My Star Trek One-Shots

Scotty - Temporal Kickback PT 2

It had been a few days since Riley told Scotty about her past. She was still nervous to see him. When not on duty, Riley stayed in her quarters. That night, the lights were dim. Riley sat curled up on the couch in her quarters, still raw from what she'd shared with Scotty earlier that night. She wasn't used to feeling stripped open. It was both terrifying . . . and freeing.

The door chimed softly.

"Come in."

Scotty stepped in, slower this time. Less like the bold, chaotic engineer. More like the man who was holding his breath. He stayed quiet, until she stood and crossed the room toward him.

"You meant what you said?" she asked softly.

"I don't say things unless I mean them, Riley."

She reached up and gently touched his face. "Then stop standing over there like the world might end if you move."

He smiled at that. And then she kissed him.

It wasn't rushed or breathless—not a reckless impulse. It was deep, slow, reverent. Like two people who knew the weight of pain . . . and were choosing peace anyway.

She led him to her bed without speaking another word. They spent the night together in bed, naked and open to one another. The sheets were tangled, and the room was still, save for the gentle hum of the ship and their slowed breathing.

Riley lay on her side, pressed against Scotty, skin bare under the covers, fingers tracing absent circles across his chest.

He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Ye alright?"

She nodded. "Better than alright."

There was no hesitation. No shame. No regret. She had let someone in . . . and nothing inside her shattered. In fact, something healed.

The next morning, Riley stood beside La'an, back in her uniform—this time with a new patch. Official. She tried to play it cool, but the moment Pike stepped in and offered her a nod of approval, she swallowed hard.

"I know this has been a strange journey," the captain said. "From the moment we met you in that gym, you've surprised us. You've challenged our way of doing things. And you've earned your place here."

La'an added, "You're not just a fighter anymore, Riley. You're one of us."

Riley smiled—genuinely, openly.

"Does this mean I finally get access to the fancy weapons locker?" she asked with a grin.

La'an arched an eyebrow. "Don't push your luck."

Scotty waited just outside the door after the briefing. She walked up to him, tugged him by the collar, and kissed him unapologetically in front of passing crew.

"You really think they'll let you keep snoggin' an engineering officer in public?" he teased.

"Let them try and stop me."

That night, the Observation Lounge was transformed for the occasion. String lights floated mid-air in a net of soft color. A holographic DJ booth played a hybrid of 23rd-century pop and Riley's curated "Retro Vibes" playlist—everything from Bowie to Outkast to a single, unapologetic Taylor Swift anthem.

Long tables held platters of replicated food from dozens of worlds. Crew members danced, drank, and laughed. Even Spock was spotted sipping a bright purple drink with a suspicious umbrella in it.

That night was a crew-wide celebration to mark the completion of a complex mission, and more importantly: to honor new promotions and integrations—including Riley's official induction into Security.