They’d reached the turn of the corridor and there were only two quarters along which meant that they had a fifty-fifty shot here. 

“Left or right?” she asked. “What does the padd say?”

“You’re on the right,” he gestured with a sweep of his arm towards her door. “I’d also be more than happy to get you a coffee anytime you like if you can save me from this torture.”

She nodded, sweeping through the door as it opened for her. Her luggage trunk was thankfully already there, sat in the middle of the floor. Turning it on its side, she pressed her thumb to the plate and it clicked open. It was the work of a minute to recover her vanity case and she pulled a jar free with triumph. 

“Here we go.” She smiled and showed him, rising to her feet. “Come on, handsome, bathroom.”

Griffin had been lingering near the door until she motioned for him to follow her. He didn’t hesitate, crossing the room in a few strides until he was right behind her. Her quarters were generously sized and nicely appointed. Much better than the ones he’d called home throughout his career. The bathroom was nice as well, he thought idly even as he tucked her calling him handsome away in the back of his mind.

“Thank you for doing this,” he murmured, giving her some room so he didn’t crowd her too much. Up close, he couldn’t help but notice that she smelled nice. Some scented lotion or perfume, perhaps?

”You’re welcome.” Grabbing a hand towel she nodded toward the toilet. “Jacket off, and sit down.”

She held out her hand for his uniform jacket, hanging it up on the back of the door before putting the towel around his shoulders. Washing her hands, she dried them before unscrewing the lid of the jar and scooping out a generous amount of the oil. It melted quickly in her hands. 

“No graceful way to do this I’m afraid,” she said, rubbing the oil between her fingers, then stepping forward to slide them through the short strands of his hair. Knowing how sensitive his scalp was likely to be this close to having the bleach done, she tried to be as gentle as she could. Working in sections, she made sure to cover every inch of his scalp. 

“Your hair doesn’t feel too bad, so I don’t think you’ve actually fried it. It probably only feels like that at the moment.”

The moment the oil made contact with his scalp and she spread it through his hair, he let out an audible sigh of relief. “I’m less concerned about my hair than my scalp. Pretty sure my hair is okay, even if it’s a bit dry. It’s the blasted itching that’s had me at my wit’s end,” he rumbled, closing his eyes. 

“That feels wonderful. You’re a godsend… an absolute angel for this. Seriously, thank you so much.” Opening his eyes, he met her dark-eyed gaze. “I think I’ll live now.”

The corner of her lips quirked as she washed her hands off in the sink. Putting the lid back on the jar, she offered it to him. “Here. You’ll need to use it for the next couple of days but after that you’ll be good. Unless you decide to brave the bleach again.”

“Thanks, but I think once is enough for me.” His fingertips brushed hers as he took the jar from her. “You are an absolute lifesaver,” he said with a smile, then looked around the spacious bathroom. “Your quarters are quite nice. Probably the biggest I’ve personally been in. I was happy once I didn’t have to share a room. I always got stuck with someone who snored like a pack of rabid chainsaws.”

She chuckled. “Yeah, my cadet cruise was on a Cali. Those corridor bunks?” She shook her head. “Not fun at all.” 

Taking the towel from him, she folded it and rested it over the edge of the basin. “I actually didn’t realise how large they would be. I think only the captain’s are bigger, but I’m sure I could… I dunno, seat 12 for dinner out there or something. Seems ridiculous for just one person.”

“I guess they expect the higher ranking officers to be able to entertain crew or visiting officers or dignitaries from time to time.” Griffin watched her a moment longer. “The captain’s quarters are across the corridor from yours…” He let the words hang between them, looking for any kind of reaction that would spill the beans about her. There was only one reason to have these particular quarters.

Amusement danced in her eyes. “Generally tends to be where they put the XO, yes.” 

His eyes widened as he stared at her mutely for a moment or two too long to be polite. Well, he had his answer, but for the life of him, all he could do was blink owlishly at her as the information settled in. Vynnie was the Executive Officer of the Canterbury and he’d spent the entire time in her presence whining and scratching at his damned head. Brilliant. Not. 

Also not the first impression he wanted to make with a beautiful woman. The corner of his mouth twitched up into a lopsided smile.

“Indeed. Makes the most sense.” It wasn’t getting any better and to make matters worse, he could feel the telltale flush of heat creeping up his neck and across his cheeks as the full weight of his embarrassment set in. “Lightning doesn’t strike within the confines of a ship, so I know I won’t be struck dead just yet… but you could have spared me by mentioning you were the XO a tad earlier.”

She bit her lip. “Sorry, I really should have. But I just wanted a little while longer of someone treating me normally, you know?” 

He nodded. “Actually, I understand that. If that’s how you would prefer to be treated, I can continue on this way… maybe a little less complaining and less… “ He made a face and pointed at his hair. “I really do appreciate what you’ve done for me, so it’s no problem to act like you’re just another crew member. Respectfully, of course. For the most part, at least.” 

Griffin wasn’t high ranking himself, but he had friends in command positions and had seen firsthand how it could lead to isolation and different treatment. 

“I’m good if you’re good,” he grinned.

It was a right cheeky grin, and she couldn’t help returning it. “I’d like that.” 

He didn’t know how much actually. She’d risen through the ranks on her previous ship and made XO, which had meant distance from the crew, and she’d lost some friendships. Transferring to a new ship dealt with that. These people didn’t know her as anything other than the XO, but… that did mean she had to make new friends.