"On Her Own"

[Ruca NEtani 0]

"On Her Own" -- Part One
Ensign (Doctor) Ruca N'Etani
Stardate 0308.030
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Ruca's life felt like it was in a whirl. A tornado of sorts, spinning 'round and 'round and not sure where and when it would stop. She had tried to focus on her work, the most important thing in her life. But what would happen if something, or someone, else began to be at the same level of importance as her work? It hadn't been very long since her shuttle/dinner 'date' with Trichon. In her mind, it wasn't a date. Sometimes, the concept of dating was completely unusual to her. Growing up, she was immediately taught that those sort of rituals did not apply to her. Love and lust, dating and making love .. all of it was out of her reach. When she finally escaped and was thrust into a world she did not know .. she had become so lost....

The station was a busy place. Ruca was glad to be out of the awful crate and able to stretch her horribly cramped legs. The 16 year old wandered around, obviously out of place and carrying only one bag, tattered and torn like her clothing. Her stomach growled and she immediately made a beeline towards the nearest restaurant. Ruca glanced up at it's name before entering.

The Wandering Star.

Inside it was busy. Tables were filled and people were chatting and eating and drinking. She clutched to her bag and walked over to the bar, noting a few leering glances in her direction. She was definitely out of place.

"What cam I get fer you, doll?" A voice rang out behind her, Ruca turned back towards the bar and met eyes with an exotic-looking woman, wearing nearly nothing. Ruca stared for a moment, and the woman blinked, "Listen, doll .. are you going to get anything or what? Take a picture ..it lasts longer."

".. I have this much.." Ruca pulled out the few coins she had and placed them on the counter, ".. here.. I'd like a little something to eat."

That woman peered at the coins, not recognizing them, "Honey, what are these?"

"They are Rosheni, the currency of Turani ... will they not work here?"

The woman nodded, grabbing up the coins, "Let me go get the boss.. maybe he'll allow it." Ruca nodded back and sat there as the woman walked over to a man standing in the shade. She could barely make him out, but the woman and him talked for a moment and his icy blue eyes met with hers. He then stepped from the shadows and revealed himself to be a rather young-looking man and incredibly attractive. He walked over and leaned down, putting his face right in front of hers.

".. from Turani, eh? We get a lot of shipments from them.. but I've never seen one very up close."

"We don't leave the planet very often ..." Ruca stated, matter of factly so she didn't show how terrified she was. He smirked.

"How about this .. you keep your money. Meals are on the house under one condition..."

Ruca raised her brow, ".. what's that?"

"You work for me here. We could always use another girl .. and you are definitely a pretty one .. and young. Lots of people like that."

A job. She could use it .. and she was a hard worker and she needed to somehow make her way in this outside world. She glanced up at him and nodded, "Alright .. but I need somewhere to settle .."

He reached his hand out and traced her cheek and jaw line with his fingers, "I'll take care of it all .. and you, if you take care of me. Scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." He looked over at the exotic woman, "Katia .. go get her settled in one of our extra suites. And get her an outfit .. she starts tomorrow."

"Of course, Rex." the girl walked off, sauntering. Rex turned to the young girl in front of him, ".. and what is your name?"

"Ruca."

"Ruca .. I think you'll work out fine .... just fine...."

She blinked her eyes, realizing she was just standing there and cleared her throat. The gooseflesh that had covered her body was slowly disappearing. She'd have to remember to keep her mind focused on other things while working .. and not on the past.