Jason was doing his best not to feel any concern for Tim – it wasn’t Jason’s job to make sure Tim ate and slept and didn’t dose himself with harmful chemicals – but he had to admit to feeling somewhat disturbed. Did anyone else in the family know Tim was this bad at taking care of himself? Did anyone else care? Someone should have probably cared. Not Jason, but… someone.
“You must really hate yourself,” he observed.
Tim made a vague hand gesture. “It comes in waves.”
That was a joke, right? Jason was going to tell himself that was a joke. This was already more than he’d signed up for.
Notes: a treat for @emethefallen & @notunwise for ITPE! Featuring @kbirbpods as Jason (+ the cover art & editing) and @flowerparrish as Tim, Bruce, & Alfred. It's part 1 of our shared series Take Cover [PODFICS]!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Fandom: DCU
Title: Grocery Day
Author: rotasha
Relationship(s): Jason Todd & Members of the Batfamily, Jason/Roy Harper
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Length: Standalone
Word Count: 13,234
Warnings: None
Summary:
Jason can’t stop running into his family and their friends at the grocery store. But what else is he supposed to do? It’s the only Trader Joe’s in Gotham.
Or, 5 times Jason ran into someone he knew while grocery shopping and 1 time someone ran into him.
Asking for trek prompts? Tasha/Ro Laren on DS9 would be super fun
send me trek femslash prompts
Set in thebooks where Ro becomes the security chief on DS9 and joined the Bajoran militiato become a Lieutenantand this ended up being more pre-femslash than anything whoops (also here on ao3, thanks anon!)
~~
Ro wasn’t certainshe’d ever like the promenade; it was too open and more than that: tooCardassian. Of course that was why Starfleet was sending one of their top SecurityOfficers after she’d filed the complaint about it with Kira. The station still stoodas a joint effort between Bajor and Starfleet, an object floating in spacebetween two worlds that was taken back from Cardassian oppression.
Rosometimes felt like it was an extension of herself in moments that she allowedherself to feel open. Guinan would have been proud she was trying to do thatmore. Guinan had also bemusedly sent her the message telling her to enjoy hertime with Tasha Yar, the Security Officer who was visiting. Tasha had been onthe Enterprise before either Guinan or Ro had met her and gotten to return toduty after Ro had left to join the Maquis. All she’d heard about Tasha werestories.
A group of people walked off from a shuttle dockingand Ro rested a hand on the phaser at her side, eying every one of them carefullybut seeing no danger. Behind them a few moments later stepped a woman in ayellow Starfleet uniform and Ro was relieved to see it was Tasha. She lookedmuch the same as she had in the picture Ro had seen of her in both Deanna’s andData’s rooms, with short blonde hair and sharp eyes that trailed over thestation before she continued walking.
Ro turnedtoward the stairs to meet her at the intersection before Tasha got lost oranything.
“LieutenantYar.” She called out and Tasha stopped and turned. She noticed her relaxingslight at the sight of Ro and was willing to bet that Tasha had heard storiesabout her as well from the Enterprise crew. The guilt at walking away from themstill ate at her sometimes despite that she knew it was the right thing to do.
“LieutenantRo.” Tasha intoned, tilting her head a little and smiling. It was a soft smile,warm and welcoming and everything Ro didn’t feel she was at all but tried toimitate regardless. Her smile felt brittle still.
“Welcome toDeep Space Nine.” Ro held out her hand and Tasha took it with a firm grip. “Thankyou for coming.”
Tasharaised an eyebrow, “I thought this wasn’t your idea.”
Ro pausedat that, pulling her hand away to clasp her hands behind her back a trait she’dpicked up from Ezri in the past few months. “I wasn’t thrilled to hear thatStarfleet was sending someone but I’ve heard about you.”
“Guinansaid you wouldn’t like this.” Tasha was grinning at her, widely and unabashedlyamused.
“Shementioned me then.” Ro sighed, worrying about how she was being presented.
