Hey guys! I'm glad to be getting some feedback regarding the characters! Thanks for the encouragement. Remember guys this is the last chapter that's going to be in the PAST.
To IzabellaSanguine: This definitely isn't my last chapter. I just meant that it was the last chapter in Audrey's memories.
Also I'd like to ask you guys who you're rooting for? Spock or Bones?
It may be too early in the story to tell especially since I haven't written a chapter really on Spock's feelings for Audrey which may or may not appear in the next chapter but will definitely appear soon. But you know, I haven't set the ending in stone yet so it's really up for grabs who Audrey may or may not end up with. ;)
Also thanks guys for putting up with my slightly OOC take on the Star Trek characters!
2258 – January 4th
Audrey was beyond angry. She was furious. How dare he. How dare he stoop that low? She marched into the professors' lounge with Jim in tow. He had no idea why they were there and why Audrey was so angry. All he knew was that it had something to do with the folder she had in hand.
Audrey stopped in front of Professor Lim who surrounded himself with his so called colleagues. All of them were bullied into being friends of his and the only one who refused to associate with him was Audrey. She refused to be a part of the disgusting little ring that he called himself the leader of. They were all humans and refused to allow others to join simply because of their heritage. It was disgusting to see how xenophobic they were and the only reason Spock was the exception was because Professor Lim wanted to see Audrey suffer for rejecting his offer.
"Professor Lim." She let the folder drop onto the table in front of him as she coldly glared at him.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Professor Pike?" He sneered as he opened the folder.
"It should be quite obvious what it is. Unless your memory fails you as did your moral judgment it seems."
"What?! What did you just say? You insolent little-" Lim rose from his seat and raised his hand as if to hit her.
"Do you intend to hit me as well? How low have you fallen, Professor?" Audrey smirked knowing that it would get underneath his skin. If he was going to target her friend, her student she would make him dearly pay. "This folder contains all of Cadet James Tiberius Kirk's work for your class. All of it has been graded by both you and another qualified anonymous grader. The results you can imagine were not in your favor professor."
The color of his face paled and his angry expression was replaced with one of shock. "I- I don't know what you are talking about."
"Now now Professor. You know the rule book as clearly as any self-respecting Star Fleet officer. According to Star Fleet regulation's Code of Conduct, it clearly states that the falsification of documents by Star Fleet Officers-"
He suddenly took the folder and threw it across the room. Thrusting a finger at Audrey he screamed, "DON'T YOU DARE REPEAT REGULATION TO ME. YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME?! YOU FUCKING BITCH! I SHOULD HAVE HAD YOU THROWN OUT!" Lim slapped Audrey's face with such force that it caused her head to snap to the left. The sound resounded in the now quiet room. "YOU THINK YOU CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS? YOU THINK YOU CAN WIN?! YOU SHOULD HAVE KNEELED IN FRONT OF ME WHEN YOU COULD. YOU WHORE." Lim started laughing uncontrollably.
"The Council has been made aware of this situation Professor Lim. You will soon be receiving a summons. Starfleet Regulation mandates, if you are found guilty, that you are stripped of your titles and forced to leave Star Fleet with a dishonorable discharge." Audrey held his eyes with a steely gaze. He couldn't handle the way she looked at him. It enraged him. With a roar, he raised his fist when suddenly Jim intervened knocking him down.
"You know I could have handled him easily."
"Didn't want to dirty your hands, prof. You've done enough for me. I knew there was something fishy about him." Jim smiled at Audrey. "Thanks, prof. Thanks for having my back." Just then a security team came in and arrested Lim. He screamed as he left but it was of no consequence to either Jim or Audrey.
"No problem Jim. It's what I get paid for." Audrey shrugged.
"Man prof. I knew you were crazy but I didn't think you were that crazy."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Audrey looked at Jim incredulously. Jim laughed and Audrey couldn't help but crack a smile. "Jim do me a favor next time and tell me the next time somebody pulls this shit. I don't take kindly to others hurting my family." Audrey's soft smile touched Jim's heart.
