I don't own Star Trek or Marco Santiago(he belongs to a_a)

(Warnings: a_a is awesome, read her stories[like War, Stupider, Sand Storms, and Slight Sarcasm] a_a gave me permission to use Marco. And use him I did. And he's a weapon's specialist[do you have any idea how long it took me to find that. I overlooked it like 5 times])

Syn would never admit to liking much of the trash that was called 21st century entertainment. But just because she wouldn't admit it didn't mean that she didn't like it. And as the day she was having progressed on she could help relating with Henchman 24. "Why do I not know these things?"

Of course that thing is actually a openly gay Mexican(and Syn isn't homophobic or racist, he made it very clear that's what he was when they first met) and before she really got to know him, she was sure that she wished that she had never met him.

So really, the questions really had nothing to do with each other. But sweater vests on little clone boys were hot(yet another thing Syn would never admit) so Syn felt the need to ask this question.

For some reason Mr. Santiago had been on Delta Farga helping with getting lieutenants trained there. Something or other, Syn never really looked into her other crew-mates business until she had to treat them. So when 'Cupcake' (She really had wanted to take the time to learn his name, it would've been polite, but she always ran out of time. Plus he was one of the many who still believe Syn was just a waste of space. It was easier just to say 'Sir') with unidentifiable wounds after a mission she needed to figure out what weapon had caused the wounds, so that McCoy could understand the extent of his wounds and treat him. So while Cupcake was sedated Syn was sent to find the weapons specialist. Before she had left McCoy had been kind enough to warn her about the man.

"Try not to get to distracted, or offended. His personality comes on strong, but if you can handle the Captain you should be able to handle him."

When she got down to the weapons area she could hear a hymn being sung, in Spanish. Only, in the place of God or Jesus whoever was singing said Spock. Of course, Santiago was familiar to some place like Mexico or Spain, so she had no problem deducing that this was most likely the man she was looking for.

When she opened the door he was dancing. He was a grown man dancing by himself to a song he was singing about a boy that he may or may not have liked. Many people may have laughed. She was certain that the Captain would have. But she glared. She put up with a lot, but dealing with someone who most likely didn't take their jobs seriously was one of the things that she had a hard time with. "Excuse me." she said for a brief moment forgetting that he was still her superior. She instantly regretted the harshness that he voice had conveyed.

The man was startled out of his little show. "Why hello there." he said sounding quite flamboyant to Syn. "What's a cute little girl doing on this big bad ship?" Syn couldn't tell if he was joking.

"One of the crew members on this ship was injured on a mission. We don't know what weapon was used on him, but since you are a weapon's specialist-"

"McCoy needs my help?! Of course he wouldn't come and ask me himself. He'd get to distracted." Syn had to blinked when the man giggled. She didn't know many men who sounded like that when they laughed. He wrapped his arm around Syn's arm. "Would you be so kind as to escort me there Miss...?"

"I could simply explain the wounds to you so you could locate the weapons in the ones you have on board." She said freeing her hand.

He playfully slapped her shoulder. "I don't know who told you I could do that, but I can't sorry sweetie. I'll have to see the damage myself." He winked. "So shall we go?"

/././

It was some kind of really screwed up tape worm. Syn was so tempted to use the F word because that would really fit the situation perfectly. And even though she's mature enough to be on a Star Ship, she wonders for a few seconds if the worm only attacks gay people. She almost warns Chekov, Sulu, Kirk, and Spock about how they may be in danger. She almost tells Cupcakes fiance that she might want to start rethinking the wedding. Almost.

But the tape worm didn't attack Mr. Santiago because he was gay. Even when Mr. Santiago insists that the worm is homophobic, and rambles for a good thirty minutes that they need to start preaching acceptance to everyone, the tape worm did not attack him because he was gay.

It was really traumatizing to see the worm burst out of the man on the table's stomach and go for Mr. Santiago. And really, if McCoy wasn't busy being a CMO Syn would've suggested he become an assassin. His hand moved so quickly to hit the worm with a hypo he had with him at all times, and the worm went down. Not without first cutting a nice little gash in the weapon's specialist stomach. Which immediately decided to bleed all over and make a mess of the floors.

Thankfully, it was a wound to be stitched and bandaged. Which Syn could do without assistance, Which left McCoy to deal with Cupcake. She would almost say everything worked out perfectly, but Mr. Santiago did not pass out. So while stitching and bandaging she had to deal with him.

"You never told me you name. I'm Marco Santiago by the way. I prefer to be called Marco. And yes, I'm gay."

"I don't know why you think I would inquire about your sexuality, but to answer your question, my name is Syndie. I prefer to be called Syn. And I am qualified to work on this ship as an intern/nurse."

"I didn't even know internships existed any more. How old are you?"

"Sixteen." she said as she finished with the stitching.

"May I ask why you wear most of your hair in front of your face?" Marco said grinning.

"I can see through it fine. It had never affected my work ethic before."

"Yeah, but it makes you look like this shy little girl who's scared of everything."

She gave him her best 'I-am-radiating-hate-off-of-every=pore-of my-body-because-of-what-you-said' face. "I could pick apart why you behave the way you do, but I'm not a criticism person."

"You should let me fix your hair." Marco said as she finished wrapping his wound.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm going to have to decline. Now, you need to be extremely careful, because even though the cut isn't deep, it could easy tear. And because of the stitches, it is even more sensitive."

"I appreciate the suggestion, but I told Captain I would wrestle with him. Of course, if I was busy fixing someone's hair I think he would understand."

"This isn't up for suggestion." she said trying to look serious.

"Sorry, but you need a big girl haircut for me to listen." he teased.

/./

She hated it. No...she hated that she liked it. Her hair was now all around the same length, and try as she might she couldn't force any of it to fall in front of her face.

Marco was proud and decided that he needed to show off his work to everyone. When she protested against being dragged to the bridge, he had threatened to learn fencing from Sulu. Syn had very firmly told him no, and that he had to listen to her because of the hair cut. And then, surprisingly, he agreed.

When Scotty came to take Chapel on a date, he had noticed Syn's new hair. He was the first of many to tell her that she looked mature. And she didn't mind. She wouldn't admit that she enjoyed the compliments.

Until they were coming from a powerful being who acted like a child.

(Ha-ha! Everyone now must go read Slight Sarcasm, Sand Storms, War, and Stupider. I'm serious. Do it. oh! and please leave reviews? You know you want to. Because I gave a fabulous little cliff hanger. And you know you want to know what happens next. Right?)