Once again he ignored her comment about the Orion. Interesting. She wondered if he was ignoring it in the interests of not escalating the provocation, or if he really was beginning to see her as more than the animal she was. She really was amused by the Orion woman, and by the effect she could have on unsuspecting men, but she was still dangerous, in her way.

He tensed when her hand moved, and she actually laughed softly. That's more like it. "You look so jumpy, Scotty. I just seem to have a bit of a kink in my hand. And I'm not being defensive, just trying to give you a bit of friendly advice. And that is that I am not all fond of your friendly questions. But if you must know, I was going to see my new lover." This was always the answer she gave when he asked what she was up to, and it was so transparent that she might as well have said, I am lying to you instead.

Her hand continued to stretch, seemingly in idleness, though her heart was beginning to beat faster. The walls of the lift seemed to phase in and out, as if revealing their true nature, as if revealing that she was really back in a small white room in Africa. Deep breaths, wide open spaces, deep breaths. She leaned back against the wall, hoping it would disguise how weak her knees felt.