Being Alive: Chapter Six
Title: Being Alive
Disclaimer: Yes, that's why I'm in school learning case law. So I can take myself to court for lying... I think I'll lose though...
Pairing: Spock/Kirk
Rating: T
Summary:There is a hidden history behind Jim's eyes that he's been running from. He finds a new friend in a lonely Vulcan and learns that running doesn't always help.
Chapter Five
Jim actually hadn’t intended to ask Bones that question, but it had been the first thing that left his mouth when he’d seen the doctor. He wasn’t even sure why he was still thinking about it.
Bones kind of just… froze and gave Jim a look that just screamed I-didn’t-sleep-with-my-ex-and-even-if-I-did-I’m-not-telling-you-but-why-the-fuck-do-you-want-to-know-about-Vulcan-foreplay?
Jim shifted awkwardly, sitting down on one of the biobeds. “Well, you know about Vulcan physiology, don’t you? About the fingers and the food sex, because you’re a doctor and you know about this stuff and I’m curious.”
Bones’ brain hadn’t caught up quite yet, but he did catch one thing in the breathless question. “Food sex?”
“Er… yeah, since Vulcan’s don’t eat with their hands. Nerve endings in their fingers or something,” Jim dismissed, waving his hand and gesturing vaguely.
Bones paled. “Please don’t tell me you… did you?” Jim blushed. Bones almost exploded. “Jim! What were you thinking?”
“It was an accident!” He paused, thinking. “Mostly. I tripped and landed weird.”
Bones looked skeptical but didn’t press the issue, positive that he didn’t want to know more. Grabbing a tricorder, he began checking Jim’s stats, changing tunes. “How have you been sleeping?”
Jim shrugged and smiled shyly - something Bones knew to be misleading. “Spock would know better than I would.”
“Dammit, Jim!” Bones cursed as Jim laughed a laugh most evil. “I can’t know these things!”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Jim said nonchalantly. “He was a perfect gentleman. We ate together, too. And he held me when I cried. It was kind of sweet, really…”
“He mad you cry?” Ah, yes, Bones and his overprotective streak.
“No, no. He made me laugh, though.” Here, Jim waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “And he knocked out Sam, so big plus there.”
“He what?”
“Don’t worry, I asked him to do it. Sam was rambling and accusing us of sleeping together because I apparently looked perfectly content in his bed.”
Bones looked taken aback. “His bed, Jim? How long have you known him, exactly?”
“I didn’t sleep with him. I mean, he was in the room, obviously, but we didn’t do it. Geez, I’m not a total whore.” Jim took a moment to consider. “Well, that’s debatable. Besides, turns out I slept with him three years ago and didn’t even know it.”
Jim threw his hands up and smiled at Bones, who was rubbing the bridge of his nose and trying to ignore the annoying thing in front of him. This was information he really didn’t need to know. Good to have, but not needed. “How’s Sam?”
“In trouble. Again. I sent him back to mom.” He said it like it was something that happened everyday, something as natural as breathing. With Jim, it may well have been.
“You slept with her, didn’t you?”
The question, once more, wasn’t what Bones expected but he knew automatically what it meant. “No.” Jim gave him a knowing look. “Okay, yes. Once… maybe twice. But you’re not getting any details!”
Jim’s laugh echoed down the hall, Bones cursing loudly at him to shut the hell up, dammit, followed by the sharp sting of a hypo and a surprised ouch! Spock raised his eyebrow as he stood in the door way, watching them suppressed curiosity.
“Spock!” It was Jim’s voice, waving him over. “Do you believe this guy actually thinks I seduced you?”
“Indeed?” Jim could tell he was amused, the bastard. Had probably planned it all out too. “I assure you doctor that is not what happened. He did, however, attempt several times to… arouse me.”
Jim’s mouth fell open. “Not on purpose! How was I to know your hands and ears make you want to-”
“Erogenous, Jim,” Bones supplied hopefully.
“That’s not what I was going to say,” Jim said indignantly, huffing and crossing his arms.
“Oh, I know what you were going to say.” He held a hypo threateningly until Jim stood down with a grumble, possibly mumbling something about evil doctors who were supposed to be friends. “What did you need, Mr. Spock?”
“The medical records of the two with whom I arrived. Their status requires a change.” Bones waited, watching Spock. He made no move, and there was no emotion. “Deceased. It is unclear as to how, but we believe them to be vaporized.”
