Baking Soda

Date: 09/09/12119

I felt something wrap around my shoulders and grumbled awake. I pried my head off the counter and sat up on the stool with a yawn. Despite the comforting warmth I felt around me, I was still irrtiated with whoever disturbed my slumber. I pried my eyes open into a glare to keep out the light and was met with a slightly amused Geo.

"What are you doing here?" I growled with sleep.

"It is late. You should not have worked this long, so I am here to take you to bed," he said.

"Hmm," I hummed as I closed my eyes, my body threatening to go back to sleep. Just as I felt my head begin to nod down into my chest Geo startled me back awake.

"Did you get through both crates?" he asked with surprise. I cracked my eyes open a little and smiled. "I am impressed," he admitted, "but it is time for you to get some proper rest. Come on." He extended his hand to me and I took it in mine as I stumbled off the stool. My legs were sore and stiff from sitting for so long, and he patiently waited for me as the feeling came back into my legs.

I started to hobble out of the room and towards my cot, but Geo quickly caught up to me and steadied me with his arm. I caught him smirking and shaking his head as we slowly made our way.

"I didn't mean to fall asleep on the stool," I said, my lips pursed. Geo chuckled, but as I stepped forward to sit on my cot he suddenly stopped.

"You should change into a clean gown. I will get the salve ready," he said as he stepped to the other end of the room to prepare the mixture. I found a clean gown neatly folded on the chair next to the cot, and once I was sure he wasn't looking I reached back and untied the top and bottom strings holding the gown closed. I began to peel the old one off my skin, and my mouth twisted with disgust as I looked at the yellow and red stains blotched on the back of the gown. At least it looked like there were fewer stains than before, so I must be healing. With a sigh I quickly shoved the old gown aside and slipped into the new one. I tied the bottom strings to cover myself a little but left my back exposed as I sat down on the cot, waiting for him.

I felt the cot dip as he took a seat on the edge and held my breath with anticipation. I inhaled sharply as soon as the cold salve touched my skin, forcing me to shiver.

"I am sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you," Geo said worriedly.

I looked over my shoulder and gave a small smile in an attempt to reassure him. "You didn't hurt me, it's just a little cold." His expressioned softened just a little with relief and he gave me a nod.

"In that case I will try to move as quickly as possible. Just stay still," he said before looking again at my back. I nodded and closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing to make all the coldness and stinging fade away. It wasn't long before I felt him tugging at the top strings of my gown, tying it closed.

"There," he said as he finished the knot. I carefully turned around on the cot to face him, relieved that the treatment was over. I looked up at him, and despite the cool blue color of his eyes, they held a certain warmth that matched his smile. "You are healing nicely, Flora. You should rest on your side if you can and give your back time to air out. If all goes well your wounds should be closed in a few days."

Relief washed over me hearing that and I could feel the prick of happy tears in the corners of my eyes. I knew none would fall, but Geo must have noticed the glassiness of my eyes because he looked at me with concern. "Thank you, Geo," I said with a smile.

"It is nothing," he said as he shook his head.

A sudden boldness came over me as I placed my hand over his and looked into his eyes. "No, thank you, Geo. For everything." He held my gaze for several seconds and realized how sincere I was. He turned away and cleared his throat, but I thought I detected a slight blush which made me smile.

"You are welcome," he said quietly, "but I am the one who is thankful."

I could feel my heart start to beat a little faster in my chest. "How do you mean?" I asked somewhat coyly. "I feel like I only bring you trouble."

He chuckled a little before turning to face me again. "I just know that you are going to be able to help us all. When I saw you through the glass a part of me knew that you held the key to us moving foward. It has only been a few days and you have already made improvements, I can only imagine what else you have in store with how smart and capable you are," he said emphatically. It felt as if my heart stopped a little when his response wasn't how I had imagined, but his confidence in me brought a new warmth.

"I was going to wait until tomorrow so you could rest, but I cannot keep it to myself any longer," he said with excitement. My eyebrow raised with curiosity as I waited for him to continue. "I did it!" My brows furrowed a little as I tried to piece together what he said. Did it? Did what? He could tell I was confused which made his smile even larger.

"What did you do?" I finally asked with a giggle.

"I made it. I made the sodium bicarbonate!."

I looked at him for a moment to see if he was messing with me. All I saw was sincerety.My eyes grew large with disbelief, my mouth hanging open. "You made baking soda?" He nodded. "How?" was all I could manage to ask in my shock.

"I have been scolded enough to know you do not really want me to answer that in detail, but know that I found a way. I have the first batch waiting for you in the main lab. We can send it off to the Sporo tomorrow morning if you like." The excitement came over me and I all but threw myself onto him for a hug. Geo's body stiffened in shock but quickly relaxed.

I pulled myself away quickly, slightly embarrassed by my sudden reaction. "This is amazing, Geo! Thank you."

He nodded, and I noticed a smirk pull at his lips. "You know, I think this means I have won the bet," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

"Bet?" I asked trying to run through my memories.

"Yes, first one to get the best results in two weeks time with our respective experiments wins. Considering I have completed my experiment, that makes me the winner," he said with pure glee. "You have some Earth science to share!"

I crossed my arms and faked a little pout at his victory, but I truly could not be more excited about the turn of events. "Well you have earned it," I said with a smile. A yawn escaped from me as the high from earlier started to settle down.

"Let us start on that tomorrow. For now you must rest," Geo said warmly as he gently nudged me onto my side.

"Good night, Geo," I said sleepily as I snuggled into my pillow.

"Good night, Flora," he said quietly and left the room.

I smiled with a contented sigh. The future is looking up, and it all starts tomorrow.