Fiona continued walking, not really sure where exactly she was going. She had already found the pool, mess hall, and command room. She noticed the open door and walked through. She leaned against the far wall and surved the large room. "Whoa." This wasn't her first assaignment and It surely wouldn't be her last, but this was the biggest security center she has seen thus far. Smiling a little she slide into one of the chairs, she flipped on a monitor. She scanned the area on that monitor surprised to that people were already moving around on this screen. She stood and continued to go about the room. She was half way through some of the computer files when some one cleared their throat in the doorway.

"Um, hello." Fiona replied concomfortably. Becky, in uniform, tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear and smiled a bit shyly. "Hi," she said. "Um... I'm Becky Rushton... and Uh... I think this is my post here..." She slowly walked in and looked around. "Yup, this is it..." She then turned to Fiona. "And you are....?"

"Fiona Sucara. I'm in Security too." She extended her hand to Becky. Shaking hands to two women smiled a bit uncertainly at each other. "So if you don't mind my asking, why did you join up?"

"That's cool. Hope ya don't mind my questions, and you don't have to answer me, but do you have any family?"

<>

"Yeah, I have a big family, six brothers and both parents. You looked around the ship yet?"

<>

Behind them,a sudden noise attracted their attention. Fiona and Becky whirled at the sound. Someone had entered the security office, banging their head on the door in the process.

"Sorry," The young man, duffel on shoulder, stepped in sheepishly.

"Can I help you?" Becky looked for the newcomer's rank patch. "..Lieutenant?"

John smiled.

"Scaros, ma'am. Lieutenant John Scaros," John looked around the office as he approached the two women.

"I was looking for the chief. Know where he is?"

Fiona looked at Becky, eyebrow raised. Becky turned to John. "Actually, Lieutenant, you're looking at her."

John looked taken aback. He'd had two hours to report on board from the announcement of his new assignment here. He had even looked at the crew roster yet. He hadn't met ANY of the senior officers yet. This, he thought, was
not the best way to start a new job.

"Oh don't worry about it Lieutenant," Becky said with that perpetual smile of hers. "A lot of people have trouble with a female security chief, but they get used to it. I'm pretty sure you will too."

John smiled. "I'm sure I will." He walked further into the office, to the monitor display, held out his hand.

Becky shook it warmly. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. I assume your my deputy?"

"That I am, ma'am... uh... sir.. uh.."

Becky's smile grew unabated. "Just Commander will do fine."

John sighed. "Well," he said,"now that I've met you, I've got to report to the captain. He would be... where?"

Fiona rolled her eyes, but Becky kept smiling. "Try the bridge, Lieutenant." A hint of mischief appeared in her eyes. "You know where that is?"

John smiled. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it," Becky said.

John turned, and walked out of the office, leaving Fiona and Becky staring after him.

For a while, neither woman spoke. Then, Fiona turned to Becky. "This crew gets better every time."

Becky sat down and gently banged her head on her desk. "This isn't happening...."

"You sure you wanna know? Okay I'll tell you..." Her voice dropped slightly and she said, "That deputy of mine's kinda cute..." Then she banged her head on her desk again. "And I can't do anything about it!"

"Yeah yeah I know... ah well... Guess I can deal right?" she pulled out an mp3 player and headphones and said, "I hope I can deal," as she put the headphones over her ears and pressed the play button, turning the volume down enough so she could hear the captain if he needed to talk to her.

Fiona smiled tenatively at Becky. "I work for you too." Becky turned her attention to her.

"Well, glad to see at least two of my people are here," Becky chuckled.

"If I had know that you were the chief when I first introduced myself, I would have saluted or something." The petite blonde seemed really nervous suddenly. "I apologize for that."

"That's okay," Becky said, "I'm kinda uncomfortable being saluted. I usually think that should be reserved for the captain."

"Still, you're the chief. I respect that." Fiona brought herself up as tall as she could. "Though if you don't mind my saying, its about time we got a woman chief. I've never had one before." She smiled tentatively again.

"Yeah well," Becky smiled. "...Guess there's a first time for everything huh?" She glanced in the direction John left and sighed. "It kinda sucks having a crush on your deputy... just promise me you won't tell him?"

"The words will never escape my lips," Fiona assured.