"You got it prof. You got it…"
2258 - April 13th
"Jeez prof! Slow down. You're killing me," Jim whined trying to catch his breath.
"Jim we're almost late! The delegation is going to be here soon!" Audrey said running to the landing pad where Captain Pike, Commander Spock, Cadet Uhura, and a couple of others were waiting. Today was the day an important delegation from Orion was supposed to be visiting. They were a friendly but it was always good to check up on friends and renew that bond.
Quickly Audrey fell into line next to Spock and Jim did as well behind her and next to Nyota. She saw the questioning and slightly disapproving look that Spock gave her and decided to ignore it but gave a quick hello to Nyota flashing her a smile. Meanwhile, her father looked at her pointedly and she gave him back a sheepish look. It was painfully obvious that he would have a few things to say to her after the visit.
The delegation seemed to be running late and so it seemed that Audrey and Jim were saved by the skin of their hides. "Told you we wouldn't be late." Jim whispered behind her. It earned him an ever so discreet kick from Audrey resulting in a small yelp.
It was then that the ship carrying the delegation was spotted. The carrier landed swiftly and opened to a small party of green-skinned Orions stepping from the carrier. They greeted Captain Pike warmly and the procedures were gone through. The day passed by without much fanfare and everyone was about to be dismissed when suddenly they heard someone yell.
"AUDREY PIKE. YOU BITCH!" Everyone turned to see a couple of men advancing across the field menacingly. It didn't take long for Audrey to process who it was but just as she realized it was Lim phasers were being fired at the small party. Quickly Audrey launched into action and led people to shelter. Handing Jim a phaser, she said, "Jim, cover me."
Audrey stepped out into the open and the firing ceased as Lim raised a hand. He had a maniacal sneer on his face as he spoke. "So there she is. The bitch."
"There is no reason to involve all these people, Lim."
"On the contrary, Pike. They are all people you care for. Just like you took away what I cared for, I will take away what you cared for." He laughed with a murderous gleam in his eye. "Did you think I would be that easy to get rid of? You should have obeyed me when you had the chance." It was then Jim and Spock burst out and started firing. Audrey tackled the closest intruder and took him down swiftly. Taking his phaser, she shot him and then began to shoot the other intruders when she noticed Nyota.
Nyota was doing her best to fend off one of the intruders with her fists but Audrey could tell that she was outmatched. Unable to get a clear shot, she ran off towards them and caught a fist. Putting herself between the two she shielded Nyota. "Go! Get out of here!" Audrey yelled. The two exchanged blow after blow until Audrey landed a solid uppercut to the intruder's chin causing him to fall to the ground.
"PIKE!" Lim roared across the field. Looking up to see him holding Jim at gunpoint and anger seized Audrey's mind once again. She stood still glaring at Lim with murderous intent. When she got her hands on him, she would break his neck she was sure of it. There were no other intruders left besides Lim.
Spock has his phaser aimed at Lim. "Mr. Lim. I suggest you surrender. It is illogical to pursue this further." Lim's facial expression went into shock as he backed up slowly yelling at everyone to stay away.
Audrey and Spock slowly advanced trading knowing glances at each other. Since Spock had the phaser, it was up to her to physically get Lim to unhand Jim. She was about to make her move when she realized his expression had suddenly changed. It went from one full of fear to one full of malicious intent. "I told you it wouldn't end easily."
"Nyota!" She heard Spock yell the name and at that sound she turned around to see a man advancing on Nyota. Quickly she ran towards her throwing her body once again in between the two as the man moved to thrust a knife into Nyota. She opened her eyes only to feel the slick entering of the cold knife. A scream was heard but it wasn't from Audrey. Gasping she fell to her knees holding the handle of the knife that now protruded from her belly.
