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“You know, Sulu, when I suggested that we should have a nice, romantic getaway under the stars, where we could take long walks in the moonlight… this was not exactly what I meant.”
Sulu smiled to himself and gestured to the sky without looking up from the unfamiliar fern. He couldn’t afford to take his eyes off it for too long. “What’re you talking about? We’re under the stars. And there are even two small moons that should be rising soon. There’s no reason we can’t go for a walk then.”
Chekov sighed. “You know what I mean.”
“I know.” Running the tricorder across the fern again, Sulu risked a quick glance at Chekov’s disgruntled expression. “Cheer up. I’m sure we’ll get some real shore leave eventually.”
“Actually, I am not so sure. This is the third time in two months that our shore leave has been canceled by unexpected orders from Starfleet Command.” Arms crossed, Chekov tilted his head back and gazed up at the purple night sky. “You don’t think it’s a conspiracy, do you?”
Sulu snorted and dug in his sample kit for a container. “A conspiracy to stop a lieutenant and an ensign from taking a vacation? I think that’s pretty unlikely.”
“Well, they did ask for you by name this time.”
“That’s just because I’m the only botanist in the sector with a knowledge of aggressive fern species.”
“And you’re very good at it, too.” Chekov patted him on the back, an affectionate touch that almost distracted him from the green tendrils snaking across the ground towards their boots. “Maybe once you finish here, we can take a little break from plants to—”
“Watch out!” Sulu stomped down on the fern tendril as it tried to grab Chekov’s ankle. “Quick, pass me that net.”
Chekov passed him the net and then grabbed the stakes. He chuckled as they trapped the tendrils, or at least the section of the patch that was moving. The ferns stretched across the whole field, creeping closer to a local village. “This is a very unusual plant.”
“It’s not really that unusual.” Keeping a sharp eye out for more attacking fronds, Sulu picked up his kit again and pulled out a few tools. “There are plenty of fascinating carnivorous plants back on Earth.”
“Oh, I know that. All of the most magnificent species of plants can be found in Russia.” Chekov grinned, and Sulu rolled his eyes. “My grandmother had some in her little backyard in Moscow.”
“I’m sure she did. Which means you shouldn’t mind helping me get some samples from this one.” Sulu grasped one of the tendrils with a pair of tongs, then picked up tiny clippers that would let him sheer off the very edges of the fronds for further analysis without hurting the plant too much. “Just hold the sample container for me.”
Making a face, Chekov held the container under the writhing, thrashing tendril. “I don’t think it likes being restrained.”
“Take it easy,” Sulu murmured.
“I am taking it easy!”
“I was talking to the fern.”
“Oh. I see.” Frowning, Chekov eyed the edge of the field, where more tendrils were starting to move. “Er, Sulu? I think the rest of the patch is waking up.”
“All right, I’m almost done. Don’t worry.” As gently as possible, Sulu clipped a few of the fronds. Feathery green fell into the sample container. “Okay, here’s the plan.”
“You have a plan?”
“Once you put the lid on that container, I’ll stow my gear,” Sulu continued, ignoring his partner’s sarcasm. “Then we pull the stakes up and run for those rocks.”
Chekov gave the stirring tendrils a skeptical look. More and more of the field was moving now. “You are quite sure it can’t follow us to the rocks?”
“It can’t follow us to the rocks. It’s an ambush predator, and mostly stationary. It can only pursue us part of the way.” After a deep breath, Sulu dropped his tools into the bag and braced. “Ready?”
“Ready!”
“Three, two, one… go!”
They wrenched the stakes free of the net, dropped them, and grabbed each other’s hands. Together, they sprinted for the rock as the fern writhed and chased behind them.
It was a short run, and Sulu whooped with exhilaration as they scrambled up onto the wide, flat rocks that overlooked the valley. On the horizon, the twin moons peeked over the distant mountains. The light washed out the lowest stars, but the ones above still shone bright.
“I love this job,” he said, grinning as he squeezed Chekov’s hand. “Thanks for volunteering to come with me on this one.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be a very good partner if I left you to battle carnivorous ferns on your own.” Chekov returned the grin, glancing back at the fern-covered field, which was slowly retracting again. “Do you have to analyze the samples right away, or can we take a moment to enjoy being on a planet for once?”
“We can enjoy being on a planet for once,” Sulu said, chuckling. “We’re not due to report in until tomorrow, after all.”
“Ah, yes. The beauty of being out of communications range while the Enterprise tracks unregistered freighters.” With a pleased sigh, Chekov sat on the edge of the rocks with his legs dangling over and tugged Sulu to sit with him. “Do you think they will find whoever brought this invasive fern? Was it an attack on the colony?”
“No, it was probably an accident. The fern patch has doubled in size since we got here.” Curiosity brimming, Sulu took the sample container from his bag and held it up to examine in the moonlight. “It could have been a single seed a week ago. But the Enterprise will find whoever brought it, either way. I should probably see how quickly it spread under controlled conditions, and—”
“Hikaru,” Chekov interrupted, giving him a very familiar look. “You just said the analysis could wait. Now, you know I love your enthusiasm for all your interests, including evil, ravenous ferns, but…”
“But I did promise you a romantic walk in the moonlight, under the stars,” Sulu finished, chuckling as he squeezed Chekov’s hand. “All right, Pavel. No more work until later.”
“Good! Let’s go.”
“There’s one problem with that, though.” Raising an eyebrow, Sulu jerked his head back the way they’d come. “There might be more ravenous fern patches out there.”
“Oh. Well, in that case, we should enjoy a romantic… sit under the stars and moonlight.” Chekov flashed another grin at him. “On the rocks, where the ferns can’t eat us.”
“Generally a good thing.” Although Sulu’s curiosity balked at putting off research on such an interesting plant, he put the samples away and wrapped his arm around Chekov’s shoulders. “Now, I know this probably doesn’t count as real shore leave, but…”
“It is close enough, I think.” Chekov cupped his cheek, gazing at him in the moonlight. “I love you. Even if your curiosity nearly results in me being devoured by carnivorous ferns.”
Laughing, Sulu leaned in for a quick kiss. “I love you too.”
Their next kiss was longer, lingering as the moons rose above the mountains. Sometimes, this job could be exciting and hazardous, and Sulu loved that about it.
But he loved these moments too, the peaceful ones in between adventures. Moments where they could enjoy a little romance under the night sky of a new planet, with countless exciting worlds to explore together in the future.