“Still in love,” Jim declared with a hint of a smile.
He had just polished off two plates full of Spock’s stir-fried peanut noodles. It was a simple dish of soft lo-mein noodles, diced scallions, bean sprouts, and chopped peanuts in a savory sauce, but it was one Spock made often as it was a favorite of his, so he could not deny a bit of illogical pleasure to witness Jim’s delight in the dish.
“I am glad you enjoyed it. Normally I add a bit of a chili sauce to it but didn’t want to overwhelm you with spices if it was not to your taste.”
“Next time feel free to add it. I don’t mind some heat at all. But whatever, as this was very good.”
Spock nodded and picked up Jim’s plate to rinse it.
“I could do that.”
“It is no big deal. How were your classes?”
“Easy,” Jim replied, and for some reason it did not sound boastful.
“You are not challenged by them?”
“Not yet, but it’s early, right? I’m sure they’ll get more complicated.”
“Were you assigned homework?”
“Yep. Got it done in the library before I came here. I’m probably going to do some pleasure reading in my room for the rest of the night.“
Spock hesitated for a moment, but then went ahead and proposed it. “You could read out here in the common sitting room. It will not disturb me. In fact, I might prefer to have company while I attend to my own class curriculum.”
“Yeah?” Jim smiled. “Cool. Let me just go get my book.”
“You do not read on an e-reader?”
“Sometimes. But for this book, it’s a real one.”
“What is it, if I may ask?”
Jim grinned. “An old-fashioned murder mystery. There’s a sort of side romance between the detective and his assistant but mostly it’s the mystery.”
“I see. Tea?”
“That would be great.”
And as Jim disappeared into his room to get his book, Spock felt oddly…satisfied.
“I know you don’t know me that well yet, Bones, but I prefer not to be insulted first thing in the morning.” Jim smiled at the served who looked expectantly at him. They were in line at the Starfleet Academy lunch counter in the cafeteria. “Scrambled eggs and the hash browns, please.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Bones grumbled. “I’m just saying you look like you didn’t get much sleep. New roommate a pain in the ass?”
Bones ordered the same breakfast and with their coffee already chosen they made their way to a table.
“No, my lack of sleep isn’t because of Spock. If anything, I’m responsible for his.”
“How so?”
“I had a nightmare that woke me up from a dead sleep.” Jim paused to fork a bite of eggs. He chewed and swallowed. “A bad one.”
“What happened in it?”
“I was chained to a wall by a werewolf with beady red eyes.”
“Werewolves aren’t real.”
“Tell that to my subconscious. It was pretty freaky so it was hard to get back to sleep.” Jim shrugged,. “I’m sure it had some deeper psychological meaning.”
“Yeah?” Bones looked curious. “What would that be?”
“Damned if I know. I’m not into dream analysis or other woo-woo stuff.”
Bones rolled his eyes. “I’ll tell you why. You watched too many scary movies as a kid.”
“Maybe.”
“So what’s it been like living with the Vulcan?”
“He’s nice.”
“Nice? A Vulcan?”
“Yeah. I think he likes me.”
“Doubtful. And anyway, pretty sure he’s involved.”
Jim frowned. “With who?”
“That linguistics cadet with the attitude.”
He made a face. “Well okay. Are you sure?” Jim wasn’t quite certain why that thought made him sad.
“Nope. Not at all. Just seen them together.”
He nodded. “Okay, well there are plenty of dolphins in the sea.”
“The saying is fish.”
“And dolphins eat fish, so I’d rather be one of them.” Jim laughed. He glanced at his watch. “Have to get to class. See you later.”
“Hey, thanks for holding the door,” Jim said, as he dragged in the chair to the dorm room he’d be temporarily occupying. “This is kind of heavy.”
The very hot Vulcan stood aside wearing what Jim would consider his “puzzled by a Human” look. He was tall and thin with very dark hair and eyes to match. Jim didn’t know how he was going to feel living with a guy that sexy.
“You brought furniture?”
He had a sexy voice too.
“Yeah. Well, just the chair.” He set it down just inside the door and wiped his brow with his forearm. “Damn it’s warm in here.”
“I keep it set to a degree comfortable for Vulcans,” Spock said. “I will adjust it. Cadet, I do not understand why you would bring furniture with you to my residence when your stay is quite temporary.”
