"You wouldn't happen to know anything about poker, would you?" she asked as soon as she heard the soft footsteps on her carpet.

"Nope." C2 plopped down on the chair opposite Charlotte with a sigh. "Why?"

"I've been invited to a game."

"Oh." C2 yawned and glanced at the table. "What are you doing?"

"Something I haven't done in a while- inventing."

C2 took a tiny device out of her pocket and set in on the table. "What do you want the ETU for?"

"It's part of what I'm making."

"Some kind of transporter device?"

"You got it."

"What for?"

Charlotte's face clouded. "Oh, um, just a pet project."

C2 rolled her eyes. "Hello, remember who you're talking to? What is it, really?"

Silence.

"Ok, whatever. How was your day?"

"Data asked me on a date, I had lunch with Deanna, and Geordie's gonna promote me. You?"

"I got asked out, I made a new friend, and Lt. Finch is gonna promote me."

"Cool. Who asked you out?"

"You really wanna know?"

"Yes."

"Geordie."

Charlotte dropped the hyperspanner, which missed the table and fell with a soft thud onto the carpet, taking a box of bits and wires with it.

C2 raised her hands sheepishly. "Sorry."

"And what did you say?" Charlotte demanded.

"I said I'd think about it."

"And are you?"

"Yes."

Silence, then: "What are you going to tell him?"

"What should I tell him?"

Charlotte leaned back, biting her lip. "Honestly, I… I really can't tell you. This has to be your decision."

"But I don't know what to decide!" C2 wailed, burying her head in her hands.

Charlotte sucked in a breath. "Do you have feelings for him?"

"No. I like him, but not in that way."

"Do you want to develop feelings for him? Do you want there to be a potential for a relationship?"

C2 was silent for a long time, thinking over the situation. Did she want to get into another relationship, considering the complex situation she was already in? She had been asked out many times, but this was the first time she'd had to think hard about her answer. She liked Geordie, she was sure of it, but…

She shook her head. "I'm gonna need a lot more time."

Charlotte smiled. "You'll make the right choice. I'm sure of it."

"Thanks for your optimism, but I'm not sure I agree with you. Anyway, I'm tired. If you're not going

to tell me what you're making, I think I'll go to bed.

"Ok. See you later. And take care."

"I will."

"I mean it."

C2 smiled. "Thanks. So do I."

Once C2 had left, Charlotte picked up the spanner and the stuff on the ground, and got back to work.