Disclaimers:
I do not own ST: TNG or any affiliated characters/copyrights.
I do own Ensign T'Sant, please don't borrow her without permission or information.
This fanfiction depicts a sexual relationship between two women, if this is offensive to you, please refrain from reading my material.
This fanfiction is for me to practice writing loving, intimate scenes between women for my personal work, however I have done the best of my ability to maintain the integrity of Canon Characters and bring you only the highest quality in OC's. Enjoy!
Ch 1: Hot Soup and Grey's Anatomy
"Ensign T'sant stared at a data pad in her hand, cup of hot soup in the other as she moved through the crowded hall of Ten Forward. The Vulcan glanced furtively up occasionally to avoid collisions, unable to fully tear her attention from the surgical schematic. She slowed to a stop in the center of the aisle, absorbed. A loud cough startled the medical officer, causing her to step forward, slamming solidly into a passerby.
The cup of soup flew from her hand, splattering over the front of the woman she had bumped into. The hall quieted as Ensign Ro Laren wiped the fluid from her face, eyes dark and angry. T'Sant inhaled sharply, waiting for a reaction. Though the Bajoran was new to the Enterprise, she had already cultivated a reputation for a short, lashing temper.
"Are you blind?" Ro simply stared at the Vulcan, arms still raised in surprise. T'Sant felt the tips of her ears grow hot; everyone was watching.
"I apologize profusely. I become rather focused on my studies and lose track of my surroundings. It was not my intention to assault you, are you injured?" She swallowed hard, intimidated by the younger woman. The Bajoran rolled her eyes, accepting a towel offered by Guinan. The Listener offered the Vulcan a sympathetic smile before ushering away the onlookers."I am sorry if this encounter causes you difficulties in your attempts to acclimate..." T'Sant was cut short by a deadly glare.
"My attempts to what?"
"I merely surmised that this situation may have been embarrassing for you...I would understand a desire to 'save face' in front of the other crew members..."The Bajoran's temper flared,"Why exactly would I want to do that?" T'Sant fought the blush creeping into her cheeks.
"Given your status as a former Federation captive..." Ro balled her fists, standing rigid. Guinan, sensing the discord stepped between the two women, placing a firm hand on Ro's shoulder.
"I think it best if you go..." she offered a pleading look to the Vulcan, who hung her head sheepishly before turning on her heel, leaving the cafeteria. When she had gone, Ro sunk into a chair her hands shaking with anger. Guinan sat across from her, waiting for the recalcitrant woman to unfurl.
"She had no right to bring that up..." she grumbled, picking at a nail. Guinan smiled softly.
"T'sant means well."
"She can mean well far away from me." Guinan placed a warm hand on the Bajoran's, tapping her lightly.
"Give her a chance. She might understand you better than you'd think." Confusion crossed Ro Laren's face.
"What do you mean?"
"If you want to know more, ask emher/em about it." The Listener stood and departed, leaving the woman to stew in her confliction.
T'Sant spent her duty shift distracted. She fumbled with the tricorder Dr. Crusher handed her after scanning a feverish young boy. The device clattered to the ground. She scooped it up quickly, avoiding the doctor's concerned glance. After she administered a hypospray to the boy's neck, the redhead pulled her assistant aside.
"Is everything alright Ensign? You seem distracted..." T'Sant looked at a point on the wall beyond Beverly.
"I had an unfortunate encounter with Ensign Ro this afternoon, I suspect she is still angry with me and I cannot help feeling worried she may act in retaliation." Dr. Crusher's eyebrows knitted together,"What happened?"
"I bumped into her and spilled my food all over her uniform." Her tone was matter of fact and dry. Beverly suppressed a giggle.
"I wouldn't worry too much. It was an accident."
"In my attempt to ensure she would not be damaged socially by the event, I may have 'salted the wound.'" She looked the doctor in the face, prominent brows furrowed.
"How?"
"I made the mistake of mentioning her past incarceration. I had not meant it as an insult but judging by her reaction, she perceived it as such." Beverly pressed a palm to her forehead. "Give her some time to cool off...then go apologize. I need you at your peak with this flu going around." She pressed the tricorder firmly into the Vulcan's hand. "Now take that data and find a treatment regimen." T'sant nodded sharply and hurried away to finish her work.
