So guess who procrastinated on homework and wrote a chapter instead. Even if it is a filler chapter. Yeah this loser right here. Thanks to anyone who has reviewed/followed/favorited! And for the guest that asked- in this story Chekov is about 18. I imagine that that is a suitable drinking age and he should be able to enjoy his vacation. This takes place a few months after Into Darkness.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek
He understood Scotty wanting their destination to be a surprise, and in a way it was a sweet gesture, but he didn't like not holding on to his own ticket for the shuttle. It made him feel like a child, relying on Scotty to get them through security and check-in. He hated feeling like a kid; he was more of a man then most adults he knew.
But here he was, sitting in the terminal with the Chief Engineer of the enterprise at an ungodly hour of the morning. Scotty had only told him to pack for warm weather, which had clued him in that they were going somewhere south for the remainder of their shore leave. Though he didn't necessarily prefer the cold, Chekov was going to miss the San Francisco snow. Scotty was reading some new engineering journal that was causing quite the uproar within the community as Chekov poked at a muffin. They had about twenty minutes until their shuttle began boarding according to Scotty, and he was already bored with this vacation.
He felt kind of bad at that thought; Scotty had gone to a lot of trouble to make sure he enjoyed his leave, so he attempted to be a bit more grateful. He could have just been stuck in his room the entire time, envious of those who got to travel as he tried to keep out of McCoy's way.
Thinking back on the day before the young Russian smiled. Joanna McCoy had arrived in San Francisco yesterday afternoon and upon meeting Chekov and Scotty had promptly announced that she was going to spend the best week ever with the best dad ever. Scotty had the decency not to laugh at the light blush that covered McCoy's cheeks.
Joanna was downright adorable, and loved her father very much. While he was away, the six year old would be sleeping in Chekov's room. Bones had been adamant on giving her Kirk's and sleeping on the couch, but Chekov wouldn't have it. The two of them had set out early this morning as well, Joanna squealing something about a zoo and McCoy allowing her to drag him out the door.
Chekov was brought back to the present by Scotty hopping to his feet and scooping up his rucksack.
"Time to go, Laddie. They'll be boarding us right about now." Scotty said pleasantly.
"Of course, Meester Scott." Chekov replied, slinging his own backpack across his shoulders.
"Just Scotty, lad. We're on vacation after all!" the engineer smiled widely.
"Yes, Scotty." Chekov amended with a smile.
"Now seating first class passengers for shuttle 42 to—" the announcement was cut off by Scotty's hands covering the navigator's ears.
The boy almost laughed at the older man's insistence that their destination remain a surprise. He chose to withhold comment on the fact that Scotty had booked them first class seats when Chekov could barely afford a ticket to anywhere extravagant even in coach. Instead he quietly thanked the engineer for his generosity.
They settled into their lush seats with much enthusiasm, Chekov's trepidation concerning this trip melting away as boyish excitement took over. He bounced lightly in his seat as he watched the other passengers board.
"Vill you tell me vhere ve are going now?" he pleaded with his friend.
"Not yet, lad. You'll see when we've arrived." Scotty said with a smile.
Chekov groaned lightly and slumped back in his seat. He honestly had no patience for surprises. For as long as he could remember, he had never liked them. He preferred to be prepared for what he was to face, and surprises took that away from him. But maybe this time he could deal with it, it seemed important to Scotty that their destination remain a surprise, and they were friends after all.
Friends put up with things for other friends. He learned that particular gem of wisdom from McCoy one night over dinner. Jim had laughed for about an hour afterwards.
So Pavel put on his big boy pants and decided to suck it up. He relaxed into his seat and threw on a pair of nice headphones he had gotten as a gift from Kirk for his birthday a year or two ago. He switched on his music and let the melodies and voices relax him further. Scotty was buried once more in technical journals, so Chekov smiled as he lost himself in the rhythm and closed his eyes, tapping his fingers to the beat.
He was jolted awake sometime later by Scotty shaking him lightly. The engineer gave him a small smile as Chekov stretched and slid the headphones off to dangle around his neck.
"We're here laddie, welcome to Brazil." Scotty announced proudly, gesturing to the window.
"Brazil." Chekov repeated breathlessly, taking in the pristine beaches they were currently soaring over and the beautiful resort set not too far away from them.
"This is our vacation paradise. A small resort that is very popular in the galaxy, pretty hard to get a reservation here." Scotty said with a proud smile.
"How did ve get a reserwation here?" Chekov asked, dumbfounded.
He was no fool; he knew places like this were ridiculously expensive to visit for even one night. He couldn't take advantage of Scotty's generosity this way, and on his salary it would take years before he would be able to pay the engineer back. The guilt was starting to seep into the excitement, ruining the moment.
"Don't worry, lad. We didn't get a reservation. The Captain did." Scotty informed him.
"The Captain?" he asked with a raised brow.
"Yeah, Starfleet wanted to thank him for all of his hard work as a captain, and for dying for the cause— you don't really get dedication like that from everyone. So they offered him a five star vacation all expenses paid. But he wouldn't take it unless it was extended to all of us. So here we are." Scotty said with a grin.
"But ze Keptain is in Iowa and—" Chekov began.
"Yes, but he'll be joining us along with the others soon enough. Just don't tell Starfleet that he spent some of their money not spending it." Scotty said with an evil smirk.
Chekov laughed and gathered his things to depart the shuttle. The guilt he felt earlier was long gone; if anyone deserved a vacation on someone else's dime it was Kirk. And since his captain had fought for him to reap the benefits as well, he was going to reap them.
The warm air hit him as he exited the shuttle onto the landing deck and he felt as though it was melting away all of his troubles. His shoulders suddenly seemed lighter and soreness seemed to evaporate. He easily whipped out a pair of sunglasses someone had given him and settled them onto his nose. He stifled a laugh at Scotty's bright Hawaiian button up and straw hat that seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Let's go check in." Scotty said with fervor, and Chekov couldn't help but be swept up in the excitement. This trip was going to be a blast, he could feel it.
Hopefully you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks again to all supporters! Hopefully I'll be able to update in a few days!
