A/N: Thank you for last chapter's reviews, it was nice to hear people's experience of the Vulcan salute and other facts. By the way, "Spock" is a first name and not actually the last name as I have written in this chapter and the previous. I will make revisions if anyone has a huge problem with it, but in the mean time, just remember "Spock is first name!"
Warp Factor 11: Salutes and Goodnight
Jim looked to where Spock was standing by the turbolift. The man still wasn't still quite over the previous night where it seemed all his time with Spock meant nothing to the Vulcan. To his annoyance, it kept him awake all night yet the time was not wasted. Jim made sure he was very productive, especially when he had received an email from a certain Vulcan he had met on Delta Vega. Apparently, the elderly alternative of Spock called himself by the name of Selek now. After conversing with the Vulcan for a good half hour, Jim ended up working into the wee hours of the next morning.
Currently and in all honesty, Jim really didn't think that Spock would appear on the ship. As fate would have it though, there the Vulcan stood in all his formal and pristine glory. Since Jim needed Spock, the man wasn't going to complain. He granted the Vulcan's request to come aboard and stood up. Just as he did so, Spock began to walk towards him, an action which Jim mirrored.
They reached each other, standing a foot away and locked their eyes on the opposite pair. It seemed to be a pattern nowadays. However, the melancholy eyes that had been there yesterday were replaced with a new set. These eyes were as dark but alight with determination and vigour. When Jim saw them, he would already anticipate the following words. Meanwhile, the Vulcan did not waste any time.
"As you have yet to select a First Officer, respectfully, I would like to submit my candidacy. Should you desire, I can provide character references," Spock stated. He looked expectant.
Trying to appear good-spirited, Jim did his best to give a professional smile. At the same time that it made him relieved, it also made him angry to hear Spock's words. Why didn't this damn Vulcan let him know sooner? Then Jim wouldn't have had such a sleepless night and difficulties with reading over the mission details and planning. He also wouldn't have been so dodgy when the bridge asked who was going to be the First Officer.
"It would be my honour, Commander," Jim said instead. He wasn't going to let personal feelings get in the way, especially on the first day of his first official mission.
At his acceptance, a tension that Jim knew was all over the bridge was lifted. He could even hear deep exhalations from a few people. He looked around after Spock passed him and raised a brow. Did everyone really think that he was going to start a fight with the Vulcan?
Chekov and Sulu smiled before turning to face the front. Jim went back to sit down on the captain's chair, feeling tired.
Spock was finally his First Officer just like Jim wanted, yet, why did he not feel satisfied?
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"Lieutenant Uhura, what is the status report of our Vulcan guests? Have they all beamed aboard?" Jim asked from his seat. He turned to look at her expectantly.
"Yes, Captain," Uhura replied. "The Vulcan High Council is now waiting in Briefing Room 5 on Deck 2, just as you have requested."
"Good," Jim said swivelling back to the front. "Now that everyone's on board, Lieutenant Sulu, plot a course to Argo VII at Warp Factor 3."
"Right away, Sir."
"Excellent." Then Jim pressed a button on the right-side of his chair to give a ship-wide announcement. After giving a general welcome to the Vulcans, he switched the setting off.
Everything seemed to be going as planned and it should be, because Jim spent too damn long perfecting his plan and acting like the good captain. Only one thing was left to do. Jim turned to look at the Science Station on his right. He tried to sound normal, like how he did when he usually spoke to the Vulcan, but the voice that came out sounded stiff even to Jim's ears. "Commander Spock, have you looked through the mission brief I gave you earlier yet?"
Spock swiftly turned to look at Jim, his expression neutral, and his PADD still in hand. "I am nearly finished, Captain."
"Great, come with me to the briefing room," Jim said standing up. He was tired of sitting around.
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When Spock touched Jim's hand, the man nearly jerked his hand away the moment he felt a sensation similar to static. "Kirk, relax your fingers," Spock demanded sternly.
