Celebrate!

"...and then just as she sticks her tongue out at it, it shoots this huge wad of yellow jizz all over her face."

Your fellow Redshirts erupt in laughter as you reach the end of the story of your narrow escape from the planet.

"It's all in her mouth, her hair, running down her neck, and dripping onto her..."

"Okay, okay! I think they get the picture." Sandy interrupts with an embarrassed chuckle. "Doctor McCoy stuck me in quarantine for an hour before I was allowed to clean it off. He said he needed to observe me for any negative reactions or some bullshit like that. The pervy bastard was probably jerking off to me sitting there covered in plant-spunk."

This elicits even more laughter from the group. After finally being released from sickbay and getting cleaned up and changed into a fresh uniform, Sandy invited you and several of your fellow Redshirts to her quarters for drinks. Her cheeks blush as she takes another sip of Aldebaran whiskey. Her eyes squint and her nose wrinkles from the potency of the green liquor.

"I'm drinking this glass of thruster fuel just so I can get the taste out of my mouth."

You can't help but smile at her as she takes another sip in mock-****. She glances your way and smiles back. It's not the impish grin you usually see her make when she's coming up with some horrible idea to have fun at your expense, but a warm, genuine smile. As annoying as she is sometimes, there are moments when Sandy really gets you.

As the evening of merriment carries on, the group thins out. Lieutenant Commander Giotto leaves with a smiling Crewman Thompson in hand to take her back to his quarters, leaving you alone with Sandy. You give her a sideways glance.

"On the rocks, huh?"

She shrugs, trying to look innocent. "Okay, so maybe things between them aren't so rocky yet, but just you wait."

"Yeah, sure. I believe you," you say sarcastically. Strangely enough, you realize that you barely paid any attention to Thompson this whole evening. Instead, you had your eyes on Sandy. It's funny how being stuck together in a life-or-**** situation with someone can change your perspective on them.

"So, I guess it's just you and me, Big Boy. Are you going to call it a night, or do you want to stay a while longer?" She looks up at you, biting her lower lip as she waits for your answer.