Ahh, thanks to everyone who's been so positive for the first two chapters! I apologize if they were a little heart-wrenching to read - it may not get any better in the next few chapters, but here, have some light-hearted banter between Kirk/Bones! That might make you happy :)
Just a little bit of a flashback, then...
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek or any of the affiliated characters.
{August, 2263}
"You listen to me," Bones says sternly as he sticks a hypospray into Chekov's arm, "and don't give a damn as to what Jim says. Do not go around looking for the biggest monster just for kicks."
"Yes, Doctor McCoy," Chekov says patiently, used to Bones' rants at this point.
"That goes for you too, Mr. Sulu," Bones says over his shoulder. Sulu only grins and swings his legs on his bio bed. "So help me if you two come back with anything more than scratches, I will rip you apart."
"Threatening the crew members only ensures their increased chances of rebellion," Spock says from where he is reading over the planet's file. Beside him, Uhura smirks – she knows how Bones gets.
The doors hiss open and Kirk strides in, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Why are all of you in here?" he wants to know. "There a birthday party I'm not aware of? My birthday's not for another few months-"
"We merely wanted to establish protocol with Mr. Chekov, Mr. Sulu and Mr. Riley," Spock says, sliding his long finger across the screen and shutting down the holographic projection. "It is, after all, Mr. Chekov's first time on a scouting mission."
"Look at that, Spock, you care! Never thought I'd see the day." Kirk claps Spock on the back as the Vulcan winces. "You done reading them the riot act, Bones?"
"Now you listen here-"
"Great! Look, guys," Kirk carries on brightly, ignoring his best friend's grumblings, "it looks like a fairly straightforward mission down there. Head on down, see what botanical samples you find, head on back. All clear?"
"Aye, Captain," all three men chorus.
Kirk slings an arm around Chekov. "You nervous, kid?"
"Ahhhh – no, Captain."
"It is your first scouting mission."
"On the Enterprise, Captain, but I have done scouting missions before."
"Classes don't count," Sulu says dryly from the back. Chekov just waves a flippant hand at him.
"Great." Kirk lets go of Chekov and ruffles his hair. "Behave while you're down there. Listen to everything Sulu and Riley tell you. Got it?"
"Aye, Captain." Even at twenty-two years old, Chekov still feels like the youngest on the ship – partly because he really is, but also partly because his growth spurt didn't come until he was twenty. Therefore, everyone still remembers him as the gangly, overexcited teenager. It did prove to be a little taxing sometimes.
"Mr. Sulu." Kirk turns on Sulu next. "Bring back something fun. Try to top the bear on Pandorica."
"God help me," Bones groans from where he is sitting in his chair. Sulu's only response is a wider grin and a thumbs-up.
"And Mr. Riley. You're our best marksman. Shoot straight if you need to, you hear?"
"Aye, Captain." David Riley gives a quick salute before sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. At twenty-five years of age, he's still new to this job; but he's also one of the best crack shots on this side of the universe.
"Shame Scotty had to sit this one out," Kirk remarks.
"There's only so much you can do when you're riddled with Charubite measles," Bones mutters. "Have him on the ship and infect everyone on board? No sir-"
"You're behaving like an old man again, Bones," Kirk chirps cheerfully.
"At any rate," Uhura says, diplomatically sliding into the conversation before the doctor comes to blows with the captain, "Scotty needed a break. How many times did he fall asleep in the engineering room while he was on duty?"
"Three," Kirk says, "but I can bet you he's not getting any sleep with those girls on Tu'van, wow did you see their-"
"JIM," Bones says loudly.
"Alright," Kirk says hastily, "let's get everything sorted. Ready for this, Chekov? Awfully sorry to send you out on a boring one, first time round."
"It is not a problem, Captain." Chekov nods at Bones. "Thank you, Doctor. I will see you soon."
"Don't get into too much trouble," Bones warns one last time.
"Aw, quit babying him, Bones, he's twenty two now!" Kirk ruffles Chekov's hair, stretching a bit more than he used to. The doors hiss open, and the small group moves out of the med bay, leaving a darkly muttering Bones behind. "Mr. Spock. Have you briefed our ground crew as to what dangers they will be facing today?"
