Caramel Macchiato

She was walking on the promenade when the Palm-Puter beeped a reply.

"Guess he can't sleep either..."

<Snip>
Dear Jade,
Why do you call me Mr Frowny?
You are not an idiot.
What is awkward about falling asleep with me?
Thank you I am sober.
I am sorry you were ill. I’m glad you are better.
I will go for a drink with you. Don’t tell Cass.
No, I did not know there were one thousand two hundred and seventy nine paint swirls on the ceiling.
-----
Regards,

Alex Solvay - Mechanic
Alex Solvay Mechanic is available 9 – 5 Ship Time, Monday to Friday.
Outside hours skutter maintenance and emergency shuttle repair on request.
<\Snip>

She hastilly typed up a reply:

>Hey Alex,

Wow, you keep your e-mail's short and sweet don't you? I'm only an idiot in the sense that no one has been able to read my writing since I was five. All of my teachers said it was like a spider let loose with an ink bottle. I guess I was too tired to think straight that day.

You don't remember Mr Frowny? I guess you were too drunk to remember. I said it in jest, as you looked all grumpy. It was an attempt to cheer you up. Or at least make you smile a bit...

It was only awkward because I felt guilty for crashing right there. I didn't want you to wake up all hungover thinking that I'd taken advantage of you or anything, you know?

Alright then, what do you say to coffee in the morning? I'll see you there at about 9am if you agree? I know it's not alcoholic, but I wouldn't want to aggrivate Cass, you are right, best not to make the situation worse.

Blessed Be,
Jade.

P.S: What's with the Dear Jade business? So formal! I thought we were friends?<

She looked at the time and yawned.

"I guess I coud try to sleep again now. few hours might help..."

*** 8:45 am ***

She woke up with a slow feeling that she was going to be late for something. Looking at the clock she groaned.

"Gotta get up, gotta get going, I'm gonna see a friend of mine." She hummed the silly tune to the old cartoon. Hurridly getting ready and leaving in a rush for the Promenade.

*** Twenty Minutes Later ***

Jade paused a ways up from the coffe shop as she heard two people discussing her. Sounded like Katrina and Alex. She smiled as Katrina tried to put his mind at ease. It hadn't even occured to her that he would feel guilty, he wasn't himself and wasn't to blame. Plus, she'd had worse.

<Snip>
Katrina’s palm-puter bleeped, an incoming call from Cass.
“Kat, you might wanna come to the drive room.”
“On my way..”
She glanced around at Max.
“Alex…I don’t suppose you could…watch him for me for a while could you?”
“Me?” Alex said, surprised.
“You’ll be fine…and Jade will be here soon….”
“But…”
“THANKS!”
<\Snip>

She looked at Alex, who was staring at Max. The little boy looked up at him and smiled happilly. She saw a look on his face that she couldn't place, something between horror and sorrow. She chuckled thinking, 'poor guy, I'll bet he doesn't even know where to start.'

She aproached slowly, ordering a Caramel Macchiato from the counter before sitting down.

"Sorry I'm late." She smiled. "I didn't realise we would have company..." She grinned impishly, trying to get Alex to smile.

<Tag>

OOC - I know you had a few good ideas about this (the baby sitting) Alex so go for it. :) Genuinely, just trying to make Alex smile and accept that Jade wants to be friends. :p Jade doesn't have to hand around if you don't want, maybe she gets called up to the bridge or Jay needs some urgent care if you want?