Hello all! Welcome to my newest story. This series of interconnected was inspired by the prompt 'In all the time I've known him, he's never looked at me like that'. I thought it would be fun to do a series of interconnected oneshots based on it, starring James T. Kirk and Crew! This is the first time I've published a story in the first person, so bear with me, but I most definitely had a GREAT time writing it.

To all my readers and reviewers: Your overwhelming response and support has truly touched me. This is a big loud THANKS and HUGS for all!

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Scotty

In the year that we have served on the Enterprise together, Captain Kirk has never looked at me like that.

Dumbstruck. Dumbfounded. Like what I was saying was completely over his head.

It was a strange look, especially with the rumors I had heard. Someone in Engineering had told me our young, brash captain was a genius. I tended to agree. He was often able to follow the theories I may ramble on, about trans-warp beaming, dilithium crystal capabilities, and the like. He often engaged me in debates about these subjects. He loved his ship, and he loved to learn the ins and outs of how our lady worked.

So why was he looking at me like I had three heads and was sprouting extra limbs? I was simply explaining the warp core, and how, with some tweaking, I could increase our speed capacity by a good ten percent, maybe even up the warp factor scale. This was massive. I was merely explaining my theory, and the physics behind it. Something any undergraduate university kid could understand.

Ok, maybe not.

"Captain?" I asked, frowning. "Cannae you understand what I'm saying here? With a simple…"

Kirk held his hands up, shaking his head a little. "Scotty. English please."

"I'm speakin' plain English!"

"Ok…shorter English. Small sentences. And leave out the equations for a minute."

I sighed. "I can speed up the Enterprise with some minor improvements to the warp core."

Kirk frowned. He knew about my experiments. He had often been there when they blew up in my face. But most of the time they worked. And I was sure about this.

"Will it hurt the ship?" he asked, after a long silence.

My mouth fell open. I was truly offended. "Why would I do anything to damage our lady?"

He grinned then, a much more familiar expression on his young face. "Right. Will it hurt you?"

It was my turn to grin. "I cannae promise anythin' about me, Sir."

He sighed, the smile still lingering on his face. His blue eyes were dancing as he spoke. "Will you try not to get hurt? Bones will have my hide."

I mock saluted, knowing I could joke around with the Captain now. "Yes, sir."

He nodded. "Alright Scotty." He turned to leave. "And Scotty? I know you love your theories, but my understanding of advanced relativistic physics only goes so far."

I laughed as he left and turned merrily to pick up my toolbox. "Note taken, Cap'n" I mumbled to myself as I set to work.