“Only goodthings.” Tasha said and her tone was teasing. “You’re right about this stationthough,” Tasha continued and her tone sobered up immediately, “It’s too open.”
“It wasmeant to have the Cardassian’s watching Bajorans do work from above.” Ro couldn’tkeep the anger out of her voice entirely. “If you do have any suggestions I’mall ears.”
“I’ll putmy things away and then we can take a walk.” Tasha replied and hefted hershoulder a little that the strap from her bag rested on.
“I’ll takeyou to your quarters then.”
~~
They stoppedby Kira’s office, nee Sisko’s office though Ro hadn’t met the man, for Tasha toshake her hand as well in introduction before heading back to the promenade.
Tasha tookin every detail with silence, her gaze didn’t linger too long on everythingjust mentally calculating it and the security risks it posed before theycontinued on.
“How is theCaptain?” Ro asked, nearly biting her tongue. Jean Luc had been a kind man toher with far too much faith. She’d been reminded of her father.
“He sendshis hellos, so do Deanna and Riker. Guinan asked me to bring you something butit’s back at my quarters.” Tasha glanced over at her. “Deanna says you couldsend more than one comm message every few weeks.”
Ro huffed alittle, “I hardly have time, something always seems to be attacking thisstation. Between that and Quark there’s little downtime to be had. I haven’teven seen Bajor that much.”
“He is.” Rodeadpanned. “But he’s the least of my worries.”
Tashahummed in response and then pointed down to a corner, “There’s a possibleblindspot there, easy for back hand dealings.”
Ro squintedat where she was pointing and frowned, “Or explosives.”
“Thathappens a lot?”
“There’s afew people from the Gamma Quadrant looking to restart the Dominion War. Thisstation is the first place to hit.”
“What’s thescreening process?” Tasha asked and Ro pulled Tasha in to her office to explainall the security policies.
By the timeshe was done Tasha was shaking her head, “I’m not sure if there’s anything Ican do.”
“What?” Rodidn’t bother to keep the bite out of her voice.
“You’ve gotit all covered.” Tasha assured her, holding up one hand in placation. “I’m sureWorf would tell you that as well.”
“It’s notenough.” Ro insisted, trying to push in to words how everything felt tooexposed.
“Hey,”Tasha rested a hand on her wrist, “You’ve done all you can.”
Ro wouldrather Tasha told her the station was at risk and then felt foolish for almostwishing such a thing.
“The spaceis too open,” Ro said, “You even mentioned that.”
“But you’vegot officers stationed all over it, I noticed that too.” Tasha frowned, “Whenwas the last time you slept?”
Her fingerswere still wrapped around Ro’s wrist which itself was too exposed given thatshe wasn’t wearing the jacket. Her pulse jerked at the feeling and she pulledaway from Tasha, wrenching her wrist from her grasp. “I don’t think this iswhat you were sent for Lieutenant Yar.”
Tasharaised an eyebrow at her, “You didn’t even want me here.” She reminded Roagain. Tasha leaned back, crossing her arms and appraising Ro. “Come on. Imight as well give you what Guinan sent along.” She turned to walk out of Ro’soffice and despite having only walked down the halls once before unerringly wasable to find her way around. Ro followed mostly out of curiosity than anythingelse.
Tasha’sdoor slid shut behind her as they entered and Tasha reached in to her bag topull out what look liked coloured paper and crayons.
Ro staredat it and sighed. “Guinan.” She muttered.
Tasha wasgrinning at her again. “Guinan.” She agreed and pushed the papers in to Ro’sarms.
“You weren’tsent her to look at the security were you?” Ro drawled, staring at the papersin her hand.
Tasha hadthe grace to look a little guilty, “Starfleet just wanted it noted they sentsomeone.”
“And you?”
Tasha wasquiet for a moment before she sighed, her shoulders falling. “Deannarecommended I take some time off the Enterprise.” She looked up at Ro andsmiled wryly, “You’re not the only Security Chief not sleeping.”
“What’swrong with you?” Ro asked bluntly, taking a close look at Tasha with theknowledge at hand and noticing the slight tremor in her hand when Tasha raisedit to run her fingers through her hair.
