#half lie

He had been stressed that day over an important bit of coded data he just couldn't crack. Something about it refused to give way or offer an answer in how to open it which drove him insane. Seeing Russell a bit irritated wasn't uncommon but having him actually get angry was jarring.

Having stood to give him space as he clearly needed a break he reached out grabbing her arm in alarm.

"Wait no- Don't go sorry- I was just,"

He sighed looking to the screen.

"It's nothing I can crack it."

What he said next seemed to fall out carelessly like he wasn't aware he had uttered it.

"I feel loads better with you around."

He didn't even pay mind to it like it was a casual thing to say but her face fell in surprise not really expecting that. As much as she thought she hid it her crush on Russell was very obvious. It got comments from others but didn't seem to be noticed by Russell at all. Maybe he was just that oblivious. His hand still holding her arm he glanced at it sensing the sudden quiet and quickly let go having not noticed that he didn't.

"Ah- sorry."

The moment passed quickly and she sat back down to work again everything becoming as peaceful as always. Days passed after that, but she didn't stop thinking about it. Knowing that Russell enjoyed her presence so much that it even made him feel better made her face burn a bit. The way he told her after that was much more direct, actually it took her completely by surprise.

"Hey Q."

He called walking around a corner looking over a schematic. Q wasn't actually her name but a nickname he had given her at random. Somehow it fit well and now stuck. She was also coming around just at that moment and actually bumped into him pretty hard startled. He immediately grabbed her shoulders in alarm catching his balance.

"Whoop-"

His glance was concerned as he usually was over her and she smiled shaking it off fast.

"Yeah fine! What? What is it?"

She responded quick to forget and want to know what he needed. He nodded and moved to look at his blueprint but caught her eye cast down to his hand still on her shoulder. Glancing back up at him he saw for just a second a happy look in her eye and felt his chest warm. Unbeknownst to her he always admired her, from a far in a sense. Due to the age difference he only ever really looked at her pretty face whenever she wasn't paying attention. Having a beautiful young woman around all the time definitely made him awkward and pulled at his heart strings a bit. 

But this wasn't the time for an office romance and he told himself that her glances at him weren't flirting. Why would they be? That would be wishful thinking and he really didn't have time to mess around. Now looking at her and seeing that same look he always thought was just a coincidence told him what he hoped was real. She liked him. And man did he like her. As her expression changed to confusion as she could see him staring and was going to ask him what he was doing he did what his sudden urge told him to. 

And kissed her so suddenly she tensed on the spot eyes wide in shock. He surprised even himself with it and almost immediately pulled away. Words fell out as he stumbled over them unable to believe he had just done that.

"I- I'm sorry I don't know what I-"

He trailed off unable to explain himself as she seemed to be registering what had happened. Guilt and shame set in fast as he realized he probably just violated her a bit and looked away starting to apologize.

"Ah hell- Look that was really not okay for me to just do-"

When she suddenly turned his face back to her and kissed him in return he almost had a heart attack. She moved fast like it was automatic and soon they were both kissing sweetly his face burning in embarrassment and joy. That had been quite a while ago and by now keeping their relationship secret was proving difficult. The others weren't stupid. Though he wasn't ashamed of course not! Absolutely not! But with an age gap of almost 30 years even in these times was pushing it. He felt bad about it wondering if she was just settling for him but the way she would kiss him when they were finally alone told him otherwise.