She went back to work, stopping only when Ashmore poked his head in to tell her to come eat. She walked out, rubbing her neck and sat at the table with them. She ate the replicator meal, looking over at Ashmore's plate. She pointed, "What's that?"
"Oh, that's the meat. I didn't give you any. Vorik said you were a vegetarian."
She looked next to her at him and he responded, "I thought you probably were."
"I am."
"Yea, he said you grew up on Vulcan. That's interesting. What was that like?" Ashmore said.
"We moved there when I was 8." She went on to tell them about her experiences, how much she loved the planet and had planned to go back there some day. She was pleased at the interest Vorik took in her history, asking questions, making parallels to his own upbringing.
After the meal she finished up her work and went back to her cot, picking up her datapad and making notes on her work that day. Vorik was in the cockpit, and Ashmore at the table, working on calculations. She put down her datapad and picked out her sketchbook, making a quick drawing of Ashmore, bent over his work. She often did that to pass the time on Voyager.
Vorik came in, looking worried. She sat up quickly, "What's going on?"
"I'm having trouble contacting Voyager. I finally managed it, and got the report out, but the interference is increasing."
She frowned, "I can take a look at it."
He nodded and she followed him up to the cockpit. After analyzing the data she made a few calculations and adjusted the signal. "There, that should be better. Not ideal, but better."
"Thank you," Vorik looked relieved.
"Anything else I can do?"
He hesitated, "No, that's it."
Puzzled, she said, "Well, okay. I think I'm going to turn in."
"I will as well in a few minutes."
The next morning was different with increased cloud cover outside. Ashmore analyzed the environmental data. "It's not good, increased sulfur mixing with the other chemicals. Visibility will be low. We'll have to use thermal vision as well."
"Good idea. Let's suit up and try to get as much as we can. I believe we can get everything we need in the next two days. Then Matheson can make the mineral extractions after that. We will stay as long as we need to finish that, then get back on Voyager." Vorik looked around for their input.
They agreed and as they suited up and as Rae clasped their suits, she looked at the ropes Ashmore had.
"Why don't you tie a rope to the door of the shuttle, just in case. To help you find your way back."
Ashmore made a face, but Vorik agreed. "That is a good idea. You have enough rope, right?"
"Yes, but, I mean, come on. We've got equipment in our suits that can get us back to the shuttle even in zero visibility."
"It would be logical to take extra precautions." Vorik said.
Ashmore acquiesced and Rae locked them in the docking room as they exited the shuttle. She could see the wind whipping in as they opened the door. She went to the cockpit to look at the weather conditions outside. She kept in close contact with them as they worked outside the shuttle, and as before they brought in a big haul of specimens.
"One more trip tomorrow should complete the specimens we require." Vorik said.
"I've got ropes set up around an area that is chock full of what we need to complete the mission." Ashmore said excitedly.
"I've checked the weather, it's lightening up. Tomorrow it should be better." She helped them off with their suits.
"Great." Ashmore walked past her to the shower.
She turned her attention to Vorik with one pesky clasp giving her a hard time. "Hold on," she got one of her tools a pried it open.
"That was helpful, the rope to get back to the shuttle."
She smiled, "Good. I'm glad you took my suggestion. Kept me from worrying too much about you guys."
"You were worried?"
She stopped and looked at him, "Of course. This planet is unknown. I'm having more trouble contacting Voyager as well."
She finished getting the armor off and lightly put her hand on his chest. She quickly pulled it away and picked up his helmet, putting it on the shelf. She reprimanded herself for doing that and hoped he wouldn't have noticed.
"I'm going to get dinner together," Vorik said and walked out of the docking room. She waved at him as he left and started checking the samples they brought back. She frowned, they were much hotter than yesterday, too hot to touch. She put them back in the containers to cool off.
After dinner she went back to work, breaking up and extracting the samples. At the table, Ashmore was drinking coffee and talking to Vorik.
She walked in past them to go to the bathroom. Ashmore got close to Vorik and lowered his voice, "So, what do you think of her?"
