<div align="center"><strong>~ Gamble’s First Officer Sasha Dearing,  Back in The Gamble Again (http://youtu.be/bDKxUt9UkmU) ~</strong></div><br/>Furiously stalking out of the pub, Sasha didn’t slow her angry stride for several blocks, her dark expression and aggressive body language enough to cause passers-by to hurriedly get out of her way; even merchants hawking their wares on the sidewalk shut their mouths as she stormed by, instinctively not wanting to draw her attention.<br/><br/>Sasha’s agitation churned violently inside her as she struggled to control the volatile emotions that had combusted within her. With the dark anniversary of her family’s murder crushing her psyche with its oppressive, smothering weight, she hadn’t realized just how much she had been using the prospect of time with Jacob as a sweet narcotic to distract her from the pain.<br/><br/>Yeah, she was pissed at the Captain’s dictatorial manner - but bottom line, he was in charge. And besides, she knew his decision was rooted in concern for his crew; the Cap’n cutting their shore leave short wouldn’t have been enough to push her over the edge. it was the overwhelming combination of her disconcerting confrontation with Ferret, the tumultuous feelings she’d been having toward Griff, the sudden and shocking news that Hayes had jumped ship, the uncomfortable kink of having two new unknowns thrown into their midst as part of the crew right before a sketchy job, and learning that Mae had been hurt by some thugs badly enough that she lay unconscious in the infirmary. It was the potently destructive cocktail of emotional overload that did it. And Sasha knew of only two sure-fire ways of dealing with intense emotions she didn’t know how to otherwise handle: she needed a good fight, or a good fuck. But since neither of those outlets were likely to happen in the immediate future - unless she conveniently ran into trouble on her short trip back to the ship, or decided to grab the first likely man and have her way with him - she needed to find another way to release her out-of-control emotions. And soon, before she lost control in a way that needed apologizing for. Or worse.<br/><br/>Feeling someone following her, Sasha had a pretty good idea who would dare such a dangerous feat. Unfortunately she wouldn’t be so lucky as to have some lowlifes trailing her, just beggin’ to be beat on within an inch of their sorry lives. So since Si didn’t currently fall into the fight or fuck category, she didn’t bother to turn around and acknowledge him, because even in her thunderously foul mood she appreciated the man’s loyalty and always-calm spirit, and didn’t want to take out her ire on him.<br/><br/>Reaching the ship, she tromped heavily through the cargo hold and directly to the infirmary, a menacing scowl darkening her feminine features, more than a little apprehensive of what she might find.<em>Oh, Mae...</em>However, the completely unexpected sight that greeted her when she reached the infirmary caused her to come to a sudden halt in the doorway. Relief flooded through her as she saw that Mae was awake and okay, but a heartbeat later her anger was boiling back up, her eyes narrowing dangerously from the unnecessary worry she had been torturing herself with. When Griff had told her that Mae had taken a hit to the head and was unconscious, her heart had plummeted and her worry had skyrocketed. Their pilot - despite her excellent capabilities in the cockpit and her teenage streak of rebelliousness - was for all intents and purposes just a vulnerable young girl, without any type of combat training or fighting experience.<em>What kind of low-life hun dan would attack a defenseless young thing like that?</em>Her outrage at their attackers sparked her anger back to full burn as she took in the scene before her.<br/><br/>The two young pilots were cozily entwined together on one of the examination tables which they had conveniently transformed into a makeshift bed, with an obviously more-than-contented Vincent sensually feeding grapes to a swooningly pleased Mae.  Glaring briefly at Mae before letting her scowl rest upon Vincent, Sasha didn’t let the relief she felt lessen her angry visage.  Not so surprisingly, the Captain hadn’t bothered to make mention of Vincent’s injuries, only Mae’s. But by the look of him, he had put up one hell of a fight and caught his fair share of a beatin’ in the process. She had no idea of Vincent’s fighting skills - the two of them could have been trounced by a freckle-faced girl scout selling cookies for all she knew - but she had a feeling the young man could hold his own well enough. Lord knew he had been threatened in turn by each of the senior crew members that he would be held responsible for Mae’s well-being. And Sasha didn’t think the smitten young man took that responsibility lightly.<br/><br/>Letting it sink in that beyond Vincent’s cuts and bruises he seemed in good enough shape and pretty damn pleased with himself, and Mae looked no worse for the wear and even...joyful, Sasha began to feel the tightness steelbanding her chest ease up a bit. Sasha knew first hand that no matter how careful a person was, shit happened. And until she heard the full story she wasn’t going to jump to conclusions or blame Vincent right out of the gate. But she didn’t let that lighten the harsh tone she questioned the co-pilot with; a healthy fear of God - or at least of his First Officer - could be a useful method to help keep him - and Mae - safe. Or as safe as possible. So when she spoke to Vincent, she didn’t tip-toe around or kowtow to any pleading looks or words from Dani or Mae to go easy on him.<br/><br/>“Vincent - what the<em>hell</em>happened? We’ve got a bushel of low-life types making our acquaintance recently, and I need to know if your little rumble is connected at all.”  Knowing that truths were easier pried out in private, especially when there was a love-interest involved, Sasha looked at Dani, her expression making it clear that what she was about to say was not going to be in the form of a question. “Dani, the Cap’n or I need to have a little chat with Vincent, get the story here. And given the circumstances,” she flicked her gaze momentarily to the cozied up lovebirds, “I think it’s probably a slightly better idea for me to have that conversation than the Captain. I promise to bring him right back.”  Her attention swinging back to Vincent, she looked him in the eye. “Let’s go. Now.”<br/><br/>Heading to her cabin for privacy, she did her best to leash her still-roiling emotions.  When she spotted Si nearby, she decided his calming presence would be a good idea, just to be on the safe side. “Si, care to join me while our walking-talking punching bag gives us the low down?”  Reaching her cabin she ushered Vincent inside and gestured him to the chair. Closing the door after Si, she stood directly in front of where Vincent now sat, her arms crossed as she stared down at him intently. “Vincent. You need to tell me everything, from the beginning and not leaving anything out. I do<strong>not</strong>like surprises, and if we’ve got an ongoing problem I need to know about it.” Moving to sit on the bed across from the co-pilot, Sasha decided to give the man a chance to talk; if she felt he wasn’t fessing up the whole story, she’d resort to further intimidation. But first, maybe just a conversation would do. She hoped so. For his sake.<br/><br/><br/><em>hun dan = bastard</em><br/>