Kallan sat in darkness on the fly bridge, alone and feeling sorry for herself. Silence encompassed the boat, which suited the Skipper's melancholy mood perfectly. A slight vibration emanating off the engine turned out to be the only intrusion from the real world. Even the soft glow from the main cabin didn't reach her grey orbs. One eye on the radar, the other on the inky sky, it gave the young woman time to think without distraction and the ability to feel the emotions she usually kept under good regulation.

Normally Kallan enjoyed a stolen moment on her own at the end of a busy day. Opportunities came rarely to just sit without responsibility when on a training mission. Tonight, Kallan felt the day's failure weigh heavy on her conscious. Although Gonzo caused the incident with Kayney and it had been somewhat expected, Dylan's near miss affected her more than she'd like to admit. Returning to the boat only to find the young captain in the second AutoDOC unit caused her heart to twist torturously. It was in that moment, Kallan became aware of her emotions and just how deeply Captain Beyda affected her personal and professional judgement. The attraction ran much deeper than she'd suspected or cared to acknowledge.

As if that hadn't been enough, her doubts started the moment he'd entered the training room for his debrief. Heart and mind arguing, Kallan knew she couldn't become involved, yet selfishly demanded she throw caution to the wind and take up the offer in Dylan's eyes. She accepted his easy recognition of the mounting feeling between them and seized the comfort Dylan offered. Knowing the young captain wanted more, it took all of Kallan's self-discipline not to tumble into his warm, welcoming embrace. As if that hadn't been enough, that Beverley woman turned up as the lead medic for the retrieval team at the same time Kallan decided to act on her feelings. Beverley's timely insinuation that she'd shared a romance with Dylan in the past and continued flirting brought Kallan's mind back to reality. Any relationship between them just wouldn't work for so many reasons, no matter how they felt about each other.

"A penny for them," the young man taking up so much of Kallan's thoughts stated as he silently joined her on the fly bridge. She'd been so lost in her thoughts, she hadn't heard Dylan's approach.

"I'm not that cheap," Kallan replied automatically before frowning. She didn't want to give Dylan any encouragement, not while she felt this conflicted.

"What would it take," Dylan took the seat beside her, looking to the sky to see what Kallan observed. Her chaotic emotions radiated off her in waves. He had a very good idea what caused them but felt this moment, this chance, too important to give up.

"I always tell Ziggy," she managed a teasing tone with a slight smile, "at least a decent lunch."

"Next time we're in the same place at the same time," Dylan's serious nature rose to the surface, just as his eyes watched the woman's profile in the diffuse starlight, "and unencumbered by duty, I promise to take you out and treat you to the best lunch in Arcology. Now, will you share your thoughts, Kallan?"

That bought a chuckle from deep in Kallan's chest. It didn't sound happy. "I believe you would, Captain, but I'm not ready to face the consequences just yet."

"Are we really back to that, Kallan," Dylan asked, a little disappointed at her illusion to his rank.

"Afraid so," she responded in a despondent tone.

They sat in silence. Not the strained silence Lieutenant James feared after her rejection, but a comfortable companionship. She realised Dylan gave her time to think, to come to terms with her own feelings and how to react to them. He seemed to comprehend her emotions better than she did and could wait patiently. Yet Kallan's thoughts proved chaotic as they swirled around the man seated beside her.

The first night aboard, they slept under the stars on the back of Gilligan in quite companionship. After the Sydney Boys uncovered their attraction, they'd left them alone to enjoy last night in the same manner. Somehow Kallan found it comforting, sleeping beside Dylan but not with him. During the day, Dylan treated her with the respect she'd asked for as his instructor. Yet there was always this subtle vibe between them. The others picked it up, even seemed to encourage the pair to become closer. Only Ziggy disapproved, more out of misplaced parental responsibility than dislike for Dylan.

The truth, Kallan scolded mentally, is you'd like nothing more than to pull out the mats and sleep with Dylan at your side again tonight. His mere presence makes you feel comfortable in a way you've never experienced with another human being. Only it's far too cold to consider something so foolish. On top of that, you have three difficult dives ahead of you over the next day and a half. As if that weren't enough, Dylan's your student and you're responsible for his welfare. Not to mention this nagging feeling of guilt because Dylan did what you should have and surfaced with Gonzo. If he'd been permanently injured, his carer irreparably damaged by being unable to dive again…

"Kallan," Dylan, watching her facial expressions, finally found the courage to interrupt her silent contemplations. "I promised you I'd behave with respect and act professionally. No one is going to interrupt us up here. Ozzy and Blue have decided to commandeer a private cabin now that Gonzo and Gulliver are gone. I could bunk in with either of them, but I don't think it's what either of us want or need. Tonight, we can forget about professionalism and just be friends."

