Starstruck (Star Trek/Khan FanFic) - Under Editing

Starstruck (Star Trek FanFic)

Captain James T. Kirk stepped onto the bridge of his ship, the USS Enterprise. He surveyed the bridge, his clear, blue eyes taking in the image of his starship in spacedock, and the sight of his bridge crew preparing for their important mission. He smiled fondly, reaching up to tap his comm badge.

"Captain Kirk to Ensign Stanton"

"Stanton here, sir"

"Marie, your presence is requested on the bridge"

"Captain, I am a little busy in the med bay right now. You are aware that I am not a bridge officer, correct? I declined your offer"

"I'm fully aware, and I'm still hoping you'll change your mind. I could use an expert science officer like you"

"I much prefer using my medical degree for actual healing purposes rather than standing at a console running analyses for hours on end"

"Stop debating me and get to the bridge, I want to see you before we leave space dock"

"Much like I'm sure you can see your bridge crew is doing right now, I'm trying to help Dr. McCoy prepare the ship for takeoff"

"I could order you to come up here, you know. I am the Captain"

"Don't you think that would be an abuse of power?"

"Ensign, to the bridge, now. That's an order"

"On my way, sir"

Ensign Marie Stanton rolled her eyes before tapping her comm badge to end the conversation between herself and the Captain. She glanced over to Dr. Leonard McCoy, the Chief Medical Offer on board the Enterprise. He was one of Captain Kirk's long-time friends as well, and also knew it would be better to listen to his command rather than argue with him. Marie raised her eyebrows at him questioningly, asking if it was alright to leave the med bay. Leonard, or as he was more commonly know as, Bones, nodded slightly before returning to his data pad to finish taking inventory. Marie turned on the heel of her new, shiny, black uniform boots and exited the room, heading down the hallway to the nearest turbolift. The door slid open to admit her and she stepped inside.

"Bridge"

The turbolift beeped and started to rise, hurtling towards Deck One. Marie couldn't help but think of how ridiculous it was that her friend was ignoring every ounce of Starfleet protocol they had been taught just to see her. While she was lost in thought, the turbolift reached its destination, the doors swinging open and the automated computer voice announcing her arrival. The open door revealed the Captain, standing with his back to the turbolift, staring out of the view screen. Marie began to take a step forward before remembering her bridge etiquette. She pulled her foot back into the turbolift and cleared her throat.

"Permission to enter the bridge, Captain"

James spun around, smiling like a little boy, his bright blue eyes piercing Marie's dark grey ones.

"Permission granted, Ensign"

Marie smiled slightly as she stepped onto the bridge for the first time. She had never been on a starship before, let alone one like the Enterprise. She always assumed her first position once she graduated from Starfleet Academy would have been a station at Starfleet Medical or Headquarters, not a space mission. James took large strides across his bridge to meet Marie in seconds, pulling her into his arms and spinning her around. Marie shrieked like a little girl as her feet left the ground, her short blue uniform dress skirt billowing slightly around her waist and her long, wavy black hair fanning out behind her. She clung tightly to the Captain, her fingers gripping the shoulders of his yellow uniform.

"James, stop! You are making me dizzy, and this is so unprofessional"

James obeyed, setting her back down and holding her steady while she readjusted to her surroundings and fixed her hair and clothing. She noticed several bridge officers quickly looking away as she glanced around at them to see who had been watching.

"Who cares about professionalism? I'm the Captain, this is my ship, and you are my best friend"

"Starfleet would probably care. Your conduct has been rather disappointing, you know. Unnecessary bridge summons, affectionate physical contact while on duty, consorting with an officer below your rank..."

"Well what they don't know won't hurt them. Also, have you realized that you are the only person that still calls me James? Most of my friends call me Jim, now"

"I have called you James since we were five years old, I'm not about to stop now just because you think you're some big-shot Captain of a starship"

Marie smirked when she noticed that her mild insubordination had appeared to fluster the Captain.

"I could order you to call me Jim"

"That would be unprofessional, once again, Captain. And I could also resign and go back to the Academy or find a new post. It's incredibly unheard of for a first-year Ensign to be assigned to a space mission on a starship like this one. I only got here because of you"

Marie was a few years younger than James, despite their having grown up together. Due to some personal issues of Marie's she had fallen slightly behind at the Academy and had not quite completed all the coursework required for graduation at the same time as her friend. Therefore, he had gained more experience while she was still studying and managed to rise through the ranks quite quickly to become a Captain. The rest of the crew of the Enterprise was sometimes judgmental of the fact that Marie had been hand-picked by a Captain to join the crew, with hardly any experience, on such an important mission. Marie occasionally heard muttering behind her back and throughout Headquarters about it while they had been preparing for departure, which made her feel unwelcome on the Enterprise.

"You are one of the best officers at Starfleet. I would have been stupid to let your status stand in the way of having you aboard"

Just then, Hikaru Sulu, the helmsman, entered the bridge. Marie quickly stepped away from the Captain, who had still had his arms around her, breaking their embrace. She quickly made sure she looked up to code and turned to face the Lieutenant.

"Captain, we are ready for takeoff"

"Thank you, Mr. Sulu. Ensign, please return to the med bay"

"Yes, sir"

Marie hurried off the bridge to report to her post, entering the turbolift and smiling as she turned around, waving goodbye to the Captain. She tried not to blush when thinking about how closely he had been holding her just then. They had always been close friends, but now Marie couldn't help but wonder if their relationship had the potential to change now that they were adults, together, on a starship. When the turbolift doors opened again, Marie hurried quickly across the deck to the med bay to ensure she was in position for takeoff.

Back on the bridge, Captain Kirk took his seat in the Captain's chair and looked over to the helm.

"Mr. Sulu"

"Yes, Captain?"

"Punch it"

Sulu took his seat at the conn, pushed the warp drive lever forward, and the Enterprise shot into space. Kirk glanced out of the view screen, watching the stars appear to elongate and spread before him, as the ship shook beneath his feet. His excitement for the mission grew, and he leaned back into his chair, ready for anything.