"AUDREY!" Her father roared as he watched helplessly.
"Shit." But as Audrey looked at the man's feet, she noticed another knife attached to his boot. Ignoring the pain that shot up through her body, she moved forward grabbing the knife and precisely shoving it down the crook of his neck where his artery was. Blood squirted out showering her and him as he stared at her with eyes full of fear. Audrey watched as the life left his eyes but it didn't change her stoic expression. Grunting she pulled herself to her feet and stood to look at Lim.
There was no expression on Audrey's face as she looked upon Lim's fear filled one. There was only coldness and darkness coming from her eyes as she advanced towards him. In one quick movement, she pulled out the knife from her stomach and hissed at the pain. Lim watched her turn her dark eyes toward him again and he couldn't help but start babbling. "No no no no! Thi- This can't be! Get away from me! Get away!" He screamed and let of Jim trying to run away. But before Spock or Jim could get him a knife sailed through the air and found its way into the fleeing back of Lim.
Audrey had thrown it with precision and enough force for the knife to reach its way through his bones to his heart killing him instantly. She was ruthless but she didn't like pain or suffering. Now she was assured he would never bother her or her family ever again.
However, she lost all of her strength as the blood poured out of stomach. Falling to her knees once more, she clutched her stomach gasping. "Baby girl! Baby girl!" Her father ran to her side and pulled her hands away to see the massive amount of blood gushing out. "Get a medic here NOW!" Pike roared as he looked helplessly at his daughter. There was nothing he could do to help her. Not a single thing. "They'll be here soon Audrey. Don't worry. You'll get through this."
Audrey smiled but it was interrupted by a cough. Blood splattered everywhere and spilled down her mouth. She grabbed his hand and held it tightly. "Dad. It'll be okay. Sorry for all the blood. I got your uniform dirty. You'll have to get a new one. Blood doesn't wash out easily." Pike listened to her chuckle ever so slightly and it ripped his heart apart. Tears rolled freely down his age-worn cheeks.
Meanwhile Spock ran to Nyota and grabbed her by the shoulders as he checked her up and down. "Are you hurt, Nyota?" He asked urgently. She shook her head and pushed him aside to run to Audrey. Audrey saved her life and now she was the one paying the price.
Jim kneeled on the ground next to Audrey and he felt the tears coming from his eyes. "Hey there Jim. Told ya I'd protect you. Sorry to be so messy about it though. I-" She coughed leaving more splatters of blood on the ground. "Didn't expect it to turn out this way."
"Don't you dare prof! Don't you dare! You can't leave me now, prof… I need you. I need you… You promised you'd always be there…" Jim cried pounding the ground.
"Nyota." Audrey turned to her and smiled a bloody one. "Hey there girly. Take care of the dense one will ya? Teach him the ropes of humanity? Sorry I don't think I'll be able to finish the job…" Nyota cried as she held Audrey's hand. Spock looked on silently with a look of sadness in his eyes. It hurt and while he would never say such a thing, he felt the pain that resonated within his entire being.
"Spock. If I was a burden I didn't mean to be one." She looked up at him with sad eyes. There was much she wanted to say even though he had been pushing her away. "I'm sorry for the distance there was between us. I just wanted to be friends."
Spock was paralyzed by her sincerity and the finality of her words. He had been pushing her away he realized and now he could do nothing about it. She wouldn't be there to kiss him hello, to teach him the illogical behavior of humans, to share a cup of hot chocolate with him. He was filled with regret.
Before he could respond, Audrey suddenly fainted. Her body gave out and she fell forward. Pike caught her screaming for a medic.
"No!" Spock heard himself yelling among the others who cried, who screamed. Jim put his hands over her wound trying to stop the bleeding as he screamed.
It was then that the medics appeared at their side and finally took her away on a stretcher.