"Dylan," Kallan's grey eyes turned on him with a mixture of hope and sadness. She wanted nothing less but couldn't find it within herself to go against her training.

"Today's been hard on all of us, you more than anyone. No one expects you to deal with this alone. Goose is worried about you and so is Ziggy, in his own way. He implied you needed comfort and understanding from someone you trust. I'm here, not as your student, but, I hope, someone who might, one day, mean more. Let me in," he pleaded.

"I can't," Kallan felt torn. As much as her heart wanted and her mind needed to accept Dylan's offer, it would affect her ability to make ethical decisions. In fact, her judgement could be called into question. That, she knew, would hurt Dylan's chances at promotion, especially if her pass mark became discounted due to a personal relationship. "You," she turned to face him, "have too much to lose."

"I have more to lose," Dylan stated in a hard tone, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek, "if I leave without settling some very private issues with you. I won't let you push me away, Kallan, not when everyone else on this boat is giving us the opportunity to become closer. I just wanted you to know I care, very deeply and understand why today effect you. Don't you think it's affected me too?"

Wide eyed, Kallan finally got the message. Dylan had chosen to do the dangerous assent to save her. The fact he cared only made that decision easier for him, not harder. He would always put himself on the line to help others, especially those who meant something to him.

"This, right now, its personal time. Tomorrow, that's professional," he stated, emphasising his point. When Dylan knew Kallan took his meaning, he removed his hand. Turning his head to the sky, he took in a deep breath, aware Kallan watched him intently. "I dreamt of experiencing space and being out there as a child. I wanted to see the wonders the universe had to offer."

"I know you'll make it," Kallan replied, certain she spoke the truth. Somehow, she felt bereft, understanding their very intensely intimate moment came to an abrupt end.

"What about you, Kallan? What's your dream?" Dylan turned his brown eyes on her.

"You're going to laugh," she sounded a little embarrassed.

"Try me," Dylan smiled with encouragement.

"I want Captain Kin Lee Wong's job," Kallan announced with a slight blush.

"Does Lee know your ambitions?" he questioned, the smile fast turning into a frown.

That brought a chuckle forth. "Yes, we've discussed it from time to time. Lee assures me he's not ready to retire just yet, so I'll have to keep applying for admission to the backup team."

"Maybe," Dylan turned serious, "it's not a glamorous as you think?"

Without a second though, Kallan retaliated with, "is that an admission of your current assignment, Captain?"

Snorting, Dylan's expression stated, as if I could tell you even if I wanted too. However, the ice seemed broken. They sat together, sometimes in silence, others speaking quietly about nothing important and everything essential. They were coming to know each other on a more profound level.

"Skipper," Goose called from the bottom of the ladder a few moments before midnight. Climbing up to the fly bridge, he discovered exactly what he'd expected. The pair sitting side by side in companionable silence. "Anything to report?"

"Smooth sailing so far, Goose," Kallan smiled. All the tension from earlier in the evening dissipated. "Let's hope it continues that way."

Nodding, Goose wondered if she eluded to the ocean and lack of icebergs, or her developing relationship with Captain Beyda. Either way, he felt glad. "Go and get some shut eye you two. I've made up the second bunk in the forward cabin for you, Kallan. No one will think any less of our Skipper for sharing a berth."

Dylan chose to say nothing. He climbed down, giving Kallan the opportunity to speak with her deck hand alone. He'd managed to change into his usual boxers and singlet, before getting under the covers when the door opened. She didn't say a word. Collecting her nightshirt, Kallan used the head to change. Slipping into cool sheets, she sighed heavily.

"Dylan," she whispered across the space between them, "thank you."

"I think," he managed to inject just the right note of subtle teasing, "you have Ziggy and Ozzy to thank for this. Just try not to swell that Australian's head anymore. The man's impossible and I still have to dive with him for the next two days."

Kallan expected to remain awake for several hours while her mind attempted to settle. It didn't take long for her heavy eye lids to flicker shut. Sleep quickly followed. Before she knew it, Goose was shaking her awake. Dylan's bed, freshly made, showed no signs of occupation last night.

"He and the other students are having breakfast," Goose smiled as he answered the unasked question. He'd seen Kallan's eyes flick to the pristine bunk. "I never thought I'd say this, Skipper, but you look good together. Don't let the fact Captain Beyda is your student for the next two days stop you."

"Can you bring breakfast to the training room?" Kallan responded, letting out a yawn.

Nodding, Goose left her to dress for the day. One look at her com unit and Kallan realised she had very little time to prepare. Sighing, she'd one more night to get though before the three remaining men would leave with their dive master certificates in hand. Few managed to fail after making it this far and she knew Blue, Ozzy and Dylan all had the required skills.