I managed to update early, I really wanted to get this chapter out, it's an introduction chapter and its slow but in the next few, the plot will pick up the pace. This month, I am going to try and aim to update each week. (I hope I won't be eating my words later XD). The next chapters will be focused on the academy days because I've always wanted to know what Jim and Bones got up to in those three years off screen.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek (unfortunately) all rights go to Gene Roddenberry, CBS and Paramount Pictures

Warnings: None for this chapter.

Chapter 2: Introductions

Stardate: -68680.36

Location: Riverside Shipyard & Starfleet Academy

Jim flung his keys in the direction of the pleasantly surprised shipyard worker who had just gained a free motor vehicle. His smile spoke confidence as he walked up to the shuttle with Pike at its entrance.

"Four years? We'll do it in three," he smiled radiating with cockiness.

Skye followed suit with her bag slung over her shoulder, pausing only to give Pike a small smile, indicating to him that he hadn't won quite yet. Stepping inside the shuttle made her squint due to the difference in lighting but she managed to adjust quickly. Jim was busy looking around, distracted by the many sea of cadets dressed in red, making them stick out like a sore thumb. She managed to duck to avoid the low celling but the bang that rang out behind her indicated to her that Jim hadn't been so lucky. She turned and she bit back a laugh as Jim mock glared at her continuing on their pursuit to look for spare seats. They did pass a few familiar grim faces, many cadets whose black eyes and bruises were of her making. Skye passed them silently but Jim smiled at them, especially at the one who had been responsible for his bruised face.

"At ease, gentlemen," he mocked giving them a salute.

The one Jim had branded 'cupcake' said nothing but it was evident from his eyes that he was anything but pleased to see them again. Skye led them to three free seats, where she sat down in the middle one. Her headache had lessened over the course of the night but the colours were still more prominent than they would be if she had full control. She freed her long red curls from their confinements and untwisted her fish tail braid. Skye breathed an internal sigh of relief, almost feeling as if some of the pain had been lessened. Skye fastened her belt buckle whilst James looked around before he spied Nyota who was sitting a few seats away.

"Never did get that first name," he called over to her.

Nyota's head shot up to meet the source of the voice and she smiled slightly in exasperation. Skye smiled back at Nyota to convey that she was going to be on her side in this name game. Nyota smiled back genuinely at her and it didn't take long for Jim to catch on.

"Wait you know her name?" he asked at Skye.

"My lips are sealed," she replied with a sly smile but her eyes were shining in amusement.

"You-"

A loud bang sounded from behind them causing a row of heads to turn towards the commotion. A female academy officer was wrestling with a man who was refusing to sit down.

"You need a doctor," she boomed over the man's protests.

"I told you people, I don't need a doctor. I am a doctor!" the man responded with a clear southern drawl.

Skye and Jim moved out of the way as the female officer practically dragged the man to the only free seat left. Skye watched the scene unfold intently, she concentrated on the man whose Essensiya was much louder than those in the rest of the shuttle. Skye found it difficult to shield it out as it radiated to her mind in slow waves.

"You need to get back to your seat," the officer snapped Skye out of her musings.

"I had one in the bathroom with no windows," the man argued back, determined the officer wouldn't win.

"You need to get back to your seat, now!" the woman erupted, drawing the last line.

"I suffer from Aviophobia. It means fear of dying in something that flies," the man retorted.

"Sir, for your own safety, sit down or else I'll make you sit down," the officer warned, her eyes harbouring a dangerous glint and Skye knew that she wouldn't hesitate in carrying out that threat.

He's afraid of things that fly and he's joining Starfleet?

She could feel Jim's amusement but she didn't reply as she was far too focused on the man who stood stubbornly in front of the woman, gritting his teeth.

"Fine," he bit back.

"Thank you," replied the female officer, walking away.

The man sat directly next to Skye muttering under his breath. She could feel his emotions radiating in deep waves and before she knew what she was doing she was focusing in on them. She felt a sharp deep blue energy coming at her in small balls, they danced off each other and the feeling of drowning grew more intense the deeper she got. Skye jumped as Jim touched her hand lightly pulling her back. She fiddled with the ring on her left finger to try and dispel the anxious feeling away.

Is everything okay?

Yeah, sorry, mental shields still a bit all over the place.

Pikes voice came through the intercom "This is Captain Pike. We've been cleared for take-off."

Skye nudged Jim with her shoulder and he smiled at her, the feeling of mutual excitement of the unknown filled both of them until Skye turned to her left to see the man from before watching her. Skye took in his appearance, he looked no more out of place than she and Jim did in civilian clothing. He looked ragged as if he had not slept in a while and his eyes looked grim.

"I may throw up on you," he warned.

"Noted," Skye replied.

"I think these things are pretty safe," Jim said leaning over.

