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 Fourteen: First Contact
I beamed down as soon as we reached Outpost 76. I was feeling a little anxious until I saw Ston sitting in the corner, pouring over some sort of research. My heart started beating with excitement. That dorky, Vulcan hair cut was just as cute now as ever and he looked nice in the red uniform.
I walked up to him. He didn't look up until I was standing right in front of his table. He stood up instantly.
"Lt. Shay," he greeted, and then motioned to the seat opposite him. I sat down.
"How have you been?" I asked.
"Sufficient, and yourself?" I retorted.
"Great!" I exclaimed, unable to keep from smiling. "What did you do today?"
He took a breath and said, "I had a double shift in the archives since Ensign LaTarra was late once again. It was routine work: researching requests, organizing, and recording."
"Kind of sounds like my work these days," I told him. "I did get good news today. I boy I knew in my childhood was elected in area government on the Rakantha providence on Bajor. We're pretty proud of him."
"That is indeed pleasent news," Ston agreed.
I finally got Ston talking about a particular case he was researching. The entire time he talked, I watched his eyes. He had lovely, dark blue iris's. I had not noticed ever before that his eyes were blue. I couldn't believe it, since it's rather noticable for a Vulcan to have blue eyes. But somehow I had before overlooked it.
"I had the chance to read an intriguing theory of Dr. Beystone's," Ston told me. "His previous theories had been quite illogical. Still, his most recent theory does have merit. I recommend it."
"Dr. Beystone?" I asked, not sure who he was talking about.
"The leading theorist in astrophysics," Ston clarified.
"Oh," I shrugged. "I haven't heard of him."
"I guess you have to have an interest in the feild," Ston stated. "I only assumed you would have such an interest. Still, as you have expressed a fatigue with your work, I suppose you would not have updated yourself on recent theories and theorists."
There was a pause in the conversation. I tried desperately to think of something to say.
"I have been having pains in my back recently," I blurted. "Dr. Sisma said it was due to my high arches."
"Intriguing," Ston said, raising his eyebrows. "I was born with flat feet myself."
"So, together, we're normal," I said with a smile.
Ston nodded, almost looking amused.
Our conversations shifted from personal defects, to family, to recent social events and to dozens of other things. His strange, Vulcan irony made me laugh a few times. Before we knew it, time had passed much too quickly.
"Forgive me," Ston said, standing. "I must return to the archives. How long will the Wasatch be in the vacinity of the outpost?"
"I'm not sure," I shrugged.
"Do feel free to visit again," Ston told me.
"Ok," I nodded.
We just stood there a moment. He was beginning to turn when I touched his arm and he turned back. I suddenly threw my arms around him in a tender hug. He didn't hug back, which was expected from a Vulcan. When I pulled away, I looked up at him. His eyebrows were raised.
"You know us crazy Bajorans," I laughed in spite of myself. "We're overly affectionate. I'll see you."
I turned quickly and signaled the Wasatch to beam me back up.