Summary/Warning: So I have already been writing this for a few days so there's going to be a good amount of chapters posted up all at once. Enjoy the first part of this story.
Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own nor have had any input in this series that started a cultural movement. I'm just a huge fan that got inspiration from another artist.
The hours had passed without much notice, Serena took inventory of supplies along with Dr McCoy during the two hours chatting along the way. She got to know Dr McCoy more. They talked about where they came from both of their academic studies as well as some personal likes and dislikes. She quickly learned that the doctor had many things he disliked and being in space had been one of them along with all the quirky technologies that came with it. She quickly learned that he preferred the 'old fashion' way but knew the advantages to modern day medicine. He was intriguing and she had already learned a few things from a few of his stories which only told her of how much more she would learn on this mission.
When Spock walked in both Serena and McCoy were sitting on the floor with a case of hypos by each of them both laughing at one of McCoy's odd adventures. When Spock cleared his throat to get their attention Serena almost jumped out of her skin. "Oh hey there Spock, here to take my lieutenant away?" McCoy asked not bothering to get off the floor. "Forgive me if I am interrupting is the lieutenant finished with her duty?" Spock asked casually. "Oh no….I havn't finished this case and there's more in the-" Serena started fumbling with the hypos beside her trying to speed up her work. McCoy put a hand over hers to get her to stop. "That's fine, you've done more than enough. Go on, get out of here. If you let me I'd work you all day and night. Go see the ship, she's a beauty even if she is a death trap." McCoy winked at her and took her box of hypos away from her.
Serena thanked McCoy and said goodbye as she got up and faced Spock. Spock merely nodded in McCoy's direction and proceeded to exit the Sickbay. As they entered a turbolift Spock finally spoke. "We have 14 science labs on the ship each designed for a specific area of study." "So I've heard. You have science labs that study specimens from organic life to botany as well as a lab just for undiscovered occurrences." Serena said looking ahead trying to remember what else she knew from her research. "Very good Miss Moss, we do indeed study many different species of organic life as well as plant life. Many of our labs are equipped with safety measures in case an experiment fails or become harmful. All have security access to the science department crew alone." Spock said as he stared at her.
Those dark eyes, she could drown in them if she didn't keep her head above water. She wasn't sure why the Vulcan had this effect on her but she was a bit nervous around him. "I had heard about the security access, I hadn't thought I'd be allowed to see the labs. I greatly appreciate the opportunity." Serena said truthfully. The turbolift doors opened and they both walked out and down the corridor. "I will admit that I have an ulterior motive to showing you the labs. Your professor from the Starfleet Academy had contacted me personally about you just before you arrived. He was the one who told me of your record with the science aspect of your education. He seems to believe that you should continue your studies on this mission. When I told him you would be unable to do so while working with the Doctor he told me to simply talk to you to get my answer." It was then that Spock stopped by a door and keyed in his code so that the door to the first science lab opened.
Serena couldn't help herself; her jaw dropped if only for a moment as she quickly entered the room and almost ran over to the table of machines and experiments. "You have everything!" she half exclaimed as she looked over the machines, even stopping to look through a few of them. When she reached the containers that held a few growing cultures she peered in with an intense interest. "What are you growing in this one? I don't recognize its growth." Serena asked looking up at Spock who had slowly followed her. He bent down beside her to see what she was pointing at. "That would be a Fungi from a planet we had explored only a week ago. Its growth is quiet extraordinary. I plan to run a few tests on it when it grows bigger." Serena looked up at him about to ask what sort of tests when she realized how close she was and what a child she must seem to him with how she was acting.
Straightening up she took a step back and clasped her hands behind he back, partly to keep them from running over the cool metal of the nearest machine. "Forgive my reaction, I was completely unprofessional. I should've asked permission to look through these machines and cultures instead of just barging in." Serena apologized willing the blush of humiliation to stay off her face. "On the contrary, it was perfectly acceptable for you to look around. It was the purpose of this tour. Also I believe your actions answered my previous question. Your interest is obvious as your professor said it would be. Would you like to be allowed to work as a lab assistant during your off hours? It would be purely voluntary and there will be no set hours unless you assign them." Serena just looked at him in shock for a few minutes. "Is that even allowed?" she asked but then shook her head trying to correct herself. "I mean am I really allowed to do that?" Spock straightened and nodded his head. "I have already talked to the Captain about it and he had given permission to grant you access to the science labs, specifically 2,5 and 14. All study specimens from your areas of study and the last is the lab designated to me. Your professor was a close acquaintance of mine and I tend to trust his instincts." Serena was flabbergasted which seemed to be her constant state today. "I-I'm honored Commander." Was all she could get out while her mind was in a stunned daze. "I would love the opportunity sir! I will get my hours from Dr McCoy immediately and report back with the hours I can spend in the labs." She said her mind catching up and going overtime slightly out of excitement. "It is not necessary to get your hours today. How about we finish the tours of the labs and you can report back to me within the week." Spock said simply as he turned so that she could continue looking through the lab. Serena let him have that one but she already knew she was going to be reporting back to him tomorrow. The sooner she could jump in and work in these labs the better.