Hey guys! It's been a looooong time since I updated a fic. I have been working on this for a little more than two years now and I am excited to see what you guys think! It's already complete and I am planning on posting chapters once or twice a week.
I want to give a huge thanks to IsmayDeVain for allowing me to write this. This story was inspired by their work, What Sulu Sees, one of my favorite fanfictions of all time. Please check it out, it is a fantastic piece of writing.
It was two days away from their first break. Starfleet Academy was giving all cadets a week-long 'vacation' to do whatever they wanted. Most people went home to see their much-missed family, the usual workload leaving little to no time for personal trips, others didn't have a family to go home to.
Which was why, while everyone else on campus was packing their things to leave for the week, Jim Kirk was lounging on his roommate Bones' couch tapping away at his PADD.
Jim didn't really have a place to go home to. Sure, there was the house he grew up in, but he would be perfectly happy to never set foot in that town again. Iowa never really felt like home. Between his off-planet mother, runaway brother, and drunken abusive uncle, there wasn't anything about that place "visit-worthy" for his break.
So Riverside was a no-go.
Jim sighed heavily, bringing up the notes he took from his newest engineering class and looking them over. It was barely half a page long, definitely not enough information to write a half-decent essay.
Honestly, even if he did stay, he would have to risk letting Bones know he wasn't leaving.
But he wasn't going to stay. Bones was leaving for Georgia to visit his family and Jim didn't want to bring to the man's attention that he didn't have anywhere to go. That would interrupt his friend's plans and he couldn't bring himself to ruin Bones' week. This was the first time the man would see his daughter after the divorce. Jim could tell that he was excited because the doctor—whether knowingly or not—had been in an abnormally happy mood all week.
So telling Bones was out of the question. He would keep his family-less life a secret for as long as he could.
Well, that was all the places he could have gone. Shit.
He tapped the device in his hands tiredly. He'd accepted the fact that no one cared about him. It had been that way for years, why should the fact that he is in Starfleet change that? He shouldn't have let himself believe things would be different.
The soft hiss of the door opening distracted him from his thoughts.
"Dammit, Jim! Why're you in my room?" Bones scowled. His posture was relaxed. Jim could see that—despite the scowl—the doctor was in a good mood.
"Well, hello to you too, Bones." He smiled at him before turning back to his PADD. Two months into the academy and there was already too much work to do. He had three essays due tomorrow. "I didn't think you were coming back to the dorm."
"And that explains you being in my room how?"
Jim shrugged, smirking. "I study better here." He snuggled further into Bones' couch. "Plus your room has the window."
Bones sighed, wiping his face with his palm. He seemed to realize that arguing with Jim was futile and that his reasonings would not make sense. Leaning into the doorframe, he peered at Jim. "So, do you have any plans for the break?"
Jim hesitated then looked up from his writing. "I don't know, I might go visit my family." He lied. Please don't ask. Please don't ask.
"Right." Bones drew out the word longer than normal, sounding suspicious. His eyes narrowed not unkindly.
"I do have a family."
Bones didn't say anything at first, just looked at him strangely. Jim looked back to his work, averting his gaze from his all-knowing friend.
"Well, I already knew that, but that's not what I meant." Bones said almost hesitantly. " You're going to join me in Georgia for the week."
His eyes widened in surprise and he jerked his head back to look at his friend. What? Did he hear that right? Bones wanted him to go? The man, whom he must annoy nonstop, wanted Jim to join him on his trip to see his family?
"Why would you want me to go with you?"
Bones sighed. "Well…." He brought his hand up to rub the back of his neck almost embarrassingly. "This is the first time I'm going to see my ex-wife and daughter since the divorce, and I don't really want to do it alone."
Jim considered this a moment. "But why me?" He asked earnestly. "Why not take someone else?" Someone that you actually like. Someone that won't screw everything up.
Bones looked at him strangely. "D'you think I have anyone else?"
Jim didn't say anything. Maybe he was taking pity on him. Or maybe not; now that he thought about it, he hasn't ever seen Bones hang out with anyone but him. Every free moment they had was spent together, even if they were fighting.
He couldn't stop a warm feeling from spreading through his chest.
"So," Bones stood up. "Let's go pack, shall we?"
If those essays were forgotten, he could always blame Bones.
As it turned out, Georgia was a hell of a lot prettier than Iowa. The trees seemed to shine, their bright foliage put the ones from his home state to shame. The endless cornfields he grew up with were—thankfully—nowhere in sight.
It was mid-afternoon when they arrived at the house. The building was massive—big enough to hold Bones' large family for the holidays—and had a large wrap-around porch with beautiful stained wood flooring. Jim and Bones exited the small car they rented and walked up the steps, the old planks creaking under their weight with each step.
"This is a really nice house." Jim admired. His own small farmhouse was nothing in comparison to this two-story country home.
"Yeah, it's been in my family for generations," Bones replied softly, "and as my mom's only son, it will be passed down to me."
