Culture Shock
1952
The Captain looked at me seriously, both of us sitting in the bar. "My name, is James Kirk, and I am the Captain of this Starfleet vessel known as the Enterprise. Not that you would know what I'm talking about. I thought it'd be nice to tell you anyways." He informed me, and I nodded. I didn't really have anything to say to that, after all, he already knew my name and other information.
It didn't seem to affect anyone I met in this time; the idea that I was hundreds of years older than them. They also didn't realize the difference in technology. I was born in the mid forties, my bio parents lived through the depression. So when the Captain introduced himself while ordering a drink from an alien woman with glass green eyes and blue skin; it was all I could do not to stare.
There was also only like, nine drinks that I was familiar with. The other shit was freaky. Figures I can't even get drunk in the future. I just asked the (woman?) for a bottle of whiskey.
"So, must be a shock to go from 1970 to now. About three hundred years you missed." Kirk said, and I nodded.
"Yup, we hadn't even discovered other alien races yet. We'd only ever been to the moon." I said, smiling and thinking about it.
"Yeah, that must've been about twenty years before the Eugenics' War." Kirk mused, knocking back a shot. I shrugged.
"I wouldn't know anything about that." I muttered, taking a shot of my own. The Captain looked at me; searching my face for something before he spoke.
"How did you get mixed up with a terrorist like John Harrison?" He asked, and the care free atmosphere before dropped. The air was tense, and I knew this was a test. To see if I was trustworthy, or whether I should be put back in the fish tank.
"Admiral Marcus put me in a room and told me I couldn't leave. I don't know why, but Harrison was my roommate. He offered me a way out, and I agreed. I didn't kill anyone, but I owe him a favor." I said, all pretense and politeness dropped from my voice. There was no use for them now, James wanted to know what I was doing, and being nice was only going to make him suspicious.
I raised my eyes to his brilliant ones. "What did Harrison do anyway?"
Kirks mouth thinned and his eyes darkened. "He blew up a Starfleet archive, then attacked several Admirals and Captains, including myself, and killed a good friend of mine." He said, measured and cool. I wondered if he blamed me by associating with Khan. If he did, that was his problem, not mine. It wasn't my fault. I told him, I'm just wandering around until I can get back to 1971.
I sighed, rubbing my hand over my face tiredly. "I'm sorry." I said, trying to put as much feeling into it as I could. I knew how horrible it felt, and I would hate to sound callous.
Kirk looked at me, smirking. "So, you still into sex, drugs and rock n' roll?" He mocked, and I grinned smugly.
"Baby, you couldn't handle me." I said, and Kirk smiled staring at the alcohol behind the bar tender, taking another shot. I didn't need to get tangled up with the Captain…No matter how sexy he looked.
"You're probably like my Grandmother anyways," He joked, and I turned to face him. Well, that was a huge turn off.
"Are you calling me an old lady asshole?" I asked, a tiny bit surprised. James leaned back, smiling cockily at me; brilliant eyes twinkling.
"Yes."
I gaped, trying to fight off my laughter. Kirk, on the other hand, did nothing to disguise his amusement. He laughed heartily until I couldn't help but laugh among side him. He looked up at me, and I wiped the tears out of my eyes.
"Why did you run from Admiral Marcus in the first place?" Kirk asked as I took another shot. Damn, I was already buzzed. How many shots had I taken? I looked over at the clear, almost empty bottle. Well, this progressed quickly.
My eyes slid back to Kirks handsome face. His eyes were honest and open; the storm had passed and the ocean was calm.
"When I first heard I was in the future, I was picked up by Marcus. Have you ever had a feeling that you distinctly disliked someone? That was Marcus. Then, he stuck me in a 'room' with Harrison; trying to get my to buy that bullshit that he was going to try and send me back home." I started, before laying my head down on the cold glass table. I looked into Kirk's eyes more firmly this time, growing more serious. "I'm a spy. I'm not stupid, I know how governments work. Someone who fell through time, that's valuable. They're not just going to let me go. No, because through me he had a chance to change the future. And a man like Marcus, well, he's not going to pass that up for the world."
James' eyes never left mine. His eyes were serious, dark and deep. I was never one for sentimental bullshit, but I could've drowned in his eyes. Could've gotten lost forever, like a small fish in the vast dark oceans. But unlike Khan's, who bright eyes were almost frightening, Kirk's eyes were as deep as they were calm.
