DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters based off the original series created by Gene Roddenberry. I do, however, own the new Engineer whom you will all meet very soon! Story based on Star Trek: 2009 movie universe.

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"You canna do this ta me Cap'n!"

"Scotty, she's not…"

"It's an insult! An outrage!"

"There's no reason to be upset…"

"After all I've done for this ship! Years of service ta Starfleet!"

"Scotty!"

Montgomery Scott stopped mid-rant. The Enterprise's Chief Engineer had pushed his way into the Captain's office and started a tirade that fizzled out quickly. James T. Kirk had just accepted transfer orders for a new Engineer and apparently the news had already spread throughout the ship. The arrival of such people was the norm aboard a starship, but this particular engineer had lit a fire under Scotty that Kirk hadn't seen in a while.

"She's not here to replace you, Scotty. You're the best," he smirked, opening his arms wide in a gesture of good will toward the man. Scotty merely blinked.

Kirk continued, "We're bringing her in as an assistant. You've lost a few guys in the past year," he leaned forward in the chair, "You need the help. Take it."

"I can handle this ole' girl very well, thank ya." The engineer crossed his arms, looking off to the right.

"She's good." A moment of silence passed between the two men. Kirk knew his Chief Engineer well enough to see that this was merely a knee jerk reaction. The man was the best engineer in Starfleet, they both knew that. He also wasn't a sexist. Montgomery Scott didn't feel threatened by a woman, he felt threatened by a young, talented engineer making her way through the ranks.

"Aye, yer right." He unfolded his arms and looked at Kirk, "but I won't be babying her cuz she's a woman." He made that point firmly.

"Understood, Scotty. Now, she should be arriving within the hour. I suggest you see to it that your people are ready." Jim stood from the chair walking around to stand next to his friend. "It's going to be alright." He grinned, Scotty merely nodded.

"Dismissed."

Kirk watched Scotty leave with a hint of a smile on his face. The crew had been in the doldrums for weeks now. Even if it was only the Engineering department, he was glad this new addition was already starting to shake things up. She hadn't even stepped foot on board yet. Hopefully it would spread to the rest of the crew.

Checking the time, Jim stepped out onto the bridge of the Enterprise, settling the watch standers there as he briskly crossed over to the turbolift. The doors hissed open and closed just as quickly. Descending down to the lower decks, Kirk mulled over what he knew about this new engineer. She had graduated the top of her class from the Academy and earned numerous awards and acknowledgements for her work since then. There was no lying, she really was good.

The lift doors opened breaking Kirk's train of thought and he stepped out into the bustling passage ways of the shuttle bay deck. Crewman of all ranks and specialties buzzed around weaving in and around the Captain, speaking their greetings and moving on. Rounding a corner he nearly collided with his Chief Medical Officer and best friend, Bones McCoy.

"Bones! What brings you into the deepest, darkest, depths of the Enterprise?" Kirk slapped the good Doctor on the back with a grin.

McCoy took in a breath and gave Kirk a look, "Crewman decided it was a good idea to play hide and seek in a manifold intake. Burned himself pretty badly when a friend fired up the shuttle." He shifted his medical bag to the other hand and fell into step beside Kirk as they headed toward the shuttle bay.

"What about you? You usually take the transporter off ship. Chekov break it again?" Bones asked, twisting sideways to avoid several people heading in the opposite direction.

"Nope. New engineer arriving in a few moments. Didn't think Scotty should be the first one she meets." He nodded to another group of crewmen passing by.

"She? You sure this has anything to do with Montgomery Scott?" a sly smile crossed the Doctor's face as he glanced over at his friend. Leonord McCoy knew all too well the kind of womanizer the Captain of the Enterprise could be.

"It has everything to do with Montgomery Scott." Kirk replied, ignoring the look.

"She some old flame from long ago that broke his heart?" McCoy slowed briefly as they turned a corner to enter the bay.

"Competition. He sees her as a threat, someone who might take his job." The double doors slid open and the noise level rose considerably. At one end the doctor's patient could be heard moaning while across the way a shuttle craft had just settled onto the platform.

"Ah," Kirk smiled, "She's early." Without another word he quickened his pace and moved across the bay toward the opening hatch.

"Take it easy on the girl, Jim! She's new!" Bones was pretty sure his warning fell on deaf ears. He just shrugged and turned toward the injured crewman. James T. Kirk, womanizer extraordinaire was at it again and the woman hadn't even stepped foot on board the ship.

"Lord help her…" he muttered and went to work.