'Hey Spock... If we die here, do you think we'd meet again...?'
Oh, it's that same dream again...
Over... and over...
Who's this Spock?
Flash of lights invade his vision. The discombobulation of shouting voices flooding his ears. In the distance he can hear someone calling out his name, crying, muffled and so very far away.
'...In this life and the next... In any world, we'll be together...'
He almost felt like blushing whoever this person was, he obviously cared for Jim deeply. The thought of anybody being romantically involved with anyone made Jim want to laugh. He wasn't serious enough for a relationship. Something like romance was never in the plan for Jim.
But this Spock, the way he spoke, almost made him want to see what that was like. Love. That foreign concept.
The dream was beginning to fade and with it he began to stir. Anxious limbs kicking about at the obnoxious blanket ready to escape the confinement of his dorm. He tried one last time trying to listen in, capture something more, what was he looking for? Jim wasn't sure but he struggled against the sheets until he rolled off the bed with a heavy thud. His roommate above him pulled his head out of the covers with a groan.
"Hmmm... Jim? You good?"
With a sigh he sat up, hand messing through the blonde mess of morning bed hair.
"Ya... all good Bones..." Blue eyes glanced over at the alarm clock throwing his head back. "Its still early, go back to sleep..."
The only thing he got in response was a huff, open window letting in the sound of crickets in the distance. Maybe it was better if he took a shower and started the day off early, he couldn't get that dream out of his head anyways. But maybe watching yourself die had that kind of effect. Left you panting, pale and sweaty looking for answers. Jim stood from the floor pulling his towel off the bed post on the way off.
At breakfast, their usual table was flooded with students from different courses, at least for the mornings they could meet up before splitting their respective ways. Usually with the gang it was a pretty good time, but Jim kind of felt tired and he really wasn't up for any teasing. Especially from Leonard.
" Ol Jimbo took a spill from the bed this morning! Should've seen 'em, drooling all over the floor and everything."
Uhura made eyes, "Was it a'good'dream at least?"
The group laughed though Jim rolled his eyes picking at an omelet sending a mushroom flying across the table.
"Dont exaggerate things Bones, I wasn't drooling and I was already awake..."
Leonard leaned over putting an arm around Jim patting at his shoulder with a laugh. The stink of booze already heavy on his tongue and the blonde made a face moving away from the repulsive breath.
"Who you trying to impress Jim, don't be just cuz the girls are here..."
Again the table was filled with laughter and giggles as the blonde pushed his friend away, an annoyed expression on his face. Suddenly Sulu and Chekov slammed their trays down on the table bright smiles on their faces, looking as if they had a secret to spill.
"Guess what?" Sulu sat down leaning in on his seat Chekov besides him grinned continuing.
"The ambassador of Vulcan's son is transferring to the Academy."
It was certainly interesting but Jim hardly cared about another person adding to the student body. Least of all if they were Vulcan. If rumors were true they didn't do the emotion thing so having a good time with a Vulcan hardly seemed plausible. He zoned out the rest of their conversation messing with his food till it was time for class and he headed off with Leonard.
...
...
..
Class began with a lecture from their instructor. Pike walked about hands clasped behind his back as he spoke about admirable duty, life aboard the ship and what it meant to serve amongst Star fleet. How it was more than looking for stars. More than the five year voyage, about it being more than the discoveries. First contact. A mission of peace. Jim was hardly paying attention as he'd heard this before. Had the admiral call him up to his office for more than a word or two about his lack of interest in school work, his poor attendance.
Half way through the class the door opened. Loud creak of metal doors making everyone in the class turn right in their seats facing the intruder. Christopher cleared his throat with a smile. He walked over greeting the newcomer warmly hand patting a shoulder in a familiar manner.
"Ah, a little later than I anticipated but better late than never I guess. Class this is your new classmate Spock, he's a family friend so behave yourselves..."
Jim didn't know they still did class introductions like grade school.
Wait, what was his name again?
Pike paused to give Jim a pointed stare. The blonde raised a curious brow, was he implying he'd bully the new guy? As if, he had better things to do. Besides him Bones jabbed an elbow at his side. Leaning over into Jim's space, voice a little above a whisper.
"Hey, didn't you say you had some strange dream about some dude or other..."
"Not the time Bones." He bit back quickly, eyes focused on the Vulcan, curiously turning the pen in his hand.
"Dont come crying to me later when--"
"Alright I get it. Would you just drop it for now? Please?" Jim never pleaded but the idiot was making doe eyes causing Bones to swallow thickly and back away huffing out a breath of air.
"Fine..."
In reality, the rest of the class went by in daze. Blue eyes stayed focused on the back of the Vulcan's head. Taking in the pitch black color of his hair, pointed ears, so very different. Spock turned around in his seat, almond eyes squinting at the other before turning back. Could he feel Jim staring at him? The thought was a little unsettling and as the Pike ended the lecture Jim made a beeline for Spock. Snapping his books closed he quickly set off ready to barge the guy with questions when the professor called his name.
"Uhm Kirk, a word please." Christopher smirked as Jim rolled his eyes groaning in annoyance.
"Damn it..."
Bones laughed, "I'll wait outside."
Pike was already giving him the look. Hands clasped together, posture too straight to look comfortable but the man kept his gaze guarded and heavy.
"What I do now...? I've been good haven't I?" Jim whined plopping down into a seat across from Pike's desk.
