Adea woke with a start as someone knocked on her room door. She checked her watch quickly, frowning as she read the time. She groaned as the knock sounded again, rubbing her face as she opened the door slowly, frowning as she recognized the high ponytail.
"What?" Adea scoffed dryly, frowning as Nyota crossed her arms.
"It's been three months on this ship," Nyota huffed, "Are you going to talk to me?"
"Are you going to threaten to chop off my captain's balls again?" Adea mused.
"It was a joke," Nyota sighed.
"Hilarious," Adea mumbled.
"Are you going to let me in now?" Uhura continued.
"No," Adea sighed, moving to close her door as Nyota pushed past her, entering her room.
"That's mature," Nyota snapped.
"Are you done?" Adea groaned.
"Your room is a mess," Nyota huffed, picking up the grey shirt hanging out of Adea's hamper, "And why do you have Starfleet Medical clothing?"
"They said I could have an old shirt," Adea stated quickly.
"You're not part of the Medical staff," Nyota frowned.
"Which is why I don't wear it out of this room," Adea huffed, snatching the shirt back from her sister as she shoved it in the hamper, "I also didn't order a cleaning service."
Nyota stared back at her with an unimpressed glare.
"Go," Adea stated, crossing her arms.
"Adea, we can't go on like this," Nyota stated, squaring her shoulders to Adea as she put her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry, Nyota. Did you not hear me?" Adea drawled sarcastically, "Because if not, I'd be happy to spell it out for you."
"You know what I mean, Adea," Nyota pressed, "You can't blame me forever."
"I'm not blaming you," Adea stated frankly, "I am choosing to have nothing more to do with you. There's a difference."
"Adea, how much longer are you going to take your anger out on me?" Nyota snapped.
"Taking my anger out on you?" Adea repeated slowly, her voice raising, "You think I am just taking my anger out on you?"
"Damn it, Adea, I am serious," Uhura sighed, "We are not going spend the rest of this assignment like this."
"Right," Adea replied dryly, "So you decided barging into my room at 7:00 in the morning would be better?"
"Whatever," Uhura huffed loudly, her shoulder clipping Adea's as she stomped past her, "I tried."
"I'm sure you'd like to think that," Adea retorted coldly.
Adea shut the door behind Nyota, falling back onto her bed. For the most part, Adea had managed to avoid her sister's usual antics, keeping to the lab while Uhura remained busy at the bridge. It did not hurt she'd found an unexpected ally in Kirk. As much as she hated to admit it, Kirk was growing on her, acting more like her older brother than her captain. Kirk had taken her under his wing aboard Enterprise, introducing her to most of the crew and integrating her slowly into his social circle. While Nyota had certainly noticed and disapproved, Kirk had taken it upon himself to shield Adea from the brunt of her antics, annoying Uhura with his cocky humor until she stormed off with a frustrated glare.
It wasn't so far off from their relationship growing up. Always at each other's throat competing over one thing or another - clothing, grades, rewards, sports achievements. At least then they still managed to talk. After the Romulan attack, they'd barely said one word to one another, and Adea wasn't about to start now. Nyota had intervened enough in her life, so for now she could stay the hell out of it. Current crewmates or not be damned.
Adea eyed the glowing green rock on her desk, pushing it back and forth with the stylus of her PADD. The Enterprise had spent the past week surveying a class R planet at the edge of the Garth system, home to an Andorian-descendant species known as the Tutar. A geological analysis of the planet had revealed large deposits of Meredium, a harmless rare mineral which, when refined and concentrated, became an expensive and powerful explosive powder.
"Well, they're not weaponizing it," Carol theorized, turning it over in her palm, "Meridiem in its raw form is too soft and the Tutar people don't have the industrial capacities to process it."
"So the Tutar are using one of the galaxy's rarest and most potent bomb components…. to build glowing huts?" Adea concluded slowly.
"Seems like it," Carol mused.
"Right," Adea sighed, resting her chin on her hands.
They sat in silence for a moment as Carol picked up the Meridiem stone, turning it over in her palm. At least she hadn't spent four days over-analyzing a rock alone. Though they'd managed to spend most nights and weekends together, it was still rare that she and Carol had time to work together directly aboard the Enterprise. Adea smirked to herself, taking the stone back from Carol.
"Excited for the exercise today?" Carol asked.
"It's a standard combat simulation," Adea shrugged, "I've already done it twice."
"But not in teams and not on a planetoid," Carol replied smirking.
"Better than sitting in the lab," Adea replied, closing the windows projected onto her desktop, "I just need an hour without the word meridiem."
