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Una leaned back in her desk chair, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You…intend to apply your rules of security to your attempts at a dating life?” Working hours were over, but she’d still been getting a few last-minute things done when La’an came to her office and sat down across from her, saying she had something important to share.
“For the third time, yes.” La’an rolled her eyes.
“Sorry, I just…I don’t really see how that’s applicable.” Una tried to give La’an the benefit of the doubt. She was glad that La’an was finally looking at dating, even if it stung just a little.
La’an gestured with her hands as she spoke for emphasis. “They’re basically my entire life’s philosophy, so if I use them to try to find a romantic partner, then said partner will fit nicely into my life.”
Una sighed. “That makes no sense, but continue.”
“So. I started with some basic investigation using my tricorder and ruling out anyone with incompatible physiology…or venereal disease. I had to send some very awkward messages to Nurse Chapel, but I digress.” La’an grimaced.
“That sounds time consuming and invasive.” Una’s mind was spinning. This…was not the correct way to approach this, though her own experience was somewhat limited. Still. She was certain it was supposed to be more about connection than temporary illness status.
“There are no breaks in romance because love never takes breaks. I think. It’s sort of theoretical at this point." La’an shrugged.
“I don’t know what it means that that is actually making sense.” She might as well give over and go along with the insanity for now. At least it was a step in some direction.
“So…after compiling my list of possibilities, I went through diligently. This was the most important step - leave no stone unturned.” La’an’s voice took on a hint of excitement, and Una felt a knot in the pit of her stomach that La’an was excited about someone.
“What was the result of your investigation?” Una wet her lips.
“Well…it was someone that I had previously…not looked at in that way.” La’an mirrored Una’s action and licked her own lips.
“Oh…?” Her heart beat faster as she willed it to slow down. She had to be a supportive friend. That was all she was supposed to be.
La’an smiled widely. “Yes. Would you like to have dinner with me tonight, Chief?”
“Sure, but what does that have to do with….” La’an hadn’t said whoever it was that she wanted to see. This was torture. Her mind turned over for a moment before she took a sharp breath in realization. “Oh. You mean like a date?”
La’an nodded, still smiling at her. “Yes.”
“You did an entire investigation to ask me out on a date.” Una blinked. She had to be dreaming. She looked around, trying to find the blurry edges or something that seemed out of place, but she couldn’t find anything.
“So is that a yes…?” La’an’s smile had dimmed as she was waiting for a response. That was the last thing Una wanted.
“Yes. Of course it’s yes.” She smiled at La’an, the reality of the unexpected situation setting in. “You could have warned me, though.”
“A Rigellian tiger pounces without warning.” La’an winked.
“La’aaaaan.” Una threw her head back in exasperation, but her smile stayed fixed. She had a date she was looking forward to, after all.