Jim spends time with other on the ship and with Spock and Selik, but the good times don't last.
Thanks to T'Arrah for beta-ing for me.
Star Trek isn't mine.
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The next several days pass in a pleasant blur for Jim.
He spends first few hours of beta shift hanging out with Selik. They usually play chess, but sometimes they just sit and talk. Selik tells him about what he has been doing in this universe, such as becoming the Vulcan Ambassador for all the Earth colonies. He in turn talks about his life as captain on his Enterprise. The one topic Kirk veers away from every time the old Vulcan brings it up, is his relationship with his own Spock. The disappointed expression that covers Selik's face when Kirk changed the subject for the sixth time, has Jim fearing that the Vulcan has guessed that there is no relationship to actually speak of. Jim is thankful that the Ambassador has enough tact not to ask for confirmation or bring it up again after that.
Kirk usually passes the second half of beta shift either practicing his fencing with Sulu, discussing Russian literature with Chekov (or pretty girls), lazing around and chatting with McCoy in Sickbay, teaching Scotty the perfect chicken to mayo ratio for sandwiches or learning Vulcan from Uhura (who doesnt seem to have the same hardness as the woman on his ship. Probably Scotty's influence).
Jim has, on quite a few occasions, invited Gaila to have a coffee with him in the mess hall and gossip like he used to back at the Academy with his own Gaila, but she shoots him down every time with excuses of being busy. Kirk has never know an Orion to be too busy for gossip. She also maintains that distance at work, not physically (that would be impossible seeing as how she sits right next to him), but mentally. Jim will spend most of his shift trying to get her to act more like the girl he met on his first shift and just when he thinks he's has made some headway with a dirty joke or by turning on the charm, this dash of fear will appear in her gaze and she will turn away from him with a reprimand about his work ethic and focus on her screen once more.
Besides his unstable friendship with Gaila, Jim is enjoying his work. Computers have always been a passion for him, but his completely consuming love for Command has always meant that it needed to be pushed to the side. Being in this universe, where he is a Captain without a ship, means that he is allowed to focus on something he hadn't realized he had missed until he was in a position to do it again. It also didn't hurt that he gets to work with Spock. Kirk gets to see a side of the Vulcan that he rarely got to see in his own universe. The side dedicated to science. Sure his own Spock would stand at the science station and spout facts and figures, but the one time Jim had ventured down to the labs, Spock had all but kicked him out, claiming that the science labs would be of little interest to him. This Spock not only allowed Jim to work in the labs, but also seeks him out to ask for opinions or simply inform him of advancements in experiments. This of course just feeds the already powerful feelings he has for the Vulcan.
After work, Jim and Spock always head to the mess hall for a bite to eat and then go down to one of the the more quite rec rooms to play a game (or three) of chess.
Spock will talk about his time on Earth, while Jim told him stories about his misspent youth or his adventures as captain. Sometimes they don't talk at all and Jim wonders at the fact that he felt such peace during those times, instead of the uncomfortableness that would surface when it happens with anyone else.
Spock usually walks him back to his room and, every single time, they draw out their good-byes. Fleeting glances and aborted movements riddle their final moments together and leave Jim hard and aching for the Vulcan that he refuses to take for himself.
Jim's memories of his time on this ship and the mixed emotions that are swirling within him because of said memories dissolve and he comes back to the here and now when his computer beeps at him.
From the corner of his eye he can see that Gaila has her headphones on as she scans all communications for any viruses and gathers that she did not here the alert that sounded from his station.
His eyes fall to his screen and his brow furrows in confusion.
'There is no maintenance scheduled in engine room C for tonight but someone has logged on. Strange.'
He starts to become alarmed when he discovers that, while the log on info seems authentic at first glance, it is a total fake on closer inspection. The fear begins to grow when a code that would mess with the matter/anti-matter proportion release program. If that program is even a little bit off then it is only a matter of time before the ship blows up.
Kirk types at his keyboard furiously, hoping to block the intruder before the code can be implemented. It is a close call, but he manages to boot out the hacker before any irreversible damage can be done. Once he has put in place a few more firewalls (and booby traps for good measure) around the engineering computer systems, Jim quickly sends a message to Spock telling him that he has found a security breach.