"Or maybe you need that doctor of yours to bring you another coffee?" Carol mused, pushing Adea's coffee mug towards her.
"Really?" Adea replied quickly, moving her mug away from Carol.
"Anything you want to tell me?" Carol questioned.
"There's nothing to tell," Adea stated calmly, setting the stone in its glass case as she stood abruptly.
"Then what is this?" Carol asked, lifting Adea's mug, "Because I know every day that I've been down here, he's brought you coffee. He brings you coffee daily now?"
"Yes, friends bring friends coffee," Adea sighed.
At least that was what she'd been telling herself now. Two weeks ago, she'd been telling herself it was all part of an extended apology. He'd been noticeably kinder to her in the days after he'd talked to her. Bringing her coffee. Offering to help her with reports when he was free. Inviting her to come with him when he'd left to join Kirk for lunch. Smiling at her when they made eye contact across the room. As much as she wanted denied it, they were growing closer again. Only this time, she would ensure any lurking desire for more than friendship never saw the light of day.
"So you're friends now?" Carol assessed, following Adea as she paced across the lab to the archive wall.
"And?" Adea huffed, an empty drawer extending forward as she entered a number into the wall's screen.
"Oh," Carol sighed innocently.
"Stop," Adea warned, "I know that look."
"Do you?" Carol mused.
"Nothing will happen between us," Adea stated firmly, turning to exit the lab, "But that doesn't mean we can't be friends."
"Like Chekov's trying to be friends with you?" Carol smirked.
"Not you too," Adea frowned.
"You should have heard him going on about you yesterday at lunch," Carol sighed, following Adea out of the lab.
"He didn't," Adea groaned.
"Mmm," Carol nodded, "The rest heard it too. You should have seen McCoy's face."
"McCoy?" Adea questioned, frowning as her question came out in a high squeak, "What did he do?"
"Why do you care how he reacted?" Carol shrugged innocently, winking as they entered the cafeteria, "I thought you were just friends?"
"Shut up, Carol," Adea huffed, making the way to the food line, "What's with you and Captain Winks-a-lot?"
"Kirk?" Carol laughed, "What about him?"
"Are you going to tell me about that?" Adea questioned, setting a purplish soup on her tray.
"There's nothing to tell," Carol shrugged.
"Nothing to tell or nothing there?" Adea pressed.
"Fine," she countered, leaning in to whisper to Adea, "I'll admit it when you admit you still want a go at that fine doctor of yours."
"Well, I don't," Adea snapped, "So drop it."
They crossed the cafeteria silently, making their way to the familiar faces seated in the corner. They'd barely reached the table when Chekov stood abruptly, beaming broadly at Adea.
"Leytenant Ele! Kak dee la?" Chekov smirked, excitedly offering Adea the chair besides him.
"Horasho, Chekov," Adea replied through a quick smile, ignoring the urge to elbow Carol as she snickered, "How was your morning?"
"Very good," Chekov replied, "But better now that you're here."
Adea forced a small smile in response, heat rising to her cheeks as Carol winked at her.
"Oi, lad, let the girl eat before you start making moves," Scotty piped up, shaking his head as he turned his attention to Adea, his brows furrowing,"Ya speak Russian too?"
"It's rusty," Adea sighed, taking the seat Chekov offered her.
"Fuckin' hell, lassie," Scotty huffed, "What can't you do?"
"Plenty of things," Adea muttered quickly, blushing slightly.
"If only fencing was part of those things," Sulu spoke up from his place across from her, "I still want a rematch by the way."
"Well you'll just have to wait until after we beat you in the exercise this afternoon," Carol replied.
"The exercise a waste of resources, if ya ask me," Scotty declared adamantly, "Best technology in the damn galaxy and Starfleet requires it officers to find an abandoned planetoid for an AR mission simulation? It'd be less of a headache if it was in the ship."
"And miss all the fun?" Kirk mused behind Adea, clapping a hand on her shoulder as he arrived at the table.
He flashed Adea a smirk as he sauntered around the table, sliding into the empty seat besides Carol.
"Mini," he greeted with a wink, nodding at the others.
"Call it what you want, Captain," Scotty huffed, "I'll observe from the ship, thank you very much."
"Enough with the negativity, Scotty. You'll ruin it for our newest recruits," Kirk replied, "Besides it'll be fun."
"It'll be a preventable accident waiting to happen," McCoy drawled apprehensively, joining the table.
He sat down into the free chair besides Adea, a small smirk tugged at the edge of his mouth as he met her eyes.
