The younger woman's entire manner of speech both confused and amused the older public servant. Scoffing slightly, she lifted one shoulder in a bit of a shrug. "Well. It's not like you're housekeeping," she laughed.

And, as to her last comment, DS Gardiner was never one to observe political correctness. She shot from the hip and called things as they were; or, at least, how they seemed to her. Shrugging again, the redhead appeared noncommittal. "I say what I mean, and I mean what I say." Simple as, the copper reasoned, her posturing defiant as she regarded the ensign, chin elevated slightly as said ensign gave her a sarky look.