Author's Note: So sorry for the delay! I got wrapped up with a wedding and a bunch of travel. Sorry to wrap this one up so quick, but I wanted to give some closure!

Christmas came and went, and as the year sped by, Pavel and Hikaru found that had they not been roommates, perhaps they'd have willingly become friends.

Pavel, finished with his homework before Hikaru as usual, leaned back in his chair and watched his roomie for a moment before blurting out, "Who're you seeing, Mr. Sulu? Zey're whispering about it in classes and the girls keep asking me."

Hikaru blushed. "A Cardassian."

"Which one?" Pavel tried to recall the Cardassians he knew. None of them struck his as particularly suited to Hikaru.

He sighed and turned away from his homework. "Makov."

"Makov? Isn't he-?"

Hikaru interrupted. "We're just hanging out. It's not like we're going to get married. It's good to date people different from you, right?"

"Different," Pavel grumbled. He didn't dislike the Cardassians as a whole, but he certainly had no warm fuzzies for Makov. He was the ringleader of his clique and had a bad reputation for being a user and abuser. He had a new date every week and tossed them to the side like trash when they were old news and the next flavor of the week came along.

Hikaru frowned. "What? What's that look on your face?"

"Nothing!" Pavel forced a smile. "I vas just curious. Zat's all." His stomach churned, but maybe Sulu was right. Not everyone out there could be Cat Greenberg. He prided himself on being accepting. This seemed like a good opportunity. Makov was going to get nothing but a warm welcome.


Pavel's first chance came at lunch the next afternoon. He missed his usual break to tutor a classmate and took a later lunch, missing his friends. Sitting alone didn't bother him in terms of loneliness; he'd be able to finish up some homework this way. But he did miss the camaraderie Nyota and Hikaru usually provided. He opened a homework assignment and got to work over lunch.

A familiar voice drew his attention. Makov walked toward his table with a friend, the usual swagger in his step and glint in his eye. Pavel raised his hand to wave him over, but another group of cadets called Makov to the table next to him. Slightly embarrassed, Pavel quickly dropped his hand into his lap and turned back to his caesar salad and homework. I'll just wait for Hikaru.

When someone at the next table over mentioned Hikaru, Pavel's ears perked up and he couldn't help but eavesdrop. Using his PADD as cover, he peeked over at the conversation.

"Where's that Sulu guy? Your new boyfriend, right?" an Andorian asked. She winked. "I thought you were bringing him to the table today, Makov. You know we like to meet your new toys."

Makov sneered. "He's working on some project in the library. I'm about to give up on him and move on. He's playing too hard to get. Wants too much emotional stuff."

No! Pavel thought in a panic. I was right!

"Yeah right," a voice Pavel knew belonged to Elisa's redheaded friend Hannah came. "You can't give up a conquest."

Conquest? Pavel thought in concern. He stole another glance at the table. None of the cadets Makov was sitting with were of particularly upstanding quality. Pavel wished he had a way to record the conversation stealthily.

"True," Makov agreed. "I can't. I'll play nice and hopefully he's nice in the sack." He guffawed.

"Why him, anyway?" Hannah asked. "We're in a few classes together. He's so stuck up. How can you stand talking to him? It's not even worth it."

Pavel's lip twitched.

"I've never had a male human." Makov laughed. "And he's more than willing, throwing himself out there to anyone who'll pay attention to him. I'll have him biting his pillow Friday and have someone else by Sunday afternoon."

As the table tittered, Pavel's jaw dropped. His appetite was gone.


Pavel was in bed when Hikaru finally came back to the room later that night. "Where heff you been?" he exclaimed.

Sulu jumped and flipped the room lights on. "Geeze, with Nyota, working on the project for-"

"Good, not with Makov?"

Sulu grinned. "I wasn't. Now I am."

The Cardassian strolled into the room behind Sulu, a smug grin on his face. "I didn't know your roommate would be here."

Pavel's stomach suddenly weighed a million pounds. "Vhat's he doing here?" he snarled. "Eet's late. Time for bed, Hikaru."

"What's he doing here?" Makov repeated mockingly. "I didn't know you were babysitting." From behind Hikaru, he glared Pavel's way, his eyes narrow and teeth bared.

It was probably the first time anyone defied him, Pavel realized. Still, he scowled back.

"It's cool, Pav," Hikaru tried to diffuse the situation. "We're just hanging out. It's cool."

The older cadet nodded and grinned. "Yeah." When Hikaru looked away, Makov shot another dirty look Pavel's way before mouthing, "Shut up."

"Vhell," Pavel desperately thought. "I vas hoping for some help. It's a personal theeng. Not homeverk. No one else can help. It's a crisis."

"Is that why you're so weird?" Hikaru asked, frowning. "Is it Cat?"

