Here is the next chapter. We get learn a little more about how this universe is different and Jim meets another familiar face. Spock is not overly happy about that.
I would like to thank T'Arrah for being my beta and offering such great support.
Don't own Star Trek.
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Kirk wakes up an hour before his shift starts, still in his uniform (even his boots). He can't believe that he slept for so long, or so deeply, but considering the day he had yesterday, he does have an excuse. He quickly takes a shower and gets dressed in his regulation blacks.
Jim is starving, not actually able to remember the last time he ate, so he walks over to the replicator and orders up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He scans the room as he takes his first bite, seeing as how he did not have the opportunity, to look it over last night. On the side table next to his bed he spots a PADD unit and there is a light blinking on it, indicating that there is a message waiting for him.
Kirk takes another bite of his sandwich as he strolls over to his bed and picks up the device. He presses a button and the message appears on the screen.
James,
This PADD is for your personal use while you are on this ship. There will also be a communicator and phaser in your top draw.
Captain Pike received a communiqué from Starfleet command informing us that you are to keep the title of Captain that you carried with you from your universe. This allows you to wear command gold and your stripes while on duty. I have attached the codes to this message that will allow you to replicated the correct tunic.
I hope you rested well and look forward to seeing you at the commencement of Gamma shift.
-Spock
Jim smiles around the last bite of his sandwich as he re-reads the message. He is happy that he gets to keep his rank as captain, but that is not the reason he can't seem to wipe the grin from his face. It is the last line of the message that has done it. Spock has been thinking about him. His smile gets wider at the thought.
It doesn't take Jim too long to remember that he has places to be, so he hastily replicates himself a tunic, grabs the communicator from the draw and putting it in his pocket (he leaves the phaser where it is, not liking to carry it around while on ship). He then replicates himself a cup of coffee to drink on his way down to the labs.
As he steps out into the passageway, with coffee and PADD in hand, he comes face to face with an slightly impatient looking Pavel Chekov. Kirk tries to hide the fact that this slip of a boy had just managed to scare the ever lovin' crap out of him. He seems to have succeeded because the young man shows no sign of noticing Jim's fright. Chekov just straightens his posture and salutes.
"Captain Kirk, Commander Spock has ordered me to escort you down to labs for your shift."
Jim wants to argue the fact that he is perfectly capable of finding his own way down to the labs, but then realizes that it would be wasted on the wrong person. Chekov is just following orders. His real opponent lies with Spock and he is determined to set that Vulcan straight the moment they are alone together.
So instead of voicing his complaint, Jim simply nods at the ensign, who is fidgeting slightly as he waits for Jim to acknowledge him and comply.
"Okay, boy wonder. Lead the way."
Pavel's doe eyes widen a bit at the unexpected nickname but he says nothing. Instead, he begins walking towards the turbolift, obviously confident in the fact that Kirk will follow him. Jim doesn't let him down.
After a few seconds in the turbolift, Chekov turns to Kirk, with curiosity that he has successfully managed to hide up until now.
"Captain Pike has explained to the crew who you are. I find it wery intriguing that you are are from a different uniwerse. Are there many things different here?"
Jim mentally chuckles at the familiar accent. He is glad to see that the child-like wonder that was within his own navigations officer is also brimming within this one, but the good feeling dies a little when his gaze falls on the nasty scar on the man's cheek. He can't control the small frown that forms on his face.
"There are a few differences."
Chekov's young eyes stare at him knowingly and a hand comes up to touch his scar.
"You are perhaps wondering about this scar, no? I will tell you. I am not ashamed."
Kirk shakes his head, "You don't have to tell me if you don't-"
Jim cuts himself off as Pavel shakes his own head and juts his chin out determinedly.
"I was on team that did space drop onto drill. One of the Romulans snuck up on me, but I was the one who claimed wictory in the end. With the help of Hikaru... I mean Sulu, of course."
Jim stares down at Pavel, his respect growing for the man, even though he had thought that emotion had already reached it's limits when Chekov was concerned, but apparently not. Before he can say anything though, the lift's door opens and Chekov is making his way towards the entrance of the labs. He waits there while Jim jogs to catch up. Chekov takes the now empty coffee cup from Kirk's hand before speaking.
"I think you can make your way from here, Captain. It was nice meeting you."
Just as Pavel is about to turn and walk away, Jim grabs the sleeve of the ensign's arm that is closest to him. Chekov's eyes meet his in question.
"Do you play cards, Chekov?"
The curly haired man appears a little taken back by the the unexpected question and he replies hesitantly, "Da, sir."
