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Having grown up on Kamino, where it constantly rained and the wind was always threatening to blow everything away, Emerie was used to cold weather. Most of the time, Wayland was comparatively much warmer than she was used to, especially out in the jungle. Even Mount Tantiss, which was at a higher altitude than the planet’s surface, tended to run hot.
Today was different, though. Somehow or other, the unit that provided heat to the Tantiss base had frozen over.
And it was kriffing freezing.
Emerie hugged her arms against her body as she walked, trying to keep her teeth from chattering. She’d already checked in with the base’s technicians, who said they were trying to repair the heating unit, but it didn’t seem like they’d made any progress so far. If she had time after work, perhaps she’d make herself a cup of hot chocolate and throw an extra blanket on her sleeper. This was practically arctic weather, even by her standards. Just a few more hours to go…
She noticed Dr. Hemlock walking a few paces ahead of her, looking completely unbothered by the temperature. Either he was very good at hiding how cold he was, or he wasn’t cold at all. Emerie felt a small pang of jealousy as she watched him.
He may not have been concerned with the chill, but something about the doctor’s demeanor was definitely unusual. He was carrying something, she noticed, but she couldn’t see what it was.
It was no secret that Hemlock had…well, secrets. He never talked about his past, and no one ever dared to ask him. Even Emerie, who had spent years working by his side, didn’t know much about his life before they met.
She probably shouldn’t ask what he was doing. No, she definitely shouldn’t ask what he was doing. And yet, the more she watched him attempting to hide the whatever-it-was, the more curious she became. Maybe the cold was interfering with her ability to make rational decisions, she thought to herself. Just this once, she finally let her curiosity get the better of her…
“Doctor?”
Hemlock froze, startled by the sound of her voice. Strange, usually he was so aware of the other people’s presence it was almost scary. Slowly, straightening his posture, he turned around.
Wait, was that…a blanket in his hands?
“Dr. Karr.” He cleared his throat, greeting her as nonchalantly as he could manage.
Emerie studied his expression. Clearly, something was up.
“Is…everything okay…?” She asked carefully, trying not to let her gaze drift to the blanket.
“Yes, of course.” He answered quickly, then, noticing her confusion, “I’m…cold.”
That was a lie, and she knew it. Never once, in all her years working by his side, had he needed a blanket because he was “cold.” She narrowed her eyes, silently debating whether or not to question him further.
“The lab technicians are looking into the heating unit.” She finally said.
Hemlock nodded. “Very good.”
There was a moment of silence, one that went on far too long for Emerie’s liking. After what felt like forever, Hemlock spoke up.
“If you need me, Emerie, I’ll be in my quarters.”
With that, he resumed walking.
His quarters. Of course.
In that moment, everything clicked into place for Emerie.
As much as they tried to hide it, she’d known for a while that he and Ava had been seeing each other. Ava came from Batuu, which was much warmer than Wayland, so she was probably freezing. The blanket was for her all along.
Emerie allowed herself a small smile as she shook her head.
“I hope you stay warm.” She called after Hemlock, slightly startling him once more as they turned and went their separate ways.