Claire would give anything to be able to spend the day with Caleb, but it wasn't to be. This was the first time since coming to America that she rued the instability of her shift patterns. Before Caleb, she had willingly flung herself into as many shifts as she could get hold of. Now, though... well, it seemed that there were more important things she could be doing. For once, her job wasn't her first, last and everything. It was a heady feeling, that was for sure. "You know... if you finish relatively on time tonight, you... could call and come over?" The chances were slim, but it was worth an ask.
Claire laughed at Caleb. "I think I like the personal visit option the most," she said, her voice soft and sincere. Anything that she could do - any excuse she could make - to see Caleb over the next few days would be worth it. Now that they had decided to take the stop to develop things beyond friendship, she didn't intend to let anything stand in the way of it. "Just let me know if you go offworld, okay," she said, her voice almost serious. "That way, I know not to expect to see you." In the unlikely event that she would be sent offworld, Claire would, of course, return the favour.
Claire thought for a few seconds as Caleb explained his shifts. "Bring me a coffee to the infirmary," she joked. The first half hour was always slow, and she was sure that she would be able to find a few minutes to sit down with him. "You know we'll find a way to make it work." It might not be easy, but it would be worth finding a way around things.
Sighing as Caleb reminded her that they needed to go, Claire made sure that she had everything with her that she needed: purse, car keys, apartment keys.
And, of course, Caleb.
"Like I said, if you finish on time tonight, let me know, and you are more than welcome to come on over." He'd have to leave first thing in the morning, but still... it would be another night together before more or less a week of separation. "Next date... didn't I promise I'd cook you dinner?" She'd have to make sure that she got most of the cooking out of the way before Caleb arrived; after all, he was too much a distraction otherwise.
Claire took her seat in the car, her hand immediately sliding onto Caleb's knee. They had a few minutes left where they could do whatever they wanted, before they had to behave themselves and hide their relationship - well, at least keep it on the downlow. "Drive slowly," grinned Claire, determined to have Caleb to herself for as long as possible.
She laughed, shaking her head. "What you remember of it, you mean," Claire teased, just about resisting the urge to creep her fingers higher on Caleb's thigh. "Next time, dinner on the deck, you get to enjoy the view." The deck had the advantage of being enclosed to waist height, too, and, with her being on the top floor, well, they would have a modicum of privacy. The journey was going way too quickly, and Claire tucked a leg up underneath herself, turning to Caleb.
"Just so you know... I don't regret last night," she said, her voice soft and sincere. "And... I think we might just be starting something worth working at."
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