Geo pulled away from me with a start and quickly turned to the doorway, searching for the source of the noise. I blinked a few times to clear the haze from my mind before glancing over his shoulder to find the doorway empty.
"I should find out what that was," Geo said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. I could feel him looking at me as he waited for my response, but I couldn't bear to look him in the eye. I crossed my arms over my chest in an attempt to make me feel less exposed before nodding. I waited for him to leave but for some reason he was hesitating. He took a step closer to me, making my heart jump. To avoid him getting any closer I finally met his gaze and gave a weak smile. Something flickered in his eyes, a guilt or sadness that I couldn't quite place, but he eventually matched my smile and left.
As soon as I was sure he was out of ear shot I collapsed on my cot with a sigh. With my head in my hands I chastised myself for losing control, for drinking, for everything and anything. My head started to feel like I was spinning, causing me to groan. I opened my eyes in an attempt to ease the sensation and swore I would never drink again as I pushed the cot alongside the wall. Climbing onto it I curled up and placed my hands and shins against the wall. It was a trick my roommate would use to help her feel grounded whenever she drank too much. I wonder what happened to her in the end...
I closed my eyes, and even though I felt the spinning, there was a comfort knowing which way was up. I knew I had a rough night ahead of me, but what really made me groan was tomorrow. What am I going to do about Geo now?
Date: 09/11/12119
Sleep came in waves as I tossed and turned all night. After a while I just gave up and nursed a glass of water hoping the headache and nausea would subside. I tried to relax and clear my mind, but it kept drifting back to the kiss. The mixture of feelings from embarrassment to worry, and even arousal if I admit it to myself, was confusing and aggravated my hangover. In the end I decided it would be better to work through the pain because it would be easier to forget that way.
I changed my gown and shuffled into my lab next door. It wasn't long before I heard a knock at the door making my heart pound. I just hoped it wasn't Geo.
"Come in," I shouted while still peering down the microscope.
The door unlatched and I heard the graceful steps of the entrant come towards me. Part of me sighed with relief knowing those footsteps did not belong to Geo, and when I looked up I was for the first time relived it was Thana.
"I am surprised to see you up and working," she said with a smirk.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Bad dreams?" she asked with an eyebrow raised.
"I guess you could say that, but it had more to do with this headache," I said as I gently rubbed my forehead. Without a word Thana walked to the back of the room and opened a cabinet. After shuffling around for a minute she returned with a tablet in her hand.
"Here, take this. It will make you feel better," she said kindly. I looked from her to the tablet in her hand before taking it. I don't know her plans, but I know killing me isn't part of them, yet.
I swallowed the pill down with a sip of water and hoped it would kick in soon. "Thank you," I said sincerely.
"Once it starts taking effect you should go back and rest. Working when you are tired will lead to mistakes," she said critically making me wince inside.
Unwilling to back down I gave her a small smile. "I have worked on less sleep before, so I will be fine. Besides, I have to report in to Councilman Albin tomorrow and want to make sure I have enough progress."
Thana's ears perked when I mentioned Albin, and I could see her trying to casually scan my notes.
"Report in? On what?" she asked nonchalantly, but I know she was fishing for information.
"On the soil samples from Ilterra. I have been examining them," I said flatly.
"Have you found anything of interest?"
I hesitated, unsure how to respond to her. There was an obvious division between Thana and Albin, so I doubted they would share any more information than what they were required to with each other. But viable soil on Ilterra would have made big news. It was safer to assume the experiments had failed, which so far was the truth anyhow.
"No, I haven't found anything," I finally said.
Thana nodded as if she expected this answer. "Any hypotheses as to why?" Once again fishing for information on something that I assumed belonged in Albin's jurisdiction.
"I don't have enough information at this time," I said carefully.
She eyed me closely and I suddenly felt uneasy. "Is Albin not giving you the information you need?"
I stilled in my seat. He hasn't given me all the information I need. Some of it I had to find myself by digging through files, but we haven't had a chance to talk about it either. "We haven't had a chance to connect after I was ill, but I am hoping to get more information after our meeting tomorrow," I said with a nod to assure both of us.
Thana did not look convinced. "It is not unusual for Albin to withhold information. He likes to give out small bits and pieces as he sees fit. If this happens you will let me know, will you not?" she asked while looking me in the eyes. It was not a threat, but the dominance she radiated forced me to nod. "Good," she said with a smile. "We need the experiments on Ilterra to advance. So far all Albin has come back with are negative results, so I am glad that you are now part of the team and can help keep us informed on the project."
She wanted me to be her mole. Was this what all the hushed whispers and kind smiles had been about these past several days? To warm me up to this? She cut me off before I even had a chance to respond. "To help you with your experiments I can arrange for you to meet my father tomorrow," she said sweetly. "He has a wealth of Earth knowledge at his disposal that could help you tremendously. It would be great opportunity since not everyone has access to it." A bribe. I tried to keep my face neutral but inside I scowled.
"I appreciate the offer, Councilwoman, but I think I should wait until after my meeting with Councilman Albin. He might provide all the information I need for now," I said cooly. I could see Thana's lips begin to form a tight line and I quickly added, "and I would hate to disturb your father before I know what may need."
I could tell she was not pleased with my response, but she hid it well. Her lips curved into a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Very well," she said calmly, "you know how to reach me if you change your mind."
With that she turned and left me with my soil samples. What a day this was turning out to be.