Again, please pardon bad terminology. I'm working on it. Characters don't belong to me...except Linell.
And now for some Spock. You'll just have to patiently wade through Kirk first ;-)
Chapter Two
New Friends
--Kirk's POV--
"Linell Crow," I mused, trying out the name on my tongue. "Linell Crow." I wondered what she would be like. The Admiral had spoken highly of her in a way that he hadn't about previous recruits. Then I shrugged—it was just another girl. Of course, she was extensively trained in combat, which was a bit unusual, and she hadn't finished even three years at the Academy, which was very unusual.
I guess I should have realized that she wouldn't be what I expected. Still, I didn't catch on until she had actually beamed on board right in front of me. I was used to the Academy beaming us tall, leggy cadets in mini-skirts. This one was far more petite, with softer curves and perfectly toned muscles visible beneath her suit. Her brown eyes were wide as she stepped off the platform and placed her hand in mine.
"Captain James T. Kirk, at your service," I said with a smile. "Welcome to the Enterprise." She chuckled, the action causing her brown curls to bounce slightly. I half expected sparkles to fall from her hair. What a little pixie!
"It's lovely to meet you. Admiral Pike sends his greetings." She looked around at the small crowd I'd gathered for her arrival. (I always enjoyed making the new ladies feel welcomed). "I'm a bit overwhelmed," she murmured.
I kept her slim fingers in my grip as I introduced her to Commander Spock, Lieutenant Uhura, Doctor McCoy, and my Chief Engineer Scotty, with whom she'd be working.
"Just a small welcoming committee," I said smoothly, watching the corners of her eyes crinkle as she smiled gratefully.
"Thanks everyone."
I told them all they could return to their posts. "I'll return to the bridge after I see Cadet Crow to her quarters." Bones rolled his eyes knowingly, and before I thought Uhura could warn the cadet, I whisked Crow off to the lift.
I wanted to flirt with her, the temptation was undeniable when I was staring at her rosy lips, but she was shy. I wasn't exactly sure what approach to take. She caught me off guard by speaking first.
"Been in a fight recently, Captain?" she queried, raising an eyebrow and gently touching the bruised puff by my left eye.
I had forgotten.
"Oh, it's nothing," I said, "Just a souvenir from a bar visit last time I was on surface leave."
The eyebrow remained raised, but the lift stopped, saving me from having to come up with a good story to cover up one of my more idiotic moments. She followed me to her quarters.
"I'll have Bones stop by in a bit to show you to the Medical Bay for a routine physical and a few vaccinations. Then maybe I'll catch you for dinner? An after dinner rendezvous?"
I waited expectantly for some hint of enthusiasm in her expression, but she betrayed none. "Sure, Captain. Dinner."
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--Linell's POV--
I watched him walk away before shutting the door with a hydraulic hiss. Then I just took a moment to drink in the fact that I was now on board the Enterprise. On a mission of exploration! It was just too much. Three years ago I was still making friends with animals…but now…now I was flirting with the captain of a spaceship!
I immediately felt the urge to run and expel some pent-up energy. Not sure how long it would take Bones to come and get me, I made a quick call on the communicator and decided to find my way there myself. I barreled down the hallways at full speed, getting lost every now and then, but mostly just enjoying the exercise—and the thrill of being on the Enterprise.
Next thing I knew, I slammed full throttle into a pillar of stone. Okay…except it wasn't a pillar, it was a person. I had met him earlier…Commander Spock.
Our eyes met and I found myself at a loss for words. I very nearly let slip a breathless "wow," but managed to keep it in. I had never seen such intensely beautiful eyes. He was saying something, but I was totally not there, my hands had just come to life enough to realize that they were pressed against the muscled chest of the half-Vulcan standing before me. Another "wow" threatened to escape. I swallowed the word, at last opening my ears.
"…another right turn and you will find Doctor McCoy awaiting your arrival," he was finishing. "Are you ill?" he added in a phrase that should have held some tone of concern, yet was entirely lacking.
I shook my head, still slightly immobilized. Spock placed his lovely warm hands over mine just long enough to remove them from his chest. He must think I was completely incompetent.
