Ginger Gears

Wrong Circuitry

He felt nervous. It was strange ... having her in his quarters. He had crossed a line. It had been his idea of course, inviting her over. She had gone along, even though she had tensed up a little when she had entered.

He didn't know why he had done it, it had been a spur of the moment thing. They had stood in the lift, she was standing close to him – he could practically sense her warmth. He given in ... had invited her ...

She wanted to advance, that's why she bothered to show up in the lab. And he had taken advantage of that. He wouldn't help her with her career but she didn't know that. Up until now it had been harmless. He had enjoyed her company that was all. But now-

'One of the perks of the job, boy.'

He cleared his throat. "It's- it's getting late."

She shifted on the couch. "I don't mind." She put the whiskey down on the table and got up.

He followed her movements with his eyes, feeling his breath quicken.

She came closer and put her hand tenderly on his cheek. The warmth was so unexpected that he twitched. He jumped up and took a step back, almost stumbling over the sofa. "Please don't," he said.

She pulled her hand back, a surprised look on her face.

"I knew that you're doing this for your family ... I- I shouldn't have invited to-" he broke off. "I won't advance you. I'm sorry."

She just stared at him.

He averted his gaze. "It's already late."

A moment of silence, then she replied. "Yes, it's already late."

He looked up, she was still standing in front of him, her pretty face framed by black curls, her pink lips parted ... By the stars, she was indeed striking. For a split second he regretted- no, it wasn't right.

"Good night," he said awkwardly.

She blushed. "Good night."

Moments later she was gone. He stared at her glass on the table. It had been a mistake to get involved with her. He let himself fall back on the chair. Despite everything he still hadn't learned. Silly. Weak.

-o-

Rose rushed to the lift. She pushed several times on the call button. What had she been thinking? She pushed again a little harder. This wasn't supposed to happen, why by the seven gates of chaos had she been attracted to him? Some spy she turned out to be!

When was this kriffing lift coming? She pushed the button again. Seconds later the doors opened and she rushed inside. She mashed the down button and pressed her forehead against the cool steel in the back of the lift. She was still aroused, damn it.

Why hadn't he just played along? After all the effort he had gone through to get her into his quarters, after the expensive whiskey he had wasted on her – why was he so kriffing complicated? For once she had thought she knew what he would do next.

The lift door opened again on her deck and she marched towards her quarters in the far end of the corridor. She slowed her step before she stood before her door in an attempt to calm down. It was in vain. Kriff. She had liked the feeling of his clean shaved cheek on her hand a little too much.

She punched the code in and kicked her boots from her feet while she hastily undressed herself.

She rushed in the shower and closed her eyes as the sonic waves washed over her. What would she give for a holo-call to Paige – or Poe? She buried her face in her hands and exhaled. She had to calm down, she was just a little drunk. Drunk and horny.