<strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - In her cabin on The Gamble - en route to Persephone ~</strong><br/><br/>Dani’s agitation at Sasha’s passive invitation to leave the ship certainly wasn’t a surprise. Sasha never pushed the medic hard, but she hoped her consistent gentle nudges would stretch Dani’s comfort zone little by little. Sasha’s nature was to dive headfirst into the deep end, while Dani was more one to wade into the shallows bit by bit. She could respect that difference; and besides, she had a feeling that the emotionally fragile woman had more toughness in her than anyone realized - including Dani herself.<br/><br/>“No, we’ve got this,” she reassured Dani, not wanting to prolong any nervousness her question might have provoked. “But if you change your mind, I’m sure the crew’ll be hitting a hot spot or two after doin’ what needs to get done, if you find you’re of a mind to get off this tin can for a spell.”<br/><br/>As Si unobtrusively passed by the doorway giving them a perfunctory courteous nod, Dani turned and dipped her head in polite response as he made his way toward the galley. Sasha caught his dark glance lingering momentarily as his gaze swept over her body, and her eyes found his when they lifted back up to her face. Responding to the mute judgement in his drawn-out perusal, she parried with an exaggerated lift of her slender arched brow before flicking her gaze back to Dani as the medic returned her attention back to their conversation.<br/><br/>Sasha would never let on that she felt any amusement at making Si uncomfortable; no, she kept that little gem of enjoyment to herself. Simeon Gaorong had a bit of rigidness to him that her more...exotic wardrobe choices did not seem to set well with. Sasha had an inkling that Si believed that who a person chose to associate with was somewhat of a reflection on that person, and perhaps he wasn’t so keen on the reflection she cast upon him when she adorned herself with provocative fashion.<br/><br/><strong>"Thanks, Sasha.  I appreciate anything you can do in regards to the meds. I know Persephone is not exactly Ariel, but with any luck...."</strong><br/><br/>A small smile returned to soften Sasha’s lips as the medic spoke about the medicine again, pain flickering across Dani’s face at some past memory that lingered still to haunt the woman in the present. The medic’s initiative in taking inventory and preparing a “shopping” list was appreciated; Dani could always be counted on for doing what needed to be done, without prompting. And the fact she felt comfortable enough to press an obvious point to the First Officer was a welcome forwardness from the woman who normally was reticent to voice her opinions around others - although Sasha would likely consider it belaboring the point by any other of the crew.<em>Maybe I do play favorites,</em>Sasha thought to herself, more than a little uncomfortable with that thought.<br/><br/>As Dani took her leave and headed in the direction Si had taken, she tossed a compliment and a smile over her shoulder to Sasha as she departed. The smile especially caused Sasha to smile warmly herself, unaware her expression clearly revealed her obvious fondness for the sweet but tormented medic.<br/><br/>Closing her cabin door with a metallic clang, Sasha moved to her personal computer terminal, the pads of her slender fingertips lightly sweeping over the touch-screen glass as she connected online. Perusing her contacts she scrolled through the avatars, selecting the person who could arrange for The Gamble’s cargo bay to get a thorough cleaning while in port.  After quickly coordinating for that bit of pleasantry, she scrolled again, tapping on a handsome and familiar face.<br/><br/>“Sasha. How nice to hear from you...I hope this means you’re here on Persephone?” a rich baritone voice spilled warmly from the integrated speakers on her monitor.<br/><br/>“Hello, Jacob. We haven’t landed yet, but we should be there soon.”<br/><br/>“Where can I meet you? Ain’t no sunshine when you’re gone, baby, and...you’re always gone too long, anytime you go away -”<br/><br/>Sasha’s lips curved upward as he cheekily sung the last line; Jacob was one of her favorite planetside diversions, and she always enjoyed his company. Just the right combination of hot physical chemistry and mutual casualness about their non-relationship. They had an understanding that worked smoothly and deliciously for both of them, and luckily neither one had any desire to take things any further.<br/><br/>“We’ve got a few things to take care of first, but I’ll give you a shout when I know more about the timing.”<br/><br/>“I look forward to it...as always.”<br/><br/>“See you, Jacob.”<br/><br/>Signing off from her terminal, Sasha headed out the door. She turned in the opposite direction from where Si and Dani had gone, briskly striding toward the bow of the ship looking to hopefully catch Griff and finalize their plans, or to check with the pilots on their E.T.A. if she didn’t come across the Captain before reaching the cockpit.<br/>