Vorik answered, "She is very competent. I am pleased with her work so far."
Ashmore shook his head, "You know, she's pretty good-looking. Nice too."
"I had noticed that as well."
"She'd be a great girlfriend"
"I thought you were married."
"Not for me, idiot. For you."
Vorik shook his head.
"She likes you, you know." Ashmore pressed.
"She has made favorable comments to me about my work."
Ashmore leaned back, "I see the way she looks at you. She can't keep her eyes off you, when you walk around without a shirt on, it's like she's in a trance."
"You are mistaken-"
"No I'm not. She has a crush on you. I noticed it before, on Voyager. I think you should do something about it. You guys are good together. I mean, she likes Vulcans, right? She grew up there after all. She's not with anyone on the ship."
"That's not appropriate-" Vorik started.
"And she hangs on every word you say. You could do worse, you know. She's very attractive, and in shape. Don't you think so?"
Vorik shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "Yes, she is an attractive woman-" he stopped as the door to the bathroom opened and Rae stepped out.
"Want any coffee?" Ashmore asked her.
She turned, "No thanks. I think I'm almost done actually."
He nodded and as she turned the corner back to the docking room, he nudged Vorik. "Think about what I said."
That night Vorik watched as Rae worked in her sketchbook. He thought about what Ashmore said. He sat on the edge of her bed as she looked up at him, wide-eyed.
He pointed at her book, "What are you working on?"
She sat up, putting her hair behind her ear nervously, "Just some drawings. It's a hobby." She flipped through her book and showed him a page, "Here's one I did of the ship."
He looked closely, it was a good rendition of Voyager, very life-like. She pulled it back and flipped through some more pages, "Oh, and here's one of some of the crew in the mess hall." She flipped through some more, "And here's a drawing I did of Kes. It was a study for a larger one I did and gave Neelix as a gift." She smiled.
He held the book and looked over at her, "You have an amazing talent. These drawings are very good." He started to turn the page and she reached out for the book.
"Not all of them are so good." She pulled it back.
"I think you are too critical. You are definitely a woman of many talents."
"Well, thank you."
They heard a loud crackling coming from the cockpit and they jumped up and passed Ashmore, sitting at the table. The sound was coming from the comm link to Voyager. "Let me try to clean it up." She sat at the console, but couldn't clear out the interference. Frustrated, she turned it off. "It's the electrical storms. Hopefully it will clear out tomorrow and we can listen to it."
They made their way back to the cots and got ready for bed. Rae stood by her cot and stretched her calves out. The cramped quarters were getting to her, she was used to being on the go on the ship, and she was barely able to move around. She stretched her neck back and forth.
Ashmore motioned to Vorik as her back was turned to them, pointing at her, then him, then his neck. Vorik looked at him confused. Ashmore made another attempt to communicate, then frustrated, got up and went behind Vorik, massaging his shoulders, then pointed at Rae. Vorik shook his head no, but Ashmore pushed him towards her.
She saw the movement behind her and turned to look at him. "What?" she asked, leaning her outstretched arms on the wall and stretching her leg.
"Are you feeling okay?" Vorik asked.
"Yeah, just tight from being stuck in this tin can. Plus being hunched over those samples all night." She turned back to the wall.
"I understand."
He turned away and Ashmore rolled his eyes saying loudly, "Why don't you give her a massage and help her out?"
Rae turned to look at them, "Huh?"
"I don't think-" Vorik started.
"Yeah you can, she's working hard. Help her out." He gestured towards her.
Rae felt embarrassed watching Vorik's stammering, "No, I'm okay, really." She protested.
To her surprise, he offered, "Ashmore's right. I'll try."
"Um, okay, thanks." she turned around and lifted her hair off her shoulders around her front.
Vorik turned to look at Ashmore, holding his hands up questioningly.
Ashmore rolled his eyes again and made motions with his hands as if he was massaging, then pointed furiously at her.
Vorik turned and lightly put his hands on her shoulders. "Here?"
