DISCLAIMER: Wish I owned them but I don't.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Amber's back on the job! This chapter is an attempt to pull Amber out of the cold, dark wasteland that is Mary Sue-dom. It's also an attempt to explore a former deaf person's take on the hearing world. Please note that I'm not deaf myself, I only take ASL.

RATED: G

ARCHIVES: Go to my profile, click my email, and write me a clear, concise letter stating where you want to archive it and at least five good reasons why. *g* Actually no, just tell me where and I'll probably say yes.

THE SECRET LANGUAGE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Amber walked cautiously down the halls to Engineering. She realized it was the first time she'd really been around the ship without John tagging behind her or Hoshi pulling her. The hallways buzzed with conversation. Amber knew that to most of them, she was just another crewmember on her way to duty. But she felt like a black dog standing in a field of white snow. Like everyone knew who she was.

The doors whooshed open as Amber entered engineering. For a moment, she thought she was going to pass out again. But then her head cleared and she took in all the sounds. The warp core was humming, and there were numerous crash, thumps, and thuds. For a second Amber felt lightheaded, and she thought it was going to be a repeat of that awful incident in the mess hall. But soon the sensation passed, and she smiled. Phew. She thought, almost laughing at the expression. It meant someone was relieved, or glad that something was over.

"Amber!" Trip hollered. Amber leaned over the railing and waved.

"Get down here, or you're gonna be officially late!" Trip said. Amber quickly descended the stairs. She had to restrain herself from throwing her arms around Trip's neck and kissing him. On duty, Trip was her commanding officer, not her boyfriend.

"Good morning, Commander." She said formally.

Trip raised his eyebrows. "Commander?" He asked. "Amber, we may have to forget our personal feelings for each other while we're on duty, but you can still call me Trip."

Amber relaxed slightly. "Good morning, Trip."

Trip returned the smile. "And a good morning it is, too." He said. "We need your help with something." He led her over to a conduit that had been opened. "We need a small person to get in there." He said. "You're the smallest we've got."

"All right." Amber said, walking over to the conduit. Two crewmembers were chatting right in front of it, so she walked in between them.

"Hey!" One of them said.

Amber turned around, not knowing what to say. "Did…did I do something wrong?" She asked.

Trip came bounding over. "I'll take care of this." He said, gesturing for the crewmembers to leave. He crouched down next to Amber.

"Was I impolite?" She asked.

Trip remembered the lessons the late John Sinclair had taught them about deaf culture versus hearing culture. "Amber, I know that when two deaf people are talking, it's OK to just walk right through, but…that doesn't work with hearing people. In hearing culture, you need to say 'excuse me' before you walk through."

"But that would…that would break eye contact!" Amber said.

"Hearing people don't always look each other in the eye when they're talking, Amber." Trip explained. "It's just a difference in the way we do things."

Amber nodded as Trip left. Darn it! She thought. Five minutes into my shift and I've already broken a rule. She filed that rule away in her memory for future reference.

"So, how's your first day back at work?" Hoshi asked over lunch.

"It's OK." Amber said, hoping desperately that she did not break any more rules, especially in front of all these people. "I didn't know that the hearing people have such different rules. Is it inappropriate to look someone in the eye when you talk to them?"

"Not inappropriate." Hoshi said. "It's just not always done."

"In deaf culture it is considered rude not to look someone in the eye." Amber said. "I didn't think it was going to be such a big adjustment."

"I'm sure you'll do fine." Hoshi said.

"Can you tell me what other differences there are?" Amber asked. "So I don't embarrass myself again?"

"Sure." Hoshi said. "Um…you don't just walk through people. You have to-"

"I know." Amber grimaced, remembering the incident that morning. "I already learned that one."

"Oh, OK." Hoshi said. Amber was grateful she didn't ask how. "Well, you don't point to someone in hearing culture. If you're talking about someone, you either use his name or a pronoun."

"Pointing is impolite?" Amber asked.

"In most situations." Hoshi said. "I mean, if you were trying to help me find someone across the room, you could point to him. But not if he's just sitting at the table next to you."

Amber was starting to wish she'd brought something to write on. "A lot to think about." She said. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to it."

Hoshi gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry." She said. "You will."

August 28th, 2151

Yikes! You won't believe what happened to me on duty today! People didn't exactly educate me in deaf polite vs. hearing polite, so I totally messed up! Not five minutes into my shift I just walked through a couple of crewmembers that were talking. I didn't even think about it. Turns out in deaf polite that's fine, but not in hearing polite. These two people were about ready to kill me! Fortunately Trip came by and cleared things up, and I sure won't be messing that one up again. At lunch, Hoshi told me all these other things that aren't acceptable in hearing polite…oh, man (that's an expression for exasperation)! There are so many rules and regulations! You can't point at somebody; you don't always make eye contact…oy (that's an expression for exasperation, too. I forget what language it is)!

Guess I'd better go. Enterprise got a call from this alien a few hours ago and we're going to meet him on his planet. I can't wait! I just hope Dr. Phlox is OK with me going. After all, he almost wouldn't let me go back to work…he needs to lighten up.

I'll tell you all about this new alien we've encountered when I get back. I've waited my whole life for this! I can't wait!