Um...care to have a drink?
Claudia: *Smothering a slight smile, I nod back* Tech Browder. You needed to take a look at my datalink?
Ben: *I find myself staring a bit longer than necessary and pull my gaze away* Yes. Mandatory requirement that all cybernetic implementation have an annual check up for upgrades and reparations if necessary. *great... you sound like a frelling textbook*
Claudia: *wry grin* Sounds like fun. Your notice said to see you for an appointment. I should schedule one. When do you have time. *smiling a bit before I can hide it again*
Ben: Uhm... *damn, is she smiling at me? I look at the appointment book* Actually, you're the first to schedule an appointment, so whenever you're free, Tech Black.
Claudia: I have a lot of processing to do so, what is your last appointment today? *Good Claudia, way to look desperate or some shit*
Ben: *nods, feeling a little disappointed that you're not staying, but hey, you'll be back later!* 16:30, although I can stay until17:00 if that works better. *groans to self Dweeb*
Claudia: 17:00 would be better, I should be able to wrap up my day by then. *pausing, hoping I don't look over anxious or anything. I mean, I do have a reputation to maintain here*
Ben: Good. *nodding, adding your name to the appointment list* 17:00 it is. I look forward to seeing you then. *double entendre... smooth Browder, real smooth*
Claudia: Right then. I'll be here. *turning around I walk out, reminding myself NOT to look over my shoulder*
Ben: *watching you walk out, I can't help my eyes sliding down your back to your nice, round firm... ahem*
Claudia: *five more minutes. I pace across the lab and back, trying to find something to hold my interest for a few more minutes. Straightening a row of sample bottles, then re-organizing them again*
Ben: *stop glancing at the clock, she'll be here. She knows this is mandatory, she's a professional... she'll show. Stop acting like a kid*
Claudia: *the light thrill from my datalink tells me it's time for my appointment. Smiling I lock the lab and head for your office.*
Ben: *16:59, 16:59, 16:59... ah! 17:00!*
Claudia: *knocking once on the door, I open it and stride in* Hope I'm not late. *Oh very nice, datalink remember? You are never late*
Ben: *I look up, feeling a small goofy smile creep up on my face before I manage to push it back down.* Not at all. In fact you're right on time.
Claudia: Good. *standing at almost attention* Where do we do this then?
Ben: First of all, at ease... I'm a tech, like you. *gives you a small smile* And if you'll follow me, we'll get started
Claudia: *right...tech. Frell, need to relax a bit. I follow you into a back room* Shall I sit?
Ben: Please? *I indicate a chair near a scanning device* This won't hurt, I promise. *I activate the device to do the initial scanning of your implant*
Claudia: *clasping my hands together I sit still as the scan starts, focusing on your chest to keep from fidgeting*
Ben: *I finish the scan, then pick up a hand held device. I reach out and gently brush your hair to the side, exposing the receiver port. Your hair feels so soft under my fingers... I'm momentarily distracted by the gossamer threads, then continue my work*
Claudia: *Sitting quietly, which is hard to do with your fingers in my hair and your breath warm on my cheek as you bend closer for your inspection. Okay, it's a med scan...that's it. Need to relax*
Ben: You might feel a little tingle, while I get some bio readings, but I promise it won't last long. *I say softly, noting how nervous you seem* I think I jumped three feet the first time I had one done... mainly because I didn't know what to expect.
Claudia: *Giving you an encouraging smile as I brace myself* Thanks for the warning. I'd hate to embarrass myself like that.
Ben: *nice smile... would like to see more of it.* Here we go... *I insert a thin needle into the port receiver right next to your hairline, pricking the skin just a little.* I have to touch both metal and flesh for this procedure... that's part of what makes it uncomfortable.
Claudia: Uncomfortable right. *fists clenching as I sit quietly, eyes locked on your throat. Okay, so that's a nice view. Trying to breath slowly and shallowly so I don't move too much* It's not that bad...really.
