A/N: As a reminder, this weird version of Star Trek is based on my life, so there's no telling what will happen because life is unpredictable.
Ode to A Starship by Lina Shay
Chapter twelve: Love Notes
I ran into Hitchcock after my shift. He said he had been hoping to find me. When I asked him why, he just shrugged. We talked a little about Bajor. He had questions about the culture and the religion.
"Do all Bajoran citizens read the words of the Kai?" Hitchcock asked after I told him I was studying them.
"No," I shrugged.
"Then why do you?" He asked in curiousity.
I stared ahead a moment, formulating my thoughts and feelings into words. Finally, I answered, "I have been pondering recently the idea of quitting Starfleet and becoming a vedek."
"Aren't vedeks those guys who wear those orange robes and walk around gardens like monks?" Hitchcock asked.
"What's a monk?" I retorted. "Nevermind. Vedeks are high religious leaders. It would take me a while to become one. There's a lot involved in the process."
"Go for it," Hitchcock said with a smile.
"It's not that simple," I insisted. "I have to be sure this is what the prophets want me to do. I'm waiting for a sign."
He waved to a random crewman as if he hadn't even been paying attention to me.
"I gotto go," he told me. "You should totally be a vedek, though. That would be so cool."
Then he walked off. He didn't understand a thing about Bajoran culture. I couldn't just suddenly be a vedek. It takes a great deal of commitment and the prophets have to call you to it. To the best of my knowledge, I hadn't been called. I was still waiting. Hitchcock needed to get more aquainted with Bajoran beliefs if he didn't want to offend anyone at Deep Space Nine.
When I entered Sisma's quarters, she was doing some sort of research and B'Liz was fast asleep, sprawled out on her bed. I sat down next to Sisma.
"How was you day?" I asked.
"I just want today to be over, but I don't want tomorrow to start," she sighed.
"I hear you," I muttered.
The door chimed suddenly. I got up to see who it was and had a plant and a package shoved into my face.
"Give these to B'Liz."
Before I could get a look at the guy, he rushed off down the corridor.
"B'Liz, you got a dilivery!" Sisma shouted at her.
B'Liz lifted her head with a start and stared red-eyed at me for a moment. She jumped to her feet, ran over and looked at the card. She swore in Klingon.
"What's it say?" Sisma asked in anticipation.
"I sent you some gifts to say how I feel about you," B'Liz read. "Mush."
"Does it have a name or-" I began.
"It's from Lee," she grumbled and walked back over to her bed.
"Who's Lee?" I asked, walking over to sit next to Sisma.
"Don't ask?" B'Liz warned, rolling her eyes.
"This is an interesting plant," Sisma muttered, fingering a small pod . It sprang open and bit her, to which B'Liz laughed. Sisma examined her finger. I ran the plant over to the table before it could take a taste of me as well. I kept the small package.
"What's this?" I queried, holding the box out to B'Liz for her to open.
She waved it away from her with a glare.
"I'll open it!" Sisma offered, holding out her hands.
I gave the box to her. She tore off the wrapping and pulled off the top. She gasped in delight and pulled out a small, fuzzy ball.
"Awh! A tribble," she cooed.
It instantly started squeeling loudly. It was a reaction from its proximity to B'Liz. She hissed at it as we all covered our ears.
"Can I just eat it?" B'Liz shouted over the squeeling.
Sisma put the tribble back into the box and closed the lid. The noise stopped.
"He sent you biting flowers and a screeching fuzz ball," I said. "What kind of feeling is that supposed to convey?"
"He's a lunatic!" B'Liz shouted. "I'm going to kill him!"
There was a message waiting for me when I got back to my quarters. I told the computer to play the message. Ston appeared on the screen.
"Lt. Shay, accept my apologies in regard to the length of time it took me to respond. I have been much engaged in a rather time-consuming mission," he stared off for a moment as if remembering his mission for a moment with annoyance. Then he contined, "I wanted to inquire if you had read Lockston's theory of moveable stars. If you had taken the opportunity to study his work, I wonder what your opinion is in regard to it. I will not disclose my own since I would not wish to influence yours."
I didn't think that I had read any sort of new astrological theories. Since I had realized the subject was not longer of interest to me, I discontinued any attempts to further my knowledge in the area.
"It would be favorable for this correspondence to continue," Ston said, and then held up his hand in the typical Vulcan sign. "Live long and prosper."
The screen went black. I had to wonder if Ston could have a crush on me in a weird, Vulcan way. The idea delighted me, but I was not going to get my hopes up. I had liked him before. To like him again would be very easy, but I didn't want to take the risk unless I was sure he liked me. Until I got proof, I decided I would just enjoy corresponding with a friend.