10 minutes later finds Kirk, Spock, Scotty and a security team searching engine room C for any clues that could lead to the identity of the intruder.
Lieutenant Giotto, who is actually quite friendly in this universe (and is an excellent opponent in pool), steps up to the three senior officers and shrugs.
"I'm sorry sirs, but we found nothing. There is evidence that someone has been down here and used the computers, but whoever it was knew how to cover their tracks. Not a single hair or fingerprint could be found and they managed to utilise every blind-spot for all the security feeds."
Scotty eyes seem crazed as he grabs a hold of the chief security officer and begin dragging him towards the computer consoles.
"You're gonnae show me where they touched my girl and you're gonnae show me now, laddy."
Giotto looks pleadingly over his shoulder at Spock and Kirk, who have identical sympathetic expressions on their faces. Scotty pulls at the larger man a bit more firmly and they both disappear from view.
Kirk turns to Spock to find the Vulcan deep in thought. He his hand in front of unfocused brown eyes. "Kirk to Spock. Come in, Spock."
Green tinted lips quirk into a small smile as Spock spins to look at the blond man to his side.
"I am sorry James for ignoring you, but I was trying to come up with a list of possible suspects who could be responsible for nearly destroying this ship."
Jim stares at him expectantly. "And?"
Spock folds his arms across his chest, which for humans usually means they are frustrated, angry or uncomfortable, but for Spock, simply means he is uncertain about something.
"I have not come up with anything conclusive, but I have a hypothesis. This happened only after the Vulcan diplomatic representatives came aboard and one would have to have advanced knowledge in computer programming to be able to insert the code and be well versed in forensic knowledge to avoid leaving any evidence, so..."
Kirk finishes his thought for him. "You think it's someone working for Selik. You believe a Vulcan just tried to blow us all up."
"James, I do not take pleasure in my conclusion, but you must admit that all evidence so far points to one of my own people."
Jim nods solemnly. "What are you going to do, Spock?"
Spock's hands fall to his and he pulls at the bottom of his tunic, as his back straightens.
"I will need to inform Captain Pike of this development. Will you be able to supervise Mr Scott and security, while I go collect the Captain from his quarters, James?"
Jim gives the Vulcan first officer a reassuring smile and pat on the shoulder that lingers a moment too long.
"I'll be fine, Spock. I'll make sure the kiddies don't misbehave. You go and tell daddy Pike what has happened."
A incredulous, slanted eyebrow goes up, but the affect is negated somewhat by the adoration shining from brown eyes. "You have a very singular sense of humor, James. Though, at times I find it confusing, I have decided that I am quite fond of it."
Spock doesn't allow Jim time to stop gaping and gather his thoughts so that he can reply, and instead turns on his heels and (in Kirk opinion) saunters out of the room.
Jim is still standing there staring at the, now empty, doorway 4 minutes later when Scotty comes bounding back over to him and shoving his PADD into the younger man's chest. Kirk reflectively clutches it to him before it can fall to the floor.
"You did good, laddy. Whoever it was messin' around down didn't do any real damage because of your quick thinkin'."
Jim glances down at the PADD now nestled in his hands and confirms what Scotty has said. The ship is not in danger... at the moment, but that doesn't mean whoever it was won't try again. They will have to take precautions to ensure the ship is secure.
Either Scotty is a mind-reader or Jim is telegraphing his thoughts via his face, because the engineer immediately addresses Kirk's concerns.
"Don't worry lad. Along with your extra computer security, I have organized with Lieutenant Giotto for there to be security personnel stationed in every engine room around the clock until we catch the bugger who tried to hurt my ship."
Kirk automatically goes to correct Scotty and inform him that it is in fact his ship, like he has had to do in the past, but then he remembers that this is not the same Mr Scott and this is not his Enterprise. He deflates a little art that reminder.
Scotty must notice the sudden change in Jim because he lays a hand on the blond's shoulder.
"Don't fret, Jim. Even with all this excitement we will nae forget about getting you back home."
Jim goes to assure Scotty that he isn't worried about that, but the man in red just keeps talking.
