A/N: I think I'm having too much fun writing this love triangle. You know, it's still your choice. The polls are up and everything. A lot of neat things happen in this chapter, so keep reading. Also keep reading the story, because I've never met a more awesome group of readers. So there's a poll on my page, please vote there too! You also get a view of why Lyndsey's dad is a super sensitive topic and why she was so offended by Jim's statement. Right now, Bones and Jim are tied. By the end, there has to be a clear winner!
Chapter 9
Like My Mother Does
"I never met a stranger
I can talk to anyone
Like my mother does
I let my temper fly
But she can walk away when she's had enough
She sees everybody
For who they really are
I'm so thankful for her guidance
She's helped me get this far."
-"Like My Mother Does" by Lauren Alaina
Later on, McCoy and Lyndsey were on the bridge. They'd been called there to serve bridge duty, and she'd had to reclaim her usually rational solemn self. She found herself talking to Sulu and Chekov about all the things they loved about home. They'd been talking for almost an hour and Sulu had gotten to botany when Chekov's console beeped. "Sir, unauthorized access to the water control board."
Spock walked down to him. "Bring up the video." Lyndsey watched the Vulcan's face. He looked almost feral to her; as if he'd just seen something he loathed with passion, then telling security to check it out, phasers to stun. Shrugging, she went back to talking to the helmsman. She had lost track of time when Spock asked who someone was. She turned around curious and her heart flipped. It was Jim, and he was alive. Next to him was another man, who looked like a wet rat. She took off her lab coat and walked up to the man, handing it to him.
"Here, you look like you needed this. I'm Lyndsey Ambrosi, medical technician."
The man gratefully took her lab coat and dried off his hair. "Thank you lassie, that's mighty fine of ya. Name's Montgomery Scott; this is one nice ship lass." He said, laughing.
There was a sound like a smack and she turned around. Spock and Jim were smacking each other around. She rolled her eyes and let them go at it. Finally Spock had Jim at a disadvantage. Flipping him against a panel, he slammed a hand on his neck, choking him. She could see Jim challenging him with his eyes as he lost air. It seemed to Lyndsey that he wanted Spock to end him, or at least try. Someone then spoke. "Spock."
She turned around, looking at an older Vulcan. Spock let go and she sighed in relief. Spock turned around, looking perplexed.
"Doctors, I relieve myself of duty due to the fact that I am emotionally compromised. Please note the time and date in the ship's log."
As Spock walked out, the bridge went silent. Everyone was staring at each other, looking for someone to take leadership. She met Jim's eyes and shook her head disapprovingly.
"Well good job Jim. Now we got no captain and no first officer to replace him."
Leonard looked annoyed and Lyndsey nodded. "Out of all the stupidity you've ever done, this is the worst I've had to deal with. I'm not cleaning up after you." She said, watching Jim's face.
He pretended to not know she'd said that. "Yes we do."
She watched, along with the rest of the crew, as Jim walked up and took a seat in the captain's chair. McCoy looked incredulous. "What?"
"Pike made him first officer."
"You've got to be kidding me."
Sulu and McCoy's bantering was broken by Jim. "Thanks for the support." Uhura spoke to him, all sort of venom in her voice. "I sure hope you know what you're doing. Captain."
He looked up at her. "So do I."
Lyndsey walked toward a turbo lift when someone grabbed her wrist firmly. She turned, her red hair whipping her face. Jim was holding her from leaving. "Lyndsey." He said softly, and she could hear the pain in his voice. "You're the only thing I've got left. I'm sorry."
She flashed him a smile. "I forgive you…I guess. Just promise me you won't be a complete idiot anymore. Just a small one." She said, softly. He laughed. "Well, I can't really hold my promise, but I'll sure try." He hadn't let go of her wrist and was looking up into her sky blue eyes. She shook her head.
"We need to come up with a plan."
They'd left Chekov and Sulu in charge of the bridge and Scotty, Uhura, Kirk, McCoy, and Lyndsey had gone to their respective quarters to think. Lyndsey didn't have any true possessions yet, but her uniforms and her PADDs. She couldn't think straight, memories of her father were pouring into her mind.
"Dad! Come on! We're going to be late!"