"Well. That was some explanation. Care to tell me why you wear that thing on your head?" He asked, leaning forward. My lips thinned, and my eyes flashed.
"No." I said shortly, taking another shot to try and regain my buzz. It wasn't any of his god damn business. I sighed, looking glumly at the bottle. Good bye buzz.
"So, how'd you become Captain?" I asked, and Kirk smirked.
"It's a funny story actually; see, I was in this bar fighting when a good friend of mine decided to recruit me." He said, and I smiled quirking an eyebrow.
"And this is funny why-?" I asked, and he laughed, laying his head on the table.
"Because everything's funny when you're drunk." James answered simply. My smile widened. If only I hadn't met Harrison and Admiral Marcus first, I might've had a better impression of the future. I would miss this man when I got back to 1971.
I stood, slightly wobbly and grinned. "Well, this old granny's got to go take her med's, and go to bed. Goodnight." I said, sauntering away before I realized I didn't have a room here. I turned and was opening my mouth to ask when Kirk beat me to the punch.
"Bone's wanted to see you down in the med ward to give you vaccinations and such; it's the third level below the bridge." He slurred, looking at his shot glass. I turned and walked there; before Khan crossed my mind.
I had almost forgotten about him. I had a feeling he was a bit pissed at me for leaving him alone, but knowing him he might not be. He could've been acting…
I owed him. I had to go and see him. You're only as good as your word.
I didn't take me long to back track to Khan's cell. He was sitting, staring out towards my cell. He had smoothed his dark hair back into place, and looked strictly regal sitting there. I walked up to the glass and sat down, feeling my buzz wear off and nausea set in.
"So she returns." Khan said smirking. My eyes sharpened, and I scowled.
"That debt. You said stick by you, and I am. What now?" I asked petulantly. He made me feel like a child, yet I was the older one.
Khan's smirk smoothed out into a smile that made his eyes shine cruelly. I didn't like that look.
"That scar on your head, what's it from?" He asked, and I tensed, my eyes burning at him like a silver storm.
"It's. None. Of. Your. Business." I snarled, on my feet as anger poured through me. Khan stood, walking towards the glass. Even being on the taller side of average I had to look up at him; which was beyond degrading.
"If you don't want to tell me, I can guess. Let's see, was it from your childhood friend? Or the Soviets maybe? Oh, I know," Khan drawled eyes eating the anger and pain on my face. "It was both of them."
I felt my heart stutter. "You don't know shit, it was a hunting accident when I was a kid." I snapped, surprise and pain wiped off my face. I wasn't going to give this man anything.
"Why are you even doing this anyway, what did these people do to you?!" I said, eyes narrowed in anger. It was a poor attempt to change the subject, but I didn't care.
"You're parents didn't take you hunting, did they? All you had was your friend." He corrected, and I backed off immediately. I was shocked. Did he know me? Did I tell him that, somehow through my body language; and he being extremely intelligent, found out?
"You're bluffing, and it's not even a good bluff." I shot back, glaring into his smug eyes.
"And you're a horrible liar. We're more alike, you and I, than you wish to believe." He said and his words seem to echo.
"I don't kill people. I'm not like you." I stated, and he chuckled.
"You're focusing on the wrong thing. Now, stop acting stupid and think. I know you can." He commanded, and I shook my head, eyes blazing.
"You really know how to piss people off, don't you?" I hissed, turning away and walking down the hallway, completely ignoring what he said on purpose. That probably pissed him off in turn. Good, he deserved it.
I stalked down the dark hall, a little wary of Khans eyes. They seemed to almost stab me, twisting and causing pain. I turned down the next hallway I could, but it didn't lessen the feeling.
I made my way into the med ward. I was very wary about this, about these shots. I was greeted by an older man (or, I supposed younger compared to me…) who smiled tiredly. I forced a smile and let him lead me over to a hospital bed.
"Now, I've just got to give you-" He started, firing a gun looking thing into my arm twice. I hissed, "Some infusions and vaccinations," Five more shots, "But don't worry, the side effects shouldn't be too bad." He said firing twelve more into my arm. It hurt pretty bad, but he managed to put the bandages on.
"Now, Kirk probably hasn't told you were you're staying but there's a free room right now the hall from the prison ward." He said, and again I had to force another smile.
