After a lengthy discussion it was decided that there was nothing more to be learned at the moment by staying in the system. We spent the rest of our time in the system scanning for the whale or anything really, finding nothing. So after reaching the edge of the system Joe set a course for the next way point and jumped the ship to Warp.

After retiring from her shift Joe returned to the gym for an intense workout to tire herself out. She arrived after shift-change so the gym was quite full. All in all six people where using the equipment, two of the science crew (one of them being Rick), three deckhands and the Captain. She was already on the treadmill going full out.

Joe set up the second treadmill and started jogging. It took 20 Min. of her 30 Min. Jog for the rest of the people to finish their routines and leave. Rick did not try to approach, small graces. After the treadmill Joe did her Burpees. She finished with the dumbbells until her body was tired out sufficiently.

Joe managed to get back to her room for a nice hot shower and a change of clothes. She was just out of my quarters when she almost ran into Rick, who must have been waiting for me.

"Hi there, may I join you for dinner?" He asked with a nice grin.

"I'm sorry, but i'm afraid I wont be much company. I'm really tired." That was true, he was kinda cute though. Oh, well.

"Sure, but don't expect too much." Joe said heading of to the galley.

He followed Joe to it, chatting away. He clearly had not really expected this to work. Good.

She selected a salad with a side of cheese, he went for a sandwich. They found an empty table as there where only a few crew members having a late lunch. They sat down and started eating. He was talking between bites of his sandwich, clearly unfazed by Joes lack of reaction. She did not really pay attention but as she was finishing her salad Joe started to listen a bit more. He was an anthropologist, apparently they study cultures, how they develop and so on. Quite boring. He was finishing his dinner and leaned back.

"So, you're flying the ship?"

"Yes, that is what I do."

"Cool, is it difficult?"

"Actually yes, it is. There is a lot to consider when maneuvering a ship of this size which is actually quite fragile. The engines are powerful enough to tear it apart if too much force is applied." His eyes got a bit wider, he was getting a bit scared. Joe managed to hide my smile.

"When plotting a course for Warp it is absolutely crucial to stay clear of any gravimetric force that exceeds a certain threshold. The ship could be pulled out of Warp and disintegrate in the process."

Joe was getting up, collecting her plate.

"So please excuse me for the night, I really need to sleep."

"Of course." He got up fast and returned his tray along Joes.

"I'll walk you home." He said grinning.

JOe was too tired to argue, so they just walked to my quarters. As they reached her quarters Joe turned to him.

"Thanks and good night."

As she turned to open her door she felt a hand on her arm.

"Thanks for dinner, Joe. Have a good night. See you."

He walked away, waving good bye. Awkward little man.

The next day started relaxed. The ship was at Warp and would remain so for the next 3 days. After Breakfast Joe headed to the Bridge for an uneventful shift. She used her spare time to look into the data that they had gathered about the space-whale. Together with the preliminary findings of the scientists it made for fascination reading. They where still debating on what to call it, they had quite some trouble deciding on it.

Sarah played a large part in Joes evening entertainment, she usually came by after dinner to chat. She loved to talk about the space-whale, it mere existence challenged a lot about what she understood how biology works. Especially it's apparent ability to FTL-travel. That should have been impossible. They talked just like before, like they've never been apart. It was great.

After a while routine started to settle in. What is normal on a long range cargo hauler. At least a bit. Normally even on a long range haul you know where the journey goes and what to expect. This expectation was utterly destroyed with encountering a space-whale. They should really come up with a better name.

Joe really loved Sarah, but at times she could be testing.

"So, what do I hear about you and Rick?"

"Rick? I don't know, what do you hear?"

"He claims to be dating you. Lucky guy."

"We are not dating. We had dinner, nothing more. And only because I was too tired to fend him off."

"Yeah, that's how he works. He can be very insistent."

"Really? I haven't noticed. He did not really leave an impression."

"Yes. That he does in the beginning. He does have quite a reputation."

"Says who?"

"Mostly himself."

"He likes the sound of his own voice, doesn't he?"

"Oh yes, he's very good at that. Be careful, he can talk."

"That is not going to work with me, you know me."

"Exactly! And I also know him. I've been working with him for months, he is very determined."

"He can try. I don't mind."

And try he did. He was always in the Gym working out when Joe was. Asking her out every time they met. As Joe had never liked playing these games she confronted him. When she arrived at her quarters after her daily workout he was there, asking her out for dinner.

Time to see if he only barks or if he can bite.

"I'm not in the mood for dinner, sorry."

"Really? What are you in the mood for?"

Joe approached him, looking up a bit, a challenge in her eyes. "Well, my Workout is missing something a bit more challenging and taxing."

"I think I can help with that." He smiled back with confidence.

Joe got a bit closer, put her hand just below his throat pushing him into the wall.

"You think you can handle me?"

He just smiled back. "Yes."

"If you're not too tired from your 'Workout'." She used finger-quotes to mock him.

"Never."

Joe let go of him and went into her quarters, leaving the door open. It took him only moments to follow. Joe had her back turned to him. He closed and locked the door. Good. She retrieved a roll of tape and placed it on her desk. Then she turned to him, raising an eyebrow. Delivering her challenge. He took of his shirt and approached her. He started to kiss Joe. She pushed back, pinning him against the wall. He did not resist. She spun him around, bending one of his arms behind his back.

"You like it rough, do you." He managed to say.

"Oh yes." She grabbed the tape, tying his hands. Then she spun him around, taping his mouth shut.

"Nice try! Not really what I'm looking for though." Winking at him, she unlocked my door, pushed him through and closed it. She laughed out loud. I've not had this much fun in a long time!

It would take a long time for Rick to regain his corauge after this.