How did Jim end up with his hand in the Vulcan's? It was simple really—he needed a distraction from the question Spock would undoubtedly have. For example, how would Jim know so much information about the Vulcans and how to accommodate them so quickly? It was Selek's advice that helped guide him through the mission revisions. That was information Jim wasn't going to spout off to Spock, especially since the two meeting would result in a catastrophic phenomena. So what better distraction at the moment then to ask your Vulcan First Officer how to do the Vulcan salute? Not to mention…Selek was currently leaving the Briefing Room at Jim's abrupt and urgent request—he needed time for the Vulcan to leave unnoticed by Spock.
So far Jim could only manage a partial salute. It was grating on his nerves that such a seemingly simple gesture was requiring much more effort than Jim would have liked. He was supposed to be a genius—not a dextrally inept captain!
"I'm trying to," Jim nearly growled, trying to do as he was told, but it was difficult especially when there was a persistent tickle that followed wherever Spock touched his hand. He looked at his First Officer, to see if there was anything wrong. However, the Vulcan's face remained concentrated on his palm and betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
"You seem to have difficulties separating your middle and ring finger," Spock noted. Jim felt the Vulcan's digits press against his palm and tried to relax his hand again, ignoring the tingling sensation. "Once your muscles are relaxed, it will be easier to control your fingers."
Jim listened and with each stroke the Vulcan pressed into his skin, Jim could feel his hand slowly relaxing. At the same time, he mused at the sensation of Spock's hands. They were comparatively cooler than his own, dry, and longer. There were wrinkles at the joints and neatly trimmed nails. For some unbeknownst reason, Jim liked it.
Instinctively, Jim looked up, past Spock's shoulders, and his eyes widened. He just knew someone was watching them.
There just in the middle of the hall, a tall and elderly Vulcan stared at them with one brow raised. Jim could almost see the smile in that gesture. He quickly looked at Spock, saw that he was thoroughly distracted, then looked back at Selek, jerking his head to the side a couple times. Get away from here! Was the message Jim tried to convey. Sure enough, Selek casually turned away and continued in the direction where Jim had travelled from.
Relief washed over Jim. Then suddenly, tiny jolts of…what? Electricity? Jim couldn't quite name what he had just felt at the tips of his fingers, but as soon as he felt it Jim returned his attention to the Vulcan in front of him.
Just as quickly as the jolts came, Spock coincidentally let go.
Jim looked at him with suspicion, wondering what the hell just happened. Again, the Vulcan appeared emotionless. He took a step back, putting his hands behind his back. Then he told Jim to attempt the salute once more, but Jim had more interesting thoughts in mind.
He flexed his hand and locked eyes with the Vulcan. They were considerably far less stiff than before. "By the way, it's not like I don't think you're not capable, but…was I suppose to feel anything?" Because it was curious that Spock would so easily offer direct help to begin with, claim that he would be able suppress all emotions upon contact, but then why had Jim felt all those ticklish sensations? Was it a side-effect from the Vulcan's suppression?
For the first time that day, Jim could hear a little hesitation in the Vulcan's words. "…Did you feel anything?"
Taken back, Jim replied and tried the salute again, "Yeah, some kind of tickle." But Jim did not think about it for long. He looked at his hand and grinned, a feeling of joy quickly swept over him. "I did it!" He said triumphantly.
"You learn quickly, Captain."
"Learn what?"
Jim turned to see Uhura. She pointedly stared at him and reminded him of the meeting. Feeling smug, Jim smiled. "Ah, Lietenant Uhura, I was just practicing the Vulcan greeting, see?"
Unexpectedly, Uhura copied the same gesture.
Jim couldn't believe it. He had to get a hand massage to break out his salute! "Did you practice that?" he asked, putting his hand away and feeling somewhat ashamed. There was no way she could have done it the first time, but alas…it truly was Uhura's first.