“Jim.”
“What?”
“My name. You can call me Jim. Anyway, I get it I do. But my mom insisted on sending it to me. I mean obviously she thought it would go into my dorm and didn’t know I wouldn’t have one. It’s a Kirk chair.”
“A what?”
“It’s my favorite chair back home. I mean we all have our favorite chairs, right?”
Spock’s brows furrowed.
“We do in my family anyway. My brother used to have one but he spilled all this stuff all over it and stained it and then he wouldn’t sit on it anymore.”
“Cadet—”
“I’m babbling, aren’t I?”
“Yes.”
Jim nodded. “I tend to talk a lot. Anyway, when my mom found out I was enlisting she wanted me to have my favorite chair so I’d get a bit of the home feel, you know?”
“Likely she should have waited until you were settled before sending it.”
“Yep. But you can’t really say no to Mom. I can’t anyway.” He smiled. “Which room am I in?”
Spock turned and indicated the one on the left.
“Cool. Hey, so why did you get a double if you weren’t going to have a roommate anyway? I mean before me.”
“I use the extra room for meditation.”
“Ah, gotcha. I’ll just, uh, move this into that room and then grab my bag of other stuff.”
“I will move the chair, you may collect the remainder of your belongings.”
Spock moved over to the large chair to pick it up.
“I don’t want you to have to go to any trouble,” Jim protested.
“It is no more trouble than anything else,” Spock said, vaguely. He picked up Jim’s Kirk chair like it weighed nothing at all and quickly headed for the room he had designated as Jim’s.
With a shrug, Jim went to grab his duffle bag he’d left just outside the door and then shut it behind him when he reentered the dorm.
He followed Spock into the room that was meant for him. He sniffed as he looked around. Spock had placed his chair on the far side of a single bed.
“What?” Spock asked.
“You used incense in here, huh?”
“Yes, I use it for my meditation. It is a Vulcan incense.” He paused. “Is that a problem?”
“Nah. I mean, I just have a few allergies. No big deal.” He smiled.
Spock stared at him. “Would you like to switch rooms?”
“Oh no. I mean your clothes are already there, right? And you’ve already stayed there. Isn’t this your last year?”
“Clothes can be moved.”
“I don’t want to be any trouble.” Jim coughed. His nose twitched.
Spock arched a brow. Jim was pretty sure Spock was about to announce how much trouble Jim already was, but to his surprise, Spock did not.
This first one was suggested and it’s not completely Academy but Academy related, so I figured, it might as well be the first one. Once again I am not sure I did it justice. But I tried!
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
“What?” Uhura gave Jim a funny look.
Granted after pretty much knowing her for the last five years, Jim had been on the receiving end of a lot of funny looks from her.
Beginning from that first meeting in this very bar in Riverside.
Five years flew by, honestly.
Jim thought since they were in Riverside anyway he might as well go to one of his old favorite hangouts.
They were on Earth, briefly, to pick up Jaylah after she had successfully completed Academic training. That was in San Francisco, of course. Her graduation ceremony was in two days. But since they were here, Jim had decided a quick trip to see his mother might be warranted.
So here they all were. Well some of them anyway.
He’d been surprised when Uhura wanted to come there to the bar with him. Not all of that had been good memories, after all.
He’d told Spock of his intention, of course, but as usual his Vulcan boyfriend had decided not to come along to the bar. He’d stayed behind at the Kirk farmhouse where they were staying before heading out on the shuttle in the morning to San Francisco.
Jim had bellied up to the bar next to Uhura to order a drink when he’d made the quote from Casablanca.
“Old Earth movie,” he told her.
She shrugged and got the bartender’s attention. “I’d like a Klavnian fire tea, three Budweiser classics, two Cardasians sunrises, and uh…”
The bartender said, “Try the Slusho, it’s good.”
Jim blinked. Déjà vu.
“The slusho mix, thank you.”
Jim tried to remember his words from five years ago. “Uh. That’s a lot of drinks for one woman.”
“And a shot of Jack, straight up.”
“Make that two. Shots are on me.”
“Her shot’s on her.” Uhura smirked. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Why are we…?”
“I’m fine without your name.”
“Lieutenant—”
“Don’t you remember what you said?”
Jim snorted. “I remember. And I get it. Five years and all that crap. But no offense but your dumbass friends tried to beat me to death that night so I’d really rather not have a repeat performance.”