“I’mguessing they told you how I almost died.” Tasha said, not quite meeting Ro’sgaze which already seemed strange to Ro and she missed it.
“I’ve heardof it.” She’d even heard of it before she boarded the Enterprise; Tasha hadalmost died Vagra II and been put in a medical coma which she hadn’t evenawoken from for an entire year. After that she’d spent her time recovering onEarth.
“We had tobreak the Quarantine on the planet. Another shuttle crashed there, civilians.”Tasha’s voice was clipped, colder than the warm being Ro had thought of herinitially.
“Did yourescue them?”
“Yes.”
“But nowyou’re caught in memories.” Ro guessed and Tasha finally met her eyes again.
“Is thestation too open for you or is it because you can see from where the Cardassian’sstood before?” Tasha asked, as bluntly as she had before.
The papercrinkled under Ro’s hands as she tightened her grip. Tasha grimaced and duckedher head.
“Sorry,”She said softly.
“No,” Rosighed and forced herself to relax her hold. “You’re right.” How many Bajoranswere processed on the station? If they had looked up would she just be anothershadowy figure looking down on them from where she stood?
She shouldhave talked to Kira about this but didn’t want to expose the cracks in herself,Kira needed her to be in full form. Except Kira had put in the call toStarfleet so either so or Ezri must have noticed anyway.
“Youmentioned that you didn’t get to see Bajor very often.” Tasha said and therewas a small smile on her face now, hesitant.
“I couldput in some time to go.” Ro admitted, she saw the slight hope in Tasha’s eyes. “Icould use a companion there.”
Tasha’ssmile grew and this time when Ro echoed it she didn’t feel it was fake at all.
ro/tasha + our alternate reality selves are in a relationship and that has me thinking
okay so quick explanation, there is a reality where Ro and Tasha are in a relationship in the comics called The Last Generation where peace with the Klingons never happened and they conquered Earth. The reality Ro goes to is that one. (also here on ao3)
(send me a pairing + prompt from this list for a fic!)
“You ready?”
Ro looked over at Tasha who had just stepped in the shuttle, dressed in her usual Starfleet uniform and carrying a tote at her side.
“You’re the one who’s late.” Ro said, grinning back at Tasha.
Tasha ran a hand through her hair as she took the seat next to Ro in the shuttle and blew out a sigh. “I got held up by Data. He wanted to explain something to me and I didn’t want to just leave him there.”
“You’re soft.” Ro said and to anyone else it might have sounded harsh but Tasha could hear the teasing underneath.
“You’re one to talk Ensign Ro.” She replied in equal measure.
Ro turned her attention back to the control panel and tapped on it for takeoff after clearing it with Geordi who had helped her prepare for the mission.
She and Tasha were on a diplomatic mission of sorts, when they had passed by a planet occupied with Bajorans Tasha had seen Ro’s face while on the bridge and convinced the Captain to let them go down and see what needed to be done to help the people.
Or rather given that Ro sat facing away from her Tasha had probably just known it. They’d spent a lot of nights together sharing survivor’s stories of their war torn worlds.
They could have just transported down there with the supplies but Picard had told them they could both use a couple days just to relax and issued them a shuttle.
“Hey,” Tasha broke through her thoughts. “You good?” Her hand brushed Ro’s, offering her comfort if she needed it and for a second Ro was tempted to take Tasha’s hand with her own.
“I’m good.” She smiled softly at Tasha, showing her appreciation but at that second the shuttle bucked and Ro was thrown forward.
“What was that?” Tasha said out loud, her fingers flying across her control panel as she scanned the space around them.
The shuttle buckled again and Ro managed not to lose her balance this time.
“There’s some kind of spatial anomaly.” Ro said, “It’s tearing at our shields.”
“We’re not going to be able to survive this much longer, we’re down to twenty five percent. We need to beam out of here.” Tasha looked over at Ro. “You go first.” The bite to deny that order died on her tongue when Tasha’s gaze softened. “I’ll be right behind you, I promise.” Tasha said.