"Um-hm."
He started moving his fingers, feeling the muscles.
"Oh, yeah. Right there. Feel how it's so tight?" she drew in a deep breath. She made a mental note to thank Ashmore.
Vorik turned to see Ashmore give him a thumbs up. He turned back and continued, kneading a little harder.
"Ooo, yup, that's the spot. Oh, that feels so good."
He continued, then started rubbing harder.
"That's a bit too much-" suddenly she fell to the floor.
Vorik looked in horror as she lay in a heap at his feet. "Is it supposed to do that?" he asked.
Ashmore had leapt up and was leaning over her, "What happened? What did you do?"
"I don't know, I did what you told me. She seemed to be enjoying it." He knelt down next to her and Ashmore checked her out.
"She's breathing, it's like she just went unconscious."
"I think I might have accidentally given her a Vulcan nerve pinch."
Ashmore looked up at him, "Oh, shit. What does that mean?"
"She should wake up in a few minutes without any lasting ill effects. Help me get her on the bed."
They picked up by her hands and feet and lay her down on her bed. Vorik patted her hand and arm alternatingly as Ashmore got some water. Vorik looked at him, "What are you going to do with water?"
"I don't know, we just do that. It helps somehow."
Vorik turned back to her as she stirred. Her eyes flickered and opened and she looked over at them.
"What the hell is going on?"
"I'm sorry, it appears that I got too close to your pressure point and accidentally performed a Vulcan nerve pinch on you."
"Are you serious? I passed out?"
They nodded. She laughed uproariously as they looked at each other quizzically. "That is so crazy." She sat up.
He knelt in front of her, "Please, go slowly, you may still be a little dizzy."
She nodded and put her hands on his shoulders, laughing again, "I think that's the last time you give a massage, Vorik."
"Agreed."
She smiled and stood up with him, her hands still on his shoulders for support. She took a deep breath and let go. "I'm okay. Hey, don't worry, it was an accident, and I'm fine. Actually," she moved her neck back and forth, "I think you fixed it. It feels much better."
Vorik let out a sigh of relief, "I am pleased you're okay, that was concerning."
Ashmore shoved the glass of water towards her. She took a long drink and handed it back. "I'm fine guys, really. No harm done. I'm going to get ready to turn in, it's late and we've got a lot of work tomorrow."
She headed for the bathroom and Vorik looked at Ashmore accusingly, "That was a terrible idea."
"I didn't know you were going to take her out. You know humans aren't as strong as Vulcans."
"I've never given a massage before."
"She seemed to like it, though," he patted him on the back, "At least you know she likes you."
Vorik looked at him, "That proved nothing. I should not have listened to you. Let's just focus on the mission, and you should stop playing matchmaker," he whispered harshly.
In the bathroom, Rae leaned against the cold metal wall trying to get a grip. She did still feel a little dizzy, but also from the feel of his hands on her. She knew he only did it because Ashmore egged him on, but she liked the feel of his warm hands nonetheless. She looked at her reflection and realized it had been years, years since a man had touched her. She was determined to try and make something happen with Vorik. He was talking to her, giving her compliments, there was something there. Something, anyway. She was so gone on him, she felt like she couldn't go back. She smiled.
Coming back into the room, she saw them look up at her with trepidation. "I'm okay, really. I appreciate your concern."
"You sure you're okay?" Ashmore asked.
"Yes."
"Good. I'm going to bed," Vorik said.
"Me as well," Ashmore went to his cot.
"See you guys in the morning." She got in her cot and went to sleep, thinking about events over the past few days. The mission was going well, they were working together as a team. The close quarters weren't an issue. Ashmore treated her like a little sister, teasing her a little, even teasing Vorik sometimes. She felt things on Voyager would not be the same when she got back, they were showing her how important it was to connect with people again. She had such an insular life on the ship, being third wheel to Kes and Neelix. They readily included her, she had a strong friendship with them, but it was safe and where was safe getting her? She turned over and thought how she was going to be a more active participant in her life, be more assertive.