All of them found themselves in the medical ward sitting silently listening to the screaming of their thoughts. Spock found himself so angry at himself so full of regret. He felt loss. It was like a gaping void within himself that had been torn into existence. He had unknowingly pushed her away using excuses like research and work and it had hurt her. Spock realized that he was unworthy of her friendship.
Spock looked at his hands and wondered what he could have done differently to prevent this from happening. His eyes wandered to the hands of Jim that Jim couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from. They were stained in Audrey's blood and despite urges from the others, Jim couldn't bear to wash them. It was a shocking reminder of his professor's sacrifice. For him, she put her life in danger.
Jim looked up to see Spock's gaze and the two of them shared a knowing look. Both of them saw the pain harbored in each other's eyes and an understanding passed between the two of them. They didn't know each other but they knew how each felt that day.
However, none of this could be compared to what Christopher Pike was feeling at that moment. He felt like a failure allowing this to happen to his baby girl. Every now and then she would talk about how much she hated Lim and how he should be watched, but he never took her seriously. He thought she was just being emotional and now he regretted it so much. If she didn't make it, on his shoulders would be her death and it would be so heavy he didn't know if he could go on. She was his baby girl and meant the world to him.
Heavy footsteps could be heard down the hallway. "What the fuck happened Jim?! Where is she?" Leo asked almost crazed.
"Calm down Bones. She's… in surgery right now." Jim couldn't even look at Leo as he talked. "She went down… trying to protect us… trying to protect me… and I couldn't do anything to stop him…"
Leo saw the blood on Jim's hands and his anger began to blind him. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT HER JIM. WE VOWED. WE TOLD HER WE WOULD BE THERE FOR HER." He grabbed his shirt's collar and rammed him against the wall. Jim had no response for Leo. His eyes were cast downwards and his arms were limp. A hand grasped Leo's arm.
"Put him down McCoy. He did the best he could." Pike looked at McCoy squarely but his haggard face is what spoke the most to Leo. The pain, the sorrow could be seen clearly on Pike's face and that is what broke Leo's anger.
Leo sighed and slumped into a seat with a helpless look on his face. "I'm sorry Jim." There was no response from Jim.
Hours passed before they received any word. Silently, the doors to the surgery room swung open and out came the attending surgeon. "Doctor. How is she?" Captain Pike ran up to the doctor.
"Captain Pike. She's going to be all right. You can relax." The doctor reassured the poor captain who seemed to have aged years in those couple of hours. There was a sigh of relief heard from every single person in the room. Pike ran a hand through his hair and couldn't help but hold his chest for a moment.
"Thank you Dr. Peters. There is no way I can repay you.
"You don't need to Captain. This is my repayment to you." The two shared a knowing look. Dr. Peters had not seen Audrey in years but it put his heart at ease when he heard that it was Christopher Pike who would be taking direct care of her. He knew he could trust him. "For now, she is not allowed visitors except family but this will probably change in the coming days." Taking Pike by the shoulders, Dr. Peters showed him to the room that Audrey was resting in.
Dr. Peters spoke to Pike went they were out of earshot. "If it weren't for the regenerative nature of her blood... She wouldn't have made it Captain."
Pike's face paled. "I understand Doctor."
"She will be treated by me and me only. Her medical records will be kept under strict confidence but I must ask... Has she still shown no curiosity in the past?" Dr. Peters' rough tone softened as he asked the question.
Shaking his head, Pike answered, "No. She refuses to even speak about it."
Dr. Peters ran a hand through his hair. "I worry about her Captain. Please keep her safe."
"I have every intention in keeping that promise, Doctor." The two shook hands trusting in each other knowing that the importance that Audrey held for the both of them.
2258 – April 19th
"Hey baby girl. Welcome back," Pike said with a soft smile on his face as he gazed upon his daughter's face. After kissing her forehead, he sat down and moved to stroke her hair. "How do you feel?"
Audrey chuckled sleepily. "Dad? I'm hungry." Her ears were then filled with a rich chuckle.
