Chapter Text
“Absolutely not. There is no way those two are dating.”
Mariner stopped in her tracks. There were a lot of things she actually liked about ranking up, but the lower deck’s gossip was one thing she missed. She could hear the Ensigns working in the hall, stopping just around the corner to hear who they were talking about.
“I would bet anything I can convince you.” A second voice responded
“I'll take that bet.” the first voice replied.
“Okay, the nicknames-”
“Nope, lots of best friends have nicknames for each other.”
“Fine, what about that away mission last week? When they got back he spent two days in the infirmary and she refused to leave till he woke up.”
Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. Boimler had spent two days in the infirmary after an away mission last week and she had refused to leave, but there was no way. They couldn't be talking about her.
“Again, best friends.” The other voice insisted.
“Okay, what about the way he looks at her?” Silence. “Ha, I got you there.”
“It still doesn't mean they’re a couple.” The first voice came again.
“Oh come on,” they sounded annoyed. Part of her wanted to take off, but her legs were stuck. She needed to know if they were talking about her. “Why else would Ransom pick them to be co-first officers? Cause obviously he knows and doesn't want to promote one of them and make it weird.” Mariner's heart dropped. She spun on her heel, practically running from the conversation. They were talking about her. Her and… no. That was absolutely insane. First Boimler was her best friend. Second, he wasn't even her type and third, she was pretty sure she wasn't his either. What did they mean ‘the way he looks at her’? He didn't look at her. Mariner would notice if he was looking at her a type of way.
She made it back to the bar in a daze, Boimler sitting in their booth like every other day. He glanced up as she sat down, his eyes widening a fraction.
“You okay, Mare?” He asked. It wasn't until the nickname came out of his mouth she realized he was the only one who called her that.
“What?” She nodded, probably a little too fast. “Yeah, fine. Im fine. Totally fine.” She said, the words tumbling out clumsily. God what was wrong with her? She didn't like him like that so why did she suddenly need a drink? Boimler was a type A geek, definitely not anyone shehad ever dated before or would ever date.
“Are you-”
“Im gonna go grab a drink.” She slid out of the booth before he could finish his question. She needed a drink, or ten. The first two shots go down smoothly, Mariner's nerves already calmer. It was stupid gossip, a rumor. She had spread enough of them to know they couldn't be trusted. She glanced over her shoulder, Boimler already back to work. His brows creased together as he tapped away on his Padd. She didn't like him like that. He was her best friend.