Chapter 2

Summary: Masters receives orders to work as Chief of Engineering on the USS. Hood. It is received with mixed emotions.

She heads back to her quarters and crash on her bed and continues to cry again about her relationship, and it wasn't easy for her either. Her chimer rings, but she didn't feel comfortable seeing anyone, and she ignores hoping they would go away. However, it was overridden, Charlene sat up to see her best friend standing over her.

"So, you weren't going to let me in?"

"Sorry Ny, I'm having a bad moment." sniffing away her cries.

Uhura sits on her bed and grabs her for a hug.

"Oh Char, I know that's why I'm here."

Charlene cries into her shoulder. "It hurt that I'm leaving him, but happy for the promotion."

"I know."

Ny? What shall I do?" as she looks up to her trusted friend.

"You know I can't do that, I'll be selfish" She turns to her friend. "This is a heart thing, and no one can answer that one but you."

"I trust your judgment Ny!"

"No, Char this is between you and Sulu, you have to find a way to work it out. Whatever decision you make, I'll back you up."

Nyota leans in closer to her best friend and continues to hug her while Char cries.

"I love him Ny, and he doesn't know."

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The next couple of days were a daze to Charlene, and she kept herself busy in engineering with Mr. Scott. He was instructing her about managing people and equipment, Scotty was happy for the woman. Masters had earned his respect as a future chief, but he too will miss her hard work and commitment to those engines. Scotty only trusts her judgment when it came to those nacelles and dilithium crystals, she was like him.

She went to Sulu's quarters and tried to talk to him, and he let her in.

"Karu, I know this is difficult for you, for both of us."

"Char, I don't want to hinder your career; this is a great opportunity for you."

"Do you want me to take it?"

"Char, you have to make the decision; it's your career."

Charlene steps closer to him and looks in his eyes, and he tries to turn not to reveal his real feelings.
"Karu, what… what about us?"

"I don't … know" he says softly.

Charlene reaches for him and hugs him, and he returns it.
"I.. gonna miss you, Char!"

" Oh Karu, I'm gonna miss you too!"

They kiss each other tenderly, while both of their hearts are aching.

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Then by the third day, Charlene was stationed on the bridge to monitor engineering and Sulu at the helm. Now and then they would steal looks at each other, giving quick smiles to reassure each other feelings. They would spend quality time with each other and try to figure out a way to stay together, But Sulu and Masters just danced around what they really wanted to say to each other, the fear of rejection was looming over both of them if they decide to separate.

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What made things worse was the so-call interlopers such as Rhonda Evans. One day during break; Uhura, Masters, Evans, and Sanchez talking about the transfer:

"So, you're going to leave loverboy unattended in a couple of days,"

Rhonda says sneeringly with her arms folded. She's been trying to get back at them for Uhura marrying Mr. Spock.

Uhura snaps first; " Watch yourself, Rhonda, I might forget that I'm a nice person."

"Not until I clean her clock first Ny." snaps Masters, and her hands start to form fists.

Sanchez counter moves to try to dissolve the problem: "Rhonda that's rude, don't say things like that!"

"Tell her Lola; grown women don't say things to provoke each other": Masters continues to stare at Rhonda with malicious.

"Maybe I can help by talking to him for Masters while she's gone."

At that moment a cup of cold water spills down Rhonda's head, face, shoulder, and uniform. She jumps in her seat, while Lola screeches in shock, Uhura and Masters burst out laughing.

"Serves you right for being disrespectful" adds Uhura.

Rhonda turns around to see Eve Brody standing over her, giving her the stink eye.

"I'm soo sorry Rhonda; it was an accident."

"YOU did that on purpose EVE!"

"I bumped into the table; I swear," Eve says smartly.

Rhonda gets up and leaves disgusted giving the women dirty looks.

"Bye, Rhonda!" :waves Masters with a great big grin on her face.

"What did she do that to Charlene?"

"I don't know Lola; she could be jealous?"

Uhura wanted to hit her but being nice and being an officer always hold her back. She promised herself never to fight another crewman.

"Thanks, Eve, you can just in time, she was talking junk about me and planning on taking my man."

"I suspect as much at the end of that conversation." Eve takes a seat to join them.

Masters turns to Nyota:
"Why do we even bother to sit with her anyway? We all know how she is?"

"Because we all have the same shift and it's important to get along with others."

Eve asks Masters a question: " How are you holding up?"

"OK I guess, I will have my own department and staff to manage; it's a big step to take."

"Cool, just let me know if Rhonda becomes a problem again, instead of a cup of water it would be a gallon."
Everyone at the table laughs.

"Well, ladies I've to have to go back to work, thanks for the support." Masters waves back at them and head to engineering.

Uhura leans in and waves the ladies closer to reveal a plan. "Ladies, we need to prepare a going away dinner, are you in?"

Lola and Eve agree: "yes!