The fourteen-year old Lyndsey Ambrosi pulled her father by the hand. "Il mio fiore, I'm coming! The fireworks will still be there!" The older man chuckled and followed his fiery redheaded daughter. She looked back at him. "Papa, hai davvero bisogno di andare domani?" She asked, her blue eyes pleading. He smiled and ruffled her hair. "Unfortunately I do, little one. I'll be back before you know it though!" He scooped her up into a hug, which Lyndsey returned with happiness. "I'll always come back to you. You're my little girl."
Lyndsey sunk to the floor, holding a picture of her and her dad on that day. That was the last time she'd seen her father. The day Admiral Archer had come to their house and told them her father had died in action, Lyndsey had ran out of the house and ran until her lungs burned and tears blinded her vision. If you had asked anyone, Lyndsey had her father wrapped around her finger from the day she was born. Adrian Ambrosi had always come home to sweep his little girl into his arms. Now he was gone. He hadn't seen her graduation from high school, her acceptance to Starfleet. Her father would've been an admiral by now. He was worthy of the position, had been.
Tears stung behind her eyes as she looked at the happy picture. Everything had spiraled down around her. She then felt someone's arms around her, holding her tightly. She gripped the person's shirt as tears leaked from her eyes.
"It's okay…it's okay…" The voice spoke and she recognized it. It was Jim, but how had he gotten into her quarters? She decided to not question it and curled into him, breathing in the familiar scent. He smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"James…" She whispered teary and sniffed. He moved his hand to her back, moving in circles. "This has been hard to me too. I keep thinking of how mom must have felt to lose dad." He said. She shook her head, clinging still to him. "You shouldn't feel like that Jim. You're a great acting captain so far, and you're my best friend…"
She shivered and Jim tightened his grip around her. "Lyndsey, you can cry. It's okay. You're one of the strongest people I know, so you have the right to show your emotions. You don't have to hide your emotions from me either."
He noticed the PADD and picked it up. "The last picture of you and your dad…oh god Lyndsey, I'm sorry. I knew your dad was a sensitive topic but I didn't know how much it broke you apart when he died."
She gave a teary sigh; her eyes closed and face against his neck. "My Papa always told me he'd come back to me. I sent him holovid messages every day. One day I was doing homework, and Admiral Archer came to our house. Mami said Papa would be getting a promotion soon, so I answer the door excited. Admiral Archer looked sad, and he asked for mami. He told her papa was gone, dead in action…I know it's not like you. You didn't grow up with your real dad. I don't know what that's like."
She felt Jim shake slightly and she looked up at him. He was teary, his eyes full of emotion. "Lyndsey, even though I never knew your dad, your dad was like a parent to me. I wish my dad had been there, but yours was the next best thing." He looked down at the girl in his lap. "He wasn't Frank, and I always imagined that your dad was like mine, and he had to be. He just seemed so right to me."
She reached up and wiped a tear that had escaped Jim's eye from his face with her fingers. "You're not supposed to be crying. You're supposed to tell me to stop." She said, laughing breathily. He looked down at her and mimicked the laugh. "We have more in common then you really think."
She gave a weak smile and ran a hand through her bright red hair. "Jimmy?" She questioned. He smoothed her cheek with his thumb. "Lyndsey, I'm sorry for causing you so much pain. I never wanted to do that. Someone told me a few years back to never forget someone who changed you life. You changed me Lyndsey." He said and she laughed softly as he continued. "I know you think I'm a douchebag half the time but I just want a chance. I want your respect again, and your friendship."
She smiled. "You don't need to apologize. I've already forgiven you in my heart." She said but he lightly placed a finger over her lips. "Let me finish." He said with a chuckle.
"I understand if you don't love me like I obviously love you, but if things change, I'll be here. I will wait for you Lyndsey Marie Ambrosi."
She took in what he'd said. "Jim, are you serious?" She asked. He took her chin between his fingers and made her look at him. "Completely. You mean the world to me, you're the last person I've got, and I love you. So you know, that's got to count for something."
She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Jim, I really care about you, and I love you Jim. I really do."
A/N: WEEELLLLLL. Here's chapter 9. I hope you guys enjoy it! No flames, PM Criticism, feedback MAJOR appreciated. Hope I sort of gave Jim a sensitive side. He's not always a douche.
Rachel.
Here are translations for the phrases:
Il mio fiore- my flower
Papa, hai davvero bisogno di andare domani? - Papa, do you really have to go tomorrow?