"And do you drink vodka?"
This question pulls Chekov out of his uncertainty and he gives Kirk a wide smile.
"Da, sir," Pavel answers enthusiastically.
Kirk returns the smile and inwardly congratulates himself for his utter brilliance.
"Well then, maybe we can get together tomorrow night for a game of poker and a few drinks. Invite Sulu too. The more the merrier as I always say."
Chekov nods his head frantically and starts to sprint away from the older man, but then he looks to remember where he is and turns back to Kirk with a sheepish expression in his face. His young face is red with embarrassment as he salutes. Jim returns the salute with a straight face and watches as the navigator walks away at a more dignified pace. He waits until he his sure that Pavel is out of earshot before bursting into laughter. He curls in on himself slightly and wraps his hands around his waist as he laughs harder.
Jim is brought back to himself when he hears the door behind him open. He spins around, still chuckling, to find Spock standing in the doorway with a soft, yet unnameable (to Jim anyway) look in his eyes.
Kirk finally has control over himself and he stands a little straighter as he addresses the Vulcan before him.
"Sorry Spock for the outburst, but I can hardly be blamed when it seems that in every universe Pavel Chekov is as adorable as a basket full of kittens."
Spock's lips twitch in one corner as he continues to stare at the Human standing in front of him.
"Indeed. I will not hold it against you, seeing as I have also fallen victim to Ensign Chekov's cuteness. I have even begun exploring avenues to harness his power as a weapon, but my endeavour has not yet yielded any substantial results."
Before Kirk can reign it in, he snorts a laugh that gets Spock raising one slender eyebrow in response. Jim composes himself (again) and gently grabs Spock's upper arm. He holds his breath as he waits for Spock pull away from him, like the Spock in his universe would, and frees it when, instead of pulling away, Spock actually moves a little closer. Jim squeezes the arm lightly as he starts guiding Spock through the doors.
"Come on, Spock. It's nearly time for our shift. Come and show me where you want me and what you want me to do."
From the corner of his eye, Jim can see a green blush stain the tip of the Vulcan's ears and cheeks. It takes all his willpower to keep his smirk to a minimum.
The smirk has totally disappeared and his hand has dropped to his side, by the time they make their way into the main computer lab. There are at least 15 officers in the labs, working diligently at their consoles. They are so engrossed in their work that not a single one has turned around to see who has entered their inner sanctum. Spock motions for Jim to stay where he is while he steps away into the center of the room, where everyone will be able to see him, once he has gotten their attention.
"Excuse me officers for the interruption but I request your full attention for a short amount of time."
The incessant tapping of keys come to a stop and everyone in the room swivels in their chairs to focus on Spock. Kirk is beyond surprised to find that Gaila is among the group. In his universe Gaila had died during the Vulcan massacre. He smiles at the beautiful Orion that he has always had a soft spot for when her gaze meets his, and she winks at him in return. The sound of something snapping has Jim's eyes focusing in Spock direction, where he can see that the Vulcan is now holding two halves of his stylus. The ship's First Officer is not looking in his direction though, he is instead glaring at Gaila, who is doing her damnedest to avert her eyes. Everyone else either did not see what Spock had done or are choosing to ignore it. Jim's bet is on the latter.
"If we are all paying attention, Lieutenant Vro, then perhaps I can continue. This gentleman, as you have most likely heard from Captain Pike's earlier announcement, is Captain James T. Kirk. While he is on this ship he will be working within this lab during Gamma shift. Please make him feel welcome."
There is a chorus of 'aye, sir's' that fill the room.
Spock shoots another glare at Gaila, trying to wordlessly pass on the message that he doesn't want anyone being too friendly with Jim. The hardness in his eye vanish when he turns to face Kirk.
"Which station would best suit your skills, James?"
Jim is silent for a moment as he mentally goes through his option. Since he was really good at hacking computer systems, it seems only logical that he would be good at finding and stopping hackers. It looks like computer security is his best fit.
"Um... I think I would be most comfortable in computer system security."
Spock's whole expression goes dark at this and Kirk wonders what he has said that could possibly have changed the Vulcan's mood so drastically. Before he can ask, Spock looks back over his shoulder in Gaila's direction.
"Lieutenant Vro, could you come here for a moment?"
Jim watches as the Orion hops out of her seat and practically skips over to where he and Spock are standing. She glances between the two men before finally fixing her attention on the Commander.
"Captain Kirk wishes to work in computer system security, which means that he will be partnered with you during Gamma shift. Please show him where his console is and what tasks his is expected to complete. I will be over at the main terminal, completing change over, if you require me."
