Prepare for a very confused Newkirk, an extremely irritable Deryn, and the reintroduction of a minor character. Also: not Scott.

Deryn rubbed her hands together, trying to generate some warmth, and hopped nervously from foot to foot nervously. She really, really didn't want to do this. But, as Doctor Barlow's assistant, apparently it was required to accompany the boffin whenever she went on work trips. That was a stupid rule – what kind of person had time to think up all that clart?

The Leviathan loomed above her, Dr. Barlow, Bovril, and Alek, like a giant storm cloud. Under any other circumstances, she would have snatched up any chance to again serve on the airship. But, two years after her being a middy, with Deryn now seventeen, there were two big reasons that she wasn't looking forward to this trip.

She didn't get to serve on it – she was purely a guest.

This time, she'd be a girl.

"Calm down, Miss Sharp," the boffin scolds her. "This expedition is not the end of the world."

"That's easy for you to say," Deryn mumbled. "You're not the one everyone thinks is a barking boy."

If Nora Barlow heard that statement, she chose to ignore it. Tazza took the time to wind his leash around Deryn's legs – Just like old times, Deryn thought sarcastically. She was definitely not enjoying what was supposed to be a "chance to reunite with old friends", according to the lady boffin.

Alek was not helping. "I wonder if Newkirk will still be here," he mused. "Do you think he's still a midshipman?"

"All I know is if that bum-rag Fitzroy came back and took my barking place when I left, this will not an enjoyable trip," Deryn answered, untangling herself from Tazza. She didn't even want to think about Newkirk. How would he react to her now longer hair –the boffin hadn't let her cut it when it grew out again?

Dr. Barlow shook her head at her assistants. A message lizard scurried down the ropes. "Dr. Barlow, we again welcome you to the Leviathan," it intoned in the captain's voice.

Though she did not approve of this trip and would have liked to strangle whoever came up with it, had it not been the lady boffin herself, Deryn allowed herself a small sigh of contentment. Soon, she would once again be flying.

The officers' reactions when they saw them: shocked, most of them. Other emotions ranged from happiness, boredom, and anger. Oh, yes, there were quite a few angry officers in the bridge, and all of that anger was directed straight at Deryn.

The captain spoke first. "We are honored to welcome back Doctor Nora Barlow, Aleksander of Hohenburg, and…Miss Sharp." There was a slight pause before he announced her name, which only added another reason for Deryn to feel guilty, worried, and defiant, all at the same time. The combination of emotions made her feel twitchy, not a feeling she liked.

"Mr. Newkirk, please show these two to their cabins. Doctor Barlow, may I have a word…"

Alek and Deryn followed Newkirk to their cabins. Newkirk kept throwing glances over his shoulder at Deryn, until she couldn't take it anymore.

"Would you stop it with those looks? Just barking ask me already!"

"Um, well, uh…" was Newkirk's brilliant reply.

Bovril chuckled. "Mr. Deryn Sharp," it said from Alek's shoulder. Alek, as you may have noticed, decided to remain quiet for this little exchange, reasoning that, with Deryn involved, someone was probably going to get punched. And he didn't fancy it being him today.

Deryn had that murderous look in her eye that Alek knew well. "The fact that I'm a sodding girl doesn't change the fact that I was, and still am, a hundred percent a better middy than you," she snapped at Newkirk.

"I, um, –Just a question. What's your real name?"

"Deryn," she said suspiciously.

"Ahem," Bovril said, looking annoyed that its earlier statement had been ignored.

"And you've been a girl this entire time?" Now it was Newkirk's turn to look suspicious.

"What kind of question is that, Dummkopf? Of course I've been a girl this entire time!"

"You're sure?"

Alek suppressed a snicker. Bovril laughed in his ear.

Deryn's anger had turned to exasperation. "What's the point of this, ninny?"

"Well…" They had reached a door, which Deryn could only assume was one of their cabins. "Because, you have a cabin mate." He opened the door and Deryn gaped.

Guess who her cabin mate was?

Yup.

Midshipman Owen Fitzroy, at your service.

This was supposed to be a serious chapter, but I had written enough fluff and whatnot this week and felt like I needed to write something like this. So here you go. Chapter 2, if you want one.

We don't learn Fitzroy's first name, so I made it Owen. I like the name Owen. Review please. My crazy self loves to hear your feedback!