Unexpected
Chapter 5
'July'

Gaila moved through the hall toward the door of her best friend's apartment. Their group included the sweet Pilot – Pavel Chekov, the Grumpy Doctor – Leonard McCoy, the 'untamable yet tamed' captain in training – Jim Kirk, and then the player computer expert who had a huge crush on the grumpy doctor – Gaila Roe. As she got to the doors which were right across the hall from each other they opened.

"Morning," Jim said while waggling her eyebrows at Bones suggestively. He scoffed before telling her morning as well. "Make sure they eat all of their food… and no sweets before I get home." Jim called to Pavel who just nodded before closing the door on Jim. Her mouth dropped. "Did he…?"

"Yes, he did. Now, let's go, before we're late for our summer classes," Gaila told her friend who frowned but didn't argue.

"I may be late to the party tonight," Leonard warned as they walked down the stairs. They'd all learned quickly that Jim always ignored the elevators or lifts – which ever the building had – and opted for the stairs if there were any.

At first Gaila thought it was because she was claustrophobic but then learned it was so that Jim stayed in shape.

"But it's their second birthday," Gaila stated, ignoring the fluttery feeling she always got when she heard that southern drawl. "That only happens once in a life time. Besides… I can't believe they are two already."

"You can't?" Jim asked as they got outside.

"Hi Jim, Gaila," somebody called.

"Hi," they both said in unison, absently.

"I'm their mother. I'm the one who gave birth to them. I can't believe they are growing up so quickly," Jim told Gaila and the Orion just nodded her head at her friend. She couldn't imagine what it was like being a mom but she could understand it after seeing the way Jim dealt with it.

"Morning," a guy called as they walked past.

"Morning," they called in unison. Leonard was right behind them, their steadfast guardian even though neither needed one. He didn't trust any of the men around there. Gaila knew how to use what she had to defend herself and Jim would just kick the ass of anyone who did anything even slightly threatening.

Growing up Gaila hadn't had many friends. Orions had a stigma as being over sexualized and easy. Jim also had this stigma because of Uhura claiming that Jim slept with anyone and everyone. She'd made that fact well known around the entire school .

"You are such a mommy," Gaila said as she wrapped her arm around Jim's shoulders, receiving a wolfwhistle in the process. They ignored it though she glanced back to see Bones tensing and glaring in the direction of the whistler who Gaila saw quickly turned away.

Sometimes Gaila hated her roommate.

Whenever Gaila and Uhura were around each other they were fine until Gaila mentioned Jim or somebody did. Then Uhura turned into a raging bitch. This was because Uhura was threatened by Jim. She didn't attend her six week summer classes regularly unless she had to hand in an assignment or take a test during the day. She wasn't always there but she had all of the highest scores. That and everybody who met her loved her charisma and blunt language. Teachers loved her due to her high IQ and go gettem attitude. Students loved her because she was strong, independent, and you always knew where you stood with her. On top of all that she was one hell of a mother.

And with Jim's help Gaila now understood some things better than she previously had. Her own grades, her own studies, were increased. Of course, her friend wasn't perfect. Nobody was perfect. Her friend was volatile. She argued constantly because she didn't know when to drop a subject. Sure; she was normally right but that didn't mean anything. Even when she was wrong she was like a dog with a bone. She was also an adrenaline Junkie who did dangerous things, living life on the edge.

"Well, I am a mom you know," Jim said with that smirk. Gaila just rolled her eyes as they reached the center of the campus.

"See you later," Bones called as he headed toward the hospital where he was both learning about emergency medicine while also teaching everyday practice.

"Later Bonsey," Jim called.

"See you later," Gaila called. Then she watched him walk away, her eyes following his ass as he went away. "God, that man is hot." She blushed as soon as she realized what she'd said. She looked at Jim who was rolling her eyes before pulling Gaila toward their buildings which were beside each other.

"Don't try and date him," Jim stated as they walk and Gaila frowned. "At least not yet. He just went through a nasty divorce and is looking for fun. If you want something more, want him to see you as more than a warm body then you need to hold off. Have some fun of your own until he feels more open to the concept. It may take a year or two but if you really want this then it'll be worth the wait."