T'Sant sat upon her bed, hands resting in her lap, eyes closed. She took several deep breaths, willing away her frustration, her shame, her awkwardness and cheek. She could feel the blush receding from her face, thoughts of Ensign Ro pushed to the rear of her mind.
Tension melted from her neck as she relaxed into the posture, her muscles loosening. A sharp knock at the door snapped her body into painful awareness. She hissed, rubbing her legs before throwing a grey sweater over her tanktop. She limped to the door, wincing as she keyed to open it.
"T'Sant blanched at the visitor. Ro Laren looked down at the Vulcan, her demeanor severe and rigid.
"Can I assist you, Ensign Ro?" Her mouth was dry and sticky.
"Guinan suggested I hear out your apology...so here I am." A cursory look over the Vulcan wearing a soft loose sweater and skin tight shorts caused the Bajoran to raise an eyebrow. "Did I interrupt something?"
"No, come in." T'Sant stepped aside to allow the woman access to her quarters. Ro did not move, smoothing the creases from her uniform with flat hands.
"I would prefer to accept your apology from here. There is no need for me to enter your room." T'Sant frowned and returned to her door frame.
"I am sorry if my mention of your past transgressions caused you to feel alienated. I should have realized the issue is a sensitive one for you." The Vulcan kept her eyes on the Bajoran's shiny shoes. An uncomfortable silence crept between them before T'Sant chanced a glance upward. Ro Laren stared down at her, arms crossed, face screwed in irritation.
"And?"
"I am sorry I splashed you with hot soup. It won't happen again."
"See that it doesn't." The Bajoran did not give her time to answer before turning on her heel and striding away.
Ro stepped delicately into sickbay, cradling her right arm close to her chest. A group of crewmen stood in a circle around a young engineer whose arm appeared to be dislocated. A moment passed before a familiar voice addressed her.
"How may I assist you Ensign Ro? T'Sant looked up at her over a PADD. Ro glanced at the group before giving the Vulcan a scrutinizing look.
"They were here first, I will wait."
"I do not have the skill to aid Crewman Allen, I will assist you." Ro thought she heard a tinge of sadness in the woman's tone. She showed her the laceration on her arm
"I broke a vase..." T'Sant remained silent, retrieving a dermal regenerator and hypospray. She worked efficiently and quickly, not meeting the Bajoran's eyes. Ro took the opportunity to study the Vulcan. T'Sant was small, her body thin and birdlike. Her face was lineless, masking her 34 years well. Eyes as dark as her hair glittered under slightly protruding winged eyebrows. The Starfleet uniform clung tightly to well muscled limbs. Unbidden the memory of the Vulcan's legs in black shorts swam to the front of Ro's mind; she blushed lightly, shaking her head. The Vulcan cleared her for duty, giving her a sharp nod before disappearing to assist Nurse Ogawa.
Ro sat for a moment itching the spot where new skin covered her arm, watching the crewman with the dislocated shoulder as Dr. Crusher flitted around him, her face unusually stern. She gave him a sharp shove, resetting the limb in the socket. Ro winced in sympathy. The red haired doctor said something inaudible to the crewman, who nodded sheepishly, shame-faced. He rose to leave and curiosity got the better of her, she got up to follow. Ro took several long steps before she caught up to him putting a hand on his uninjured shoulder. He spun, startled.
"Oh, hello Ensign. Can I help you?"
"I noticed Dr. Crusher being rough with you, I was curious to the origin of your injury?"
"Oh..." he shrugged, "I fell from a ladder in engineering, nothing a little painkiller and rest can't cure."
"That doesn't warrant the senior medical officer's attention. The nurse or Ensign T'Sant could have repaired you up faster." The crewman betrayed the barest of sneers at the mention of the Vulcan, confirming her suspicions that Beverly had been terse with him because of the assistant.
