March 31st, 2252. Star Fleet Academy (Nobody's POV)
Christine was waiting in the Shuttle Craft Port for Julia and Spock's return, feeling just a little worried about her best friend and her fiance. Usually Julia messaged her when she was coming back, or sent her a little message saying something like: "Things are going well" or something like that. This time, however, no such message was sent.
Which gave Christine the impression that something had happened. Something bad. Hopefully it was nothing...but Christine had the impression that it was more than just worry.
"How long till the shuttle craft lands…" Christine muttered to herself, glancing at her P.A.D.D. for the umpteenth time. It was only a little past nine now, and the shuttle crafts were due any minute now. But checking the time wasn't the only reason Christine was checking the time. She was, once again, double checking her message box. Still nothing from Julia. Which sucked.
"Waiting for someone?" A soft, feminine voice asked. Christine nearly jumped as she turned around. The person, a woman with graying hair, smiled apologetically at her. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"No, no you're fine," Christine replied, tucking her P.A.D.D. into her bag. "You just caught me off guard was all."
"Force of habit," The woman said, laughing lightly. Christine managed a small smile, though she was still a bit confused as to why this woman was talking to her. "I...don't mean to be rude or anything, but do I know you?"
"Please," The woman waved a hand, "There's no need to apologize. And, no, I don't think we've met. My name's Amanda."
"Christine," Christine held out a hand for Amanda to shake. For some reason, the name Amanda sounded familiar. Though the woman didn't look familiar. She was human, as far as Christine could tell, but her attire looked distinctly Vulcan. "Um...are you with Star Fleet?"
"I used to be," Amanda said, giving Christine's hand a good shake. As she took her hand back, she gave a quick glance around the Academy grounds. "I went here with a friend of mine, earned a minor in xenolinguistics. Never went on a star ship, though. I decided to stay on Earth and become a school teacher. Space still found me, though."
"How so?" Christine asked, both genuinely interested as well as eager for a distraction. She needed something to keep her focus off of the shuttle craft.
"Well," Amanda said, glancing behind her. "I fell for a Vulcan Ambassador and -"
Before Amanda could say more, the roar of shuttle craft engines interrupted. From the sky, several shuttle crafts started to land. Christine let out a sigh of relief as she held her hands over her ears. It was about time they got back.
Once the crafts had landed, both Amanda and Christine's attention was drawn to the shuttles. They watched as the doors opened, and cadets and new recruits began to exit. Christine fought back the urge to go running up the gang plank and find Julia. Those not exiting the shuttle craft were discouraged from going into the shuttle crafts.
However, when Christine spotted Julia limping down the ramp, using a pair of crutches, she didn't care what anybody thought.
Squeezing through the crowd of exiting cadets, Christine ran up to Julia. Julia looked...mentally and physically drained. Christine was about to call out when Spock appeared, and the two spoke. Christine's steps slowed, as she waited and watched, not wanting to intrude on anything. When they pulled apart, Julia teary eyed, was when Christine began running again.
"Hey Jules!" Christine called, jogging up to her and Spock.
"Hey Christie," Julia said with a sappy smile. She wiped at a few tears that were spilling over her cheeks. Spock stood, as usual, stiffly by Julia's side. Only…he seemed to be a bit off. As in…less unemotional.
"What happened to you, Julia?" Christine placed a hand on Julia's arm, and gave a scathing look at Spock. "Was it him?"
"No, it wat not me." Spock replied, one eyebrow rising. Julia let out a soft laugh and shook her head. "It was Julia's reckless twin brother who caused her leg to be damaged."
"Wait, seriously?" Christine turned back to Julia.
"Unfortunately, yes," Julia said, rolling her eyes a little. "He doesn't always think before he acts."
"Classic male behavior." Christine piped in, then blushing, added. "For humans, I mean. Not-not Vulcans."
"I'd disagree with you there." The feminine voice of Amanda broke into the conversation. Christine turned around, surprised, while Spock and Julia froze. Walking up to them was none other than Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson. And if she was here…then it was also likely that Sarek was also here. "There are times that male Vulcans behave strikingly similar to human males."
"Aunt Amanda!" Julia's face broke into a smile as she moved to embrace her future mother in law. Amanda's arms wrapped around Julia and encased her in a warm hug. Her gowns smelled of sun, sand, and rose scented soap. "What are you doing here?"
