Title: Ms. Brightside
Series: Trek Pod
Sub-series: You Don't Have To Be My Boyfriend
Pairings: K/S with unrequited one sided S/U
Thank you to everyone who read or reviewed the last section.
Part two: Maybe it is Him
Yes, I changed the story title. This will only be important if you are following the story on K/S archives
Nyota was already in a bad mood before her disasters conversation with Professor Spock. She was supposed to be spending all afternoon in the long reign sensor lab monitoring solar systems. The assignment was routine, but it was a requirement for graduation. Two hours in, she picked up an emergency Klingon transmission about an entire armada being destroyed.
She personally thought this was very important. When she told the person in charge about what she heard, he completely dismissed her concerns as he spent the entire time gazing at her chest and legs. Sometimes she thinks the person who designed the female Starfleet uniform was a pervert who knew nothing about female bodies.
That was why she left early and had to see Jim Kirk under her roommate's bed. The fact that he flirted with her just made her angrier. Now that she was slightly less likely to kill someone, she realizes that they were playing their usual game. It wasn't really flirting anymore. It was more of an intellectual exercise involving vast quantities of sexual innuendos. As Spock said, Jim was messing with her head. With his 4.0 GPA, genius level IQ, and suicide schedule course load she is now well aware that he has the intellectual capacity to keep up with her.
Her mind automatically went to a bad place because of her prior experiences and her roommate's habits. In all the years that she has shared a room with Gaila, she has only brought somebody back to the dorm room to literally study three times. Everyone else has fallen into the category of 'special friend' because her friend likes sex. Nyota seriously doubted Gaila would bring one of her 'study friends' to the dorm room on a Friday. The guy she met in Iowa would easily become one of Gaila's flavor of the day. In the heat of the moment, Nyota forgot that version of Jim Kirk does not really exist.
Then there was her father who taught Ny at a very young age that men couldn't keep their dicks to themselves. When she was little, she remembered her father bringing these strange women over to the house and promised Ny if she didn't tell mommy she would get the new Starfleet edition Barbie doll or some other coveted prize. He always came up with crazy excuses for why the women were there. How many 'aunts' can one child have?
As an adult, she knows that her father was sleeping with all these women in her mother's house. In her anger, she assumed Jim was telling her and Spock the same type of lie that her father told Ny and her mother despite the fact Jim was fully dressed.
She should have known her assumption was wrong because Gaila instantly became pissed. Gaila is never angry unless she is provoked. Her friend was not ashamed of sex and would probably admit to having sex with someone even if he or she was in a committed relationship. Instead, the moment Jim was out of the room she was yelling at her.
"Nothing happened. He is in love with someone else. Do you really think that little of me?" That should have been the first sign that she was wrong. She was too angry to think straight and said nothing as she changed to go see Professor Spock.
The conversation that took place 20 minutes later felt like a bucket of cold water being poured over her head waking her out of her angry and blind state.
"Cadet, I have told you time and time again that my relationship with James is none of your concern. I value your friendship, but it is impossible for us to have more than that." Spock told her in a voice that was beyond calm without even using her name. At least he paid her the courtesy of not specifically telling her the reason why they couldn't have a relationship. She already knew it was because he was completely in love with Jim.
Maybe if she wasn't so heartsick, she would have explained that friends take an active interest in their friend's love life no matter what. The real friends do anyway. Gaila was one of her real friends and Nyota remembered when Gaila tried to tell her that Jason was not what he seemed. She did not listen. Nyota slammed the door on her face and didn't speak to her for a week. Weeks later when she walked in on Jordan, she realized that Gaila was really just trying to be her friend.
Yes a part of her still loved Spock but he was acting the same way she did three years ago. She was well aware that love was blinding at times. Her mom never saw the signs with her father. Ny never saw the signs with Jordan. She assumed that was what was happening this time. This is what caused her to voice her greatest fear aloud.
"Are you in love with him?" She phrased it as a question but she already knew the answer. That is why she did not give him time to respond. She could not take hearing the words from his lips. "Obviously you are. That is why you're letting him cheat on you with my roommate. That's why you can't let go of him. You are completely head over heels in love with him. You deserve someone who loves you completely." Her voice was so bitter, but she did not care. She couldn't hide the pain and jealousy anymore. It was consuming and blinding.
