Agent Fox Mulder (i_want_2) wrote in t_31_bang, @ 2009-08-15 07:19:00 |
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Entry tags: | entry, rated: adult, startrek xi |
Fic: Untitled, Unfinished Fic. 1/? StarTrek Redux.
Side Note: Evil Mod i_want_2 was busy writing things other than her chosen prompt this month and did not finish her story. You may throw your rotten tomatoes and cabbage now. I did finish 5000 words, but...that's only the beginning of the story. Since I technically met the standards, or will reach that point very soon, I will post what I've got and continue posting parts until I've done it all.
Without further adieu:
Title: Untitled
Author: Lopaka Tanu
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.
Characters: Chekov, Spock, Uhura, Sarek, Kirk, others.
Words: 5200+
Prompt: Spock leads a training mission that goes awry. They are not alone.
Fandom: Star Trek: XI - Redux
Pairing: Nyota/Spock, Kirk/Chekov one sided.
Rating: Adult
Warnings: Language, Sexual Situation, Violence, Angst, Mentioned Character Death (Canon).
Summary: Chekov's guilt over a death he had no control over colors his interactions with Commander Spock.
Author's Note: Unfinished, unbetaed. More to come later. Might change as I write more.
________________________________________
Prologue: Two Days After The Destruction of Vulcan.
He could hear them cheering. There was no need to look up to confirm it. They had been celebrating for hours and would be at it for several more. Pavel knew better than to join them. It didn't matter, he wasn't welcome even if he wanted to.
Just keep his head down was what his parents had told him. Why could he not have listened to that one piece of sage advice? Nothing good ever came of someone who stepped out ahead of the crowd.
Someone always had to pay the price for hubris. His mother always warned him of such things. This time it had been another's mother who paid his debt. That burden would always weigh upon his mind.
Eyes on the floor, he nagivated his way through the gathering crew. They were still being drawn like flies to the party in the Primary Rec Room. What they had to celebrate was beyond him. It seemed disrespectful to him for people to be drinking and carrying on when so many lives had been lost recently.
Yet, no one else seemed to care.
If he hadn't needed something to eat he wouldn't have come out of his quarters. The other two Ensigns he bunked with didn't have that problem.
Reaching up, Pavel wiped away the moisture from his cheeks with the back of his hand. Why he even had to do it in the first place was another thing he couldn't fathom. He was a man now, an officer in StarFleet. Strength was part of him. He needed to remain firm.
He was starting down another corridor when one of the people heading his way didn't step aside. Ordinarily, he would have made an excuse and stepped around them. But this was no ordinary person in front of him. For starters, the person was wearing a robe.
As he drew nearer the person he debated whether he should look up. It was not in his best interest right now to confront one of the Vulcans. Pavel ran out of time before he could decide either way. Stopping a foot away from the other man he looked up automatically.
His heart stopped at the sight that greeted him. It was a man that he had only met once in his life, but Pavel would never forget his face. He took a shuddering breath, then licked his dry lips. "Forgive me, sir."
Sarek held a bemused expression. "There is no need for you to apologize. It is I that has blocked your path."
Unable to hold the elder Vulcan's gaze, Pavel flushed and glanced down.
Holding up a hand, Sarek forestalled the young man's objection. "I will not hold you from your duty for long, young man. I merely wish to express my gratitude for saving mine and many lives."
"I do not need your gratitude." Cheeks burning, the Ensign felt his eyes bug out at what he said. How could he have been so stupid as to speak without thinking first? "I mean, I'm not worthy of it. Not after what I did. Please forgive me, Mr. Sarek."
Putting a hand over his eyes, he quickly shuffled to the side. "I apologize for being rude. Please excuse me." A quick check revealed there was no one in his way. There was at least one miracle. He sprinted quickly down the corridor.
"Young man?" The Vulcan's voice chased after, drawing more than a few heads.
He didn't care. All Pavel wanted to do was get back to his quarters where he could lay in his bunk and wait for death. Certainly he wasn't the first Ensign to make such a rude mistake. But none of those others survived to make Lieutenant if they were stupid enough to stick around to make it worse.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Staring down at the tray of food in front of him, Spock studied the varried selection. It was not that they were unappetizing. Some were even among his favorites. Eating just lacked the usual appeal. Many of his normal daily activities held the same quality.
