Big Reveals [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

Jim has been in Starfleet Medical for eight weeks before he's finally released. Which is not to say he's been cleared for duty, mind you. But he's recovered enough not to need that kind of constant medical supervision, able to take the rest of his treatment as outpatient. He has physical therapy three times a week, exercises to do at home, and of course Doctor McCoy is still keeping an eagle eye on his diet, something that annoys Jim to no end.

Of course, that's nothing compared to finding out that his Starfleet-assigned apartment is buried under the crashed bulk of the USS Vengeance.

Jim doesn't really give a shit about the apartment itself. Yeah, it was kind of nice to have his own place, but it's never been home. It was just a place to stay whenever the Enterprise was in port. And though it was more decorated than his quarters onboard the ship, it was all meaningless knickknacks, nothing with any real sentimental value.

No, he's more pissed about the fact that nobody told him until a month after he woke up from the coma.

He understands why, of course. McCoy gave him the whole spiel about stress being bad for his recovery, about not needing to worry himself about things he couldn't do anything about, that by the time this happened Jim was already dead, but it's a heavy blow to realize that the loss of life was far, far greater than he'd realized. Tens of thousands died or lost their homes. Yet Jim Kirk lives, when he has no right to be breathing, let alone leaving the hospital.

And it's hard not to be in a foul mood when he realizes that the only place he has to stay on Earth is in Iowa, at the old neglected Kirk homestead. At least it's not likely to be bugged by Section 31, and Jim spends two entire days sweeping the place for surveillance devices, and another three to get the house in order, before he's reassured enough to have visitors.


[OOC: Image links to replace broken ones below:
23rd century Iowa
Mind meld position]

Comments

[boldygoing]

"Don't tell me you think Jim's your Beauty," McCoy says before he can really think about it.

Uhura looks amused to no end, and Spock raises an eyebrow, mentally reviewing his knowledge of the fairytale. Jim just gives Hunter a flirty sort of look.

[losthunter]

"Well, in the original story, Beast tried to win Beauty's favor with lavish riches and the best clothing in the kingdom."

Hunter exchanges a flirty look with Jim, smiling almost predatory. "Doesn't seem all that bad... does it?"

[boldygoing]

Jim grins back at him, suppressing a chuckle. "If I remember right, in some popular depictions of the Beast, he also gave Beauty a ton of books."

[losthunter]

"Did he now..." Hunter chuckles lightly. Of course he knows that part of the story. "Well, the later versions did realize that he could be seductive by offering knowledge. And a chance of new adventure."

[boldygoing]

"I'd tell you two to just get a room already but I know how that'll go," McCoy grumbles.

"This must all be very strange for you," Uhura says to Hunter. "Being out of your time."

[losthunter]

Hunter just cocks an eyebrow at McCoy's grumbling. He hopes he is not making light of Jim's current physical limitations.

"It is..." He directs his attention on Uhura. "I feel very silly, asking about things that are every-day objects for you all. But now you will all know why I might have looked confused or lost, when you have mentioned previous technology."

[boldygoing]

Jim doesn't look offended, at least. "It's kind of been a reminder how much advanced tech we take for granted. Speaking of, I think it's about time for lunch."

He had to give some excuse for why he was inviting them over to begin with, and he's hardly going to fail to honor that promise. Especially when it comes to feeding his people.

[losthunter]

"Did you need any help with that?" Hunter offers.

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little in gratitude, but shakes his head. "Thanks, but I haven't bought anything fresh, so it's all synthesized today. Any requests?"

Spock folds his hands together. "You are aware of my preferences, captain. I trust you will choose a suitable dish."

[losthunter]

"Can it do something like a Monte Cristo?" Hunter is curious. He is not sure what would be on the menu, after all.

[boldygoing]

The choices aren't quite endless, but they are rather vast, so it's hard for Jim to give him a menu, as it were. But he does nod at Hunter's question. "Sure thing. Uhura?"

"What the hell, make it two," she answers.

Jim has known McCoy long enough to know what he wants without asking, so he doesn't bother to consult the doctor for his order. "Coming right up."