When Spock spoke, it made Jim feel even more putout. The Vulcan commended Uhura at her first attempt, in which the woman thanked him and took her leave. Jim watched her as she left and exhaled sharply. One of the reason why he liked Uhura was because she was talented in many ways. Just this once though, Jim would have liked to best her at least once; particularly at the Vulcan salute.
He wondered out loud how Uhura had managed to do it so quickly, but then he decided he wouldn't bother about it anymore. Just thinking about it was making him annoyed. He continued on towards the briefing room, not noticing Spock's silence.
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By the time Jim had finished with the meeting, left Spock with Sarek and the ship tour, checked up on Bones (or more like bother) in Sickbay, Jim also went about each of his Vulcan guests' quarters, then to his officers' quarters, to make sure everything was going well. So far, no one had any issues and many Vulcans expressed their gratefulness to his officers and to him.
Once in a while, Jim would pause in his hectic pace and watch Spock explain a particular function or area of the ship that his tour group was in. Seeing his First Officer so composed in the starship, as if the Vulcan belonged here all along, made Jim smile to himself. He hadn't been in the best of moods at the beginning of the day, but after the salute lesson from Spock, Jim felt that he was warming up to the Vulcan once more.
Then without a word, Jim left the Science lab he was in and headed to the bridge.
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"Get a good night sleep, y'hear me, Jim?" Bones said patting the man roughly on the back. "I'll see you in seven hours," he said tiredly. Then he broke off from Kirk and Spock, the last of their group that they had been travelling with.
The hall the two officers walked were now quiet, save for the distinct click of their boots against metal. Jim wondered when Spock would leave for his room, but since they were heading in the same direction, Jim made small talk. "So everything turned out better than expected," Jim said glancing at Spock.
"Indeed it has," the Vulcan nodded his, returning Jim's glance.
"So, what took you so long to apply anyways?" Jim asked curiously. "I thought I was going to be without a First Officer."
"I merely needed more time to think, Captain."
After being the figure of authority for more than seventeen hours, Jim had just quite enough of hearing "Captain." He insisted Spock call him by his first name. "We're off duty now anyways. No harm in doing that," said Jim. Then he asked what Spock's full name was. The man could only blink in bewilderment when he head Spock's name in its entirety.
"You may refer to me by surname. That is always acceptable."
"Yeah, I think I will," Jim murmured. No one could pronounce that.
Before long, Jim arrived at his door. He turned to look at Spock, wondering why they hadn't passed the Vulcan's room yet. Jim's was the last on this deck.
"By the way, is it common for you to say just two-words as farewell after spending time with someone?" He couldn't help bringing up the question he had since the night before. It was crucial he knew because, well…if Spock was going to be his second in command, Jim needed someone he could get along with.
"…Are you referring to last night?"
Jim nodded. When Spock explained that he didn't mean to offend, he also asked why Jim did not ask him directly about being his First Officer. Jim thought it was obvious.
Of course I wouldn't ask a sulking Vulcan to be my First Officer after a memorial! The man thought. I'm not heartless and plus I didn't want to ask that after we had a good day—it would just seem like I was just trying to suck up to you…
Instead what came out was, "It didn't seem appropriate at the time," Jim said shrugging. "Besides, I thought you would've applied yourself earlier, I mean we did work well together."
"I am here now, is that not suffice?"
It was more than suffice, and Jim expressed just so, but after that he didn't know what else to say. The choice of words were strange, even from the Vulcan's lips. What could he say to that? Since Spock more or less answered all his questions already, the Vulcan distanced himself from Jim, in which the man hadn't realized they had even been that close. Then he slightly bowed his head. For a split second, Jim anticipated the same cold words he had received from before.
"You must rest for tomorrow, Captain," Spock stated.
Relieved, the man smiled wearily. Those words would be enough. "It's Jim," he automatically corrected and pressed the buttons by his door. Thanking Spock for walking to his room, Jim bid the Vulcan "good night." The last image he saw were a pair of confused brown eyes, but Jim could not think anymore.
His door automatically closed behind him and Jim dropped into his bed, shoes and all.
