Southern Cross by Windstar

"Looks like it."
"That should be enough time, right?"
"Unless something really unusual happens, it should be."
"Is that all?"
Emie hesitated a moment then shook her head, watching the lift doors, waiting for the lift to
arrive.
"No. The search for the elusive General Whittecker is going nowhere fast. Major Sims is having
problems picking up his trail again. He's got one or two leads, but he doesn't sound very
optimistic. As for having a week to finish builder's trials, you'll have enough time. Unless you
attract more problems."
Both of them stepped inside of the lift as it arrived, and Julie punched in her authorization code
to take them down to the command deck. The eight Honor Guards, four assigned to each of
them, crowded in after them, silent as usual.
"Of course, with you…"
To Emily's delight, Julie poked her in the side once more and grinned up at her.
"You're never going to let me forget about that are you?"
Doing her best not to grin, Emily looked down at those shining, green eyes. She managed not to
smile for all of a second, which she supposed was a personal record when it came to Julie.
Somehow she had slipped right past the usual defenses Emily had learned to use to keep people
far enough away from her for her to do her job.
"Nope."
The grin turned into one of the most adorable pouts that Emily had ever seen and she found
herself leaning forwards to kiss that expression away.
"You're mean."
"Nope, just realistic."
Motioning for Julie to head out first, Emily followed her as they made there way back out onto
the command deck, nodding in return to the salutes of the on duty guards at the entrance.
"I hope I get it this time."