The Enterprise is on its way home and he's sitting at the Navigation console. The Bridge is deserted. He's on night shift. He doesn't mind, they all deserve their rest. He wants to be alone anyway. So much has happened in such a short time. He needs to reflect, gather his thoughts.
But inevitably, as they always do, his thoughts drift back to her. Even after all this time, she still haunts him.
He curses in Russian as he rushes down the corridors. He's late for his very first Astrophysics class. His first class with Commander Spock. He reaches the door and swallows nervously.
'Sorry I em late Commander.'
'Excused Cadet Chekov. Please ensure this does not occur again.'
'Eet vill not sir!'
He takes a seat beside a girl with a long black plait. She looks incredibly nervous. She also looks incredibly young. She doesn't look any older than him. He's 13. Most first year cadets are 18.
Astrophysics is very easy. He's the youngest, or should it be second youngest? But he still breezes through, not struggling like he sees the other cadets doing. But it's expected after all. He's a boy genius, that's why he's here. He notices that she doesn't seem to find any of the questions difficult.
The bell rings, signalling the end of classes for the day. He notices that she leaves a book behind.
'Excuse me, you left zis in Physics.'
He hands the book to her. He notices it's Tolstoy's War and Peace.
'Thank you...?'
'Chekov, Pavel Andrevitch. Call me Pavel.'
He doesn't really know why he asks her to use his first name. Maybe it's because she seems nicer than the other cadets, or because she seems the same age as him, or because she's good at Physics or because she appreciates Russian literature.
'Thank you Pavel. I'm Ellen, Ellen Lee.'
'Neece to meet you Ellen.'
She smiles and he smiles back.
If he was asked, Chekov wouldn't be able to tell you why he and Ellen spent so much time together.
If you asked Ellen, she would simply change the subject. She didn't like to be left speechless.
If you asked his roommate, Cadet George Fletcher, he would say it was because it was the only way he could get some 'female company.'
If you asked her roommate, Cadet Laura Browning, she would say it was because they were in love.
Both 14 year olds would strongly deny this.
They would both prefer Commander Spock's explanation.
'It is only logical that Cadets Chekov and Lee would seek each other's companionship. They are the only Cadets of similar age at the Academy. They are the youngest, but are also two of the most intelligent and display levels of maturity not often found in the standard first year Starfleet Cadet. As the only two individuals with compatible qualities, it is rational that they are companions.'
Unfortunately, they didn't know this was the Vulcan equivalent of saying they would make a cute couple.
AN: Well, my first time in this fandom. I apologise for Chekov's accent, I've never written accents before. I've tried to make everything as 'canon' as possible. This is also the longest story I've ever written, I've actually finished it, I'm just going over it.
I don't own Star Trek or anything vaguely familiar. I make no profit through this.