Star Trek Fic - Penance Chapter Four
PENANCE Chapter Four
by SlwMtionDaylite
Written for reel_startrek, Round Two
Based upon the film Atonement, written by Christopher Hampton (based upon the novel by Ian McEwan) and directed by Joe Wright
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing. Paramount, et al. own all. I really wish they would let me borrow Spock for a while though. Atonement owned by Universal Pictures, Studio Canal, Relativity Media and Working Title Films.
Rating: Strong R/M
Genre: Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Action/Adventure
Characters/Pairing: Kirk, Spock/Uhura
Word Count (Chapter Four): ~2546
Beta: jlneveloff
Warnings: Language. Sexual situations, violence
Summary: Alternate Universe. This is the story of a young cadet that sees something he thinks he understands. But he doesn’t.
CHAPTER FOUR - CONCERN FROM AN UNWANTED MAN
It was several minutes before Kirk felt calm enough to move. A deep breath and he exited the office, still stifled with the smell of sex, and returned to the Kelvin Room. Upon reentering, his eyes scoured the guests and Starfleet members. He spotted Spock and Uhura and his eyes widened in surprise.
The pair was standing together alongside Lady Amanda. The older woman smiled brightly at something the Vulcan said and replied. Then she left them alone.
From his vantage point near the door, Kirk watched the pair. He wanted to protect her, to save her if she needed it.
Across the room, Spock glanced about, eyeing everyone around him, then reached down and surreptitiously took Uhura's hand in his, his thumb brushing sensuously across the back of her hand.
Uhura smiled tightly and gently removed her hand from his.
Spock's eyebrow rose.
She spoke to him, leaning in closely. Her eyes tight and her posture rigid. With an elegant grace, she moved away from him, putting a good distance between them.
Spock stepped closer to her, speaking. He towered over her petite form, imposing.
She leaned away from him and replied to his statement. Quite vehemently.
From where he was standing, Kirk wasn't able to hear any of their conversation, but he was able to read her lips somewhat.
She said "no" quite clearly. Quite forcibly.
He knew that much.
With a final look, Uhura moved away from Spock swiftly, crossing the room. She neared Kirk but didn't even bother glancing at him.
Spock's eyes followed her retreating form. When she crossed by Kirk, Spock's eyes locked with the Cadet's. His eyes were unreadable. A mask of Vulcan indifference.
Kirk felt cold.
*****
"There you are. I have been looking all over for you two. Where'd you go? I saw you two leave together."
Uhura's face flushed and she glanced at Spock, who stood stoically before his smiling mother. She thought Amanda had a knowing glimmer in her eyes, though she had no idea how the woman could have figured it out.
"Mother." Spock's voice carried a warning. "It would be against regulation for what you are implying."
Amanda laughed. "Who said anything about implications? Really, Spock. But since you brought it up..." She let her sentence hang in the air.
A rush of embarrassment surged through Uhura and she silently willed the ground to open up and swallow her.
Naturally, it didn't.
She looked at Spock, wondering how he would reply to his mother.
"Very well, Mother." He lowered his voice. "Nyota and I are...interested in pursuing a relationship together." He offered nothing more.
But it was all his mother needed and she smiled brightly. "I had a feeling about you two. But, okay, I'll leave you two alone now. I need to find your father anyway." She left them.
Uhura's heart raced and she released a breath. She was uncomfortable with Spock's easy openness regarding the extremely new change to their relationship. It wasn't that she was not interested in pursuing a relationship with him - that couldn't be further from the truth - but it was nerve wracking to hear him be so vocal about an emotional relationship - a relationship that was in violation of several regulations - in a crowded room with several Starfleet officers and officials nearby.
She felt his hand gently embrace her own and was startled. Here? In this very open and very public place, he wanted to hold hands? She pulled her hand from his as gently as she could. "Spock? What are you doing?"
His eyebrow rose upwards.