He paused at the entrance. Jim stood slightly behind him and could see him swallow thickly. The doctor took a deep breath, then stepped tentatively towards the door. He looked back at Jim before knocking three times in quick succession.
After a moment of silence, the door swung open inwards and Bones let out a breath of relief. Holding the doorknob was a little girl, her face lit up and her smile widened happily as she saw who was at the door. Jim felt his own mouth turn upwards into a smile from the sheer amount of emotion emanating from the child's face.
"Daddy!"
Bones' face just melted.
"Hey, Jo." His voice was the gentlest Jim had ever heard it. Joanna ran to her dad and jumped into his arms. They both held on tight, their heads touching. Bones only pulled away from the hug to plant a kiss on his daughter's forehead.
"Jo, who is it?" An older-looking woman came into view, her hair graying at the edges and her gait weary. Her voice was smooth and drawled with an obvious accent. Bones stood up and put Joanna back on the ground.
"Leonard!" The woman stepped outside to hug Bones. "It's so good to see you darlin'! I'm glad you could make it."
"Hey! It's good to see you too, Ma!"
She turned to Jim. "And who's this handsome young fellow beside you?"
"I'm Jim Kirk, Ma'am." Jim smiled politely, a slight blush showing across his face at the compliment.
"He's my roommate at the academy." Bones added smiling.
Roommate. He couldn't help but feel a little hurt; Bones could have introduced him as his friend, but no, he said roommate.
Mrs. McCoy clapped her hands together, laughing, breaking Jim out of his reverie. "Well, don't be standin' out there in the cold! She exclaimed. "C'mon in!"
A look of uncertainty crossed Jim's face and he barely concealed his apprehension to walk through that door. A pit sank in his stomach and his heart started to beat faster. He was frozen in place.
This—of course—did not go unnoticed by Bones. The doctor clasped his hand on Jim's shoulder, squeezing reassuringly. He gave him an encouraging look and pulled him inside by the crook of his elbow.
Jim's legs seemed to be moving on autopilot, being led by Bones through the door. The echoing voices in the room were drowned out by his own panic-fueled thoughts.
Too many people. He could feel his breaths increase.
Too loud. His electric eyes were wide but unseeing, his surroundings going by in a blur.
He could vaguely register a gentle pressure on his left shoulder, an anchor in the sea of his turbulent thoughts.
Bones.
His mind calmed down and his thoughts slowed to a more normal pace. If Bones was there, everything was okay. His vision began to focus rapidly and he no longer felt like he was suffocating under the haze of panic.
It was then that he realized he was sitting on a couch. It was a leather sofa, its surface clean and smooth. There wasn't a scratch to be seen. In front of him was a rustic coffee table. It had a small potted plant in the middle. Mrs. McCoy was sitting on the loveseat across from him, sipping a drink Jim didn't recognize, and Bones was next to him with his daughter on his lap.
Jim could feel a tremor in his hands that he willed to stay steady. He couldn't lose his cool again, not during Bones' vacation. That would be unforgivable.
Mrs. McCoy stirred her drink with her straw once, then placed the mason jar onto the table. She had grabbed a ceramic coaster adorned with a Georgian peach at some point and it was now residing under her glass. "So! Leonard, how have your classes been going?" Her voice was sweet and caring. The sound seemed to break the dome of uneasiness surrounding Jim and he let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding.
"Oh, y'know, about as good as I expected." Bones replied. "Too much work to do, not enough time to do it. And this idiot seems to want to distract me every chance I get to study." He pointed his thumb at Jim while chuckling.
"Hey! You choose to go with me!" Jim sputtered, his voice thankfully steady. "You could decide to stay home and study every night and I wouldn't be able to stop you."
"You dragged me by the arm to your favorite bar last week!"
Jim shrugged. "You clearly needed a drink."
Mrs. McCoy laughed heartily before talking. "You boys make me laugh! I'm happy you're gettin' back into the world, dear. It's not healthy to stay away from people."
Bones scoffed with a smirk. "That's why I got this infant to keep me company. He never stops talking."
Jim stared at Bones, gawking jokingly. "Just because I'm younger than you, it doesn't make me an infant."
"Yeah you're right, your actions do that just fine."
"Hey!" Jim playfully punched Bones on the arm.
Mrs. McCoy covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a laugh before her eyes went wide. "Oh, how rude of me! Would you two like somethin' to drink?"
"Sure Ma, y'know what I like." Bones replied, thankful.
"And you Jim?"
"Oh, no thank you, Ma'am."
"Please, call me Ellie." She smiled brightly and then left the room to get the drinks.
Jim finally calmed his mind down enough to realize that there was no reason to freak out. He took his time to actually take in his surroundings. They were in a spacious living room full of a few couches and chairs as well as a towering fireplace. Well-placed decor hung from the walls, brightening up the space. He could see some of Bones' family members in another part of the room conversing.
