Breaking Bones

Chapter 3: Worth the Risk

Three weeks had passed since her date with Leonard, and yet Anatalia found herself able to think of little else in the elapsed time span. Part of her really hoped, and somewhat even believed he would call, but to her disappointment, he hadn't. To keep her mind as occupied as possible, Ana found herself more invested in her education than ever, a feat that her friends didn't think was possible, as she already stretched herself thin before now. One friend in particular was growing more and more worried by the day. Anatalia was in the middle of studying for an upcoming exam when her PADD was suddenly taken from her hands and turned off before being set on the table next to her. Ana looked up to see Nyota Uhura standing over her and let out an exasperated sigh. 

"Not now, Nyota. I'm studying." 

"You're always studying. When's the last time you ate?" 

"That depends. What time is it?"

"8pm" 

"Then yesterday. Morning." 

"Okay that's it." Before Ana was able to get her PADD turned on again, Nyota had once again stolen it from her hands and put it away in her bag, stepping out of the younger cadet's reach as she grabbed for it. 

"Nyota, come on. I've got a big test tomorrow. I need to study." 

"Anatalia Tonks, I know you. I'd bet my life that you already know all of the material by heart, forward and backward. You're only overstudying to stop thinking about that doctor you went out with." 

"Nyota--"

"No. I don't care what it is, but we are going out and doing something tonight. Anything but sitting in your dorm with a book or a PADD in your face." Ana glared at Nyota as best she could, but the other woman was just as stubborn as Anatalia, if not more so. So, with a relenting sigh, Ana was the first to cave and stood to gather her things before leaving the library. 

"Fine. The gym then."

"After we eat." Man, Nyota was pushing it today.

"Okay, fine. We'll go eat first." Making their way to the mess hall, Nyota caught Anatalia up on all of her classes. She was top of her class in her own focus, xenolinguistics. Ana found herself fairly interested in the topic herself and had enrolled in a couple of basic language courses, which is how she and Nyota met in the first place. The two had become good friends since then. Some would even say best friends. 

"Alright, I'll grab us food. Go find a good table, yeah?"

"Sure thing." Given the late hour, the mess hall was fairly empty save for those working the night shift or, like Ana, ate a quick meal while still studying their course material. She had found a quiet table off to the side and made her way towards it when a familiar face caught her eye. Leonard sat by himself with a cup of coffee and a PADD in hand. Based on the whites he was wearing, he was clearly working the late shift for the hospital, but on a break for the moment. Anatalia debated if she should talk to him or not. He was probably enjoying the quiet and solitude out of the hospital, but Ana felt a little polite small talk couldn't hurt anything. So, she approached his table and Leonard was quick to notice, setting his PADD down as she came to a halt next to the table. 

"Sorry to bother you. I just figured I'd stop by and say a quick hello." To say that the past three weeks had been difficult for Leonard would be an understatement. The hospital and his classes kept him occupied often enough, but any spare moment he had he spent thinking about Anatalia. His mind was constantly at war with itself, weighing the pros and cons if he were to actually take a shot and ask her on a date. He was proud that his resolve hadn't broken thus far, but as she stood in front of him now, Leonard wasn't sure he'd be able to hold back much longer.