She wasn't sure what he was thinking. She leaned in close, mindful of their surroundings. "Here? Where we can get caught?" She stepped away from him. She wouldn't risk it. They already got caught once tonight.
He stepped closer to her, forcing her to crane her neck upwards to keep eye contact. "I apologize, Nyota." He kept his voice quiet. "I find that I am still under the effects of our interrupted liaison. You do not wish to renege on our confessions, do you?"
She leaned back slightly. "What? No! God, no. Just...not here. Later. I promise." She met his eyes for one last lingering look. Then, she turned and, with a swish of her hips, moved across the room. She could feel her lover's eyes upon her. She spotted her green-skinned friend and adjusted her destination towards her. Unfortunately, in doing so, she passed near Kirk, who stared at her with an indiscernible look. But she decided she wouldn't allow herself to dwell on it.
*****
With a final long look at the cold-hearted Vulcan, Kirk allowed his eyes to drift to Uhura. He wanted to see if she was okay, but then chastised himself. She was the victim of a forceful Vulcan who seemed set on harassing her. Of course, she wasn't okay.
With set determination, he made his way to her, bypassing members of the crowd as efficiently as he could, lest he lose sight of her.
She had found her friend Gaila and quickly had engrained herself with the Orion and her male companions. One of the men said something intended to be funny and Gaila burst out in false laughter. She looked at Uhura, who stood stoically.
Uhura glared at her friend briefly before joining her in the forced laughter. Her eyes darted around nervously, as though she feared an attack at any moment.
Kirk felt his heart lurch at the thought of strong beautiful Uhura so quickly reduced to this trembling frightened girl. He knew he had to be subtle in his approach, had to be certain not to alarm her. She was on edge though and it would hardly do for him to add to her distress. So Kirk slowed his steps and approached her from the front, ensuring that she would see him.
And she definitely saw him, her eyes growing wide, her cheeks flushing.
"Are you blushing?" Gaila smirked at her friend.
"No." Uhura cleared her throat and tried to look elsewhere but her eyes returned to Kirk.
Gaila followed her gaze and her brilliant smile became even brighter. "Ooh. I knew it."
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Uhura abruptly moved away from Gaila and toward Kirk. She all but hissed. "What do you want?"
Kirk slowly reached towards her, wanting to comfort her but unsure if it would be appreciated. "Are you okay?" His voice was gentle, quiet.
She jerked away from him and his heart ached. "Don't. I'm fine." Her eyes scanned the room and landed on Spock, who glanced at her briefly before returning his attention his companions.
Kirk followed her eyes and felt a rage nearly overcome him when he saw that Vulcan make eye contact with her. But getting angry now was not what she needed. He took his eyes off Spock and back on her. He tilted his head, trying his best to appear non-threatening. "How can you be sure?"
She glared at him. "No. Just drop it, Okay? Please! Forget what you think you saw."
His voice dropped low. He couldn't embarrass her or traumatize her any further. But he had to help her. "Uhura, this has to end. It has to be reported."
"What? No! Don't do it, Kirk. Please, just drop it."
He stared at her, at the tears forming in her eyes, the fear in them. How could he drop it? "I...don't think I can." He took a step away from her, his intent to report the incident immediately weighing heavily on his mind.
She stepped closer to him. Her actions grew more desperate, frightened. "No! It won't happen again and we can all move on from this incident and put it behind us."
Kirk couldn't understand why she seemed so determined to protect him. Why would she not wish to report the incident, to have him removed from Starfleet, placed under arrest, and taken away? Far away from her. So she could live in peace.
"He didn't mean to do it. Okay? He just lost control."
Why was she defending him? And a Vulcan losing control like that? Was that even possible? It just didn't make any sense to Kirk. He'd been under the impression that Vulcans were supposed to be too logical, too unfeeling to even lose control.
He sighed heavily.
“Please.” Her voice became a whisper.
