A/N: As a reminder, this is a weird version of the Star Trek world, because it's based from my life.
Ode to A Starship by Lina Shay
Chapter Two: Entreaty of a Friend
I had a dull shift in the astrometrics lab. It seemed like everything was just plot, reasearch, categorize, and record all day. There wasn't much to see. There was a new guy in astrometrics, which was one thing that caught my attention. He's a Vulcan. I didn't ask his name. Maybe I should have.
After my shift, I decided to spend some leisure time in the mess hall, studying the words of the Kai. I heard my name and looked up. It was Darren, the human ship's councilor.
"What are you doing?" He asked with his usually boyish smile.
"Reading the words of the Kai," I told him, setting my data pad on the table. "Want to join me?"
"Sure, I would love to hear the words of the Kai," Darren sat down, looking completely serious.
"No, I just meant to talk," I told him.
"Why, is there something you wanted to talk about?" He asked, putting on a professional air.
I was sure he would have been glad to listen to my problems, but I really didn't want to talk about my depression- or what seemed to be depression. I didn't really feel depressed, but I wasn't really happy. "I don't have anything really to say," I shrugged, looking out the window.
"Oh," Darren seemed almost disappointed. "Lt. Bryce is giving a classical concert tonight. Are you going?"
"I don't think so," I told him. "I'm not much for classical. I'll probably be bored."
"Oh, come on," he insisted. "You may end up liking it. Maybe we can get some of your friends to come too. The doctor, B'Liz, Ja-"
I started chuckling a bit. He looked at me in bewilderment until I explained, "You aren't going to get that Klingon to go to classical concert."
"You never know," Dallin said, always full of optimism.
I just shook my head at him.
"If we can convince her to go, will you come too?" He asked.
I knew B'Liz would never go, so I agreed. The two of us left the mess hall and went to B'Liz's quarters. She answered immediately. Sisma was on her bed petting her pillow and reading.
"I've just made some Gak," B'Liz declared.
"No, thanks," I responded.
"I wasn't offering," she laughed.
I shrugged it off and continued, "There's a classical concert tonight. Do you want to go?"
"Classical what?" she asked.
"Music," Darren chimed in. "Lt. Bryce is going to play selections from Earth, Bajor, Vulcan, and Terellia Prime."
"Music of the p'tak," B'Liz insisted, waving the idea away with her hand.
Darren stepped into the room. Instantly, a growling noise came from Sisma's direction.
"What's that?" He asked instantly.
"Oh, it's Jalapino, my wolf," Sisma said, petting the furry pillow she was leaning against.
"It doesn't look like a wolf," Darren stepped forward for a better look, but backed off when the growling got louder.
"It's a Rascalian Wolf," Sisma told him as if that should explain everything.
"Oh," Darren muttered, still confused. "Do you want to come to the concert?"
"Can't," Sisma shrugged. "I have to be on duty in five minutes."
"I'm not going either," B'Liz blurted, walking over to her plate of Gak on the table.
"Oh, come on," Darren pleaded. "Get out and socialize with the crew. It will be fun."
B'Liz turned her eyes to me. "What do you think?"
I'm sure I looked incriminating. I didn't want to go either. I looked to Darren, who smiled at me.
"I guess we should go," I muttered.
B'Liz looked from one of us to the other. I think she was about to agree when Jala and an ensign from security came in.
"There you are, Lina," Jala greeted. "Sara wants us to teach her how to play black jack. B'Liz, you should play, too."
"Or we could all go to the concert," Darren posed for consideration.
Jala and Sara promptly declined. Jala went off on reasons we shouldn't go. B'Liz and I lost our already shakey interest in the idea.
"All right," Darren muttered. "I just didn't want to go by myself."
Darren left the quarters. Jala began setting up the game at B'Liz's table. I stood, staring after Darren. I felt guilty, like I had let him down.
"I changed my mind," I told my companions. "I'm going to the concert. B'Liz, do you want to come?"
B'Liz seemed doubtful for a moment and then agreed. We ran and caught up with Darren in the corridor. Darren was happy we had decided to go. When we were almost there, and B'Liz was kind of ahead of us, Darren turned to me and said, "Thanks."
I was surprised by a feeling I had that moment. His gratitude made me not only feel good, but it made me blush. Now, why would I blush because an old friend thanked me?
A/N: