Nebula was in no way fooling himself, or her, for that matter.  He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his cover (if one could truly call it that) was blown, long before he strolled into the cafeteria.  Probably about the same time that he picked up her scent.  He always had fun in trying, though he was aware of the fact that he would never be successful in surprising her.<br/><br/>Turning her head a little, followed by an unnecessary rubbing of her neck, basically told him he was dead in the water.  She was on to him.  Nebula grinned, expecting nothing less.  So much for sneaky-sneaky, he lamented.<br/><br/>Now situated across from her, he replied, “Yeah, you got that right, Chrys.  And y’know what pissed me off the most?”  Her response was an expectant look, as she munched on some salad.  “That fuckin’ jerk-off couldn’t, or wouldn’t, say to me that my day was done!”  He quickly lowered his voice, knowing he was needlessly getting carried away.  Whatever.  There was more venting to be done.  “So what does he do?  He sent Lawson out to tell me it’s okay to leave.”  Nebula followed that up with a forkful of spaghetti and meatballs, or so he hoped.<br/><br/>Either Chryseum was really into her salad and other edibles, or she just chose to let him spew.  So he did, as Draper wasn’t the only one on his mind.  “Gotta keep an eye on Lawson,” he began, waving his empty fork her way.  “I mean, every time we bump into each other, she always looks at me funny.  Y’know, like she wants something, or worse, like I owe her money.”  He laughed, while debating whether to treat his taste buds to the chicken curry or the pork adobo.  He chose the latter, with a heaping scoopful of white rice.<br/><br/>Mouth full, but thoroughly chewing, Nebula watched helplessly as she pushed her tray to the right of his.  With a graceful elegance, she stood and completed the half-circle to sit at his right.  Feeling her touch, even through clothing, he put his fork on a plate.  Who had time for food when the sparkle in your life was so close?<br/><br/>Nuzzling him with her cheek and nose, he felt it was high time to issue a warning.  “Careful now, sugar.  I’m the stinky one, remember?  Wouldn’t wanna compromise your sweetness with my skank.”  He breathed in the scent of her shampooed hair.  Some kinda berry?  Dammit!  There were so many fragrances out there, how was it at all possible to keep track?!  It could be a fragrant weed for all he knew!<br/><br/>Chryseum then suggested a shared shower, prompting a skip of a heart beat, amongst other organs.  Her fingers skimming his forearm wasn’t exactly helping.  Nebula greedily glanced at the tabletop, knowing it could handle the extra weight.  And as easily as that thought entered his consciousness, it just as easily drifted away.  Any displays of affection between them was not for public consumption.  He was glad at her decision to change the subject, deliberate or not.<br/><br/>“Mission?” he snorted.  Good thing that forkful of chicken curry and white rice had yet to be stuffed into his maw.  This way, he could actually answer her, without sounding like Jabba The Hut.  “I’m the wrong one to ask, babe.  I tend to ignore rumors, cuz that’s all they are.  Rumors.”<br/><br/>Believing it was his turn to do some nuzzling, Nebula lightly glided his nose and lips across her left cheek, and slightly below her jawline, kissing her neck while he was in the neighborhood.  Witnesses?  Fuck 'em, he decided.