That all-encompassing jealousy is what caused her to make a stupid mistake. Her inner 'schoolgirl with a crush' took over and she tried to kiss Spock the human way. It was a desperate move fueled by resentment and envy. Before she retained complete control of her faculties, he pushed her away. How stupid could she be?
"Again my relationship with Cadet Kirk is none of your business. I already knew that my boyfriend was studying with your roommate." When he actually called Jim his boyfriend her heart hurt a little bit more, but she could not show it. Part of her mind knew that if Spock knew what he was doing then Jim obviously wasn't pulling the same thing her father pulled in the past. Ny's mom never knew where her father was. Nyota's father always lied to her. She was just too angry, jealous, and hurt to see that there was a difference this time. Instead, she chose to lash out again.
"Studying so that's what they're calling it now." She said in a bitter voice fueled by the pain of knowing that Jim was now Spock's boyfriend. "He's cheating on you with my roommate. Are you that clueless? He's no good for you." How many times did she want to say that to her mom, but never did? In this case she wondered how true that statement was.
A part of her thought Jim may be good for Spock. For example, this semester she didn't have to study until 2:00 AM to keep up with Spock. He was starting to design his curriculum more for the human mind. Professor Spock didn't come off sounding anywhere near as condescending as he did the first time she was in his class. He allowed students with special circumstances to turn in assignments late. In the past, he would not do this unless regulations required it. If nothing else, Jim was turning Spock into a much more understanding instructor.
On several occasions this semester, she was almost positive she saw Spock smiling. Usually this was in study group when Jim was around. Jim makes Spock happy, if he allows himself to feel the emotion.
"Yet he respects my boundaries and personal wishes more than you ever have." Spock said in response, pulling Nyota out of her musing. Was that statement true? When did she not respect Spock's wishes? Then she remembered all the times she kept pushing him to go out even though he said no. Okay so maybe he had a point there. Was she being like all those guys who constantly annoyed her with fake pickup lines? Maybe she was.
"You said yourself that you did not see Jim or your roommate engaging in sexual intercourse." She never walked in on her father engaging in sexual intercourse with his play toys, but she knew it happened when she was old enough to see the truth.
Maybe she should have given Jim the benefit of the doubt in this case. She was well aware that he didn't sleep around because he was a player but because he didn't trust people not to hurt him. She did the same thing, so why was she judging him so harshly? Maybe she does it because he has the guy she loves. Jealousy can turn anyone into a sinner.
"Your roommate was also fully dressed and surrounded by study materials." Okay now that her mind is no longer completely clouded by anger and jealousy, she does accept that as a very valid point. Nyota has never actually seen study materials on Gaila's bed before when she was fooling around with her 'special friends' and she distinctly remembers study materials.
"My boyfriend was also fully dressed when you found him underneath your roommate's bed. I believe you were the only one in your underwear. I don't know why you chose to share that fact." Again, why did he have to poke holes in her completely logical argument? Also, the only reason why she was in her underwear was because she wanted to take a very long bath and forget about the idiots she had to deal with in the sensor lab. Maybe she should have left the part about her being in her underwear out of this story.
"I seriously doubt that Jim would have told me his exact location if he was engaging in the activities that you suggested." Okay that was an extremely valid point. Jason did not tell her he was going to be at the club that night. It was a complete accident that she was at that particular club and needed to use the bathroom at that particular moment resulting in her walking in on him receiving a BJ from some random girl.
"Then why was he hiding underneath her bed, if they were just studying? Why did he flirt with me as he practically ran from the room?" The first question was valid. If he was really just studying, why was he hiding under the bed? There was really no point in her asking the second question because she already knew the answer and so did Spock.
"I believe my boyfriend is engaging in what you humans refer to as "messing with your head". Due to his extraordinary intelligence, he's quite good at it." She was almost positive she heard smugness in Spock's voice as he said that last sentence. Spock didn't even give her time to respond he just walked out of the room before she could defend herself.
Now she was stuck sitting at his desk reflecting on what he said. Maybe she was overreacting. Vulcan's were normally logical people. Spock was looking at the data without his emotions filtering it. The evidence clearly shows that Jim was really just studying. Was it cliché to say that she was blinded by jealousy? Probably but it would be her excuse.
She had no idea how long she stayed in Spock's office. She was too angry and slightly ashamed to go back to her room. She knew Gaila would start yelling at her the moment she returned. She could not deal with it right now. The sensor lab was completely out of the question because she could not deal with that guy again. She would make up for hours on Sunday or tomorrow after the simulation. For some reason Jim talked her into being on his team for his third attempt at the Kobayashi Maru Saturday.
