A/N: So this chapter is short for two reasons. 1. Being that it just didn't flow into the next part of the story in one chapter very well. (At least not in my head? I don't know). 2. Because the next part, if I had included into this chapter, is much too long for one chapter. IMO anyway. Thanks for reading. Please review!
"You know, I had no idea that when you asked me to meet you for dinner, a whole month after the initial invitation, that I was going to be ambushed." Jennifer said to Jais upon entering the diner. Sitting next to Jais, was Captain Pike and Commander Spock.
"Yeah, well, it would be a bit improper of me to take you out to dinner on my own. I must have forgotten to mention the company. My bad." Jais replied, shrugging. Jennifer knew right away that he'd flirted with her and asked her out implying a personal dinner on purpose. Pure tactics.
But it'd been a month. An entire month. A month of wondering if Jais had been having second thoughts about asking a student out to dinner, a month of grueling studying and instead of just taking the advanced hand to hand combat course, actually assisting in teaching it. A month of getting her ass handed to her by the academy's resident Vulcan, who apparently, only lost the first time because he was unprepared for the physical contact that Jennifer made with his foot. A month of her classmates laughing at her because while she could seriously beat the crap out of them, and sometimes Jais too, Spock was on an entire other level. The Vulcan had taken to teaching her more of the Susa Mana when she wasn't assisting the class and he was able to appear. Jais, Kirk highly suspected, asked the commander to come by more often, due to the fact that Jennifer probably didn't need the class anyway.
The Vulcan in question was now staring at her and Jennifer realized she'd yet to sit down. She might have been staring at him too. For how long, she didn't really know.
"You're seat's getting cold Kirk. Sit down." Captain Pike finally spoke up. Jennifer felt heat flush her cheeks and she knew her blush was purely evident for all to see.
"Sorry, lost in thought for a minute, sir." She replied softly, sitting down towards the wall of the booth when Spock stood to allow her access. It was the only seat open, as Captain Pike and Jais were sitting next to one another.
"Yeah, or two." Pike laughed. "And don't sir me here, this isn't exactly official business, although it isn't quite a social call either."
Jennifer tilted her head in confusion, raising an eyebrow, questioning.
"We have an offer to make to you, but I needed to discuss it with Chris here, and Spock too since he's assisting Chris with you." Jais said. "Sorry it took so long to schedule the meeting with you, but both of them wanted to be here. Well, Chris did anyway, Spock is here because he thinks it's logical to be made aware of your decision as soon as it is made." Jais laughed.
"Quite logical. I have no pressing business tonight, this meeting is the only one of such on my schedule today. None of my projects require my attendance either." Spock explained, but Jennifer felt like he knew Jais was goading him anyway.
It was funny to Jennifer, how much she was starting to notice about the peculiar commander. He pretended like he didn't understand humans and the way they talked, or acted, but she guessed he understood much more than he advertised. She liked that about him, she did the same thing. People were always making assumptions about her and underestimating her. She didn't bother to correct them, it was too much work. Jennifer enjoyed watching people react when their assumptions were proven incorrect.
Uhura was one such example. After the first X-ling club meeting, she started taking notice of Jennifer in a different way than she had before. She realized, maybe not completely yet, but Jennifer didn't mind, that Jennifer Kirk was not an unintelligent woman riding on the coattails of her father's name. Sure, Uhura and Jennifer still bickered back and forth and found reasons to argue, but the arguments were more like constructive debates, and the bickering more like friends toying with each other. Not that either one of the two women would admit to being friends, not yet, but it was getting there.
"So, I'm not in trouble then?" Jennifer asked, seriously contemplating whether or not she'd done anything to deserve the attention of the three men currently before her. She didn't think she'd done anything wrong, but she did hack Starfleet's personnel files two weeks ago. Nothing classified, but she was looking for information on someone and hacking was just quicker and easier these days.
"Not that we're aware of, Kirk. Why? Is there a reason you should be in trouble?" Pike quipped
"None that I know of, sir-Chris. And I'd be the first to know, wouldn't I?"
"Yeah, Jenn, I suppose you would. Just, don't try hacking into the mainframe or anything, please?" Pike replied, somewhat knowingly.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Jennifer answered, flushing pink at the somewhat accurate half-warning.
"Good. Now," Pike started but stopped when he noticed a waitress heading towards their table, "I guess we'll wait until after we order."
Jennifer sighed, growing impatient. She really wanted to know what this cryptic 'offer' was.
The orders were all placed. Both Chris and Jais ordered steaks with baked potatoes and some form of vegetable, Spock, of course, ordered a vegetarian meal, mainly eggplant, and Jennifer ordered salmon with asparagus.
"So, what is this offer you guys are being so guarded about?" Jennifer asked, hoping to rid herself of her growing anxiety.
Chris and Jais shared a look. Spock remained tactfully silent while confirming with a nod to Chris that he should not be the one to speak first.
"Well, it's been brought to my attention," Chris started, "that we may have underestimated you." Jennifer gave Chris a pointed look, then gazed over to Jais, to Spock, and back to Chris, raising a questioning eyebrow. Something she'd picked up from the commander who was boxing her against the wall of the booth from making a hasty escape.