Ro nodded and Tasha got the coordinates set up. Within seconds she felt the familiar feeling of a transporter beam and Tasha faded before her eyes.
It felt strange though, when she landed she felt sick in a way that a transporter had never made her before and she lurched on her feet, struggling for balance.
She caught it, resting her hands on her thighs and taking a breath. She looked around and nearly froze when she saw a phaser pointed at.
Slowly Ro looked up and opened her mouth in shock when she was Tasha standing before. Only it clearly wasn’t the Tasha she had just left, this one was thinner, her face more gaunt that spoke of hardships with meals. She wasn’t wearing her Starfleet uniform either, dressed in a simple brown tank top and grey pants.
“Tasha?” Ro asked carefully, keeping her mind open for an escape if she had to.
“Who are you?” Tasha demanded, her voice sounding rougher almost in grief Ro thought. “Why are you wearing Ro’s face?”
Ro blinked, that hadn’t been the question she had expected, she didn’t expect this Tasha to know her if she wasn’t in Starfleet.
“I am Ro Laren.” She stated. “Just probably not the Ro Laren you knew.” Ro swallowed. “Believe me, please Tasha. I don’t think I’m from this reality.” It was the only thing that made sense given her current situation and Ro could have cursed spatial anomalies to the prophets and back.
Being reminded of it made her think of her own Tasha who clearly hadn’t followed her to this world and Ro could only hope she made it to the planet as planned and was okay.
The Tasha in front of her slowly lowered her weapon, skepticism on her face. “We’ll see.” She grabbed Ro’s arm and began dragging them onwards. Ro took a look around and realized that there weren’t Bajoran camps here. There were some scattered Bajorans but for the most part they were human.
“What happened here?” Ro asked, she had thought it was too quiet for Tasha to hear but Tasha answered her.
“Same thing that happened everywhere. The Klingons.”
Ro’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Klingons?” She didn’t doubt they could have done this damage but why they were attacking humans seemed like a mystery.
“They’re determined to finish wiping us out.” Tasha glanced at her and then looked away, the same thing she’d been doing for the past minute and it was beginning to distract Ro.
“Something on my face?” She said drily and caught Tasha almost smiling.
“If what you’re saying is true,” Tasha said, straightening up and staring cruelly again. “…you sound just like her.” She broke off softly and looked so sorrowful that Ro was tempted to reach out to comfort her as her own Tasha had done that morning.
They’d reached the edges of the camp though, to a metallic building that admitted them after Tasha swiped her finger at the door.
In there she saw other familiar faces. Riker, Wesley, Geordi, Beverly, and Guinan all looked very different then how she knew them and they stared at her in surprise and shock.
“Great welcoming party.” Ro said and once more she saw Tasha trying to smother a smile.
“Ro?”
She jerked her head up to see Picard standing at the end of the doorway.
“Captain.” She replied, clasping her hands behind her back. “It’s good to see you.”
Picard turned to Tasha silently and Ro waited for whatever silent conversation was going on between them.
“She says she’s from another reality.” Tasha said. “I thought Guinan would be able to really tell us if that was true.”
Guinan stepped forward, a cloth over her eyes and Ro felt a pang her chest that whatever had happened to Guinan had taken her sight.
“It’s Ro all right.” Guinan’s lips quirked upwards. “Not ours but it’s Ro.”
Next to her Tasha let out a shaking breath and turned to Ro, opening her mouth slightly but no sounds came out. In the corner of her eyes Ro could see tears forming and she automatically raised a hand to Tasha’s cheek in an attempt to comfort her.
“We need to send her back to her world.” Guinan stated and looked at Tasha apologetic. “She doesn’t belong here.”
Tasha’s face fell and she tore herself away from Ro and charged down the hallway, leaving Ro standing there in a room full of familiar and unfamiliar faces.
“Let’s have a talk you and I.” Picard said, drawing her attention and signaling for her to follow him. She started down the hall with him, looking at everything and missing the Enterprise very suddenly.
