A/N: Firstly, I's like to give thanks to Knight Mistress, for giving a name to chapter three! (Thanks km, you're the best)

And I'd like to thanks to b2uty and the b2st, for leaving a review on every chapter so far! (Virtual chocolate-chips cookies to the both of you.) :D

And here is it, the promised chapter four! This chapter I must say was fun to write and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did, and also I have a chapter name for this one...kudos to me.

While Deryn is getting ready, let's see what Newkirk's up to...

"Good afternoon, Captain Hobbes," Newkirk saluted.

"Ah, Middy Newkirk, what brings you to me?" The captain asked.

"A request sir is all," he answered smoothly.

"And what might this request be?" The captain questioned.

"It has come to my attention that, Mr. Dylan Sharp is an excellent soldier. He saved my life twice and I feel that we should honor him with a gathering today." Newkirk asked hopefully.

"Took you long enough to noticed," the captain replied, "but by calling it a 'gathering,' do you mean the likes of a party?"

"Aye, sir," Newkirk verified.

"Very well, Newkirk, but you will have to set all this up," Hobbes said wearily.

"Will do, sir. And one more thing. Would you be kind as to call Mr. Sharp?" Newkirk asked.

"What time?" The captain questioned back, clearly saying yes.

"An hour."

"Affirmative," the captain replied, "you are dismissed."

Newkirk clicked his boots together as if dancing to the tango and headed out.

Deryn stared at herself in the mirror. She was all dressed up and well groomed. The Air Gallantry Cross Award that she had gotten from saving Newkirk was tightly pinned on her black dress coat. The sliver metal that had Charles Darwin's face imprinted on it seemed to twinkle in the mirror as if it were winking at her. Two aqua spheres stared back at her. Her hair was nice and slicked backed with the ship's famous organic gel.

This stuff works good, Deryn thought, making a mental note to take loads of it when the war was over.

She remembered when she first came aboard the Leviathan, her hair would be all over the place like Medusa, when she worked top-side. Of course she had applied her own hair gel, but it was too weak for the high winds.

Then one day, Newkirk was working at her side in 75 mph winds. She looked at him and saw that his hair was in place despite the wind. With her hair in her face, she shouted over the wind and asked Newkirk what he'd put in his hair.

"It's the ship's gel," he offered, "best stuff on earth." Then he took out a small blue round bottle with a red cap and handed it to her. She read the label; 'Middy's Miracle.' She flipped the bottle over and read the rest, 'Got air hair? Don't worry, Middy's Miracle should do the trick. Guarantee to keep hair in place in winds up to 120mph.'

"Thanks, man," she said.

"No problem."

Ever since then she'd been using Middy's Miracle. The gel was a life savor. The best thing was that, the gel didn't even weigh her down or made her appear like a cow ha licked her. I guess that's a good thing about organic stuff...all natural, she thought.

She looked in the mirror once more and saw she was in good shape. The only flaw she couldn't fix, were the twin rose-tint bags under each eye.

She laced up her boots and opened the door, only to come face to face with...Newkirk.

Newkirk had his right hand in a fist. His arm was held up so that it was parallel with the door. He was obviously about to knock.

"You, again," Deryn huffed.

"I missed you too, Dylan," he replied, "The captain has asked me to kindly escort you to the mess hall."

"With all due respect." Deryn said frowning, knowing all this was a ruse, because why would the captain ask an idiot like Newkirk to escort her to the mess hall. Better yet, why the need for an escort? She knew her way around the ship like the back of her palm.

"With all due respect, Newkirk," Deryn said again, " I'm perfectly capable of bringing myself to the mess hall."

"Captain's orders," Newkirk replied, smirking.

Deryn swore. Now why would the captain request that, Deryn thought. It was like he was worry she'd escape. But why would she be trying to escape? She wasn't a fugitive, as far as she knew...but still. Then it suddenly occurred to her. The captain must know somehow that she was a girl. Maybe Alek had told him already. But then again why would they need someone to guard a girl? The Leviathan's captain wasn't dumb. He'd probably figure that if she fooled them into thinking that she was a boy for several months, then she should have no problem trying to escape. No, that couldn't be-.

