Cousin Charlie (Part 6)
Charlie wasn't sure what to think about the visit from his cousin. It was the nicest Spock had ever been to him. Maybe there was hope for them after all.
Spock did not linger at the end of their conversation, but had nodded and left just as quickly as he had shown up. Charlie was still reeling from the fact that he had admitted that they were family.
Charlie sat there a moment and ran the conversation over and over again in his mind. Spock thought of him as family. He thought that his Vulcan cousin had disowned him long ago, but then again he had said it in the privacy of his quarters and not in front of anyone else.
Charlie stood up and stretched looking at his reflection in the mirror. It was funny how genes were. Parents never knew what they're going to get when they had a child or who the child would look like. It was still somewhat of a mystery. The problem was that with him and Spock looking so much alike, people tended to think they were alike in personality and temperament, which was hardly true. This fact was one reason why he and Spock butted heads so often. Spock wanted him to be more focused and serious, whereas he wanted Spock to relax and let his guard down some. Maybe they could reach a happy compromise of sorts.
Suddenly Charlie realized that his stomach was growling because he had not eaten that much at dinner. He started to wait until Hailey returned, but then decided to venture out on his own and find the cafeteria. Perhaps there would be someone in the halls to direct him.
He checked with Rory and Luke who told him that they weren't hungry and then started walking down the hall. There wasn't a soul in sight. He took the lift to another deck, not sure where he was. He walked around some more and then saw a blond woman coming his way.
"Excuse me" he said as she approached. "I'm afraid I'm lost."
The blond woman smiled. "You must be Spock's cousin. I've heard about you" she said extending her hand. "I'm Janice Rand."
"Janice, nice to meet you." Charlie said. "I'm Charlie Grayson"
"Where are you trying to go?" Janice asked.
"Actually, I'm starving. I wanted to get something to eat" Charlie confessed. "I attended a dinner with the captain, but it didn't go too well."
"Well come with me" Janice said leading him to the lift.
Charlie thought Janice was very pretty, however he didn't say too much on the way to the cafeteria, giving her his trademark smile.
Janice watched as Charlie's eyes roamed over her and then he averted his eyes. He was attracted to her! She smiled to herself. He was so different from Spock, though he looked just like him. He smiled and looked away and she knew he was somewhat shy. Who would have thought that?
The cafeteria was abuzz with people. Janice showed him how to order what he wanted and he quickly chose a sandwich and some coffee. He then took his tray and sat down at an empty table.
"You are going to join me, aren't you?" he asked his expression hopeful.
"I can't stay but a few minutes" Janice said. "I'm meeting someone." She then sat down across from him.
"Oh" Charlie replied "Your boyfriend?"
Janice laughed. "No, I don't have a boyfriend."
Charlie smiled and quickly began eating his sandwich and Janice leaned forward on the table.
"I heard you'll be playing for the crew before you leave." she ventured. "I'm looking forward to that."
"It hasn't been confirmed" Charlie said sipping his coffee. "The captain hasn't given the OK yet."
"Oh I'm sure he will" Janice replied."You know...you look so much like Spock."
"So they tell me" Charlie said dryly. "However my cousin and I are like night and day."
Charlie concentrated on the remainder of his sandwich and Janice gathered that this was a sore spot with him.
"I am sure there are some things you two have in common, music being one of them of course."
Charlie looked at her surprised. "Really? Spock likes music?"
"Didn't you know? He plays the vulcan lyre. He and Nyota perform duets for the crew from time to time." Janice watched as Charlie's face lit up.
"Interesting" he replied smiling.
"Spock would say, fascinating" Janice giggled.
"That too" Charlie said.
Janice stood up. "Well I've got to go Charlie. I've enjoyed our conversation. I hope that you will perform before you leave the Enterprise."
"For you it would be a pleasure." He stood up taking her hand, kissing it.
He watched her as she left the cafeteria and then sat back down to finish his coffee. He smiled as he realized that the evening had taken a turn for the better.
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Chekov walked beside Hailey as they left the dinner. Spock had returned and finished his meal without further comment, but Charlie never returned. The remainder of the meal was quiet and uneventful, but he noticed that Hailey hung her head and didn't meet anyone's gaze.
Now as he was walking beside her, she wasn't saying anything, not that she talked much anyway and her head was bowed, her hair falling forward shielding her face from him. He quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her into a nearby conference room.
"Hailey, vat's wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong, Pavel. I'm just tired I guess." she replied avoiding his eyes.
"Dat's not eet! Tell me da truth!" he pressed. "Are you upset because of vat happened at dinner?"
