"WILL YOU STOP it," Paul yelled.
Ignacio turned his attention from the view outside the window back to the table-top he was holding in place. "What?"
Paul's face appeared over the lip of the table on the opposite side, glaring at him. "First, you almost dropped the top on my head. Second, twice you've been nearly run over by forklifts. Third, she'd not here."
"She's still working on the pipes. She's around here somewhere," Ignacio said. He adjusted his grip on the table, holding it higher. "For the record, the forklifts were driving too fast."
"Yeah, right." Paul disappeared under the table again. "I asked the Damien fellow that is double-checking the show life-support systems with his new apprentice. Apparently she's down below tracking down a clog."
Oh no. He'd put Irvine back in his big enclosure again, thinking he'd found his new escape route. What if he'd been wrong? What if Irvine were the new clog Rachel was chasing down?
Paul appeared from under the table again. "Legs attached. I can tighten them without help. Now, go home."
"I'm fine. There's plenty that still needs doing," Ignacio said, setting the table down on the floor.
Paul pointed a finger at Ignacio's chest. "No. You, home. Go check your newts. You are distracted and getting in the way."
"I'm doing fine," Ignacio said, scowling at him.
Paul wasn't put off by the scowl for a minute. He pointed towards the door. "Yeah sure. Go home. Check on Irvine or the babies."
Ignacio paused. Checking on Irvine might be a very good idea, to make sure he hadn't disappeared. Plus, the babies and their parents.
"I'll see you later today," Ignacio said. He better check on Irvine right away and contact Rachel if he found him missing. The little excuse to call her during work hours put a spring in his step as he headed towards the door.
"Take the day off," Paul said from under the table as Ignacio left.
Not likely. Ignacio couldn't remember the last time he'd taken a day off. Didn't know what he would do with one. Going on a vacation alone would only bring back all the good vacations with his wife. He'd avoided them ever since her death.
The implications of the thought hit him as he arrived home. No. Surely he'd taken a vacation somewhere in the five years since. A holiday weekend?
He couldn't think of even one. No little break or time away, not even to go and visit family.
Even to him, it sounded sad. Why wasn't he doing more out and about? The automated systems he used in the newt enclosures meant he didn't have to be there every minute. He took in grad students and apprentices all the time for work experience, so it wasn't as if he were a solo project and overworked. Not unless he wanted to be.
Ignacio made a pass through the warehouse. All was well in newt and salamander world. All Silky babies accounted for. Irvine sunned himself in the artificial light, spread out on top of a rock at the top of the waterfall. A pair of Pointed Spear Newts appeared to be starting their mating ritual, meaning he might have another litter on his hands in a few months.
He wanted to call Rachel. She would find the odd dances of the newt mating rituals amusing. With it came the realization he wanted to share so many things.
Such as the next date. He could honestly say he looked forward to it. No way would he try to avoid it this time. For once he resented Redpoint One. He only wanted a date, a few hours of her time. Was it really too much to ask?
When he heard the front door chime, he ran for it, the irrational thought that somehow Redpoint One had heard his mental wish and granted it. Instead, he found himself facing one of the strange women from a few days ago, the ones who asked what kind of meal he liked.
"Hello, Ignacio. Ready to go?" the dark-brown haired woman asked.
He blinked at her. "Who are you?"
It was her turn to blink. "I didn't mention that before? I'm Eddie Gilmore. I volunteer at the refuge along with Rachel."
"Oh, of course. What can I do for you?" he asked.
"Come with me," she said.
He had the feeling of getting flattened again. "Why?"
"Rachel," Eddie said, looking at him as if he were mad.
"Rachel needs me?" Ignacio asked, his heart speeding up. Maybe she needed help at another pipe.
"Of course she needs you, although I don't think she fully realizes how much. Come on. Don't dally." Eddie turned away, gesturing him to follow as she walked away.
Ignacio wasn't sure if he should be worried or content himself to be happy Rachel needed his help. Either way, he would be there. Perhaps they could have a few minutes to talk while they worked. It would be a poor excuse for a date, but it would have to do.
He grabbed a jacket and rushed to catch up with the woman. "Ms. Gilmore, should I bring any tools?"
"It's Eddie, and why would you bring tools?" She glanced up at him out of the corner of her eyes. "What a silly thing to ask. What good would tools do?"
When he thought about it, he realized the woman was right. Rachel carried plenty of tools in that cart of hers. She probably only needed him to hold something in place. Although, maybe he should have grabbed an apron instead of a jacket. Who knew what sorts of things Rachel got into while in the midst of repairing.
Eddie turned into a space between two of the warehouses and waited for him to catch up. "Don't get lost, now."
The wall hinged forward and Eddie disappeared into the corridor behind. He followed, but he didn't feel comfortable about it. Not at all.
"Should we be down here?" Ignacio asked as the door closed and latched behind him. He'd heard about the miles and miles of hidden passageways and hidden rooms in Redpoint One. Like many, he'd gone to see the horror film supposedly inspired by the station. He'd discounted it, as he'd lived on it for years without any odd thing occurring, but he wondered. Did anyone get lost and never to come out?
