Be Nice

“You did what?!”

John Brightmist rose from the arm of the captain’s chair, holding both hands up in surrender. “Now, hold on, sweetheart. Lemme explain –”

Jenny crossed her arms under her chest, glaring at her father as she leaned against the back of the navigation console. “Explain? Explain what, exactly? That you got piss drunk and put the whole damn ship – OUR HOME –  up for bet on a losing hand?!

”Now listen here, young lady, don –“

“Don’ you ‘young lady’ me,” she snarled, tossing her wrench across the room to land neatly beside her tool belt before she was further tempted to use it. “I can’t believe you. Not that playin’ cards with the pile o’ trash at port –”

“They’re business partner’s, Jen!”

“They’re bloody thieves!”

“We’re thieves!”

“Not from the good guys!”

“And if we wanna keep it that way, you gotta play their game sometimes! Shit, girl.”

“Playin’ their game what yer doin’ hirin’ this Blackstar?”

John groaned, and lifted a big hand to rub at his eyes. “He’s Warren’s nephew. Agreein’ to it was the condition fer getting the Empress back.”

“Sounds like trouble.”

“You think every stranger is trouble.”

Jenny barked a harsh laugh. “’Cause you trust ‘em too much.”

“And you don’t trust people enough!”

Jen pursed her lips into a thin line. “Does ‘e even know how ta pilot?” she huffed, shooting a glare to the door that led out of the bridge to the rest of the ship.

“I’m told he’s a natural. Just… be nice, all right?” John asked with a heavy sigh, stepping over to rest his big hands on his daughter’s shoulders. “Haven’t had a First Mate in a month and we’re hurting.”

“Yeah, I know,” Jenny grumbled under her breath, glancing to her father as he checked his datachron. “That ‘im?”

John hummed and nodded as he read the message. “The other’s are greeting him. They’ll be here soon.”

Jenny chuffed a harsh breath and shrugged her shoulders as she stepped away to retrieve her tools. “You c’n greet ‘im. I go’ work ta do.”

“Darn right. You can show him around.”

Jenny turned, blue eyes blazing. “I got a reactor circuit to re-rout, new coolant pipes that need fitted, an’ a medic bay that needs rewiring for the third blasted time this year, but you wanna have me playin’ tour guide?!”

John grinned down at her. “Damn straight.”

“Yer… Yer doin’ this just ta piss me off!” she accused.

“Of course! You’re adorable when your angry. Look like your mother.”

Jenny scowled and turned away to pick up the few tools scattered over a holo-table. “Do I really gotta?”

Big arms snatched her up, and John pulled her into a tight hug. “Really. He’s not much older than you so he won’t be bored on the tour.”

Jenny exhaled with a small squeak at the crushing embrace. “’Cause I’m ’bout the only thing on this ship with boobs.”

“Well, don’t show him those!”

“The quickest way off the ship is what I’ll show ‘im.”

John chuckled. “You’re not ejecting him into space, either.”

Somewhat mollified, Jenny jutted out her lower lip in a pout. “Called ‘character buildin’.”

“Is it? Should leave your pistols in your bunk, too, cowgirl.”

“… I’m not gonna shoot ‘im.”

Eying Jenny, John planted a kiss atop of her head and released her. “Just watch your mouth. Can’t have you two at odds for months on end in space.”

Jenny opened her mouth to shoot back a retort when the seal on the door released and was pulled open. A handful of the crew filled the open space, surrounding a tall young man. Dirty blond hair crowned his head in a disheveled fashion that was probably stylish in some moronic corner of the galaxy, and he was broad, built like a fighter.

“Cap!” said one of the Deckhands, grinning like he’d just heard the best joke of his life, “got a minute.”

John was already smiling a charming smile, and he beckoned to the small parade. “Of course! Seth! Good t’ see ya!”

Seth’s cocky smirk turned into a grin as he sauntered in to clasp hands with the captain. “The feeling’s mutual, sir!”

Shit. She liked cocky smirks. But his pale eyes grazed over the room as if he was buying it, and he walked in like he already owned it. Jenny crossed her arms once more under her chest. This was her father’s ship. Her ship. The only home they had, and Seth Blackstar might as well have been a Draken dragging it’s claws down the halls of their home.

“Seth! Want you to meet my daughter, Jenny.”

Jenny blinked out of her thoughts and jerked her chin in acknowledgement, plastering on a charming smile. “Pleasure.”

Seth glanced to her, then looked again, taken aback, and indeed charmed. “Your – daughter? Yes! I remember you mentioning you had one. Just didn’t think she was ship-side,” he quickly amended with a sheepish grin.

“You bet she is. Part of the crew,” said John with a hint of pride.

“Second Engineer,” she amended flatly.

“Don’t mind her!” chimed the nearest deckhand who prodded at her arm with an elbow. “Jen’s always grouchy.”

“Shut it, Cole,” Jenny huffed, giving the deckhand a (mostly) playful shove.

Seth chuckled, and with an easy smile extended a hand to her. “Engineer, huh? Well that’s somethin’ all right. Glad to meet you, Jenny.”

Catching the look from John, Jenny reluctantly unfolded her arms and offered her own hand out. “Yeah. Well I’m told I’m s’posed ta show ya ’round.”

Instead of shaking her hand, Seth lifted it to brush a kiss over her knuckles before releasing her. “Are ya? Well aren’t I lucky!”

Jen hadn’t been expecting that. No one had kissed her hand before and she – shite – she had no clue what to do. Deciding on a smirk she tucked her thumbs into her gun belt and nodded curtly as she pivoted to saunter past the loitering crew for the door. “Don’ count yer cards yet.”

John clapped Seth on the shoulder. “She knows the ship better than just about anyone. I’ll catch ya up on what’s what when you get back.”

The new First Mate following her out into the hall, Jenny did her best to not let a sneer curl her pink lips. Tossing her red bangs out of her eyes she just barely caught John mouthing one last reminder to “Be nice!” before turning the corner.