Lol at about 14 chapters I realized I needed to rewrite this whole thing! I found the missing wheel though. Turns out it was a flirty Doctor Lady.
In precisely seventeen minutes, the USS Enterprise would be docking. Serena almost felt nauseous enough to show it. She had done her research on the ship well enough to know that her past would be coming up to haunt her. She dusted off her blue uniform dress and adjusted her black hair to hide her Vulcan ears.
"Nervous?" the human woman next to her asked.
"Annaleigh, that is illogical," Serena replied.
"I'd be nervous too if my hunky advisor turned into my hunky commanding officer," Annaleigh said.
Serena's lip twitched. "You do not even think Commander Spock is attractive."
"No, but you do. And so does a good quarter of the galaxy."
"Hush you," Serena said.
"Nah. Besides, I want to say hello to my Uncle Scotty, and you're my only way on the ship."
Serena raised a brow and looked at the thirty-year-old woman next to her. "That is a blatant lie. You are desperate to see the medical facilities."
Annaleigh gasped in false shock, putting a hand over her chest. "Serena Zuriñe, take that back!"
"I fail to see how I can and should retract my statement when it is both true and already spoken."
"You Vulcan witch!" Annaleigh accused with a laugh.
"You are as lively as ever." Serena rolled her eyes.
"And you're so tense. Listen, I know you embarrassed yourself so hard your human instincts kicked in, but I am sure the dude does not care."
"Your grammar is atrocious."
"There's my computer!"
Serena rolled her eyes, watching the landing bay once more from the hanger. At twenty-eight, she still felt like a child, barely navigating through murky waters and mud. She was grateful for her friend's presence; Annaleigh's presence was the only thing that kept her from being with her thoughts for too long.
"Hey, Sere?" Annaleigh asked after a few minutes.
"Yes, Anna?" Serena replied, still watching the docking bay.
"Did you ever see Commander Spock Shirtless?" Annaleigh asked with a wolfish grin.
"I should nerve pinch you where you stand."
"That's not a no."
"It's not a yes either."
Serena wondered if giving Annaleigh a light nerve pinch would ease their nerves. Still, she knew what Annaleigh was doing. She was trying to ease her nerves about seeing Commander Spock again. Of course, Annaleigh was—probably—the only person, aside from herself and said commander, who knew her embarrassing history with Spock.
Annaleigh was also the only person who understood why Serena had done what she did. And Serena would be grateful for that.
"Now docking. USS Enterprise. Docking station twenty-two."
Serena looked up at the speaker before looking at Annaleigh. "Time to report to the Captain." She said.
"I'll go with you."
Serena nodded and began walking to docking station twenty-two.
Spock watched the docking station with intensity, glancing down at his PADD and reading the name on it over and over again. He wondered what had happened to the young woman whose file he was looking through.
She looked the same, less mousy and more like a proud Vulcan woman. He let out a breath and looked over the picture again. She still had those piercing blue eyes and that perfectly human face and redness. Yet her ears gave away her heritage.
"She's pretty," Jim commented. "Is she Vulcan?"
"Yes," Spock replied blankly.
"What do you think, Spock, a Vulcan girl like her and a cad like me."
"I think she'd have your head on a platter." He replied briskly.
Jim looked at Spock curiously. Spock ignored the look, mentally centering himself. He could not let his emotions get the better of him.
"Let me see her file," Jim said, taking the PADD out of Spock's hand.
Spock felt a wave of irritation flow through him as he watched Jim look through the PADD. Jim's brow raised, and he glanced back at Spock.
"It says you were her primary advisor through her first four years in Starfleet Academy," Jim said.
"Yes," Spock confirmed.
"Interesting." Jim handed the PADD back to Spock. "I look forward to meeting your student."
"She is a friend, Sir." Spock corrected.
Serena sat in the lobby of the docking bay. Annaleigh was sitting right across the way from her. They stared silently at each other as they waited for the announcement that the crew had officially landed.
Serena could feel the dread building in her as the intercom blasted again.
"All Personnel Landed. All Personnel Landed. Report for Launch at 1500 hours." the intercom announcer said.
Serena stood, taking another deep breath. "Anna, let's go find your uncle."
"Gonna avoid commander hot stuff?"
"Like the plague."
Annaleigh laughed and nodded. "I'm fairly certain I know where we can find him."
"Lead the way." Serena nodded as she waited for Annaleigh to stand.
Serena was all too grateful when they found Annaleigh's uncle. Scotty was just as lively as Annaleigh. The two began to chat animatedly as soon as they saw each other.
"Scotty!" A blonde woman with a red uniform dress called.
"Janice!" Scotty called, waving her over. "Come meet my niece and her friend."
The woman—Janice— walked over. "Hello, ladies!" She greeted.
"Janice, this is my niece Annaleigh. She's a doctor." He said proudly before looking at Serena. "And this is Serena. A poison specialist."
