The Human Girl (A Star Trek Story)

05. New Home

The guards led me down the twisting hallways. They weren't gripping my arms like they had before. They still had their weapons in their hands, but they were more relaxed.

The guards led through the ship and to a room I've never been to. The doors slid open and I stepped in. The guards didn't follow, leaving me alone as the doors slid shut.

Mazew stepped out of a side room, a towel in his hands and shirtless. I checked him out, trying not to seem too obvious.

"NuqneH, Zari," Mazew greeted. "Were the guards nice to you?"

I nodded. "Yeah. They didn't grab me roughly, which was nice. Why are you shirtless?"

Mazew looked down for a moment. "I took a shower. I wanted to smell nice when you came."

I smiled. "That's kind of you, Mazew."

Mazew waved his hand toward the couch. "Make yourself comfortable, Zari. I'll get dressed."

I secretly didn't want him to put a shirt on, but I couldn't tell him what to do. He was his own person and I was just some human. He was a Klingon who didn't really listen to others.

I sat on the couch and waited patiently for Mazew to come back. He came out with casual clothes on. It was different to see him in anything that wasn't his uniform.

Mazew sat next to me. I scooted over so I was closer to him and started playing with his hair. He seemed to enjoy it so I continued.

Mazew looked me in the eyes. "You're an amazing woman, Zari. I'm glad I met you."

I smiled. "Thank you, Mazew. You're nicer than any man I've ever met on Earth."

Mazew took my hands and tenderly squeezed them. He played with my hands for a while before looking into my eyes.

"I think I'm in love with you, Zari," Mazew confessed.

I placed a hand on Mazew's cheek. "I think I have too."

Mazew placed a hand on my cheek and leaned in, kissing me. It was our first kiss and it felt amazing. I melted into the kiss, tangling my fingers in Mazew's hair.

Mazew moved his hands to the back of my neck and his touch was gentle. I pulled back and stared into his eyes, moving my hands and gently caressed his cheeks.

"I love you, Zari," Mazew muttered.

I smiled too. "I love you too, Mazew."

Mazew checked the time. "It's late. We should go to sleep."

I nodded and followed Mazew into his room. I awkwardly sat on the bed. I've never laid in the same bed with someone I was romantically involved with.

I was up against the wall. Mazew was facing me. We laid in bed, talking. We shared stories of our childhood and laughed at the funny things.

It was late when we finally went to sleep. I snuggled against Mazew's large chest, his strong arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I felt safe and at home.

Mazew rubbed my back softly. I hugged him tightly, breathing in his scent. Mazew buried a hand in my hair and buried his face in my shoulder.

He woke up not too long after I did. Mazew rolled onto his back and stared at the roof. He eventually looked at me and smiled sleepily.

"Goodmorning, sweetheart," Mazew murmured huskily.

"Goodmorning, Mazew," I said.

Mazew placed his large hand on the side of my face. "Are you ready for the day?"

I nodded. "Of course."

Mazew sat up and flung his legs over the side of the bed. I sat up too and wrapped arms around his neck loosely. I kissed his cheek and rested my head on my arm, looking at Mazew.

He glanced at me, smirking. "You're too cute, Zari."

"I know."

Mazew kissed the back of my hand before standing up. I let my arms slid off his back without protest. Mazew changed into his uniform. I sat on the bed, watching him.

When Mazew was finished, he leaned in and kissed me. "If you get bored, you can go wander around if you want. Just don't make eye contact with any of my crew. They see that as a threat."

I nodded. "Okay. That sounds reasonable to me. But won't they wonder why I'm not in the prison?"

"I'll make an announcement when I get to the bridge." Mazew kissed my forehead again. "Don't worry about it, Zari."

I nodded. Mazew left and I was left alone. I took the time to look around Mazew's quarters. It was decorated nicely. I got bored and looked over the books on the shelf in the corner. I could read Klingon well enough and I could get what most what the book titles meant. Mazew had been teaching me Klingon ever since he started bringing me into his office.

I picked up one of the books and sat down. I flicked through the pages, trying to understand what the words said. I got bored after a while and I got up. I left the room and I wandered through the hallways. The Klingons that I ran into stepped aside for me. I smiled and nodded to them as I passed.

I wandered around the ship until I got to a window. I looked out and saw unfamiliar stars. I stared out into the vast space around the ship. I stared at the stars until someone came up behind me. It was a female Klingon who stood next to me. She smiled at me, though it looked like a grimace.

"Hello," she greeted in Klingon. "I am Grerish Nash."

"I am Zari Williams," I replied in my best Klingon.

"Strange name," Grerish commented. "What are you, if you don't mind me asking? Captain Mazew said something about you being around the ship."

I turned to fully face Grerish. "I'm what's known as a human. I come from the planet Earth."

Grerish looked out the window. "Does your race have space travel?"

My eyebrows knitted. "I don't know. It's been too long since I've been there."

"Do you like the stars?" Grerish asked. "I see how you look at them."

I nodded. "I do."

Grerish smiled. "I know the place for you."