Captain's First LOL [for losthunter]

[boldygoing]

With the restrictions on his food intake finally lifted, and with months to go until the Enterprise is ready to fly again, Jim Kirk has had all the more reasons to visit the Nexus and explore, particularly the markets. Whether it's finding interesting otherworldly seedlings for Sulu, tracking down a source of authentic Vulcan kreyla for Spock, or bringing home volumes of Russian literature for Chekov, there's always something to bring back for somebody.

Jim's been warned about LOLs before. Both through the brochure he picked up the first time he arrived here, and by some Nexus veterans, namely Hunter and Samus. But in the months since he's been visiting the multiverse, he's still never seen the phenomenon, not even once.

And so it's easy to forget for a moment that he has to be cautious.

He's discovered a Jewish cafe on one corner of the commercial district that's offering free samples to passersby, and it's been ages since he's had real, hand-made vorschmack on rye. So he doesn't think twice before accepting one of the samples on offer, and there's nothing to indicate that there's anything in it other than the usual bread, fish, and other typical ingredients he'd expect. At least, not until the woman running the sample cart asks him how he likes it.

Jim fully intends on simply complimenting her on the flavor of the food, but what comes out instead is, "It's good but not as good as my Grandma Ruth used to make." He blinks in confusion. "I don't know why I just said that. I wasn't going to tell you that." And again... he says more than he intended.

"Oh dear," the woman says, looking mournfully at the sample tray. "I used the wrong seasoning again. Sorry about that." And then she whisks the tray away, vanishing into the depths of the cafe with no explanation or any indication that she plans to return.

And only now does Jim remember the warnings he was given.

"Oh shit. This is not good." He doesn't know what the hell it's done to him, aside from making him chattier than he intended to be, but he doesn't want to go home like this. Especially not when he can't be certain there won't be more coming. And there's only one person he knows he can go to for help.

Jim calls up the coordinates for Hunter's apartment, hurrying to get his ass over there, muttering to himself under his breath.

Comments

[boldygoing]

Jim can't help a little laugh at Hunter's enthusiasm. "Is that a thing that people do in your century, dressing up to match the movie? I thought that was mostly a Halloween thing."

[losthunter]

"It is a thing. Especially for the franchises that people are fans of. Franchises like Star Wars and Pirates of the Carribbean are among those that people love to get interactive with."

"We even have Sci-Fi conventions, where people go all out."

[boldygoing]

"I don't think we have those back home. If we do I've never noticed."

[losthunter]

"I should take you to one sometime."

[boldygoing]

"Apparently we should take each other to a lot of things," Jim says, smiling slightly. "I don't know if we'll have time for them all but it gives us something to look forward to. I'm still hoping the Enterprise gets the five-year mission assignment. Starfleet has never done one that long before and I don't know if I deserve it over more experienced captains but I just have to wait and see now."

[losthunter]

"A five-year mission assignment? What would it include?"

[boldygoing]

"Mostly exploration of uncharted space. There's so much out there that we don't know about, phenomena that no one in the Federation's ever seen, cultures we've never recorded or contacted, and the potential for new discoveries and knowledge is practically endless. I'm sure we'll come across our share of dangers but if we let that stop us, we're in the wrong business." Jim has a lot of thoughts on this, and a memory that isn't his tickles at the back of his mind, his own voice in an impassioned speech on the importance of risk. "They used to say that if man could fly, he'd have wings, but he did fly. He discovered he had to." And now that Jim's started quoting, he can't quite seem to stop, the words like an eerie déjà vu to his ears. "Do you wish that the first Apollo mission hadn't reached the moon, or that we hadn't gone on to Mars and then to the nearest star? That's like saying that you wish you still operated with scalpels and sewed up your patients with catgut like your great-great-great-great grandfather used to. I'm in command. I could order this, but I'm not because Doctor McCoy is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any contact with life and intelligence as fantastically advanced as this, but I must point out that the possibilities - the potential for knowledge and advancement - is equally great. Risk is our business. That's what this starship is all about. That's why we're aboard her."

He finally stops, looking a little confused and mildly embarrassed. "Sorry, I think that was one of Ambassador Spock's memories." He's pretty sure he already told Hunter he gets fragments of odd memories from the mind-meld he had with the old Vulcan a year ago, so it shouldn't be a big surprise.

[losthunter]

Hunter listens patiently has Jim starts quoting the impassioned speech. And nods in understanding when Jim apologizes for it.

"I think I will always be a little concerned about you, when the mission is officially assigned. But that comes naturally with the fact that I love you, and part of that is being concerned."

"But I know it is an opportunity that you have been waiting for. And I will be happy when it officially is announced."

[boldygoing]

"We still might not get it. It might go to one of the other ships, and we might stay on short runs and survey missions. But if we do, it doesn't mean I won't see you for five years and I'd be happy about that. I'd still have my PINpoint, and with the time difference thing, I wouldn't have to worry about a Red Alert while I'm gone."

[losthunter]

Hunter smiles, reaching over to take Jim's hands in his own. "That is good to know. I would hate not seeing you for five years."

[boldygoing]

Jim sets down his wine glass to let Hunter take up his hands, and smiles a little. "Me too. I'm lucky; I get to take most of my friends with me, but there are still people I'd miss. I don't mind saying goodbye to Earth for a while; I don't really miss places so much as people. And better food."

[losthunter]

"I am so going to spoil you with great meals every time you visit." Hunter smiles. And leans in to kiss the top of Jim's fingertips.

[boldygoing]

"As long as they're guaranteed LOL-free," Jim responds immediately, the first thought that pops into his head.

[losthunter]

"I can't guarantee that." Hunter chuckles lightly. "But I always taste-test as a I cook... and if you notice I am acting weird, then we might be dealing with a LOL."

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles a little. "So what do you like to cook? You do a lot of English food or is that so far back it's not tradition anymore in your family?"

[losthunter]

"Pizza. Pasta. Barbecue steak or chicken. Sushi." Hunter lists off a few things that he enjoys cooking. "I never thought of English food."

[boldygoing]

"You make your own sushi?" Jim asks, a little impressed. "I tried once and I just made a mess. It's a lot easier to just do rice bowls but it doesn't look as nice."

[losthunter]

"I do. And I will plan a sushi night now." Hunter smiled. "You can help."

[boldygoing]

"Maybe we should have another crew dinner, on my side of the multiverse this time," Jim suggests. "It looks like I'm gonna be using the house for a while and Mom's still off on the Columbia so she's not gonna care."

[losthunter]

"I would be up for that. I can bring most of the supplies for sushi night."

With the sushi night, the Drag night, the pot luck night... Hunter has to smile at them making plans for the future. It feels good to have someone special in his life to do that with.

[boldygoing]

Jim smiles too. "Happy's a good look for you."

[losthunter]

"Well, you have made me incredibly happy." Hunter knows it is over-the-top romantic to say, and might be considered a little sappy.

[boldygoing]

"I also put you through a lot of stress," Jim points out, as it crosses his mind.

[losthunter]

"You really think that?" Of course he does. Jim is being compelled to tell the truth. "Why?"

[boldygoing]

"The hospital," Jim answers, as honestly as he's had to be since this all began. "No one could tell you how bad it really was and you still came to visit every day once Spock remembered to message you."