She shook her head. “Captain, I assure you, no one is here to beat you up.”
Jim sighed and gulped down his shot. “Fine. What are you studying?”
“Xenolinguistics. You have no idea what that means.”
“The study of alien languages, morphology, phonology, syntax. It means you have a talented tongue.”
“I’m impressed. For a moment there I thought you were a dumb hick who only has sex with farm animals.”
“Well, not only.”
“This townie isn’t bothering you, right?”
“Hendorff? You do know I can throw you in the brig now right?” Jim asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Hendorff reddened. “Sorry, sir, I was asked to—”
But he never got to finish because suddenly a hand fell on Hendorff’s shoulder, violently pulling him away.
“That townie is off limits to you.”
Jim’s eyes widened when he saw Spock standing there looking angry and not fake angry.
“Ow,” Hendorff cried, holding his arm. “I think you dislocated my shoulder, sir.”
“Spock!” Uhura admonished. “You weren’t supposed to really hurt him. This was a reenactment! For fun.”
“The captain does not appear to find it fun.” Spock glared. “Please leave.”
Uhura sighed. “Good luck,” she whispered to Jim as she moved away to check on “Cupcake”.
“Hey!” the bartender yelled. “Someone has to pay for these drinks.”
Spock moved in to take Uhura’s place.
He gave his boyfriend a quizzical look. “What was that all about?”
“A misguided effort to right a wrong,” Spock admitted. “You had told me about your experience here that night and how your ultimate meeting with Captain Pike after influenced your decision to enlist in Starfleet.”
“Yeah, it did. You asked them to reenact it?”
“I wanted to assure you had I been there, it would have gone differently.”
“Or you would have joined in with the beating,” Jim joked.
“Never.”
“I don’t know, Spock. You were with Uhura then and even you yourself have told me how much she manipulated you back then. You might have thought I was being obnoxious to her like the rest of them did.” Jim smiled though, to soften his words.
“I cannot know, I suppose. But I would like to believe I would have stopped it.”
“Babe, I’d like to think we’ve all changed in these last five years. And if it all brought me to you and what we are now, how can I complain?
Spock moved his hand to Jim’s, putting their fingers together.
Jim smiled. “Want to get out of here and go somewhere a lot more private?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
“Hey! The drinks!” the bartender shouted after them.
Chris stopped in his tracks and stared at Zach, dumbfounded.
“A what?”
Zach smirked. “A pumpkin latte.” He somehow managed to point at the Starbucks beside them with his shoulder. Chris didn’t know how he shrugged so well, it was a talent.
“There?”
“Yes, Christopher, that’s where they sell them.”
He made a face. “I don’t go in there.”
“I know, you like your little coffee place two blocks from your house. And espresso.”
“Well these big chains are horrible.”
“You go to a grocery store chain for food right?”
Chris shrugged himself. “Only if I absolutely have to. I prefer the little local markets.”
“You’re such a…beatnik.”
He laughed. “Where’d you get that old word from? Hey the sixties called. They want their word back.”
Zach snorted. “Maybe even the fifties. I don’t know. Ma used to use it. Do you mind? I want my coffee!” He made to move to the door, but Chris stubbornly stayed where he was. “Are you planning to wait out here?”
“Why not?”
“Because the paparazzi will eventually notice you trying to look nonchalant while pretending you aren’t and pretty soon you’ll do that dorky ass thing you do where you take a picture of them back with your fingers or hands or whatever.”
“What am I doing with my hand now, Zachary?” Chris asked, flipping him the bird.
Zach just laughed. “Come on. I’ll buy you one.”
“A latte?”
“Whatever you want. They have espresso.”
“Fine. Just this one time.”
“Of course,” Zach murmured, his face Spock blank, as he led the way into the place.
Surprise! Today actually concludes our September story, I Knew You Before. I’m sorry to say that means no flash for Friday but look for this story to appear soon on AO3.
But as Spock watched Jim open the pizza box to remove a slice, Spock knew there was yet more he ought to bring up with Jim.
“There is something else.”
Jim frowned as he held up the slice to his mouth. “Can I eat this while you tell me?”
“Yes. Of course. I apologize. I know you are hungry.” Spock pursed his lips. He walked into the kitchen himself and prepared to make himself some rice and a pot of tea. The pizza was, of course, for Jim. He did not eat pizza himself.