"A pleasure!" Janice stuck out her hand.
"Serena's part Vulcan, so she doesn't touch people." Annaliegh, as she took Janice's hand.
"Oh, like Mr. Spock!" Janice gave an understanding nod.
"He'll be happy to have someone on his level." Scotty teased.
Serena nodded awkwardly.
"Wait. You're the poison expert that is going to be joining us!" Janice looked at Serena excitedly.
"Yes. I will be boarding when it is time for lift-off." Serena confirmed, feeling anxious again. The Enterprise was large; she could communicate by holo-texts for the rest of the voyage and never see Spock. Yes, that would be perfect.
"I want to meet this, Mr. Spock!" Annaleigh said. "And Captain Kirk. And Dr. McCoy. Those three are the trifecta of popularity right now, and frankly, the other girls will be disappointed if I come back from dropping off our precious Vulcan without having met the men."
"Annaleigh, I am sure they are perhaps busy. It would be best to leave them be." Serena said, shooting a glare at Annaleigh.
"Oh, they're waiting on me," Scotty said. "You ladies can follow me!"
Serena's glare got harsher as Annaleigh shot her a winning grin. "I suppose this is acceptable. Thank you for your kindness."
Scotty laughed. "Any time. If you need anything, let me know! Any friend of my Annie is a friend of mine." He told Serena.
"Thank you, Mr. Scotty." Serena nodded, offering an awkward smile.
Spock found himself tense as he waited with Jim for Bones to show up with the Saurian Brandy he insisted on for a successful landing. Of course, the landing was successful, and the ship was operational.
He glanced at the door watching as it opened to reveal Scotty, Janice, an unfamiliar woman, and the most familiar faces.
Serena walked in last, Spock noted. His eyes traveled to her neck. He could see the slight shimmer of Vulcan rubies. He felt pleased that she kept the necklace despite their awkward state.
"Scotty! Janice!" Kirk said, snapping Spock out of his thought.
"Captain, Mr. Spock," Scotty greeted. "This is my niece, Annaleigh Scott, and—"
"Science Officer Serena Zuriñe." Jim finished, much to Spock's annoyance. "Miss Zuriñe, your profile pictures do not do you justice."
Spock smirked a bit as Serena looked at Jim with irritation. "It is for informational purposes. Logically it should serve as a way to recognize and identify me."
"Ah, there's that Vulcan briskness," Jim said, shooting an almost goading glance as he walked over to Serena.
Spock stood almost immediately. "Captain." He said tersely.
"Just going to check if Bones is coming," Jim said innocently.
Serena moved significantly further, glancing at Spock; for a moment, whatever awkward history and six years of no contact instantly disappeared as she raised her brow and glanced at Jim before glancing back at him.
Spock shrugged.
"I won't hesitate to nerve pinch him if he comes on to me."
"Not if I do it first."
"Oh, what did you two say?" Jim asked, looking at them curiously.
"Old Vulcan greeting," Spock said quickly.
"Just saying hello." Serena agreed.
Serena ignored the almost wolfish grin from Annaleigh. She glanced over at Spock, catching his gaze once again. She offered a smile before pretending to listen to Scotty.
"I hope you don't take this the wrong way," Janice said, looking at Serena curiously. "You smile a lot for a Vulcan."
"That's what I said when I met her," Annaleigh said.
"I am only part Vulcan. Hence my livelier disposition. My father was half Vulcan; my mother was fully human." Serena explained. "I can see why my actions cause curiosity."
"You should see her when she cusses. She puts my ancestors to shame." Annaleigh said with a proud look that could rival a mother's.
Serena laughed a bit. "I will hope not to show an unprofessional disposition," she said, bringing her hand to her necklace.
"Oh, but you're so fun," Annaleigh said.
"You say that until you're on the receiving end," Serena said.
"Bones!" The captain called, snapping the conversation to him. "Hurry up."
"I'm a doctor, Jim. Not a track star." the doctor called. He walked in and looked at all of them. "We're gonna need a few more cups."
"None for me, Leonard," Janice said. "Nyota and Christine are waiting for me."
"Give the Lieutenant and nurse my regards."
Serena watched as Janice waved, looking at the captain curiously as he watched her leave. She would have thought him more serious about his earlier flirtations if the man's gaze did not constantly shift to Janice. She assumed that perhaps that gaze was unrequited—an unfortunate feeling she was all too familiar with.
She glanced at Spock, meeting his gaze before quickly shifting her gaze back to the others, gripping her necklace.
"So, who are these lovely ladies?" Bones asked, causing Spock to tense up.
"Why Doctor, you're too kind." the human woman said, flipping her brown hair back. "I'm Annaleigh Scott. I'm this engineering genius' niece. And this lovely lady is Serena Zuriñe, your new science officer."
"Greetings." Serena nodded.
