Work Text:
"You know, I don't mind that Dr. Wen," Yu Ziyuan said, apropos of nothing, over breakfast.
Jiang Yanli nearly spat out her tea.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm just telling you I think she's very competent. I have no complaints about her," her mother said.
Jiang Yanli's mind reeled with the sudden unsolicited opinion. A positive one, at that. Heat rose on Jiang Yanli's skin as she wondered. Could her mother have noticed how much time they were spending together off hours? She enjoyed the other woman's company. A lot. Quite a lot, in fact. The months away from home on uninhabited worlds or cooped up in ships could be isolating and monotonous. It was important to be friendly with those around you.
"I agree, she does wonderful work. She got top marks in her class, and it seems well deserved," Jiang Yanli said, as carefully and neutrally as she could.
Yu Ziyuan hummed in response, but her attention was already back on the latest brief from the mining crew. Jiang Yanli didn't think she'd agree with her thoughts on the importance of social connections aboard the ship.
Every expedition required a doctor, naturally, in case of emergencies. Jiang Yanli was serving as a nurse and medical assistant, as she had been doing for a year now. This was Dr. Wen Qing's first voyage with a Jiang transport ship, her first after graduating medical school and astronaut training. Jiang Yanli had liked their previous doctor just fine, an older man who was very severe and had been counting down days till retirement, but Wen Qing was a much more interesting person to be around. Not to mention beautiful. Distractingly so sometimes. She would have to pass on what Captain Yu had said. It was a high compliment, probably higher than Wen Qing knew.
~
"We're going to the surface," Wen Qing said, the moment Jiang Yanli entered the med bay for her shift. Wen Qing was packing a medical bag.
"Oh?" she asked, noting the we. "Was there an accident?"
Wen Qing shook her head, and she looked very close to rolling her eyes.
"I suspect heat exhaustion. They don't want to transport those affected until they're sure of what the problem is, and they won't take my advice without an examination," she said.
"Well, it's always good to be sure. The foreman cares about keeping everyone safe," Jiang Yanli said.
Wen Qing paused her packing and looked up to meet Jiang Yanli's eyes. There was a soft smile there.
"This is why I need you. Your bedside manner far exceeds mine," she said.
Jiang Yanli's heart fluttered at the compliment, skipping a beat over the word need. Wen Qing needed her. Even if it was for their jobs, the things they would be doing anyway, it was still a pleasure to hear.
"Also, I don't think most of the crew trusts me yet," Wen Qing said, going back to her bag, ensuring all of the pockets were latched. Once everything was secure, she threw it over her shoulder.
"They will. The Captain does, so everyone else will follow," Jiang Yanli said, beaming.
"Does she?" Wen Qing asked, her attention on Jiang Yanli again. She nearly wilted under it. The woman's gaze was so forceful, so intent.
"Yes. She just told me that she's very happy with your work." That wasn't exactly what Yu Ziyuan had said, but Jiang Yanli knew her mother. She was able to read between the lines.
She wasn't rewarded with another rare smile for the information, but Wen Qing's jaw seemed to lose some of its tension, relief crossing her expression.
"And what's your opinion, Nurse Jiang?" she asked.
"Well, I certainly enjoy your company more than Dr. Lan's," Jiang Yanli said, playfully. "I think you're very skilled, and I think you're a perfect addition to the crew. I'm glad my brother hired you."
"I'm grateful he took the chance," Wen Qing said. She stepped forward, closing the gap between them, close enough to touch. "I owe any success I'm having here to you. I'd be nothing without you to assist me."
"It's my pleasure, Dr. Wen," Jiang Yanli said, heat rising in her face. If Wen Qing noticed the blush, she didn't acknowledge it.
"Can you be ready in 10?" she asked.
Jiang Yanli nodded.
"I'll see you at the dock," Wen Qing said, and she stepped around her and out of the med bay.
Jiang Yanli exhaled. They had two more months together on this trip. And hopefully many, many more after that.