Dinner was a comfortable affair, no one bringing up the content of her argument with Todd the night before, just a few comments about how the incident had been built up by the rumor mill to now include a full on screaming match and punches being thrown. She'd nearly choked on her water at that revelation, and had quickly set the record straight. There had been no punches, but her temper had definitely shown.

After dinner, as everyone was beginning to disperse and go their separate ways for the night, Rogue had cornered Sheppard, pulling him aside for the thing she'd been dreading for hours. It was one of the most awkward conversations she'd ever had, honestly. There was no easy way of turning someone down before they'd even professed feelings for her, and she'd floundered over an explanation of what she'd felt in the brief emotional feedback and how she'd interpreted it. He'd looked completely shocked, and then embarrassed, and had finally settled on trying to turn the whole thing into a joke to make her laugh. It had worked in the end; he was good at making her laugh.

He already knew about how she'd lost Remy, and it hadn't taken much more for him to assure her that he understood, and that he'd be there if she should ever change her mind. Again, it was all about her as a person, her ability not even factoring into the conversation, and it made her adore him even more than she already did.

By the time they parted ways, she was practically floating through the halls, buoyed by the feeling of acceptance and friendship that Sheppard had offered her so easily. She rang the not doorbell for Todd's room with a silly grin plastered on her face, and she was sure it wouldn't fade anytime soon.