Tony leaned against the counter at the nurse's station, pen scratching lazily across his release paperwork. His thoughts, however, were elsewhere. Specifically, they were with Roomie.
Hey, Roomie. Quick question, Tony thought, letting his mind tune into the faint hum of his unexpected companion.
Proceed, Roomie replied, its tone as neutral as ever.
So, you know how you've been making upgrades? Enhancing my brain and all that? Tony paused, smirking inwardly. Think you could work on, uh... stamina? And maybe get rid of cramping? You know, during... certain activities?
Roomie's hum shifted, a ripple of analytical focus. You reference activities related to human reproductive processes. Request clarification.
Tony coughed, doing his best not to laugh aloud. You know exactly what I mean. I've got plans to properly thank Jay for sticking with me through all this. Dinner first, of course. But afterward? I'm aiming for the stars, Roomie.
Roomie paused, its tone shifting to something resembling curiosity. Accessing memory logs...
Tony felt an odd flicker of recognition as Roomie sifted through his subconscious, honing in on a vivid memory—a particularly energetic evening with Jay that left both of them breathless and, in Tony's case, a little sore.
Access complete, Roomie announced. Observation: Past experiences align with primal and, by my standards, primitive procreation processes. Efficiency is suboptimal. Room for improvement is... significant.
Tony snorted, shaking his head. You're a real charmer, you know that? Just let me know if you can help.
Enhancements to stamina, flexibility, and muscle recovery are feasible. Integration of improvements will be subtle and immediate. Proceeding.
Tony felt a faint tingle in his legs and core, like a stretch he didn't know he needed had just been relieved. He grinned. Thanks, Roomie. You're my new wingman.
With the paperwork completed and the all-clear from the doctor (albeit reluctantly), Tony walked back to the hospital room where Jay was waiting. She had her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently, but her expression softened as soon as she saw him.
"All done?" she asked.
"All done," Tony confirmed. "They even gave me a gold star for good behavior."
Jay rolled her eyes but smiled. "Let's get out of here."
They made their way to the parking garage, the echo of their footsteps bouncing off the concrete walls. Jay led him to her white Jeep Patriot, her keys jingling as she unlocked the doors. Tony slid into the passenger seat, leaning back and letting out a contented sigh.
"So," Jay began as she started the engine, "what's the plan? Home? Food? Or something else?"
Tony tilted his head, considering. "How about Italian? Ugo Trattoria at the Promenade?"
Jay raised an eyebrow, glancing at him. "You just got out of the hospital, and you're thinking about pasta?"
Tony shrugged, a teasing grin on his face. "What can I say? Near-death experiences work up an appetite. Plus, it's your favorite, isn't it?"
Jay's expression softened, and she reached over to squeeze his hand briefly. "All right, but I'm picking the wine. You owe me after scaring me half to death."
"Deal," Tony said, his grin widening. "But I'm paying."
"Damn right you are," Jay quipped as she pulled out of the garage, her laughter lightening the mood.
As they drove, Roomie remained quietly attentive in the background of Tony's thoughts, its hum subdued but active. Tony couldn't help but feel the faintest nudge of curiosity from his new companion.
What's on your mind, Roomie? Tony thought.
Observing human companionship and ritualistic behaviors. Patterns suggest emotional bonding as a priority. Fascinating.
Tony smirked, glancing out the window. Yeah, well, emotional bonding's kind of important. You should take notes. Might help you understand us 'primitives' better.
Further observation required. Patterns remain unpredictable.
Tony chuckled quietly, shaking his head. He was beginning to appreciate Roomie's detached yet oddly curious perspective. And if the upgrades kept coming? Well, maybe having an alien roommate in his head wasn't the worst thing in the world.