A/N: All the cast will appear in one way or another. It's Spock/Kirk, with eventual Sulu/Chekov, Scotty/Uhura, and onesided Spock/Stonn.
Summary: Looking back, Jim could tell it had been an utterly ridiculous idea with little hope of success. Of course, that's why he had decided to do it. Jim Kirk always beat the odds, even if he had to pass himself off as a Vulcan to do it. A Star Trek Story loosely based off the idea of A Knights Tale.
Spock was confused, to put it mildly. Confusion alone would have annoyed him, but it added to the happy feeling he had, and that was not annoying at all. It was welcome, entirely and utterly welcomed.
Spock couldn't recall the last time he had felt actually happy.
It was all because of that strange Vulcan in the marketplace. It hadn't been that remarkable of a visit, but it had thoroughly shaken Spock. He wasn't sure what to think or how to act now. He just felt…odd. A good odd, but odd none the less.
"Milord," Chekov bowed low as he entered Spock's chambers. He glanced around to confirm that Spock was the rooms only other occupant and then stood straight, his lopsided smile lighting his face. It was a smile that never failed to make Spock feel lighter. Chekov saw no reason to stand on ceremony when it was just Spock and him. He'd been a servant to the Lord since he was five. The Russian had run away from an abusive household and found refuge in Spock's father's house. Spock had been ten at that time. Now, twelve years later, they were the best of friends. It was hardly surprising. That was what happened when two children were required to spend all their time together. The fact that Spock couldn't really make friends because of his heritage and position helped. And Chekov was just a warm, happy person to be around.
Chekov was the exact opposite of Spock in that regard. The young Russian was socially brilliant. Spock didn't believe he'd ever met someone who wasn't a friend. He certainly treated everyone as if they were special. He always knew what to say, and he could make anyone laugh. He was also the only person that had ever managed to draw Spock out of his self-induced isolation.
All of which led to Chekov being Spock's very best friend, and Chekov never having to treat Spock as a 'superior' when they were in private.
"Vhat was that earlier? Did you know zat Wulcan?" Spock, who had been reading by his bed, fought a blush and gave his head a gentle shake.
"I do not. Though, I must admit, I found him quite… Fascinating." Chekov grinned again, letting Spock know he didn't have him fooled.
"Vell, it is good thing zat you go to the tournament tomorrow.?"
"We do?" Spock furrowed his brow in confusion again. "Why?
Chekov shrugged in his honest way. "Your father vants you to make social niceties."
Well, Spock could hardly say he found the thought… displeasing. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was most eager to learn more about this Vulcan. This hunter knight. Why had Spock not thought to ask his name. The knight had certainly been fearless in asking for Spock's.
It was probably because he'd been distracted by the appearance of the Vulcan. He was unlike anyone Spock had ever seen. His hair had been a most pleasing golden color. The lush locks hanging to just above his shoulders. His body had been well built (not that Spock had noticed that fact, of course.) His eyes were the most memorable part though. They were blue. Spock had never seen such blue eyes. He'd never seen a blue eyed Vulcan at all, though he'd heard that some in the north sported the rare eye color.
The distraction went beyond the mere appearance though. It had been the entire presence of the Vulcan. Spock could sense him as he drew near. His very Katra seemed taken by the figure.
Which was ridiculous and completely irrational and illogical.
Spock didn't mind too much.
"I haf never seen you like zis." Chekov declared before plopping down on Spock's bed as though he belonged there. He brought his legs up and sat at attention as if he was waiting for Spock to tell him a story.
"I still do not know what you are referring to." Spock insisted. He closed his book and stood up in one smooth motion. He regarded Chekov for a moment before opening his wardrobe. "Do you think these would be too much?" He indicated one of his nicer dress robes. He had been told on multiple occasions that they enhanced the color of his eyes. Chekov beamed and bolted upright he bounced over to where Spock stood and grabbed out several accessories and a hair brush.
"Zis calls for complete makeover, sir." He grinned with the last word and ushered Spock towards the bathroom. Spock, without really knowing why, allowed Chekov to arrange him just how he wanted. He knew he was safe in Chekov's hands. The Russian had an incredible ability to make Spock look not only presentable, but good.
And Spock desperately wanted to look good.
-o-o-o-o-
"Why is this thing so heavy?" Jim whined as Bones once again buckled the armor up.
"Because it's metal. Now shut up. Sulu, help me with this mess." Sulu left where he was brushing I-Cheya and joined Bones and Jim.