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The next day, Jim woke in the same position he fell asleep in. He sluggishly got up and kicked his boots off. Then he stretched his body before letting his arms fall heavily beside him. Opening his mouth to yawn, he half-heartedly dragged his feet across the floor towards the bathroom door.
Seven hours hadn't been nearly enough sleep that Jim would have liked, but it was better than nothing. Plus, he had a dreamless sleep for once.
Jim lifted his left hand and blindly searched for the button. After two random slaps on the wall, he finally managed to open the door. It whooshed open and Jim's eyes were met with blinding light. He squinted, wondering why the lights were on but didn't dwell on the thought. Slowly, he moved in, his feet still dragging on the floor. Yawning again, tears prickled the side of his eyes.
"Good morning, Captain."
Jim paused, his hands halfway up his shirt to scratch his belly. Did he just hear what he thought he just heard? He looked up, his eyes flying open, and suddenly Jim wasn't so tired anymore. He stumbled back at the sight of the Vulcan standing just a few feet away from him.
"S-Spock!" Jim managed to blurt out, catching himself on the wall before he could fall. "This is my bathroom—what are you doing in my bathroom?" He said incredulously as he quickly straightened himself out.
Dressed all in Starfleet's standard sleepwear, Spock wore a snug black t-shirt and loose black flannel pants. He stood by the sink, his back straight, and his hair slightly mussed up; he held an electric toothbrush in his right hand. The Vulcan gently lifted a brow, as if it was Jim who was clearly in the wrong.
"Our bathroom," Spock corrected. He washed his toothbrush and set it aside to quickly rinse his mouth.
Jim thought his ears must be hearing things. "Wait, wait," he said, waving his hands in confusion. He stepped closer to the Vulcan and eyed him carefully. "I must be super tired or something, 'cause, I thought I heard you say this is our bathroom."
Spock gracefully lifted his head away from the sink and looked at Jim patiently. His hands casually went to his back. "You are not mistaken. This is indeed our bathroom."
Jim visibly paled. He was definitely confused now. "How can this be our bathroom when your room is, like, on the other side of the ship?!" Actually, Jim didn't know if that was true or not and Spock did walk him to his room last night, but nothing was making sense right now.
When Spock took a step back, the door behind him slid open to reveal the inside of another bedroom. "My room, Captain, is evidently right beside yours. We share this bathroom."
For a moment, Jim was dumbstruck. "Why?" he demanded afterwards, and quite selfishly too. You've got to be kidding me, Jim thought with frustration. He had to share a bedroom and a bathroom with Bones for three years. Why couldn't he finally get a bathroom to himself? "This is the captain's quarters—why is your room attached to my bathroom?!"
Spock appeared to be patient, standing in the doorway, but his voice said otherwise. "As I have stated before, we share this bathroom. Neither you or I have greater possession of it over the other as these are adjoined quarters," Spock spoke tersely. "Were you not informed by Captain Pike? These quarters were originally meant for him and his First Officer wife, Number One, for the five year exploration mission. Since his captaincy has now been overturned to you, and I am your First Officer, we have replaced them."
Jim had not heard about any of this. At all.
"I had assumed that you would have been already made aware of our quarters, but I am clearly mistaken," Spock stated stiffly. "If you are not comfortable with this arrangement, I will switch with Dr McCoy by 2400, but until then," Spock gave a curt nod to Kirk before walking out, "I will see you on the bridge, Captain."
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Because of the unexpected encounter with Spock in the washroom, Jim's morning began with a rocky start. He was upset about the lack of information he received regarding their adjoined quarters. No one had even tried to inform him. Pike did give him an amused smile when Jim had asked what the captain's quarters were like, but thought nothing about that secretive smile. Jim knew now that it was supposed to be a "surprise."
After relieving himself, taking a sonic shower, and brushing his teeth (with occasional glances at Spock's door all the while), Jim exited the washroom. He noted where Spock had put all his belongings, and then Jim arranged his belongings opposite of the Vulcan's. He wasn't going to complain. Now that he thought about it, maybe he did over react just a bit. Spock might have been offended.