"That's my baby girl for sure." Audrey opened her eyes to see her handsome father sitting next to her bed. He looked tired but relieved to see her. "I'll get the nurses to bring you something."
"How long have I been out?"
"About six days, sweetheart. You gave all of us quite a scare."
"Sorry dad, I didn't think I'd wake up to see another day again."
"If it weren't for your blood, you wouldn't have." Pike grimaced at the graveness of the subject.
"Dad, let's not talk about that. How is everybody?"
"They're all dying to see you. No one got injured. Jim threw a fit and almost clocked the attending physician when he said that he couldn't visit. Screaming about you being more important to him than any of his family, Jim threw a tantrum in the lobby." Pike chuckled.
"That's Jim for ya." Audrey smiled with her eyes closed imagining Jim.
"He really cares for you, that boy."
"He's my student, dad. I'm supposed to teach him the ropes and be there for him through thick and thin." Audrey smiled softly.
"I knew it was a good idea to give him to you. He'll be great someday."
"Yeah he will be. I believe in him."
"McCoy was quite worried about you as well. I won't ask, you know because I'm your father, but he seems to be a little infatuated with you." Pike's eyebrows were raised questioningly.
She laughed and shook her head. "Can't keep a thing from you can I dad?"
"He almost beat the crap out of Jim when he found out that you got hurt and Jim was there."
It was Audrey's turn to raise an eyebrow. "He did? That's Leo for you I guess."
"And Spock… seems to be severely upset by the situation. But then again, I can never be sure with Vulcans. He has been asking to see you as well."
"Huh. That's interesting."
"And finally, Cadet Uhura is safe and sound thanks to you. She's been quite worried about you as well. Seems like you've got quite the group of friends waiting for your return." Audrey laughed and smiled at her father.
"Dad, I love you."
Christopher Pike's heart clenched at her words and his eyes flowed with happiness, love and pride. "Baby girl, I love you. You'll always be my daughter and I'll always be your loving proud father."
2258 – April 20th 1100 hours
Jim had come to visit Audrey and which entailed a lecture on how she cannot die on him and how fucking badass she was. There were hugs and heartfelt moments all around but it wasn't long until Audrey kicked him out telling him to study for his other classes. Finals were coming up and she didn't need him to fail his other classes when she fought so hard for him.
Nyota came by as well with Spock and thanked her for saving her. Audrey put on a smile and laughed telling her not to worry about it. Nyota was her friend and for her friends, she would go to any means to keep them safe. Nyota insisted that she owed Audrey a life debt and if there was anything she could help with Audrey only needed to ask. Thanking Audrey once more, Nyota left leaving Spock to talk to Audrey.
"Hey Spock. How are you?" Audrey asked with a light smile on her face. Spock stood a little ways away from the bed with an emotionless expression on his face. Eventually he stepped forward and Audrey watched as the walls began to crumble ever so slightly.
"I do not deserve your friendship. I am… sorry." Spock cast his confused and torn eyes at the floor unable to look at her any longer. "I have been most ungrateful and it has taken me an unfortunate amount of time and incident for me to be able to realize my grave error. I apologize."
Audrey listened quietly as she took in his words. She could see his hurt, his regret. By now she had gotten accustomed to the idea that he would never be hers in the way she had once wanted but that did not mean that they could not be friends. She would not jeopardize their friendship. "It's okay Spock. I forgive you."
"You should not forgive so easily, Audrey." Spock finally looked up at her after moments of silence. Audrey motioned him over until he stood next to her bed.
Placing a hand on his clothed arm and giving it a gentle squeeze, she said, "Can't help it. Seems that I can't say no to you or any of my family or friends. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you guys."
Spock looked at her with unreadable dark eyes in silence for a bit. All Audrey could do was smile, hoping he would understand fully expecting him to not. "That is… illogical but is acceptable."
