Chapter 4 – Getting a Word in Edgewise

His bag was light. For the voyage, he had chosen to forego the academic route and had settled on a more practical outfit, one that was vastly more suited for space travel. He had traded in his clogs for a pair of study black boots. The sharp leather shined brilliantly in the afternoon sun and fitted neatly against his legs, ending just below his knees. They provided much more protection against the elements than his usual shoes, which tended to soak up not only any moisture in the air, but also the chill of the Etherium. He had learned that lesson the hard way, and he didn't care to repeat it.

His breeches remained the same, as there wasn't much selection for a man his size, but he had opted to discard the overcoat that he wore so faithfully and instead had settled on a lightweight linen shirt, with button-down cuffs and a straight-forward button design along the center of the shirt. A heavy spacer's coat over the shirt completed the ensemble, and Delbert felt a secret thrill when he saw himself in the mirror for the first time. He looked the part of a spacer.

As he made his way up the gangplank, he wondered what Amelia would think. Although she had seen him in many different attire, workmen's clothes had never been one of them. He couldn't wait to tell her the news of his assignment. While they wouldn't be able to share quarters, an idea that was wholly unpleasant but completely necessary for her image, he hoped they would at least be berthed near one another. That way they would hopefully be able to see one another.

He watched in amusement as Amelia barked orders to various crew members. Her seasoned crew, used to her command style, obeyed quickly and efficiently. It was easy to pick out the new blood on deck, as they scurried and scrambled to accommodate the Captain's orders. Amelia had once privately told him it amused her to no end, and now, Delbert could see why. The watched their legendary Captain, towering high above them from the bridge, and Delbert could see the fear of God in their eyes. He chuckled. If they only knew how little it took – a bottle of Saurian brandy and an ostrich feather, to be precise – to transform the stern captain into a giggling heap. It'd probably be best to keep that to himself. He glanced up as Amelia rebuked a young sailor for failing to properly rig the sail line. Yes, he'd keep that bit of information to himself. No need to subject himself to her wrath for such a frivolous thing.

It was about that time that Amelia's eyes fell upon him, causing the corner of her mouth to lift up in a small smile.

"Del – Doctor Doppler, what a surprise to see you here," she called out.

Delbert smiled in return and made his way up the steps to where she stood. He felt a stab of pleasure as he noticed her eyes take in his attire. "I actually have some interesting news that concerns you, Captain."

"And you came all this way to tell me?"

"Well, uh no. Not exactly," Delbert began. "You see, I just came from the University and –"

He was cut off as Amelia suddenly shifted her eyes to someone behind him and barked out, "Sailor! Stow away those anchor lines! What are you thinking leaving them lying about?"

She focused her attention back to Delbert and smiled. "I'm sorry. You were saying?"

"Well, I just came from the University and –"

"Excuse me, Captain. I hate to interrupt," Lightoller apologized, coming up behind them, "but Supply says we're good to go. They just need your signature on this requisition."

"Ah yes, of course," Amelia murmured, taking the pen and quickly scrawling her name on the clipboard.

She cocked an ear toward Delbert. "Now what was it you were saying?"

"I just came from the University and they've asked me to accompany –"

"Oh that's wonderful, Doctor," Amelia broke in, not paying any attention to what he was actually saying as her eyes followed a pallet of cargo that was dangling precariously from the lift. "I'm so happy for you. But really, as you can see, I'm quite busy here. We just received word that we're shipping out, and I've got to make certain that we're top notch. Been having a bit of a problem with the aft thrusters, you know."

Delbert couldn't keep the grin off his face. She wasn't listening to a word he was saying. It was too priceless for words. Rarely did she not pay attention. That, in itself, told him just how chaotic the launch must be. He mulled it over for a minute, debating whether or not to try to continue telling her he was part of her crew or just let her find out for herself. The former would be the most professional course of action, but the latter would be infinitely more fun.

Before he had a chance to decide, Amelia made a quick decision and turned to her executive officer. "You have the bridge, Mr. Lightoller. I'll be back momentarily," Amelia instructed, placing a light touch on Delbert's arm and motioning him toward a doorway. "You had something you wanted to tell me, Doctor?" she asked, rather loudly, Delbert thought, as they made their way to a more private area.

"Yes Captain, you see, I was trying to tell you –"

"Hold that thought Doctor," was Amelia's only comment as she led them through the darkened doorway and then unceremoniously yanked him into a hatch out of sight from her officers and crew. Once certain it was securely fastened, she turned back to Delbert and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry, darling," she apologized, her stern facade melting away to reveal the woman he'd left at home in a bathrobe earlier that morning. "It's an utter madhouse out there, and we have less than 30 minutes before we have to launch."

He laughed. "It's all right dear. I can see how busy you are."

"And yet you still risked the chaos to come and tell me goodbye. How very sweet." She nuzzled his ear. "Now what is it you were saying?"

Delbert laughed and slid his arms around her waist. "All those interruptions have made me forget."

Amelia chuckled. "Liar."

"Possibly."

"Probably."

Delbert nodded, bringing his lips closer to hers. "I didn't forget. But honestly darling, with you here in my arms and in a moment of relative privacy, I can think of much better things to do than talk."

"I couldn't agree with you more," Amelia sighed and offered him a kiss in way of agreement.

Delbert pulled her toward him and deepened the kiss, happy to oblige her and grateful for the stolen moment. One night with her had simply not been enough. When they finally broke apart, Amelia snuggled closer to him, enjoying the brief release from the hustle and bustle of the command that lay outside the door.

"Now seriously darling, what is you wanted to tell me," she murmured, running her hand along the fabric of his coat.

Delbert dropped one last kiss on the top of her head before replying. "I just came from the University."

"So you've mentioned. Several times, in fact," she teased.

"Hmm. Yes, I have, haven't I? I seem to keep getting interrupted though."

"By all means, continue."

"As I was saying," he went on. "Maris Vitale, an old friend, asked me if I would like to lend a hand and provide my services to –"

He was again interrupted by a loud rapping on the door.

"Captain. Excuse me, Captain. I hate to bother you, but Engineering needs to talk to you about the thrusters."

Amelia sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "Thank you. I'll be right out, Mr. Lightoller." She glanced apologetically to Delbert. "I'm so sorry, dear. I have to see to this. And you need to be going. We're getting ready to launch."

"But Amelia-" Delbert tried to explain only to have her bring a hand up.

"Darling, I wish we had more time too, but this is one of those times when the Royal Navy has to come first. I don't like it any more than you, but what can we do?"

"That's what I'm trying to tell you, Amelia," Delbert explained.

"Captain! Engineering is waiting for you," Lightoller's voice bellowed through the wooden door.

"Never a peaceful moment, eh?" Delbert smiled.

Amelia shook her head in frustration. "Never," she agreed, sighing in to his coat. "Delbert, I have to go. But I love you." She stepped closer to him and took his face in her hands. "I will talk to you on subspace, darling," she promised before kissing him deeply. Delbert had to remind himself to breathe when she broke the kiss. All he could do was watch as she made her way to the door, opened it and blew him a quick kiss before returning to the Bridge.

A moment later, a smile broke out on his face. She had no idea. Here he was, assigned to her ship, and she was oblivious to the fact. It was actually quite comical, when he thought about it.

"Well, she's in for one big surprise," he laughed. "And she can't say that I didn't try to tell her."

Smiling, he grabbed his bag and slipped out of the door, unnoticed by the command crew, and made his way below deck. She'd find out soon enough, he decided.