Jim chewed and nodded. “When you’re ready, come sit at the table with me.”
He took the pizza box to the table and sat eating while he waited for Spock.
A short time later, Spock brought his tea and rice to join Jim.
“Well?” Jim was smiling.
It occurred to Spock that Jim was a very amiable mate.
“I did not mention this on Vulcan when you were there as I did not wish to overwhelm you.”
“I was already pretty overwhelmed.”
“Mm. I came on strong.”
“You did. But it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. You never forced me.”
“Perhaps your aunt would not agree.”
“When we invite her to the wedding she’ll see how perfect you are for me.” Jim winked and he was smiling again.
Spock fought the answering smile. He was Vulcan after all.
“We are…T’hy’la.”
“Are we?”
Spock frowned. “Do you know what that is, Jim?”
“I know Vulcan. Gilda taught me before we went to stay there. You think that’s us?”
Spock would never get over how surprising Jim was. He nodded. “I believe so. A Vulcan priestess would need to examine our minds together to fully confirm my suspicion but everything that is between us convinces me that we are.”
“Vulcan soulmates.” Jim grinned. “I think that sounds great.”
“You do?”
“Look, I mean, even with the T’Pring thing, you deciding on me at that exact moment, her being there at that exact moment, you coming to me, me agreeing, doesn’t it seem…meant to be?” Jim sighed. “I don’t know, Spock. Even then I couldn’t quite shake this feeling that I knew you before.”
“Knew me?”
“Yeah. I mean we’d never met before yet…it felt like we had. Like I’ve always known you. In another universe, maybe? I don’t know. But my heart knew yours. Even then. If that’s T’hy’la, I have to welcome it.”
Spock blinked and he felt warmth blossom all over. He held his fingers toward Jim and was gratified when Jim immediately touched his fingers to Spock’s.
“Taluhk Nash-Veh K’dular.”
Jim leaned in for a Human kiss. “Ashau Nash-Veh Tu.”
Look for more of these two in the future! A sequel will be coming where we will even get to meet Aunt Gilda!
Jim sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Spock, are you breaking up with me? Because I gotta say since I just moved in here that’s going to be—”
“No,” Spock said immediately. “Of course not. Why would you anticipate that was the subject of our discussion.”
“Because on Earth when someone says that it usually means the end of a relationship.” Forcing his heartrate to calm, Jim attempted a weak smile. “Guess the pizza can wait, huh?”
“For now. I do apologize but there is something I feel I need to tell you to allow us to have complete honesty.” Spock gestured toward the couch. “We should sit.”
Jim did and waited until Spock joined him there.
After a bit of a silence where Spock appeared to gather himself, he said, “The day I approached you in the teashop on Vulcan was not entirely random.”
Jim frowned. “Okay.”
“What I mean by that is I did pick you out due to overwhelming attraction but it was more calculated than that. My betrothed, T’Pring, was in the area at the same time, and I wished for her to see me making an assignation so that she would decided to end our betrothal bond.”
Jim nodded his understanding and then let out a long sigh. “So you used me to convince T’Pring you were unworthy of her.”
“Yes,” Spock admitted. “I did desire you, but my forwardness was due to the urgency of having T’Pring witness my attempts to woo you.”
“Woo,” Jim said, neutrally. “Fuck me is what you mean.”
“Jim—“
“Did it work?”
Spock blinked. “Yes. She chose to sever our betrothal bond as she, too, prefers someone else.”
“Well then.” Jim shrugged. “Everything worked out for the best.”
“You are not angry?”
Jim smiled. “Do you want me to be?”
“No.”
“Look, Spock, I never thought…I mean it worked out, right? After that one night we kept seeing each other because we wanted to.”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s all good. I’m glad you aren’t betrothed any longer. That’s good. Can I have that pizza now?”
Bones did not reply, but he did glance up at Jim as he continued to wrap Jim’s middle.
Jim sighed. “Okay, I’m sorry. I should have told you. I just…” He trailed off when Bones glared.
Spock had departed right after Bones had arrived and assured the Vulcan Jim wasn’t seriously injured and wouldn’t require hospitalization. Jim suspected Spock’s goal was to confront Owens for what happened to Jim. He tried not to be anxious about it.
