Commander Saavik inhaled sharply in sudden alarm. "Captain!"

Captain Dannan Stuart winced and bristled defensively. "Relax, I'm supervising."

Saavik gave her superior as close to a truly genuine horrified look as Vulcan mastery would allow in public.

"Hey!" Stuart flushed an incredible pink and glared at her first officer. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Saavik leveled a piercing stare at her captain.

Stuart's flush became a hot red. "I'm being careful this time!"

Saavik's dark lashes widened. "Captain, exactly what part of that statement is supposed to be providing reassurance?"

Stuart threw up her hands. "Great stars, woman! We're in a damn space dock—in the very blasted heart of the Federation! What could possibly happen?"

Saavik's eyebrows arched sharply in profound disbelief. "Captain, this is the Aefran and Misters Warfield and Hopkins—the more appropriate question is rather: Have you set Security and Sickbay on alert standby?"

"Oh, for pity's sake, it's a damn tour!"

"With children, Captain!"

Stuart pressed her fingers hard against her forehead. "You're some sort of divine punishment, aren't you?"

Saavik breathed out in exasperation. "Captain, I am serious."

Stuart gave her first officer a glare. "And I'm not?"

Saavik stared at her captain reprovingly.

Stuart sighed, then got a sudden wicked glint in her eyes.

Saavik very nearly winced. "Captain-"

Stuart was grinning evilly now. "Oh no, this one is all yours now."

Saavik gave as close to an outright cringe as a Vulcan could. "Captain, I was not suggesting that I-"

Stuart smiled mischievously. "I do believe this makes Warfield and Hoskins your responsibility now, Commander."

Saavik looked outright ill at the thought.

"While I will take the rest of the evening off." Stuart turned on her boot heel and started blissfully down the corridor.

She could almost feel Saavik's baleful stare on her back.

"Oh, and Commander?" Stuart called back sweetly, "Do try to not airlock a guest this time."

Saavik gave a martyr's sigh. "Captain, for the last time, I did not intend to-"

The Red Alert Klaxon went off.

Stuart grinned and just kept walking. "That would be full responsibility, Commander."

Saavik swore and bolted after Warfield and Hoskins at a full run.

Stuart laughed all the way back to her quarters.