Kirk looked at her sadly. It was obvious that she was afraid. But of what? Retribution from Spock? He glanced at the Vulcan, who had reunited with the older woman. Kirk couldn't get the image - Spock forcing Uhura against the desk, thrusting into her, as she tried desperately to pull him off her - out if his head. He sighed and turned away from her. Behind him, he heard her rushed breathing - Anxiety? Fear? - and set his shoulders, marching away from her.
He found McCoy quickly and approached him.
McCoy turned to him, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Where the hell have you been? Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I was looking for Uhura. And yes."
Bones sighed. "Really, Jim? Now? Just give it up already."
Kirk sighed heavily and glanced around the room, seeing all the faces of the cadets, eyes wide in fascination, and the blank faces of the Vulcans, each one looking more and more pretentious and superior than the last. Satisfied no one was paying any attention, he leaned in close to whisper on Bones' ear. "I...I just saw her and Commander Spock -"
"Yeah? So?"
Kirk cleared his throat. "Bones, he was attacking her. I saw it."
McCoy leaned back, his eyes widening. "Are you absolutely certain, Jim?"
Kirk nodded emphatically. "He had her against the desk. She couldn't get him off her."
McCoy let out a low whistle, uncertain. "Are you going to tell anyone?"
"That's what I should do, right?" Kirk scanned the room again, looking for either Spock or Uhura.
"You're damn right that's what you should do." Bones crossed his arms. "Why would that even be a question?"
Kirk sighed. "Uhura...she asked - begged me not to."
McCoy looked at him incredulously. "And you're just gonna listen to her?"
"Shouldn't I?"
"Jim, look. I know you want to help her, but doing as she asks...this time, it's not helping her. You need to tell someone, someone higher ranked, and yeah, she may hate you for doing it. But eventually, when the fear and the trauma fade, she'll realize you were only looking out for her."
Jim sighed. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I should go tell someone.”
"Of course, I'm right. Now, go."
Kirk nodded and scanned the crowd. He saw Spock and Uhura near one another and his eyes nearly bulged in surprise. That damned Vulcan didn't give up.
The two in question made eye contact with one another before shifting their gazes elsewhere.
Kirk suppressed the urge to march to Spock and demand he leave her alone. No, Bones was right. He needed to go to a higher authority.
His eyes moved from Spock and Uhura and landed on Pike.
The captain was surrounded by a trio of Vulcans and he was speaking quite animatedly to them.
Kirk made his way to him, weaving in and out of the crowd. He waited anxiously as the man finished his story to the delegates. He spoke when Pike appeared to be finished. "Sir? I need to speak to you."
Pike faced him and raised his eyebrow in a move that reminded Kirk of Spock's own animated brow and he felt nauseated.
"It's important, sir. Otherwise I wouldn't be interrupting."
Pike sighed and turned to his audience. "Excuse me for just one moment."
The Vulcans nodded politely.
Pike stepped away and motioned for Kirk to follow. "What is it, Cadet?"
Kirk looked around them, aware of the eyes upon him, and decided it would be best to be discreet. He leaned in close to Pike and whispered in his ear, telling him exactly what he saw.
Pike jerked away from him. His brow creased and he looked at Kirk with disbelief. "Are you absolutely certain?"
Kirk nodded gravely.
Pike returned to the Vulcan delegates. "Excuse me, I'm gonna have to cut this short. Something's come up." He turned to Kirk. "Follow me."
Kirk nodded. He followed Captain Pike closely. His eyes darted around the room, looking for them. He didn't find them. They were no longer in the Kelvin Room, it seemed.
He felt somewhat nervous trailing Pike, as though he was the one in trouble. But the gravity of incoming accusations was not lost on him. An officer's entire career was poised on the gallows and all it could take was his word to pull the switch to send it plummeting. A cadet's future prospects could be irrevocably tarnished by this. This could forever follow her, haunting her career. Kirk knew all this. But he also knew that he had given an oath, a vow to report anything suspicious, questionable, or illegal.
