Chapter Fifteen

Accepted

Several Months Later

A year ago Jim would never have imagined himself back on Earth.

After deciding to join Starfleet and to take the Academy exam, Jim spent the next few weeks studying. He took Pike's words to heart and brushed up on everything from Astrophysics to Xenolinguistics.

With the help of his new friends, he walked into the tests confidently.

The exams themselves were as formidable as they had been talked up to be. Chekov likened them to the imperial exams of Ancient China. They were mentally, physically, and emotionally draining all at the same time and took place over the course of a few days. The other candidates at the testing session had been preparing for it for months, some even longer. Their hopes for the future rode on these exams.

In the end, Jim passed with the highest score, announced to him by a proud Christopher Pike with a handshake.

Arrangements were made for Jim to start at the Academy in the upcoming summer semester.

A special course load was prepared to fit Jim. Due to what Jim believed was both hero-perks and his being a modest genius, he had been allowed to test out of certain courses. He had also opted to take the maximum number of courses each semester. This way, he was on a fast track for graduation.

Despite just returning to Earth, Jim could not wait to get back among the stars. He was not one to stay in one place for long, especially planet-side. Luckily Starfleet Command seemed to support his desire, as they wanted to get their new golden boy through his studies and into action as fast as possible.

Sure, Jim recognized it was an honor to get the chance to study at the renowned Starfleet Academy. Just being on the impressive campus made Jim feel like he seeped up the wisdom of those who studied here before him. Some people would happily spend the rest of their lives studying here but the was not for Jim. He preferred to learn through exploration and adventure, which is what he knew awaited him if he survived his schooling.

The real threat to Jim making through the Academy was not the challenging courses that lay ahead of him, but instead the few months he had until the summer semester began.

Jim was not one to be idle and once he no longer had to study for his exams he found himself with a dangerous amount of free time.

Even on his old ship, he did not like all the free time he had, so he worked hard to keep himself occupied. Things like working out, reading books, self-teaching himself whatever he wanted to learn (a contributing factor to his academic success), and working on endless ship repairs kept him busy (despite his best efforts the ship was by nature a hunk of junk and was prone to breaking down and giving him hell). Rarely a moment was wasted.

To fill his days on Earth, Jim decided he would volunteer at the Academy, which was in desperate need of help. The staff shortage due to the Narada Incident was a continuing problem, so they happily accepted Jim in with the rest of the civilian volunteers who gathered to help out in their time of need.

Jim did whatever they needed him to do, from working as a repairman/janitor to assisting teachers to helping the engineering department. Since he proved to be quite competent and hardworking the different departments kept snatching him up from each other. It was quite amusing and gave Jim a well-rounded and valuable experience.

It also seemed to increase his mystical reputation on campus. The hero and prodigal son, now also an academic ace and jack-of-all-trades. He was a curiosity to many.

The best perk to working on campus was it put him in close proximity to his newfound friends.

In the evenings they often frequented the bar in which they had first all gathered. It was back to being a lively place with a tendency to be very crowded, but the staff always seemed to find a table available for them.

Most other gatherings were held in Bones' living room. He had a pretty nice ground floor apartment with a good view of the bay; one of the perks of being a senior medical officer. These gatherings had more of a quiet nature and often involved dinners and long and lazy conversations over a drink.

Every one of Jim's new friends were fantastic people. They all came from very different places and were all united by the same desire to explore the stars that was now driving Jim. He learned he enjoyed everyone's unique attributes, from Uhura's quick wit to Chekov's entertaining and endless optimism. Everyone had their moments, even Spock who had a very understated sense of humor.

Spock only occasionally attended their gatherings, usually when prompted by Uhura. He was both doing his Starfleet duties as an instructor and scientist as well as doing what he could on his part for the Vulcan relief effort, therefore endlessly busy. Uhura mentioned it was better than it was at first, but she was still worried he was overworking himself. When Spock was with them he rarely ever talked about it. He rarely talked at all but when Jim managed to get him engaged about a certain topic, Spock opened up

Most nights Jim ended up crashing on Bones' couch. His standing excuse was the couch was unbelievably comfy and he was too tired to make to treacherous journey all the way home. In reality he was not overly fond of his own Starfleet-issued housing.

It was not an issue of location or amenities or anything, but just the fact that it felt wrong. Since everything he owned had been on his ship when Nero destroyed it, he had very few personal items if any to fill the space with. It felt empty and reminiscent of times in his life he would rather forget. Crashing on the couch felt quite the opposite.

Jim had always been an extrovert. Being around people gave him energy. Being around Bones and the gang gave him even more than usual. Bones did not seem to mind at all. Jim would pay his room and board on the couch in the form of fresh brewed coffee each morning for the two to enjoy before they left for work.

The two of them grew close quite fast. It often felt like they had been friends for years, which was probably helped that they spent the most time together, being unofficial roommates and all.

Bones's medical expertise paired excellently with Jim's enthusiastic and reckless behavior. Bones had even managed to save Jim's life, which Jim always considered to be a bonding activity. It had been nothing too serious. Just an allergic reaction to strawberries. Jim's throat had closed up and Bones walked into the kitchen to see Jim struggling for air on the floor.

It was a sight to see (and hear) when Bones cursed out Jim when he discovered Jim already knew about his allergy to strawberries but decided to give them another try, seeing as the last time he had eaten them was as a child. Apparently "second time's the charm" is the wrong answer to justify risking his life over a strawberry.

Most of Jim's adventures together with his new friends were not as deadly. Windsurfing, exploring the city, and dinning out at restaurants were just a few of what they got up to. The gang was determined to show Jim the best of the city and reacquaint him back to Earth. Their time together was a flurry of activity.

The months began to slip by, and before Jim knew it things began to change.

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

― T.S. Eliot