Kirk opens his eyes to discover that he's in sickbay, which for some reason fills him with a sense of belonging that has been missing since he arrived (probably has something to do with the fact that back in his universe it was a second home to him) and that a pre-teen girl is sitting on the edge of his bio bed. It takes his sleep muddled brain a second to recognise the girl. He also isn't helped by the fact that the last time he saw her (or the one from his universe anyway) was at his graduation ceremony.
"Joanna? What are you doing here?"
Kirk is now awake enough to realise the huge mistake he just made. He inwardly kicks himself for, yet again, putting his foot in his mouth. All he needs at this moment is to freak out a twelve year old girl whose father has an endless supply of painful hypos and no knowledge of their friendship.
'Maybe during my next physical I could get Bones (either one) to find the fucking on switch for the filter to my mouth because apparently I have no idea where it is. Jeez!'
Kirk squeezes his eyes shut and waits for the screaming to commence, but it never come. He cracks one eye open to find Joanna staring at him in wide-eyed wonder.
"So you really are from another universe? It must be true because how could you possible know my name when we have never met, unless, of course, you have met another Joanna McCoy. Wow! It sort of blows the mind."
Kirk is floundering. He doesn't know what to address first. Possibly that she should not be so calm about all this. Or should he bring up the fact that she really shouldn't know any of this stuff, or maybe he should ask her why she is on his bed, or perhaps he should mention that since he is awake she should have gone and told her dad, so that he could do doctor-y stuff.
All that comes out of his mouth though is an inarticulate "Um... what?"
Joanna bulldozes on, seemingly unaware that Jim has even spoken. While she babbles on, he lifts himself up a little so that he can lean against the backboard of the bed and his pillows and hopes that she will run out of steam soon, so that he can get a word in.
"Am I prettier than the Joanna you know? Does she also live on a starship?"
Kirk watches as suddenly the young girl's pretty face loses all it's enthusiasm and turns sad.
"Did her planet get destroyed like mine?"
Jim's goes to speak, hoping that what comes out will be comforting (even if he himself is still coming to terms with the fact that his planet is lost to him in this universe), but his mouth slams shut when he spots McCoy resting casually against the door frame. The girl realises he is no longer focused on her and turns around to find out what has caught his attention.
"JoJo, I thought I told you not to go bothering this young man. I know you are curious after your little eavesdropping session," McCoy's eyes narrow a little in reprimand, "but the boy needs his rest."
Joanna blushes slightly before again facing Kirk and lowering her eyes in shame.
"I'm sorry, Mr Kirk. I didn't mean to disturb you as I did. My curiosity just gets away with me sometimes, is all."
Jim can't help but melt when hearing that soft, sweet voice that always becomes heavily accented when she is overly emotional, just like her dad.
"It's okay, Jo. No harm done and please, call me Jim. Mr Kirk was my father's name."
Joanna's eyes lift to meet his and she breaks out into a face spitting grin. What ever she was about to say though is cut off by McCoy clearing his throat.
"Your mother is looking for you, JoJo. I think you better get going. You know how you're mom hates it when you're late for dinner. I'll be by later to tuck you in."
Joanna apparently doesn't need to be told twice. Kirk inwardly chuckles as she scrambles off the bed and runs to the door, nearly tripping over her own feet as she meets up with her father. Then, as if just remembering her manners, she spins around and waves frantically at Jim.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Jim. It'll be real nice to talk with you again sometime."
Before Jim can respond, the young lady bolts out the door and disappears out of sight.
McCoy pushes himself off the frame and steps further into the room, allowing the automatic door to finally shut. The older man scrubs his hands against his face and gives a small groan. Jim takes this opportunity to quickly scan the doctor's hands for the ring that was pawned away by his own best friend many years ago. He spots it, right where it should be, on the ring finger of the older man's left hand.
'Huh. Bones is still married in this place. Maybe that's why he is a little nicer. Still freaks me out though.'
McCoy's hands drop to his side and he glances at Kirk apologetically. "Sorry about that, kid. She's a little goddamn busy body just like her mother. Can't do nothing but hope that she will eventually grow out of it."
Jim just shrugs. "She was no problem. I just hope I didn't bring up any bad memories."
McCoy's face loses it's hard edges after hearing the young man's concern for his daughter's well-being and Kirk is ecstatic that he is making head way with the man that has played such an important part of his life.