He knew Bones was right. This couldn't go unreported.
He still didn't like this.
But...the irrational part of his brain told him that this might be the thing he needs to convince Uhura that he could be honorable, respectable.
Pike unknowingly took Kirk to the same office in which Commander Spock attacked Uhura.
Kirk fought to keep his gaze level on his superior and not on the desk where he'd seen the Vulcan rutting against Uhura.
Pike sighed and paced the room. He stopped and looked at Kirk. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes. I saw it. I saw it with my own eyes." Kirk placed his shaking hands behind his back. "It was in this office."
Pike inhaled deeply, his eyes closing. "Damnit!" he suddenly exclaimed.
"Sir?"
Pike picked up his pacing, anger and frustration evident in the heavy steps he took. "I cannot deal with this now."
Kirk hesitated. Should he recant? Find someone else?
Pike looked at him. His voice was gruff, authoritative, and demanded no disobedience. “Stay here.”
“Yes, sir.” Kirk awkwardly, uncomfortably watched as Pike walked out of the room, leaving him alone. He felt strangely like he was on trial, like he was the one who had broken not only regulation, but law. But he didn’t. He was simply the man who had the displeasure of reporting it.
Kirk paced the room briefly before deciding to take a seat one of the chairs against the wall near the door.
He could understand Pike’s alarm and disbelief at his news. Though Kirk really only knew Spock by reputation, the Vulcan’s reputation certainly proceeded him. The first Vulcan to enlist in Starfleet, he whizzed right through the Academy, becoming one of Starfleet's most distinguished graduates. He was respected. He was highly regarded and one might even say revered. At least by a few. And now, Spock was being accused of something heinous by a Cadet.
Yes, Kirk could understand the disbelief in Pike's face, the hesitance to believe.
It was only a few moments before Pike returned.
The door slid open and Kirk jumped to his feet, standing at attention. His eyes widened when he saw who accompanied the Captain.
It was Ambassador Sarek.
by SlwMtionDaylite
Written for reel_startrek, Round Two
Based upon the film Atonement, written by Christopher Hampton (based upon the novel by Ian McEwan) and directed by Joe Wright
Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I own nothing. Paramount, et al. own all. I really wish they would let me borrow Spock for a while though. Atonement owned by Universal Pictures, Studio Canal, Relativity Media and Working Title Films.
Rating: Strong R/M
Genre: Romance, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Action/Adventure
Characters/Pairing: Kirk, Spock/Uhura
Word Count (Chapter Four): ~2546
Beta: jlneveloff
Warnings: Language. Sexual situations, violence
Summary: Alternate Universe. This is the story of a young cadet that sees something he thinks he understands. But he doesn’t.
CHAPTER FOUR - CONCERN FROM AN UNWANTED MAN
It was several minutes before Kirk felt calm enough to move. A deep breath and he exited the office, still stifled with the smell of sex, and returned to the Kelvin Room. Upon reentering, his eyes scoured the guests and Starfleet members. He spotted Spock and Uhura and his eyes widened in surprise.
The pair was standing together alongside Lady Amanda. The older woman smiled brightly at something the Vulcan said and replied. Then she left them alone.
From his vantage point near the door, Kirk watched the pair. He wanted to protect her, to save her if she needed it.
Across the room, Spock glanced about, eyeing everyone around him, then reached down and surreptitiously took Uhura's hand in his, his thumb brushing sensuously across the back of her hand.
Uhura smiled tightly and gently removed her hand from his.
Spock's eyebrow rose.
She spoke to him, leaning in closely. Her eyes tight and her posture rigid. With an elegant grace, she moved away from him, putting a good distance between them.
Spock stepped closer to her, speaking. He towered over her petite form, imposing.
She leaned away from him and replied to his statement. Quite vehemently.
From where he was standing, Kirk wasn't able to hear any of their conversation, but he was able to read her lips somewhat.