"I just don't trust her...the Romulan." Ro narrowed her eyes, confused. He rambled on, a fervor touching his eyes. "How am I supposed to let her examine me when she could be sending all the data back to Romulan High Command? I don't know why they'd allow a former prisoner work on the most advanced ship in Starfleet..." His voice trailed off as he remembered who he was talking to. The information shocked her more than the insult, ignoring his faux pas in exchange for the barest sympathy for T'Sant.
"Dr. Crusher told me I'm not allowed to ask for any specific medical personnel because it shouldn't matter who saves my life come crunch time."
"Dr. Crusher is a smart woman, I'll ask you to refrain from insulting Ensign T'Sant behind her back further, the captain would not like to hear of it.I do not believe that Romulan Command is interested in the doings of clumsy engineers." She fixed him with a glare that set his insides running. He gave her a curt nod before scurrying away, leaving the Bajoran feeling guilty. The afternoon left Ro pacing in her quarters, avoiding a decision. She had been at it for hours, weighing the pros and cons of addressing the medical officer. She wanted to confront her about the things Crewman Allen had said, certain he was mistaken about her species. Her conscience nagged her, reminding her that she had overreacted at the minor accident...she should apologize. She growled in frustration, eyes flicking up at the clock: 1800 hours.
"Computer, locate Ensign T'Sant."
"Ensign T'Sant is in Ten Forward." Perfect.
The cafeteria was crowded, bustling with activity. Ro drew her lips thin, her eyes scanning the room for the Vulcan. A first pass rewarded her with nothing, she frowned. She slowed her search, finally spotting the woman sitting in the corner, back to the chattering groups of people. A small pang of guilt struck her gut as she noticed T'Sant was alone. Ro approached the table, pausing. She peered over the woman's shoulder at the massive book laid open before her. The pages were filled with diagrams of human muscular systems and organs. Despite the graphic nature of the images, T'Sant munched happily on a salad, her attention fixated on the book.
"Interesting choice of literature." Ro took a small amount of pleasure at the woman's squeak of surprise. She offered T'Sant a weak smile, taking the seat across from her. She noticed the tips of her pointed ears turn pink and Ro found it somehow endearing.
"Hello..." the Vulcan whispered closing the book with small hand. She seemed guarded and Ro couldn't blame her. She saw the faded print on the book spine - Grey's Anatomy. "Can I help you ensign? Did I fail to properly convalesce your injury?"
"No it's fine, much better thank you. I must admit...I am curious."
T'Sant mumbled into her salad, "About what?"
"Why a Vulcan might lie to me." T'Sant's face paled, eyes wide. She looked away, staying quiet. Ro fixed her with a serious look, disappointed. "Why did you tell me you couldn't fix that crewman's shoulder. It seems almost detrimental for a medical officer to be untruthful about their abilities. Or Starfleet is remiss in their choice of personnel." The insinuation did not phase the woman.
"I apologize for the deception...I did not wish for you to have a reason to distrust me. That line of reasoning is flawed to me now." T'Sant kept her eyes on her salad, yet her face was somehow transparent.
"So it is true? You're Romulan?" T'Sant hesitated before nodding, her jet black hair dancing across her forehead. Ro noticed the untidy bangs, how they were subtly uneven and choppy. She suppressed the urge to smooth them, irked by the messiness.
"Only half. My mother was Vulcan." T'Sant exhaled heavily, pushing her salad away and crossing her arms on the table. "I'm certain you've heard the rest of it so if you'll excuse me." The small hybrid pulled the book to her again, finding her place. Ro reached out and shut the book with a snap.
"I haven't. I don't care for gossip. I came to apologize for behaving rudely to you before. I can be...abrasive." Before T'Sant could respond, her combadge chirped. Beverly required her assistance in sick bay. She hurried away without saying anything more.
Ro glanced down at the table, noticing the medical officer had left her gruesome book behind. She rolled her eyes, picking it up gingerly as if it were contaminated. The book was well worn, pages dog-eared and some falling loose in the binding. Ro sighed heavily, her face creasing in irritation. She had not wanted to converse with the woman again. She was not willing to share her sympathy, indulging in her ideas that she was better off alone. Ro Laren would be her own friend and that was enough.
End Chapter One