House Call

[notlewis]

Luis was getting the feeling his tank of snails was becoming something of a joke around the Science Department, but he didn't care much. They were too fascinating to just give up his research on. They came in a rainbow of colors and glowed in the dark, and also had the ability to weave beautiful and intricate webs of brightly-colored spider-like silk. They were like... spidersnails. No way would he pass up on that opportunity.

He walked through the crew quarters on his way back from Hydroponics, a small holding tank of the creatures under his arm to start a second population. Walking by the doors, he quizzed himself on who lived in each one, partially just to test his memory and partially to see if he could remember which one was his.

As he passed Trudy's quarters, though, he remembered all the hubbub of the dogfights a week or so ago, and recalled hearing that she'd gotten a bit banged up. His mouth narrowed, and he was at her door a moment later.

"Knock knock," he said, adjusting his glasses. "There's a handsome doctor here to see you, General."

Comments

[fieldpromoted]

"You left out glowing spider-snails," Trudy said, tilting her head toward the tank. "Kids love stuff that lights up. You could probably park a kid in front of that and they'd be fascinated for a while."

She sighed a little rolling her head on her shoulders. She wanted to ask him about that funky clock but she heard he kicked it over to Magical and besides, she didn't want to talk shop. "What did you pick up on shore leave?" she asked.

[notlewis]

Luis had wanted absolutely nothing to do with the funky clock. It violated everything he believed in.

"Oh, you know, the usual... whiskey, cigarettes, new clothes... particle accelerator, pH chemicals, six new microscope lenses."

[fieldpromoted]

Trudy clicked her tongue at him. "You'd think that going without for so long would've gotten you to quit smoking," she said. She wasn't harping on him really, but... well, she had kind of a vested interest in his health.

"I didn't pick up much. The clothes and the new sidearm were the biggest, then I picked up a bottle of something special and gave the rest of my savings to Engineering."

[notlewis]

"I know, I know. It's a filthy habit. I really don't partake often enough to call myself a smoker, but sometimes, when your eyes are burning and starting to twitch and you've been watching the same amoeba for the sixth straight week... a little smoke can change your whole outlook on life."

He curled his arm around her lower back affectionately. "How generous of you."

[fieldpromoted]

She leaned her head against his chest, content to just curl up with him for a little while. "Hey, whatever money they could use to sink into parts means that it's more likely our ships will get repaired faster, and maybe even upgraded." Trudy had a responsibility to her pilots and their ground crew. Kicking her wages over was the least she could do. "And hell, after booze and clothes and a new gun, what do I even have to spend my money on?"

[notlewis]

"I suppose you're right," he said. "I guess I've wasted so much of my time in the Science Department I don't think they really need my money." Besides, as the department head he oversaw everything they bought anyway. They were anything but poorly supplied.

He seemed pleased to have her curled up with him, leaning his head in close to hers. "It's been far too long since I, er, visited you..."

[fieldpromoted]

"That's your own fault," Trudy said, teasing. "You've been forgetting that sleep is best had in a bed. What happened to 'surprise Trudy, have an unconscious scientist in your bed to take advantage of?'"

She slipped her fingers under the collar of his shirt, resting them against his skin.

[notlewis]

"Mmmmm..." Like a cat getting scratched behind the ears. "It's not my fault. I've been busy. And those snails work like a nightlight. It's all very soothing."

[fieldpromoted]

Trudy made a sympathetic noise that was only slightly mocking. "Don't come complaining to me when you wake up feeling like a grampa with a bunch of cricks in your spine."

She popped the first button of his shirt open and curled her hand around his neck, tilting her head back. "It's good to see you again, Luis."

She wanted to tell him not to disappear on her, but that was maybe a little much. He probably didn't need her to say it anyway.

[notlewis]

"You too," he replied, and reached up to start unbuttoning the second button, hoping she might take the hint from there. "It's always nice to have something stay constant around here."