Chapter Ten
Misunderstandings
Kirk Personal Log Stardate 57992.5
Well it's six AM on the day of my enrollment into Starfleet Academy Command School. This is also the first morning I've woke up in my own apartment. Well I share the apartment with Quinn but it's kind of the same thing. It's odd knowing that Chad isn't in the next room or down the hall. We've been together almost always since stasis.
I suppose I'll see him at the banquet. I'm sure Kathryn will bring him. It's odd being on my own at seventeen. Sure I'll be eighteen in a couple of months and I commanded a starship for almost a year but it still feels odd. I suppose I'll get used to it.
I still haven't talked to Quinn about what I think I'm feeling for him. To be honest I'm a little afraid of what his reaction will be. I haven't even told him that I'm gay. In this timeline it's completely acceptable to be a homosexual. Homosexuals can even marry and with the help of Starfleet Medical they can procreate. I'm still afraid of what Quinn will say about my feelings though.
I've been trying to figure out when my feelings for him changed from friendship and became romantic. I can't pinpoint the exact time but I know I've felt this way about him for a while. I just hope he wants to remain my friend when I tell him the truth about how I feel.
With a sigh he closed the log and sat back. He was dressed in a pair of boxers as he sat at his desk in his room in the new apartment he shared with Quinn. In a few hours they would both be back at the academy to enroll in Command School and Medical School. He sighed as he thought about it.
So much had happened in the near two years since he and Chad had been revived by Julian Bashir on Voyager. They'd traversed Andromeda, made first contact with an amazing race of cybernetically altered people, fought in a battle with Species 8472, fought the Borg and helped to settle a conflict between the Kazon and Okampa. All right Q had more to do with that than they did, and Quinn had the final say in how that conflict worked out but they'd been involved.
Then there was the academy, the Red Squad, Leviathan and now he was a commissioned Commander in Starfleet about to go to Command School so he could rise to the rank of Captain when he graduated. And he was in love. So much had happened and he couldn't believe it had only been eighteen months.
"Morning, Jim," said Quinn when Jim came out of the bedroom and headed for the kitchen to get a glass of juice. He was dressed in his own boxers, sitting at the small table with an empty glass in front of him.
"Morning, Quinn," said Jim, getting his juice from the replicator and sitting down across from him.
"Sleep is a wonderful thing isn't it?" laughed Quinn. "I still can't get over how great it is."
"It sure is," agreed Jim with a nervous smile as he looked at Quinn's muscular bare chest.
"What time do we have to be at the academy?" Quinn asked oblivious to his friend's looking.
"0900," replied Jim, snapping his gaze away from his nearly naked roommate and gulping his juice.
"You want the shower first?" asked Quinn.
"No, you go ahead," he replied, watching the boy's backside as he walked out of the kitchen. He shook his head once Quinn was safely in the bathroom and sighed. He had it bad.
* * *
Promptly at 0900 they presented themselves to the enrolment offices of Starfleet Academy dressed in their new Starfleet uniforms. Commander Pamela Brent smiled at them as she helped them with the forms. Kathryn stood back and waited, smiling at them as well.
"The semester for Command School doesn't start until Tuesday, January sixth, gentlemen," said Commander Brent. "I'll have your course schedules in a few moments. I assume you've made housing arrangements as Command School Cadets are not lodged on campus."
"We have," said Jim. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome, Commander," she replied. "If you'll both have a seat I'll get your schedules and a list of materials that are required for your courses."
"You're almost set," said Kathryn as they took their seats against the wall. "Soon you'll be on a starship again."
"For Command School or as Captain after graduation?" he asked.
"Command School," she replied. "There will be a lot of space flight required for your courses."
"Too bad we can't do that on Lexus," he sighed.
"About Lexus," she said. "There's something I have to tell you. They tried to modify the ship to bring it up to Starfleet and Federation code but the ship would not allow modifications to take place."
"We designed it that way," replied Jim.
"Right," she said with a smile. "You've baffled Starfleet Command with that ship. What they've decided to do is retire her and turn her into a museum. They're constructing the Lexus - A right now at New Moon Station."
"Well she be a replica?" he asked.
"No," she replied. "Several modifications to the original layout are being made. I've been told that instead of holo decks you'll have holo bays, more cargo bays, a Borg regeneration bay instead of a Borg deck and a few other modifications. The new shuttles are going to be part of Lexus's compliment as well. There are more crew quarters and the Captain's quarters and dining room are now going to be located on Deck One."
"What about defenses?" he asked, thinking about the cloaking device that he knew as illegal in this timeline.
"Well she'll loose the cloaking device but keep the Arminian armor," she replied. "They're setting it to an ablative generator though. It makes it faster to deploy and more effective in this galaxy. The ship isn't losing it's weapons systems at all. In fact they're being expanded. She'll have a larger armament of transphasic and quantum torpedoes."
"Sounds good so far," he said.