Bones openly stared. “What-vaporized? How the hell did that happen?”
“That information is classified, doctor.” And with that, Spock turned back to the door and left.
Bones looked to Jim, who shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Did anyone know what was going on? He was a doctor, dammit, not a clairvoyant!
-
The next few days had Starfleet student and teachers making their way back on campus to begin the new semester. The academy suddenly came to life. Before his roommate got back, Kirk made sure to move his stuff from the shared double room and into Pike’s teacher’s quarters.
The night before school started, as he sat in Spock’s bed and ate something that Spock would rather not dwell on, there was a call from Chris Pike. For him. In Spock’s room.
“Figured you’d be here,” is what the digitalized face said when he saw Jim leaning over Spock’s shoulder. The signal wasn’t from space.
Jim frowned. “Where are you?” Then he saw his mom’s face, worried behind Pike. “You’re in Iowa?”
“A favor for your mom. She’s worried about Sam,” Pike explained. “He hasn’t arrived yet.”
Jim took a bite from his sandwich, saw Spock’s ear twitch. “Sure there wasn’t a delay?”
“Positive.” The look on Pike’s face wasn’t something Kirk wanted to see. “We haven’t been able to contact him, either.”
Jim paused mid-chew, something to which Spock raised his brow. It only took about two full days to get from Jim to mom. Something must’ve gone wrong. He told them as much, then added, “Maybe he went the wrong way, got on the wrong transport or something.” Only, that didn’t explain the loss of communication.
He was leaning on Spock’s shoulder now, something his mom and Pike didn’t miss, his food all but forgotten. “All right, you guys just keep a look out. We’ll keep trying his communicator. Something’s gotta give sooner or later.”
As it turned out, something did give, sooner, rather than later. Two days into school, sitting in class and pretending to be challenged, Kirk was summoned by the authorities - two suits and an officer, in case things got ugly. They led him to an empty class, sat him down, attempted to make him comfortable.
“You are James T. Kirk?” one of the suits asked, staring down at him with his arms crossed. If Jim wasn’t used to the treatment, he might have been intimidated.
“Yeah.” There was a distinct lack of respect, purposeful - something the others caught.
“Brother of George S. Kirk?” the other one asked.
“Sam, yeah,” Jim corrected. “He in trouble?”
“Possibly,” Number One said, looking at Number Two for confirmation. Photos exchanged hands, set in front of Jim and spread out. They were of Sam… but nothing like pictures his mom would collect. Sam hung limp, bleeding… his skin a color that was less than healthy.
It wasn’t a joke, Jim was certain. The people Sam crossed had caught up to him. And now… now they were after him.
“Look, I don’t know what kind of sick joke this is,” Jim said, irate and standing abruptly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the officer’s hand go to his hip. Right, he reminded himself, no sudden movements.
“It’s not a joke,” Number One said sternly, sharply. “Your brother’s body was found on the docks last night. We suspect he’s been there for a few days, hidden so that the killer could have a better chance of escape.”
Jim nodded, morose. Sam hadn’t been hidden, he’d been put on display, an example set for those who thought they could run.
If it hadn’t been obvious before, it sure was now: they were dealing with someone who knew what he was doing.
-
Jim had packed an overnight bag. Spock was looking at him strangely, even as he opened the door wider to let him enter. He took a quick shower before messaging his mom. Pike answered; they still looked worried.
“I found him,” Jim said quietly. His mother was already crying. “It happened a few nights ago. They used him as an example.” He didn’t say anymore, sure his mother wouldn’t be able to handle the details. It was a short conversation that ended with Jim in Spock’s bed eating plomeek soup.
“They’re dangerous,” Jim told him. It was almost silent, but companionably so. Their knees touched. “Two Vulcans, Sam… who knows how many more. We’ve got a free weekend coming up,” he suggested. “Go down to the docks, investigate a little. We’re the only ones who know about the Vulcans, about their link with Sam. We’re the only ones who can connect the murders.”
Spock looked at him, noticed he wasn’t looking back, touched his shoulder lightly. Tears flowed, and suddenly Jim collapsed into Spock, holding on as if for dear life.
When Jim woke the next morning, Spock’s arms were still around him. It was a happy, content feeling for Jim. Even when the Vulcan woke up he didn’t let go. Spock made no objections.
