The door to the science lab opened and  Lori stepped inside.  She saw Haia Ohtani look to see who had disturbed her work, irritation already on her face.

“Lori!”  Haia paused her computer and got up, the expression on her face softening.  “I’m glad you’re back.”  She offered her hand.

Lori shook hands, amused that the normally socially awkward science officer was so eager to welcome her.

Haia sat back at her desk, motioning for Lori to sit as well.  “What can I do for you?”

Again, an unexpected reaction.  Haia was usually all business.

“I want to thank you for your part in keeping Commander Perry from transferring me.”

Haia shrugged.  “I didn’t do anything.”

Lori was confused.  “I thought you and Hok both did it.”

Haia paused a moment before replying.  “Technically, I helped, but it was all Hok’s idea.”

“Oh.  Is there anything you can tell me?” said Lori.  “It’s my understanding the captain and Commander Allen don’t even know.”

Haia’s eyes raised upwards like she was contemplating her next words.  “Yes.”

A silent moment passed.

“Yes what?” said Lori.

“Yes, there’s something I can tell you,” said Haia.

Lori didn’t know if she should sigh, roll her eyes, or chuckle, so she did all three.  Haia didn’t see things the way most people did, so in her mind, she answered the question.

“Will you tell me?”

Haia’s eyes moved upwards again.  “Okay.”

Lori was getting flustered.  “When?”

“I have a few minutes now, if you want.”

“Please.”

“My maternal grandmother is an executive assistant for an admiral at Starfleet headquarters on Earth.  I told Hok about her over dinner one day, so he asked me to reach out to see if there was anything that could be done to stop Perry from poaching you.”

Haia stopped like there was nothing else to say.  Lori wanted to grab her and shake the answer out.

“And?” said Lori.

“There was something we could do.  The admiral told my grandmother, she told me, I told Hok, and he told Perry and the captain”  Haia shrugged her shoulders.

“isn’t there anything else you can say?” said Lori.

“Of course there is, but you’re better off not knowing.  That’s what Hok told Captain Kirby and Commander Allen.  They wanted to know, but they decided to trust Hok and me.  You need to do the same.”

Lori was more curious than ever, but it was obvious neither Haia nor Hok was going to say anything more.  Since the captain was willing to trust them, she would as well.

“You know Izi isn’t going to let this go,” said Lori.  “I think her antennae are going to explode.”

Haia smiled.  “Hok is having fun messing with her.”

“He needs to be careful.  The last thing I need is to perform lobe reconstruction surgery.”

Haia gave Lori an odd look, but didn’t say anything.

“I don’t want to take up anymore of your time.”  Lori stood up.  “Thanks again.”

Haia nodded and went back to her computer.

Lori supposed that was it.  Sighing, she left the lab.  This was home, but there was still so much more she needed to know.