"Y-yes," Pavel nodded, thankful his roomie came up with the explanation for him. "Eet cannot vait! Postpone your date for another night when I'm not heartbroken and- and considering leaving ze academy!" He made his lip quiver and eyes water for good measure. Perfection.

"Pav!" Hikaru gasped. "Makov, I'm – I've gotta help him out."

"This child," the Cardiassian growled. "Is desperate for your attention. Let's go back to my place." His eyes, already dull, grew cold.

Pavel could feel the annoyance radiating from him. "Please, Karu," Pavel managed. "I'm sorry to interrupt! I vaited all night for you to get home. Zere's no one else I can talk to about this."

"Yeah, Pav," Hikaru nodded. "I've got you. Makov, I'm really sorry. Tomorrow, after class, how about dinner?"

"Screw off," he snarled, already halfway out the door.

Hikaru stood in shock as the door slammed and he was left with Chekov. "I- why was he so mad? What an ass. What's wrong? What happened with Cat?"

Pavel scratched the back of his neck. "Um, eet's something zat happened in ze caf zis afternoon."

"Ah, man. Was she with someone else?"

"I lied."

Sulu raised an eyebrow. "Okay. Hit me from the beginning."

Pavel dove into the story, dutifully repeating every word, not afraid to offend his friend's sensibilities. Not with his reputation and heart at risk. When he'd finished, it felt like he was a balloon with the air let out. It felt good. Pavel exhaled in relief, glad he didn't have to hold that toxic mess in any longer.

Nodding, Hikaru sighed. "All right." He turned to his desk and started his homework routine.

"Aren't – aren't you going to stay something?"

He shrugged. "No. That's that, then. I'm disappointed, but it's not like I was in love with him. I appreciate it."

"I thought you might be mad."

Hikaru laughed. "Mad? Why?"

Pavel smiled sadly. "I want you to be happy. With someone good! You seemed happy, but I couldn't let him go through with it."

Hikaru grinned at the Russian and wondered how he'd ever wished the kid wasn't his roomie. "I trust you with my life, Pav. C'mon. Help me out with this navigation mess. And I don't want to hear about putting it off. I know, I know."


Hikaru watched silently as commotion buzzed around him. Three years had flown by. Though he hated to admit it, with Pavel's help, he'd accelerated through his classwork and was graduating early with Uhura's class. Emotion had been ebbing and flowing as graduation approached. The countdown was on: it was a few weeks out. Their floor, the party floor again, thanks to Pavel, was throwing their own mixer and people were filing in and out of their room.

"Hikaru, hello," Anya Chekov greeted him with a peck on the cheek. "Here. You look like you need a wodka." She pushed a cup into his hand. "Vhy so glum?"

"I can't believe it's over," he lamented. "I really liked it here. My friends. Chekov."

Anya smiled. "Vhell, theengs haff a way of verking out, don't zey? Besides, zere's so much more time! An entire month, almost." She clapped him on the back. "Vhere's my brother, anyway?"

"Find Cat and you'll find Pavel."

"Hikaru," Anya scolded. "In a month vhen it actually ees graduation, you'll vish you hadn't wasted zis party moping and feeling sorry for yourself. Zere's plenty of time for zat in ze wastness of space." She winked before turning to search for her twin in another room.

She couldn't find him there. Moments later, Cat Greenberg, with her permanent smile, blonde braids, and red lipstick, bounced into the room. Pavel, with his lipstick stained lips, was right behind her. "Hikaru!" he cheered, strolling over and throwing an arm around his neck.

At that moment Hikaru realized how much had happened in three years. The shy, curly headed Russian whiz kid had exploded into a charming, curly headed Russian genius navigator. His lopsided grin lit a fire in Hikaru; nostalgia, growth, pride, brotherly love.

Things have a way of working out. Hikaru smiled at the sentiment. They sure did. Without Pavel, would this party even be happening right now? Would he have graduated so high in his class, and with so many friends? Perhaps. Perhaps not. He was pleased that he didn't have to worry. Life was good.

"Pav," Sulu choked. "You're my best friend, you know that?"

"Off course I knot zat," Pavel guffawed. "Zere was any question?!" He clapped Sulu on the shoulder. "You haff had much to drink, yes?"

Sulu laughed and nearly spilled his drink when Jim Kirk stumbled into him.

"Mr. Sulu!" Jim exclaimed, raising a bottle of liquor high. "Here's to us! Here's to the smartest bastards in the galaxy!"

Sulu and Pavel chuckled and raised their glasses. Soon, the trend caught on and the entire room was toasting to themselves.

Jim grinned wildly. "To boldly go!"

Pavel and Sulu clinked glasses, not knowing what the future held, but each knowing they'd have a friend for life.