Xander pulled his food down the line. He had been given a spoonful of some sort of disgustingness with a dried out roll and some blue milk. It wasn't the worst thing that he had ever eaten, but it certainly wasn't enjoyable. The only thing that was even worth eating in Xander's eyes was the chocolate pudding.
He stretched out a hand to grab it before another hand swooped in and grabbed the last one. His jaw aped open before he spun around to look at the one who had taken it. Surprise showed on Xander's face when he realized it was Jemina, the EMT who had accompanied him to find Poe.
She looked upward in surprise as their gaze met. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did you want this," she asked, offering him the chocolate pudding with an outstretched hand.
Mouth watering, Xander forced himself to shake his head. "N-No, I'm good," stammered Xander with a shake of his head. "I'm fine, but I wouldn't mind some company." He pointed to a table and surprised showed on his face. Why did I just do that?!
Jemina raised an eyebrow before she smiled and shrugged. "Alright. Lead the way."
Palms sweating, Xander walked to the table that he and Jax usually shared. But, Jax said that he had 'business' to take care of, so he woudln't be joining him. Xander hated eating alone, but he didn't know anyone else that well. He would never ask a girl in a million years to sit with him, but his logic hadn't been controlling him when he had asked Jemina.
Xander sat down with his hands still shaking. Jemina sat right beside him and smiled back at him. "So, Xander, right? That's a different name?"
"Yeah, it is. You probably won't believe this, but I was actually named after my mother's first dog. His name was Xander and I guess I reminded her of him." He frowned. "Which probably isn't a compliment since that dog ate her favorite robe, but I don't know."
Jemina actually smiled around the mouthful of whatever their main meal was. "That's actually pretty funny. Well, I'm sure that that dog had to be pretty special for your mom to name you after him."
"I guess. I never met him, but maybe." He scooped some of the sloop into his mouth and made a face. "Ugh! Could this get any worse," he complained loudly.
Jemina laughed. "I'm sure it could, but let's not let the chefs know that or they'll see it as some sort of challenge," she whispered in mockery.
Xander took another spoonful before they lapsed into uncomfortable silence. Xander was never good with keeping the conversation going and he tapped his foot against the ground uncomfortably, trying not to make himself appear as stressed as he was. Jemina was a very attractive women in his eyes. She had medium length brown hair with shimmering blue eyes that reflected the ocean. Her voice was firm, but he admired that. He just wished that he could say something more to her, but his mind just went completely blank.
"So, how well did you know him?"
"What," asked Xander in surprise.
"I said, how well did you know the man that we were set to rescue?"
Xander played with his fingers in front of him. "Um, pretty good I guess. I mean, he's my superior and he was the only one who didn't prank me when I first came and we've talked a lot and-"
"-And you're pretty good friends," interrupted Jemina surprisingly gently. "The way that you speak about him and the way that you were willing to sit vigil shows me that you are a very good friend of him. Don't think that you can hide that."
Xander fiddled with his fingers. He was terrible about talking about his feelings, especially to a girl about a guy. But, for some reason he felt like he could talk to Jemina about anything.
"I guess so. I really care about him since he is my friend, but I don't know how I can help," he mumbled as he pushed his food away. The already disgusting food looked even less appealing.
Jemina blinked tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry about what I did. I didn't know that he was allergic to whatever that ingredient is in the sedative. It was that or watch him slowly suffocate himself."
"It's alright," Xander blurted before he could stop himself. He lifted a hand and rubbed it against the back of his neck, sighing loudly. "It wasn't your fault. You didn't know and neither did I."
They lapsed into silence once more before Xander swung his legs over the bench. "Well, Dr. Yan will probably come after me if I don't actually get some sleep, but I'd like to maybe see you later," he muttered into his chest before he shoved his hands into his pockets, looking down. He forced his gaze upward and took in a labored breath.
"Yeah, me too," she agreed, picking up her tray. "I'll see you around."
Xander's stomach churned inside of him with excitement and nervousness. He had never asked a girl 'out' before and he wasn't sure if he actually had. It wasn't like it was easy to meet girls here. Everyone was always rushing around and no one else could stop long enough to enjoy each other. But, maybe he had actually figured something out.
Xander left the mess hall and headed to his bunker area. He opened the door and didn't even both to flick on the lights. He didn't even bother to change. He kicked off his boots and fell into his bed, letting out a deep breath. He promised himself that he would sleep lightly in case Dr. Yan needed him when Poe woke up. But, the tiredness of the day seeped into him and his eyes closed as he faded into a deep sleep.