"Where the hell has Uhura gotten to?" Bones barked, ruffling through the bits of armor in search of a specific piece. Sulu had no such qualms about putting armor on in a specific order. He grabbed a piece and attached it to Jim. Jim who was now beginning to wonder if it would be easier if he simply stayed in the heavy armor.
"How would I know? I've been on the field." Bones glared at his best friend.
"That's why the question was rhetorical, you dolt." Bones tightened the breastplate more than was strictly required and Jim choked.
"Ey! Bones, take it easy, huh?"
"Jim, cut it! Someone's coming." Sulu whispered fiercely in Jim's ear before dipping his head in reverence and lacing up Jim's braces. Jim instantly straightened and pulled an air of disdain around himself. Sure enough, a Vulcan approached them a moment later.
"I require your presence, sir Solkar."
"Why?"
"I shall endeavor to explain once we have arrived." The Vulcan declared. Even though he was shorter than Jim by several inches he gave the appearance of looking down his nose at Jim. It was annoying and uncalled for.
"Fine. I have a few minutes to spare before I must be on the field. Come, lead the way." The Vulcan sniffed disdainfully before heading back the way he came. Jim followed him with Bones and Sulu a few paces behind him.
"Now I really wish that Uhura was with us." Bones muttered. Sulu grunted his agreement as the Vulcan led them to a suspicious looking (not really, but Jim was feeling petulant and wary) tent.
"After you, Sir." The Vulcan pulled the tent flap back and let Jim through before rudely letting it close on Bones and Sulu. Jim wanted to ask where the logic in that act was, but he managed to hold his tongue.
More surprisingly, Bones did as well.
The tent was a bit larger than Jim's. It had a table at the center with various cards lying about. There were also several sets of dice, and strange spinning wheels. In the center of the room again, now in nothing more than a bra and panties, was Uhura. She was thankfully uninjured, (at least from what Jim could see. And since she was nearly naked, if she was injured there was going to be hell to pay.) but she looked horribly upset and embarrassed.
Jim felt hot rage boil in his stomach but managed to control his face. "What is the meaning of this?"
"She has lost her money, and her clothes."
"We can see that." Bones bit out. He walked over to Uhura and threw his cloak around her trembling form. Jim wasn't sure if she was trembling from cold or rage. He kind of felt it was the latter.
"Why have you undressed my servant?" Jim demanded. He was determined to be in control of this situation.
"Because she cannot pay her debts. It is illogical to bet more than you have, as she has."
"It is also illogical to require a girl to walk around in little clothing when there are ruffians about."
"It will teach her a lesson." The Vulcan returned with little care.
"It will cost her her life. Give her back her clothing." Jim had to work very hard not to growl at this insolent Vulcan.
"Then you will pay for her?" Jim bit his tongue to hold in the words he wanted to say to this man.
"Please Ji-" Uhura caught herself and dropped her eyes to the ground. She looked beaten, and that cut Jim to the core. She was a beautiful, proud woman, and she had the right to be proud. Jim was tired of his race having to look so beaten all the time at the hands of so few, stupid, Vulcans. "Please, give me the chance to repay the debt to you, Master."
"Release her and give her back her clothes." Jim ordered, keeping his eyes on Uhura less he did something he would eventually regret.
"Then you will pay."
"I do not have the money right now. You will get it soon. If I do not have it for you in a week, you may have my armor. It is worth more than this servant girl." That was not even close to true, but Jim trusted Uhura would forgive him. The Vulcan approached her with her stolen clothing and made to put it on her. She snatched it away before he could.
"You will not touch me again." She promised quietly before slipping the clothes on.
"Come on," Jim ordered before anything else could happen. He didn't speak again until they were back at their own tent. I-Cheya shuffled on the ground nervously, clearly sensing his masters annoyance. "Why didn't you tell us you had a gambling problem? You lied instead."
Uhura inhaled through her nose and huffed the air out. "I didn't really lie. I gave the truth scope. I'm an actress, it's what I do!" She lowered her head slightly. "You won't regret it though, I'll make sure I'm worth your while."
"You can start by helping us get this heavy lug on I-Cheya." Bones deadpanned as he led I-Cheya over. The three friends helped Jim on top of the sehlat then lead them both outside. Jim gave the crowds a quick, customary scan and promptly lost his breath again.
"It's him." He breathed out. Indeed, the Vulcan that had so completely enraptured him the previous day was sitting in the stands. In the royal section.
Oh.
Well. That could be… difficult.
