Keiko looked over each person before going through the roll call. Everyone was present except Branx. Where was the man hiding at now. " Could you go find him?"She asked someone in the back. Two people broke away before she cleared her throat. " First shift…"

They didn't return with Branx till she was halfway through.

At the end of the meeting, she pulled him aside. " Next time you're told to be present for a meeting, you're present for a meeting. I don't care if you're sleeping with the vessel's resident slut or stuffing your face full of food-"

" And what do you know about any of that? You're constantly on my case. Get a life,"

Keiko grabbed his arm. She could feel the urge to kick his ass but ignored the acting on it part. " I did…and when I came about Old Glory, it was to do my job. I don't know why you're on board, I don't know why your uncle puts up with your bullshit, but he's a good man, and your disrespect to him is demeaning. Grow the hell up and act like a man," Releasing him, she walked away.

He followed her. " I don't know who the hell you think you are-"

" I am someone," She turned quickly, so quickly that he bumped into her and took a step back. The lethal stare promised pain. " That you don't want to piss off. You will respect the Captain of this vessel, blood relation or not. If I hear of your disrespect again, you dismiss your duties again, I will personally see to it all you do is mop the halls."

Branx leaned close. " You're sleeping with him, aren't you?" He accused her.

" And if I am, it's none of your concern. Piss off," She moved away quickly.

After her guard shift, she knocked on Adam's door. He opened it up with a cup of coffee in his hand. " What can I do for you, Mynn?" He asked her before covering a yawn.

" Can I come in?" She asked him.

He heard the exhaustion in her voice. " What did he do now?" He asked.

She took a seat on the stool at the end of his bed. The room was about the size of the room she shared with the other guards. The bed took up the middle of the far wall. There was a fish tank with brightly colored fish swimming through false reefs. A closet full of uniforms and general clothing was the other thing in the room.

Clasping her hands in her lap, Keiko looked at him. " He's slacking off, sleeping around, and doing everything he can do defy you and me. I'm in charge of the guards, he's defying that authority. And he's disrespecting you!"

Adam sighed. " You don't understand-"

She shook her head. " I understand perfectly. He's your nephew. You love him, want the best for him. But he is here to do a job. And do a job he will," Or she was going to put her boot in his ass.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. " He's here to avoid the law. He got caught sleeping with a politician's wife, and then the daughter of a crime boss." He explained to her.

" He still has to do a damn job, Adam. This vessel is self-sufficient. We don't tolerate slackers in any form,"

He smiled. " If there's one thing I like about you, it's your work ethic, but on this be silent." He ordered her.

Keiko frowned. " He had the audacity to ask if I was sleeping with you,"

" And if you were, what would it matter? You do your job," He reminded her gently.

" That's not the point, Adam,"

" Then what is? That you think he should be more disciplined? Everyone tried to do that. You aren't the first person, nor will you be the last person," He rubbed her shoulder. " Now breathe a bit, and remember that it isn't the end of the world,"

Keiko looked at him. Sleeping with him wouldn't be a bad idea. He was attractive, for an older gentleman. He had manners. He treated her with respect despite knowing of her record. " I just want what is best for all of us, and having a fully functional crew is that.."

" Have faith, Mynn. All will work itself out,"

To hell with it, he would either like it or hate it.

She leaned forward and kissed him. A simple kiss that shocked him into silence. " That's actually not half bad…" She thought out loud.

He set the coffee down on the fish tank, then held out his hand. She slid her hand into his.

Keiko lay in his bed afterwards, snuggled against his nude form. His hand was around her waist, a reminder that what they did was real. She didn't know why she did it, maybe it was just to defy Branx. She loathed him most days, and it was more than just because his work ethic.

" That's actually not half bad," He echoed her original words, making her blush. " Said the woman who wouldn't dare open up,"

" You still owe me an explanation." She reminded him, turning slightly in his arms.

He traced a small scar on her shoulder. " I have an excellent A.I. that can hack any system….How do you think I know about my nephew's behavior?" He shared finally.

She frowned. That was it? She half expected Sarge to give him the information, as much as her father tried to interfere in her life.

" And I happen to know that any normal person doesn't have nearly as many scars as you do." He planted kisses along her cheek. " Physical, emotional, or mental…But you're getting better,"

Keiko smiled. " Baby steps," She agreed before closing her eyes. " Can I stay the night?" She asked him.

He rested his head back on the pillow and pulled the blanket over them. " You're more than welcome to spend every night in my bed if you wanted," He assured her before clapping his hand and the lights went out.

Keiko slept soundly, dreaming of nothing, and waking to the bed moving. Opening one eye, she looked up at him. " I'll see you tonight?" He asked her.

She propped herself up. " I think so,"

When Branx saw her coming out of his uncle's room, he stopped her in the corridor before she could go on her shift. " If you think sleeping with my uncle is going to get you the extra authority, you're wrong,"

Keiko patted his shoulder. " I'm sleeping with him because I want to, not because there are strings attached, no hush." She left him staring after her in suspicion.

She slept with Adam because she wanted to, and quite frankly, she felt better than she did in a long time. Age was just a number to her.

* Anyone who wants to collaborate on a Halo story is more than welcome to message me, :) I'm up for a challenge. *