Finally home.
Well, almost.

Ensign Leski – who was actually Lieutenant Junior Grade Leski now, but people forgot – stared longingly at the unimpressive grey dot outside the window.
The closer they’d get, the more it’d morph into Caireann Station. Perhaps equally unimpressive to some – read: most – but… home.

“Do you need both seats?”

Leski tore his gaze from the window, and turned his attention to the very attractive, very out of his league woman who was trying to invade his personal space.

“I have a girlfriend!” he squeaked, an octave or three higher than he had meant to.

The woman peered at Leski, then at the bag that was occupying the free seat next to him. Then back at Leski.
Okay then… 

“In the bag?” she asked slowly.

“The station, sorry.” Leski said quickly, then – to avoid any further misunderstanding – corrected himself. “She’s on the station. Not the station. Sorry.”

“So … not in the shuttle. Meaning I can sit here, right?”, she asked, deliberately slowing her words as if speaking to a child. Or a particularly intelligent rock.

“What’s wrong with your current seat?” Leski frowned.

“Klingon next to me has a… very distinctive odor. And can only hold my breath for so long.”

“Yeah sure.” Leski relented, and surrendered the claimed territory.

“I’m Viv.” and before he could open his mouth again “And you have a girlfriend, yeah, I know. Do you also have a name?”

“Leski.”

There was a moment of silence. Not the fun, flirty kind. Not even comfortable. Just awkward.

“So. Tell me about that girlfriend of yours.”, Vivienne sighed eventually. Clearly this was the only topic he was willing to converse on.

“Her name is Neeya. She’s in science. She’s beautiful and so smart and I’ll finally see her again.” Leski said passionately. Neeya was his favourite topic to talk about, and their relationship largely considered the most interesting thing about him.

“Ah. Yeah. The Blackout sucked.” And the invasion did too, but she didn’t mention it. This conversation was hard enough as it was.

“I was on Risa all that time.”

“Ohh.” Well that explained everything. “What happened to what happens on Risa stays on Risa?”

“I’d never cheat on her,” he said, exasperated. “ But… well my letters didn’t get through. Because of the Blackout. I miss her, that’s all”

“Blackout’s been over for a few months. Did they not ‘go through’ or did she not respond?”

“Probably.. Busy. You know.” Leski shrugged. Then, more to himself than Vivienne, he added “And I don’t believe the rumors.”

Unfortunately – for him –  that was the first interesting thing he’d said so far. And Vivienne picked up on it.

“What rumors? Come on, tell me.” she prodded.

Leski shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Someone said she had something with the Chief Science Officer. That’s bullshit, of course. She’d never do that.”

“And are those reliable sources?”

“Well, he’s joking.”

“Weird joke.”

“He’s Vulcan, don’t judge him.” Leski pouted.

“Fine. So what’s your plan? Surprise her? Replicate some flowers and make out?” Vivienne smirked.

“Don’t say it like that.”  he huffed. “But… yeah.”

The flowers had seemed like a great idea. Now they seemed stupid. Which meant that he had to think of something else. Crap.

Leski went back to looking out of the window, where the station had come into view, and it wasn’t until they were ready to disembark that he returned his attention to Vivienne.

“It was nice meeting you.” he said awkwardly.

“Beats a smelly Klingon.” Vivienne shrugged.

Leski’s cheeks flushed.  “I’m sorry I was such a weirdo,

“No problem.”

“Oh. and I didn’t even ask –  what are you here for?”

“ Looking for some inspiration. I write for Star Crossed.”

“T-.. the… tabloid?”

What a stupid question to ask. Of course it was the tabloid. Everyone swore it was garbage – and still read it religiously. Leski, too.

“Yep.” she nodded, and with a wink, she added  “And thanks. I’m definitely feeling inspired.”

Leski’s eyes went wide.
Oh. Oh no.

You guessed it – This is going to be one of those stories.