Aery shifts uncomfortably. "Oh, joy. Assassinations. I was rather hoping I'd not have to get blood on my hands." Then the rest of Charlie's statement washes over her. "Charlie... That sounded uncomfortably like a dismissal... I know we haven't really gotten along all that well, what with our scientific misunderstandings and all that, but I'd rather like to keep traveling with you, if you'll have me. I haven't had much opportunity to show my abilities yet, but I'll be able to tackle whatever research projects you want me to, so that you can focus on getting wherever you want to go. And I can manage the finances and maybe even do the odd programming job or something while we're in-flight, so that we can make money." Her eyes well up with tears again. Oh for crying out loud, why is she so emotionally fragile today?