And Tasha, Ro thought, I wish she was here of I knew she was okay.
She bit her lip, trying to focus on the problem she had at hand instead.
“I suppose you’re wondering what’s going on.” Picard commented as they walked into what Ro had to assume was his office.
“Tasha said there were Klingons trying to wipe you out.”
“As they have been trying for centuries since they won Earth.” Picard sighed. “I know this timeline is not right. Guinan and Data have told me as much and I need to fix whatever disaster has befallen us but first…I think we need to get you home.”
Ro smiled wanly, “I’d appreciate it. I’d help if I could but…I’m needed back there. Sir,” She paused for a second, “Is Tasha going to be all right?”
He let out another sigh, deeper this time. “She’s taken the death of our Ro Laren very hard, understandable of course given how much the two of you meant to each other…”
He trailed off but Ro could catch the meaning. How much her other self and Tasha loved each other.
In that moment Ro felt furious and saddened all at once, she felt like punching a wall in her anger that Tasha had lost yet another person she cared about.
“You died saving her.” Picard said as she clenched and unclenched her hands.
“I need to talk to her.” Ro said and looked up at Picard. “Please.”
He led her down the hall where Tasha’s room was but it was clear when she entered it wasn’t just Tasha’s room but partly hers as well. There were Bajoran clothes mixed in with the human ones, a doll Ro recognized from her childhood and in the middle of the bed Tasha sat clutching on to Ro’s earring.
Picard left them, the door shutting behind him and Ro kneeled down in front of Tasha, swallowing hard. “Tasha…I’m sorry.” She couldn’t think of anything else to say and hated herself for that, if their situations were reversed Tasha would be comforting and be able to somehow make her feel better. Ro had nothing, words just died on her tongue and she lifted her hands to cup around Tasha’s, shutting her eyes and pressing her forehead against Tasha’s hands in her own.
“If I died saving you it was worth it.” Ro said quietly but her voice still felt too loud in the empty room.
“I’d rather you didn’t die at all.” Tasha finally said and when Ro looked up she had a watery smile on her face.
“Well, can’t always get what we want.” Ro replied like this was her Tasha and they were back in that shuttle, it was just so easy. “You know you almost died once in my reality too.” Ro frowned at the thought of it. “I didn’t even know you, I’d have missed knowing you all together if they hadn’t been able to save you…I hate that.”
It was lucky her hands were still around Tasha’s because otherwise she’d have balled them into a fist or crossed her arms as a defense against what she was feeling. She felt too open, like she was pouring too much of herself in to Tasha.
“I’d have hated that too.” Tasha said and leaned down to press her forehead against Ro’s. “Are you happy?” She asked when she pulled back after a moment.
Ro snorted at the question. “As I can be.” This was fine Ro realized, opening herself up like this. It was fine if it was Tasha, she’d understand like she always did no matter the universe it seemed.
Tasha rolled her eyes but seemed to know what she meant. “Do you…” She stopped, trying to find the words and sighed, pulling her hands away to drag them through her hair. The action was so reminiscent of her own Tasha that Ro felt suddenly homesick.
“Do I what?” Ro asked, peering at Tasha curiously.
“Do you love her? Love me?” Tasha asked.
For a second Ro felt like all the air had been squeezed out of her, on the tip of her tongue she could feel herself wanting to say yes but her mind had caught up with her and she realized exactly what she was about to say.
Tasha broke out into laughter, light hearted and it made her look years younger under all the dirt and grime. “Don’t worry, you answered it.” Her blue eyes were fond when they looked at Ro and Ro had to look away least she got swept up in that emotion.
There was knock at the door and they both stood up, calling the other person in.
“Data’s already figured out a way to send you back.” Picard stated but he was looking at Tasha to see her reaction.
Tasha swallowed but nodded and led them out of the room back into the first initial one they entered.
She stood at the side as Ro walked up to Data and was equipped with some machine she didn’t know but she trusted this group as she trusted her own. They’d get her back safely.
Once again before she left the last thing she was Tasha.
