OK, so in the last chapter, you met my second OC, Sophie Sophus. I named her after a dear friend of mine who's helping me with the "Monsters Unleashed Project", and she's half-Vulcan and half-sorceress. I can't think of a face claim for her, but she's definitely somewhat Afro-Latina.

As Nyara dined with her parents and her crew, she turned her eyes to Sophie. "So, how'd you meet everyone?" she asked.

"It's a long story." said Sophie as she sighed.

~FLASHBACK~

Little T'Ren, three years old, stood in front of the Vulcan High Council with her father, the scientist Sturik and his mother, the Earthen sorceress Natalie Lopez. They accused her and her mother of having used magic to harm others, and didn't give the little family of three a chance to explain. In fact, this whole thing was a sham—all three knew that no one would accept them as they were. Their clan disapproved of Sturik marrying a human woman, one with supernatural, and therefore illogical, abilities at that!

As they left the Katric Arc, Natalie embraced both her husband and her daughter. "Do not fret, my loves, we'll find a way out of this."

T'Ren, as young as she was, had a sense of what was going on around her. Some special Vulcan women, such as Lady T'Pau of the House Of Surak, could not only communicate with their minds, but also move things with them. And yet, her human mother was condemned for having special powers. That was the moment she banished any and all logic from her life.

From that day forward, the little family of three began a new life on Earth. Sturik and Natalie set up office as private detectives somewhere in Puerto Rico, Natalie's home country, and for a while, they thrived. With Natalie's magic and Sturik's Vulcan sensibilities, there was no case they could not crack. Until one day, it happened.

It was T'Ren's ninth birthday when her Tía Alba came bearing the news that her parents had died while investigating a particularly tough case. First, the young girl had looked at her aunt figure in disbelief, then had sobbed in her arms for a good twenty minutes before going to sleep.

More time passed, and the case was finally cracked, the culprit found, her parents avenged. But now T'Ren was all alone in the world. Sure, her tías and tíos and their kids would drop by to take care of her, but with her parents gone, what was once comforting was now suffocating. Her little home didn't feel as cozy as it did before. No one could fill the void left in her heart.

Until one day, her Tío Manuel barged in, waving a bunch of papers. "T'Ren! Niña! You gotta see this!"

"Que?" asked T'Ren as she lifted her eyes from her mother's spellbook.

Tío Manuel held out the papers to her. "I've been telling your story on the internet, and a kind couple in San Francisco wants to adopt you!"

And that was how T'Ren met her adoptive parents for the first time. Her soon-to-be new mother was a woman in her mid-thirties with platinum hair and golden eyes. "So you must be T'Ren!" she exclaimed. "My name's Ellen Erstwhile-Sophus. Nice to meet you!"

"I'm pleased to make your acquaintance as well." said T'Ren.

"I've heard you and your folks had been banished from Vulcan when you were three." said Ellen.

"Yes. My mother was a sorceress, and I inherited her powers. We were banished because of our magic, and my father for marrying my mother against all odds." T'Ren said sorrowfully.

"Well, they did, did they?" said Ellen, her brow furrowing. "If they did, then they should be ashamed of themselves. In fact, I'm just like you." She moved her hands in circles, and a ball of light appeared. "I have magic too!"

It was then that her husband and biological daughter came in. "Sweetheart, this is Sebastian Sophus, my husband, and our daughter Susan, your sister-to-be." said Ellen.

"I work for a group of people called Starfleet." said Sebastian. "We explore space for science reasons, but also for diplomacy. And peace keeping between worlds."

"Awesome!" exclaimed T'Ren.

"Welcome to the family." said Susan, a fair eleven-year-old girl who was the spitting image of her mother, as she extended a hand to the young dark-skinned Vulcan girl.

T'Ren smiled as she took Susan's hand. "I'm gratified. But if you wish to adopt me, you must fulfill one condition."

"What condition?" asked Ellen as she gave the little Vulcan girl a warm smile.

"Give me a new name so I may truly become your child." said T'Ren.

"Well, if you wish!" said Ellen. And that was how T'Ren became Sophie Sophus.

More years passed, and even after becoming adopted, Sophie still kept in touch with her tías and tíos in Puerto Rico, keeping them up to date on how she's doing. At the tender age of fourteen, Sophie enrolled in Starfleet Academy, with the help of Sebastian and Ellen, who noticed her extraordinary smarts. It was around that time that she also got her magical tattoos—the symbols of destruction and restoration. Sophie also became the Guardian Of Reality & Fantasy.

After three years, Sophie eventually became a red shirt ensign aboard the Enterprise, and now here she was, dining with her new friends.

"Admiral Pike, Admiral Chin-Riley," said Sophie as she cut into her steak, "have you heard of NastyNellie2424? Some of my colleagues won't stop talking about them."

