"No. No way. I'm not wearing this." Deryn shouted, as she looked wide-eyed in the mirror. How did she even get forced into this blue silk monstrosity?

There was a curt cough behind her and Deryn turned around annoyed. "Orders are orders, Mr. Sharp. And I do believe we chose well. If I didn't know better, I'd think that you are a girl!"

Deryn's face darkened at the boffin's smug countenance and humored comment. She knew. She knew and planned this. She was just thankful Bovril was not here to comment.

"Aye. A barking girl doesn't have short hair!" She said sharply, trying to cover up how unsettled she was at he discovered secret.

Dr. Barlow raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" She said as if this didn't faze her. It looked like she was going to say more but she was cut off.

"God's wound! Is this necessary? I can't even walk in this! I highly doubt—" Alek stopped as he stumbled into the room. And as moody as Deryn was she had to bite her lip not to laugh. The green dress fit awkwardly on the boy.

He threw the skirt of the dress down, frustrated. "Dylan?"

"Don't start, Princess." Deryn snapped dangerously.

Alek frowned. "That's not funny. Have you looked at yourself lately Miss Sharp?" He shot back, but a smile lifted the corner of his lips.

Oh, Miss Sharp, indeed.

Before Deryn could come back at him with another insult to make sure he wouldn't notice the truth in his jest, Dr. Barlow cut them off. "Quit acting so childish. Now we're expected to land soon and you two must come off as proper ladies." She gave a sharp glare in both of their directions, especially towards Deryn, and then sighed. "Alek, even for a boy, you look absolutely dreadful in that dress. Come, I'll have to alter it on my own. Dylan, I trust that you can handle yourself for now." With that the boffin strutted out of the room leaving the two friends there awkwardly.

Alek sighed. "How did we end up getting into this?"

"It's called being the youngest, Dummkopf." Deryn said as she turned back towards the mirror frowning at her girlish reflection and praying Alek didn't finally put two and two together.

It was silent for a moment before they heard Dr. Barlow call for Alek impatiently.

"I shouldn't keep the Doctor waiting. At least you look like a pretty girl." Alek said picking up the skirts again and trying to turn back into the room he came from.

Deryn stopped her inspection in the mirror to look at him. "What?"

Alek stopped with a mad blush running across his face. "I—I said at least you look like a pretty girl. I mean, compared to this." He said quickly, embarrassed. "This doesn't leave this room." He muttered quickly before running clumsily into the other room.

Deryn still stared at the spot in the mirror where Alek had been. He said she was pretty. Sure, he said it while not exactly meaning it and while to him, she was still a boy, no matter the dress (which was rather awkward when she thought about it). But he said it nonetheless!

Deryn picked up the skirts of her dress and spun around with a girlish laughter and blush.

He said she was pretty!

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If Deryn cross-dresses to be in the service, then why can't they both have to wear dresses to go on a mission? How awkward would that be!

Hope you enjoyed and review. (: