<div align="center"><strong>~ Sasha Dearing, First Officer - Ready to disembark the Gamble - at Eavesdown Docks on Persephone ~</strong></div><br/>Sasha closed her eyes for a brief moment, her long dark lashes feathering gently against her cheeks as she savored the tender warm glow curling up softly within her heart.  Startling blue eyes opened once again, and she drew in a long deep breath. The moment passed.  Drawing her well-worn cloak of inscrutable composure securely back around her, the woman’s expression once again took on the familiar reserved coolness of First Officer.<br/><br/>A soft wash of color pinkened her cheeks ever so slightly as she glanced around, hoping her moment of letting her guard down had passed unnoticed. A familiar scowl settled into place as she berated herself for her momentary lapse of discipline. Going soft was<em>not</em>an option; opening her heart was a dangerous slippery slope to a place of vulnerability she had sworn to never succumb to again.  The only way to avoid that searing pain of unbearable loss was to never let anyone in; and she would NOT let herself get hurt like that ever again.<br/><br/><strong>"Well then, Miss Dearing, I believe it is our turn for a walk on the docks, one which I must say I will find the more enjoyable for being in your company. Shall we?"</strong><br/><br/>As Simeon calmly approached her and spoke with an almost buoyant tone, Sasha’s gaze narrowed suspiciously as she scrutinized the older man’s face for any hint that he had witnessed the chink in her emotional armor. But as usual, Si’s demeanor was nothing if not the consummate gentleman and utterly professional. Relaxing her face to a soft smile she stepped close beside him so they could talk discreetly while still observing those around them, the subtle sent of spicy jasmine clinging to her skin and hair.<br/><br/>“Knowing you, Si - you’ve already compiled your own impression about our newest crew member, and as always I value your opinion and look forward to hearing it. But...before we head off into the black for God knows how many months with this unproven guy, I’d like to get some time to feel him out myself first.”<br/><br/>McPherson had seemed straightforward enough, but his brief hesitation when she had introduced herself and his weak handshake had sent up enough of a red flag that Sasha felt a little unsure about the newest crew member. Maybe it was as simple as the man had never served under a woman First Officer before. She knew some men had issues submitting to a woman’s complete authority over them, and if McPherson fit into that category she’d be more than happy to deliver an ultimatum to him personally. And finding out his true temperament now, when he could simply be left behind on Persephone if need be, was the simplest plan.<br/><br/>Having Si with her while she vetted the new guy for herself out in the field would allow her a good measure of ease. Sasha felt safe around Si, and trusted him completely in a professional capacity.  The older man never tried to elicit an emotional response from her, and never caused her to feel lacking for not offering one. Plus, if anything ever went south on a mission, Sasha knew that Si could be counted on without question.<br/><br/>Continuing her quiet conversation with Si, Sasha spoke in low tones. “Ferret is a devious, unscrupulous devil. But you know what they say about the devil you know; and I’d much rather have an untested gun at my back in a situation I’ve got at least<em>some</em>read on. Better’n having two unknowns in the next situation, when we might be meeting with someone we know nothing about. I’m gonna tell the Cap’n I want McPherson with us; you and me, we’ll figure out what the big man’s made of a’fore we have to trust him with our lives.”  Looking into Si’s eyes meaningfully for a moment, she stepped away from him and headed off to seek out the Captain.<br/><br/><strong>”A spare pair of hands needed anywhere, or should I take the initiative to go on my own procurement mission?"</strong><br/><br/>The Companion flashed her a brilliant smile as he spoke to her, a devastating smile that no doubt had served to weaken many knees.  Suddenly the image of the sensuous and beautiful man on his knees before her flooded her mind, her lips parting slightly and her skin warming at the carnal fantasy spontaneously playing out in her mind. Coughing lightly to cover her wandering thoughts , Sasha dragged her focus back to the moment.<em>Thank <strong>God</strong> I’m getting some time with Jacob tonight; it’s obviously been way too long - I’m turning into a gorram pòxié!</em><br/><br/>Luckily Lex didn’t wait for her answer, instead continuing with his train of thought.<strong>"You know I always bring back those little things that make life worthwhile. Any special requests? I know - how about some strawberry tea? It's really quite good."</strong><br/><br/><em>Mmmm, strawberry tea DID sound delicious...</em>Smiling back at the gentle man, Sasha spoke to him warmly. “Lex, whatever...little things you feel like sharing, you know they are always appreciated. Wrinkling her nose with an over-exaggerated twitch she spoke with a hint of a smile in her voice.  “However, I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s even more pungent in here than usual. I’ve got a cleaning crew arriving any minute to wash this stink out; with Hayes holed up in engineering, Dani’s the only one staying behind to oversee the cleaning. You mind keeping her company, Lex?” Sasha let her fingertips rest lightly on his arm as she spoke, having unconsciously moved closer to him as she made her request.<br/><br/>Her gaze was suddenly drawn to movement as someone hustled down the stairs, and Sasha’s eyes locked with Griff’s as he headed straight toward her. Striding purposefully to meet him halfway, Sasha curled her fingers around his upper arm firmly, steering him off to the side so they could speak privately.<br/><br/>“Cap’n, unless you have a powerful desire to have McPherson with you while you wrangle that new engine part,” her eyes flicked down to the dirty, banged up piece of metal in his hands, “then I’m taking the new guy with me and Si, see what he’s made of. He does okay, we’re golden. He gives me any reason to question his ability to fit in here, he can wave goodbye from the dock when we take off without him.” Giving Griff her menacing “take no prisoners” glare, she let him know she was serious about her “request”.<br/><br/><br/>pòxié = loose woman/slut<br/>