Paige went to open the door, and in came Trisha. She had a smile on her face and looked down to see her two friends. Jim thanked for the interupption because there had been a awkward silecne following what he had just said to Paige. Trisha walked straight into the room.
"Aren't you going to get punished?" asked Paige with distain. Paige wanted to be alone with Jim so she could hear more about him. Already Jim seemed much more mature than his age would allow. Jim seemed to be an adult, but he was just a kid. And Jim was an orphan. He grew up with Gene, and that had forced him to mature faster than his body.
"My punishment doesn't start until tonight" said Trisha. "I have the night watch...commander bitch has taken it easy on me"
The Night Watch was exactly how it sounded; it was a watch that someone did, to make sure that nobody was breaking curfew and that nothing happened to the ship. It sounded more like an award than a punishment to Jim.
"So..." said Trisha. "showing Jim around?"
"Yes" said Paige. "and what are you doing here? Don't you have something better to do?"
"Like what?" asked Trisha.
"Like be on sensors" said Paige.
"That...what's-his-name is covering for me" said Trisha.
"Excuse me?"
"That attentant of Molly's...Hozoma or something like that" said Trisha. "anyway, I think it's about time to have fun with the holographic room"
"I have duties to do" said Paige.
"You're just an intern" said Trisha. "they call you when they can't do anything"
"We might get in trouble" said Jim.
"Hey, no prob" said Trisha. "trouble is my middle name"
"I thought it was.." started Paige.
"Nevermind that" said Trisha. "the day is young"
Paige glared at Trisha. She had things to sort out; mainly find a place for Jim to sleep. He couldn't sleep with her on the bed...the very idea made her blush scarlet. Paige was angry at herself for not thinking things through. She had just wanted to get Jim away from the commander and not consider the other things. Paige supposed she could find a sleeping bag for Jim, but she much rather get him his own bed then have him sleep on the floor like a dog. Trisha's smile vanished when she saw Paige glaring at her.
"What?" asked Trisha. "oh...yeah...before I forget, next month we have shore leave"
"Yeah...so?" asked Paige. "I don't go on shore leaves. I usually stay on the ship and work"
Was the news of the shore leave the reason for Trisha's happy mood? It seemed so.
"I didn't think you Ctarl-Ctarls took vacations" said Jim.
"Oh, Jimmy..." said Trisha. "even we Ctarl-Ctarl need some off-time like you Terrans"
"So...where are we going to take this shore leave?" asked Paige.
"I don't know yet" said Trisha, ears drooping slightly. "the commander wouldn't say"