“The truth is…the whole thing is humiliating,” Jim said, softly.
“What? Why?”
“Because, I’m not a victim, Bones. I hate that these assholes got the best of me at the bar and—”
“It was like three against one, Jim.”
“I know. And nothing happened to them. They were allowed to come into that bar and gang up on a civilian and they got away with it. If Pike hadn’t come in, I don’t know what would have happened.”
“I get it. I agree the Fleet should have done something.”
“Yeah, I mean I keep wondering what I should have been differently. I thought when I made a joke about them going to get more guys, I meant to diffuse it but it had the opposite effect.”
“Those guys were going to be macho dickheads no matter what you said or did at that point, Jim. They were spoiling for a fight and they set their sights on you.”
“I know that, but that’s where the humiliation comes in. I didn’t think I’d have to deal with them here, let alone have one of them come after me. So I wasn’t prepared and they got the best of me again. And it made me feel weak.”
“Jim, you are a lot of things but you aren’t weak or a victim. Being victimized doesn’t mean either. Now I can’t pretend to understand what thugs like Owens are thinking, but you can bet you won’t have to deal with him again.”
“Indeed, the doctor is correct.”
“Spock!” Jim smiled as Spock reentered the apartment holding a pizza box. “If that’s really a pizza, I’ll marry you.”
Spock arched a brow. “It is, so I look forward to the ceremony.”
Jim laughed.
Spock put the box down on the kitchen counter and then turned toward Jim and Bones.
“Cadet Owens is now former Cadet Owens.”
Bones finished wrapping Jim and stood. “Does that mean he’s no longer with Starfleet or that he no longer lives?”
Spock shrugged. “Take your pick.”
“Spock!”
“He has been expelled,” Spock said. “And his accomplices are even now working on formal apologies to you if they want to remain with Starfleet. They expressed regret over Owens’ behavior and no direct knowledge of it.”
“Apologies huh? You accomplished all that in the short time you’ve been gone?”
“I work fast.” Spock paused. “Which you are personally aware of.”
Jim laughed again. “Boy do I.”
Bones snorted. “On that note, I’m outta here.”
Jim frowned up at him from where he sat. “You don’t want to stay for pizza?”
“And interfere with your wedding dinner? No thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jim got up and followed Bones to the door. “Okay see you.”
He turned back to Spock with a smile.
Spock suddenly looked uncertain. “Jim, we need to talk.”
Spock stared in dawning horror at the boot-shaped bruise on Jim’s abdomen just above his pelvis. His gaze rose from the bruise to Jim’s face.
“Who has done this?”
“Spock—”
“That was quite clearly done by someone. You cannot pretend you injured yourself. I want a name.”
Jim nodded and exhaled, lowering is uniform to once more cover the bruise.
“I also want to take you to the hospital for medical attention.” Spock put his fingers on Jim’s wrist, but just as a light touch.
“I saw my friend, Leonard McCoy. He’s a doctor.”
Spock narrowed his eyes. “And what did he say about that?”
Jim took his wrist away. “That’s not fair.”
“You are in a relationship with a touch telepath. Some things you should get used to.”
“How am I to have any secrets?”
“Secrets pertaining to an injury of your person are not acceptable, Jim. Were the situation reversed you would not desire for me to hide an injury or illness from you. There is no need to protect the abuser who has done this to you.”
Jim sighed. “I know. And no Bones didn’t know about this. Just the scrape to me knee.”
“What happened?”
“One of those giant assholes from that bar in Riverside spotted me on campus. I never saw him before he stuck his foot out and tripped me. Tore up my knee, which Bones fixed. While I was lying on the ground, he came up to me and stomped on my stomach with his boot. Then he left. Hurt like hell too. But I’m fine.”
“You are not fine and we are going to contact your doctor friend to examine you right now.”
“Spock—”
“If you prefer, we can take you to the emergency room.”
Jim closed his mouth.
“That is what I thought. After the doctor examines you and assures me of your recovery I will seek out the giant asshole and see that he is expelled.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“In fact, I do. His name?”
“I think that one’s name was Ben Owens.”
Spock nodded. “Very well. Contact Doctor McCoy please.”
“Okay.” Jim reached for Spock’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m okay.”
“I prefer to get a medical opinion.” Spock squeezed his hand. “I do not like bullies.”