Gaila nodded understanding as they reached the part where they always went their separate ways.

Uhura was at the door to another building twenty feet away, glaring their direction.

"See you after class," Gaila stated. "And thanks for the warning. I think I'll listen to you."

"Later," Jim called as they walked away. Gaila went into her classes where she studied and learned. The class was boring and halfway through she got stuck on a subject. Her first thought was 'I wonder if Jim will be willing to help'.

After class she went outside to hear arguing and saw Jim getting ready to hit a guy. A woman was standing behind Jim holding her face which was already discolored. Still, Gaila grabbed Jim's wrist, holding it back. Her friend shouldn't always settle things with violence.

"Never hit her again. If I ever hear of you hitting a woman or male again I will make sure you get reported and lose any standing you have in this or any establishment," Jim threatened as the group gathered around them.

"What's a bitch like you going to do about it?" the man asked.

"Me… I can make your life a living hell," Jim told him. Gaila watched as Jim gave him a withering stare and the man, a foot taller and muscle bound, swallowed while stepping back. He was obviously unnerved by Jim Kirk. Once she knew she had him well informed she smiled. "I knew you'd see things my way. I hope you have a good evening." Then she turned to Gaila. "Now, we have a birthday party for two, two year olds. Let's go."

"Yeah, let's go," Gaila said, startled by how fast her friends emotions changed. They then walked down as they talked about the twins. Halfway to the building Jim stopped.

"I scared you back there, didn't I?" Jim asked and Gaila went to argue but couldn't. "I'm sorry. I grew up watching my uncle abuse women and… it infuriates me when I see it happen to others. I sort of lost control back there… negative emotions took control and all."

"It's okay. I'm not one to judge. You're one of the few friends I have actually. Most wouldn't accept an Orion female as a friend like you have. I know of one other Orion in Starfleet," Gaila admitted thinking about the previous year which had been less than stellar.

"Well, you're a hot chick, a strong and independent woman, and a loyal friend. Who wouldn't want to be friends with you?" Jim asked.

"You'd be surprised," Gaila muttered.

"Their loss, come on, let's go. I've got a cake to frost," Jim told her friend who smiled. Then they walked the path, ignoring cat calls and other perverse sounds. Soon they entered their building laughing as they went up the stairs. As they got to Jim's apartment they opened the door to hear a song starting.

"Mama, sing," Mandy called.

"Start it over and I will," Jim stated as she took off her jacket to reveal a black tank top under that red. Unlike the women's uniform the male top was easily removed and could hold a top under it.

"Sing," Mandy ordered.

"The shades go up, Mother's staring down. She don't know where he's been or how long he's been out," Jim sang as she tossed her jacket aside then picked up Jory who curled in her arms. He was often curling up when she sang. "She said 'Boy, I'm tired of waiting up while you're out with your friends'. He said 'mom I'm trying and I'm living my life the best way that I can'."

Amanda latched onto Pavel who swayed with her in his arms. This song was very sad and the way Jim sang it made it all the more emotional.

"Cause I'm trying to be somebody, I'm not trying to be somebody else. This life is mine I'm living, don't you know me? I won't ever let you down…" there was a lull in the lyrics. "The day has come. The son is moving on. She don't know where he'll go, or when he's coming home. She said, 'Son take care, don't let your dreams get too far out of sight'. He said, 'I love you now, don't worry about me, you know I'll be fine'."

Then the chorus started and Jim dipped her son who actually let a smile slip through his shields.

"Cause I'm trying to be somebody, I'm not trying to be somebody else. This life is mine I'm living. Don't you know me? I won't ever let you down… No. I'm not trying to be somebody else. Don't you know me. I won't ever let you… I won't ever let you," Jim sang when the lyrics took an edge.

