Prompt: Jake - "I know a total of three things about you and one of them is that you won't let any of us crash at your place." - 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'
He was like a ghost. Sometimes she wondered if she had actually met him, but then she would see the other Maquis he had been with and know she had. Still, on a ship the size of Voayger, she wondered how she had yet to cross paths with him again, especially as he was rooming with Billy. She had stopped by Billy's quarters plenty of time, but hadn't even caught a glimpse of Gerron.
She thought of the exchange she'd had with Dalby after Gerron had left. She had asked him a question about Gerron and had gotten a terse answer.
"I don't know much about Gerron. None of us do really. We know his name, his age, though there's some that question even that, and that he's not one to let people crash in his quarters. He keeps to himself and likes his privacy. It would probably be best if you just left him alone."
Dalby had left shortly after that, leaving her and Billy to eat on their own. Since then though Tal had been looking for an opportunity to talk to Gerron but one hadn't presented itself.
Until tonight.
Walking into the mess hall with her latest assignment that was once again late, Tal spotted him standing at one of the view ports. As the ship was currently at warp, there wasn't much to be seen outside.
Deciding the assignment could wait a bit, Tal strode across the room to where he stood.
"Hi," she said cheerfully. When she didn't get a response from him, she continued speaking. "I look out the viewports a lot two, though I prefer it when the ship is at slower speeds. I look at the stars and wonder if I'll ever see familiar ones again. Wonder if I'll ever see Bajor again."
"And yet you don't hold to the customs and traditions of our people."
"I haven't given up everything about my culture. I'm just trying to fit in."
"If you can't be yourself around people than what's the point of fitting in?" Gerron replied, his eyes having not left the viewport at all.
Tal opened her mouth to reply and realized she wasn't sure how to reply. He made a valid point. If people truly liked her, than she could be herself, like she could around Billy.
Before she could think of something else to say, Gerron turned from the viewport.
"I've got to go."
"Okay," Tal said, surprised by his departure. "Perhaps we could meet for breakfast or something?" she called out as he strode across the mess hall.
"I'll be here at 0630," Gerron replied before walking out the door.
It was exactly a yes, but Tal took it as a good sign. She would be here early tomorrow morning too.