and ended it there, and Gabriel decided it was great that she didn't activate the elevator just yet.

"Really sorry to hear that," he told her. The woman closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"We don't have to go up right now." She nodded at his statement.

As an afterthought, he decided to ask, "Do you need a hug?" Moira scoffed and nodded for a second time, her eyes never meeting his.

Tentatively, Gabe took a step closer to her and enveloped her in his arms, and a second later, she returned the gesture.

There were multiple things he could have focused on: the pressure of her chin resting on his shoulder, the feeling of her long fingers against his back, how close she was; instead, his mind went to the single, curt, shaky breath she exhaled.

Wow, he thought, just...wow.