Ensign Charlie Hawks moved towards the DPU unit in the mess hall. She had a very tiring morning and needed coffee to wake her senses.
"Black Coffee, hot."
The little machine processed her order and complied. She took the drink and turned only to find that Commander Tucker was in her way.
"Hello Ensign. How ya doing?"
"Surviving Commander. Just Surviving"
Her comment caused him to chuckle and laugh.
"You have quite a sense of humour Ensign. You staying here?"
Charlie looked at him wearily and nodded. The Mess Hall was one of the very few places she felt she could just unwind and relax. The constant chatter of other Crewmembers was always drowned out when she was relaxed and thinking on her thoughts.
The Commander made his short way the DPU.
"Milk, cold. What area you work in again?"
Charlie took a sip from her Coffee and relaxed.
"Security"
"Ah, Security. Malcolm's department. Let's hitch over here eh?"
Charlie merely nodded. They made their way to a table by the window. The scenery was pleasant and this was Charlie's usual spot. She normally found the stars relaxed her and calmed her nerves. After all, security was a risky business.
"This is where you sit most. Correct?"
"Yes sir" Tucker smiled. "So, what do you do here?"
Charlie took another, if longer, sip of her beverage.
"What do you mean by that Commander?"
Her tone of voice was most diplomatic to Trip. He took a small sip of his milk.
"I mean, er, do you talk to people? That kind of thing ya know?"
"Oh. No, I just sit here, collecting my thoughts."
"Ah. Sorry if I'm prying"
"That's not necessary Commander."
She gained a look a look from the Commander of which she couldn't read.
"It's a nice change from the usual I suppose"
She looked at him again but his face was turned sideways. She followed his gaze and saw Lieutenant Reed walk in. She returned to her coffee, looking at its welcoming abyss.
"Hello Chaz"
Commander Tucker had waved him over. He sat to the right of the Commander.
"Hello Sir."
"Chaz?"
Commander Tucker inquired.
"Chaz is short for Charlie Sir."
"Ah. Well' Tucker finished his milk 'I better get back to Engineering. We have a few little bugs that need sorting out. Ciao"
He smiled warmly at the two remaining and left quickly.
"So, how did your day go Charlie?"
Charlie flexed her fingers, clicking several in the process.
"Exhausting. Yours?"
Reed smiled a little. He was hoping she wouldn't notice it but he failed, she smiled back.
"Ditto"
"Ha, ha, ha. You remind of my old school mate, Sanchez. He was hilarious, he's dead now. Poor guy"
"How did he die?"
"A gang he got the bad side on. I think the gang's leader was called Robert Scarn. Those never agreed with each other on anything."
"I'm sorry"
"What's there to be sorry about? It was his own silly fault for enemies with a well-known gang leader."
"Well-known? If he was I would know"
Charlie looked at the smallish Englishman. His hair was ruffled.
"Well, the police officials decided not to let others know. We were sworn to secrecy for some dumb reason. Just tell them I said so. K?"
"On my word"
"Good answer"
"Mind yourself now. That's a cheeky comment."
"Oh, I'm a cheeky girl, in a cheeky world."
Charlie mocked. Mimicking the Barbie song most excellently. Reed put his hands up in disgust.
"You know how much I dislike that song."
Charlie smiled very slyly.
"Oh, I just like singing it to annoy you or when I want something that the Captain won't give me. Lol"
"Lol?"
"Lol. Lot's Of Laughter Sir."
Reed's eyes twinkled
"Right"
"Yeah"
Charlie finished her coffee and set the mug on the table. She blinked twice before looking out the window. The stars glittered and twinkled in the black abyss of empty space.
Reed followed her gaze and looked at the stars. He sighed.
"When's your shift start again?"
"In 10 minutes Sir"
"Back to Sir now hmm?"
"Maybe" Charlie returned with a cheeky grin.
" Well I'd better get off. I'll see ya later Chaz. Meet me at my quarters at lunchtime okay"
And with that he left a puzzled Charlie behind. She shook her head and left some after Reed had. Her shift went quickly without much trouble. She went back to her quarters exhausted. She thought it would never end.
She lay for several minutes then remembered to go to Malcolm's quarters so she brushed her hair and neatened it slightly then she set off towards his quarters. If she was being true to herself she had a major crush on this guy first time she had seen him carrying boxes to the cargo bays when she also helped out with them then.
She reached for the chime but paused. She drew her breath and pressed it firmly. A British voice came through.
"Come in"
She pressed the button to open the doors and went through. Music was playing a fine tune with a slow beat.
"Sir?"
"Please, just call me Malcolm"
"I thought we were going ta the mess for lunch"
"Your times are confused. We did have lunch. Earlier remember?"
"Oh of course but you said…"
"I know. Even I get confused. Close you eyes?"
"Malcolm?"
"Please?"
Chaz sighed and did what she was told. She felt someone go past her and was proven by the warmth of breath behind her...