There was no big mystery reason. Spock and any person who thought about it could fathom the answer. Yet, he preferred not to dwell on the matter.
That didn't leave him with many options of interest. They were important, yes, but he did not feel interested in pursuing them. It was illogical, as they were part of his duties. He was the acting commanding officer of a Star Ship.
His first thoughts should be to the welfare of his crew, not how much he loathed simply being here. That was uncharitable and inappropriate. He was a good officer. Confidence and perciverence were the two traits required in any position of command.
By showing weakness, he was not being the best officer for his people. Spock was no fool, he knew that a lack of appetite was a sign of weakness. It showed to his crew that he was troubled. And no matter how much he might be, he could not reveal it.
Movement on the opposite side of the table drew his attention.
Sarek eased himself down in an open chair. Even as he settled in his face was marred by a slight frown.
Raising an eyebrow, Spock set aside his own ponderings. "You appear troubled. Is there a problem?"
"I do not believe it to be so." Aware of the other's scrutiny, Sarek composed his features to one of more serene. "I had an encounter with that young man who saved our lives two days ago."
Spock's eyes narrowed as his focus turned completely to his father. "What of Ensign Chekov?" He did a good job at hiding his anger in his opinion.
This caused the older man to sigh. "There is nothing to concern yourself with at this moment. He is merely troubled that I would thank him."
"Ah." Reaching for his glass, Spock used the action to mask his satisfaction. Vindictiveness was not only unbecoming an officer, it was beneath a Vulcan as well. Half Vulcans too. "It is understandable that he would be reticent about receiving false praise."
Unlike his son, Sarek did not look away from the other. He has instead utilized these moments to study him and his reactions. "It was not false. I am truly grateful to Mr. Chekov and wished to express this."
After swallowing down a mouthful of Orange Juice, Spock licked his lips. "There was no need. He performed his duties adequately."
"Why do I sense that adequacey is almost an obscenity in your repitoir?" Sarek's own eyebrows were raised at his question.
"Because this is StarFleet, Sarek." Even as he spoke, Spock would not meet the other's gaze. He did not feel he had to. There was ample understanding between them. "An officer is above average and should be held to that in every situation."
"Not every person can compete with your high standards." Sarek lowered his voice as he noticed members of the crew watching them. "They are merely human."
Spock's eyes went directly to his father's. "My mother was merely human." Matching the elder's vocal level, he added a little unrestrained anger. "Yet, you married her."
"Not yet, my son, or in spite of." As he took a breath, Sarek grew distant in his own thoughts. "That was but a part of the woman I proudly called my wife. Every part of our relationship spoke of the great will and strength she possessed."
"Mother was a strong woman indeed." A sad smile flitted across Spock's lips before he brought himself under control.
"Her son shares that trait in common with her." Holding his head high, Sarek folded his hands in front of him. The ring on his finger caught the light. "I shall miss her presense in my life and my mind."
"Is it permissable to grieve, father?" When he did not get a response, Spock glanced over. He found the older man studying the ring on his finger. Closing his eyes, Spock knew that he had his answer.
____________________
Part 1: Two Days Later.
Smoothing out the creases in his dress uniform top, Spock stood back to ensure it was properly done up. There wasn't a stitch or seam out of place. Much like everything in his quarters, it was as per regulation.
A small hand reached up to adjust the material over his right shoulder. Raising an eyebrow, Spock glanced to the owner's reflection. "Is there a purpose to that?"
"Yes." Her own red topped uniform properly alligned, Nyota smirked at him. "You're too perfect. This way it gives you a little character."
"A flaw in my uniform has no baring upon my actual personality. It simply makes me look unkempt." Well aware of her intentions, he kept his hands above his waist to counter any further attempts. This was not something he was unused to dealing with.
Flicking his ear, she chuckled. "Spoil sport." Her smile came easy. "Why are you avoiding the ceremony?"
"I am not avoiding anything." He knew that he was coming over as defensive. It could not be helped. She was dangerously close to asking a question he still refused to answer of himself. "My appearance is something that must appear flawless at all times."
"Great, of all the Vulcans I could have chosen, I had to pick the one more vain than my last roommate." Her laughter was louder this time. The narrowing of his eyes didn't help her sober any quicker.
