Beyond the Stars, Beyond the Moon

Part 19: Pub talk

Pov Cassie:
We get to the pub and see the liveliness has not died down a bit, as far as Pavel told me. Scotty and Keenser are still there at the bar, countless empty glasses just in front of them.

When they see us walk in, they waste no time stumbling over to the table we sit down at. Everyone starts some small talk but I'm still distracted about everything going on. I'm starting to be paranoid; constantly feeling like someone is watching me. I make mental note to maybe visit Bones tonight and see if he can give me something to ease all that.

Shopping did help. I didn't have much saved so I didn't buy much, but I managed a few nice outfits and a dress for the ball and a dress to meet Pavel's parents.

I'm really nervous about meeting them. I didn't even ask Pavel if they speak English. I feel like I could use a drink, but I don't want to meet his parents hung over.

"Cassie? You ok?" Pavel looks at me concerned.
"Oh I'm fine. I'm just tired. Long day, you know?" I give him a weak smile and he nods, but I can see he won't give up trying to make me really smile.

"So Lass, everything go ok up in the interviews?" Scotty asks.
"Remind me again how to use sarcasm to say "yes"?" I respond jokingly.
Scotty immediately slides me a glass of whiskey and I go ahead and take it. Just one, I tell myself. Because I'm done talking about it and thankfully Scotty got the hint.

"So! Did Pavel tell you it's his birthday tomorrow?" Sulu asks me. Actually he didn't. He's shy and modest about most things so I wouldn't have expected him to tell me unless I asked, which I can't believe I didn't ask.

I look at Pavel and he shrugs it off. "No he didn't tell me, actually."

"Vell, it didn't come up. It vasn't important." He scratches that back of his head in a way that makes me have that butterfly feeling again.

"We're thinking about having a small party for him before the ball tomorrow." Sulu tells me.

"Yeah it'll be a real BALL, haha!" Kirk says as he walks over with Bones.

"Damnit Jim, how do you act drunk without drinking anything yet? Unless alcohol is airborne. I DO have a higher tolerance than you." Bones jokes to Kirk. Kirk rolls his eyes and we all laugh.

Bones turns to Pavel, "18 tomorrow, huh kid? Won't technically be a kid anymore. But I'm still gonna call you kid." Pavel smiles as Bones gives him a pat on the back.

"Yeah and now you're gonna be legal to bang Ms Vulcan over here" Kirk says making an obscene gesture moving his hips. I almost spit out my drink in shock and Pavel puts his head in his hands. "Oyyayeayeaye...." He groans.

"Captain you're aware of my presence and the level of inappropriateness of that statement?" My brother asks.

"Oh chill Spock, it's a tease. They're old enough." Kirk responds. I shift in my seat uncomfortably and Pavel starts to sweat.

It's not really something I've thought about. I've never really done much at all and what happened earlier between Pavel and I is the most I have. I've never really been too interested in...that. Sure it's natural and, well, part of life and science, I would probably be too awkward for anything like that. Of course, then there's people like Kirk who seem to live for it.

There's continuous small chatter and I get distracted again. I can't help but think of Kane. It's as if I can feel he's still here. Wishful thinking I suppose. I think back to what he said right before he vanished. He had to get something. What was it? Kane didn't own much he cared about. No jewelry, nothing from relatives or anything of the sort....in fact, he never talked about his parents. Kane was also very selfless; at the very least when it came to me. He knew I loved my ukulele from mother, could it be he was trying to run back to my room to-

"Good Lord, man!" Scotty shouts as Kirk chugs some ridiculous amount of whiskey. I feel like I'm beginning to get sick just looking at him. I look at Pavel and he's smiling, laughing at Kirk. I can tell though, behind that smile are tired eyes.

"Would you mind taking me back to the room?" I ask him.

"Of course! I'm ready to sleep too." He smiles and stands up.

"Leaving so soon? On your birthday-eve? You know what that means!"  Kirk says making the hip motion again. I hide my hands in my face and Bones smacks the back of his head.

We say our goodbyes and good nights and we head back to the room for the night. I decide to skip visiting Bones tonight. I'll manage myself.

I have to admit, it's going to be nice to sleep next to Pavel again and I'm slightly excited for that. I feel really safe next to him.

He comes out of the bathroom with just shorts on and I blush and look away. I quickly walk past him and into the bathroom to wash up. I throw on some sweatpants that I brought from the Enterprise and an oversized Starfleet tshirt. I tie my hair back away from my face and walk back out into the room. I can see Pavel wants to talk and he gives me a couple weird looks. I can't read them, but they can't possibly be anything bad, I would think. I don't feel like asking though.

I lay on the other side  of the bed and he turns towards me. "So you're still okay vith meeting my parents tomorrow?"

"I'm nervous to be honest, but I'm also excited too." The last part wasn't necessarily a lie either. I'm sure they're pleasant.

"Vell don't worry. They do speak English as vell as Russian." He assures me.

"Well that takes care of one of my worries." I admit. JUST one.

"They'll like you too, I'm sure of it." He smiles and kisses my head. "Goodnight Cassie."

"Goodnight Pavel." Usually this is the time I think too hard and maybe get just a few hours of sleep. But I can't do that tonight. I have to be well rested for tomorrow. Meeting his parents, celebrating his birthday, another possible meeting with the Starfleet higher-ups, and the Starfleet Ball are all tomorrow, and I have to look my best. Unlike my brother, I do sometimes find the switch to turn my brain off for the night.