Chapter 52

Rhade's shift was over and Dylan still had not come to relieve him, "Andromeda, do you know why Captain Hunt has not arrived on Command Deck yet?"

Holo-Rommie appeared in a flash of light two feet next to him, "He's not usually late… He's not in his quarters… wait, I think I know where to find him."

Rhade looked confused, "You THINK you know where to find him? I thought you had access to active sensors all over this ship how can you not KNOW where to find him?"

She gave him the frustrated parent glare, "I know, and have access to all sensors aboard myself, NOT however aboard the Maru, and I believe Dylan stopped to have a word with his Executive Officer aboard the Maru. So I THINK I know where he is, since I KNOW where he's not."

Rhade sighed, "Sorry, I forget that Beka still likes to sleep aboard the Maru most of the time, and I suppose I'm a bit short since my shift was over, half an hour ago."

Holo-Rommie nodded, "Apology accepted, Trance is in Hydroponics, I'll have her swing by and remind Dylan of the time."

Rhade smiled slightly, "Thank you."

Holo-Rommie smiled, "You're welcome," and winked out.

Rhade went back to studying his readouts again.

Trance was adjusting some of the moisture wicks on the tropical plants and had picked a pineapple and two coconuts to make some of the juice she and Harper had fallen in love with, when Holo-Rommie popped in.

"Trance, could you stop by the Maru, Dylan hasn't reported to relieve Rhade for his shift. I think he and Beka forgot to set an alarm before spending the night aboard the Maru together, and I know that you can discreetly remind him better than Harper. Would you?"

Trance smiled, "Yes, and I won't tell a soul. What did you tell Rhade?"

Holo-Rommie grinned, "Only that Dylan must have stopped by to talk with his executive officer and lost track of time this morning."

Trance nodded, "So I'll let them know that, besides you and I, their secret is safe." Holo-Rommie nodded.

Trance rang the door signal a second time, smiling slightly as she imagined the storm of activity that was most likely going on inside. Inside Beka and Dylan rushed to get dressed and try to appear awake and not like they'd just both tumbled out of bed on the first door signal. Dylan twisted and turned looking all around, "My belt, where's my belt?"

Beka laughed tossing it to him, "Here," she had dressed in her usual black pants and a nice top, but Dylan only had the dress white uniform with him.

He looked up, "I'm late but I can't go to command in this or everyone will know what we were up to last night. Are you ready for that?"

Beka bit her lower lip, "Not quite yet, I'd rather it be between us for a while before the whole crew starts putting in their two cents on the subject. Hide in the fresher for a minute and I'll see who it is and what they want."

Dylan nodded and ducked out of site. Beka walked over to the door and hit the button, "Yeah?"

Trance laughed, "It's me, I know, and I'm here to help."

Beka opened the door and Trance hurried in with a bundle in her arms, "Dylan it's OK, Rommie sent me with a work uniform and to remind you that you're running late because you stopped to discuss some things with your executive officer and lost track of time."

Dylan stepped out into view, looking more than a little disheveled, "Thanks Trance, and thank Rommie too."

Trance winked, "Will do, but hurry, Rhade seemed like he could really use a break."

Dylan took the bundle and headed toward the bunks, "I will."

Beka gave Trance a hug, "Thanks, and I trust you and Rommie…"

Trance finished her thought, "We won't say a word."

Beka closed the door behind her and a few seconds later Dylan came running back out from the bunk area, "Whoa, brush that hair or the rest will be for nothing." She handed him a comb and smiled as he ran it through his hair taming the wild look it had had only moments before. "That's better."

Dylan shrugged, "I'd hopped to have a quiet morning together before leaving for my shift."

Beka smiled, "Don't worry, we'll have other mornings, other nights. But for now you'd better go."

Dylan kissed her quickly, "Yeah, until latter then?"

"Yeah," Beka pushed him toward the door gently, or this could drag out and then there would be questions, and a lot of them.