"They've also changed a few things that won't really affect you much," she said. "Decks have been moved around a bit. Some things that were on specific decks because of design requirements have been moved and altered with the improved design of the ship. What you boys did on Voyager was amazing and they're not changing your design at all. In fact you and Chad are being given credit for the new Intrepid - class Refit Design. They're calling the class Intrepid II."
"What about Lieutenant Kendrick?" he asked. "He had probably more to do with the construction of the ship than Chad or I did."
"But he isn't from this timeline," she replied. "They won't give credit to someone who doesn't exist in the timeline."
"Here are your course schedules along with the lists of materials required for each," said Commander Brent, coming back into the room and ending their conversation of credit for new starship classes. "The next step would have been to send you over to be fitted for the Command School uniform but you are both commissioned so you'll be required to wear your Starfleet uniforms at all times when on campus."
"Thank you," said both boys as she handed them a stack of pads.
They went to get books and the new Command Computer for Jim as well as the Medical Computer for Quinn. The other required materials could be bought on or off campus so they decided to wait on those. They had a week to get them anyway.
"Well as I live and breath," said Tom Paris when they walked into the Presidio Deli to find him and B'Elanna having lunch. "If it isn't Commander Kirk and Lieutenant Commander Janeway."
"Hello Tom," Jim said, smiling as he shook the man's hand.
"Join us?" asked B'Elanna.
"We'd love to," replied Kathryn.
"So tell us about your exam," said Tom when they were seated. A waitress came and took their order and left them to chat while she prepared it.
"It went fine," said Jim. "I was a nervous wreck but Admiral Hammil said I was completely qualified at the end of the exam. I just have to spend a year in Command School."
"What about you, Quinn?" asked B'Elanna.
"Mine went pretty much the same way," he replied. "They decided that since I had so much knowledge of medicine and anatomy that I would be better off in Medical School instead of Command School. That works out for me because I have no desire to command."
"Well congratulations, both of you," said B'Elanna with a smile.
"Thank you," they replied in unison.
"You'll both be at the banquet tonight right?" asked Kathryn.
"Of course," said Tom. "Wouldn't miss it. We've got a sitter for Miral and everything."
"Great," she said.
As they got ready for the banquet that evening Jim thought about how to tell Quinn that he was in love with him. He thought about what Quinn would say in reply. He hoped that they were close enough, cared about each other enough that it wouldn't matter what Quinn's sexuality was, that they'd still be friends. He wanted that more than anything. If they couldn't be friends he didn't know how he'd react. In the end he decided it was best just to keep his mouth shut.
In the other bedroom Quinn was having a similar silent conversation with himself about Jim. He was in love with Jim Kirk. It surprised him, scared him and astounded him but he was in love with him. Quinn wasn't sure he could actually have a sexual relationship with a human. He was human but he'd been a Q all of his life and humans didn't have sex the same way as the Q.
The thought of having a sexual relationship with Jim Kirk made his body tingle and a curious sensation hat usually only happened early in the morning began in his shorts. He looked down at himself as he stood there in front of the full length mirror on the back of his bedroom door and sighed. Maybe it was possible after all.
Then he started to think about how to tell Jim that he was in love with him. He was sure that Jim wouldn't want him that way though. He'd probably lose his friendship and that was something that Quinn couldn't take. He had to have his friendship with Jim Kirk. He sighed and decided to just not say anything and let things continue the way they were. After all at least that way he'd have him in his life as a friend.
"You look good in your uniform," Jim said uncomfortably when they were back in the living room.
"Thanks," said Quinn. "So do you."
"Well we'd better get upstairs," said Jim, tugging at the neck of his collar.
"Computer engage lockout, authorization Janeway 057263," said Quinn once they were in the hall of the apartment building.
"Lockout," responded the computer and they walked to the lift in silence.
"There they are!" cried Chad as they came into Kathryn's apartment. He was dressed in his Red Squad uniform. Kathryn was in her Starfleet Uniform.
"Gentlemen," she said, smiling.
"Haven't seen much of you two since you graduated," said Chad. "How does it feel?"
"Strange," admitted Jim, smiling. "This wasn't what I expected."
"It wasn't what anyone expected," said Kathryn. "But we'd better ponder this in the transport vehicle or we'll be late."
They talked about everything from graduation to the new Lexus on the way to Starfleet Command. Chad had so many questions that Jim and Quinn were overwhelmed a bit but it kept their mind off wanting each other and the fear of telling the other. Kathryn answered most of the questions about Lexus and Chad was satisfied after a time. When they arrived they saw the crowds of people standing near the entrance to the banquet hall of Starfleet Command and Jim smiled.
Tom and B'Elanna found them first and they hugged and congratulated them once again. They walked with the couple to the crowd of people and smiled as they saw Annika and Axum. Both were in uniform and looking around the crowd until Annika's enhanced eyes settled on Jim and she smiled.
"Captain," she said as they made their way to the group. "It is good to see you in uniform."
"Thank you, Annika," he said, smiling. "It's Commander now."
"You will always be Captain Kirk to me," she said for the millionth time since they'd arrived on Earth.