She said "no" quite clearly. Quite forcibly.
He knew that much.
With a final look, Uhura moved away from Spock swiftly, crossing the room. She neared Kirk but didn't even bother glancing at him.
Spock's eyes followed her retreating form. When she crossed by Kirk, Spock's eyes locked with the Cadet's. His eyes were unreadable. A mask of Vulcan indifference.
Kirk felt cold.
*****
"There you are. I have been looking all over for you two. Where'd you go? I saw you two leave together."
Uhura's face flushed and she glanced at Spock, who stood stoically before his smiling mother. She thought Amanda had a knowing glimmer in her eyes, though she had no idea how the woman could have figured it out.
"Mother." Spock's voice carried a warning. "It would be against regulation for what you are implying."
Amanda laughed. "Who said anything about implications? Really, Spock. But since you brought it up..." She let her sentence hang in the air.
A rush of embarrassment surged through Uhura and she silently willed the ground to open up and swallow her.
Naturally, it didn't.
She looked at Spock, wondering how he would reply to his mother.
"Very well, Mother." He lowered his voice. "Nyota and I are...interested in pursuing a relationship together." He offered nothing more.
But it was all his mother needed and she smiled brightly. "I had a feeling about you two. But, okay, I'll leave you two alone now. I need to find your father anyway." She left them.
Uhura's heart raced and she released a breath. She was uncomfortable with Spock's easy openness regarding the extremely new change to their relationship. It wasn't that she was not interested in pursuing a relationship with him - that couldn't be further from the truth - but it was nerve wracking to hear him be so vocal about an emotional relationship - a relationship that was in violation of several regulations - in a crowded room with several Starfleet officers and officials nearby.
She felt his hand gently embrace her own and was startled. Here? In this very open and very public place, he wanted to hold hands? She pulled her hand from his as gently as she could. "Spock? What are you doing?"
His eyebrow rose upwards.
She wasn't sure what he was thinking. She leaned in close, mindful of their surroundings. "Here? Where we can get caught?" She stepped away from him. She wouldn't risk it. They already got caught once tonight.
He stepped closer to her, forcing her to crane her neck upwards to keep eye contact. "I apologize, Nyota." He kept his voice quiet. "I find that I am still under the effects of our interrupted liaison. You do not wish to renege on our confessions, do you?"
She leaned back slightly. "What? No! God, no. Just...not here. Later. I promise." She met his eyes for one last lingering look. Then, she turned and, with a swish of her hips, moved across the room. She could feel her lover's eyes upon her. She spotted her green-skinned friend and adjusted her destination towards her. Unfortunately, in doing so, she passed near Kirk, who stared at her with an indiscernible look. But she decided she wouldn't allow herself to dwell on it.
*****
With a final long look at the cold-hearted Vulcan, Kirk allowed his eyes to drift to Uhura. He wanted to see if she was okay, but then chastised himself. She was the victim of a forceful Vulcan who seemed set on harassing her. Of course, she wasn't okay.
With set determination, he made his way to her, bypassing members of the crowd as efficiently as he could, lest he lose sight of her.
She had found her friend Gaila and quickly had engrained herself with the Orion and her male companions. One of the men said something intended to be funny and Gaila burst out in false laughter. She looked at Uhura, who stood stoically.
Uhura glared at her friend briefly before joining her in the forced laughter. Her eyes darted around nervously, as though she feared an attack at any moment.
Kirk felt his heart lurch at the thought of strong beautiful Uhura so quickly reduced to this trembling frightened girl. He knew he had to be subtle in his approach, had to be certain not to alarm her. She was on edge though and it would hardly do for him to add to her distress. So Kirk slowed his steps and approached her from the front, ensuring that she would see him.
And she definitely saw him, her eyes growing wide, her cheeks flushing.
"Are you blushing?" Gaila smirked at her friend.
"No." Uhura cleared her throat and tried to look elsewhere but her eyes returned to Kirk.