"Oh, they're quite the troublemaker." said Number One. "I can't remember the time I lasted three days without getting roped into NastyNellie2424 discourse again."

"Ensign Sophus, I trust you haven't read any of their fanfiction, you still have to wait one more year to do so." Pike added.

"Don't worry about me reading smutty fanfics and being scarred for life, Admiral." said Sophie. "I've been reading stories of the sort since I was thirteen, and I can assure you, they did nothing to damage my psyche."

Everyone laughed out loud, with some (read:McCoy and Sulu) expressing disgust. Then McCoy perked up and said "One thing noteworthy about their Enterprise saga is, that all Romulans save S'Tyge are portrayed negatively. It seems like they're incapable of writing these bastards as anything but cold-blooded killers who destroy entire planets for sport. I don't know what's the deal with them. I'm assuming they know about the Nero incident if the plot of From Arinne, With Love is any indication, but couldn't they think it's a bit overkill to generalize all Romulans based on the actions of one particularly nasty individual?"

"Indeed. I will have to agree with you on this one, Doctor. As if writing stories based on already existing fiction or events was not illogical enough..." said Spock.

Nyara squeezed her utensils, her hands trembling. Of course she'd write them as cold-blooded killers—not because of the Nero incident, but because they were responsible for the demise of her home planet Madria. She had pulled no punches in expressing her disdain towards Romulan-kind through the eyes of S'Tyge, and she enjoyed it. This was her way of getting revenge. She glared at Spock and said "Says the Squidbob shipper."

Everyone save the three Pikes turned their eyes to Spock. "How did you..." Spock muttered.

"Oh, I have my own way." said Nyara. "You think you could keep that part of your life a secret forever? Everyone in the SpongeBob fandom knows LogicPartyXXX, the unofficial Squidbob Overlord."

Uhura rolled her eyes, amused, while Kirk looked greatly intrigued. McCoy huffed, and muttered "hypocrite" under his breath, likely directed at Spock, while Pike and Number One exchanged weird looks.

Nyara continued on. "I've read some of your stories myself, they were pretty great, I must admit." One of Spock's eyebrows twitched, but that was the only reaction she got out of him. "My personal favorite? "Just Friends", wow, you really outdid yourself with that one. Oh, and I also know you love projecting onto Squidward, because that's the only way you can let your emotions to the surface..."

"Miss Pike?" said Spock, cutting in, "I believe that's enough."

"Not denying anything, huh?" said Nyara. "I'll stop if you swear a blood oath to never talk shit about Nellie or their work again, and on top of that, I won't tell anyone that the Amazing Mr. Spock and LogicPartyXXX are the same person."

"Just say yes." said Uhura as she touched her boyfriend's arm.

"Nyota, I'm afraid I cannot. NastyNellie2424 has crossed the line by writing about us. Sure, the names were changed and some events went a little differently than how they went in real life, but I could recognize them easily, and one thing I cannot stand for is that they invaded our privacy and as if that wasn't enough, they disgraced and demonized you in favor of..."shipping" me with our captain. You, whom I cherish above all else." said Spock.

"Nyara," said Pike as he turned his head to his daughter, "You like NastyNellie2424, I know. But I'll have to side with Spock on this one."

Nyara huffed out a sigh. She didn't like Nellie—she was Nellie. "OK." she said.

The rest of dinner was uneventful, aside from Nyara throwing Sulu the occasional side glance. She had been harboring a crush directed at the Japanese-Filipino pilot for quite a while now―he had been a good friend and sparring partner to her.

~FLASHBACK~

Nyara snatched a sword from the wall of weapons and slashed at Sulu, who leaped back before thrusting with his own blade. His opponent was quick to parry the strike. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Sulu took a dueling stance.

Their blades flashed under the ceiling lights as they continued their sparring session. Nyara's multiple red irises stared intently into Sulu's two black ones, then her blade swung up and knocked Sulu's weapon out of his hands. Panting, the two looked at each other. "Wow, Miss Pike, you've certainly improved a lot." said Sulu.

"Thanks, Mr. Sulu." said Nyara, purple creeping onto her cheeks. "I wouldn't have come this far without your guidance."

~END FLASHBACK~

Sure, Nyara loved indiscriminately. She never cared about the gender of the people she dated—man, woman, anything in-between, they only had to be good enough to stick with her long-term. And Sulu never said anything about her little tics or violent tendencies, though he always reined her in before things could go too far. To her, he was an angel. She had been going on dates to distract herself, but they all proved to be futile in the end.

After dinner, when the crew went to their respective homes, Nyara retired to her room and sat in front of her word processor, sighing, and began writing the latest chapter of her Gravity Circuit fanfic, "The White Star Line". set after the game proper. It featured Pat the background character harboring a crush on Kai, the Hero, the savior of their home planet, and wanting to become a strong, brave warrior worthy of him. She typed "Wimpy Patty...", which soon escalated with her, in Pat's place, singing a song.