More than a little displeased at the comparison, Spock lowered his hands to fold them behind his back. "I am well aware of just who your last roommate was. Her taste in companions left quite a lot to be desired if I am not mistaken."
"You could say that again." Her voice growing husky, she wrapped her arms around his waist. Nyota placed her cheek against his shoulder as she stared at their reflections. "But I wouldn't recommend it to his face. As our new Captain, I doubt he would appreciate the humor."
Mentioning of the reason they were holding this ceremony made his face grow somber. On the inside he sighed with disappointment.
This did not go unnoticed by her. "You could have had it, you know."
"I did not want it." Keeping his voice even, Spock managed to meet her stare. It was the truth that he spoke and he knew it. He only had to convince her of this. "My promotion to Commander is too recent. Another should have been given the chance at such a prestigious command."
"You mean besides the 'boy would be king'?" Her tone was teasing, but her eyes belied this. They sparkled with understanding.
This was why he had come to care for her. Unfolding his hands, he reached up to grasp one of hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze. Not once did it occur to him that he was blocking her thoughts from his mind.
Rubbing her chin upon his shoulder, she smiled once more. This time it was slow and more forced. "Come on. We've got a boy-king to congratulate."
"Yes." He didn't know which part he was agreeing to.
~~~~~~~~~~
Staring at the bottles of alcohol just across the ways made Pavel even more morose. Here he was stuck in a bar with over a hundred people celebrating their new Captain's promotion. Given his age and lack of tolerance they had denied him drinks. Well, he frowned, that wasn't completely true.
He glared hatefully at the Lemon-Lime soda in front of him. It bubbled much less now than when it had originally been decanted for him. The ice inside had also melted down to tiny shadows of their former selves. This was a very sad drink.
"How very appropriate." His words were more a muttering to himself than a statement.
Much had happened in the past four days. So much that he was still reeling from it all. Their shiny new ship had a shiny new Captain. He had overheard one of the crewman mutter that he was so green that he rivaled the Commander. That made him feel a little better.
At least he wasn't the only one whose qualifications were called in to question. That, however, was eclipsed by the fear that a cadet was being placed in command. More than one person had questioned the wisdom of the Admiralty over that one.
Still, the man was now their Captain. Doubts or fears aside, they had to trust their lives to him.
At least they had the commander. There was a man with experience and the knowledge that came from it. Even if he was as cold as a Siberian winter. Thinking about him made Pavel glance about to make sure he wasn't around.
If ever there was a time when he needed to get drunk, now was it.
When he looked back down at the drink, he found it completely flat and the ice melted. He grimaced. So much for those two credits. So much for his evening all together.
He wasn't even sure why he had come. It wasn't like he had been in a mood for partying of any kind. In fact, if Ensign Tebow hadn't all but dragged him out of their quarters, he would be back in his bunk on the 'Enterprise', probably sulking.
Add to that this place was 'not his scene' as Ensign Borders was fond of saying. The drinks were prohibitively expensive. He didn't know anyone here well enough to talk to them. Even if he did, the music made all talk above normal conversational volume impossible. It was simply a place he could not feel comfortable in.
May be he should have stayed at the dedication/promotion ceremony. Remembering who had been in attendance made him shudder. Then again, there were worse places for him to spend an evening off.
A hand settled on his shoulder followed quickly by the rest of the arm. It quickly jerked him against a strong body.
Then again. Pavel bit back a wince as the stentch of too much whiskey threatened to burn his nostrils. Whoever had dropped their arm over his shoulder was definitely over the limit.
"Hey there!" Whistling, the man smacked a hand down on the bar. "Barkeep! Two drinks, one for me and one for my new friend here." Giving Pavel a gentle shake, the man smiled brightly. "Preferably something with enough alcohol to qualify as starship fuel."
Pavel knew that voice. He was almost too afraid to look. Turning his head, he glanced up slightly to find glazed blue eyes staring back at him. Swallowing, he offered the man a hesitant smile. "Hello, Captain."
"Captain?" Kirk frowned like the word sounded funny to him. "Wait a minute, that's right. I am the captain now." He nodded as if that were the wisest thing he had heard. "And as the Captain, I order you to have a drink with me."