Chapter Seven
Disclaimer: Yes, that's why I'm in school learning case law. So I can take myself to court for lying... I think I'll lose though...
Pairing: Spock/Kirk
Rating: T
Summary:There is a hidden history behind Jim's eyes that he's been running from. He finds a new friend in a lonely Vulcan and learns that running doesn't always help.
Chapter Five
Jim actually hadn’t intended to ask Bones that question, but it had been the first thing that left his mouth when he’d seen the doctor. He wasn’t even sure why he was still thinking about it.
Bones kind of just… froze and gave Jim a look that just screamed I-didn’t-sleep-with-my-ex-and-even-if-I-did-I’m-not-telling-you-but-why-the-fuck-do-you-want-to-know-about-Vulcan-foreplay?
Jim shifted awkwardly, sitting down on one of the biobeds. “Well, you know about Vulcan physiology, don’t you? About the fingers and the food sex, because you’re a doctor and you know about this stuff and I’m curious.”
Bones’ brain hadn’t caught up quite yet, but he did catch one thing in the breathless question. “Food sex?”
“Er… yeah, since Vulcan’s don’t eat with their hands. Nerve endings in their fingers or something,” Jim dismissed, waving his hand and gesturing vaguely.
Bones paled. “Please don’t tell me you… did you?” Jim blushed. Bones almost exploded. “Jim! What were you thinking?”
“It was an accident!” He paused, thinking. “Mostly. I tripped and landed weird.”
Bones looked skeptical but didn’t press the issue, positive that he didn’t want to know more. Grabbing a tricorder, he began checking Jim’s stats, changing tunes. “How have you been sleeping?”
Jim shrugged and smiled shyly - something Bones knew to be misleading. “Spock would know better than I would.”
“Dammit, Jim!” Bones cursed as Jim laughed a laugh most evil. “I can’t know these things!”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Jim said nonchalantly. “He was a perfect gentleman. We ate together, too. And he held me when I cried. It was kind of sweet, really…”
“He mad you cry?” Ah, yes, Bones and his overprotective streak.
“No, no. He made me laugh, though.” Here, Jim waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “And he knocked out Sam, so big plus there.”
“He what?”
“Don’t worry, I asked him to do it. Sam was rambling and accusing us of sleeping together because I apparently looked perfectly content in his bed.”
Bones looked taken aback. “His bed, Jim? How long have you known him, exactly?”
“I didn’t sleep with him. I mean, he was in the room, obviously, but we didn’t do it. Geez, I’m not a total whore.” Jim took a moment to consider. “Well, that’s debatable. Besides, turns out I slept with him three years ago and didn’t even know it.”
Jim threw his hands up and smiled at Bones, who was rubbing the bridge of his nose and trying to ignore the annoying thing in front of him. This was information he really didn’t need to know. Good to have, but not needed. “How’s Sam?”
“In trouble. Again. I sent him back to mom.” He said it like it was something that happened everyday, something as natural as breathing. With Jim, it may well have been.
“You slept with her, didn’t you?”
The question, once more, wasn’t what Bones expected but he knew automatically what it meant. “No.” Jim gave him a knowing look. “Okay, yes. Once… maybe twice. But you’re not getting any details!”
Jim’s laugh echoed down the hall, Bones cursing loudly at him to shut the hell up, dammit, followed by the sharp sting of a hypo and a surprised ouch! Spock raised his eyebrow as he stood in the door way, watching them suppressed curiosity.
“Spock!” It was Jim’s voice, waving him over. “Do you believe this guy actually thinks I seduced you?”
“Indeed?” Jim could tell he was amused, the bastard. Had probably planned it all out too. “I assure you doctor that is not what happened. He did, however, attempt several times to… arouse me.”
Jim’s mouth fell open. “Not on purpose! How was I to know your hands and ears make you want to-”
“Erogenous, Jim,” Bones supplied hopefully.
“That’s not what I was going to say,” Jim said indignantly, huffing and crossing his arms.
“Oh, I know what you were going to say.” He held a hypo threateningly until Jim stood down with a grumble, possibly mumbling something about evil doctors who were supposed to be friends. “What did you need, Mr. Spock?”
“The medical records of the two with whom I arrived. Their status requires a change.” Bones waited, watching Spock. He made no move, and there was no emotion. “Deceased. It is unclear as to how, but we believe them to be vaporized.”