"What they say, what they know. What they think won't ever bring me down. This life is mine and I am my own," she sang. Then the lyrics and music softened again. The twins attempted to sing with her at this. "I'm trying to be somebody. I'm not trying to be somebody else. This life is mine I lead, don't you know me?" Then she was a solo again. "I'm trying to be somebody. I'm not trying to be somebody else. This life is mine I'm living. Don't you know me? I won't ever let you down… Noooo. I'm not trying to be somebody else. Don't you know me? I won't ever let you down. I won't be nobody else. This life is mine and I am my own." That's when the song ended.

"Again mama!" Mandy cried as Gaila clapped. She'd never heard the song before… pretty sure it was from a past century or so. Then again, this was Jim. She loved antiques and the classics.

"I've got to make your dinner for tonight. And your cake. Get Auntie Gaila to sing for you," Jim said with a mischievous smirk and right then Gaila could have killed her friend. She didn't sing… ever. True, she'd been told she was descent. But it was like cooking – she didn't want to so she didn't try. If it didn't lead to sex then she wasn't interested… normally.

"Auntie Gaila, sing," Mandy ordered while Jory crawled into her arms. Gaila gave Jim a glare who just ignored it as she went to the kitchen to make a quick lunch before she started on dinner which would take about four hours… since she was sure she heard something about large dinner.

Gaila quickly was coerced into singing four songs from their century before lunch was served. Eating the twins talked incessantly, bouncing between English and Vulcan. Gaila couldn't understand the Vulcan but Jim did as she continued to speak to them.

Then everyone was startled when Jory turned to Pavel and started speaking to him in Russian.

"Show off," Amanda muttered while crossing her arms and pouting. The pair didn't notice but Jim and Gaila did so Gaila took her over to play with the little holo ball with the girl, knowing she was always up for a game. Kid was a huge tomboy.

For a few hours they played nonstop. The girl was a ball of energy. She'd never met anyone with that amount of errant energy.

That's when the familiar southern drawl resounded through the room.

"Sorry I'm late Jim," Bones called as he entered the room. He held two wrapped packages in front of him. They were obviously presents and were placed with the pile on the other side of the room.

"On time. I just finished frosting the cake," Jim stated. Then she went back to another part of the counter where she continued working on Dinner.

The others smiled and welcomed him. The kids played and Mandy laughed. It was nearly four hours since they had lunch when Jim announced Present time. Then at six they'd eat dinner followed by the birthday cake and Ice cream.

Sighing Gaila went and watched them open the presents. Pavel gave Jory a little book while Mandy received a new holo ball game. They each got a book and puzzle from Leonard who stated 'GI Joes and a Barbie or two didn't seem to fit them well'. They got books and other little toys as well as some clothing from their mom. Gaila hesitated when it came to giving them her gift.

Finally, having convinced herself she went and brought a box out for the pair of them. Worried she sat it down and the pair went to open it. As they did they pulled out a set of Kal-toh.

"Is that Kal-toh?" Jim asked startled. Gaila nodded.

"Huh?" Leonard asked.

"You have to take the jumble of rods within this box and make them into a perfect sphere," Jim stated. "But how did you get it. I tried to order it before but Vulcans are very picky about shipping them off planet unless you, personally, are Vulcan."

"Lets just say… if Ambassador Serkoy is ever earth side and going to a Starfleet function I owe him a date," Gaila said with a shrug.

Before they could even begin George had the box open and was trying to figure out how to do the game. She smiled, happy he liked the present. The day ended up near perfect after that. They ate a wonderful meal and then she left later in the evening.

It was a great day.

[Another chapter down, a million or so more to go. I would love to thank everybody who has read, alerted/favorited so far. I would also love to thank everybody who has reviewed. I would love to thank Ellieandra, Totalstarwarsfan-girl332, TheJadePhoenix, hyperfuzzy, Fernsfairie (3x's), Lady Ashlynne, CatyCrisis, tweets, LostSchizophrenic, raindancer08, Sofia Ann, zeynel, T'Arrah, RubyHair, and MirrorFlower and DarkWind (2x's). Any Comments, concerns, questions, etc, are welcomed. Thank you again… and I apologize for the delay. My cousin busted their laptop and had to replace it so there has been no internet access since right after I posted the first one… Anyways, thank you again and I apologize for the delay profusely.]