"I do not think I can, sir." Reaching up, he tried to grasp the hand holding his shoulder. When it tightened, his smile turned in to a grimace.
"Why not? I'm not a bad influence, I swear." Kirk raised one hand as if to give an oath. When his arm grew too heavy, he let is slip. His resulting grin was wide and completely smashed.
Unable to bear the man's breath, Pavel turned away. "I am not allowed."
"Oh, come on, don't be like that." Reaching up with his free hand, Kirk captured the teen by the chin. He chucked Pavel's chin up until the teen looked at him again. "Give me a chance. I promise to be good, the best even." Watching the younger man's lips, he slid his fingers up his cheek.
The sensation of that heated caress over his skin made Pavel shiver. It had been so long since anyone had touched him. This put him off guard.
Taking advantage, Kirk slid his hand across the teen's shoulder so he could have a better hold. He slowly turned the other until his back was to the bar. Keeping Pavel distracted with the hand slowly stroking his cheek, he slid the other down over the teen's back to rest over his backside. Going in for the kill, Kirk pinned him physically against the bar.
The press of the man's body against his own quickly alerted Pavel to what was going on. Before he knew it the other man was almost completely covering him with his body. He remained calm until he felt something like a phaser, it was certainly large and hard enough, against his inner thigh. Then he reacted. Freezing, his eyes about popped out of his head. "Captain, sir!"
Kirk closed his eyes and shuddered. "Oh, say it like that again. I like it when you call me Captain." Biting his lower lip, he groaned with pleasure. "That accent of yours makes me want to do things to you, very bad things. What do you say?"
Pavel racked his brain for a way to get out of this. He knew the man was completely serious. When his own thoughts failed to come up with a compelling reason he desperately searched over the man's shoulder for help. The moment his eyes landed upon the clock something clicked in his mind.
"Duty!" Relief flooded through the Ensign. It was so overwhemingly good that he wanted to sob. He had found an excuse! "I have duty shift in the morning. Very early, Captain."
For a moment there was no reaction from the drunken man. Then he frowned. Pursing his lips, Kirk peered at the smaller teen. Lowering his hand, he poked Pavel in the chest. "All right, for now. But, another time. You and me..." He thrust his hips forward. "Mmm, yeah, oh! Get me?"
Mouth too dry to talk, Pavel could only nod.
Kirk smirked and nodded. "Promise to make it great." He held up his hand again. "I swear." Backing away, he adjusted the front of his pants with a wink for the Ensign. "Where are my drinks?" His shout was heard over the distant music as he turned to face the bar.
Finding himself freed, Pavel took advantage of it. He shot away from the bar and off in to the crowd. If his memory was right, the exit was across the dance floor. Two minutes and twenty-five overly friendly placement of hands later, he was at the doorway and on his way back to the starport.
~~~~~~~~~~
Their dinner was far more formal than he had been expecting. Thankfully, his dress uniform took well to double duty. Still, Spock realized, he would have felt far more comfortable in the common dress of his people here.
Surrounded by his father's people, he felt ill at ease in his uniform. At least he wasn't the only one. Casting a critical look out of the corner of his eye, he studied Nyota for her reaction. Much to his relief she appeared out of place too.
Wine glass clutched a little tightly in her hand, Nyota smiled with her teeth at Sarek. "Spock tells me you are a member of the High Council."
"Yes." Face composed, Sarek met her eyes and held them. "It is one of my functions in the service of my people." As he spoke, he sent Spock a quick look.
This did not go unnoticed by Nyota. Dropping her gaze to the hand in her lap, she exhaled through her nose.
"Father." The word was almost a rebuke from his lips. Spock reached under the table to grasp Nyota's hand. "Tell me, what are your intentions for the future. Do you plan on staying on Earth or will you go with our people to start over?"
Sarek's eyes traced Spock's arm to where it disappeared under the table. It almost was like he could see through the metallic surface. "The future of our people is paramount. I, of course, will see to it that there is one."
"Then you plan on leaving. How wonderful." The perkiness in his voice sounded unnatural even to his own ears. Turning to his date, Spock looked at her glass. "Do you require a refill, Nyota?"
Suddenly feeling both sets of Vulcan eyes upon her, Nyota sighed. She had no doubt that there was more than just these two paying attention now. Swishing her glass, she checked the level of wine. "I could go for something a little stronger."