"Dylan," Newkirk asked, concern in his voice, "what's the matter? You've suddenly gone pale."

"Just a wee bit nervous, I suppose." Deryn responded.

"Oh, I know what's going on," Newkirk guessed, "You think you're in trouble, don't you?"

"Well, am I?" Deryn questioned.

"That's for me to know and you to find out," Newkirk said in a brain-twisting manner. "C'mon, let's get going," he insisted.

Deryn had no choice but to follow.

They walked in silenced. The corridors of the Leviathan appeared to be empty, not a single soul in sight.

"Where's everybody?" Deryn inquired.

Newkirk shrugged and said, "Who knows..." Deryn glanced at him from the side and saw the corner of his mouth pulled into a semi-smile. He's hiding something, she thought.

They rounded the corner and took a right and then a left and then they were standing in front of the mess hall's entrance. It was eerily quiet.

"Are you sure anyone is even in there?" Deryn asked. "This ship is practically a ghost ship," she noticed.

"Trust me, Dylan...just trust me," was all that Newkirk said.

And then they opened the doors.

"SURPRISED!" Shouted a chorus of familiar voices.

Deryn was honestly shocked. She had not been expecting this. She scanned the crowd and spotted people she recognized; Dr. Barlow, Wildcount Volger, Bauer, Mr. Rigby Otto Klopp, Hobbes, Dr. Busk. They were all staring at her in a way one would expect a loving parent would do to her children.

Captain Hobbes came to stand before her and smiled at her state of shock.

"Mr. Sharp, I assume you didn't expect this," he said, "neither did I until a friend of yours told me earlier of a brilliant plan."

Before Deryn could wonder which friend it was that Captain Hobbes was talking about, Newkirk stepped forward.

"Dylan, my good friend, It was I who called this gathering in honor of you," Newkirk said in an annoying formal way, "I feel that I am forever in your dept and I wanted to show my appreciation by throwing you a little 'par-tee,'" he said.

Deryn was flabbergasted.

Everyone she knew was there, she realized. She found herself smiling and then finally said, "Mr. Newkirk, I am honor to be here and I thank you for your generosity."

The 'par-tee' went on smoothly. She saw Dr. Barlow laughing with Dr. Busk. Newkirk was rambling something to her, but she wasn't really listening. She only nodded her head and shook her head instead of answering, but she doubted that she would get a chance to talk even if she wanted to, because Newkirk never seemed to pause for a second. She scanned the room once more.

She felt once more that, there's was something missing. Newkirk, being Newkirk, noticed her discomfort and asked, "You're looking for him, aren't you?"

"Aye, I just thought he would be here," Deryn replied.

"Well, I asked him to come, and he'd said he would come, so I don't know why he isn't here," Newkirk supplied.

"He has every reason not come," she said at last.

"So you are having a fall-out with Alek," Newkirk said.

Deryn just nodded her head. Newkirk sighed and then said, "Dylan, you can tell me whatever it is."

Just the Count Volger rose from his chair and came Deryn's way.

"Ah, Mr. Sharp, I'm sure you noticed Alek's lack of presence. I'm sorry to say, that he was planning on coming, but this terrible headache came upon him and he decided not to come." Volger 's face was expressionless.

"No need to apologize on his behalf, Count," Deryn said at last. The wildcount just glared at her.

"Oh, but he asked me to," he said simply.

"I'll take it from here, Volger," said a familiar voice.

Alek had somehow materialized before them. He has finally arrived.

A/N: I'd like to wish you all a very happy spring break. I'm sorry to say that I may not be updating soon until after spring break. I need a break, because I've been writing non-stop since I first published the story on Tuesday (Chapter 1) Wesnesday (Chapter 2) Thursday (Chapter 3) and finally Friday (Chapter 4)

Not that I don't mind writing, it's that I may not have access to the internet over spring break. But I will tell you this...since I write a new chapter every week day in my notebook and then type it up. So if you'll do the math you'll have six brand new chapters on Monday, March 19th, 2012!

Happy breaking.