"I have, Captain." Spock folds his hands behind his back. "Is it of worth noting that today's mission will not involve any particular danger?"
"I suppose it would be reassuring." They reach the transporter room, and Chekov, Sulu and Riley check to make sure that their phasers are ready and set on stun. "Alright, guys. Here's where we leave you. Uhura will have communications up with you at all times, so you will be able to hear if she's saying anything suggestive to Spock."
Chekov cringes at that one; he really doesn't want to be dragged into the middle of this. Kirk notices this and grins. "Seems like our youngest one isn't quite corrupted yet," he remarks.
"Let's leave it at that," Uhura sighs, familiar with Kirk's method of teasing. She comes over to Chekov and adjusts his collar out of habit. "Sorry," she says when Chekov makes a small noise of protest. "It's just – sorry. I'm a bit of a mother sometimes. Be careful, Ensign. I expect to hear you on the communicator at all times."
"Aye, Lieutenant," Chekov says obediently. "Happy to." He understands what Uhura is trying to say – you take care, you're family, if anything happens to you I'd be devastated. They've shared their fair amount of personal stories over early morning and deserted midnight shifts, so they've become friends. He briefly wonders how strange it would be if he called her 'mother'. She is the closest thing he has, after all.
Uhura moves on to Sulu and Riley, and Spock comes over, all businesslike and professional as always. "Well, Ensign," he says carefully, "good luck. I believe Earth has a saying, traditionally used in their military: Godspeed."
"Thank you, Commander," Chekov says.
Something that looks like a flicker of pride lights up Spock's face for a moment, but a blink and it is replaced by the usual Vulcan steeliness. "Be sure to keep an eye on Mr. Sulu and Mr. Riley. I trust that you will be the most levelheaded of the trio."
"I doubt that very much, sir," Chekov says, smiling. "After all, Mr. Sulu is the most senior of all of us."
Something that resembles a dissatisfied snort escapes Spock's nose. "I believe that the Doctor and I would beg to differ, Mr. Chekov. As of yet, you have not made an appearance with life-threatening injuries. Therefore, I believe you are the most qualified."
Chekov grins. "I will do my best, Commander."
"As you always do," Spock says in return, giving him the Vulcan salute. "Good luck, Mr. Chekov. Live long, and prosper."
Kirk is last. "Well," he says cheerfully, "I guess this is goodbye for now, Mr. Chekov. Good thing you signed on for this mission; nobody was going to sign up otherwise."
Chekov is aware of how big a lie this is; he knows that there were an overwhelming number of candidates for this 'boring mission' and Kirk specifically picked him because it was precisely that. Boring – which usually meant safe on the Enterprise – and if Kirk was anything it was protective of his crewmembers, especially if they happened to be the most precocious genius on the ship. Still, he appreciates the sentiment. "Thank you, Captain."
Kirk lowers his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Tell me stories later, okay? I have a bet going on with Sulu that he can't smuggle an animal back on ship."
"Er, is that within protocol, Captain?"
"No, but when has that ever bothered me?" Kirk winks and straightens back up. "Just, uh, make sure it doesn't kill anyone first."
"Will do, Captain." While Spock's pride is carefully concealed, Kirk makes no move to hide it in his bright blue eyes. Chekov notes the proud expression on his captain's face, as though he is thinking: there it is, the youngest one's all grown up now. "I will see you soon, Captain?" he asks.
"I'll be here to greet you when you come back," Kirk assures him. "First person in the room. I'll even push Spock out of the way myself."
"I do not think that will be necessary, Captain, but thank you." Chekov smiles at Kirk, who claps him on the shoulder and guides him towards Sulu and Riley, who are ready on the pad.
Spock clears his throat. "Gentlemen. Good luck down there."
"Have fun," Kirk adds.
Later on, Chekov looks back and wonders why he didn't say anything. He should have said something – goodbye, see you later, don't worry about me – something like that. But instead, he continues to smile as Sulu simply says, "Energize." And the last thing he sees before the world flashes white and takes him from the only family he's ever known – the last thing he sees is Kirk's proud expression in those bright blue eyes.
