Chekov

To Chekov, she would always be the ensign who smiled at him every morning on the way to the bridge. Somehow their duty shifts always aligned so that Ensign Johnson was leaving just as Pavel was arriving. He stepped out of the turbolift; she stepped into the turbolift. Their eyes met briefly as they brushed past each other. And then she would offer him a shy smile just before the turbolift doors closed.

Her smiles were the highlight of Pavel's day.

Pavel would never have noticed Susie Johnson if it had not been for Sulu. Subconsciously, he knew she was smiling at him. The vast majority of the Enterprise's female population smiled at him in that oh-isn't-he-cute-just-like-my-little-brother/cousin/nephew way. Pavel was accustomed to it. He responded automatically with a smile of his own, and continued thinking about integral tables, plotting courses, or tidbits of Russian history.

But one morning, he ran into Sulu while leaving the mess hall and they walked to the bridge together. The scenario played out exactly as it had every day for the past few weeks, but with the audience (Sulu) raising a very Spock-like eyebrow at the proceedings. Sulu waited until lunch before bringing the girl up with Chekov, and a heated argument had ensued. Sulu insisted that she clearly liked Chekov, while Chekov himself argued that Sulu was imagining things: the dark-haired ensign was merely being kind. But now Chekov's interest was piqued and he resolved to find out more about the smiling ensign.

The next morning, Chekov left the turbolift as usual; the young woman entered. But this time, Pavel was in full data-acquisition mode as their eyes met.

The red of her short uniform dress suited her complexion and her hair quite well, Chekov thought. She had delicate features and pale skin, with a dusting of freckles across her nose. Her wavy dark hair was pulled back into a single tail, but was gradually escaping from its confinement into a halo of frizz. Her cheeks went slightly pink under his curious gaze before the turbolift doors closed.

Pavel blinked. She was, in a single inadequate word, perfect. How could he possibly have never noticed? He went about his duties on the bridge somewhat dazedly that morning. Kirk recognized the boy's dreamy expression and kidded him about it gently, but Chekov refused to reveal the identity of his crush. Sulu, for his part, managed to elbow his friend into productivity every time Spock was in sight.

It took Pavel nearly a week to work up the nerve to introduce himself. He had constructed an elegant map for his scheme, plotted out neatly on his PADD like one of the Enterprise's courses. It was safely in his pocket as a cheat-sheet.

On the designated afternoon (they had been rotated off morning duty) Pavel's heart was pounding almost as much as it had been when they had first spotted the Narada over Vulcan. He made to step out of the turbolift as usual; he could see the dark-haired ensign approaching—

The Enterprise lurched suddenly. Pavel cursed in Russian as he was slammed into the bulkhead, but managed to keep his footing. Ensign Johnson was not so lucky, and toppled to the floor with a small cry. All thoughts of his carefully laid plan flew out of his curly head.

Pavel offered her a hand up. Her cheeks colored slightly under her freckles as she accepted it, and he helped her to her feet.

"Thanks," she said quietly, smiling shyly at him.

Chekov grinned at her. "Eet's nozzing. I do not beliewe we have met. I am Pavel Chekov."

"Susan Johnson. But call me Susie, everyone does."

The Enterprise lurched again drunkenly, making them both reel. The sirens signaling a red alert began to wail. He smiled at Susie again before sprinting to the bridge.

"Eet vas nice to meet you!" he called over his shoulder.

Susie's dark eyes sparkled with laughter. "See you around!"

Chekov had been plotting his next move in the pursuit of Ensign Susie Johnson during a routine orbit of Phi Antares V. Scotty, who was in command while the Captain and the Commander were planetside, broke Chekov's reverie by sending him down to the transporter room to beam up the away party.

Today was his first shift without her smile.

Seated at his station on the bridge, Pavel Chekov's vision blurred momentarily as hot, unwanted tears burned his wide brown eyes. He blinked furiously, hoping nobody had noticed. He could see Sulu's concerned look out of the corner of his eye but refused to acknowledge it. Kirk's hand squeezed his shoulder gently before he returned to the captain's chair.

"C'mon kid, let's get out of here."

A/N: I still don't own Star Trek. Many thanks to my first two reviewers! Everyone else, please review! :)