"Great. Thanks Doc." I grumbled, walking down the hall and peeling off the bandages. My arms were sore from all the shots and I absolutely wasn't looking forward to being near Khan…
I wish he would stop telling me we were alike. We aren't alike at all. I had parents, was human, not a murderer or a terrorist and I wasn't going to live forever. Not to mention, I have red hair, and average skin tone. Unlike the pasty faced, dark haired, extremely tall man.
I had the computer direct me to my room, and I glared at Khan as I passed his cell, when a question knawned at me suddenly. I turned to him, eyes harsh and yet curious.
"How did you know all those things about me?" I asked, gritting my teeth. The look on his face was enough to turn my stomach and make anger flush through me. Damn him. And all he did was grin; a smile sincere and beautiful. Damn it all to hell and back.
"1952." He stated, walking forwards slowly. I felt my eyes widen. "1959, 1960, 1968 and lastly 1971." Khan said slowly, and I felt my blood plummet.
Those were all dates where important things happened to Jack and I. How would he ever know something like that?!
My surprise turned into a raging anger. "Sweet dreams Ranger." He said sweetly, the smile on his face moving me to sickness before he turned and walked away. The feeling of being dismissed irritated me, but I was too tired to deal with it. I just walked down to the empty room, fell on the bed and slept.
1952
"Why are guys so mean?" I cried, sitting on the ground and rubbing my plump face. All the other kids were picking on me, and one had hit me. A mean, chubby big boy with freckles and black hair.
Did all the evil men in my life have black hair? This is just too cliché.
A blond boy waltzed over, walk filled with a swagger that would put pirates to shame, and I couldn't help but stare in amazement as he punched the older boy in the face, then ran over to me.
"He won't bother you anymore." The boy said confidently, eyes shining. I smiled, but doubt still lingered.
"Really?" I asked, sniffling. The orphanage ladies hated it when I cried too much; I wanted to cover it up before they came around again.
The boy gave a dazzling smile, and again I was reminded of fantastical things. Princes and pirates and knights and dragons. It was just that kind of smile.
"I promise." He assured me, sitting on the ground under the tree with me.
"My name's Ranger, what's yours?" I asked, pain forgotten.
"My names Jack. Hey, you want to go exploring? I know a place that's really cool!" Jack said, voice dropping down to a whisper. Even as a child, his voice was amazing. Completely enamored by it, I agreed.
We snuck past the fence and walked a long ways into the mountain.
He led me into a cave, and walked confidently forward before he just disappeared.
I heard a scream and a sickening crunch, and my small heart fluttered in fear.
"Jack!" I screamed, fear making my voice higher. I ran forward, falling and dirtying my little dress before I saw where he fell. He fell down a hole.
I looked down and saw his brown eyes staring up at me.
"Ranger? Can you help me?" He asked, voice soft and pained. I nodded furiously. He was my friend, of course I would help him. I would always help him.
I crawled down there carefully, cutting my legs and arms on the sharp rock before I got to him. He was still crying, and I felt loyalty well up inside my chest.
"Don't worry Jack, I'll save us." I said, my voice deeper as bravado took over. I don't remember feeling the emotion since he died. Or the need to save or help anyone. I'd only been selfish after Jack had died. Odd, to think of that while dreaming…
I grabbed Jack's arm, supporting him on my shoulder like I had seen on t.v, and began to painstakingly climb the wall. It hurt more going up than it did down, but soon enough we were both up and out of the cave.
When we got back to the orphanage, and the nun's scolded and whipped us for leaving the playground, we made a pact.
"Jack, when we get adopted, I don't want to lose you. You're my best friend." I said, thinking about it.
Jack nodded, and his face scrunched together. "Then we won't let anyone adopt us, unless they adopt both of us. Because we're best friends." He concluded childishly. For me, they were the most heartfelt and gorgeous words ever to grace the air. Even now, knowing what I knew; the wind still seemed to resonate with the love behind those words.
I woke up, and scoffed.
Love is nothing but a hollow and meaningless word. A false reassurance that when the tide comes in; the stone's tied to your feet will float and you will survive. But you don't. You drown.
Yeah, this chap was about 1,000 shorter than the last...sorry. It was hard to write; and I kept feeling awkward. I know, stupid of me really. Also, please give me advice about who to pair Ranger with. I am so very undecided. Actually any advice at all is welcome.
Anyways, hope you enjoyed it :)