Paint and Powder

A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon

DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.

Cerritos: "A Bad Habit"

Boimler and Tendi were walking down a corridor, talking cheerfully about underappreciated Starfleet captains.

"For me, I think it's Asamov!" Boimler insisted, "he was the only guy who kept his ship together after Wolf 359! Heck, after fighting in it!"

"He is a really great captain, true," Tendi said, humming thoughtfully as she bit her lower lip, "but there's a lot to be said for Robert April."

"April isn't underappreciated," Boimler replied. Tendi shrugged.

"Well, next to Garth of Izar, he kind of is. He's kind of the forgotten captain of the Enterprise, even though he was first!"

"I guess that's fair," Boimler said with a nod as they rounded a corner. They saw Cerritos' avatar standing outside the holodeck, her clothing flickering a bit as she made adjustments to her uniform. Boimler beamed and waved his hand.

"Hey Cerritos! We were having a discussion and I wanted to know-"

Commander Ransom came out of the holodeck behind the ship avatar, and embraced her tightly from behind. He nuzzled her neck and breathed in deeply.

"Mmm... You smell nice," he murmured, "Tarkalan number 45? My favorite."

Cerritos rolled her eyes, deftly hiding a blush with her holographic avatar, and smoothly pushed her way out of Ransom's arms.

"Not. In front. Of the crew," she muttered angrily. Ransom looked over at Boimler and Tendi. Silence descended on the corridor.

"... Commander," Tendi managed.

"Sir," Boimler added.

"Ensigns," Ransom said with a stiff nod.

The silence continued. Cerritos opened her mouth.

"It's... Uh-"

"We're good," Tendi said quickly.

"Yeah!" Boimler added, "no explanations needed! And uh, we're... We're very discrete, sir. Ma'am."

Ransom cleared his throat. Cerritos nodded.

"Good," Cerritos said.

The silence fell again... Before a loud voice broke it like someone broke one of Boimler's commemorative Tom Paris plates.

"HEY CERRITOS! YOU FINISHED BANGING RANSOM? I KNOW HE GETS RANDY BUT YOU COULD JUST JERK HIM OFF INTO A CUP!"

"MARINER!"

And much mortification was suffered by all.