You Can't Be Too Careful [Star Trek/Leonard "Bones" McCoy Love Story]

[3] An Unfriendly Encounter.

[3] An Unfriendly Encounter



I narrowed my eyes at the screen as my fingers flew across the keyboard with perfect precision. Not once did I miss a digit or a character. I had been working the entire class period on this topic, and I was determined to finish all the lessons included by the time we were released. Today was my first day as a training computer technician at Starfleet. First class? Coding. My specialty.

The screen turned green as I passed another lesson. Grinning in triumph, I glanced at my watch and noted the time. Twenty minutes of class still remained. I looked back up to the screen and allowed my eyes to scroll down the list of lessons, counting them as I did so; only three to go. Cracking my knuckles, I leaned forward and began the next one.

I immersed myself in my work, quickly skimming through all the history and directions before skipping ahead to the actual lesson. From the moment I began working, I quickly realized that I understood the systems better by working with the codes rather than reading about them. This shouldn't have surprised me, though. I had been this way ever since I was in elementary school. Reading the material never helped. I always had to be doing something with my hands; an activity that helped me connect the words to real life. That's probably why I enjoyed working with computers so much. It was almost all hands-on work.

"Miss Taylor," someone said from behind me.

My fingers halted in mid-air and my eyes widened. I slowly turned around.

"Oh," I said with a small laugh. "Commander Haines. How may I help you?"

"I've been observing your progress throughout the class period, and I had to tell you that you are doing exceptionally. I have never had a student work so quickly and efficiently."

I felt myself blush. "Thank you, Commander. It's good to know that I am doing well."

"More than well! You're doing phenomenally. You and Mr. Abbott both," he said, clapping the boy sitting next to me on the shoulder.

"Sir?" he asked, turning from his work.

"I said that you are doing wonderfully."

"Oh. Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome, Mr. Abbott. As you were."

"Sir," we said in unison.

We glanced at each other and gave small smirks at our coordination. I couldn't help but notice that he had cute little dimples and gorgeous green eyes. I felt myself blush more as I examined him. And then I realized that my staring was blatantly obvious. I quickly tore my eyes away from his face.

"So," he said. "You're a computer nerd too?"

I chuckled. "I guess you could say that, yes."

He smiled. "I must say, most computer nerds I've met have been rather odd-looking and obnoxious, but I couldn't help but notice that you are very friendly, and quite lovely too."

I reddened even more. "Thank you," I said quietly, unsure of how to respond to his unexpected compliment.

He held out his hand. "Jordan Abbott. And you are?"

"Catherine Taylor," I replied, shaking his hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Catherine."

"You as well, Jordan."

We kept our hands stuck together for a few moments longer than we needed too. I finally laughed awkwardly and pulled mine back.

"We should probably get back to work," I said.

"Oh," he chuckled. "Right."

Both blushing, we turned back to our screens. I finished my last lesson just as we were released from class. I gathered up my bag and found myself at the back of the stream of students that were filing out of the computer lab. As I exited, Jordan saddled up next to me, stealing glances in my direction every few seconds. I silently willed myself to stop flushing, but of course, there was no undoing what had already been done. I was pretty sure Jordan knew that he had caught my attention.

As we exited the room, he turned to me and asked, "Would you mind if I walked you back to your dormitory?"

I blinked, surprised. "If you would like to. I don't mind at all."

He beamed. "It would be an honor. Which building are you?"

"Building 6."

"Wonderful! I'm building 3."

I laughed. "Isn't that all the way on the other side of campus?"

"Yes, but that allows me more time to walk with you and more time to think about your lovely laugh and beautiful eyes on the way back."

"You sure know how to flatter a girl, Mr. Abbott."

"Oh? I wasn't trying to flatter you...color me surprised!"

"You are so trying to flatter me!"

"Alright, maybe I am. But can you blame me? After all, just look at you: you're stunning."

"Thank you..." I said quietly, ducking my head.

"I only speak words of truth."

"You're too kind."

"Not kind. Just truthful."

I simply smiled in response. As we walked back to my room, I learned a little more about him: he was from Georgia, his favorite thing to work on concerning computer technology was wiring, and he enjoyed the Fall season the best. But to be honest, I only caught little snippets of what he was saying. I could only focus on his perfect smile and glittering eyes. I thought back to Astrid's comment about me being awkward around boys, and she was definitely right about that. But something about Jordan was different. I was strangely comfortable with him. I didn't mind the compliments or the overly gentleman-like gestures. He was genuinely trying to get to know me, and I appreciated him for that.

As we approached building 6, he stopped walking and turned to face me.

"Can I tell you something, Catherine?" he asked.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Go ahead."

"You truly are a brilliant student," he commented, grinning. "But if we're being honest here, I'm the better one."

I blinked. "...Excuse me?"

"I offered to walk you here, Miss Taylor, because I needed to get a message across to you without anyone hearing. So listen very carefully: you are indeed a brilliant student. But if you try to excel past my abilities, I can promise you that I will make your life very unpleasant."

I gaped. "Are you seriously threatening me over our shared intelligence?"

"Yes, I seriously am. You cannot be at the top of the class. That position belongs to me. Do you understand?"

I merely continued to gawk at him. As I observed his face once more, I noticed certain darkness behind his eyes that I hadn't noticed before. The sparking evergreen color was just a glint off the malice that lay behind them, and his charming smile did not seem quite so charming anymore. In fact, it almost looked creepy.

"It's not a crime to excel in your studies, you know," I said. "So what if I'm top of the class? What's it matter to you?"

He chuckled and looked away from me. "Oh, you're so...what's the word? Adorable. Yes. So adorably stupid."

It took everything within me not to reach out and slap him across the face.

"I'll say it again, Miss Taylor: the head of the class belongs to me. So I suggest you back off immediately."

"Just because you've turned out to be some stuck-up jerk doesn't mean I'm going to be afraid of you," I snapped. "Threatening me over a reputation...it's childish!"

"I'm warning you, Catherine," he said darkly, taking a step towards me. I suddenly felt very small; like a child hiding from a malicious monster. I became conscious of the fact that he was much, much taller than me. Bigger, too. An image of him snapping me in half like a toothpick quickly flashed through my mind. Calm down, Catherine, I thought. Don't you dare stand for this nonsense.

"Warn me all you want!" I shouted, throwing my hands up in the air. "It's ridiculous, and I'm not falling for it!"

Jordan suddenly reached out and snagged the fabric of my collar in his fist. I choked back a yelp.

"Stay out of my way," he snarled, "or I'll run you over."

And with that, he pushed me away, turned on his heel, and took his leave.