The doctor walks over to the side of the bed and holds out a data chip toward Jim. The blond looks up at McCoy questioningly. It seems this McCoy is just as good at reading Jim as the other one because he is quick to answer the unspoken query.
"Mr Spock asked me to give this to you. It is all the details about Nero's attack and the affects of that attack. He feels that it is in your best interest to be as informed about the situation as possible, so that you are not overwhelmed in the future. It also has info of your family on there."
Kirk nods as he takes the disk and flips it in one hand. "Thanks."
McCoy shakes his head. "Don't thank me. It was all Spock's idea. He also told me that he'll be down to visit you soon, right after he and Captain Pike finish finding out from Starfleet brass what is to be done with you. Sort of glad that I ain't in that meeting."
Jim gives McCoy a small smile before gesturing in agreement. McCoy just stares at him as if he were a puzzle that he doesn't quite get because too many of the pieces are still missing.
"Well, I'll just leave you to your reading. I would say enjoy yourself, but knowing what is on that disk, I would be worried if you actually did."
Kirk releases a sigh as his eyes follow McCoy's form out the door. He and Bones have never had trouble communicating, but that conversation was not comfortable at all. As Jim grabs the PADD on his side table and inserts the disk, he can't help but hope that with time (what little he has in this dimension) that he and this McCoy will become friends. Who knows, maybe in this universe he may even become friends with Spock, though since it still hasn't happened in his own time, he is doubtful it will happen here.
'A man can dream.'
While reading through all the data Spock had given him, Jim is finally able to piece together the circumstances that that led to the destruction of his home planet.
The major difference that he figured was the cause of events unfolding differently seemed to be that Nero and his crew did not manage to escape the Klingon prison planet until after old Spock (or Selik as he is now known in Jim's universe) had come through the anomaly and travelled to Earth to warn Starfleet about the Romulan mining ship and it's crazed captain. When Nero finally did escape, he followed Selik to Earth where he was confronted by a number of fleet ships that were manned by cadets. All but the Enterprise were destroyed. The Enterprise managed to escape and meet up with the rest of the fleet (that had been called back, thanks to Selik's early warning). They succeeded in overpowering the Narada and destroyed the drill, but not before it had killed thousands (including his brother, who had been staying close to Starfleet HQ during his shore leave) by drilling directly through the centre of San Francisco.
Nero ordered is ship to leave Earth's orbit and head toward the Sun. At first, Starfleet command had thought the Romulans were destroying themselves so they could evade capture, but then Selik (only mentioned as 'the Ambassador' in the the files) informed them of what Nero had somehow managed to beam up from his ship at the last minute... red matter. Nero drove his ship into the sun, which set off the red matter and swallowed Sol.
Nero may not have destroyed the Earth in quite the same way as he did Vulcan, but he did destroy it nevertheless. Without the sun, the Earth's atmosphere began to deteriorate rapidly, plants and animals died and natural disasters plagued the planet. It only took 3 months for, the once thriving Earth, to become an inhospitable wasteland. In the end, only 20% of Earth's population managed to survive. At first, Kirk was shocked by this figure, but then he remembered that most of the fleet had been demolished in the battle against Nero. There were just not enough ships to transport people, even with the help of other Federation planets, they simply could not get people off the planet fast enough. It also didn't help that many of planets under Federation law were not suitable to house Humans.
'Apparently we humans are a picky bunch when it comes to what we need to live. I never understood why Spock always said we are fragile creatures... Now I do.'
Kirk is startled out of his depressing thought when the man he was just thinking about, walks through the door. He quickly wipes at his cheeks to rid himself of the tears that had unconsciously fallen during his does not give any indication that he has noticed (for which Kirk is grateful for) and simply sits down on the chair next to Kirk's bed. Jim gives the Vulcan an embarrassed smile and a watery chuckle.
"I'm sorry you have to see me like this, Spock. I don't even know why I was... am so emotional. It's not like it was actually my planet or my brother."
Spock says nothing, knowing that Jim has not finished yet. He waits patiently, watching the human with tender eyes.
"God, I wasn't even that close to the Sam in my time, or my mom for that matter and I had never really felt that Earth was my home, but coming here, where nobody know me and finding out, that not only is my whole family dead, but also that 80% of my species and my planet are just... gone, makes me feel so alone."
Jim's eyes fall to his lap as he tries to stop himself from crying again. Once was more than enough. He nearly jumps out of the bed when he feels one of Spock's hands cover one of his that is resting on the bed at his side. He glances up at Spock who has a determined expression on his face.
"You are not alone, James. I am here with you."