Wimpy Patty!

All of my life, that's what they've called me, and that's what I've been,

The blur in the background, the king of uncool,

The first at the office, the last in the pool,

And it's true,

But what can I do?

Tell me, why can't he see,

There's much more to me,

Deep within?

Picture a guy, a knight in rhinestone armor,

Gleam in his eye, a zillion-watt smile,

Sharp threads, moves that get 'em starin',

A turner of heads, cool beyond comparin',

Bringin' the pride with a spring in his stride,

And a fistful of style!

I could be that guy,

I could be the cock of the walk, and the talk of the town,

Leadin' the pack when the action goes down!

Yeah, I...

I'll betcha I could set the world astir,

If I only let myself try, well, I could be that guy...

For him.

Foolish, I know, (oh, no!)

I've never been a charmer,

(Charm him, charm him, charm him)

Just can't let go...(ooh, let go!)

But if I could,

I would show 'em, but good,

That I…

I could be that guy!

I could be the dude all in white, bathed in light on the floor,

Livin' out loud as the crowd shouts for more!

Yes, I…

I could holler "yes!" to destiny!

Time to step out,

No more fear, no more doubt,

It's time to grow some wings and start to fly!

(Oh, I…)

Oh, I…

(I could be that guy)

I just gotta believe,

I just gotta, gotta,

(I could be that guy)

Gotta believe,

(I could be that guy)

If I'd only believe,

(I could be that guy)

If I'd only believe,

(I could be that guy)

That I…

Yes, I could be that guy!

I could be the cream of the crop, set to pop!

All the rage!

Blistering hot in a spot center stage,

Yes, I…

I got what it takes, (hey!) to break away! (break away!)

Nyara sighed, and said "Oh, who am I kidding? I'll always be one of many red shirts to him." before finishing the song.

But before it's my time to die,

Hell, I will be that girl,

Someday...

Ooh, maybe someday…

Maybe someday...

"Lieutenant Pike," said Sophie as she met Nyara in the hallways of Starfleet Headquarters.

"Ensign Sophus," Nyara responded in kind, then asked "You said you have magical powers, can you use them for me?"

"What, exactly, do you want me to do?" asked Sophie.

"Can you make a love potion or something? I'll use it on myself so Lieutenant Sulu would notice me." Nyara said. "I've been going on dates to see if I could forget him, but it's no use. I just wish he'd love me back."

Sophie gave her Meechan companion a death-glare. "If you really thought I would do that, you're sorely mistaken. Playing with people's feelings is not at all good." she said, then lowered her voice so no one else could hear. "Who do you think I am, your fairy godmother or something? I thought you of all people should know that, NastyNellie2424. Have you learned nothing while writing that tidbit in "Letters From War" where Prince Jeda charmed Roxanne Ritchi into having sex with him?"

Inwardly, Nyara gasped. How in the seven hells did she know that? Shocked into silence, all she could manage was "How?".

"Oh, I have my ways." Sophie said. "What you said when we were having dinner at your home...that was evidence enough. Sure, there are a lot of Nellie fans in the Fleet, but literally none would defend them the way you did."

"Sorry, I..." Nyara said.

Sophie continued on. "Personally, I believe "Peppermint" is your Magnum Opus. Y'know, that 00Q fanfic of yours where you really showed us how love conquers all, through Bond and Q."

"Thanks." said Nyara. "I really appreciate that, but—"

"Anyways, bottom line, I'm not gonna make you a love potion, and that is FINAL. Don't even dream of pulling rank on me, unless you wanna disappoint your parents." said Sophie, then turned around to continue on her way.

Nyara huffed in anger, then she turned around as well, and walked off in the opposite direction.

"Ny?" asked Niassi as she met her in a spot not too far away from where the parting with Sophie happened. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." the Meechan said, trying her best to swallow down her anger.

"Don't you lie to me, Nyara Euanna Pike. I know something is wrong with you. In case you forgot, I am a Betazoid. I could just feel the discomfort rolling off you." Niassi said.

"It's just...that damn Vulcan girl refused to make me anything that could catch Hikaru Sulu's attention, and I'm mad." Nyara told her. "And on top of that, she used my own fanfic to call me out!"

"Oh, Ny..." Niassi muttered. "Ensign Sophus is one upright person, you should know that. She would never do anything like that. Besides, Sulu's gay. Even if he knew that you loved him, he'd never reciprocate."

"Can you repeat that last one?" asked Nyara. Surely she had misheard.

"Sulu's gay. Even if he knew—" Niassi began again.

"No." Nyara cut in. "It can't be. I pined after him for, like, a long time and you're telling me that he's gay?"

