•g r a v i t y • ~ jim kirk

3 years Later

"Yes, Pike, I'm coming." I groaned as I exited study hall. I juggled my books in my arms as I headed down the stars. I glanced ahead of me to see McCoy and Kirk arguing, making their way down the steps. Typical.

"Don't forget the dessert." He reminded ,snapping me out of my daze.

I rolled my eyes as I passed the two best friends. I felt there eyes on me, burning holes through my back. "Aren't you the one who receives the paychecks? How do you think I can buy dessert?" 

He laughed. "I know you have my card." I paused for a second and let a small smile crawl across my face.

"Ari!" I heard McCoy call. I turned around seeing Leonard and Jim walking towards me.

"Fine, I'll be there in 10 minutes." I replied back to Pike.

"Ok, love you." At that moment, warmth filled my chest. 

I grinned. "Love you too." I slowly hung up the phone, staring at it in deep thought. I thought back to the first day I met Pike, when he promised to be there for me, like he should've been for my whole life. Ever since then, we became close, so close that he was like my father. We would have lunch together every other day and when I'm bored, I'd just keep him company in his office as he did his work. I felt a tingling sensation in my heart as I thought about the past before I was interrupted by someone clearing their throat.

I looked up seeing Bones and Kirk towering over me. "Who was that?" Kirk asked furrowing his eyebrows. He looked mad as he stared at me, waiting for an answer.

I sighed. "If you have to know, it was Pike. I'm heading to his office right now for lunch." I stared at Kirk to see his body relax. "Are you ok ?" I asked him as he ran his hands threw his hair. He quickly nodded and looked down at his feet.

Confused, I turned my attention to McCoy. "So Bones, would you mind coming over later and help me study for tomorrow?"

He smirked. "It depends---"

"I have a six-pack of beer in the cooler ready to be opened." I said, cutting him off. 

He laughed. "I'll be there."

"Um, excuse me, what test are you taking tomorrow" Kirk interjected.

"Ari has to take the test that determines whether or not she is eligible to be a Tactical Officer." Bones replied as I nodded in agreement. Jim tilted his head in confusion. 

Bones sighed. "You know. An officer in charge of the weaponry and defense of a ship." Jim shaped his mouth into an 'o', like he just had an 'aha' moment. 

"Well I was going to ask if you wanted to assist me during the Kobayashi Maru tomorrow, but I guess you're busy." Jim said to me, shrugging his shoulders.

My jaw dropped. "You're taking it again? Why the hell would you take it for the third time?"

"I'm telling you both, I'm gonna beat it this time." 

"You're crazy." I replied back as my phone began to ring. I glanced at the caller ID and saw a name in bold letters.

PIKE

I groaned. "I got to go." I said quickly while I pointed at Bones. "Come to my dorm at about, uhh, 2:30." Bones gave a short nod and I pointed to Kirk who gave me a smug look . God, some day, I would just like to punch it right off of his face. "You're gonna fail." I said to him, walking away towards Pike's office.

"Get ready to be proven wrong!" Jim called back, earning a small grin from me.

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