"Isn't my Serena pretty?" Annaleigh cooed. "Her Vulcan ears make her look like an elven princess."
"You're Vulcan?" Bones said, looking at Serena. "You're awful lovely for a Vulcan."
"Isn't she?" Annaleigh nodded.
"Thank you for the backhanded compliment," Serena said.
"My apologies. It's just. Well, you're very pretty."
"I know," Serena nodded.
"Miss Zuriñe," Spock said, deciding both he and Serena had endured enough of this strange need his friends had to flirt with her. "I have a few things I'd like to go over with you regarding the toxicology labs.."
"Of course." She nodded, shooting him a grateful glance.
He began walking, and she followed him almost immediately.
"It seems whenever we meet, you're usually saving me," Serena said as soon as they were far from the others.
"It would seem so." He nodded. "It has been six years—-"
"11 months, one week, two days, and seven hours." She nodded.
"You still have lively acquaintances."
"I should say the same about you."
"Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if he took her out to ravish her," Annaleigh teased. Though she very much doubted it.
"That'll be the day." Dr. McCoy said with a laugh as he offered her a glass.
"Charming," Annaleigh said with a flirtatious smile.
"Oh, I try, Miss Annaleigh." Bones replied.
"Dr. McCoy, you're a bit of a scoundrel, aren't you?" She said as she took a drink. "Oh, this is good."
"Only towards pretty ladies." He replied with a chuckle.
"I've never seen him so tame." Captain Kirk said with a laugh.
"He'll stay tame if he knows what's good for him." Scotty huffed.
"Oh, Uncle, please," Annaleigh said. "It is a great pleasure to meet the Great Captain, James Kirk, and the Good Doctor Leonard McCoy."
"Jim is fine, Annaleigh," Jim said.
"Bones will do, Miss Annaleigh." Bones said with a flirtatious grin.
"The girls will be so excited to hear about this." Annaleigh giggled.
"I hope we don't disappoint the girls." Jim smiled.
"I doubt it. Mind if I take a seat?"
"Not at all; I'll escort you myself." Bones said.
"A true gentleman," Annaleigh said as Bones led her to the couch.
"So, Miss Annaleigh. What do you do for a living that has you hanging out with a Vulcan?" Bones asked in a teasing tone as they sat.
"She's a doctor," Scotty said.
"My uncle's right," she replied.
"We could always use more doctors on the enterprise, don't you think, captain." Bones asked.
"One more couldn't hurt." Jim laughed.
"Don't joke with me, boys; I might take you up on that offer," Annaleigh said.
"Well, we do have six hours." Bones looked at Kirk with a grin
"Ay, what have I done?" Scotty muttered while Annaleigh grinned all too excitedly.
Serena stood awkwardly next to Spock as they watched the ship be repaired.
"I see you are a certified toxicologist," Spock said after a moment.
"It took a bit, but yes." She said. "Commander. That is quite a level up."
"Someone has to keep the captain in line." He replied. "His flirtations might get us all killed."
Serena snorted a bit. "He sounds no better than Annaleigh."
"She is quite a character." Spock nodded.
"She was my roommate when I started the academy."
"The loud one who kept experimenting with food?"
"The very one."
"I recall you saying you were quite close."
"She is somehow the sister and mother I never had."
She could feel Spock's gaze on her covered ears. "Whatever happened with your mother and step-sister."
"They're in jail," she replied.
"And your ear?"
"Completely healed save for a visible scar."
She could hear Spock hum in response.
"Does she know about the issue with your—"
"Yes. I assume your friends know about your wife."
"Ex-wife. I rejected her about ten months ago."
"I am sure T'Pring was ecstatic."
"She has already remarried."
Serena nodded, tilting her head and scratching at her neck.
"You still wear the necklace."
"It was a gift and still precious to me." She said.
"I do not understand why you left that morning," Spock said. "Though I do have my theories."
"It was shameful." She said, looking at the floor.
"I did not think less of you. It was more hurtful to lose your friendship suddenly."
"I did it for my own sake more than anything. It was not my wisest moment."
Spock nodded. "It was illogical and emotion-fueled."
"I know." She sighed and turned to face him. "Spock, I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for." He assured, turning to face her. She studied his face, surprised to find no disdain.
"Still. I owe you an apology for putting you in an awkward situation. And for completely disappearing. You were my friend and did not deserve any of that."
"I still am your friend." he corrected. "And frankly, it will be nice to have a friend who isn't going to get themselves killed."
"You give me too much credit."
"I do. You have a history of being fascinated with anything that can kill you."
"I've made my name off it, so I don't think I've done too bad."
"No, you have not. Your father would be proud."
"He'd be annoyed that I'm a scientist."
"He'd be proud all the same. You are still a member of clan V'los and you represent them well."
She smiled, turning back to continue watching the repairs. She hoped against all hope that Annaleigh was not getting herself into trouble.
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