—- Sánchez Estate Winery —-

Even without being empathic it was clear being at her father’s funeral was awkward for Captain Adriana Cruz. Yuhiro Kolem knew that her Captain had only learned that she had a father after his death and now she was in a different family’s house celebrating a life of a man who had had an affair with a mother that she barely knew. It was a lot for anyone, and add to that the discrepancy between how Cruz had grown up and how her half-brother had been raised.

The pair had staked chairs out at the back of the room, not feeling qualified to sit closer in with the people who were getting up to pay their respects. They had worn black dresses, and that was enough. At some points during the eulogies Kolem felt Cruz want to object or interject but she held herself back. The fact was despite his marital infidelity, and not providing for his daughter during her life, the elder Sánchez sounded like mostly a good man. He was dead and being buried, so there was no point in bringing up all the parts of who he was that did not quite live up to the stories that people told themselves to remember him.

When the ceremonial part of the funeral were done people milled about talking and drinking the family’s wine. Cruz excused herself and after looking through the library Kolem went to find her but instead found her newly discovered half-bother Commander Andrés Sánchez, the son of the deceased. 

“I was looking for Cruz,” Kolem said.

”I think the extended family cornered her,” he said smiling, “She’s kind of a celebrity now. The long lost daughter.”

”I think this is all, well hard for her. You had a good life, and it’s not your fault but she had a tougher one,” Kolem said.

Sánchez nodded, “I know, come out on the balcony with me. So tell me a bit about this ship, the USS Seattle. Is it like a family?”

Kolem shrugged, “Not like a family, so much as like a dorm room. It’s a young crew, we’re still finding out how we fit in, at nearly all levels.”

”It’s Rhode Island-class. I’ve been reading about them, no families,“ he asked.

”No a few couples, but nobody’s married, again we’re young. Captain is the oldest I think,” Kolem said, “Well except for Tashai, she’s very old.”

”You married, coupled?”

”I was, but he. We didn’t see eye to eye on things,” Kolem said, trying to not get into the specifics of her relationship with Lieutenant Junior Grade Hume and how far it had fallen apart.

”And you’re still on the same ship? Awkward,” said Sánchez.

”You know it,” Kolem laughed. 

She smiled, “I know what the next question you’re working yourself up to is. Not ready yet, besides you’re already going to be dealing with a lot being Cruz’s First Officer and brother without me being involved.”

He smiled, “Empathy is a neat trick. But watch this trick you want more wine.”

Kolem nodded, “I would love more wine.”

Things felt more somber the next day, when the tables of food had disappeared and most of the guests had departed. This was the reading of the will and though Cruz figured that she would not get anything, she remained (and thus so did Kolem) to hear it out. There was nothing much at first with his wife getting the horses and house, and various personal effects and vehicles going to close family members.

”And finally,” read the tall thin lawyer who was presiding over the reading of the will, “I leave to my children however many I may have at the time of my death the winery.”

”You just inherited a winery, or half of one,” Kolem whispered.

”I’m sure he meant his actual children,” Cruz said.

”Doesn’t matter, you’re his kid too, you just didn’t know it until last week,” Kolem said, suddenly feeling like she knew enough about the law to make that claim. 

She stuck her hand up and the lawyer looked at her, “You do not have to raise your hand miss.”

”Yes, okay. Is Cruz one of his kids, does she share the winery,” Kolem asked.

The lawyer looked at the PADD on which the will sat, “It is not specific, so yes, Captain Adriana Cruz would inherit part of the estate along with any other biological children.”

Cruz’s father’s real wife looked upset at that news, but Andrés Sánchez set his hand on her shoulder, and spoke up before his mother could, “And welcome to the family we say.”

The Captain smiled awkwardly. It was clear she was not quite comfortable being part of a family that she had just met yesterday.

—- Downtown Mexico City —-

“I’d feel better if this father of mine owned a restaurant or something for me to inherit part of,” Cruz said, “A winery? It just is all so ostentatious.”

”So this is your Mexico City,” Lieutenant Kolem asked looked around. She was half tempted to pull out a tricorder and really explore. It was busy, crowded with people pushing past them on the street ignoring their Starfleet Uniforms.

”While my brother and his family made wines and gave each other hugs, this was where I lived. Here follow me,” Cruz said and lead Kolem down a series of back alleys until they came to what Kolem would have described in terms of a Charles Dickens novel about street urchins. Children watched them head down the alley, and by the time they reached their destination they had a finally seemed to have reached.

”I’m looking for Marco,” Cruz said and the kids looked at her.

”Ain’t nobody by that name,” one said back.

”Runs everything,” Cruz said but the kids didn’t seem to know who that was, Kolem assumed he was a Fagin type.

”Nobody here by that name,” one of the kids said and Cruz shrugged, and lead Kolem back to the busy Main Street.

They began to head back to the transporter center down the road when a young woman ran after them. She seemed out of breath, as if she’d been running a bit. She shouted, and Kolem and Cruz slowed and turned to watch her as she ran up, and then doubled over trying to catch her breath.

”Adriana. Cruz. Miss. Ma’am,” she panted, “Do you remember me, I’m Marco’s sister. Rosa.”

Cruz looked at Kolem and Kolem could tell that she was thinking back. She did know the woman, and nodded, “Rosa I remember you but you were just a child the last time I saw you.”

”I grew up, and went to Starfleet ma’am. I wanted to tell you. You inspired me to enroll,” she said, “I work at Starfleet Security now.”

This news seemed to cheer up Captain Cruz who smiled wide. When she’d been arrested for stealing the shuttle craft nobody in her neighborhood had gotten to go to Starfleet Academy, and now she was a Captain and Rosa Flores from her childhood had been too.

”We could use more security,” Kolem suggested softly.

”What rank are you Rosa?” Cruz asked.

”Lieutenant Junior Grade Adriana, ma’am,” Flores said, “I’m just home because I live here still. I commute to Starbase 1.”

”Do you want to be on a ship? Rhode Island Class, might be more to do than a Starbase,” Cruz said, “We’ll be traveling back later this week. Come with us.”

Flores’ eyes went wide, “Yes sir, ma’am.“

”Relax, I’ll put in a transfer request tonight,” Cruz said, “If Starbase 1 can afford you.”