Gaila followed her gaze and her brilliant smile became even brighter. "Ooh. I knew it."
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Uhura abruptly moved away from Gaila and toward Kirk. She all but hissed. "What do you want?"
Kirk slowly reached towards her, wanting to comfort her but unsure if it would be appreciated. "Are you okay?" His voice was gentle, quiet.
She jerked away from him and his heart ached. "Don't. I'm fine." Her eyes scanned the room and landed on Spock, who glanced at her briefly before returning his attention his companions.
Kirk followed her eyes and felt a rage nearly overcome him when he saw that Vulcan make eye contact with her. But getting angry now was not what she needed. He took his eyes off Spock and back on her. He tilted his head, trying his best to appear non-threatening. "How can you be sure?"
She glared at him. "No. Just drop it, Okay? Please! Forget what you think you saw."
His voice dropped low. He couldn't embarrass her or traumatize her any further. But he had to help her. "Uhura, this has to end. It has to be reported."
"What? No! Don't do it, Kirk. Please, just drop it."
He stared at her, at the tears forming in her eyes, the fear in them. How could he drop it? "I...don't think I can." He took a step away from her, his intent to report the incident immediately weighing heavily on his mind.
She stepped closer to him. Her actions grew more desperate, frightened. "No! It won't happen again and we can all move on from this incident and put it behind us."
Kirk couldn't understand why she seemed so determined to protect him. Why would she not wish to report the incident, to have him removed from Starfleet, placed under arrest, and taken away? Far away from her. So she could live in peace.
"He didn't mean to do it. Okay? He just lost control."
Why was she defending him? And a Vulcan losing control like that? Was that even possible? It just didn't make any sense to Kirk. He'd been under the impression that Vulcans were supposed to be too logical, too unfeeling to even lose control.
He sighed heavily.
“Please.” Her voice became a whisper.
Kirk looked at her sadly. It was obvious that she was afraid. But of what? Retribution from Spock? He glanced at the Vulcan, who had reunited with the older woman. Kirk couldn't get the image - Spock forcing Uhura against the desk, thrusting into her, as she tried desperately to pull him off her - out if his head. He sighed and turned away from her. Behind him, he heard her rushed breathing - Anxiety? Fear? - and set his shoulders, marching away from her.
He found McCoy quickly and approached him.
McCoy turned to him, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Where the hell have you been? Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I was looking for Uhura. And yes."
Bones sighed. "Really, Jim? Now? Just give it up already."
Kirk sighed heavily and glanced around the room, seeing all the faces of the cadets, eyes wide in fascination, and the blank faces of the Vulcans, each one looking more and more pretentious and superior than the last. Satisfied no one was paying any attention, he leaned in close to whisper on Bones' ear. "I...I just saw her and Commander Spock -"
"Yeah? So?"
Kirk cleared his throat. "Bones, he was attacking her. I saw it."
McCoy leaned back, his eyes widening. "Are you absolutely certain, Jim?"
Kirk nodded emphatically. "He had her against the desk. She couldn't get him off her."
McCoy let out a low whistle, uncertain. "Are you going to tell anyone?"
"That's what I should do, right?" Kirk scanned the room again, looking for either Spock or Uhura.
"You're damn right that's what you should do." Bones crossed his arms. "Why would that even be a question?"
Kirk sighed. "Uhura...she asked - begged me not to."
McCoy looked at him incredulously. "And you're just gonna listen to her?"
"Shouldn't I?"
"Jim, look. I know you want to help her, but doing as she asks...this time, it's not helping her. You need to tell someone, someone higher ranked, and yeah, she may hate you for doing it. But eventually, when the fear and the trauma fade, she'll realize you were only looking out for her."
Jim sighed. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. I should go tell someone.”
"Of course, I'm right. Now, go."
Kirk nodded and scanned the crowd. He saw Spock and Uhura near one another and his eyes nearly bulged in surprise. That damned Vulcan didn't give up.
