Ven and Nick had just sat down to dinner of replicated Pepperoni Pizza and the Romulans favorite treat of Buffalo wings and Osol twists. Idle chatter about the others day filled the spots in which the low music in the background did not. Each had their own view of what made the day worse, for one it was an ensign who couldn’t hit the broad side of a galaxy class in target practice. For the other, an engineer that hadn’t learned from getting burned on plasma conduits the first two times.
Dinner concluded and the traditional activity of playing a classic earth board game or watching one of the many holo tapes Nick had in his collection. In tonights case it was the former rather then the latter. Nick explaining the game of LIFE to the Romulan had its challenges but it was nothing compared to the great monopoly war of the previous year.
As the evening began to wear down, Nick decided on a shower, and Ven begas reading the most recent edition of Wings and Talons as she typically did before bed. That changed however as the ringer went off alerting the duo that someone was at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Ven states
Nick comes with one towel wrapped around his midsection with another in his hand running it through his hair to dry it “Who is it?” he questions
“I don’t know, I wasn’t aware we were having com-”
Ven cut her words short and eyes grew wide as Salil stood in the threshold, “Ah Sorra, perfect, I was hoping you were here…come with me.” he states plainly
“Who is it dear?” Nick calls out “And who’s Sorra?”
Salil lofts an eyebrow and looks at Ven who rubs her temples “You haven’t told him yet?” Salil inquires
Ven doesn’t answer and looks to Nick and bites the bottom corner of her lip for a moment “Its my cousin, Salil.” she answers
Nick’s eyes go wide and runs into the adjoining bedroom closing the door behind him. Letting out a sigh ven looks to Salil and lofts an eyebrow “Is something wrong?” she questions in a concerned manner
Salil lofts an eyebrow as Ven stops out of the threshold and lets it the older Romulan “Sorra, you haven’t told him your name yet?”
Ven sakes her head while placing a hand on her hip “I’ve been…wanting to.” she begins to explain as Nick steps back out.
Clearing his throat Nick steps forward in starfleet issued sweatpants and a plain black tshirt, Ven watches on for a moment before clearing her throat. "Salil, Lieutenant Commander Nick Loxton, Nick, Commander Salil Sovum, my cousin.
The two shake hands as Ven gives salil a ‘I don’t want a lecture’ look which Salil sees and nods “Its nice to meet you Commander Lox-erm Nick.” he corrects himself remembering none of them were on duty.
“The Honor is mine Sir,” Nick replies warmly inhaling deeply “So who’s Sorra?” he questions.
Ven rubs her temples as Salil smiles “I’ll let that conversation happen between you too privately, do you mind if I borrow the Lieutenant, erm well. Veneela?” he questions of nick while clutching a small box in his non shaking hand
“Well no, shes family, I can’t tell you no.” he replies looking to Ven “If you obviously wish to go with him.”
Ven nods and looks to Salil “Where are we going? Do i need my uniform?” she questions of her cousin.
Salil smiles and shakes his head. “No just off duty clothes and comfortable shoes.” he replies avoiding answering the question directly as most Romulans tend to do.
Ven looks to Nick and avoids eye contact as she gives Nick a small kiss on the check “I’ll be back.” she replies heading into the bedroom.
The silent, unspoken, awkward tension between the two men lingered for a moment before Nick motioned to the couch “So you’re on the Tebok correct?” he asks making small talk.
Salil waves a hand and remains near the door “Im fine thank you and yes, Executive Officer.” he replies, motioning to Nick. “Veneela tells me you are part of station security?”
Nick nods as he too remains standing in a respectful manner “Correct yes.” he replies nodding
Salil nods and begins to ask a second question as Ven steps back out wearing earthen toned pants and boots accompanied by a similarly plain black t-shirt though the lighting would catch the lettering ‘ENDVR’ scrawled across her chest in faint grey colored font
Nick looks to Ven and smiles warmly “All set?” he questions to which Ven nods “I am, though he still answered my question.” she replies in a teasing manner
Salil inhales and smiles “We’re going to the holodeck, to show you something.” he replies in typical vague fashion.
Ven huffs and nods “Fine, so we’re not leaving the station?” she questions
“Not unless you want to, we could go for full immersion for what I have planned and go to the Tebok…”
Ven hums and shakes her head “I don’t feetl like a shuttle ride.” she replies to which Salil chuckles.
“Then no, we aren’t leaving the station.” he replies before looking to Nick.
“It was nice to meet you Commander Loxton, I hope we can speak again.” he replies looking between the two before stepping out allowing them to talk
Ven sighs and embraces Nick “I’ll be back dear.”
Nick smiles into the embrace and nods “See you soon, enjoy your time.” Nick says before letting go.
Ven smiles and waves before stepping out and closing the door looking to Salil who was smiling.
“Why the smile?” Ven questions to which Salil shrugs.
“its nice to see you happy,” he replies motioning her to go first “So why haven’t you told him yet?” He follows up
Ven shrugs “I don’t know, nervous I suppose?”
“Do you love him?” Salil asks
“Deeply,” Ven replies
Salil exhales “Then you should tell him.” he replies “Don’t worry about your father. He was respectful, if you need i’ll talk to him.”
Ven nods at that “Thanks,” she replies warmly
“There is a reason we are going to the holodeck, but before we get to that, did you sign me up for the gift exchange?”
Ven chuckles softly and nods “I did yes, just thought it would be fun.” she replies motioning to the box “Is that your gift?”
Salil exhales and nods as they turn the corner and approach the holodecks “It is yes, but before anymore questions are answered, i need you to close your eyes.” He states cryptically.
Ven lofts an eyebrow and exhales “I better not end up on the Tebok.” she replies teasingly.
Salil chuckles as he loads a program. “You’re not I promise.” he replies stepping away from the display putting a guiding hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t open your eyes until I say so okay?”
Ven closes her eyes and nods “I promise I wont open my eyes.” She states outloud to alliveate her cousins concerns
Salil smiles and inhales as the holodeck doors swooshes open and Salil guides Ven through the threshold.
“So,” he states. “You asked where we were going and I was intentionally cryptic about it,”
“I noticed.” Ven states keeping her eyes closed.
“Good, thats because I didn’t want you to get certain expectations in your head on the way or for you to bombard me with questions.” he replies chuckling exhaling
“Open your eyes.” He states plainly.
Ven does as requested, and nearly fell to the ground a moment later. Covering her mouth tears threatened to spill forth as she looked upon the lush green field overlooking a sprawling city she instantly recognized.
Salil smiles at the reaction and inhales. “Welcome Sorra, to your ancestoral homeland, Ch’Rhian. Or as Starfleet calls it.” Salil pauses letting Ven finish
“Romulus.”
(To be Continued…)
Thank you to @Loxton for letting me write Nick and to whomever the secret Santa was for Salil for the inspiration for this story. This is only the first part for now but I can’t wait to expand on this soon