"Yes, he's gay, and he's happily married with a daughter." Niassi clarified. "If you can't believe it, check for yourself."

"OK... Nyara muttered. Her head was still processing this new information.

And for the rest of the day, the thought proceeded to haunt her. Her mind kept screaming it can't be, it can't be, it can't be— even as she was doing her work.

"Miss Pike?" a familiar voice cut through her haze as she worked. She paid it no mind, and kept working.

"Nyara?" the voice tried again.

Nyara lifted her head to see the man she loved, with a young girl, who couldn't have been any older than 8, trailing closely behind him.

"Oh, Mr. Sulu!" she said. "Didn't see you there. By the way, why is a kid in here?"

"She's my kid." Sulu replied. "In case you didn't know, today's Take Your Kid To Work Day."

"Hello, I'm Demora!" said the little girl cheerfully, and Niassi's words once again echoed in Nyara's mind.

Yes, he's gay, and he's happily married with a daughter.

She took a deep breath, and once again steeled herself. Maybe he was a single father. "Nice to meet you, Demora." she said, as calmly as she could manage.

"I've been wanting to meet everyone ever since Otou-san came home after he creamed that Nero guy." said Demora. "Captain Jim, Mr. Spock, Dr. Bones, Nyota-san, Scotty-san, Pavel-nii...they were all so nice to me. And you, well...what's your name?"

"Yeah, it's so good to see you too." Nyara said, voice shaking a little.

"What's wrong, Nyara-san?" asked Demora. "You look uncomfortable."

"No, I'm fine, it's just...can I ask something?" said Nyara.

"Sure!" Demora replied cheerfully.

"Is it lonely, being home alone when your dad has to be in outer space for a veeeery long time?" Nyara asked.

"No, I've got my Papa, and Auntie Yuki who's technically my mom, and my friends! So I'm never lonely. Besides, Papa and I are planning on moving to a starbase so we can see Otou-san more often." Demora said, smiling big.

The words hit Nyara like a ten-ton boulder. She could only let out a flat "Oh.", and she blankly stared forward as Sulu continued on giving his daughter a tour of HQ.

In the corner of her eye, she could see a flash of pointed ears, purple hair and candy-pink lips, set in a smug smirk, telling her I told you so.

She whipped around, marched forward and grabbed Sophie's throat. "You like this?!" she screamed. "You enjoy seeing people hurt? Well, when I'm done with you, you're gonna wish you were never, ever—"

"Miss Pike? Miss Pike!" cried a nurse, who was standing nearby. "Calm down!"

But even with the hand around her windpipe, the Vulcan sorceress managed to hold out a hand, signalling I can handle this. She then placed a finger on Nyara's forehead, and blue energy flowed from the fingertip into Nyara, slowing her breathing, calming her down.

"What did you do to me?" Nyara said, as she let go of Sophie.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just used my magic to calm you down." Sophie replied. "You really should learn to control your temper. And, for the record, I do not enjoy seeing people hurt. You were too consumed by your own heartbreak."

"Yeah?" Nyara said.

"Let's discuss this someplace safe, ay?" Sophie asked before teleporting herself and Nyara away to who-knows-where.

LATER...

"Where...where are we?" asked Nyara as she and Sophie rematerialized in a room full of paintings.

"It's my "secret chamber", as to speak, a place that exists outside of space and time. Every sorcerer has one, for the purpose of honing their powers. I figured this would be a perfect place for us to talk it out." Sophie replied.

"You knew this, didn't you?" Nyara huffed out. "You knew that I've been in love with a gay man this whole time, that this would happen."

"No, I had no idea." Sophie replied. "But you could ask me to make you a love potion a thousand times over, and I'd still say no."

Nyara sighed. "Damn, you really are one upright girl."

"It's all thanks to both my parents." said Sophie. "BT-dubs, while your Enterprise stories aren't exactly what I'd call squeaky-clean, the idea of red shirt empowerment is seriously wonderful. I don't know anything, but sometimes, I feel like the universe itself is out to get us red shirts. But in your world, we can see them actually fighting back. S'Tyge, Savna, Ludis...all the red shirts you've written, they seem to reject the idea of KIA entirely. And to think you began this before Nacelles Of Glory..."

"Well, thanks, I guess?" said Nyara. "About the universe itself being out to get us red shirts...I agree wholeheartedly. That's part of the reason why I put S'Tyge in red when, for all intents and purposes, he should have worn blue because he's supposed to be Spock."

"Yeah. The captain always tries to pull me out of the operations division and into another one because he, quote, "can't see me die". But I like my position." Sophie said truthfully.

"I love my position too. There's no better position for an alien warrior than security." Nyara said.

They looked at each other, and blinked. It looked like this could very well lead to something more.