"Its what you're going to do that has me worried... I'm serious Jim, Spock's father is a close friend of mine and the ambassador of Vulcan. Leave well enough alone alright, for you and me both... damn brat, always have me feeling like I got one foot in the grave already..."
He didn't mean to but Jim laughed causing Pike to glare at him. "Alright, I'm sorry. I'll be good, best behavior, I swear."
Jim fluttered his eye lashes, clasping his hands together making Chris laugh but that didn't stop him from worrying. He just had a strange feeling in his gut. Somehow, Spock and Jim in the same place practically spelled trouble. With a nod he waved the blonde away, smile returning to his face as he watched the idiot jump out waving happily behind him.
...
...
..
"So tell us, what's he like. Chekov and Sulu say he's in your class." Uhura bit into a piece of broccoli. A grin on her face as she continued to chew wiggling her eyes brows.
"I didn't even meet the guy." Jim responded with an eye roll. Bones sat down at the table handing Jim an extra orange juice and a packet of crisps.
"Pike called Jim back in after class just as he was getting ready to sink his teeth." With a hiss Leonard faced the group holding two French fries under his lips like fangs.
Really it wasn't that funny but the group was amused none the less, the youngest in the group hiding behind a hand trying not to spit out his food.
Like this it was easy to forget. The God awful dream stuffed back to the farthest reaches of his mind, at least for the time being. But he was still curious about this transfer student. A Vulcan named Spock joining their Academy, it couldn't be coincidence.
He had to know more.
"I gotta go, see you guys later." Tray of food forgotten, Jim stood from the table walking away. Group calling out to him curiously, but Bones already had an idea what this could be about. The southern man took out his flask from the coat pocket of his uniform downing a large gulp.
"...Nothing but trouble..." McCoy sighed letting the idiot go about his way. After all no one could stop Jim.
Jim wandered the school aimlessly when he had the chance. Ignoring his friends as he spent the day trying to figure out where the Vulcan liked to stay hidden. It was out on the bleachers when he finally spotted the loner. Sitting beneath the blazing sun, Spock sat reading a book like the scorching heat was nothing more than a summer's breeze.
"You're crazy, ya know..." Jim smiled as the guy glanced away from his reading, taking a second to raise a brow at the comment. It only made the blonde chuckle.
He walked over, closing the distance now standing above the other casting a shadow over Spock's face.
"Us normal people like to hide out under the shade when it's hot out..." Spock continued to blink at him almost glaring. Maybe he was mute. Or just, shy? "I'm Jim, Jim Kirk. I saw you in our class this morning."
"Our?" Spock questioned.
So he does speak.
"Bones, Leonard and I are in Chris's class. Hey maybe we could form a study group huh?"
"You sound familiar with the admiral... are you close?"
Jim raised a brow, nervous chuckle dying down. Answering with another question, this guy wasn't good at conversation building.
"Huh, ya. We go way back... friend of the family, he's like my uncle, more like a second father though with the way he treats me."
A breath of a laugh left Spock's lips and Jim froze staring at the other oddly. Taking in the slight curve to the ends of his lips. The perfect trim of pitch black bangs. It was so odd how similar they were. This Spock and Dream Spock. Exactly alike. And it was terrifying. Jim swallowed looking down at the ground, focusing on the shimmer of the cement. Trying to find something to distract him.
"He is— something of the sort... Pike is... quite the character."
That seemed to settle the odd atmosphere and the blonde let out a sigh of relief sitting down besides the Vulcan trying to catch a glance into what he was reading. Spock flinched at the close proximity leaning back trying create some space between their faces.
"Red string of fate... Huh... Sounds interesting..."
Jim sat back seeing how uncomfortable he was making the other feel. A smirk on his lips almost feeling pride in the reaction. Spock suddenly closed the book, almond eyes studying the blonde like a specimen. Was there something on his face.
"I... I should go..." The Vulcan's voice came out unsteady like he was suddenly frightened. Face turning pale as if he had seen a ghost.
It caused Jim to frown, blue eyes lost as the other picked up his things and started to walk away. Before he could put a word in the other was gone, half way across the field.
"The hell was that about...?"
...
...
..
Back in the dorms Jim sat at his desk twirling around a pencil as he stared at the information displayed on his pad. He had managed to get into Spock's file easily enough and now he was just staring at it. A brief compiled file of personal info and somehow, it answered nothing.
From behind the door opened and closed Bones walking up behind the blonde giving him a smack at the back of his head.
"Hey! What the Hell was that for?!"
Leonard gave Jim a death glare as he yanked on the mess of blonde hair. "Dont hey me, I heard from Nyota and Suluyou were cutting class again! And no doubt to look for that pointed eared goblin."
Blue eyes looked up at Leonard in disbelief.
"How—? "
"I heard what Pike said, keep your nose out of his business Jim." Leonard gave Jim a look, pointed a finger with a death glare. The kind that said,'I'm serious'.
The blonde sighed hands coming up to smear along his face. "You wouldn't understand Leonard..."
The simple switch in names meant Jim was being serious too and leaned against the desk taking in a deep breath ready for what this damn brat had ready to spew out of his mouth. What nonsense could he possibly try and spout out now anyways?
"...Do you believe in alternate realities..."
And Bones wanted to laugh, but Jim eyes were dead serious.