---
"Look, the science group has decided--" River pauses.
Komui isn't listening. He's pulling out a stack of papers and holding them out: "You need to go through these--"
"Wait," River says. "Before I do any more work."
Komui lifts a brow skeptically. "River! I don't like the sound of that."
"We've decided," River says firmly, "that there's something you need."
"That's good of you," Komui says, holding out his empty coffee mug.
"Not more coffee."
"What?" Now Komui is nonplussed, to say the least.
"You need," River takes a deep breath, "a woman."
There is silence. Komui stares at River, the coffee mug still in his outstretched hand. River stands firm. Finally, Komui says, "That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. I have a woman!"
Judging by River's expression, that's the last thing he expected to hear. "Are you serious?"
"Of course!" Komui sets down the coffee mug and clasps his hands. "Why would I need another woman when I have my dear Rinali?"
River opens his mouth. Shuts it again. Stares.
"Now why didn't you think of that? Hm?" Komui beams.
River slumps. "Do you have any idea how wrong that is? At all?"
Komui blinks.
"Never mind. Just...never mind."
---
Aaaaa I'm still working on Getting the characters.
