2.6 - A Battle Of Wits And Words

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Cali and Jim arrived at the hall relatively early, meeting up with Bones at the same time as they entered allowing the three cadets to sit together towards the front, almost on the first row, on the right side of the hall. Bones was sat closest to the aisle while Cali sat closer to the middle of the row of seats. Jim was sat directly between them.

On all sections of the hall, there were a sea of red uniforms, only being broken by the dark greys that sat on all of the edges closest to the aisle, the graduated cadets that worked around the academy as teachers or helpers.

Sat not too far away on the opposite set of benches, a few rows further from the front, Cali had turned around at one point and spotted Spock sat on the end wearing his similar grey uniform. Spock had spotted Cali turn around to look at him, easily able to spot the silver hair in the sea of red, but avoided looking at him directly when he was turned around due to the amount of people in the room. Though, he had looked when Cali had turned back around to face the front.

Spock could easily spot the man's tensed shoulders as he looked anxiously towards the front. Spock could see that Cali was sat next to his partner and near his older friend. He had to assume that the two had spoken and made up, which explained why he seemed so anxious now about his partner getting punished. Spock couldn't help feeling slightly bad for causing Cali to feel such a way but quickly pushed the emotion back. He needed to stay professional right now.

The cadets all arrived before the board of directors of the academy, allowing for there to be a quiet buzz of whispers as everyone wondered what the school meeting could possibly be about. Bones and Jim joined in, talking to each other about it but Cali didn't, since he had already been informed about this disciplinary the night before by Spock.

Instead, Cali sat anxiously in his seat, watching the front, waiting for the directors to enter and it all to start. He was managing to hide his anxiety quite well, managing a smile that even fooled Jim when he turned to his other side to ask what Cali thought about it all. Not knowing what to say, he just shrugged and parroted the question back to him and Bones, hoping they'd not expect him to talk again.

Cali was feeling terribly conflicted about what was about to happen. Now that he had made up with Jim and no longer felt angry, he really didn't want to see him punished for his cheating. However, he also knew that Jim had to face the consequences for his actions otherwise he wouldn't learn. Even if it hurt him at the time.

Eventually, the board entered, all taking their seats at the row at the front facing all of the curious students, who immediately silenced their whispers upon seeing them all enter. Sat in the very centre of the front bench was Admiral Barnett, the head of the academy, who begun speaking after a few moments, addressing the room.

"This session has been called to resolve a troubling matter." He explained, making people's brows furrow as they wondered what it was. Then he called his name. "James T. Kirk, step forward." Cali immediately grabbed Jim's hand as he and Bones shared a worried look. Giving it a squeeze of reassurance, Jim looked down at his boyfriend thankfully as he stood up and made his way to the front where a podium was set up on his side of the hall. "Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council, suggesting that you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuant to Regulation One-Seven point three of the Starfleet Code. Is there anything you care to say before we begin, sir?"

Looking back at Cali and Bones behind him anxiously, Jim turned to face Barnett, "Yes, I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly."

Upon his request, Barnett looked over at Commander Spock and gave him a nod, prompting the Vulcan to stand up. Immediately, Jim turned around and made eye contact with the Vulcan, who watched him carefully as he walked down the steps to get to his podium on the opposite side.

"Step forward, please. This is Commander Spock." Upon hearing the name, Jim immediately turned back around and made eye contact with Cali, who was visibly looking a lot more worried now. Spock noticed the shared look between partners and couldn't help but feel slightly smug, knowing that Cali had mentioned him to Jim before. "He's one of our most distinguished graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru exam for the last four years." Jim turned to look the Vulcan up and down. This was the first time he had actually met Cali's second love interest. It was a shame it had to be like this. "Commander?"

"Cadet Kirk, you managed to install and activate a subroutine to the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test." Spock explained professionally, looking between the different admirals in front of him while he was watched from the side by Jim.

"Your point being?"

Before Spock had a chance to explain, Barnett quickly jumped in, "In academic vernacular, you cheated." Suddenly, the room began to whisper. An accusation of cheating was taken quite seriously in Starfleet, especially on such a well known and respected test. Bones looked to the side at Cali and could see how visibly anxious the man was becoming. He reached over the now empty chair between them and placed a hand on his forearm in comfort, causing him to smile over in thanks.

"Let me ask you something, I think we all know the answer to." He added in the last part under his breath, though the microphone still picked it up causing everyone to hear. Cali's heart was starting to race, he knew that this wasn't going to go well. "The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? You programmed it to be unwinnable."

"Your argument precludes the possibility of a no-win scenario."

"I don't believe in no-win scenarios."

"Then, not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principle lesson."

"Please, enlighten me."

"You of all people should know, Cadet Kirk. A Captain cannot cheat death." Cali visibly winced as a quiet exclamation of shock rippled through the hall. He had told Spock ages ago not to talk about Jim's dad in front of him. Spock looked at Jim with a small visible smirk, smug at his knowledge of the cadet he had quickly decided he didn't like, especially after what he had done to Cali, even if the man had apparently forgiven him for it.

"I of all people." He asked, looking extremely unhappy, not believing that the damned Vulcan had said that. What did Cali see in him?

