Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine nor do I claim to own it. This is purely a work of fiction.
Warnings: For complete Badassery (I don't care if it's not a word I'm using it), Surprises, Language, and much-much more : D
AN: So! Chapter Four, this is insane cuz basically it feels like chapter thirteen from all those parts to each chapter. Anyway ready for some ridiculous alterations and some more confusion? Because basically Chapter Four is going to…I dunno…change your world? Ah, that just makes me sound cocky when really it's just spoiling surprises. Hopefully you will all like where this is heading...plus! Here there will be Spock : )
AN2: Also let me say now that I am horrible. Really it's been over a week, and yet I'm only now posting. So, I am totally at fault for that. I'd like to blame it on being busy, but that's not the issue…well it is but it also isn't. I couldn't post what I had written for this. Because this is the final chapter in the first arch it had to be executed to a certain higher level, or perfect-ish. It had to meet my own standards and hopefully you all enjoy how it played out.
So without further prolonging, please enjoy. :D
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The One I've Loved
Chapter Four (Part One):
XX
Mirror.
The 'gift' that he was given from the Suxens was a locket. It was small, about the size of half dollar, and held by a chain. It was another necklace, of sorts, this way he would be able to keep it near.
Jim had held it tight in his hand until he had returned on board the Enterprise. He wasn't really aware when exactly he had placed it upon his neck, but it hung like a pleasant and unbearable weight. It lingered there like a constant reminder; a constant message driving home its importance.
Only now had he truly dared to finger it open; to look at what was inside.
After the complaints from Bones about even taking the cursed charm again; after all the pain that damn last one caused. After the bridge threw a fit about the new set course, and requested more information on what the elders could mean by all they said.
Of course the bridge had listened in to the entire conversation. Jim had given Nyota prior instructions to do so. It had been to appease the concerns of letting him off on his own. He had known they wouldn't like this all happening so soon and felt giving them an ear in would ease away all the fears brought up.
They had heard everything and yet wouldn't understand anything. Not like Jim did. Not when he knew all the risks that would need to be given.
So, he plotted a course and took them all to the nearest space station. Those who had survived the blast to the Element needed to be looked over and returned home. The Enterprise was a mighty ship, but she would not be a wise decision for such a large transportation. They couldn't comfortably accommodate that many bodies let alone sufficiently supply oxygen and food for so many; eventually their sources would run out.
Could they make it, yes. Would it be a wise decision, no. So, Jim made a call and decided the best response was to shuttle them off to the next space station where they could be given a place to remain until a more prepared ship could take over.
It was the most logical decision
Yet, here he was stuck up in a room, three guards on the door, sitting alone to wait for the return call. His fingers had stroked at the locket almost religiously over the time it took to get to this point. It would give him the answers he sought.
He awaited a call and couldn't keep his mind off the locket.
Pulling it from around his neck he sunk the nail of his thumb into the crease and forced the two halves apart. Forcing the locket to open up like a book and reveal what answers lay within.
It shouldn't have surprised him what would be within the locket.
Upon opening it there were two halves. The right side was the same gold as the locket itself with the words SuxeN carved into its surface. A small mirror completely covered the entirety of the left side, and left Jim's heart stilling at the sight.
It only took a moment to catch something in the reflection. It only took a moment to debate throwing the charm as far from his person as possible, but hesitating not to. It only took a moment to realize who was reflecting back at him; what his eyes were seeing.
"Spock."
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"Please refrain from firing such a weapon."
Auburn eyes had stayed matched with startling blue eyes. It was still almost mocking how similar this person resembled his own James. Though, actions seemed to speak louder than words in this instance and Spock was only able to come to one conclusion; this was not his Jim Kirk.
However, with an archaic gun placed to his temple and a look of loathing emitting from those blue eyes, he knew that he would have to handle this situation cautiously. It would accomplish nothing if he spoke the wrong words and further enraged this version of his James.
"Whatever impression I have given that led you to believe I pose a threat, is incorrect-"
"Incorrect? Well, please Spock, correct me if I am wrong, but was it not you who dropped me here? Was it not you who left me to die? Is that not enough of an impression to leave behind that would lead me to such actions? Had you truly believed you could return here and I would be all smiles and welcoming?"