"You're looking dapper in your uniform," Axum said, shaking his hand. "Icheb is around here somewhere looking for you."
"Well let's find him, shall we?" Jim asked turning to head into the thick of the crowd.
They made their way through the crowd, shaking hands and accepting congratulations as they went. They were stopped by members of the Red Squad crew time and again but finally found Icheb. He was talking with his teenaged counterpart and smiled when he saw them.
"Captain Kirk," he said, moving to shake Jim's hand.
"It's Commander, Icheb," Jim said, smiling at the man.
"Whatever you say, Captain," he replied, smiling. The others laughed.
"Well if I've said it once I've said it a thousand times," said Kathryn, patting Jim's back. "They're a faithful crew."
"They're starting to let people inside," said Chell as he came to join them. He looked at Jim's uniform and smiled. "Congratulations, Captain."
"Thank you, Chell," he said, shaking the man's hand and not bothering to correct him. It would be a true title sooner or later. They followed Chell to the main entrance and got in line. Conversations continued and Jim was caught up on what the Lexus crew was up to.
It seemed according to Chell that Starfleet had attempted to promote Commander Munro to Captain but he'd refused. Chell said they were all refusing any promotions that would keep them from returning to Lexus. Jim assured him that he would do his best to get the crew back together as soon as he graduated.
"Hurry, Captain," Chell said with a smile.
"I'll do my best," he replied as the others laughed as they finally reached the entrance. Jim was still laughing when he put his thumb to the security pad.
"Commander James Randal Kirk, Starfleet Academy Command School, Senior Grade," came the voice of the computer in recognition of his thumb print.
"Welcome to Stafleet Command, Commander Kirk," said the security officer.
"Thank you," he replied, smiling at the tall broad shouldered man.
Inside he saw that the banquet hall had been decorated almost exactly they way it had been for both the Award Ceremony for Lexus and the Mid Term Celebration. Jim made his way to the wall of starships and admired the different classes on display there. Next to the display cases were pictures of all of the Admirals in current service to Starfleet. Jim smiled as he looked up and saw Kathryn's face looking back at him from one of those photographs.
"Admiring the wall I see," said Kathryn as she came to stand behind him.
"Yes," he said. "Who knows maybe my face will be up there one day."
"Looking to the future?" she asked, smiling as he turned to face her.
"Something like that," he replied. "It doesn't hurt to dream."
"Oh," she said, taking his arm and leading him away from the wall. "Something tells me that it may not be just a dream in years to come. You could be an Admiral if you play your cards right, Commander."
"Don't swell his head too far, Kathryn," said Chad, smiling as he joined them. "There'll be no living with him."
"You're not the one who has to live with him for a while," she countered.
"Where is Quinn anyway?" Chad asked, looking around. They spotted him in the center of a group of female Red Squad cadets and Jim felt himself tense at the sight. He quickly relaxed and smiled at Chad.
"He's with his fan club," he said, smiling on the outside and withering on the inside.
"Well you can't have all the fans," Chad said, eyeing his friend hard. He hadn't missed the undertone in his voice. He looked from Jim to Quinn and back as the wheels turned in his head.
He thought about Jim's apparent feelings for Quinn as they were all seated at their tables. Jim and Quinn sat side by side and Chad watched Jim's face. He was astonished when he looked at Quinn and saw that same look in his eyes. He wondered when his two friends planned to tell him that they were together. He also wondered why Jim seemed so jealous of the girls.
"So, Medical School," he said, pushing thoughts of their relationship out of his mind for the time being.
"Yes," said Quinn with a smile. "It was decided that with all that I know about anatomy and medicine it was the best place for me."
"It'll ensure that he'll be ready for Lexus when the time comes too," said Jim, nodding at Chad.
"That's something to look forward to," said Chad, looking from one to the other of them and wondering why they hadn't told him again.
They were served a chicken dish and as everyone began to eat conversations dwindled a bit. Chad continued to think about the fact that his best friends had chosen not to tell him about their relationship. The longer he thought about it the more it made him angry that they didn't trust him enough to tell him.
He listened as their ranks were announced after the dishes were taken from the table and applauded with everyone else. He listened to the speech about the future that was delivered by Admiral Hammil where he said that the young men and women in the academy were the future of Starfleet.
There was a short speech given by the president of the Federation which Chad didn't listen to a word of nor did he pay any attention to the man what so ever. He was too busy festering over the fact that his friends had not seen fit to trust him with the news of their relationship.
"Chad, is something bothering you?" Kathryn asked later that night when they were back in the apartment.
"No," he lied, smiling at her. "It's has just been a long day."
"You'll be commissioned when you graduate," she said, misunderstanding his anger completely.
"Yes," he said, smiling that stiff smile. "And maybe I'll be assigned to the Enterprise."
She stared at him for a moment to make sure that she'd heard him right. She wondered just what was going on between him and Jim to make him want to be assigned to any other ship than the Lexus.
THE LEXUS CHRONICLES