"Who? What are you looking at?" Bones followed Jim's gaze and then the trembling, pointing finger Jim managed to raise.
"The Vulcan in the brown robes?" Sulu asked, squinting his eyes as he peered at the stands, "Or the boy with brown hair?"
"The Vulcan." Jim confessed. Bones blinked exactly two times before exploding.
"You're kidding me!" He bellowed, "A Vulcan? You fancy a Vulcan?"
"Yes." Jim proclaimed wholly unashamed.
"Jim, you're aiming to high." Sulu stated. "That fellow is in the royal section.
"Is there any other way to aim?" Jim reasoned. "Besides, how can't I fancy him? He's incredible."
Uhura studied him with wistful eyes. She finally sighed and wandered over to Jim. "Well… Vulcans, poised and strict as they are, do love poetic words. Here, try this." She leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear and Jim beamed at her, grateful that his friends were blocking the emotion from anyone else's view.
"That'll do quite nicely." He looked pointedly at Bones and Sulu. "See. She was helpful. Why can't you two be like her?"
"Shut up." Sulu and Bones quipped together.
-o-o-o-o-
Spock was determinedly not fidgeting as he watched the jousters gather. Chekov was standing at his side trying not to laugh which didn't help Spock's fidgeting any.
"You're incorrigible." Spock scolded with his eyes on the field.
"And you're impatient, sir." Chekov replied, entirely shameless.
"May I present Sir Stonn of Velfar." Spock stiffened as the human, Garry Mitchell, announced the pompous Vulcan. Spock did not care for the Vulcan or manservant in question. Their reputation far exceeded them. A reputation that Spock found utterly repugnant.
"It would seem you already have announced him, regardless of whether I would allow it." Spock informed the servant while he kept his eyes locked on the field. The knights were starting to emerge and Spock would be blatantly lying if he said he wasn't hoping his knight was among them.
"Lord Spock, you wit is every bit as sharp as I was led to believe." Stonn snobbishly sat in the chair by Spock's side and leaned in as close as he could. His breath smelt disgustingly of elderberries. Spock curbed a cringe and turned his eyes back to the field. He looked out just in time to see a familiar knight ride up to the stand.
"Your name, dear Le-Matya, I still wish to hear it."
Spock had to work unreasonably hard to stifle a reaction at seeing the pleasing form again. The blond knight's eyes were sparkling with mirth and excitement. He had taken his helmet off and held it in his hand, much to Spock's pleasure. Spock couldn't help but respond. "Do you indeed?"
The knight urged his mount closer to the stand and dropped his voice down a shiver-inducing octave. "Or perhaps angels have no name, only beautiful faces."
Spock's eyes widened marginally and he could feel his gaze soften at the unexpected and lovely words. He had never had someone so openly compliment him without knowing who he was. Nor had he had someone so sincerely pursue him before. Most sought his attentions because of his station, not because they found him attractive.
The knight seemed to enjoy Spock's reaction as his own eyes brightened even more and his lips twitched as though they wished to grin.
Then, of course, Stonn decided to make his arrogant self known. "You, what is your name?"
The knight blinked, looking taken aback by the sudden question. "Uh, my name is-umm."
"Sir Umm?" Stonn teased mercilessly. The knight flushed a strange color and his eyes, which had been so wonderfully bright, dimmed.
"Lord S'ghn S'Linar Solkar."
"Goodness, I would forget too. What a mouthful." He leaned over to Spock as though he was giving him a secret, but didn't bother to lower his voice. "He must be a peasant Knight. It is so sad to see what all they let in to this tournament now."
Solkar's eyes darkened completely and his face was no longer pleasantly calm, it was now blank. Spock felt fury twist in his gut as the handsome knight rode away to begin his match. "Chekov." The loyal friend and servant bent down to hear what Spock wanted. He could probably sense Spock's anger.
"Yes?"
"Find Sir Solkar's servants and have them bring you to him. Inform him then of my name. My full name."
Chekov nodded, barely hiding his special grin. He bowed slightly as he backed away. "Certainly, Milord."
Spock didn't bother looking back at Stonn. He directed his entire attention to watching Solkar win the match.
A/N: Just encase I didn't make it clear, any reference to 'Solkar' while we're in Spock's point of view is a reference to Jim. I'll need Spock to figure the truth out soon because I'll end up confusing myself, lol! Also, I've made Chekov his friend because I think poor Spock deserves a besty. He's always being written as not having any friends. Chekov also strikes me as the type of person who would just draw someone into being their friend through sheer persistence.
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