"There is a reason all three of us are here, Kirk." Jais said. She nodded and waited for him to continue. "Jenn, Spock and I have are pretty observant, and while you can't really beat Spock in a fair fight, considering his Vulcan strength and extensive Vulcan martial arts training, you hand my ass to me more times than I'd care to think about during class."
Jennifer raised both of her eyebrows up towards her hairline in open shock at this admittance.
"You have shown considerable skill during my observations of your time in the advanced hand to hand combat course. Your skill easily surpasses that of your classmates. The rate at which you are learning the Susa Mana from my instruction is also commendable, especially so for a human." Spock added neutrally, but Jennifer took it for what it was, Vulcan saying it or not. Especially since it was a Vulcan saying it, and one she respected the hell out of, even if he could be off-putting at times.
It was a major compliment.
"What we want is instead of you continuing to be a just a student in Lt. Commander Jaison's class, is to assist him with teaching it. You will still be credited for the class, as it's been too long to transfer you out without failing you. But we also want for you to continue in teaching with him after your class period is up." Chris said.
Jennifer's mouth hung agape at this declaration. Just being able to take the advanced hand to hand combat course was, well, a big deal. Especially in a cadet's first year of school, almost unheard of even. To be asked to assist in teaching the course, well, Jennifer knew she had the skill, but still, it was shocking.
"That being said, however," Chris continued, "you will still be required to train with Commander Spock. Like he said, you've taken to his training sessions quite well, but we would like to make them a more steady and permanent thing. This will make up for the training you'll miss out on while helping Jaison teach his class. Especially so, because given his current circumstances, you may be required to take on the class alone at times." He paused for a moment before directly addressing Spock. "You've carved out the requisite time for training sessions with Kirk?"
Jennifer looked between Chris, who had been growing as a father figure to her over the past several months, and between Spock.
"I have designed a schedule that will be efficient for both Cadet Kirk's and my own time." Spock replied. Turning to her, he continued. "I have spoken with Captain Pike concerning your schedule to select a suitable time for the training sessions. You do physical training during the early mornings. These training sessions will take the place of your required physical training on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. As well as every other Sunday afternoon. I can forward you the details of this calendar at the conclusion of this meeting."
Jennifer was still in shock. She knew she was good, but not that good. And she would still be able to train with Spock. That her schedule was getting even more demanding didn't even cross her mind. In fact, getting out of some of the boring physical training she had in the mornings to learn the mysterious Vulcan martial art was something she considered a bonus.
The next thing that crossed her mind was Bones. He was going to kill her for this. Well, he would, if it wouldn't violate his Hippocratic Oath. Every time she had sparred with Spock after that first time she came back with several bruises. Nothing that was overly worrisome. But Bones being Bones, he swore and cursed at her for being so reckless. He called her crazy when she had explained how she'd gotten the bruises. Sparring with a Vulcan. Bones had said she was out of her mind and should possibly submit herself for a psychiatric evaluation for fighting with a Vulcan.
Maybe she could put off telling him about it this weekend. The long four day academy training holiday that she was supposed to be spending with Bones in Georgia visiting his family because she didn't go with him during winter break.
Before Jennifer could actually say anything, before she could respond to the unexpected, but not unwelcome 'offer', which sounded more like a 'directive', the group's food arrived.
"Think, eat, and then talk." Chris said, knowing Jennifer was about to reply.
So they ate. Jennifer remained silent, content to listen to Chris and Jais talk over their meal about random topics. Spock ate in silence as well. So it wasn't strange that Jennifer and Spock finished their meals before the other two had. So it wasn't strange that now Jennifer started to feel a bit awkward.
Awkward at sitting next to, much to close for mutual comfort, to a very still and silent Vulcan. Awkward that by observation alone she started to notice that Chris was shooting her unreadable and confusing glances that had nothing to do with the topic of conversation. Awkward that Jais was doing the same, except his eyes were darting in-between Spock and her.
Awkward because she didn't understand how future command teams based on the current command cadet student pool had much to do with random looks at her and Spock. Her, she understood. She was a cadet on the command track. Spock, however, it didn't make any sense to her whatsoever.
"Okay." She finally decided to interrupt after suffering in the awkward silence. "Okay. Sounds good. When do we start all this?"
Jais looked to Pike who looked to Spock and back to Jennifer.
"After the training holiday this weekend. Monday." Chris said.
"It'll give you time to think about your first lesson plan because I won't be able to instruct class on Tuesday afternoon. I'll be back by next Thursday." Jais added.
"Wait, what? I don't even, haven't even, by myself?" Jennifer asked, panicked. It only gave her one night to come up with a suitable lesson plan. She would leave for Georgia tomorrow night, Thursday, with Bones, and she wasn't about to cancel those plans.
Mama McCoy was expecting her. Or so Bones had reminded her almost every day for the past two weeks.
"Commander Spock will be present, should you need assistance. Though, somehow, I think you'll be just fine, Jenn." Jais responded.
Jennifer spared a glare at Jais, then turned it on Chris.
