Kate exited the holodeck and was much quieter than normal. She still joked and laughed with the group she had trained with but it was more reserved. As the group decided to head to the mess hall Kate took it as her chance to slip away. It took a bit and many teasingly snide comments about preferring Scottish food to a good old-fashioned pizza but soon Kate was heading down the turbo hoping to catch Shaun in his quarters. She grunted as the turbo stopped. Normally it was almost imperceptible but today Kate felt every step. Her cheeks were a bit red and she was sweating along her hairline as if she was doing something that required a lot of exertion. Reaching his door, Kate palmed the controls and walked in hoping Shaun was alone and not busy.

“Hey you,” Kate said. Her voice was a bit strained and one hand was shoved in her front right pocket. The position of her hand was not as odd as the tension in her body holding that position.

Lt. Kate O’Neill, CoS