emcorn heavens this has been requested fOrEvEr ago and I am SO sorry. Life guys. Life. Hope it was worth the wait. (sorry it's on the long side-it broke my writers block) ENJOY!

You let out a frustrated sigh as you turned away from the alcoholic man who was relentless in wanting your number. You never really liked bars, they were too busy, smelly and superficial. You rolled your eyes before you turned back to the disgustingly close drunkard. 

"Oh come on baby, you won't be disappointed." He then burped

You repressed a gag. "Too late." You scooted away a bit. "Get lost man, I'm not interested."

You were tired and irritated. It wasn't even your idea to come here, you were just here to help out your roommate who left you the instant the two of you got there. You just didn't want to run into men like that creep. But one man, in particular, you wanted to stay clear of.

"You heard the lady. I suggest you back off there, charmer." Speak of the devil. James T. Kirk sat himself on the other side of the delusional drunk, turning to you with a look of admiration. "By the look on her face, I have a feeling I saved you from a world of hurt that I am sure she would have landed you in."

You gave him a confused face, shaking your head lightly as if saying; 'what is that supposed to mean?'

The drunk looked between Jim and yourself before he gave an exaggerated groan, his head rolling to his chest in adolescent defeat.

"Why do I always hit on the taken ones..."

You watched the drunk stumble off, thankful he was gone but you were caught up on what he meant. You turned back to your drink but found your thirst quenched the moment you felt Jim slide over next to you, him leaning in as he spoke.

"I actually do think you ould have handled yourself, I guess I just wanted an excuse to talk to you."

You rolled your eyes before you looked at him, your eyes narrowing. "What do you want Kirk?"

The blond's brows rose as he leaned back with his hands raised slightly in defense. "Whoa, what happened to a normal guy just wanting to talk to a normal girl? Even after doing a good deed."

You scoffed, tipping your glass as you watched the slowly melting ice slide around. "I can't remember the last time you just wanted to "talk" to a girl. Besides, like you said earlier, I can handle myself."

"There is always a first time. Very true, you can. But I thought girls liked being saved every now and then. Plus I still owe you one for the Tarren away trip. I honestly would have been in a lot more trouble without you."

You shook your head, not liking how you actually did like him coming over to help. Plus you were not in the mood to decipher if he was genuine or not. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go take a hot shower and sleep. I'll even do you a solid and forget we even talked. Your reputation will stay nice and...intact."

You didn't give him a moment to reply before you grabbed your stuff, paid and rushed off. Your head hurt and you wished more than anything that you had stayed at your place. Not only did seeing him there throw you off but the way he looked about sent your heart racing. There was no denying his attractive looks, but in street clothes you almost let yourself slip him a compliment.

Jim watched you leave, his mind reeling. He didn't think you would be one to brush him off so abruptly, especially after what the two of you had gone through. He understood where you were coming from considering his track record, but he had hoped you would at least give him a chance to redirect that track record.

Before you exited the bar Jim finally got up, rushing over to you just in time to grab the door for you. You didn't know it was him so you turned to him and smiled, saying 'thanks'. The young captain's chest filled with warmth at your smile but it didn't last long.

Your brain registered who it was and your face fell. "Oh come on. Just because you are my superior officer in space doesn't mean you have to act like it here."

Normally Jim would have given you some joke reply or change the subject, but ever since that away trip, he wanted to make an effort to change and have you see him differently. He walked next to you, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I know. Look, I honestly want to thank you for practically saving me."

You slowed your step, looking over at him. Your heart did a flip as you saw the man, whom the whole female base of Starfleet has deemed as 'heartless,' look like a little boy asking if little Timmy could come out to play. His face was downcast and he slouched as he kicked at random things on the path. It was almost like you were looking at the Jim who laid in your arms on Tarren. Suddenly feelings you detested started to find themselves resurfacing. You blinked and looked up, wondering what you had done so wrong in the world for fate to treat you this way.

"Look, Kirk," you started.

"Jim, please." He gave you a small smile as the two of you started walking again.

You give a small nod. "Jim. I am just going to be blatantly honest with you. Tarren is something I want to remember. But at the same time, I can't ignore the facts. Jim Kirk, you are a playboy and I don't want to be another girl on a list." You let out a breath, your chest feeling a bit tight and your cheeks warming up. "I'm sorry but I don't want want odd friendship we have now be replaced with something so flippant as a one-night-stand."

Jim merely nodded, his shoulders sagging just a bit more. He had a feeling you would say something along those lines. But if only you knew how differently he felt about you, you might change your mind and actually give him a chance.

"Yes, but what if I told you this," he pointed between the two of you, looking at you earnestly, "is different. More real."

You only gave him a sad laugh, your eyes looking away as you tried not to let yourself hope. "That is until you see another more attractive girl walk by. You will get bored fast, Jim."

That almost physically hurt him. He hated that you saw him like that, even after Tarren. Suddenly an idea came to him. Words can only do so much for you, but maybe if he showed you he cared for you then maybe you will change your mind.

Your shoulders shook with cold from a sudden breeze. Jim noticed and immediately gave you his coat. You were about to protest but you could see in his eyes he wasn't going to take no for an answer. You give him a small smile as you took it, your hands brushing his lightly. You were sure you were in control but your heart deceived you with a skip. It didn't slow down as you found yourself surrounded in his sent, you almost missed what he said next.