Jim wondered why Bones never expressed his want to return home, minus when he was complaining about how dangerous space was. His mother was caring, his house gorgeous, and he could drink all the southern delights he loved so much.
That's when he remembered Bones' kid. Bones wasn't able to see her hardly ever because of the divorce. His ex-wife claimed custody. It probably made coming home bittersweet, if not heartbreaking for the man.
Jim again wondered why Bones wanted him to come along. He understood that there wasn't much of anyone else, but they had only known each other for a few months. Jim didn't want to screw up his only friend's visit with his family, especially with his daughter.
As if she could read his mind, Bones' kid, Joanna, turned to look at him, wide-eyed. Bones must have said something about him. She had moved from Bones' lap and next to him on the couch.
Then Bones' turned to Jim. "Jo, this is Jim. He's my friend." Friend this time? Warmth spread through his chest.
The little girl smiled and said hello.
"Hello, Jo." Jim smiled wide. "I heard you're six years old this year!"
She giggled, "Yup! I'm going to school now too."
"Apparently she's doing fantastic. She especially likes math."
"Well guess what, math is also MY favorite!" Jim said.
They continued to talk about everything they could think of, telling Jo academy stories and about space. She was especially interested in her father's work and studies; Jim was happy to share anything he could. It made him happy to see Bones so relaxed.
"So, Leonard. What track is Jim going at the academy?" Mom asked him.
"He's currently on the Command Track, trying his hardest to get to the top as fast as he can. His workload's insane. I don't know how he does it." He looked over to where he sent the man in question and his daughter. Joanna had completely fallen in love with Jim's bubbly personality. Who knew he was so great with kids.
Leonard sent them both to play, but Jim didn't really have a say in the matter, for Jo had dragged him by his hand into the other room. He could hear a lot of laughter coming from the two of them.
"That sounds difficult. It must be hard enough for the boy to make it with the reminders of his father everywhere. I bet you didn't just invite him because he was your roommate."
"He tries to hide his true feelings from people, and he's successful with nearly everyone."
"But not you?" she lifted one eyebrow knowingly.
He scoffed. "I live with him. It was bound to happen." Leonard knew that Jim didn't talk about his family, but he didn't know the full story.
Mom made a noncommittal noise, slumping further into the couch. "I'm just happy you made a friend. I know the past few years have been hard on you."
"You don't need to worry about me." He took a sip from his mango tea, wishing there was a little bourbon mixed in, then glanced at the clock on the wall. 8:00 p.m. It was nearly time for Jo to be in bed. Jocelyn would have his head if her sleep schedule was messed up, even if she was technically at her grandma's house.
"Joanna, it's time for bed," he called, standing up off the couch, his knees cracking audibly. When he heard no reply, he stepped into the room he saw Jo and Jim last and pushed the door open. The lights were off.
He was about to call again when he heard two sets of very badly concealed giggling. He turned the light on, trying very hard not to smile.
"What are you guys doing?"
"We are hiding from the Klingons! They are trying to invade our starbase!" Jim replied.
They were hiding inside a very elaborate pillow and table fort, which they were calling starbase. Not only did he have one six-year-old to deal with, but now he had two.
"The Klingons can wait, it's time for bed, Jo," he said, stepping closer to the forts.
"Jo, I think your dad's a spy! Get him!"
All of a sudden Jo leaped out of the fort and tackled him onto the stripped couch. He landed with an 'oof' and then started to laugh as his daughter held on tighter. From the corner of his eye, he saw part of the fort cave in.
"Don't worry, I'm still alive," Jim reassured, crawling out.
"Okay, that's enough excitement for today. Time to go to sleep or your mother will be mad at the both of us." He shuttered at that potential conversation.
"Okay, Daddy." She moved off of him. "Where will Jim sleep?"
Leonard smiled. "Don't worry, sweetie. He'll get one of the guest rooms."
She made a funny face, which he took as acceptance. Then her eyes widened as if she had remembered something. "Can we go to the park in the morning?"
Leonard cringed. From experience, he knew that meant waking up at six in the morning and going out at the crack of dawn. Jim must have seen his slight grimace because he then offered to take her himself.
"You could sleep in a little, I know last night you spent most of it at the hospital working."
Leonard didn't know the man had noticed. When he entered their dorm last night Jim had been in his room, he assumed asleep. Honestly, he didn't know the kid paid that much attention to where he was most of the time.
While the idea of sleeping in sounded amazing at the moment, he was reluctant to say yes for some reason. It wasn't as if he didn't trust Jim, but part of him was too protective to let her go anywhere without him.
"You don't have to worry. We would be extra safe. It's not too far away, I saw it on the way here."
"Okay, sure. Jo, you can go with Jim to the park tomorrow morning," he acquiesced, "but I want you guys back before breakfast at nine."
Leonard couldn't hold back the warmth that spread through him when he saw Jo leap in happiness.