"Don't pander to me, kid. One tiny crack in the hull, and our blood boils in thirteen seconds. A solar flare might pop up and cook us in our seats. And wait 'til your sitting pretty with a case of Andorian shingles. See if you're still so relaxed when your eyeballs are bleeding. Space is disease and danger after darkness and silence," he drawled on staring at the two.

"You can't catch the type of Andorian Shingles that makes your eyes bleed, so you can cross of one worry off your list," Skye said.

"Kid, I am a Doctor," the man replied.

"I technically never finished my training but trust me I've had Andorian Shingles, Type B, and it can't effect humans, so you have nothing to worry about," Skye explained.

"Ho-"

"Well, I hate to break this to you, but Starfleet operates in space," Jim said cutting him off.

"Yeah, well, got nowhere else to go. The ex-wife took the whole damn planet in the divorce. All I've got left is my bones," he replied.

"Jim Kirk," introduced Jim.

"Skye Collins," she offered.

"McCoy, Leonard McCoy," Leonard said before downing the content in his flask.

He offered some to Skye first but she declined, she had already had too much to drink as it is. Jim, however, gladly accepted it and took an enthusiastic swig before handing it back. The shuttle finally began to pick up speed as they all looked towards the view of the sun that still hung low in the sky, casting a beautiful orange glow over the incomplete hull of the Enterprise. She felt eyes on her and she turned to meet Leonard's gaze.

"So, you never finished your training?" he asked striking up conversation to distract himself.

"No, never did, I was in the middle of training whilst working," Skye replied "What about you? What attracted you to the sleepless nights and shifts filled with patients who make your life a living hell," Skye smiled.

Leonard smiled back slightly before thinking "It wasn't my first choice in career path and sometimes I am still asking myself that very same question."

Skye allowed herself a small laugh before relaxing back into her seat. From there Skye, Jim and Leonard shared outrageous childhood stories and those about her first time on Vulcan were particularly a source for laughter, especially ones surrounding pranks she had played on her school master which had caused scandal in the aunt and uncles household. No matter how hard she tried, Skye couldn't get that feeling out of her mind and she knew that there was something aching behind those brown eyes.

"I did warn ya kid," Leonard said once they had landed.

"That was spectacular!" Jim laughed wiping a tear from his eye.

"Yeah, yeah, alright you made your point kid," Leonard said grumbling slightly.

Skye couldn't stop laughing at the face of the poor cadet that Leonard had just emptied the entire content of his stomach over. He looked over avoiding eye contact from other cadets as they exited the shuttle into the hanger bay.

"Welcome to San Francisco cadets, if you'd follow me this way," the female officer from earlier commanded "You'll receive a welcome talk and then you'll be shown to your dorms."

She looked particularly over at Leonard her eyes narrowing. Skye hovered near Jim as they walked slowly still looking out place in their own clothes that were still covered in blood and carried the smell of liquor.

"You three!" boomed the officer from before, who had somehow appeared next to them "You need to sort out your dress code, get yourself uniforms," she demanded.

"Aye, Mam," Jim mocked, giving her an exaggerated salute.

She said nothing but she scowled at them before walking away.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Jim said when she was out of hearing range.

"Not a great first impression," Skye said.

"And I am not about to start changing," Jim said before he spotted two very interesting females who were smiling back at him.

"I release you," Skye said shaking her head.

"Is he always that damn annoying?" Leonard asked.

"Most of the time, but he wouldn't be Jim without it," Skye replied.

The process went surprisingly quickly with the welcome speech from a few Admirals and other officials. Skye bit back a few remarks as they tried to sell Starfleet as this perfect force for good after their latest scandal of Admirals stealing Academy funding. She had lost Jim in the crowds but she had stuck with Leonard after they had been given there cadet reds under the watchful eyes of Officer Mathews. Skye and Leonard left the hall to go to their lines for their room.

"Where are you?" Skye asked.

"I am in East bloc," Leonard replied looking down at his issued PADD.

Before Skye could get another word out she saw Pike coming towards her, his eyes set in their direction.

"Cadet Collins," Pike smiled.

"Sir," Skye nodded in acknowledgement.

"Cadet McCoy," Pike nodded in Leonard's direction before turning his gaze back to Skye. "Where is Kirk?" he asked.

Just in that moment, Jim came strolling out from around the corner with a girl looped on his arm, deep in conversation.

Jim!

James came walking up to the three and nodded in Pikes direction before standing next to Skye.

"You're free to go Cadet McCoy but I want you to come to my office," Pike informed them.

Skye smiled at Leonard and followed Pike down a set of long corridors passing officials ranging from junior cadets to senior staff members. They finally came to a stop when they entered a spacious office with a neat desk, with a PADD resting on it.

"You two have gone about the process a bit differently, usually cadets have to go through the application process and choose what they want to study so we give them their interviews and time tables but in your case we'll have to do that now," explained Pike taking a seat.

He handed them his PADD where they signed their names and looked over a few bits of information.