[losthunter]

As Hunter gets relaxed back on the couch, buttoning up his shirt quietly, he feels a sense of calmness now that his big secret is known by these people who had gotten to know in the past few weeks.

There don't seem to be any big questions from them yet, but he knows it will take them a little time to absorb everything they were told.

"Good to know that my Beauty is an expert in the kitchen." He teases lightly.

[boldygoing]

"Not hard when all you've gotta do is push a button," Jim says with a shrug, heading out to the kitchen to make good on his lunch promises.

The Kirk house has a perfectly serviceable dining room, but Jim doesn't want this to be any kind of formal dinner, anything where he sits at a table with his crew and gets called captain. He's among friends, and they're making it bearable to be in this house in the first place. So he doesn't call anyone to leave the living room, instead serving lunch to be eaten wherever they're sitting already, no matter if it's a couch or an armchair. Monte Cristos for Uhura and Hunter, a vegetarian hummus wrap for Spock, and fried catfish for McCoy.

Jim debates trying to cheat on his prescribed diet, his digestive system still a bit touchy from the aftereffects of the radiation, but he knows better. And besides, his own personal doctor is right here to yell at him if he does. So he reluctantly synthesizes some chicken and rice soup instead.

It's quite the variety of foods, but preparation takes only a minute or two before everyone can eat.

[losthunter]

It still amazes Hunter to have so many different types of meals served, simply by pushing a button. And it seems very calming to sit with the crew, eating lunch in the living room.

"This is very amazing."

[boldygoing]

"It's still better to make it all fresh with real ingredients," Uhura tells him as they eat. "They haven't made a synthesizer yet that knows how to create real garden-grown vegetables."

[losthunter]

"Well, maybe someday, I can cook for you all... I can bring it here, to your dimension. Or maybe you could come by my place."

[boldygoing]

"I assume by 'you all' you mean us sitting in this room right now, and not a few hundred people," McCoy says, raising an eyebrow.

[losthunter]

"Of course, a small group would be better. And less complicated to explain things..." Hunter chuckles lightly.

[boldygoing]

"Speaking of, I think it's best we keep this whole Nexus thing just between us for a while," Jim tells his crew. "I'll try to find a good time to let Sulu and Chekov in on it, but I don't think we should tell anyone else. Except maybe Scotty. There's no way he's part of Thirty-One."

"Why would you not inform him of this now?" Spock questions.

"He's got enough to worry about with the Enterprise repairs," Jim says, shaking his head slightly. "I don't want him getting too sidetracked. Besides, it'd be tempting to try to integrate Nexus tech with the ship, and that's a can of worms I don't want to even think about opening."

Spock gives him a puzzled look, clearly wondering why one would can worms, or what effects opening that can would have. "I'll explain later," Uhura murmurs to him.

[losthunter]

"If you need me for those conversations, just let me know." Hunter offers. He is quite willing to be 'proof' of the Nexus.

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little in gratitude, though his thoughts are now turning towards the Enterprise, his beloved lady, lying wounded in drydock. Just as her captain had lain wounded in Starfleet Medical, they both still have a long way to go before they're ready to go back out again. "Thanks. It might be a while, but I'll let you know."

[losthunter]

Hunter can guess where Jim's thoughts are turning right now. He wants to ask about the Enterprise repairs, but has not voiced it yet since he figures that much of the work being done on the ship might be classified. And he would rather not make the others uncomfortable with the fact they can't tell him anything.

"I just wish I could help, somehow." He reaches over to clasp Jim's hand in his own.

[boldygoing]

"Not all help is physical," McCoy says, possibly the most philosophical thing he's said all day.

Jim gives Hunter's hand a little squeeze, still smiling slightly. "You are, trust me."

[losthunter]

Both men's reassurances does make Hunter feel better. He smiles fondly at Jim, stroking his thumb over top Jim's hand, returning that squeeze.

"Thanks." His admiration for the Captain is displayed clearly on his face. No mind meld needed.

[boldygoing]

"I'm going to see her later," Jim says, going back to eating his soup.

McCoy scowls at him in disapproval. "Oh, is that why you have that deathtrap parked outside?"