"Interesting."
Apparently his words had only managed to rile the other up further, but it was intriguing to witness such events. How similar this man was to his own Jim, like a mirror image.
As well it appeared that in this universe an identical replica of his own person existed. It also appeared that Jim and Spock of this universe had in fact met, or crossed paths, but they were not on good terms. By the sound of it, he could only understand that the pair never saw past the hatred towards one another.
"I should kill you now and rid this universe of you for good."
Yes, it would appear that the pair of them were not on any terms remotely similar to his relationship with his own James.
Though, there were many similarities; such as the way he carried himself, and the look in his eyes. Whatever hate he seemed to hold for Spock there was a hesitation to immediately kill the other. If this was because of some lingering affection or because the oddity of such a situation occurring; Spock was going to use this in his favor.
"I believe that if you truly wished to do so, you would have already. Now, I request again that you refrain from firing such a weapon at my person."
Spock knew that by stating such things he could potentially anger the other further, and yet knew that Jim would not shoot first. By speaking so boldly it would force the other to doubt. It would fluster the other and in an effort to regain his footing, Jim would wish to display a show of confidence. He would not fire because that would be the obvious reaction, but he would not pull away because that would show hesitance and weakness.
He would prolong until he regained his stature and dominance in the situation, before he would react. This would give Spock time.
"And why would I do that?"
It was good that there were some similarities between this Jim and his own. Now he would have to lay down all of his cards, and trust that this Jim would be amused enough or overwhelmed enough to hear him out.
"I am not the Spock you believe me to be, James."
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"James Kirk."
The room was alight now as the screen no longer lay blank. There before him was Admiral Komack, Admiral Archer, and Admiral Barnett. It wasn't as many of the admirals as he had been expecting, but at this late hour it was more than he had believed would actually show.
"Hello Admirals, quite an evening isn't it?"
Jim's smirk was met with a cool gaze from all three, though Komack seemed to be the most pleased of the bunch. A small twitch at the corners of his lips was a clear sign of this, as he tried to smother down his excitement.
It shouldn't really surprise anyone that Komack was the one to break the silence and the stare down to speak up first.
"James Kirk. You have brought mutiny to your superior officer, took charge of the flagship Enterprise, and in doing so immediately ignored protocol on a hostage situation. You left your ship without a commanding officer in a failed attempt to find your crew, but more specifically to find your first officer. Which, correct us if we are wrong, but you have been romantically involved with since your return to Earth?"
Komack smirked as he concluded such a hefty accusation, but before Jim was even given an instance to try and reply, Barnett spoke up.
The man was once again seated between the pair, and was still the obvious power amongst the trio. His word mattered above the others, and yet he allowed Komack the chance to speak up first. Now he would carry on the conversation, and Jim would have to sit tight until he was allowed to speak.
"Kirk you have proven to us that you are incapable of continuing captaincy. Your ship is to remain docked on this station until the ordeal with the Element survivors has been concluded. By that time the Enterprise is under strict orders to bring you on a return trip back to Earth. Were we will, by that time, have decided upon a proper punishment to fit such actions."
Barnett paused after this speech to sit up from his chair, and a look of sympathy seemed to light the corners of the man's eyes as they met with Jim's, "Please understand that as the one who prevented war upon the Federation, we wish to handle this situation with as much delicacy as possible. Until further notice, Pike will return as Captain and this entire mutiny never occurred. Is that clear, Kirk?"
Jim lifted his gaze, unsure when it had fallen back to the locket in his hand. He quirked a brow at the trio in question. Was it finally acceptable for him to speak? The un-amused look that was shown back at him was enough an answer to the unspoken question.
"Crystal clear, sir." Jim's reply was an even and flat tone, but his eyes radiated with a mustered vibrancy as he listened to both Admiral Komack and Barnett prattle on about the situation.
