Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in Sleepless Indulgence

(snip)

She was wearing her clothes she wore to run in, hair in a high ponytail. Rand paused and turned around and walked over to him. She had the urge to hug him, but didn’t, not in the middle of the corridor. She wasn’t quite sure what to call their feelings for each other, but Rand was not sure how she felt about other people knowing. She was a very private person and wasn’t ready to share whatever this was with anyone else. She stopped just a couple feet away and nodded up at him. “I did…thank you…thank you for last night,” she smiled turning a little red. “Umm…I umm I’m going to the gym. I thought I’d stretch a little because of the chair. Maybe use some resistance bands for my foot. Do…do you want to come?” She hadn’t waited for him. She had been hoping he was able to sleep longer. “I thought you might still be asleep.”

Rand

Rand looked like she was going to run. She hadn’t waited, but then, Roman didn’t really expect her to. But as soon as he spoke she paused and went back, stopping just a little distance away from him. His own private nature meant he wasn’t quite fond of the idea of other people knowing about… whatever this was either, though he knew if it was going to continue it was going to end up coming out sooner or later. “It was no problem at all,” he replied. “I’m just happy you got some sleep.” She turned slightly red and to him she seemed a little nervous. She was going to the gym to stretch. And well, he wasn’t going to be sleeping. He didn’t really need an excuse to spend more time with her. “Alright, why not?” Maybe it would wake him up somewhat. “No, but I wasn’t awake much longer than you, I’m sure that’s plenty of sleep.” He felt tired, but he didn’t want her to worry, and it was more sleep than he got some nights.

~ Roman

She smiled brightly when he said he would go with her. She didn’t need a reason to spend time with him other than she liked to, but she was happy he was coming with her. “I’m glad you slept some.” There was a vague sleepy memory of him, his voice slightly strained talking about Jay, but she didn’t remember what exactly was said. She didn’t say anything about it though because she would never talk about his private life in the open. But she did giggle softly over something she did remember. She spoke into the space just between them, “Well come on then Robin Hood.” She started to reach for his hand but caught herself before heading for the lift.

Rand

She was happy he wanted to go with her, and that idea made him smile, too. Roman had talked about a lot the night before, mostly trying to help her, not thinking so hard about what he was saying. There were a few things he remembered and hoped she wouldn’t bring up. “Robin Hood?” He said, his tone questioning, but he was smiling, apparently catching that she was teasing. And perhaps liking it a little bit? She started to reach for his hand, and he started to put his hand out for her before he’d thought about it, but she caught herself, and their hands moved away from each other again as they went into the lift.

~ Roman

Rand didn’t miss him reaching for her hand or his smile when she teased him. Maybe she should have taken his hand? In the lift she did squeeze his hand shyly. Once in the gym she went to the equipment storage and took out a couple of resistance bands and then slipped off her shoes. She took a seat on the mats and began to stretch, focusing on her lower back and calves, then her shoulders. Those we’re the most stiff. “I can’t run yet, but hopefully I can rebuild the strength in my ankle.” She glanced at him and then around the empty gym. “You going to beat up the practice dummy?”

Rand