Claire's arrival on the Obs deck was preceded by the well-familiar bark of Boon, who had caught Steve's scent long before he and his owner were in sight. The puppy that no longer looked very much like a puppy was getting better about bounding ahead of Claire, however, and only sprinted to Steve's side when both of them came out of the hall they'd been walking down. She followed the dog over at her own pace, sitting down next to Steve, giving him a tired smile.

"Hey there, stranger."