"I understand this young Captain Kirk is having a bash to celebrate his promotion back in San Francisco." Sarek's expression told that he knew exactly what effect his words would have on them. "I am certain there will be plenty of alcohol to imbibe."
Dragging his attention away from Nyota, Spock turned to scowl at his father. One look from the older man told him that he was being goaded for a reason. It took a great deal of effort to get his emotions under check. By the time he had succeeded, he felt the beginnings of a headache forming. "There will be no need."
"No, of course not." Sitting back, Sarek folded his hands in his lap. "We must remember to congratulate him on his promotion. After all, it is not every person who is fit to be captain."
Nyota's eyes went wide as understanding hit her. She couldn't stop the gasp, but managed to keep it small. Still, in a room full of sensitive ears she might as well have screamed her surprise.
"I have no doubt he will do an outstanding job." Spock's tone was clipped and low.
"Yes, but just how will he stand out is the question on everyone's mind." Unwilling to break their staring, Sarek reached out to pick up his own wine glass.
~~~~~~~~~~
Pulling the pins out of her hair, Nyota groaned with relief. It was good to finally be away from everything heading back to the ship. She wasn't sure how she made it through the ceremony and the dinner afterwards without killing either Vulcan.
The shuttle shook as it hit a pocket of gas in the atmosphere, rattling in her against the restraint. The reassuring hand upon her knee had the opposite effect. Turning to Spock, she glared at him until he removed his hand.
The Vulcan looked straight ahead and sighed. "Forgive me, I was out of line tonight."
"Which time?" The anger in her voice made Nyota bite off her words at him. Everything she had held back during the night suddenly came welling up. "You embarassed me so much tonight, parading me out in front of your father like that! I have never felt like such a piece of meat in my life!"
"If it is any consolation, he approves of you." Spock's tone was even, so it was hard to tell if he was joking or not.
Either way, Nyota did not care. "Your father's approval is the last thing I want or need. What happened to treating me like a person?" She looked over to the Vulcan for an answer. "If I wanted to feel like this I would have gone out with that jerk, Kirk."
A snort off to their right echoed in the tiny cabin.
It was then Nyota realized that in her she had forgotten they weren't alone on this flight. Rolling her eyes to the top of the cabin she grit her teeth. She shook her head instead of yelling again. "This cannot happen again, Spock."
"I understand." Spock's words were whispered close. "I am sorry that I made you feel any less than respected tonight." Holding up his hand, he offered two fingers to her.
Recognizing the gesture she felt part of her anger melt away. It by no means abated it, but this went a long way to resolving her feelings. Sighing, she returned the gesture, placing her index and middle fingers against his.
In the slot closest to the cockpit, Chekov watched their intimate moment. His ears pinking after a second, he glanced down at his feet.
______________________
Part 2: Six Months Later.
A general current of excitement ran through the crowd of gathered crewmen and ensigns. All were dressed in their workout clothes. Several bounced to keep themselves warmed up while they waited.
At the back of their number, Pavel kept to himself. He knew how scrawny he looked against this crowd of seasoned men and women. Even at eighteen he looked like a boy a years younger physically. No matter the fact he had muscles and displayed them, people only saw a kid when they looked at him.
Busy scowling at the memory of the last time he had been in this room he barely heard the whispers start. There had been only so much taunting he could take. Apparently four months had been his breaking point. That had been two months ago and now he was paying for it.
Ordinarily he was a man eager to please. He liked it when his superior felt they could count on him. That meant he should be found at the front of the pack.
What made the difference for him today was who their instructor would be.
Hearing the cargo bay doors open, Pavel felt a ball of ice settle in his stomach. This was not going to end well for him, he knew.
Dressed in a sweat uniform bottoms and a workout shirt, Spock stood barefoot on the center mat. His usual stoic expression seemed even more so as he stared out over the recruits. "As you are well aware of by now, I am Commander Spock."
Hearing him speak did nothing for that ice in his gut. In fact, it caused more of Pavel's insides to twist in response.
"You are here today to test your level of skill in hand to hand combat. As graduates of the Academy, you should be proficient in the standard method." To emphasize this, Spock held up his black gloved hands. The material hugged them like a second skin. "Once I know where you place, I can assign you a training rotation and a partner. If you fail to maintain this schedule you will be ordered to return here for reorientation."