"You knew about this. I just saw you like two days ago. You know I'm supposed to go with Bones to Georgia this weekend. That he'll knock me unconscious if he has to just to put me on the shuttle to do it. You know because you made him promise not to let me work on anything Starfleet related this weekend because even you think I'm not, and I quote, 'getting enough downtime with my current workload and study habits.' Which reminds me, you do realize this is adding to that workload right? And that Bones is going to kill me."
Chris just laughed before regaining the ability to speak again. Jais chuckled and shook his head. Jennifer could almost feel the palpable confusion coming from Spock by the way he shifted slightly next to her.
"What, you can't handle it, Jenn? And I only said that to him because you do need a break. Especially before you start doing this as well. You need a couple of good nights of honest to god rest and McCoy's the only one I know who will make sure you get it."
"Chris, I love you like a father, but I swear-" Jennifer started to say, but was cut off.
"I assume the 'Bones' you refer to is in fact Doctor McCoy, medical cadet. I find it highly illogical someone trained in the medical profession and with whom you are willingly spending a vast amount of personal time with would wish to end your existence prematurely." Spock asserted, looking at Jennifer with a brow raised.
No one could help it, Chris, Jais, and Jennifer all started laughing boisterously.
"I do not find the humor in such a statement. Surely murder is not, as you would say, a 'laughing matter'." Spock confessed puzzled as the laughter died down.
"I didn't mean it literally, commander. Just that Bone's is going to be illogically upset with me for taking on more work." Jennifer explained.
Spock seemed to consider this and nodded in, hopefully understanding, before raising another question.
"Why do you refer to Doctor McCoy as 'Bones'? It is a rather curious moniker."
Jennifer chuckled, as did Chris and Jais.
"It's a nickname, commander. Humans use nicknames to address one another informally." Jennifer offered.
"Then would it not be correct to call the doctor by his given forename, if you wish to refer to him informally? I fail to divine the purpose of a 'nickname' as means of informal address."
Jennifer shared a look with Chris which said that he wasn't going to be the one to try and explain it to him. Jais just shrugged at her when she looked at him. Jennifer sighed.
"A nickname is usually a shortened version of someone's first name. It's like how I call Captain Pike, Chris. And how he calls me Jenn when my first name is Jennifer. His full name is Christopher and my full name is Jennifer, but both are shortened into nicknames. It's a way of addressing, or referring to one another in conversation."
"I still do not understand. By this logic you should only shorten Doctor McCoy's first name. Also, why is it that you refer to each other as such? Surely it would not be more appropriate to address a senior officer by his or her given rank?" Spock countered. Jennifer audibly sighed again.
"A little help guys?" She asked, looking more so at Chris then Jais.
"Spock, a nickname implies a personal connection, or even affection of a sort. She would never refer to me by my nickname, or first name for that matter, in an official setting. But casually, because we know each other well, and she's almost like a daughter to me, it's okay. Desired even. Usually, if you know someone well enough, or have been acquainted with them long enough, in the proper setting, a nickname, or hell even an informal address of some sort is preferable to being called by rank or title all the time. " Chris expanded thoughtfully. Jennifer realized he had probably had this argument with Spock before, but never this in depth.
"And why do you refer to Lt. Commander Jaison as Jais then and not by his given first name?" Spock asked, merely curious now.
Jais decided to answer this time. "Jaison is technically my first name. My last name is pretty much unpronounceable to most people, so I thought it was just easier to go by Jaison instead of my last name. Kind of how you do."
"Spock isn't your last name?" Jennifer asked, somewhat confused.
"Indeed it is not. My last name, much like Lt. Commander Jaison's, is unpronounceable to nearly all humans." Spock replied coolly.
"I didn't know. What is it, if you don't mind me asking?" Jennifer asked anyway.
"I do not. It is S'chn T'gai."
"Yeah, uh, no, I don't know if I even want to try that. Too many constants."
A round of laughs by all except for the Vulcan were had.
"Am I to infer by your explanation that you would prefer me to call you by your first names or nicknames?" Spock asked concerned he had made a human social faux pau. Or at least as concerned as a Vulcan could be.
Chris slammed his hand on the table suddenly and smiled. "Finally he gets it! I've been asking you to call me Chris or Christopher for going on four years, Spock. Yes, at least in informal settings, such as these, I would indeed prefer it. I consider you to be a friend, a good friend."
"Me too." Jais added.
Spock looked thoughtfully at Captain Pike for a moment and nodded.
"Very well. I would reply that you should also refer to me simply by Spock in such settings as well, however, it seems you have already adopted the habit."
Chris laughed. So did Jais and Jennifer.
"In such case," Spock turned to Jennifer, "as we have been acquainted for some time already, and we shall further develop our acquaintance, you may also refer to me simply as Spock."
"Only if you call me by my first name instead of just Cadet Kirk." Jennifer replied with a smile.
Spock nodded. "As you wish, Jennifer."
"Jenn." Jennifer said.
"I do not believe we are sufficiently acquainted for nicknames just yet." Spock replied. And Jennifer laughed, thinking that honestly, he must have fibbed about not understanding human humor.
Chris and Jais laughed too. Jennifer was onto him.