Ben: *glances down at you, smiling* Almost done. There. *I remove the needle and step back, reading the results* So far, everything looks good. There is an upgrade available, if you're interested?
Claudia: *suppressing a slight shudder as you withdraw the needle* An upgrade again? *smiles* They seem to be coming out with them every quarter. If you have time, I might as well. *and it will give me time to get up enough courage to ask you for a drink...or something*
Ben: Not a problem. *I turn away from you, entering some data into the computer and then reach for a handheld keypad like the one you'd normally wear. I take your hand and gently attach it to your wrist* It shouldn't take too long. *sitting back, watching you*
Claudia: *both flattered and discomforted by your scrutiny, I look back and smile a bit nervously* So, how long have you been here now? *oh yes....very lame Claudia*
Ben: Six months. *smiling at you* I did some time as a medtech for one of the local hospitals, before coming here.
Claudia: Medtech? Do you have autopsy experience? *might be a good way to get more help with Dr Wood. I have a feeling the murder rate will begin climbing again*
Ben: *shrugs* Not much, I know the basics, but that's about it. I'm more familiar with cybernetics than anything else.
Claudia: *smiling* You wouldn't be willing to lend a hand on occasion would you? If you're not busy here or we get a sudden influx of bodies?
Ben: I don't know what I can do, but I'll be glad to help you anyway I can.
Claudia: I will ask the Captain if you'd like...contingency plan kind of. *brushing a loose strand of hair back and tucking it in place, trying to think of something more to say and failing utterly*
Ben: *nods, watching you, reaching for the loose strand that falls on your face again and pushes it back. I check the status of the download, and sit back again* Almost done.
Claudia: *blushing slightly when you fix my hair* So what does this upgrade add? Any special features or just for better speed?
Ben: Faster access to the entire system, both sending and receiving data. You shouldn't have any of the lag that some of the others were experiencing.
Claudia: *grins* Well, it seems they are listening then. The lag as getting to be a bit of a pain in the ass, especially when receiving.
Ben: And sometimes seconds can be the difference between life and death. I know. *looks away, then back at you again*
Claudia: In this line of work...sometimes. Well, not in my job,but other cops yeah. *blinks as I catch your eyes and um...very blue. Funny not sure I ever noticed that before...wonder why.* Um...*jumps when the end tone sounds* Guess that's it? *trying to hide the twinge of disappointment*
Ben: *jerks slightly, pulling myself from your gaze* Oh, yeah, that's it. *I carefully pull the handheld device from your wrist port, my fingers lingering on your skin*
Claudia: *tilting my head back to look up at you* You know...it's quitting time and um...I was going to go for a drink if you might like to um, join me
Ben: *I blink at you* You know fraternization with the ranks is against regulation.... *I give you a quirky smile* Good thing we're both Techs and therefore those regs don't apply to us.
Claudia: *laughing* True...it's a very good thing. Do you have anything else to wrap up? *standing, realizing your much taller than I'd thought and oddly pleased with that*
Ben: Let me log off the system and I'll be ready. *Damn... she's so beautiful*
Claudia: Okay. *moving to stand by the door, watching as you move about the lab, feeling remarkably like a crushing tweenie as I fidget*
Ben: *I quickly log off the system and finish the other odds and ends that can't wait until tomorrow, and join you at the door* Ready?
Claudia: Yes. *watches as you close and the door then walking down the hall beside you. Casting the odd sidelong glance* Any preference?
Ben: Not really, no. You?
Claudia: *grinning* Usually I go to The Precinct.
Ben: Sounds like the perfect place then. *Anyplace with you would be perfect*
Claudia: I normally take the tubes to work...um...you?
Ben: Same here, unless it's a nice day, then I walk.
Claudia: Well then, we don't have to worry about vehicles. *oh even lamer.* If we take lift 7 we can be there in 2 minutes...unless you'd rather walk.
Ben: Let's walk. *More time spent with you*
Claudia: Okay. *Will not grin foolishly, will not. I follow you out the door and onto the skywalk*