The words settled on him like a lead weight. He knew without a doubt that the Vulcan was speaking to him directly. It was easy to confirm as he didn't see any other crewmembers he recognized.
Shivering, he tried to make himself smaller to hide behind the crowd. The last thing he wanted was to be made an example out of. Holding his breath, he waited for the announcement of which order they would go in.
Taking a deep breath, Spock took a step towards the milling group of fresh faced recruits. His eyebrows raised slightly when they stared back at him in defiance. "Are there any volunteers?"
Uh oh. An expression he had learned from his bunkmate. Now as an appropriate use.
Wincing, Pavel opened his eyes to look up out of sheer morbid curiosity. Much to his amusement almost everyone of them had their hands up. He knew from personal experience that they wouldn't be so eager after the first demonstration.
Spock's scanned the crowd. Finding a particularly large Human male near the center, he pointed at him. "What is your name?"
"My name is Lieutenant McDaniels, sir." Sniffing, the man reached up to rub a thumb over the left side of his face.
"Step forward and prepare yourself for combat." Rolling his shoulders forward was the movement Spock made to show that he was preparing himself.
At the back of their number, Pavel closed his eyes and hunkered down. This was going to get ugly.
Smirking, the Lieutenant flexed his arms and shoulder muscles as he pushed his way through the crowd. Once he was two steps away from them, he held one arm out front, and grabbed it just behind the elbow with his other. He started to twist so he could stretch his muscles. That was all the further he got.
Quicker than most of those watching could see, Spock lashed out. Smacking the man across the cheek, he latched on to the outstretched arm. With a quick inhale through his teeth, he snatched the Lieutenant back towards him.
With a cry of shock, the man was jerked off his feet and sent flying across the mats.
Spock released him just before the man's weight would have dragged him along.
In a perfect display of the laws of gravity and physics, Lieutenant McDaniels came crashing down face first. He impacted ten feet from where he started from and slid another five. Coming to a stop, he groaned in pain.
"That was not a proper bracing manuever. Had you remembered your training, you would have landed upon bent hands and knees. Obviously you need a strict partner to ensure you learn for next time." The tone was flat and devoid of any emotion. Spock waited until the man nodded before he glanced back to his students.
Having heard the spectacle, Pavel glanced between the others. He noticed that the Commander hadn't completely turned away from the man on the mats. Seeing this made him wonder how many of those in front of him would have made the mistake of turning their backs to the downed man.
"Can anyone tell me what Lieutenant McDaniels did wrong?" When there were no hands raised, Spock thinned his lips in annoyance. "He was arrogant."
"And for that you had to cheat?" It was a woman off to the left of the center in the crowd. Her fists were clenched, but she didn't raise them above her waist.
Eyes going straight to her, Spock cocked his head slightly. "No." He let his gaze sweep over them. Once they found a target, he straightened his posture. "Ensign Chekov. I know you have experience in this."
Feeling his cheeks burn, Pavel dropped his gaze to the deck. So much for keeping a low profile.
"Can you explain to your fellow junior officers where Lieutenant McDaniels made his mistake?" It wasn't a request, no matter how Spock phrased it.
Spine going rigid, Pavel clinched his fists at his side. He bounced on the balls of his feet out of a nervous habit. It was tempting to yell what everyone was feeling, that anyone who crossed the Vulcan would pay dearly. To a certain extent, that was true. Yet, that wasn't the lesson here today.
"Ensign?" There was a hardness to Spock's voice. It was obvious he was growing annoyed.
"He wasn't prepared to accept the challenge before he stepped forward." What he wanted to say was it had been the bastard's personal standard, not just a challenge. No one was ever truly ready to prove themselves to the Commander. That was the whole point of this.
Spock nodded at him once. "Very good, Ensign." He studied the teen for a moment longer, then shifted his attention back to the crowd. "Lieutenant McDaniels failed to prepare himself. His arrogance was to believe I would play by his rules. In a fight, you cannot assume any such falicy. It can get you or others killed."
He would never be forgiven, Pavel realized. The Commander would take every chance to remind him of his failures. Sufficiently cowed, he let his shoulders fall.
~~~~~~~~~~