"We were even making headway with the formula that we thought might get you back to your own universe, but we hit a little snag."
"What kind of snag?"
Mr Scott rubs his hands together, a sure sign that he is anxious. He doesn't answer straight away, which starts to worries Jim because it means that, either Scotty is having trouble understanding the answer, or he doesn't have an answer. Turns out that it's a little of both.
"I don't quite understand it myself. Theoretically the formula should work, but after we send it to the science labs to have it analysed and put into the computers, the same thing always happens when we go test it, no matter how many times we tweak the bastard."
Jim is curious. "What happens?"
Scotty hesitates and Kirk realises it must be bad.
"Our test subjects have sorta... blown up."
Jim's eyes widen comically at this little snippet of information.
"Blown up! As in exploded? How the hell can something explode in the transporter? I've never heard of such a thing happening before!"
Scotty does this weird head movement, which seems to be a mix between nodding and shaking. Jim would laugh if this wasn't so serious. 'Keeping your vital organs on the inside of his body' serious.
"Like I said Cap'n, I don't rightly know how or why it's going wrong. By all accounts, the formula should work, or at the very least, not blow things up, but something keeps going wrong."
A thought starts to niggle a Kirk's brain. He tries to rid himself of it because it's such a terrible thing to accuse someone of, but it won't leave him along. He asks the question that will help confirm his suspicions.
"Who is the one that analyses the formula and inputs into the ship's system?"
Mr Scott is taken back by that unexpected question. "Why, Mr Spock of course. He's the chief science officer of this ship, so anything of this kinda importance needs to go directly to him."
Kirk stumbles back as if he has been hit in the gut. Scotty gazes at him in concern and goes to reach out for the pale captain, but Jim lifts his hands to stop the engineer coming any closer.
"Um... Scotty, are you... are you okay to stay here until Spock and Pike get here? I need to go talk to somebody."
Scotty nods. "Aye lad, but should you really be leaving? You don't look too well. Maybe I should call the doctor."
Kirk plaster his most reassuring smile onto his face, hoping the older man does not notice that it doesn't reach his eyes.
"I'll be fine, Scotty, but I need to go, like right now."
At Mr Scott's acknowledgement, Jim calmly walks out of the engine room, but once he is in the hallway, he breaks into a dead run towards the turbolift.
He is panting by the time he gets to Selik's quarters and begins pounding on the old man's door. It seems like forever to Jim when the door finally slides open and the elder Vulcan is staring at him in puzzlement and concern.
"Jim, what has happened?"
Kirk doesn't answer. He just pushes his way into the room and begins pacing between the bed and desk, while he brushes his hands roughly through his hair.
Selik worry increases as he takes in the state his friend is in.
"You seem extremely agitated, Jim. Please tell me what is troubling you."
Jim stops his pacing and turns to Selik with an almost manic look in his eyes. He points an accusatory finger at the Vulcan, who is startled by the sudden movement.
"You! You are sabotaging the formula that is meant to get me back to my universe!"
Selik's eyes go wide and both eyebrows shoot up at the charge laid against him by the Human. He moves closer to the jittery Kirk trying not to startle him, and takes a gentle hold of the hands that are now pulling at the soft blond hair.
"Jim, I can assure you that I would never do that to you. I would never take away your chance of returning to your world, even if I do not think it is the best coarse of action open to you."
Jim pulls is hands free of Selik's hold and glares at his friend, as he steps back to put some distance between him and the Vulcan.
"You might not do something like that, but apparently your younger self has no scruples when it comes to committing acts of sabotage."
Selik takes a careful step closer to the clearly furious Human, but does not make the mistake of touching him again.
"What are you saying, Jim?"
Suddenly, Jim collapses into the chair next to the desk and buries his face hands. If it weren't for his Vulcan hearing, Selik would have missed Jim garbled words.
"Spock is the reason I am still here."
/
I'm sort of glad I have cut back on my updates because not only is real life kicking my ass at the moment, but I am having a little trouble writing the rest of this story. I know where I want it to go, but getting it down in words is becoming more difficult. Do not fear though, I will still be able to give you a chapter once a week, just pray that my muses don't leave me completely.