"Hey, Ensign."
Charlotte looked over at her blind superior officer. "Yes, Commander?"
Geordie stopped what he was doing and leaned on his console, regarding his co-worker and best friend's girlfriend. "How long have you been one?"
"What, an Ensign? About 3 or 4 years. Why?"
"What would you say if I said I was thinking of promoting you?"
Charlotte stared at him. "Promotion? What brought this on?"
Geordie shrugged. "I've been watching you work. You've always had a good work ethic. After your illness you struggled a bit, but you've successfully got back on your feet and your work is just as good, if not better, than it was before."
"Why, thank you, sir," said Charlotte, flattered and excited at the thought of being moved up the ranks.
"How does Lieutenant Hope sound to you?"
She grinned. "It has a nice ring."
"Good. Now, this can't happen straight away, you understand, but it will happen soon. I just thought I'd let you know." He looked at the chronometer on the wall. "It's nearly the end of your shift. Do you wanna join me for dinner tonight?"
Charlotte shook her head apologetically. "No-can-do, Commander. I'm busy tonight."
Geordie crossed his arms and leaned back. "If you don't mind me saying so, you don't seem to socialise very much with the crew- except for Data, of course. How about this- join us in our poker game tomorrow night." He held up his hand at her look of protest. "I insist."
"But I-"
"Data will be there."
"I…" She considered it. "I don't know how to play," she finished lamely.
"Doesn't matter; we'll teach you. C'mon, Charlotte, a little bit of socialisation won't hurt you."
Charlotte sighed, then glared at him. "You're as blunt as an older brother, you know that, Commander? Alright, I'll come. Where and what time?"
"Deck 8, room 15, 1930 hours."
"Thanks." She finished what she was doing on her screen and stepped away. "Time to knock off, I guess." Smiling at Geordie, she headed for the door, but stopped. "Oh, I almost forgot: Can I borrow your Hyperspanner? I'm doing a pet project and I couldn't be bothered reprogramming my replicator."
"Sure." He fetched his toolbox from the office on the other side of engineering and handed it over. "Goodnight, Ensign."