I was discharged the next afternoon, and I resumed my work as if I had never left. I felt different however. Physically, I felt perfectly healthy. But the talk with Doctor McCoy made me feel...bad. Like I had the opportunities to get better, but I wasn't taking it.
I wanted to get better, I really did. But every therapist session, every oral therapy meeting; it never helped. I guess I just gave up.
"Good afternoon, Stella. I am glad to see you are in good health." Spock greeted, and I smiled as he entered.
It's good to be working again. I don't think I could have lasted another day in that bio bed.
He nodded before pulling on a pair of lab gloves. I watched his hands carefully as he signed.
We will be leaving Andoria soon, for an uncharted planet. I have already given our research to the inhabitants of the planet. They are grateful for all you have done.
I sucked in my breath sharply. Spock did a lot of the work as well, and even so; if Spock never created the antidote, we would have nothing to give to the Andorians. So yes, it was because of my mistake of getting infected that the antidote was created. But it was Spock's doing.
You have done most of the work, Commander. If not for you, the virus would have no cure. They should be thanking you.
He watched my hands silently. That was the freaky thing about sign language- a whole conversation could be passed in complete silence. A whole fight, discussion, prayer; quietly. The silence could be consuming sometimes, but I found it calming.
Spock's eyes flickered as he signed back to me.
It is not logical to argue who should be thanked. However, your intelligence and research greatly attributed. And again, if I am to call you by your given name, it is only logical for you to call me by mine. Formalities are not necessary.
I smiled and nodded. Arguing about who would be receiving the gratitude was illogical, so I let it slip and moved onto another subject.
We are leaving here soon?
He nodded before opening a PADD and reading from it.
We will be heading into a different quadrant, where there have been rumors for another humanoid species residing there.
I blinked. Another alien species? And humanoid, no less. That was amazing! I felt excitement boil up inside me.
I began to sign quickly.
Another extraterrestrial species? That's amazing!
He nodded, emotion not crossing his features, but I could see he was curious about the situation. An entire race, undiscovered by Star Fleet; an adventure was inevitable to happen! He signed calmly.
We will be arriving at the planet in approximately 16 hours. Until then, we should prepare the stations for research of unidentified plants or viruses. Among other things.
Among other things? I nodded slowly before gathering some tools from the table. We spent the next hour preparing petri dishes and microscopes and trays of lab equipment. Every so often I would see him typing on his PADD or scribbling notes nearby. Probably creating calculations and ordering necessary supplies. After we finished with the preparations, I sat down and lay my head on my hands. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. Thinking about my sister did that to me. It had been almost six years. If not for her, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have gone to the academy, gotten my PhD in science and botany, or landed a job on the enterprise. But none of it was worth losing her. I tried to eradicate the thoughts of her from my head, but the discussion I had had with Doctor McCoy had somewhat shaken feeling of edginess when you have an opportunity and you aren't 100% sure if you wanted to take it. Guilt, exhaustion and annoyance crept into my chest, brooding as I placed my pen down.
"Lieutenant, are you feeling well?" I heard Spock ask behind me. I nodded weakly before sitting up straight and standing to my full height. He looked like he was about to say something else when I heard a knock on the lab door.
Sulu stood in it, holding a small pot with soil as it's contents. Sprouted from the dirt was another orchid, this one a dark fuchsia with similar white spots like the last one he brought. It wasn't terran however. It was...Vulcan. The spiked stem, similar to a terrain rose, was a dark green color, native to Vulcan. And like an earth cactus, it retained more water due to the hot climate of the planet. While I had studied at the academy, learning about the flora from Vulcan was a wonderful experience. Some plants were similar to the ones on Earth; similar colors, shapes, and scents. Others were completely different. retaining qualities never seen in plants on Earth.
"Evening, Stella. I brought you another flower. This one isn't terrain though. But you already knew that, didn't you?" He chuckled, and I smiled. He handed me the plant and I examined it carefully. It was beautiful, and smelt familiar. I placed the plant down carefully and signed a thank you, and he shook his head. I always felt bashful when he got me flowers, for I was never able to return the gesture or give him a gift I knew he would love. He was able to read me so well that he knew my favorite flower was an orchid and I particularly fascinated with the Vulcan foliage.
"It was no problem Stella. But, if you aren't busy right now, would you like to join me for dinner?"
I stared at him, slightly taken back but flattered. I glanced down at the flower before looking back at Spock, who had been watching the exchanged between us with calm eyes. I was somewhat embarrassed for him to be watching us, like he was judging me for some odd reason. I shook it off and managed to lift my hand.
Is it all right if I go? Or is there still work left to be done?
He shook his head.
"No, Stella, we are finished for the day. I will see you tomorrow."
I nodded my head and signed quickly. I took in his dark features against his pale face, chocolate eyes framed by dark lashes. I couldn't read him.
Thank you sir. Have a nice evening.
He nodded and turned away from me, back to his microscope. I smiled up at Sulu and we made our way to the mess.
"So I assume Commander Spock informed you about arriving at that new planet, right?" Sulu and I grabbed a table, sitting down as I placed my new plant down. I nodded.
It seems very interesting. I will have a lot to study once I get samples from the planet.
He propped his feet up on the empty chair next to us and smiled, his eyes crinkling.
"The captain said he was going to put together a landing party. I bet you're interested in that."
I shook my head regretfully but smiled despite myself.
I would love that. But I would never be sent down, I am not qualified. If they sent any science officer, it would be the commander.
Sulu nodded understandingly.
"I tell you Sulu, one more bloody day with those hooligans in engineering, and I'll, I'll explode!"
I heard Scotty's thick accent before he reached the table, a plate of food in hand. He sat down at the table, a frustrated look on his face. Sulu chuckled.
"What happened this time? Another mess up with the warp core? Or was it the light panel this time? "Sulu joked, but Scotty didn't crack a smile.
"One of the cadets didn't know what a bloody panel hack saw was! Can ye believe that?" He looked at me and threw his hands up in frustration.
"And the worst part was, the lad started to cry! I canne' work with a group of crybabies, I swear..." His voice was rising, and I touched my ear drums. I turned to Sulu.
Please tell him I'm mute, not deaf.
Sulu chuckled before passing the message to the Scott. The dry humor was often a run through between us, as long as it was not dwelled on long enough to be a melancholy topic. Scotty huffed and seemed to release a bit of anger at the jest.
"Sorry lass. It's just these interns are driving me crazy!" He dug into his meal. I smiled inwardly.
"So, are ye guys going to the ships bar night next week? I heard it was going to be a
Special one, because it's some officers birthday." He said before taking another bite of his meal.
I shook my head, and Sulu stared at me.
"Why not? It's fun, and there's usually dancing; stay away from the captain though." He said playfully. I smiled before shrugging my shoulders. They weren't really my thing. Too crowded, too much alcohol, the music was too loud. Not my scene. I suppose I was a bit of an introvert but not enough to be considered extremely shy and timid. But I most certainly wasn't an extrovert, even if I did have my voice. I wasn't anti-social, but I wasn't an odd-one-out-loner. I was in between.
"Well ye should consider it, Stella. They can be fun ye know." Scotty smiled as I stood up. I faced Sulu and signed.
Please tell him I will consider it. But I must get to my quarters, I will be very busy tomorrow, with all this new planet stuff.
He nodded understandingly before I waved goodbye to both of them.