Bones openly stared. “What-vaporized? How the hell did that happen?”
“That information is classified, doctor.” And with that, Spock turned back to the door and left.
Bones looked to Jim, who shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Did anyone know what was going on? He was a doctor, dammit, not a clairvoyant!
-
The next few days had Starfleet student and teachers making their way back on campus to begin the new semester. The academy suddenly came to life. Before his roommate got back, Kirk made sure to move his stuff from the shared double room and into Pike’s teacher’s quarters.
The night before school started, as he sat in Spock’s bed and ate something that Spock would rather not dwell on, there was a call from Chris Pike. For him. In Spock’s room.
“Figured you’d be here,” is what the digitalized face said when he saw Jim leaning over Spock’s shoulder. The signal wasn’t from space.
Jim frowned. “Where are you?” Then he saw his mom’s face, worried behind Pike. “You’re in Iowa?”
“A favor for your mom. She’s worried about Sam,” Pike explained. “He hasn’t arrived yet.”
Jim took a bite from his sandwich, saw Spock’s ear twitch. “Sure there wasn’t a delay?”
“Positive.” The look on Pike’s face wasn’t something Kirk wanted to see. “We haven’t been able to contact him, either.”
Jim paused mid-chew, something to which Spock raised his brow. It only took about two full days to get from Jim to mom. Something must’ve gone wrong. He told them as much, then added, “Maybe he went the wrong way, got on the wrong transport or something.” Only, that didn’t explain the loss of communication.
He was leaning on Spock’s shoulder now, something his mom and Pike didn’t miss, his food all but forgotten. “All right, you guys just keep a look out. We’ll keep trying his communicator. Something’s gotta give sooner or later.”
As it turned out, something did give, sooner, rather than later. Two days into school, sitting in class and pretending to be challenged, Kirk was summoned by the authorities - two suits and an officer, in case things got ugly. They led him to an empty class, sat him down, attempted to make him comfortable.
“You are James T. Kirk?” one of the suits asked, staring down at him with his arms crossed. If Jim wasn’t used to the treatment, he might have been intimidated.
“Yeah.” There was a distinct lack of respect, purposeful - something the others caught.
“Brother of George S. Kirk?” the other one asked.
“Sam, yeah,” Jim corrected. “He in trouble?”
“Possibly,” Number One said, looking at Number Two for confirmation. Photos exchanged hands, set in front of Jim and spread out. They were of Sam… but nothing like pictures his mom would collect. Sam hung limp, bleeding… his skin a color that was less than healthy.
It wasn’t a joke, Jim was certain. The people Sam crossed had caught up to him. And now… now they were after him.
“Look, I don’t know what kind of sick joke this is,” Jim said, irate and standing abruptly. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the officer’s hand go to his hip. Right, he reminded himself, no sudden movements.
“It’s not a joke,” Number One said sternly, sharply. “Your brother’s body was found on the docks last night. We suspect he’s been there for a few days, hidden so that the killer could have a better chance of escape.”
Jim nodded, morose. Sam hadn’t been hidden, he’d been put on display, an example set for those who thought they could run.
If it hadn’t been obvious before, it sure was now: they were dealing with someone who knew what he was doing.
-
Jim had packed an overnight bag. Spock was looking at him strangely, even as he opened the door wider to let him enter. He took a quick shower before messaging his mom. Pike answered; they still looked worried.
“I found him,” Jim said quietly. His mother was already crying. “It happened a few nights ago. They used him as an example.” He didn’t say anymore, sure his mother wouldn’t be able to handle the details. It was a short conversation that ended with Jim in Spock’s bed eating plomeek soup.
“They’re dangerous,” Jim told him. It was almost silent, but companionably so. Their knees touched. “Two Vulcans, Sam… who knows how many more. We’ve got a free weekend coming up,” he suggested. “Go down to the docks, investigate a little. We’re the only ones who know about the Vulcans, about their link with Sam. We’re the only ones who can connect the murders.”
Spock looked at him, noticed he wasn’t looking back, touched his shoulder lightly. Tears flowed, and suddenly Jim collapsed into Spock, holding on as if for dear life.
When Jim woke the next morning, Spock’s arms were still around him. It was a happy, content feeling for Jim. Even when the Vulcan woke up he didn’t let go. Spock made no objections.
Chapter Seven