The two in question made eye contact with one another before shifting their gazes elsewhere.
Kirk suppressed the urge to march to Spock and demand he leave her alone. No, Bones was right. He needed to go to a higher authority.
His eyes moved from Spock and Uhura and landed on Pike.
The captain was surrounded by a trio of Vulcans and he was speaking quite animatedly to them.
Kirk made his way to him, weaving in and out of the crowd. He waited anxiously as the man finished his story to the delegates. He spoke when Pike appeared to be finished. "Sir? I need to speak to you."
Pike faced him and raised his eyebrow in a move that reminded Kirk of Spock's own animated brow and he felt nauseated.
"It's important, sir. Otherwise I wouldn't be interrupting."
Pike sighed and turned to his audience. "Excuse me for just one moment."
The Vulcans nodded politely.
Pike stepped away and motioned for Kirk to follow. "What is it, Cadet?"
Kirk looked around them, aware of the eyes upon him, and decided it would be best to be discreet. He leaned in close to Pike and whispered in his ear, telling him exactly what he saw.
Pike jerked away from him. His brow creased and he looked at Kirk with disbelief. "Are you absolutely certain?"
Kirk nodded gravely.
Pike returned to the Vulcan delegates. "Excuse me, I'm gonna have to cut this short. Something's come up." He turned to Kirk. "Follow me."
Kirk nodded. He followed Captain Pike closely. His eyes darted around the room, looking for them. He didn't find them. They were no longer in the Kelvin Room, it seemed.
He felt somewhat nervous trailing Pike, as though he was the one in trouble. But the gravity of incoming accusations was not lost on him. An officer's entire career was poised on the gallows and all it could take was his word to pull the switch to send it plummeting. A cadet's future prospects could be irrevocably tarnished by this. This could forever follow her, haunting her career. Kirk knew all this. But he also knew that he had given an oath, a vow to report anything suspicious, questionable, or illegal.
He knew Bones was right. This couldn't go unreported.
He still didn't like this.
But...the irrational part of his brain told him that this might be the thing he needs to convince Uhura that he could be honorable, respectable.
Pike unknowingly took Kirk to the same office in which Commander Spock attacked Uhura.
Kirk fought to keep his gaze level on his superior and not on the desk where he'd seen the Vulcan rutting against Uhura.
Pike sighed and paced the room. He stopped and looked at Kirk. "You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes. I saw it. I saw it with my own eyes." Kirk placed his shaking hands behind his back. "It was in this office."
Pike inhaled deeply, his eyes closing. "Damnit!" he suddenly exclaimed.
"Sir?"
Pike picked up his pacing, anger and frustration evident in the heavy steps he took. "I cannot deal with this now."
Kirk hesitated. Should he recant? Find someone else?
Pike looked at him. His voice was gruff, authoritative, and demanded no disobedience. “Stay here.”
“Yes, sir.” Kirk awkwardly, uncomfortably watched as Pike walked out of the room, leaving him alone. He felt strangely like he was on trial, like he was the one who had broken not only regulation, but law. But he didn’t. He was simply the man who had the displeasure of reporting it.
Kirk paced the room briefly before deciding to take a seat one of the chairs against the wall near the door.
He could understand Pike’s alarm and disbelief at his news. Though Kirk really only knew Spock by reputation, the Vulcan’s reputation certainly proceeded him. The first Vulcan to enlist in Starfleet, he whizzed right through the Academy, becoming one of Starfleet's most distinguished graduates. He was respected. He was highly regarded and one might even say revered. At least by a few. And now, Spock was being accused of something heinous by a Cadet.
Yes, Kirk could understand the disbelief in Pike's face, the hesitance to believe.
It was only a few moments before Pike returned.
The door slid open and Kirk jumped to his feet, standing at attention. His eyes widened when he saw who accompanied the Captain.
It was Ambassador Sarek.