Fumbling as he dressed, Jim quickly called the doctor to meet him in the mess for breakfast. With the last tug of his pants, Jim left his room and walked down the hallway. He definitely needed to talk to Spock about the whole bathroom situation once he calmed down. Taking the turbo lift to the third deck, he headed towards the officer's mess. There were not many people at that hour, since it was still only around 0700. So, Jim spotted his best friend easily at a table only occupied by the doctor. When the man saw Jim, he quickly waved him over.
"So what's so important you've gotta tell me when I'm not even supposed to be on shift yet?" Bones asked between a yawn. The man pushed a tray of replicated food towards Jim while he picked at his own. "You're not gonna eat a full meal if you replicate it yourself, so take this—no, you called me out here. Now eat it."
In the few years that Jim spent with his friend, he learned that the doctor was stubborn and not one to be pushed around. The good doctor didn't take crap from anyone, even from Jim. There was no point in arguing with Bones that early in the day. Pulling out a chair, Jim heavily sat down across from his friend and pulled the tray towards him with obvious disappointment. He had been looking forward to a more protein rich meal. Instead, there was a cup of orange juice, pancakes with bacon on a plate, and…a bright red apple.
"Bones…" Jim began slowly, never taking his eyes off the fruit. "Did you know that Spock and I have an adjoined bathroom?"
The other man nearly spluttered out his food. "Wha? You and that green-blooded hobgoblin?"
Jim patted the other man's back. "That's right. Not that I'm complaining, but you know, just this once I'd like my own room. Spending those three years with was pretty tough after all."
Bones shrugged Jim's hands off. "Well, sorry for being a bad—wait—you were the one who wanted to room with me for the past three years!"
"Ah, that's right," Jim murmured eating a pancake. He grinned at his friend. "You're the one who agreed every single time though."
"Yeah, I'm fool for that one," Bones sighed.
"He said he would switch with you if I didn't like it," said Jim, getting back on topic. He pushed his pancake around. "I wonder why you of all people…?" Then Jim remembered telling Spock that Bones was his best friend. "Never mind, I think I know why."
"If he ever bothers you, just let me know."
Jim raised a brow. "You gonna open a can of whoop-ass on him?"
Bones shook his head exasperated. "My god, that expression is so old. By the way, I'm a doctor and a psychiatrist. I can write him off as compromised if the need arises."
Need? Jim stared quizzically at Bones. "I don't think so. Spock and I are on pretty good terms now I guess. I mean besides that one incident, of course but you know I already apologized for that."
"Speak of the devil," Bones muttered.
Looking up, Jim saw the Vulcan and Uhura heading towards the two. Like the first time he saw them hold hands, the man felt a knot building in his stomach. "Morning Spock," said Jim as casually as he could. "Nyota," he said teasingly to the woman. The two responded accordingly, Spock with a nod and Uhura with a soft shake of her head and, "Good Morning, Captain." Then they seated themselves across from Jim and set down their trays.
"Have you spoken to Doctor McCoy about the arrangements?" Spock inquired.
"Yeah, I did but I'm fine with it now," said Jim looking apologetic at the Vulcan and not exactly meeting his eyes. "Sorry I overreacted before. It didn't mean anything…I was just, surprised I guess. Anyways, I'd be happy to share with you."
"That is fortunate, Captain."
"Jim," the man corrected once more and grinned. "It's not time for duty yet."
Unlike yesterday, Jim felt energized. It felt like a good day so far with Spock's acceptance. He was going to look forward to it.
By the way, some of you readers might be familiar with the name "Selek" from other fics around here. I thought a fanfic author might have made it up but, I looked it up and it's a real name! In the short-run animated series of the Original Star Trek, "Selek" is the name Spock refers to himself as when he goes back in time and meets the kid version of himself.
Thought you guys would be interested in knowing ;)
