Chapter 10: Bar 1 - Jim 0

The Enterprise was currently docked on a Federation planet to refuel. The crew had taken to the idea of a weeks worth of shore leave with great enthusiasm - Jim less so. He had waited until everyone had left before changing into a pair of jeans and a leather jacket, what he had worn before Starfleet. He had then headed to the most dodgy part of town he could find, and then to the bar with the cheapest drinks. He had lost count already, setting up a tab and drinking as quickly as he could.

Jim couldn't remember the last time he had got so drunk. He was beyond drunk really, more like heading towards needing his stomach pumped. He just wanted to not be in love with Spock because then he could go and get laid, and he'd be fine. But no. Because apparently he was a complete fucking idiot. Jim ignored the buzz of his communicator and ordered another shot. The whole being in love wasn't the worst part though. The worst part was that Uhura and Spock weren't together at all. They had been playing a trick on him.

Jim wondered who else knew. The fact that his entire crew apparently thought that turning him into a jealous idiot would be funny was making him want to hit something really, really hard.

At the entrance of the bar Uhura and Spock were standing together.

"I didn't think this would happen." Nyota whispered, biting her lip, "he looks awful. Spock, go and talk to him."

Spock looked at her. "The last time I spoke to the Captain I dislocated his shoulder. I also do not understand what has prompted his current state, though I can tell you do."

Nyota rolled her eyes and pushed Spock towards the bar, "Look, just go and talk to him. There's not a chance in hell he's going to talk to me."

The Vulcan gave her a look that clearly stated he was not happy about this, but then smartened the robes he was wearing before striding through the crowd. However when he was only a few feet from the Captain, a beautiful Orion blocked his way, leaning on the bar. Jim looked at her with a squint, trying to make out one feature from the next and deciding that she was incredibly attractive. Not as attractive as Spock though. He skin was too green; not white, and her eyes were yellow, not brown. Jim politely refused whatever her offer had been, only to come face to face with the Vulcan himself.

At first, Jim knew he was imagining it because what the hell found Spock be doing in a bar in a part of town such as this. He pulled out his communicator. All the messages and calls had been from Spock. He bit his lip and downed his shot, before ordering two more, deciding to ignore his commander.

"Jim." Spock's voice was quiet and close to his ear, so that only he heard it. Jim stared very intently at the empty shot glass. "Jim, are you alright?"

Jim took the next two shots one straight after the other, ignoring the disapproving look that he knew would be on Spock's face.

"I'm doing great." he said through gritted teeth. The appearance of Spock was making him feel more sober - which was not good.

As Jim reached out to pick up a third shot that the bartender had poured for him, Spock's hand appeared over the glass. Without even a hint of effort or pain, Spock pressed the glass inot the bar, smashing it into tiny pieces. He then turned to the bar tender and pulled a handful of credits from his pocket.

"I shall pay for his tab now." Spock said.

Jim stared at his shot glass, slightly in awe. Then he shook his head.

"No he shall not pay for my tab." Jim growled and reached over the bar for the first bottle of alcohol his hands could grab onto. It was pink. Jim shrugged and undid the top.

Spock took hold of his arm with a bone breaking grip, but not enough to actually injure him. He pried the bottle from his hand and paid the tab, before dragging Jim to his feet and from the bar. Jim stared at Uhura for help as they passed her but she just raised her eyebrows. Jim didn't like it when Spock got angry like this.

Jim decided to use the guilt trip. As Spock yanked him harder, Jim made a small little whimper of pain. In all honesty the shoulder Spock had dislocated was fine now, but Spock didn't need to know that.

However, the grip did not lessen. Spock marched him all the way through town, which proved difficult because Jim wasn't exactly stable on his feet, and he didn't stop until they reached the hotel where some of the crew had decided to stay rather than on the ship. They passed Chekov and Sulu in the restaurant, who were almost immediately on their feet, and then Bones who opened his mouth in protest but stopped at the glare he received from Spock. Jim started to think hat he was about to die at the hands of one pissed off Vulcan.

"Okay we're back! You can get off now!" Jim protested, whimpering once again as he arm actually began to ache.

Spock bundled him roughly into Jim's and then pushed him down onto the bed. "Jim, I once believed that you and I were friends, however recent happenings have led me to believe otherwise. I have tried to comprehend what is happening in your life at the moment, however I cannot."

Jim shoved Spock off of him, "That would be because it's none of your fucking business, alright?"

He saw Spock flinch slightly at his brusque language. "I am only trying to help you Jim. If there is anything I can do to lessen your pain." He looked down at his hands, as though something had suddenly crossed his mind.

"No!" Jim held out a finger at him. "Don't you fucking dare! That's an order Commander!"

Spock lowered his hands, a lost expression coming across his face. "Jim. You know that I am not well versed in Human emotions such as those you are currently experiencing. If you would please explain to m-"

"No! I will not explain to you, it's apparently fucking obvious to everyone else so I don't see why the hell you apparently have no idea. Are you really that fucking stupid about human shit?"

Spock's face went blank, his eyes cold, and he balled his hands. "I can see that the friendship we once shared is terminated." He said. "If it is what you desire, I shall refrain from being anything but your First Officer." He turned towards the door. "Good evening Captain." And he opened the door.

Jim panicked. This wasn't what he wanted. By the time his drunken brain had caught up with him, the words had slipped from his mouth. Well, he sorted of shouted it really.

"It's 'cos I fucking love you, Spock? Alright? I'm pathetically in love with you and-shit."

Jim clapped both hands over his mouth in horror.

The Vulcan froze in the doorway, completely. His breath escaped him, his eyes widened, he couldn't move even if he wanted too which was completely illogical. Jim couldn't move either, but for him it was utter terror. For Spock it was... uncertainty. He turned his head just enough to glimpse Jim out of the corner of his eye and then he left as quickly as he could without running.

Jim slumped to the floor. There was a bottle of strong Orion spirit that Bones had bought him a few christmases ago. Jim opened it and drunk almost half the bottle in one go. He swayed slightly for a moment and then ran to the bathroom, being violently and horrendously sick. He wondered if Spock could hear him through the wall. He wondered what Spock thought of him now.

X

The first thing Jim noticed when he woke up was that he was in his quarters on The Enterprise, which confused him because he was pretty sure he passed out in the hotel bathroom. The second thing that confused him was that he didn't feel awful. Jim raised a hand to his head, and noticed an IV in his arm, but when he went to yank it out a hand shot from nowhere to stop him. Jim's heart leapt in the hope that it was Spock, but when he turned his head he saw Bones instead. The doctor looked absolutely livid with him.

"Yer a fucking imbecile, yer know that?" Bones snapped, and he looked about ready to throttle him. "Yer've been out for a whole day! Yer about drank yerself into a coma!"

Jim felt a pang of guilt. But he had to ask-

"Did you know Spock and Uhura faked being together?" his mouth was dry and tasted awful. Bones sighed and handed him some water.

"Dammit, it was Uhura's idea and I told her not to. I didn't want to exactly tell her that you'd go all alcoholic and look for a death-wish but I did damn well tell her not to."

Jim rinsed his mouth, the water cool and soothing. "Thanks, Bones."

"Don't thank me, you still need to damn well tell the pointy-"

"I did tell him."

Bones blinked. "You did? What did he say?"

Jim rolled his eyes and gestured to himself. "You just had to pump my stomach, what do you think he said?"

"Well I still think you should talk to him." Bones grumbled. "He's not been right since last night. He's gone all... in on himself."

Jim sighed. "And what would I say? There's no point, Bones. Not a chance in hell he'd ever love an idiot like me."

"Dammit, Jim."