Nobis ✴︎ Pavel Chekov

Chapter Fifty - Words of Advice

       
Irina seeks refuge in her room and doesn't show up for her shift in medbay. McCoy points it out to Pavel when they're in the mess and he refuses to comment, not wanting the doctor's input. He's thinking of talking to someone about it, someone a little less biased than Sulu or McCoy. The first person that comes to mind is Scotty but he doesn't quite have the same experience with women that Pavel's next target does. Captain James Tiberius Kirk had always been a bit of a heart throb, Pavel had heard tales of him back at the academy. He finds the Captain having a drink with another crew member Pavel doesn't recognise and he reconsiders asking him. Before he can really decide Kirk waves him over, telling him to come have a drink. The Russian decides he needs it before spilling his heart out. Kirk's other friend goes and Pavel realises now's his chance.

"What brings you here Mr. Chekov? I didn't think you were all that much of a drinker."

"Only sometimes, sir," Pavel says with a weak laugh, ordering himself a whiskey.

"Not vodka?"

"I'm really not much of a vodka guy," he mutters, wondering how to phrase everything. "I actually came here to talk to you, sir." Kirk nods, waiting for him to continue, Pavel just swallows. "Well, I'm finding myself in unfamiliar territory and I think you may have some insight... I've gotten myself into a bit of girl trouble..."

"Girl trouble? No way, last I heard you were going pretty well for yourself. Emory, yeah?"

"Well, dying complicated things, sir. You remember Irina yes? The one who was drunk and threw herself at you."

"I remember."

"I was dating her for a wery long time," he says, picking up on how strong his accent is getting. "And I walked in on her with another guy. After that I got smashed to try and get over her but met Emory. I hadn't talked to Irina but then when we got back on the ship she came and talked to me. We had a few arguments but were civil enough to each other. Then I died, and when I came back she was totally ruined. So was Emory but Irina wrote this letter to me, that I read and..."

"And?"

"She said she still loves me..."

"Oh."

Pavel takes a long sip of his drink and puts it down on the bench, looking to Kirk. "As much as I adore Emory I can't let go of all the good times I had with her... The comfort we had together. Maybe for a while I was still a little in love with her but now, I just feel terrible for breaking her heart; even though it wasn't all that long ago she broke mine."

"That's pretty heavy," Kirk mutters. "Honestly," he says, looking into the bottom of his own drink. "Way too many girls gave me chances that I never deserved, that I never should have let them take. I don't think I've ever been with anyone who hasn't regretted wasting their time on me..."

"I'm sure that's not the case," Pavel mutters, his voice softening a little.

"I have never been able to hold any sort of relationship down without feeling the need to leave. But if you think you and Emory have something special going, I'd say move on from Irina. If she broke your heart like that once, take it from me, she can do it again."

"Thank you, captain. I think I'll take your advice. I care about Emory, I really do. I think we'll work well together."

"I think you will too," he smiles. "Now go get your girl Pavel, I'm sure she'll be happy to have you with her."