Kirk starts to get lost in the depths of Spock's eyes, but manages to shake himself free long enough to shake is head.
"You barely know me, Spock and I barely know you. I'm not going to ask you to hold my hand until I find a way back to my universe. It's not fair to you..." ''...or to me.'
Spock lets go of the blonde's hand and sits back in his chair with a puzzled look on his face.
"I was led to believe from your actions and past comments, that you were acquainted with the Spock of your universe. If that is true, then you do indeed know me. As for myself, I find you to be an intelligent, kind and thoroughly amusing person. I would not be opposed to becoming your friend."
These words should bring Jim pleasure, but all they do is depress him further. How can this Spock, who has known him for less than a day, be so willing to be his friend, when his own Spock has rejected every overture of friendship for the last year. He fears that maybe once this Spock gets to know him, he will turn him away as well.
"You are not the same as the Spock I know. You are different... emotional."
Spock's eyes harden slightly and Jim is quick to continue before he is on the receiving end of a nasty nerve pinch.
"Please don't take offence. I've just noticed that you are much easier to read then my own First Officer. You are so much more expressive, both verbally and physically. It is a little strange for me."
For the first time since Jim has been here, Spock's face becomes completely expressionless.
"Is the way I act unpleasant for you, James? Does it make you uncomfortable?"
Kirk takes a moment to think about it. He remembers how this man has been patient with him when he should have just thrown him in the brig, has listened to him and has comforted him. He can still feel the phantom warmth from where Spock's hands touched him iin an effort to soothe. He heart palpitates as he recalls the soft looks this Vulcan has given him since he arrived on this ship. He definitely cannot say that any of that was uncomfortable or unpleasant. Quite the opposite in fact, and that is what scares him. He can't let himself get used to this if he is going to return to his own Enterprise.
His heart will break if he does.
"No, I don't. It's actually quite nice... for a change."
Spock rewards Kirk for is answer by giving him a half smile that nearly fries the humans brain with it's sexiness.
"I am glad." Spock then stands and the smile fades, but his eyes continue to express his happiness.
"Dr McCoy informed me before I entered here that you can be released from his care. I came here to escort you to the conference room, where Captain Pike is waiting. He will inform you of Starfleet's orders regarding your status."
Kirk rolls out of the other side of the bed and with his back facing the Commander, begins divesting himself of his medical robe. Once he is rid of it, he walks over to the counter in front of him, in only his boxer briefs, where his clothes are neatly folded and grabs his pants. He is halfway through pulling on his pants when a question comes to his mind.
"Hey Spock, you were in the meeting with Pike, couldn't you just tell me what was said?"
Kirk has finished buttoning his pants and is waiting for the Vulcan's reply, but there is nothing but silence. He waits a few seconds more before he worriedly spins around. The sight that greets Jim has him trying desperately to suppress a gloating smirk. Even from where he is standing he can see that Spock's pupils are blown wide and his ears and cheeks are greener than usual.
'Apparently, Spock is enjoying the view. Not that I can blame him. I am incredibly hot.'
Kirk waves his hands in front of himself to try and get Spock's attention. "Kirk to Spock. Come in Spock."
The Vulcan jolts slightly and his gaze turns apologetic.
"I am sorry, James. I was momentarily distracted."
The corners of Kirk's lips twitch. 'Of course you were.' He is mighty proud of his self control since he has stopped himself from puffing out his chest like a vain peacock, even though it is really tempting.
"To answer your question, I cannot 'just tell you' what was discussed, because I myself do not know. I was only present at the beginning of the meeting, so that I could relay my report of what occurred in the transporter room. I was asked to leave and wait in the ready room until the meeting had concluded."
Jim nods in acceptance of this explanation and turns to retrieve his black under-shirt. He decides to forego his command tunic because it draws to much attention, but he does pat the folded gold fabric lightly as if apologising for abandoning it. He dresses himself in the black shirt and turns back to face Spock. His smirk nearly returns when his spots the disappointment in the Vulcan's expression.
'Sorry Spock, but I would give too many people heart attacks if I walk around the ship without a shirt.'
Kirk steps around the bed to stand directly before Spock. He reaches out and claps the man in blue on the shoulder, before heading for the door.
"I might not be from this universe and I may have had an emotional breakdown, albeit a very manly one, but I do remember where the conference room is. Follow me, Commander."
Jim is out the door and heading towards the exit and so misses Spock's quiet words. "Anywhere, t'hy'la."