~~
She must have passed out from whatever happened because the next time Ro woke it up it was in the medbay board the Enterprise.
“Look who’s up.” Beverly was smiling at her and running a tricorder over her. “We’ve all been worried. Tasha was pacing around in here so much I had to kick her out to sleep. How you feeling?”
Ro’s mouth felt dry at the mention of Tasha and she thought of everything she’d been through in the last few hours. “Fine. Can I get out of here now?”
Beverly hummed and shut the tricorder with a snap. “I suppose. But the Captain wants to see you first thing to report. I’ll let him know you’re up.”
Ro bit back a groan at that but stood and made her way to the bridge, as she walked in she breathed a sigh of relief at seeing her friends all back as she knew them. Her report to Picard could have been longer but Tasha weighed on her mind and she just wanted to leave.
“Go.” Picard seemed to sense her anxiety. “I believe Lieutenant Yar is waiting for you.” He sounded more amused than anything so Ro assumed he wasn’t annoyed at her for her sloppy report. She made her way out and down to deck four where Tasha’s room was.
Impatiently she waited at the door until she heard the “Come in” from Tasha and hustled through.
As soon as Tasha realized it was her she rushed forward to hug Ro and Ro surprised them both by hugging her back.
“What happened?” Tasha asked as she pulled back and Ro stared at her. She was free of dirt and the hollow look in the other Tasha’s eyes.
“Alternate reality.” Ro said and she and Tasha exchanged an annoyed look and began laughing in their relief.
“How was it?” Tasha asked but whistled when Ro didn’t answer. “That bad?”
“For the most part.” Ro sighed. “There was one good thing about it though.” She reached out to take Tasha’s hand without hesitation, without just letting their fingers brush and held it with a conviction she felt was long overdue.
Tasha opened her mouth to ask another question but Ro leaned in to kiss her, wanting to get lost in her own Tasha for a moment and put that world where they had lost each other out of her mind.
“You okay?” Tasha rested her forehead against Ro’s as they parted.
“Yeah.” Ro answered, smiling and leaning in to kiss Tasha again.
anon asked: Tasha/Ro + you’re the new crewmember and I’ve been volun-told to show you around but you’re not so bad so we should get a drink after this (also here on ao3)
(send me a pairing + prompt from this list for a fic!)
The transporter room was empty save for her and Miles; normally this would have been Will’s job to greet the new Ensign who was coming aboard but Picard had pulled her aside after the briefing and informed her of their new crewman’s past history and assigned her as the one to escort Ro Laren to the bridge.
Tasha had to admit she wasn’t certain to make of Ro, crewman had died because she had disobeyed orders and the woman had been court martialed. She was only reinstated because they needed her experience with Bajorans. However everything else Tasha had read about Ro was glowing, an exemplary officer if a little temperamental.
Tasha blew some hair out of her eyes, thinking idly she needed it cut again. Miles comm beeped with acknowledgement that Ro was ready to beam up and in seconds there was the dizzying array of lights as Ro materialized on the transporter pad.
Tasha flashed her a welcome smile, large as she could with being saddled with this assignment when she had other things to do, and stuck out her hand for Ro to take. “Welcome to the Enterprise, I’m Lieutenant Yar.”
Ro raised an eyebrow and gave Tasha a once over, it must have been clear to her that Tasha was a member of Security because she scoffed quietly but still took Tasha’s hand to shake. It was a solid handshake, Ro has callus’ that mean she’d lived a hard life not just sitting at a computer all day. If she didn’t know that Ro was a helmsman and Ensign she might think that she worked in Security herself.
“Ro Laren. Bajoran names are different than yours so you know. It’s our last name first so I’m Ensign Ro.” She said, her tone slightly defensive and it reminded Tasha of how she herself once was as an Ensign and unsure how people would adapt to her given the world she came from.
“I read up about it.” Tasha pulled her hand back after a moment and nodded towards Ro’s earring. “That’s pretty.” She commented and waved a hand to her own ears, “I could never pull that off, too many people might take advantage to it in a fight.”