"Sarek came to Earth on business, and naturally I had to come with him," Amanda said, smiling. She brushed back a stray strand of Julia's hair before looking to her son. Spock's posture had softened some upon seeing his mother, though there was still a visible tension to his stance. "Spock, my son, it's been too long."
"Indeed, mother," Spock replied, opening his arms up to allow her to hug him. While he may not be the hugging type on a regular basis, he made exceptions for his mother, and his soon-to-be wife. "How have you been?"
"Oh, fine, fine," Amanda said, pulling back. She clapped her hands together excitedly. "I can't wait for your wedding! It's to be in June, isn't it? Or is it May? Oh - I should have written it down.."
"Hey yourself," Christine responded, putting a gentle hand on Julia's arm. When Julia flinched, Christine removed her hand. "What happened?"
Before Julia could respond, a tall, blonde, and very fit young man came up beside Julia. He was carrying her bag.
"So, where are you staying?" He asked. Christine couldn't help but stare. The man was handsome - no, more than handsome, he was gorgeous. His eyes, bright blue like Julia's, landed on Christine. "Hey there, beautiful."
"Um, hi," Christine said, glancing at Julia. "Who are you, exactly?"
"Name's Jim Kirk," Jim said, winking. Christine blinked several times, as his words set in. He was Jim Kirk - Julia's twin brother. "And you are -"
"Jim," Julia interrupted, sending her brother a glare. "This is my friend, Christine, and I'd prefer it if you didn't break her heart."
"Right. Sorry." Jim said, turning his attention to his sister. Inwardly Christine felt her heart skip a beat. This was Julia's twin brother, the one who had skipped out on Julia and Spock in the bar, the one who was rude, the one who, Julia had neglected to tell her, was amazingly handsome. "So - back to where you're staying."
"Really, Jim, you don't have to baby sit me," Julia's voice sounded strained, and more than a little tired. "I can carry my own bag…"
"But your leg -"
"Technically, it's my ankle," Julia took her bag from Jim, scooping it over her shoulder. "Besides, I don't live far from here, and you need to register."
"Fine." Jim said, with a roll of his eyes. He gave Julia a quick squeeze before heading off to the overhead sign marked: "New Recruits". But before before he walked through the doorway, he looked back over his shoulder and winked flirtatiously at Christine.
"Why does this happen every time…" Julia muttered under her breathe, glaring after her brother. As much as she loved him, she felt he could be a little more careful of whose hearts he was breaking. For that matter, he didn't need to break any hearts.
"So, uh, is your brother going to stay?" Christine's voice fluttered a bit more than she wanted it to. She cleared her throat and forced herself to look back at Julia. "I mean - from what you've told me, he's got kind of a grudge against Star Fleet."
"I'm hoping he'll stay," Julia replied, re-adjusting the bag's strap. Despite her smile, Christine could see there was something wrong. And not just because of her leg. The way she was avoiding eye contact, flinching at being touched - and the teary re-union with Spock. "But with Jim, one never knows. Which reminds me - he'll break your heart if you let him."
"Uh-huh," Christine cocked her head the the side, a look of worry on her face. "Jules, I think you need some rest." She glanced at Spock and Amanda, who were politely giving Julia and herself some privacy - though Spock was continually glancing at his fiance. "Maybe lots of rest. However much rest you need."
"Thanks, Christy," Julia met Christine's eyes for a split second. This time, Christine was able to see the smile in Julia's eyes, as well as a hints of grief, sadness, and relief. "I'll update you on what happened…once things settle down a bit."
"Oh - you better not mean when you and Spock tie the knot - because that would be waaay too long a wait."
"Whenever my wif - my fiance is ready to speak of things, it will be in her own time." Spock came to stand by Julia, two fingers tentatively coming to rest on her hand. Julia glanced back up at Spock and gave him a smile.
"Don't worry, Christy, I'll tell you before the wedding…" She glanced at Christine and gave her a conspiratorial wink. "Maybe."
Thank you to all the followers who've liked this story, and all those who have left comments. I know it has been a very long time since my last update - but I've been living life. Know that while it means I may not always have time to write - but I will never forget about writing.
In other news, I think after this very big adventure, I'll head into some less stressful life instance for Julia and Spock. Maybe just some fluffy scenes, possibly get into the drama with Christine and Jim Kirk.