Let Nothing You Dismay Chapter 5

Chapter Five: First Day/Date

Jim’s first day at Gad-Shen proved to be very challenging.

He dropped and broke two plates, one of which had food on it. He was sure that Spock was going to tell him at the end of the day he was fired.

The other wait staff, Gaila, a fun and flirty Orion female, and Nyota Uhura, a regal Human female, seemed to know way more about working in such an industry then he did.

Jim noticed that whenever Uhura was not waiting on someone, she was chatting up Spock. Gaila apparently noticed it too for she smiled with amusement and nudged Jim.

“She’s wasting her time.”

“Hmm?”

“Nyota. Spock’s sexual preference is males. He’d be much more likely to be into you then into her.” Gaila laughed and winked. “Literally.”

“Geez.” Jim felt himself blush. “Stop that.”

She laughed again. But she moved on to wait on someone who had just arrived.

When the day was over, Jim found himself in the kitchen talking to the chef, Montgomery Scott—Scotty—as they both cleaned up for the day.

“How’d it go, laddy?”

“Pretty bad I think,” Jim admitted. “Broke a couple plates. He’s probably gonna fire me.”

“Nah, not likely. Just your first day, Jim. He’ll cut you some slack. Don’t you worry.”

“I hope so. I really need this job.”

Scotty nodded. “Heard you lost your job at the shipyard.”

“Yeah. It was a good one while it lasted.” Jim shook his head. “My luck doesn’t always run good though. Still I can’t let it get me down too much. Lily deserves a dad who will keep thing safe and fun for her.”

“You’ll be okay, Jim. I’m sure of it.”

“Thanks Scotty. What’s a guy like you doing here anyway? Do you have chef’s training?”

“I do, yeah. Back in Scotland. I actually went to join Starfleet Academy in San Francisco. Wanted to lean engineering.”

Jim leaned against the nearest wall. “Yeah? What happened?”

“Was denied,” Scotty said, matter-of-factly. “Told they had no room. Apply again next year.” He sighed. “I didn’t want to go back. Met up with Spock and we got to talking. Said I could work here in the meantime while I waited for my next chance.”

“I’m sorry about the Academy.”

“Yeah, it is what it is.” Scotty surveyed him. “What about you, Jim? Ever thought about enlisting?”

“A long time ago, sure. Now? I don’t know. With Lily to care for, it’s hard. And I’ve heard how difficult it is to get in. Even before you told me your situation.”

“Understood. Well, I’ve got this under control, Jim. You can go ahead and go home. See you tomorrow?”

Jim grinned. “I sure hope so.”

He left the kitchen and noticed that Uhura and Gaila had already left. Spock was straightening a few last empty tables, setting them up for the morning again.

“Need help with that?” Jim asked.

Spock glanced at him. “If you do not mind. It would make it go quicker.”

“Sure thing.”

Jim went over to the tables in the corner Spock was working on setting up. “Uh. So. Sorry about the plates.”

“A small matter.”

“Maybe.  I don’t know. I’m not usually that clumsy.”

“You did advise you lacked experience.”

“I promise to be better tomorrow.”

Spock nodded. “As I said, it is a small matter. There is a learning curve.”

“Well, thank you. I really appreciate you being so nice about it.”

Jim fell silent as he continued helping Spock, but he did notice that periodically Spock glanced his way.

Finally, Jim couldn’t stand it any longer. “What? Is there something hanging off my nose or something?” He laughed to show he was joking.

Spock’s lips twitched. “Negative. I was…would you care to have tea with me at the tea shop a few doors down? I know you wish to pick up your daughter, but I thought…”

Jim nodded. “Sure. I can go have a cup. Just let me message my babysitter that I’ll be a little bit longer.”

He tried to ignore his heart pounding, recalling what Gaila told him about Spock. And asking him for tea sounded kind of like a date. And? Well, yes, Jim found Spock very attractive. But he was his boss. Still…

“Very well. Let me dismiss Mr. Scott for the day and lock up the restaurant and we can have that tea.”

Jim smiled and nodded and prepared to notify Maggie.