Ro didn’t answer at first, merely staring blankly at Tasha and she was about to move on when Ro said, “It’s worth it.”
Tasha tilted her head at that, she’d read up on Bajor and Bajorans after Picard had sent her here, they were a religious people and that earring was associated with it, which is why she reluctantly said next, “I’m afraid you’ll have to remove it, it won’t be allowed here with the uniform.” She gave Ro an apologetic smile and while Ro rolled her eyes still she removed her earring.
“You can wear it off duty of course.” Tasha offered quickly and then gestured to the door and for Ro to follow her. “A lot of people do. You’ll see that in Ten Forward.”
“I don’t plan on going out much when I’m off duty.” Ro drawled, her hands clutching her bag and she looked uncomfortably.
“You should.” Tasha tried to continue the conversation as they stepped in to the turbolift, “If you need the company just let me know.”
Ro shot her a look that was a mixture of curiosity and caution. “I’ll think about it.” She said but didn’t sound at all like she would.
“I’ll take you to your quarters first so you can drop your bag off and then to the bridge, Captain Picard is looking forward to meeting you.”
Ro snorted and muttered something under her breath that Tasha couldn’t quite hear. She took the time to study Ro, frowning slightly. If she had said something that was wrong about the Captain that was certainly worrying from a Security perspective. Suddenly she was all too aware of Ro’s history.
“Don’t worry.” Ro must have sensed her studying. “I won’t do anything. I was just saying I don’t think he’s all that excited to meet me.” Ro’s voice was dry and cutting. She had no doubt how people were viewing her.
Tasha’s gaze flickered away from her and she thought quietly that Ro seemed to be telling the truth but her overly cautious side still warned her.
“No wonder you’re the Security Chief.” Ro said through the silence, “You look calm but are ready to stun me at any second.” She grinned this time when Tasha looked over at her. “I know what a soldier who’s ready to fight looks like.”
“Did you pick that up in Bajor?” Tasha could have winced at that but bit the inside of her cheek. She needed to know what Ro was capable of.
“I never saw Bajor.” Ro’s hold on her bag tightened minutely. “I grew up on Valo II, in a Bajoran camp. Cardassians penned us in like that.”
Unbidden Tasha’s mind flashed back to her own childhood, hiding in sewers and running from gangs, making note of anyone who would try to fight her in a moment’s notice. Tasha cleared her throat slightly, “I grew up on Turkana IV.” She offered, feeling like it was only fair if Ro was willing to share that with her.
Ro looked puzzled for a second before it clicked. “So you know what’s it’s like living a long depressing childhood.”
She didn’t talk about it much, the memories of Turkana IV still haunted her in dreams sometimes. “Yes.” Tasha answered, a bit clipped. “A do.”
Ro noticed she hit a nerve and shrugged it off. “I think we’re here.” She nodded to the turbolift doors that had opened and Tasha was pulled from her memories with a start. She led them down the hall to the quarters that Ro had been assigned to and stood at the doors while she waited for Ro to put her things down.
“For what it’s worth,” Tasha said after Ro turned to her again, “No one here cares what my past looks like, they care what my present is and the choices I make as a Starfleet officer.”
“I’ve already made bad choices.” Ro frowned and Tasha wished they were back in the turbolift to the moment where Ro had grinned because that frown seemed too commonplace on her.
“So work to fix them.” Tasha said, throwing out the challenge like it was nothing. Ro met her eyes, holding her gaze for a little while before she suddenly smirked.
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll keep an eye on you for it.” Tasha responded and while it could have been considered a threat she didn’t mean it as such and Ro must have noticed because she actually smiled then, something more genuine than Tasha had seen. “And so you know, there are other places to get a drink that aren’t Ten Forward.”
The offer hung in the air for a moment before Ro nodded at it. “I’ll think about that too.”
Tasha smiled widely, “Come on, I’ll take you to the Captain now.” She ushered Ro out of the room who brushed past her closer than she really needed to and it made Tasha laugh quietly.