"Now I am assuming Skye that you're applying for the medical program," he said "So because you've already done most of your training I am going to place you in the advanced class with this who already have qualified as doctors outside the academy," Pike clarified

"Sir if it's possible I'd also like to apply for an engineering course," Skye inquired.

"That's going to be a lot of work, I'll put you down and enter you in for the normal class but I am sure that's something you'll handle," Pike said before daring to add with a small smile "Your father did graduate the academy specialising in Command, Engineering and Communications."

Skye had heard that all before but chose not to say anything as she watched Pike turn to Jim.

"I am putting you on command track son," Pike said as Jim nodded in conformation.

"And it'll be done in three," Jim smiled.

"I'll believe that when I see it, now go, I'll send you your schedules later," Pike smiled.

"Thanks," Skye said with a small nod.

They left the office together, Skye keen to get to her room to see who she'd be rooming with for the next academic year. Jim stretched as he came out, today was mainly induction where cadets would explore the facilities and would get more talks from various teachers and officers before lessons started bright and early tomorrow.

"I am going to get 'acquainted' with the local bar," Jim said "Joining?"

"I don't think so, I am in need of some desperate meditation," Skye replied.

I'll see you later today, have fun.

See ya!

She watched Jim's form get smaller as he exited through the sliding doors and into the mass of new cadets. She unlocked her PADD and began to surf through her new messages introducing her to the academy. She pulled out her map and she followed the directions to her new dorm room. Who made this? She thought irritated as she turned her PADD around to get a different angle. Looking up she barely had time to register the person that was coming round the corner. She collided straight into them and almost fell onto the ground if it wasn't for a steady hand that pulled her back up.

"I am so sorr- Spock!" she exclaimed "Nashaut! It's been so long! How long has it been, three years?"

"Three years, seven months, twenty seven days," Spock replied but Skye could see the warmth in his and she could feel the telepathic familial bond they had formed years ago on Vulcan buzzing in her mind.

"I trust you have been well since we had last encountered?" Spock asked.

"I've been good, thanks. How have you been? Your omekhu? I haven't spoken to them in so long," Skye said remembering her Aunt Amanda's warm smile and her Uncle Sarek's kind patients.

"I am well. My mother and father are also well. My mother will be pleased to know that you have decided to join the academy," Spock continued, stepping aside to let a few cadets go.

"It was a spur of the moment decision. You're a teacher now aren't you?" asked Skye.

"Correct, I am teaching a logic and Vulcan culture class this academic year," Spock replied.

"I don't know what my time table looks like yet, I still have to choose my optional modules for this year but I'll defiantly apply," Skye said with a warm smile.

"Excuse me Commander?" asked a nervous cadet.

"Yes cadet?"

"Admiral Barret was asking for you, regarding the examinations for this year," finished the cadet before scurrying away.

"I am afraid I must see to this but it has been most gratifying to know that you are doing well, perhaps if you are not occupied tomorrow you would join me for an evening meal. Plomeek soup, if I remember correctly, was your most preferred Vulcan dish," Spock asked his hands remaining behind his back.

"I'd love to, here is my new address for my PADD, rom-haian," Skye said with a small wave.

"Rom-haian," Spock said inclining his head in her direction before walking away.

Her PADD buzzed as soon as Spock left her and she was given a list of classes which were compulsory for medicine and for engineering. She glanced at the second list which contained the optional modules she could choose apart from on Wednesday afternoons where she was working a shift at Starfleet hospital. Feeling tiredness creeping up on her she finally made it to her room. Her roommate was already inside with their back turned to her. On turning around she was met with a familiar face.

"Hi again," Skye greeted.

Nyota smiled at her and Skye dumped her bag in the empty bed and turned to face her.

"So it looks like we'll be rooming together for the next year," Nyota said.

"I can promise you I am not always as…violent or noisy," Skye promised with a little smile.

Nyota's face beamed in amusement "that was some punch you delivered there."

"I've got my Vulcan side to thank for that," she laughed.

"If you don't mind me asking, why do you not follow the Vulcan way, it's just I've never met a… emotional Vulcan before," Nyota asked unsure of how to phrase the question.

"No its fine, I didn't actually have any choice in the matter, I grew up on Betazed in the Elastaii region, where emotional expression was encouraged," Skye explained.

Nyota and Skye sat down next to each other and they talked for what felt like hours about culture, language and what they were both looking forwards to at the academy. It wasn't until Nyota left the room that Skye was truly alone for the first time, she unwrapped her belongings from her bag and placed her PADD on the floor. It was only late afternoon and she had still yet to explore the buildings and research what classes she wanted to take. Much needed meditation was calling to her but it was sleep that won the battle, she changed into a spare T-Shirt since she had no actual clothes with her. She hit her bed and it was soon after that she fell into a sleep that was plagued by images from a haunting past and certain brown eyes that hid a painful past.

Translations

Nashaut: Greetings/hello.

Omekhu: Parents.

Rom-haian: Farewell.