Rory: “So, how was the shower?”

*beat* Kazia takes her eyes off the terminal screen, looking down at Rory, who worked a wrench to realign the sensor array. 

Kazia: “Um, I’m sorry?”

Rory rolls her eyes. “I saw you and Lucian squeeze into that small little space. He has quite the bold charm, doesn’t he?”

Kazia didn’t know whether to be offended by the eavesdropping or by being called out for losing her heart. 

K: “That’s none of your business!”

She glanced back at the screen. 

K: “Power is up by 1%.”

R: “Damn, really? But don’t be so embarrassed. I think it’s nice to say he’s definitely into you to be making the first move.”

Kazia looked back at the mechanic, her curiosity piquing. 

K: “What makes you say that?”

Rory made a few more adjustments to the sensor array’s main component before cutting and rewiring the internal circuitry. 

R: “Because I know him more than you think.”

K: “You and Lucian?!”

R: “Of course. Whoa, don’t give me that look. I heard Morgan visited, and trust me, I’m not like her.”

K: “Then what are you like?”

R: “I’m more like a friend, a confidante, a connoisseur of women. We tried, once. But I didn’t take to it. Doesn’t mean we weren’t close after all of that.”

K: “He trusts you that much?”

R: “He does, and I trust him. There! How’s the array?”

K: “Back to its original levels. *pause* What do you think of…well, us?”

R: “Jealous, honestly. *looks Kazia up and down* But, if this works out, he deserves a good woman by his side. He’s been through a lot. 

K: “It's just that I’m not Terran.”

R: “And if a non-Terran, muscle babe gets him where he needs to go, then, who am I to argue? Lucian’s changed since you met. He’s becoming happy again. And you better not mess him up or hurt him!” 

K: “I’ve seen how you handle machines with that wrench, so not to worry. But, tell me, what happened before me? You said ‘he’s becoming happy again’.”

R: “That’s something he’ll have to tell you himself. But tell me, did you two have some fun, or..?”

K: “He seems reluctant to have sex, despite his ‘excitement’.”

R: *laughs* “Good to see he’s still a gentleman. I’d advise you to tease him and get close, but don’t rush. It’ll be worth it.”

K: “I’m just glad I don’t have to fight you for him. You’re good at handling a ship. I’d hate to ruin your hands.”

R: “Rather, you worry about ‘Lady Morgan’. Her little visit isn’t the first time she’s attempted to woo Luci into coming back to her.”

K: “‘Luci’?”

R: “Do NOT tell him I told you that!”

K: “Then you owe me a drink after we survive this.” 

R: “You’re not like other Vul’Katahn, are you?”

*pause*

K: “I never was.”