"Good, now we have already spoken to Admiral Pike on these orders. Protocol requires that we must place you under constant watch. You will see this as a restriction. However, this is us being kind to you, Jim. Know that under normal circumstances you should've been immediately detained and held under custody until your trial."
Jim's eyes turned to Archer, of the three his tone was sincere to a degree of actually meaning it, and yet the words were an obvious dismissal. They weren't concerned or sympathetic of Jim and the loss. They were concerned for themselves.
"Word of your hero being arrested for mutiny would look bad for Starfleet and the Federation, don't worry I get it. Is there anything else I can do for you Admirals or is that all?"
Jim's words were meant to reflect his own disdain for the immediate disregard for those who were gone. For the dismissal of everything in an attempt to sweep all possible smudges on the Federations great reputation under the rug.
"Jim Kirk, you are hanging onto our good side by threads at this point. Please try and refrain from pushing at those limitations."
Jim dipped his head at the trio, "Of course. I will try and remain at my up most best, sirs. I apologize for everything so far. Now, if you do not mind…I believe my presence is no longer required and I wish to return to my room."
Barnett was the first to sigh at Jim's dismissal and though the words prior were meant in upmost respect, they only seemed to set an unease upon the Admirals. Yet, with nothing to go on and too far away to do much else, they agreed to let him go.
"You're dismissed for now Kirk."
...
...
The screen went blank, and yet Jim remained.
His eyes were stuck on the screen. The blue hue had dimmed during the conversation but his thoughts were wild and expressive just in the deepest recesses of his eyes.
The black surface of the screen reflected back at him. He no longer felt the desire to curl away from what he saw. His eyes remained looking ahead. He remained just blankly gazing forward. Whatever he was seeing, whatever was going on didn't matter. It wouldn't deter him from what was needed to be done. It would not pull him away from the present.
He was alone for a moment, but already he could feel the restrictive presence of the three security guards just outside his door. They were fine, honestly, whose bright idea had it been to assign his own men to detain him?
Jim pushed up, with a resigned sigh, knowing that much was about to change. He knew what needed to be done, but regretted what was to come.
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He laughed out an un-amused snort at the ridiculousness of such words.
"You are not the Spock I believe you to be?"
It was evident the other did not truly buy the words Spock had emitted, but there was doubt now placed within Jim's thoughts. There was hesitation in his hand holding the gun.
"As those are the words I had just spoken not moments ago, I find it unnecessary to repeat myself."
Spock's tone was calm and as collected as ever as he continued on.
"You are mistaken that I had accomplished such actions against you. I have no evidence to support such a claim; however, the only explanation that I have concluded by such a situation is that I am from a parallel universe to your own. Therefore, in appearance I am in fact the same Spock you speak of, yet in actuality I am not. As you are not the James I had been referring to moments prior. Killing me in place of your Spock may give you closure, but it will not accomplish the revenge you wish to gain by doing so."
"Okay…just stop. Stop speaking for a second."
There.
Jim pulled away as Spock's words brought hesitation to the forefront. This mirror image of his Jim rubbed uneasily at his face and sighed as he tried to gather his thoughts.
It was all Spock needed. That short pause and he moved. That short pause was the opening he had been waiting for.
His body was not in excellent condition, but it was better than this Jim had estimated and now that the threat of an antique weapon was gone, he struck. It wasn't even remotely a fair fight as Spock not only took Jim by surprise but overpowered the other. He dropped Jim down upon the bed and moved, setting the tip of the weapon against the human's forehead.
"It would be advised for you to not move." Spock cocked the gun when Jim went to shift up, but the other stilled immediately at the sound. "I have no inclination that I may persuade you to believe the words I have spoken. They are true all the same. Now, I have woken to find myself not in my own universe, and you will assist in aiding my return or you will find that I will not hesitate to fire upon you."
AN: Good? Hopefully, and yay Spock turning the tables! Woot. haha. Don't worry I won't leave you all with just that. I mean...Jim sounds super suspicious can't just leave you all hanging in the abyss. *grins*
Part two is almost done and should be posted here in just a bit. Then I'm off to work on part three...which I think may be the end of chapter four. We will see. :)