"We'll be with Rachel in no time." Eddie kept moving forward as if she knew exactly where she was going. Ignacio could only hope she did, because after a few turns he knew it would be hopeless for him to ever find his way back.
Ignacio always knew the infrastructure of the station must be immense on an instinctive level. There were so many people living in it, plus the habitable rings, the industries, but he'd no idea how far it extended. How many walls were false fronts leading into a maze of corridors?
A small part of him found it fascinating. He was lucky he hadn't grown up on Redpoint One, or he might have gotten himself into a lot of trouble trying to get into the hidden underground world. Wow, what a great place for a kid, if they didn't hurt themselves.
He hurried forward when he realized Eddie had disappeared. Turning the corner, he found not only Eddie, but one of her friends from the other day, the one with the silvery-gray hair.
Along with a small round table covered with an embroidered linen tablecloth in the middle of the larger corridor with two lit candles in the middle of it. Two place settings, on on each side, along with two chairs. The smell of lasagna filled the air.
Ignacio froze to the spot, his brain refusing to work. When it did, all he could ask was, "Does anyone know you are down here?"
Eddie grinned, coming forward to guide him towards the table. "Redpoint One does, dear. That's all that matters. Now, sit down."
Ignacio found himself pushed down into one of the two chairs. His dazed mind tried to figure out which of the older women would be taking the chair opposite of him. Would it be the bleach-blond one who wasn't with the group?
"Daisy, is it chilled?" Eddie asked.
The silver-gray woman lifted a bottle out of an ornate bucket filled with ice, testing the side. She nodded with satisfaction. "All ready."
"Great. Now we wait." Both women turned to watch the other end of the corridor, obviously waiting for someone else to arrive.
Ignacio knew he was doomed. No matter how hard he thought back, he couldn't remember meeting any of the women before this. Had he somehow forgotten and the other woman misconstrued friendliness as a come-on? He swallowed hard at the thought. No women in his life, and now he had complications with more than one?
He heard footsteps coming from the direction all of them were facing. As they grew louder the more nervous he became. To the point of growing clammy under the shirt collar. His befuddled and confused mind then picked up more than one set of footsteps. Either that or the person coming towards them had more than one set of feet.
The bleach-blond woman appeared, dressed in a purple dress with a form-fitting bodice and flaring sleeves, looking far too pleased with herself. Ignacio stood up, making ready an apology for leading her on in any way in a meeting he for the life of him couldn't remember.
Then behind him appeared the one person he'd been thinking of all day. Rachel wore the same confused expression he knew must be on his face. Dressed in heavy dark gray pants with heavy-duty black boots and a short-sleeved dark blue shirt, she looked too lovely for words.
"Now we can begin," the blond woman announced when they arrived at the table, giving both of them a broad grin.
From the expression on Rachel's face, he wondered if she were about to bolt. Because of him, or because of the women around them?
"Really, I appreciate the thought, but you shouldn't be down here," Rachel said to the women. "Plus, I have a lot of work to do."
"It's only for a few minutes," Eddie said, guiding her to the other chair. "They have to give you time for lunch. It's the law."
"Just long enough for the date that should have happened today really happens," Daisy added.
Ignacio had his answer. Apparently, they were both the victims of interfering friends.
He relaxed. This he could handle. Besides, the lasagna smelled delicious.
***
Ignacio. The last person Rachel expected to see in the maintenance corridors in the middle of a shift. She blinked, sure the illusion would disappear.
Only, Ignacio remained, sitting in the chair on the other side of the table
When she'd first arrived Ignacio appeared as dazed and confused as she felt. Now he only stared at her with a soft smile, his gaze intense in a way that warmed her clear to the core. The type of smile she'd wanted to see on his face all along.
He didn't look like he wanted to run now!
The air smelled great, reminding her of how hungry she'd become. The table setting looked wonderful, right down to Velda's good silverware. Fancy enough to be in an expensive restaurant. The question rising in her mind: why was it all in the middle of the maintenance corridors?
"How did you get all this down here?" Rachel asked
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it." Velda whipped out purple ribbons from a box against the wall. Before Rachel could ask what she intended to do with them, Velda tied them in her hair.
Daisy slipped something over her head and tucked it down to her lap. Eddie started pouring red wine into two fluted glasses. Ignacio only smiled in amusement. Rachel looked down to find herself in a fancy apron covering most of her shirt with a draping front that mimicked an evening dress.
"Where did you get this?" Rachel asked, plucking at it, finding it feeling like a smooth light polished cotton.
"Isn't it the cutest?" Daisy said. "One never knows what they'll find at the right yard sales."
Two plates appeared with a complete lasagna dinner arranged artistically on Velda's fine china. Velda placed a covered basket of bread in the center of the table. Butter and other condiments followed. Daisy placed a linen napkin on Rachel's lap while Eddie did the same for Ignacio.
