Own nothing. Warning: bad pun ahead.

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Kat nervously looked at the article in her hand, worn from multiple readings. "New Recruits Not Observed Sharply" It was an article about the lack of military examination, allowing women to disguise themselves. The article referred to a Deryn Sharp, Miranda Burns, and Sarah Atkinson, all women who had passed as men during the Great War. Pictures were included, and Ekaterina had recognized Miss Sharp as the blond journalist. She then simply looked through a directory to find her address.

The cab lurched to a stop, and she paid the driver.

"Thank you very much, sir."

"Aye, no problem. Wait a second... you look kinda like that Russian dame, in the newsp-"

"Resemblance," she said quickly, climbing onto the sidewalk. He drove away, looking rather disappointed. Lying was wrong, but it would be catastrophic if the tabloids and Aleksandar discovered her little investigation.

The tenement building was sweltering and grubby. Kat knocked on the door labeled "SHARP." A tall (and quite handsome) man answered the door.

"Can I help you, lass?"

"Well, I... I..."

A woman from inside the apartment yelled, "We are not interested in buying newspapers or magazines, thank you!"

"I'm not a saleswoman. I need to speak to Miss Sharp."

"Come on in, then." Ekaterina followed the man into a dimly lit and cluttered room, where the lady journalist was looking wistfully out a window. "Birdy, visitor for you." She turned, and her face went from pensive to comically surprised.

"It's- you're- how- why?"

"I just wanted to talk."

"Then talk you shall." She patted the window seat, and Kat awkwardly sat. A very pregnant red headed woman entered the room.

"Who's this? One of Deryn's friends?" She had a strong Irish accent. The man's gaze instantly softened, and he quickly pulled out a chair for her.

"You shouldn't be up, you're-"

"Pregnant, not terminally wounded. Nice to meet you, I'm Megan Sharp." She shook hands with Ekaterina.

"So, anyway," said Deryn, "What do you want to know?"

"It's not any of my business, but what was... your relationship with Alek?" Everyone except for Deryn winced.

"Oh, knock it off, you people. And it is most definitely your business. He... was my best friend on the Leviathan. Saved each other's lives more times than I can remember. And then I was shot, right in the arm, by a German gyrothopter. It wasn't serious. I guess I was lucky, in a way. The rest is history. Captain let me keep my medal, though. Great man. And Alek, he told me he felt... betrayed. He had trusted me with everything, and I had never told him the truth. I guess I understand why he hates me so much. Miss, he really is a good person."

"Bastard," spat Deryn's brother.

"You seem to hate him too."

She shrugged. "I do. But I guess you love him?"

"I'm not... I think... Well, I..." She trailed off. Did this woman love Alek? "I'm sorry if this is too personal a question... Were you... a couple?"

Deryn looked shocked, then laughed bitterly.

"Miss, you've hit the nail on the head. I loved him the way only a teenager could. But now I can't bear him. And you didn't really answer my question."

"Yes. I love him. But he doesn't, I can tell. He's not unkind. But he doesn't." She realized it was true. Ekaterina loved her fiancée, but he seemed to care for her like a brother would, not a husband. It was the worst feeling to simply be the future wife. This would be her future, the rest of her life, a one sided marriage.

"Are you alright, lass? You look a little faint," said Megan.

"I'm fine..."

And then, to everyone's surprise, Deryn grabbed Kat in an awkward hug.

"You tell him then. Tell him and make him deal with it like a man. Got it?"

"Mm-hm. I will."

"Good."

"I have to go, thanks for talking with me."

"No problem."

"Nice to meet you, dear."

"Aye."

"Bye, I hope I'll see you again."

"R-really?"

"Of course. Bye!"

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Next installation! Will she tell Alek?