"Let me prove it to you then. You and I both know Tarren was an odd situation but there was something. That much you can't deny."

You pulled his coat tighter around you as if to hide the blush you could feel was growing. "Jim, please, don't get my hopes up like this. It's almost worse than a one-night-stand itself."

The both of you let out shy laughs. You glanced over at him only to find him already looking at you but not in a way you found repulsive. Almost inviting. You quickly blinked and looked away before your heart got what it wanted.

"Please, (Y/n)."

You about ran at the sound of how sincere he sounded. Luckily, you didn't get time to reply when his coms unit went off calling for him for an Enterprise update. But before he left and you could breathe easy he turned to you, stepping close.

"Believe me when I say I want this to be different."

And with that he caressed your cheek sweetly, moving some of your hair, then rushed off, leaving you shocked and giddy all at once. You went to bed that night staring at his jacket draped over your chair as memories from that fateful away trip.

You weren't supposed to be there but it was too late to send you back. Enterprise had to leave you stranded with a sick and injured captain as you had to fight your own anxieties. But you couldn't help but look back at the trip with a wistful smile. Gentle caresses, soft words, echoes of laughter, hungry gazes and warm nights.

But even then you kept your distance as best you could, not wanting to fuel that fire. But there were moments right before you fell asleep that you could feel him tracing patterns on your back or arms, his fingers lulling you to sleep. Since then you have tried to keep one memory at bay but it made it's way to the surface the moment he brushed your hair out of your face.

He had kissed you. You were tired and weak from giving him all the supplies as he was in need of them more than you were. But you felt it. First on your forehead then on your cheek and slowly on your lips. You were sure you had dreamed it all when you woke in the med bay but every night it was like you could feel it. So naturally, you hated him and what he did to you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jim paced back and forth in front of Bones and Spock. They stayed after upon his request. He had an idea and wanted help in executing it.

"Jim, you are hopeless. You turn women into butter but this one you seem to have turned into stone. What did you do, actually fall in love with her?"

Bones' question was answered when Jim stopped walking and looked at him, his eyes full of emotion. Jim never thought it possible but ever since he saw you for who you were as well as a woman, he couldn't help but let his feelings take over. But it wasn't until the doctor uttered it that the captain had realized he may actually love you.

"I believe your question has been answered, doctor." Spock looked between his friends. "I suggest you do as any man who has feelings for a woman would do. Court her."

Bones rolled his eyes as the archaic wording. "Yes but quickly. I don't think either of you will have the patience to 'court' for a year before 'declaring your intentions'."

Jim smiled as his two friends debated the finer details on dating all the while he came up with an idea that he was sure you wouldn't turn down.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How bad is it Nyota?" You called into your com unit as you rushed around the room to get dressed in something somewhat nice. "Leave it to Jim to have the whole Starfleet board call for an inspection. And last minute too."

You hear a laugh on the other end. "Just be sure to wear those earrings you got last week. They make your eyes pop."

You snorted. "It's not like I'm going to date them."

"Oh, here they come! See you on the Bridge soon!"

You grabbed those earrings and rushed out the room, hoping you looked somewhat presentable. Right before you entered the Bridge,  you stopped to catch your breath and smooth your clothes. You took a fortifying breath as you stepped onto the Bridge. Thank goodness you took that breath because what you saw took it away.

Lights were dimmed, music played low and it smelled heavenly. The front screen showed your favorite nebula glowing. You looked around and about cried at what you saw; Jim standing at a table fidgeting with flowers in his hands as he looked at you with a shy smile.

"Ok now before you turn around and run out that door, hear me out."

You hadn't noticed but you had taken a few steps back. You nodded for him to continue as you slowly made your way to him.

"You have honestly changed me (Y/n). Don't ask me to explain it but on Tarren something just...clicked! And since then I have been wracking my brain on how to make sense of how I feel. And how to show you how I feel."

You were an arm's length away from him now, the smell of the flowers filling you with anticipation as you tried to focus on his words. Something was taking over your thoughts, though.

"I could go on and on about you and what I think about you but, knowing you, I wanted to show you first. So I had Nyota help me set this up."

You smiled as you looked around again, but you had to be sure of something before you jumped off this cliff so suddenly. "You kissed me, didn't you." Your voice was quieter than you had intended but you knew he heard you.

Jim's heart was already pounding at how beautiful you looked and how well you were taking it all in. He just didn't expect you to bring up something he was sure you hadn't noticed. He set the flowers on the table beside him, clearing his throat.

He turned to you and looked at you with honesty in his eyes. "Yes. I don't regret that trip and all that happened."

You nodded, taking a step closer. "So I'm not the only one who has fallen in love since that stupid trip?" Your voice was still quiet but you couldn't help but smile slightly.

Jim let out a relaxed laugh, taking your hands in his as he stepped a bit closer. "Do you think you could give me the chance to show you that you aren't?" He reached up and stroked your cheek.

You smiled wide. In reply, you flung your arms around him and kissed him soundly. Jim, pleasantly surprised, held you to him as he spun you around, loving the feeling of you so close to him, of you finally in his arms.

You pulled away just enough to look into is eyes. "You irritate me Jim Kirk, but yes. I'll give you a chance."

mmmm? So sorry it's a bit long but I couldn't curb the story too soon. ANYWHO, thank you so much for all being so loyal as I navigate this thing called Life and Adulting. It is totally worth it just it would be easier if there was like a tutorial or something, hahaha