"You need to lighten up, Bones," Kirk sighed.
"Lighten up? Six of the ship's officers are going to be running around planet, trying not to get themselves killed or injured in an exercise that could have damn well be simulated on this ship," McCoy frowned, "Including the Chief Medical Officer."
"You worry too much," Kirk frowned.
"And how the hell are we supposed to find a target without proper crew support?" McCoy continued, "I'm doctor, not a homing device."
"Then take Mini as your partner," Kirk offered, "She's like a walking Planet Encyclopaedia."
Partner with McCoy? Adea swallowed, exchanging a quick look with Carol, before turning her attention back to Kirk.
"Walking Planet Encyclopaedia?" Adea repeated, steadying her voice as she stared unamused at Kirk.
"Always the charmer, Jim," McCoy sighed, shaking his head as he smirked at Adea, "But I'm not about to steal her away from Dr. Wallace."
"I'm pretty sure they're attached at the hip, Jim," Scotty added.
"About that," Kirk continued, "I think we should switch the teams around."
"Honestly, Kirk?" Adea frowned, "It's just an hour-long exercise."
"But just think," Kirk replied, "A whole hour to get to know someone new. Besides, the rookies should split up and work with someone who's completed the exercise before. Experience exchange and all."
"And let me guess," Adea mused dryly, "You want to partner with Carol?"
"I mean, I hadn't considered it," Kirk replied, swivelling in his chair to face Carol, "But now that you mention it..."
"I don't particularly mind," Carol replied slowly, an innocent look flashing in her eyes as they met Adea's, "Adi, do you mind working with the doctor?"
"Of course not," Adea replied quickly, her voice straining slightly as she tried not to glare at Carol.
"I'm sure Lieutenant Ele would make an excellent partner," Chekov added to McCoy, flashing Adea smile.
"Perfect, it's settled!" Kirk concluded, "Rookies can learn something. Bones can stop complaining. Mini and Dr. Wallace can exist as separate humans. Everyone wins!"
"I'm pretty sure we all know who wins in this scenario," Sulu sighed.
"Besides Mini can get to know the crew outside of lab she barricades herself into," Kirk continued, turning towards Adea, "I mean, how much do you really know about the doctor?"
"McCoy?" Adea mumbled quickly, blushing as her knee accidentally bumped his beneath the table.
"I'm sure there's far more interesting people for her to learn about on this ship," McCoy sighed, his dark brows knitting.
"Nonsense," Kirk pressed on, waving McCoy off as he faced Adea, "For example, did you know his middle name is Horatio?"
"Here we go," McCoy huffed loudly, massaging his temples.
"Horatio?" Adea mused glancing towards to McCoy as he swore under his breath.
"I swear to God, Jim," McCoy warned.
"See?" Kirk replied, "The more you know."
McCoy exhaled slowly, turning towards Adea.
"Well if anything," McCoy sighed, raising his eyebrows as he leaned towards her, "I know I have someone who wants to wipe that cheeky smirk Jim's face as much as I do."
"Anything you say, Horatio," Adea smirked, savouring the flustered wrinkle forming between McCoy's brows as she started to eat.
Adea frowned, waving her wrist in the air as her simulation wristband continued to calibrate. Her gear was going to be the death of her. She huffed loudly, her brows knitting as she turned her attention to zipper of her blue operations uniform. It'd taken several minutes to pull on the skin fitting uniform, only for the zipper to stick a few inches above her navel. Conveniently the moment Carol had left. She exhaled loudly through her nose, struggling in vain as she yanked at the zipper. She'd be caught dead walking around like Bond scuba girl. Kirk wouldn't let her hear the end of it….
"If that's our team strategy, poor Chekov doesn't stand a chance."
Adea turned sharply, her face flushing as she found McCoy leaning against the door frame. A smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth, his green eyes trailing down the front of her suit.
"Aren't you always complaining about Kirk's surprise entrances?" Adea huffed, her face burning as she crossed her arms, "Why are you here?"
"Is that really how you are going to wear your suit?" McCoy drawled, ignoring her question as his eyes remained on the open front of her suit.
"Of course not," Adea snapped, "The zipper's stuck."
"Mmm," McCoy nodded wordlessly.
"Don't you have something better to do than stare at my chest?" Adea huffed, turning her back to him as she tried to pull on her zipper.
"Do you really want me to answer that, Sweetheart?" McCoy drawled, smirking at Adea's glare as walked towards her.
"Where's Carol?" Adea sighed impatiently.
