Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for my first Star Trek fanfiction! Sadly, I don't own Star Trek, but I do hope you enjoy. Reviews will be very helpful and motivational along the way! Now, to the story...

I shivered. Apparently, I had nothing better to do than sit here - at night, may I add - on a sidewalk in Iowa, freezing and alone. I buried my face in my hands. Telling myself not to cry, I looked up. The street was still empty. I cursed myself for thinking this would be like the movies, where the pretty girl runs away only to find her savior. With my luck, I'd probably get kidnapped. I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, weighing my options.

"What are you doing out here?"

I jumped. A boy who looked at least a year older than me was staring at me.

"I could ask you the same thing," I retorted.

"My name's Jim," he said, ignoring me.

"I'm Kennedy. Not that it matters to you."

"So, Kennedy, what are you doing out here?" Jim repeated.

"Oh, I do this for fun. Don't you?" I quipped. I scowled at him as he became aware of my sarcasm.

"Fine, don't tell me, but don't expect me to leave you out here." He extended a hand.

I thought about walking away for a moment. Why should I let this stranger help me? But then I decided that I was being stubborn, and that I probably wouldn't find any more friendly fifteen year old boys named Jim (at least willing to assist a random girl on the sidewalk). Reluctantly, I took his hand. He helped me get up. After that, I instantly pulled my hand away.

"Where's your house at?" Jim asked.

"Just down the street."

I sighed. I never wanted to go back home. My mother was dead, so all I had left was my dad. My dad was not the greatest person.

Jim walked me all the way home, neither one of us saying a word to the other. As I approached the door, I froze. I turned back to him.

"Jim?"

"Yeah?"

"Promise me you'll come back here in the morning."

"Yeah, sure."

"Night, Jim," I mumbled after that.

"Night, Kennedy."

"Kennedy Moore! Where the hell have you been? Who was that boy?"

I flinched at my father's words. "I've been out. His name's Jim, Daddy."

"Jim? What'd you tell him?" He started to step closer to me.

"Nothing, Daddy. I swear."

"What have I told you about lying, Kennedy?" he roared. I could see the boiling anger in his dark blue eyes.

"I get punished if I lie. But I swear, I-"

My father raised his hand.

I woke up the next morning with my face sore. I groaned, getting out of bed to look in the mirror. A few bruises cover my cheek. There's also one right above my eye. I count myself lucky that I didn't get a nice shiner to match. I sigh, get dressed, and head out the door.

The morning sun greets me, along with Jim.

"Holy shit, Kennedy! What happened to you?" he asked, looking over the bruises on my face.

"It's nothing," I replied nonchalantly. I started to walk ahead of him.

Jim quickly caught up with me. "Don't tell me that's nothing. What, did you get in a fight with a brother or something?"

"I'm an only child."

"Who did this to you, Kenna?"

"First of all, that's not my name. Second of all, it doesn't matter, Jim!" I shouted.

"First of all, I made a nickname for you. Second of all, let me know who it is so I can kick his ass!" he mocked.

"My dad," I muttered.

"Wait, your dad did this?" He made me stop walking. "Look, Kenna, I've only known you for about a day, but I do know that you can't let this keep happening. I'll be here for you, okay?"

"Yeah, okay."

For years, Jim and I talked together. We walked together, dreamed together, fought together, and he became a brother to me. I decided to become a doctor and enlist in Starfleet. Jim soon enlisted as well.

The day I met Jim was the day that changed my destiny. I'll have to thank him for that.