"You have human eyes," I found myself saying involuntarily. A flash of surprise lit his eyes for less than a moment and then he agreed.
"My mother was human. It is only logical to have some human traits."
I could have groaned with embarrassment except my vocal cords seemed to have failed on me. I simply nodded, moved out of his way, and closed my eyes until I was sure he had moved on. Then I groaned. Apparently socially awkward encounters weren't out of my system after all.
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Bones finished my exam about an hour later, impressed that I had found my way to the Medical Bay with no help.
"You're in excellent shape, Cadet. Just take care that I don't have to see you here too often…seems like people with your level of combat training end up in my care far more times than I'd like."
I found myself grinning, recalling my many visits to the medics while I was at the Academy. "No worries, Doctor. I'll be careful."
I straightened my clothes and inquired where I might find the training rooms. Bones gave me fairly easy directions and I headed off. It would be nice to throw a few punches before dinner. When I arrived the place was empty. I tied my curls up into a ponytail and slipped off my jacket.
"Looking for a sparring partner?" a quiet voice asked from behind me. I turned to find a shirtless and very built Spock looking me over.
"Um, I was."
"Am I a suitable choice?" Spock asked and I could swear he almost smiled.
I shrugged. "If you're ready to get an ass-whooping. I do my worst on those who are bigger than me."
Definitely a smirk this time. "Prove it."
I found my punches and jabs blocked at every turn. I felt quickly how this was a game for him, mechanical and practiced. Often I let my emotions get the better of me in a fight, but he was showing none—it was all rehearsed. In one fluid movement I was on the ground beneath him, my chest heaving with the need to breath. I wasn't even sure he'd broken a sweat.
I still had a few tricks in me. I was easily strong enough to flip us (and tried not to wonder if he had made it so easy) so that I was now on top, my knee firmly on his groin. Expecting it to be blocked, I delivered a hard swipe to his left cheek, shocked when I pounded flesh and drew blood. In a normal spar this would not have upset me, but I found myself almost in tears, falling to a straddle over his body, letting my fingertips gently smooth his reddening cheek.
Then I was in the air, the resulting slam back onto the mat knocking the breath out of me. Spock and I wrestled a bit after that, but my small size and agility, qualities that usually kept me in the fight, were no match for his incredible strength.
When at last he gave me a hand up I was both exhilarated and exhausted.
"Satisfactory?" Spock asked.
I could only nod emphatically, still trying to regain my breath.
"You are more skilled than I originally assessed," he said. "I found your moves clever and well-practiced. Of course, you did fall into what I have observed to be a female flaw when I allowed you to punch me."
Now I was indignant. "You took advantage of my compassion."
"It was logical to use your weakness to my advantage in the competition."
"Well I can't argue with logic."
"Clearly," Spock finished.
"Will you let me take a look at your cheek?" I asked hesitantly.
He nodded, approaching me rather more quickly than I expected. As I dabbed at the blood on his cheek with a wet towel, I was rather surprised to find his hands exploring my body, running over my shoulders, arms, torso and back with a firm but easy touch. I cleared my throat and stepped away.
"Cadet?"
"I admit to confusion." I could still feel his touch even after his hands were gone.
"I was checking you for injury. I threw you around roughly. It was proper to make sure you remained physically intact."
I had to laugh.
"What is providing you with amusement?"
"I just…" I paused. Honesty was probably best with Spock. "I found it pleasurable… giving way to some confusion considering that I have known you for less than five hours. Situations like that make me laugh."
"Have you been in many situations of this sort?"
"Situations of what sort?" a new voice said from the doorway. We turned to see Kirk leaning devilishly against the doorframe, his arms crossed and his eyes gleaming. "You missed dinner, Cadet."
I was about to reply when I felt Spock's hard chest press against my back, his hands resting on my shoulders. "The Cadet and I were sparring. It is my fault that she missed dinner."
"Commander you're wanted on the bridge, and Cadet Crow, you're expected by Scotty for an engineering assessment."
Did I detect jealously in Kirk's charming blue eyes? Surely there wasn't any reason for that. Was there?
