"Can I ask your opinion on something." Mark slides up next to Beth Johanson as she's looking over some data. He cautiously eyes the rest of the group gathering around their makeshift common room area ready to wind down for the night. Beth was the only one still working and when Melissa called her out on it, she just shouted she had this one last task to finish then she would join them.
Not looking up from her work Beth replies, "About what." She's chewing on one of her pens.
Quietly he leans closer holding up three different rocks in his palm. "Do you think I could use one of the rocks around here and that that shaped and put into an engagement ring. Or should I just stick with the diamonds."
Johanson goes to answer opening her mouth only to then pause as the words register in her mind. Her eyes explode wide as she swirls around to face him causing him to drop the rocks he was holding. "WHAT." She screams eyes alight with joy.
However, her sudden shriek captures the attention of the rest of the gang who have all paused in their conversation and turned to face them. "Uhhhh." He stumbles over what to say to get them to stop paying any attention to the two of them. "Carry on guys. Nothing to see here."
Martinez says what everyone is thinking as four sets of curious eyes rest upon him. "Right." Rick draws the world out. "Nothing to see here."
Beth, realising she messed up quickly tries to back him up. "Yep, something important or earth shattering happening over here." Tries being the keyword in that previous statement. Wow, Johanson is a really bad liar The youngest member of their crew's face turns red as she closes her eyes in embarrassment.
Melissa rolls her eyes at him, and he just sends her his biggest and goofiest smile which never fails to cause a flicker on smile on her own lips. "Ignore Johanson." He tells the crew. "She's very easily excited."
Martinez, Beck and Vogel all look towards each other wondering if they should push more when Melissa cuts in and tells them all to knock it off. They all go back to eating their meal and casually chatting. The odd suspicious glance is sent in their direction, but it seems like they have lost interest. For now, at least. Mark already knows Melissa will be questioning him later in bed.
But that's a later him probably. For now, he turns back to glare at Beth who whispers a sorry back. Reaching down he picks up the discarded stones before showing them to her again. "Like I was saying. Do you think they could be worked into an engagement ring."
"Can we jump back to the part about the engagement ring." She gasps out in excitement. A much more quiet excitement this time thankfully.
Mark chuckles to himself. "Oh, that." He replies nonchalantly knowing it will annoy her.
She punches him in the shoulder. "Yeah, that." She hits him again for good measure. "Fuck Mark. How long have you-"
"Since before leaving Earth." He answers already knowing the question she was about to ask. "I have the ring picked out, but I thought since I was going to Mars and Melissa is adorably obsessed with rocks. I thought it might be a good idea to have her ring embedded with rocks from Mars." He smiles brightly towards Johanson hoping she will like his idea and think Melissa will as well. Otherwise, he could have started working on his proposal months ago.
In truth, the ring is still on the Hermes. He had thought about proposing to her on Mars or to the backdrop of space. But he knows she won't say yes until the mission is over. After all, Melissa is the commander of this mission and is a stickler for the rules. Her and him forming this relationship goes against what she was instilled with, and he knows if they were to be discovered to be dating, she could be court marshalled for it.
Hence why they have kept their relationship secret from everyone but the crew and their families. So as soon as this mission is over, and he is no longer officially under her command he is going to propose. He just needs everything to be perfect. And as beautiful as the ring is he wants to put a twist on it. A personal effect for her. And what better then having one of the gem holders encased with a polished rock from Mars.
Making the ring one of a kind. Just like her.
She squeals again making him wince at the pitch. "Ok, what are you two planning," Melissa shouts over. Watching in curiosity as Johanson and Watney suddenly go very rigid and tense.
"Nothing." They both call back before looking at each other and giggling like children. Martinez and Beck exchange glances nodding towards each other knowing they will interrogate the two of them later for what is going on.
Melissa isn't so quick to give up. "You two are planning something. I don't like that."
Beth's smile seems to grow brighter and more mischievous. Doing nothing to make the two of them look less suspicious. "Oh, you will." Beth's words make Melissa's gaze flicker to Mark who pales under her glare.
"Hopefully," Mark adds on uncertain whether his idea will make the ring better or not. The mixture of nervousness about getting a second opinion, Melissa suspecting something going on and Beth not understanding how to keep something private all hitting him.
Maybe he shouldn't be planning this now. He has time to think about it. Lots of time. Not much else to do in the dark vacuum of space other than think. His words earn a side glare from Beth. "No, she will. Trust me." Beth nudges him conveying her confidence in his idea.
"What are you two planning," Melissa asks again but this time her glare only makes Beth and Mark smile towards her gleefully enough to make her feel uncomfortable. They seem far too happy all of a sudden. And that never means anything good. Yet it seems neither of them are willing to talk. Sighing she gives in for now. "I will find out." She threatens.
Expect Beth replies "Oh you will." Before tugging Mark off into another one of the rooms for more privacy. Yeah… she's going to have to look into that… just not when it's her private time.