With nothing better to do than wallow in her self-made misery she checked her e-mail. The first message was a very angry e-mail from her roommate telling her that she was a complete idiot and a lovesick fool. She was always one for bluntness. The amount of righteous anger coming from Gaila told her once and for all she had been stupid.
She wondered if chocolate dipped chocolate chip cookies would be an adequate peace offering for Gaila. Maybe she could pick some up before she went home.
She sat the PADD down on what she assumed was Spock's desk as she tried to think of what to say. She finally decided to go with 'I'm sorry for being a Bitch' after 15 minutes of contemplation. When she opened the device, again she realized it was not her PADD. Because of the Jim Kirk wallpaper, she assumed it was Spock's PADD and decided to look around a little.
When she came across a list of conquests, she knew it wasn't Spock. She forgot he shared an office with the despicable Professor Johnson because the guy was too busy propositioning students to actually do any work. She rarely remembered seeing him there.
In his little list, he referred to her as the ice queen bitch and referred to Jim by expletives that she cannot repeat here. One thing was for sure; he really hated Jim and was slightly obsessed. An entire file was devoted to Jim on his PADD. At least she now knows that Jim only slept with him because of some unspecified piece of blackmail and Professor Johnson hated that.
Nyota's instincts told her to copy the files to her PADD. She thought Professor Johnson was a complete dick, but she didn't believe that he was really forcing students to have sex with him. Considering what he said to her Nyota should have known better. She knew that Jim was uncomfortable but he was a big boy and could take care of himself so she was not worried at the time. Except Jim probably wasn't the only victim. There are individuals at the Academy as young as 13. What if Professor Johnson next target was that 17-year-old super genius from one of her classes last semester or the 15-year-old girl who she mentored last year? That could be bad.
Therefore, she knew that copying the file was the best thing to do and so was giving it to somebody who would do something about it. She just was not sure who to give it to. If Spock was not completely pissed off at her right now, she would send him the file. At the moment, he would probably delete it on principle, even if such a thing were illogical. Maybe she can talk to him tomorrow after she apologizes tomorrow. She hopes Vulcans do not keep grudges.
She was transferring the file when Professor Johnson along with one of his special students walked into his office. The giggling made her nauseous. Seriously, what do these girls see in this guy?
"What are you doing here cadet? Commander Spock doesn't have office hours on Friday afternoons anymore." That must be why Professor Johnson was bringing back one of his special students to the office. There is no way he would do such a thing if he believed Spock or anyone else was in the office. Maybe that is why he was never there.
"I know that. Spock said he would be here this afternoon to go over some things for the next exam. I would hate to have anything jeopardize my perfect 4.0. I guess something came up. I will send him an e-mail when I get back to my room." She said as she showed just enough cleavage to keep him from seeing her sneak her PADD back in to her pocket.
"Maybe he'll work out the same arrangement with you that he has with the Kirk boy." He said it in a tone of voice that made her skin crawl as he continued to leer at her chest. It was as if he was implying that both she and Jim earned their GPA on their back. Knowing the Professor, that was exactly what he was implying.
She let out a breath she did not know she was holding once she was out of the building with the information and away from him. Just being in his presence annoyed her.
An hour later after her great escape from Spock's office, she showed up to her room with real New York style pizza, non-replicated ice cream, and her favorite cookies. If her roommate was there this was to be her peace offering. If she wasn't there this would be the start of Nyota's pity party. Considering how much Spock is in love with Jim maybe she should have picked up some alcohol.
"I see your back from making a fool of yourself." Gaila said coldly the moment Nyota walked into the room. Gaila was alone getting ready to go out tonight.
"I'm sorry." Nyota said sheepishly as she walked inside.
"Why are you sorry? For being a judgmental Bitch or for trying to wreck somebody else's relationship because you cannot get over the fact that maybe Nyota he is just not that into you. You know Spock only wants to be your friend, you need to accept that and move on." Okay she knows she deserves that but it still hurt. The truth often does.
"I'm sorry for being a bitch. I am sorry I let my jealousy get the best of me. I brought pizza and cookies."
"I'm not the one you need to apologize to."
"I will do that tomorrow before the simulation."
"Good. I am going to a party but I could still have a slice of pizza. It is not as if I will have time to eat once I am there. This is my favorite earth food." Gaila said grabbing the pizza from her and putting it on the table.
