1 | Ghost

Everyone knew her name, Rosalind Davis, but no one had seen her. She was almost mythical. Perhaps a rumor started by the instructors to whip up the newer cadets into being more competitive. Rosalind Davis was the ideal cadet and could do no wrong said the walls if you listened closely. She was a person heard of rather than seen. Some doubted if she even existed.

James Kirk was close to finding out, he could feel it. He had a shiny new uniform and a spirit that refused to be knocked down. He was also determined to make a name for himself instead of having his father brought up and be given looks of pity, or worse, jealousy. Other cadets thought that the higher ups had some strings pulled, put in him the Command School and made him the highest ranked recruit in one fell swoop. The last two he did all by himself and he was pretty sure the academy's administration wasn't exactly pleased with him anyways.

He had arrived at Starfleet Academy with a reputation; a bar-brawler that had landed himself on the wrong side of the law too many times to count. It was true though it made him an easy target to push around but he wouldn't let them. A sort of popularity contest had taken a hold of the academy and he wasn't even competing. Those that could were throwing their weight around: their egos as high as their academic progress, name dropping their connections in casual conversations, boasting about their promising future careers as if they had already earned them. Thinking it in terms of Starfleet he couldn't have his future crew thinking he had everything handed to him. Thinking about it in his own terms, he wanted to beat them all in their own game.

It was while scouting for his competition that he came upon the name of Rosalind Davis. The person was more elusive though. From what he could gather, she had gained a cult following. Her reputation also built upon rumors. Glimpses of her appeared here and there but he had yet to see her in the flesh.

He directed his natural charms towards the administrative official who held the key information to tracking her down.

He looked at her with his bright eyes and easy smile. "You're sure you can't just check for me?"

"No." She deadpanned.

"It's really just a simple question." He leaned forward on the desk, making the situation seem more casual.

Her response was automated at this point, "Cadet, unless you are an immediate family member, we cannot release any information on any cadet, faculty or administrative member of Starfleet Academy without the individual's express permission."

"Then can you tell me if she's a student here?"

"She is a part of this institution."

"I see," That was vague as fuck. "Then is there any way I can contact her?"

"Rosalind Davis has chosen that this institution not share any information without her permission."

Irritated, he blurted out, "I would ask for her permission but I haven't met her."

The official narrowed her eyes, "Cadet, this behavior is highly suspicious."

He stammered under her accusatory gaze, "No, no. I'm not, it's not, I'm not stalking her."

"If you want to meet her so badly ask a friend, someone might be able to introduce you." The official turned away from him, dismissing him by continuing her work.

"That's not…Fine, I'll ask around." As if he hadn't done that already yet no one seemed to give him a straight answer. It's as if everyone knew her and saw her but didn't at the same time. 'Maybe she is a ghost.'

He was a bit desperate at this point. Davis had done an excellent job in covering her tracks. All except for one...

He found Leonard McCoy sitting near one of the on-campus' coffee carts enjoying his break. It was one of the few times when the doctor appeared to be a mild-mannered man.

"No luck, huh?" Asked the doctor when he noticed the look of defeat on his friend.

"None." Jim slumped on his chair.

"Checked the yellow pages?" Was Bones sarcastic contribution.

"There are roughly 230 in the San Francisco area alone." Said Jim with all the seriousness of a person who was considering going through those publicly available contacts one by one.

"I've only seen this type of commitment to finding someone from stalkers." He couldn't resist teasing his friend who began to go pink in the cheeks. "Which begs the question, are you stalking this girl?"

"I am not stalking her!3f" He pointed a finger at Bones' face. "You can't tell me that you're not also interested in how a Cadet manages to go basically unseen while simultaneously being top of her class?"

"I am but I also think there's a reason she doesn't want just anyone sticking their nose in her business." Bones would imagine that any sane person wouldn't, though this was James Kirk and there were exceptions to rules.

"So that's a 'no' on doing me a favor?"

"What favor?" Bones had honestly lost count.

"Check the medical records."

"No." He wasn't surprised that he would ask again.

"Oh, come on. It's not like you'd be telling me her blood type."

"Ask around then, preferably someone who doesn't have to risk their medical license."

"I already did ask around. I've looked everywhere". Jim whined, "C'mon… throw me a bone won't you?"

Jim was apathetic to the icy glare that Bones have given him, initiating a staring match that was broken when Bones sighed and lightly rolled his eyes. This kid didn't know when to quit.

"I already did."

"You did?" Jim moved to the edge of his seat.

"Yes."

"Yes!"

"There are four of them. That should narrow down your search." Bones swiftly swept the rug under him.

"Dammit." He let his head fall onto the table in defeat.

Bones almost laughed right there and then. He was honestly surprised it was taking Jim this long to find Rosalind Davis. She wasn't hiding for one thing.

Each title corresponds to a song. This one belongs to Sir Sly.

Yes, I re-published the chapters. I found myself coming back to them and editing them until they weren't just minor changes. I feel confident in these new ones so I hope you like them. Feedback is always appreciated, from old and new followers. — B.B.

P.S I apologize for the pun …