"She's waiting for you outside," McCoy replied, "She sent me to find you."
"She couldn't get me herself?" Adea stated dryly, glancing over her shoulder at McCoy.
"Need help?" McCoy offered.
"No," Adea grumbled, her voice straining as she fought with her zipper, "Its fine."
"Adi," McCoy sighed, his hand brushing her shoulder.
"It's. Fine," Adea huffed, nearly elbowing McCoy as her fingers slipped from the zipper.
"Adi, stop, you're going to break it, " McCoy sighed as she swore, "May I?"
Adea exhaled slowly, raising a dubious eyebrow as she turned towards McCoy, her arms crossed.
"Or you can break it," McCoy shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "You see I'm fine with that, but I pity Chekov. That poor boy'll have a heart attack."
"Fine," Adea exhaled sharply, uncrossing her arms, "But I swear, if I hear a single comment or Chekov joke…."
"Why I'd never dream of such a thing," McCoy replied innocently, his hands brushing hers as took the zipper.
"I mean it," Adea warned.
"I'm sure you do," he smirked, his fingers brushing the top her stomach as he slipped his index finger inside her uniform, pinching both sides of the zipper.
Adea swallowed slowly, her breath catching in her throat as he pulled the zipper, his finger trailing between her breasts, as he slid it easily up her chest to her collarbone.
"See, you just have to be gentle," he whispered, his face inches from hers.
"You got lucky," Adea sighed, tilting her face towards his.
"Doctor's hands," McCoy drawled, his voice low as he let the zipper go slowly, "Anything else they can help you with?"
Adea watched corner of his mouth twitched up a devilish smirk, a low burn rising to her cheeks as she tensed her jaw. She knew he was toying with her to get a rise out of her, but the rapid pulsing of her heart in her chest just seemed to grow faster. That suit of his wasn't helping... She leaned back slowly, biting her lip as her back brushed against the wall behind her. She sucked in slowly, her pulse echoing loudly in her ears as his green eyes hers. He hesitated for a moment before leaning back slowly, squaring his shoulders as footsteps echoed on the gangway.
"I'll see you in ten then to wipe that smirk of Kirk's face?" McCoy replied, stepping backwards towards the door.
Adea nodded quickly, her voice catching in the throat as flashed her final smirk. She exhaled slowly, biting her tongue to suppress the slow grin tugging at the corners of her mouth as her wide eyes trailed after him. She leaned her head back against the wall, her thoughts beginning to wander as Carol sauntered slowly into the room.
"I take it you're getting on with your new teammate, " Carol announced, sauntering into the room.
"What?" Adea mumbled quickly, her voice unnaturally high.
"You know, I never took McCoy to be the sporty type," Carol mused innocently, "But he is certainly something to look at in that suit. I mean, that chest. You think he's single?"
"Shove it, Carol," Adea huffed, turning her attention back to her wristband.
"You know, I could have sworn the doctor tried to cover the front of his uniform when he walked past me just now," Carol pressed on, watching Adea's face fade red.
"You know I'm starting to think Kirk's proposal wasn't an accident," Adea hissed, exhaling loudly as her wristband chimed on, "Stop with the games, Carol. Nothing will happen between us."
"I don't think all of the doctor feels that way," Carol muttered under breath.
"Are you done?!" Adea snapped, crossing her arms as she glared at Carol.
"I'll see you outside," Carol replied quietly, smirking at Adea's flustered glared at she yanked on her boots.
Adea ignored Carol as she left, yanking on her right boot before reaching for her utility belt. She swore as her shaking fingers fumbled over the clasps, exhaling loudly through her teeth as she paused for a moment, breathing heavily. What was wrong with her? One small taunt and she was losing it. The feeling of him against her skin. The sensation as his fingers trailed up her chest. The scent of his cologne as he leaned towards her. She shook her head quickly, frowning as she managed to fasten the buckle. No.
No. No. No. No. No. No.
She slid the modified phaser it's her holster as she glanced quickly in the mirror, tying her hair back in a low ponytail. These thoughts had to stop. With a final glance, Adea turned sharply on her heel, exiting the transport shuttle as she made her way onto the planet's surface. She couldn't let her imagination run this wild.
It was bad enough she kept imagining his lips had brushed hers.
Confession Time:
1. oh boy... when will Adea ever learn not to play with fire?
2. Thank you so much for the new follows and favorites! Keep liking, keep following, and let me know what you think!
3. New Star Trek Films?! ...omg. please.
Til next time! Live long and prosper!
-Case H.