"Why did you automatically assume that I was screwing him?" Gaila asked as she opened the box and grabbed a slice.
"Because I was a jealous idiot who had a flashback to the Jordan incident and all the stupid stuff my dad did when I was a kid. I am sorry I took it out on you." Nyota said with genuine remorse.
"Not everyone is your father or Jordan. You need to learn to trust again. I do not sleep with other people's boyfriends consciously and you know that. The Jordan incident is why I do not. Although, does it really count as cheating if Jim is still convinced that there just friends?"
"Wait, how can he think there just friends? I've seen them have Vulcan oral sex in front of me more than once."
"Same here, but there's still too much tension for actual sex to have occurred. Jim doesn't know what he's doing. He thinks the handholding is a sign of friendship." She said with a laugh.
"He speaks perfect Vulcan and Spock referred to Jim as his boyfriend. I was starting to believe that Jim's high IQ was not a misprint." That's when she remembered that in Vulcan there is a term that can mean friend or/and lover.
"That doesn't mean he's familiar with all of the cultural practices. I don't exactly tell you all the cultural practices of my former home planet."
"Good point. But it's so obvious that they are in love with each other."
"Jim is in love with him." Nyota swallowed an entire chocolate cookie whole when she heard that. "I could stand in front of him in just my panties and he wouldn't look at me. Actually you did that this afternoon and did you notice that he did not even try to look at your breast?" Nyota clutched the bag of chocolates tighter after she realized how true that statement was.
"Okay you have already proved your point." She said having another cookie. What I do not get is if you two were studying why was he hiding under your bed? Do you two even have classes together this semester?" When Gaila did not answer her question, she got worried.
"Why are you not answering me?
"It's not what you think. If I tell you what we were really doing, you have to promise not to tell anybody."
"If it's important, I am I'm going to tell Spock."
"He already knows. You know how obsessed Jim is with trying to beat the Kobayashi Maru?"
"Beyond, obsessed. If he did not take the test so seriously, I would be convinced he was sleeping with Spock just so he could beat the test. But that would be too much like cheating for him."
"You know he is too in love for that." Unfortunately she did. "Jim finally figured out a way to beat the test and I was helping him."
"How? The only way to beat the test is to reprogram it." That is when she got it. One of Jim's focuses in college was Computer Engineering, but Gaila was a programming genius. Between the two of them, they could do some serious damage.
Her roommate was also a closet hacker who has broken into the Starfleet Computer System on numerous occasions for fun. Maybe Nyota could help her get more information on Professor Johnson.
"You two were planning on reprogramming the test so Jim could win?" That sounded a little too much like cheating for him to do something like that.
"Not exactly, we are reprogramming it so anybody who takes the test has the possibility of winning. I was supposed to be spending my evening hacking into the Starfleet Computer System to plant the new program. Unfortunately, Jimmy's 'not a boyfriend' figured it out and has graciously agreed not to report the incident to judiciary's as long as I agreed to help strengthen Starfleet's Computer System by being a white hat hacker for the rest of this semester."
"Why did Jim need you?"
"Somebody had to place the program in the system. He couldn't exactly do it himself could he?" Gaila said taking a second slice.
"Yes, he could. Even if they do not realize there together you and me both know they are. If Jim asked Spock he would change the program."
"But because he so in love, he won't ask."
"Fuck. You are right. He also has access to Spock's computer and the PADD where he stores the program. Jim could have planted that program himself."
"Yes and when the Admiralty finds out, Spock will be getting kicked out as well." Good point.
"He really loves him? Jim completely loves him." She said in a whisper.
"Yes he does."
"I never stood a chance. I think I want to cry. I need more alcohol for this pity party. The chocolate and pizza are not working." She said out loud.
"Maybe he's completely gay. That's the only reason that I would turn you down if you were into girls." Gaila said trying to be comforting.
"Thanks for staying in trying to cheer me up. I think I'm just going to watch some old movies and eat more junk food until I feel better about the guy I'm in love with being in love with someone else. Don't you have a party or a date to get to?"
"It's not important. I go out all the time. I am interested in learning more about earth cinema. I don't understand why there is so much sex involved."
"I think that's because most of your boyfriends take you to see porn. I have to introduce you to 20th and 21st century Disney. However, first I feel like watching Coming to America. It is culturally inaccurate, but hilarious. Thank you for staying with me."
"Don't mention it."
