Initial Completion: November 10, 2020

Jim blinked, unsure if what he heard had come from Kate Blake.

He had only heard her speak in such a way when he and she were arguing about him supposedly leaving the academy for a life of piracy. Even though her voice was loud and filled with rage then, it held an undertone of sadness and pain.

That was what he heard now.

Jim turned his head around to look at Kate. She didn't have a devilish grin or a mischievous glare. She was facing him, but her head was turned down and her hands were behind her back.

He knew he could have continued walking away, pretending he didn't hear anything. But he remembered Silver's advice about being careful with her feelings, as well as his own. "What?" he finally asked.

Kate shuffled nervously in place, clearly having trouble repeating what was already so difficult to say. "I… want it to be true," she quietly whispered.

Jim was speechless and, for the first time tonight, not as red as a tomato. He slowly turned his body and carefully approached as he looked at her with awe.

Scarcely had he seen her like this.

She was always so confident and commanding and oh so talkative. It was why they butted heads so often when they first met. But now she looked like a mouse that had been cornered with no escape.

It seemed Kate did get a taste of her own medicine.

Jim finally stopped right in front of her before speaking, "It really does bother you, doesn't it?"

She silently nodded, still refusing to meet his gaze.

He thought for a moment about all that had transpired throughout the last few hours:

Studying with Kate.

Morph then causing them to kiss.

Later, Jim realizing he had feelings for her.

And now, she just confessed that she wanted to be with him.

He couldn't stop the smile on his face even if he wanted to. She liked him!

His heart felt like jumping and running and tripping and falling just to get up and do it all over again.

But Kate was still a nervous wreck in front of him. Jim thought long and hard and spoke very carefully, "Kate, earlier I said that Morph bothered me because what he said about me liking you wasn't true."

Kate was silent.

Okay, now is no time for Idiot Jim.

"But the more I think about it, that's not why it bothered me."

Past tense. Good.

"I've realized that the real reason it bothered me is that…"

Concentrate, you can do it.

"... even though I didn't want to admit it…"

Make Silver proud.

"... it is true."

Jim felt a wave of relief come off of his shoulders and Kate finally raised her head, slowly turning to face him with a hopeful gaze. He would have ended right there, but something inside him had more to say.

"I really care about you, Kate," he admitted, "You're smart, brave, honest, humble, kind." He felt like those newfound feelings he was going to ignore just came zooming out like a ship at warp speed.

"I'm always looking forward to waking up early because I know I'll get to see you in class." It was like he was looking at his time in the academy with an eyeglass that revealed things he didn't even know.

"Every time the Doc tells a funny story or B.E.N. does something crazy I can't wait to tell you about it." The more he spoke the more he realized just how strongly he felt about this incredible girl.

"You're amazing, Kate," he confessed, "Even if it was by accident, there's no one I would have rather kissed."

Kate remained silent, looking at Jim with disbelief. Her eyes were watering up a tad, allowing the night sky to reflect off of her hazel irises.

Stars and comets, she was gorgeous.

Jim was knocked out of his trance by her fist hitting him in the shoulder. "Curse you, Jim Hawkins!" Kate yelled, pointing an accusing finger at him, "Why must you make such a fool out of me?" She looked quite angry but had tears coming from her eyes.

"I was the prime example of a proper student until you showed up and infiltrated my head," she continued as her enraged expression began to fade and her voice faltered, "I can manage to hide my feelings, but then you-" Kate stopped herself and dropped her head in her hands.

Jim stood frozen for a moment, mildly shocked at her reaction. But when he heard her quiet sobs he felt a wave of affection for her and gently wrapped his arms around her trembling body, letting her cry into his chest. She didn't protest.

He had never seen her cry before and it hurt his heart to know she did so now because of him.

Kate finally calmed down enough to speak. "I've been nothing but stern and serious since I was a child," she admitted, her voice both quiet and muffled.

Jim held her tighter. He wasn't much taller than she, but his arms felt so large wrapped around her frame.

She continued, "Because I'm the only child of the Admiral to the Royal Navy I always felt that I had to be tough and stoic." She felt safe in his embrace, suddenly no longer bothered by him seeing her so vulnerable. No one else ever had the privilege of seeing her in such a way. "I've never let anyone in so I wouldn't have to feel anything, but you snuck right into my very soul," she confessed, "No one has ever made me feel so strongly."

Jim's stomach tickled and his heart swelled. Kate sighed into his chest, "I just had to fall in love with a crazy fool, didn't I?"

He thought of Morph once more, but this time without resentment. He whispered into her hair, "Crazy about you."

Kate wiped her tears before she lifted her head to meet Jim's gaze, her hands remaining on his chest.

He looked at her, his eyes filled with nothing but care and, dare she think, love. She looked at Jim with relief, and he decided then and there to never, ever break the trust she had placed in him.

Jim never would have thought he would fall for someone he initially clashed with so much, but right now he didn't want to be holding anyone else.

He felt his chest tighten as his heart planted a desire in his mind. But Kate acted first and slowly slid her hands up his chest, tracing his neck, and stopping to caress the sides of his stupidly handsome face. Jim decided to allow his heart it's desire, his own hands lowering from her back to her waist.

He could feel every fiber of his being tingle with nervousness, but more so with what he now knew was affection. He felt her slightly tremble, possibly from nerves, but everything was being drowned out by the deep admiration and determination in her eyes.

It was not going to be an accident this time.

Kate gently pulled at Jim's face to meet hers and he obliged, subconsciously closing his eyes as their lips met in a soft kiss.

At that moment it felt as if a neutron star had merged with a black hole, causing gravitational waves to ripple through the very fabric of space-time. The rest of the universe had faded into oblivion, leaving nothing but two young space cadets and the immense brightness of their newfound love.

Neither Jim nor Kate had really kissed anyone before, but in that instant, to each other, it was perfect.

After what felt like an eternal bliss they eventually broke apart, gently resting their foreheads against each other. Jim was the first to finally open his eyes to look at Kate, who had the most peaceful expression on her beautiful face.

Jim could only manage to utter two words, "I'm yours."

Kate then opened her eyes, meeting his gaze. She moved her hands from his face to wrap around his neck. "After seeing me as an emotional mess, you'd better be," she whispered as she smiled playfully.

Jim chuckled as they released from their embrace but Kate quickly grabbed his hand, holding it within her own.

"So, does your dad actually tease you about us?" Jim asked, a genuine smile ever-present. Kate nodded, "Quite often."

The pair began walking together before Kate added, "Should we tell anyone?"

Jim shrugged. "Well, the closest people around us already thought we were together," he reasoned, "... so we might as well."

Kate thought for a moment. "My father should still be in his office," she stated, "Shall we?"

Jim squeezed her hand, "Sure, get the scariest one out of the way."

Kate scoffed and punched his shoulder as Jim laughed.

The Admiral's office wasn't too far so it would be convenient. But Jim knew that if anyone deserved to hear the news as soon as possible it was a certain little bugger. He shook his head and smiled to himself. Kate noticed and looked at him. "What is it?" she asked.

Jim looked back at her affectionately.

"I've just gotta remember to buy Morph a cookie."

And it's done!

I've had so much fun writing this story, as short as it is. I'm just glad I was able to finish it.

Any potential future updates will probably only consist of grammar fixes and minor edits. I was also asked to remove the cover I had, so I had to make the crappy one that's there now.

Anyway, thanks for reading and, hopefully, reviewing my story!