Then, all three women headed down the corridor with Velda saying, "Have a nice evening."
The corridor went silent except for soft music playing from the vicinity of one of the boxes. Rachel took turns staring at the mouth-watering food and Ignacio. She didn't know which one was more savory.
"Are they always like this?" Ignacio asked.
"Only when they get something in their heads. Usually they are quite boring. We're in a knitter's club," Rachel said. "Now I know why Velda insisted I clean up before I 'helped' her with something."
Well, not boring. When the ladies got together, they usually got into some sort of trouble, but it was usually benign. It was part of the fun of being with the group. She'd just never had it turned towards her before.
"A knitter's club. That explains it. My mother belonged to one years ago. I don't think they knitted a stitch." Ignacio uncovered the bread and offered her two slices.
Rachel could almost believe they weren't in the maintenance corridors of Redpoint One, but instead in one of the finer restaurants. Warm bread. Great food. Sips of red wine. Even gentle romantic music. The first bite of the lasagna clinched it.
Ignacio swallowed his first bite, declaring, "Best I've tasted in years."
"Be sure to tell Velda. She'll love you forever," Rachel said with a grin. "So, Mr. Ignacio, how has your day gone?"
Ignacio related the progress of the pet show. Rachel didn't have much to report other than she'd been working twelve-hour plus days, but had been getting a lot done. The time and attention meant Ring Three was in the best repair since she'd arrived.
"The whole maintenance department is dedicated to making sure the show happens," Rachel added. "Irvine?"
"I think I found his escape route. When I left he was sunning himself," Ignacio said.
"Good place for him. I don't mind him, personally. It's only when he's in my pipes that I have a problem." A chirp from her feet had Ignacio leaning to the side to look around the table. Rachel laughed. "Only my bot. It was agreeing."
Ignacio straightened up, using some of the bread to help load a fork of another bite of lasagna. "Have you named it yet?"
"Still no success there."
"Sammie?" Ignacio asked. "Henrietta? Peter, Trident, Wayne?"
"Temperance? Hope? Abner? Hoyt? Ash?" Rachel watched the bot for any sign of reaction, but nothing came. She shrugged. "It was worth a try."
"It would respond to one it liked?" Ignacio asked.
"Vasiliy's did. I've even tried all the color names Tish used to name hers." Rachel turned to her bot. "Ivory, Olive, Chiffon, Smoky, Sandy."
Rachel stopped with a sigh. Not a bit of a reaction.
"Glad I don't have a problem with my little guys. They could care less what they are called," Ignacio said with a grin.
"Lucky." Rachel let herself enjoy another big bite of the lasagna. Velda must have tried a new recipe to use at the bed and breakfast. She would have to remember to tell her she'd found a winner.
"About the date," Ignacio said.
Rachel's eyes flew to his face, suddenly wary, but he didn't wear the expression of a man trying to get out of a date. Instead, he was still smiling.
"Where, exactly, were you planning on taking me?" he asked.
Rachel gave a little secretive smile of her own. "Not telling, You'll just have to wait and see. Do you have another idea for one?"
"Actually, I do."
Rachel stopped with the fork halfway to her mouth, in shock. They'd gone from him dodging dates, to now suddenly in the mood for them? Oh no, did the ladies have a talk with him? They wouldn't do that to her, would they?
"And it's not the reserve, as much as I like flying squirrels," Ignacio said. "I'm thinking of something a little more formal. Like music?"
"Of course."
"Good. Then expect a surprise after the pet show is over." Ignacio attacked the last part of his lasagna without revealing anything else.
Probably getting back at her. Served her right, but she still intended to keep hers secret until they both had more free time.
"So, does this mean what I think it does?" Rachel ventured, not sure she should. Would he tuck into his shell again?
Ignacio turned the intense gaze of his eyes back on her, warming her more than food or wine ever could. "It does. Any problem with it?"
"Problem? Why would there be a problem?" Rachel ripped a piece of bread in half. "I look forward to it."
"As do I."
Okay, he wasn't backing away. For the first time since sitting down, Rachel felt utterly tongue-tied. What should she say now? Her mind went blank.
An alarm sounding from her ID band took care of the problem for her. A quick glance told her the rest of the day wasn't going to go as well as it had up to this point.
"Damien, Rachel, stop your current repairs," came Arthur's voice. "You have new priorities."
"On my way," Rachel said into the bracelet, already thinking of the best way to get to the new problem area the fastest. Her bot squeaked, rushing to the supply cart.
"Duty calls?" Ignacio asked, folding his napkin to set next to his near-empty plate.
"Duty is screaming," Rachel stuffed the last bite of lasagna into her mouth as she started to stand up.
Before she could swallow and say anything else, Ignacio leaned over the table and kissed her on the cheek. "Be careful out there. Come by for a quick visit tonight. The babies are growing fast."
She nodded, swallowing the food. "I will. Say hello to Irvine for me."