Hailey tried to hold back the tears, but he grasped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
"It was humiliating telling you about what happened to me...about my mother. I know that you will look at me differently now. How can you help it?"
She tried to pull away from him, but he held her.
"Hailey" he said patiently "Ve all have pain ve have to deal with. What happened vas not your fault."
Hailey shook her head. "Don't you see, Pavel...it changes everything. I'm not some sweet young girl. You can't stand here and look at me in the face and tell me that you don't look at me and think 'whore'. Now that you know what happened to me, it changes everything."
Chekov grabbed her by the shoulders. "Do not say such a thing! You are no whore! You were molested. Charlie saved you, you said so yourself!"
"I don't even know how many men I've been with" she protested. "How can you think otherwise?"
"Dey weren't men, Hailey. Dey were less than men, animals who would buy a child from it's mother."
Hailey began to cry and he took her in his arms. "I think you are beautiful Hailey. That's all I see, nothing else."
She looked into his eyes and saw his sincerity and smiled. He bent down and kissed her. Hailey waited for the revulsion to take over, but none came. There was no fear, no revulsion, and no humiliation. This kiss made her feel warm and alive.
"My first real kiss" she whispered more to herself than to Chekov.
"Really?" Chekov exclaimed. "Has Charlie kept you locked away?"
"No, but I've never really dated...even after Charlie got me counseling...I just couldn't trust men...I mean except Charlie and Rory and Luke. We're like family. I never wanted to because men would look at me like the men my mother gave me to and it made me feel sick inside." She turned smiled up at him. "You didn't look at me like that...or try to put your hands on me. I've always felt that I had to be on my guard when we're out playing. I don't feel that way on this ship. I feel safe. You make me feel safe. I guess that's why I felt comfortable around you, Pavel."
"How do you think I look at you? After all, I'm a man." Pavel said laughing.
"You look in my eyes. You talk to my face. You don't undress me with your eyes."
"Dat's not the way to treat a lady." Chekov said grinning. "I have five sisters. I am de youngest. I learn quickly what not to do."
Hailey smiled and reached up and caressed his face. "You are very sweet and kind. Kiss me again, Pavel"
Chekov pulled her closer and captured her lips. He was always happy to oblige a lady.
************************************************************
Kirk watched as Chekov escorted Hailey from the dining hall after dinner was over.
He had hoped that Charlie would return with Spock, but he noticed that Spock returned alone. Well, he had given it his best effort. He hoped the two of them would come to some sort of truce.
"So is everything alright with Charlie" Kirk asked as he and Bones walked with Spock out of the dining room.
"Yes, captain. We both agreed to try to work towards a more harmonious relationship." Spock replied.
"Good. Does he still want to do the concert?" the captain asked as the paused at the lift.
"I do not know." Spock replied. Kirk turned to Bones.
"Bones, why don't you find out from Charlie and let me know. You said earlier that the two of you are meeting for breakfast, right?"
"I thought all of us were meeting for breakfast!" Bones protested
"Spock and I have a conference transmission with Admiral Peary coming in at 0800 so I don't think we'll be there."
Bones raised an eyebrow. "Sounds serious."
"Well hopefully it will be less serious than it sounds" Kirk replied. He then immediately switched gears. "I hope Hailey is alright. She seemed a little withdrawn."
"God Jim! The poor girl had to confess that her mother was her pimp! I am sure that she's embarrassed as hell...which I guess is why Charlie got so upset. I don't think he wanted anybody to know."
"True, Bones. But it had to be done." Kirk's face was grim. "What kind of mother would do such a thing? What kind of scars has she left on that girl?"
"It appears that she and Chekov have developed a close relationship rather quickly" Spock said. "Perhaps we can check with him and determine her mental state. She may not reveal her feelings to Charles for fear of upsetting him."
"You make a good point, Spock" Kirk replied "I'll send a message to Chekov and ask him to meet me in my quarters. He should have dropped her off by now."
They walked into the captain's quarters and he immediately sent a message to Chekov.
"I don't think that Hailey likes you too much, Spock" Bones snickered. "Perhaps you can make amends in some way."
"Doctor, I am aware that I made the young lady uncomfortable, however rather than pointing out the obvious, perhaps you should get someone on your staff to do an evaluation on her." Spock replied.
"Don't think that I haven't considered that!" Bones snapped. "However, these things must be handled delicately!"
"I am sure that you will handle the matter with your usual tact and diplomacy" Spock replied dryly walking towards the door. "Good evening, gentlemen."
Kirk watched Spock's exit and then turned to Bones. "How about a drink?"
Bones walked over to the liquor cabinet. "I thought you'd never ask!"