I try to make you see my side
I always try to stay in line
But your eyes see right through
That's all they do...
"So I have something we need to discuss." I said as I sat with Jim in his room.
"You and McCoy finally had sex?" He shot.
"No, idiot. Shut up. It's important." I willed him to be silent.
"Alright, what is it?" He asked, sitting back in his chair.
"Alright so you already know I was married and got divorced three years ago." I started,
"But what you didn't tell me is you really have two kids!" he blurted again.
"Jim! Please, shut the fuck up for a moment." I was getting annoyed with him.
"Okay, alright. Yes, I already know that you were married and divorced. I met him, remember." He shut his mouth.
"Well, what I didn't tell you is the reason why I'm divorced. He was abusive, Jim. He did a lot of bad things while we were together but the worst he did was slam my face into a wall, punch me in the stomach and push me down the stairs when he found out I was pregnant. All this in pursuit of forcing a miscarriage. He succeeded but he also put me in hospital. I had internal bleeding and there's probably a good chance I'll never have children now, but we aren't sure about that yet. That was when I decided to leave. Not only had he endangered my life, he had taken away the life of the child I was so happy to have and may have took away the chance for me to have any more children. So I filed for divorce. I didn't want anything from him but I was given what I was entitled to by law. I took it, left and joined Star Fleet. He didn't know where I was. Two years ago my brother called me, he said that Harry had walked into my old work place and shot and killed two women that resembled me. I was on this ship when that happened. Then I got a phone call two hours ago. It was Harry." I finally looked at Jim. His face said everything. He was horrified, angry and even looked a little guilty. For what I didn't know.
"Anna, you went through all that?" He leant forward in his chair, taking my hands in his.
"Yeah." was all I said.
"I've known you all this time, I even met him and I didn't know. Is that why you wouldn't come round for days on end sometimes?" He was gripping my hands now.
"Yeah, usually I could hide the bruises with make-up. Sometimes he'd hit me where I could conceal it. But a few times it was so bad I couldn't hide it and had to stay away from everyone. You know how old and played out the "I walked into a door." excuse is." I hung my head.
"Annabelle," his eyes softened. "Wait you said he called you two hours ago?" He added.
"Yeah. He's found me." I started to shake again. "Jim, he's going to kill me when I get back to Earth."
"There's no way he will get anywhere near you! I won't let that happen, Anna. You're my best friend, and sometimes my mother," He laughed. "I won't let any harm come to you." He pulled me into a hug. I loved Jim Kirk hugs. It was like hugging your favourite teddy bear, safe and warm. The hug of a best friend. "We have three months left on this expedition, we'll figure out a way to protect you before we get back. Even if it means moving in with someone."
"Thank you Jim." I whispered in his ear, afraid that if I spoke any louder my voice would break.
I sat in my room that night and sobbed to myself. I was so overwhelmed with the day's events that I couldn't control the flow of tears once my head hit my pillow. I was still sobbing on and off when there was a knock on my door. I climbed off the bed and went to the mirror, checking my face for tear tracks or smudged eyeliner. I was surprised to see that my makeup had stayed fairly intact, so I answered the door. I was surprised to see Bones and Jim. I motioned for them to come inside. "What's this about?" I asked, happy to have my best friends there.
"We figured you could use a drink." Said Jim, holding out a bottle of golden liquid. I couldn't tell by the look but I was pretty certain it was Whiskey.
"You figured correctly." I said as I searched for three glasses. Once I found some I placed them on my small coffee table and poured us all a drink. I gulped mine down in one and went back for another glass, this one I sipped slowly. When I looked up, Bones and Jim were laughing. "What?" I asked.
"Nothing." Jim said, "You deserve to let off steam." He was smiling behind his eyes.
"Yes." was all I said and drained that glass.
"Anna, are you sure you're going to be okay?" Jim asked me as I poured myself a third glass.
"Well, my ex-husband has made it his life's mission to murder me. So no, I don't think I will be okay, but while I'm on this mission, I'm good." I replied, taking a sip from my drink.
"I guess it's better than you wallowing in worry." Remarked Bones.
"You're damn right. Since I may only have three months left to live, I think it's time for me to make the most of you guys." I looked at them both.
"Anna, don't talk like that. We won't let anything happen to you." Jim was stern.
"He's right, Belle. Nothing is going to happen to you with us around. We'll keep you safe." McCoy added.
"Well, I can keep myself safe, but I get what you're trying to say." I smiled at them both and continued to drink.
I woke up four hours later, tucked into bed. I turned over and saw that both Jim and McCoy were asleep in my chairs. I smiled softly and got out of bed, I was still slightly dizzy from the alcohol so I had to steady myself for a moment. I headed to the closest chair, which was McCoy. "Bones." I said in his ear. He stirred a little. "Bones." I hissed a little louder. He groaned a little and opened one eye. "Wake up." I slapped his thigh.
"Alright, sweetheart. Alright." His voice was thick with sleep and his southern accent was far more pronounced than usual. It did things to me. He stretched in the chair. "Why did you wake me?" He asked when he'd come round a little more.
"Because you need to go back to your own rooms. The both of you. It's going to make me look really bad if the Chief Medical Officers and The Captain came out of my room in the morning." I placed my hands on my hips.
"Fair enough." was all I got in response, then he looked to his left to look at Kirk who'd head was lolling backwards and was snoring heavily. I had to suppress a laugh. "Captain of a Starship and he sleeps like a child." I heard McCoy mutter. A giggle escaped, Kirk snored louder.
"How women keep their hands off him, I'll never know." I shook my head. McCoy stood then and made for Kirk, I quickly grabbed his arm.
"Hold on." I said. He turned to look at me. I stood on my tiptoes and placed a small kiss on his mouth. "Thank you for today, Bones. I really needed it." He looked a little startled, then his features softened slightly.
"Anytime, Belle." He smiled at me before he returned to his usual brooding look. He head towards Kirk. "Jim. C'mon Jim." He said, pulling the younger male to his feet.
"Wasappening?" Said Jim as McCoy manoeuvred him towards the door. "Anna? Where am I?" He was looking around now. I started laughing as McCoy took him out of my room.
"Goodnight, Belle." I heard McCoy say as the door shut. I could still hear Jim asking what was going on as McCoy took him to his room. I laughed as I got undressed and climbed back into bed. Once I was settled in bed, I was daydreaming about McCoy's sleepy voice and the small kiss I'd given him when I started to drift off. My dreams were filled with him.
I don't want to sleep
I don't want to dream
'Cause my dreams don't comfort me
The way you make e feel
Waking up to you never felt so real...