Gaila gives him a salute. Spock hesitates for a moment as he glances at Kirk from his peripheral, but then he spins around and walks away.
The moment Spock's back is turned, Gaila grabs Jim's hand and pulls him over to a pair of computer consoles. She then manhandles him into a seat and then takes one herself next to him.
"The names Gaila, and you're James. You've become a bit of a celebrity around here, what with the inter-dimensional traveling and all."
She holds out her hand and he grasps it gently, but firmly and shakes it.
"Nice to meet you, Gaila, but I would prefer it if you'd call me Jim."
Gaila's eyes quickly flash to somewhere over his shoulder before meeting his again. She now has a confused frown on her face.
"But Commander Spock called you James."
Jim blushes at the woman's lack of subtlety, which he should have been more prepared for. He quickly averts his eyes from her searching gaze as he goes to speak, because if anyone can pick up on his bullshit, it'll be Gaila.
"Yeah well, Vulcan's are not overly fond of nicknames and I don't want him to feel uncomfortable, do I?"
He risks a glance at the Orion's face to discover a knowing smirk on her face. She pats him condescendingly on the head before speaking.
"Whatever you say, sweetie. Now, let me show you what you need to do, before Commander Spock comes over here and clips our ears."
Kirk leans over to look at his console as Gaila sends him the information he needs to complete his work, all the while sensing that someone is watching him. Normally, he would be freaked out by the sensation, but for some reason, in this instance, he finds it reassuring.
Jim's shift goes by relatively fast. The work is interesting and Gaila is good company, but the one downfall is that because Spock is supervising all the science labs during this shift, he hardly gets to see the Vulcan during that time.
He is just packing up his station when Gaila taps him on the shoulder. Kirk looks up into her smiling face and can't help returning the gesture. He always found her smile to be contagious. He stands up and waits for her to speak.
"Jim, I was wondering if you would like to hang out with me in the rec room for a little while after we are all finished up here? We could play some table hockey?"
Jim opens his mouth to inform her that he already has plans with Spock, but the Vulcan, who appears out of nowhere, beats him to it.
"I am sorry to inform you, Lieutenant Vro, that Captain Kirk has already made plans with me after this shift. I am sure you find someone else to socialize with during that time. You are so very popular after all."
Gaila's cheeks turn a shade darker in embarrassment and Jim's eyes narrow into a glare that he directs at Spock, who, despite his words, does not look the least bit sorry.
Jim's eyes turn gentle as he grabs the Orion by the wrist and actively ignores Spock's own narrowing eyes that are directed at him.
"I'm having a poker game tomorrow night with a few members of the crew and I want you to come."
A small smile tugs at Gaila's lips and she gives a small nod.
Jim delivers a toothy grin at her acceptance to his invitation. Spock, on the other hand, is openly glowering.
"Great, I'll give you the details during our next shift."
Gaila gives him another nod and pulls out of his grasp. She gives him a little wave and then leaves Spock and him alone near Jim's work station.
Kirk places his hands on his hips and stares angrily at Spock, who has plastered on his most innocent expression.
"That was not very nice, Spock. Why did you have to be so rude to her? Surely there was a nicer way to tell her that I was busy tonight."
Spock, totally ignoring Jim's question and accusations, grabs the blonde's PADD off of his station and pointedly looks towards the exit.
"Shall we depart, James?"
Jim gives an audible sigh, knowing that he is not going to get anything out of the stubborn Vulcan and instead grabs the Vulcan's hand, pulling him in the direction of the door.
They are just outside the door when Jim asks,"So, my room or yours?"
Spock makes a choking sound as they both march through the hallway.
"I beg your pardon?" Spock stutters.
Jim glances over his shoulder to find Spock staring at him in disbelief.
"For the chess match. In my experience it is too noisy to play in the rec rooms, so I think the best solution is to play in private quarters. Which ones would be better; mine or yours?"
Spock almost seems disappointed as he motions in understanding.
"I am of the understanding that the guests quarters of this ship are not equipped with a 3D chess set, so I believe it would be best if we play in my quarters."
Jim voices his accord and squeezes Spock's hand companionably. Just as he is about to turn around, he spots brown eyes darting down to their joined hands and the green that begins to flood the Vulcan's cheeks.
Jim is starting to worry that Spock maybe coming down with something, seeing as how he has never seen his own XO's color as much as this one.
As they walk the final few steps towards the turbolift, Jim makes a mental note to talk with Bones about his concerns. You can never be too careful, especially when it concerns Spock.
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Next chapter will be up on Monday.
There will be some angst, so be prepared.