Delbert was running late. It perturbed him to find himself so behind schedule, but when the transit system decided to halt all departing trains out of the main center, there was really nothing he could do.

Still, he was late. Glancing at his watch, he let out a frustrated sigh. Amelia would not be happy. After all, he'd promised her he'd be on time.

"And you're certain you'll be there?" she had asked, eyes peering at him over her cup of morning tea. "It's important that you be punctual."

Delbert gave a slight shrug of his shoulders. "Amelia, I am the definition of punctual. It's my nature."

Amelia had merely smiled. "So is bumbling fool, Doctor, but lately, you've seemed better at vanquishing that demon. It paints me to see all your charming traits disintegrate before my very eyes."

"Ha ha." And he took another sip from his steaming cup.

But now, it seemed Amelia's concern had been founded. Although, in his defense, it wasn't his fault that an electrician had decided to cut the wiring for the transport's main circuit board.

Still, he didn't think that would really matter. When Amelia gave an order – or request as was her preferred term – she expected it to be honored. Granted, she was much more relaxed than she had been when they'd first began seeing one another four months ago. Back then, it had been a difficult transition for the two of them. Finding a happy medium between their two personalities had been no easy task, and they were still working on it. There had been that episode last week, when she'd misunderstood his reaction to her particularly stressful day. That had been an adventure. He winced recalling her fiery outburst until he'd managed to explain himself.

Fiery.

There really was no other word to aptly describe his awe-inspiring space captain. A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Actually, there were other words, but he'd probably do best not to mention them in her company. He was battling enough heat right now with the sun's blinding rays shining down upon him. No need to add any more to his plate.

Delbert raised a hand to his brow in an effort to shield his eyes from the bright reflection off the windows of the shops lining the port and searched for Amelia's ship. It was almost mid-day and most of the ships had already launched. The few still hovering in their bays were running on minimal crews, and the Legacy was no exception.

Amelia had told him that she would have to spend the majority of her return undertaking the monumental task of replacing Mr. Arrow. She had shipped out on her last expedition with an interim mate, and he had fared well, but Amelia had confided to Delbert that she felt there was someone better… someone who would complement her command style and not be afraid to approach her if they thought her to be out of line. To Amelia, that was a vital quality her new First Mate must possess in droves. The ability to recognize the need to question her authority when necessary and the courage to actually do it were paramount to a successful relationship.

Delbert couldn't have agreed more, but still, deep down, insecurities continued to peck at him and feed on the doubts that still occasionally surfaced in this still-quite-new relationship. Although he would never voice it to Amelia, it bothered him to think of another man stepping in to the role that Arrow had filled so competently. The thought of another man being there to support her, to challenge her ideas and to be someone she depended on bothered him. Those were supposed to be his roles now.

Shaking his head, he chided himself aloud.

"Delbert, get a hold of yourself. Pull it together. She chose you." He took in a deep breath as his chest puffed up a bit. "That's right, old boy, she chose you." His steps grew lighter. "Besides, Mr. Arrow was a seasoned spacer. An older gentleman. More of a father figure. I'm sure she'll choose someone along those lines."

Satisfied with this reasoning, Delbert picked up his pace. Wasn't Amelia always telling him how much she despised Academy "up-starts" and the young spacers who looked as if "they received their first razor with their commission, the ninnies!"

Smiling to himself, he began to whistle and nodded engagingly at a young Felid who passed him on the Legacy's gangplank as Delbert boarded.

He had nothing to worry about with her new First Mate. Nothing to worry about at all.