miscommunications [paula/hikaru]
The last time Paula had had two days off in a row was so long ago she couldn't quite remember. Weeks ago, anyway, she thought as she let herself into her quarters and put her padd and communicator down on the table. She wandered over to the bed and sat down, tugging her boots off and wriggling her toes before flopping onto her back with a sigh. Things in Science were finally back to normal, and she was looking forward to the next couple of days to rest and recharge.
Hikaru's message had puzzled her, though. He'd been quiet the past several days, both of them busy but something was different. She'd been so preoccupied with work and with worrying about Leonard, and she'd never found a good time to tell Hikaru everything that was going on. But he'd been his usual self, sending her notes during the day or surprising her with dinner or flowers, so she hadn't been worried. Not until lately, when he seemed like he had something troubling on his mind the few times they were together. And he hadn't sent her a message in a couple of days, not until the brief note she'd received an hour ago. Can I come over tonight? H.
She had replied to say yes, of course he could. Rolling onto her side and peering at the chronometer, Paula realized she had time for a shower if she got moving now. Rising from the bed, she stripped off her uniform and went to shower, the hot water relaxing as she quickly scrubbed clean. The note hadn't mentioned anything special, so she dried her hair and pulled it back in a braid, then put on a simple dress.
Her nerves were on edge, and rather than sit and wait for Hikaru she used the time to straighten her quarters up, putting things away. She'd let things get cluttered because she had been too busy to do more than come in, eat, and sleep. Paula left the bed for last, changing the sheets and putting her dirty uniform in the laundry. With that done, she stood in the middle of the room, not sure how else to distract herself until he arrived. Stop being silly, she ordered herself, and she grabbed her datapadd and curled up on the sofa to read.
Hikaru's message had puzzled her, though. He'd been quiet the past several days, both of them busy but something was different. She'd been so preoccupied with work and with worrying about Leonard, and she'd never found a good time to tell Hikaru everything that was going on. But he'd been his usual self, sending her notes during the day or surprising her with dinner or flowers, so she hadn't been worried. Not until lately, when he seemed like he had something troubling on his mind the few times they were together. And he hadn't sent her a message in a couple of days, not until the brief note she'd received an hour ago. Can I come over tonight? H.
She had replied to say yes, of course he could. Rolling onto her side and peering at the chronometer, Paula realized she had time for a shower if she got moving now. Rising from the bed, she stripped off her uniform and went to shower, the hot water relaxing as she quickly scrubbed clean. The note hadn't mentioned anything special, so she dried her hair and pulled it back in a braid, then put on a simple dress.
Her nerves were on edge, and rather than sit and wait for Hikaru she used the time to straighten her quarters up, putting things away. She'd let things get cluttered because she had been too busy to do more than come in, eat, and sleep. Paula left the bed for last, changing the sheets and putting her dirty uniform in the laundry. With that done, she stood in the middle of the room, not sure how else to distract herself until he arrived. Stop being silly, she ordered herself, and she grabbed her datapadd and curled up on the sofa to read.