"I'm glad you understand." Audrey knew that that was the best she was going to get out of him.
"I am relieved that you have survived. It would have been regrettable if you had died at the hands of such deprivable individuals."
Audrey raised an eyebrow. "So if I were to translate that from Spock Vulcan speak to human speak, it would be something along the lines of, 'I'm so happy that you're alive! I couldn't have gone on living if you left me that way. That bastard!'"
It was Spock's turn to raise his eyebrow. "While you have added many exaggerations, the gist is correct." Audrey couldn't help but laugh at Spock's adorableness. He has his moments that's for sure. "Thank you, Audrey."
Audrey cocked her head. "What for?" Spock's eyes glinted with a little bit of mirth.
"It seems that you have damaged not just your midsection but your brain as well. Do you not remember your heroic antics in which you saved Cadet Uhura's life?" Spock was amused for sure.
Audrey rolled her eyes and a giggle escaped. "I love your humor, Spock. Even if most people don't get it."
It was quick and if you had blinked you would have missed it but Spock let a smile through his cold demeanor. "Rest is required for your full recovery. I will leave you be now." The smile warmed Audrey's heart and everything felt right again.
"Visit me later?" Spock nodded in response and gave her a soft look before leaving.
2258 – April 20th 2100 hours
Audrey was writing a review guide for Jim to guide him through finals on her PADD when she heard the small click of her door open. Looking up she saw Leo walking to her bed and sitting down. "Hey there beautiful. How are you doing?" He looked like he had a rough day with stubble showing a little bit on his strong jaw and his wrinkled tshirt.
"Never mind about me. What the hell happened to you Leo? You look like shit!" Audrey looked at him worriedly wondering what the hell happened to him.
He dismissed her concern with a wave of his hand and sat back sighing. "Just had a bit of a rough couple of days. I haven't been able to sleep for a while and I've had to pull a couple of all-nighter shifts."
"You're a doctor, Leo. You know the importance of health. What the fuck happened? What's keeping you awake?" Audrey asked more urgently. His red eyes spoke volumes to her.
Leo couldn't keep it in anymore. Lashing out he said, "You! You've been keeping me awake! You've been in the fucking hospital for six days! I waited for you not knowing if you would ever wake up. I told you that I would fucking protect you…" He slumped and buried his face in his hands.
Audrey sat in silence shocked and only realized then the importance of her own life. If she died, there would be those who suffered those who cared. There weren't people like that even a couple of years before and now… there were enough to make her heart burst full of love. When did she meet such good and loving people?
Swinging her feet over the side of the hospital bed, Audrey stood up and slowly took Leo's large rough hands in her small soft ones. He slowly stood not breaking eye contact with Audrey. Softly smiling, Audrey whispered, "Thank you, Leo. You're such a good man. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you." Wrapping her arms around Leo's broad frame, he held her tightly comforted by the warmth emanating from her. His face found itself buried in her hair and he smiled as he recognized the faint smell of vanilla. Only too soon did they part for his tastes but still the smile made its way to his face.
"How did you get in here anyways, Leo?" Audrey asked as she sat down on the bed swinging her legs like a little kid.
He chuckled and replied in his southern drawl that Audrey loved, "I'm a doctor remember? Ya sure you don't need your head checked again?" Leo tapped her forehead smiling good-naturedly.
"You know, that's twice I've heard that."
"Hmph. You might actually need to get it checked then."
"Oh shove off meanie." Audrey blew a raspberry at Leo who just laughed at her childish antics.
"I came in at this hour because I just got off a shift. Also I wanted to catch you all by yourself."
Audrey laughed and winked at him for good measure. "'Cause I'm just that irresistible?"
"Now I'm sure you need that head checkup."
Audrey smiled at him and gave him a kiss on his temple. "Go get some sleep, Leo. I'll be fine."
"'Night beautiful." Leo smiled and hugged her one last time before leaving like a southern gent.