"Your father," Spock started making Jim looking down and inhale a small breath, his jaw tense, "Lieutenant George Kirk, assumed command of his vessel before being killed in action, did he not?" Spock continued, allowing his smugness to shine through slightly. He was aware of Cali giving him a disapproving look not too far away, but he had already decided that if Jim was going to attempt to get out of it with pretty words, then he would use the information he knew to the best of his ability.

"I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test?" he snapped quietly, attempting to sound amused for the audience of cadets that watched his battle of wits and words with Spock.

"Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test which I am aware has been explained to you previously." Spock continued, allowing his eyes to flicker quickly to Cali pointedly, which Jim noticed and frowned harder. The damned Vulcan was trying to use Cali against him.

"Enlighten me again." He commented, barely able to keep up his amused and carefree mask through his gritted teeth and the dirty-playing Vulcan.

"The purpose is to experience fear." He announced, taking a pause so that the message would sink in, "Fear in the face of certain death. To accept that fear, and maintain control of oneself and one's crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet captain."

There was a pause as Jim tried to compose himself to bite back before it was interrupted by the sound of one of the front doors opening to the side. In came a man in grey uniform, holding a large information PADD. "Excuse me, sir." He apologised quietly as he passed the PADD to Barnett. Everyone in he room watched in silent curiosity at what would be so important to interrupt the hearing.

After reading the information on the PADD, Barnett looked up gravely. "We've received a distress call from Vulcan." At the sound of his home planet's name, Spock's head immediately looked forward, curious and immensely worried about what could cause them to do such as thing. Cali watched his Vulcan commander in worry as Barnett continued, "With our primary fleet engaged in the Laurentian system, I hereby order all cadets to report to Hangar One immediately. Dismissed."

Everyone got up and started towards the exits to follow their orders, but Bones and Cali quickly moved down to join Jim at his podium, since he hadn't moved.

"Who does that point-eared bastard think he is?" Jim questioned, not really to anyone in particular, knowing Cali wouldn't approve of his using such language to the person he respected, especially since Cali was still watching the Vulcan leave, even after he couldn't be seen.

"I don't know, but I like him." Bones joked, smirking at Jim for a moment as he started moving, causing the other two to follow.

"So does Cali." Jim replied offhandedly, looking slightly annoyed at his boyfriend for his choice in men.

"What?" Bones questioned, not understanding what Jim meant before he remembered the whole incident with Cali's love interest, "Wait, him?"

"Don't judge me Bones." Cali replied, not as amused sounding as he wanted as he tried to spot Spock as they made their way to where they had been ordered.

Jim could see that Cali was distracted, which was fair, he didn't want to admit it, but he had seen the rise in panic in the Vulcan's eyes at the news as well. "Go on, follow him." He told him, making them all stop as Cali froze and met Jim's eyes.

"But, you need me." He replied, looking worried at his partner.

"So does he, even I could see he was panicked by the announcement. Go on. I'll just see you later." He replied with a soft smile to reassure his angel.

"Thank you, it'll be okay in the end. I love you." Cali replied, giving Jim a quick peck on the cheek before rushing off in the direction of the hanger bay in search for Spock, not caring that they weren't meant to be seen together.

"Love you too." Jim called after his rushing boyfriend, a small smile on his lips at how loving he was.

~~*~~

As Cali arrived at the hanger bay, he spotted Spock being told off by Uhura about her placement. He couldn't help but stand to the side watching in amusement as he gave in to her and allowed her to be placed on the ship she wanted. He gave a polite nod to her as she left before approaching Spock, who seemed slightly shocked to see him, but not unhappy.

"Are you alright?" Cali asked, looking the Vulcan over who had once again hidden behind his walls.

"I am fine Cadet." Spock answered professionally, obviously not being truthful.

"Sure?" Cali asked, looking at him kindly, his eyes showing only care in that moment.

Meeting Cali's eyes, he allowed his walls to fall slightly, letting his vulnerability show, "I will be once we know what is happening to my planet."

"Okay, talk to me if you need anything." Cali offered kindly. And he meant it. He just wanted to help Spock, not liking to see the man feel so much worry for his home and parents who were currently there. "I know things aren't been great, but I still truly value our relationship." Though Spock didn't agree verbally, he too valued the bond that they had. He was glad Caliaire had approached him. He had hoped that last night would not be the end to their friendship. Suddenly, Cali realised that he hadn't gone to find out which ship he was assigned to. "Though, are we even on the same ship?"

Spock looked does at his PADD and quickly searched up Caliaire's name to find his assignment as Cali waited patiently in front of him. As he found Cali's name, he frowned slightly at seeing him assigned to the USS Bradbury. Without saying anything, he quickly transferred him to the Enterprise. "Yes, it appears we are. USS Enterprise." He commented, lowering his PADD to see Cali smiling back up at him.

"Good, I'll be right there then if you need me Amatus." Cali smiled, not even realising what he had called Spock.

Spock raised an eyebrow at the foreign word. Luckily, before the incident occurred between them, he had done some research on Cali's native language, having felt obligated to learn it since Cali was learning his, and recognised the word.

It was a term of endearment, most commonly used, if Spock could remember right, as a nickname for partners. He wanted to question the use now but decided to let it pass. The simple word had made him feel much calmer inside and he couldn't deny the slight blush he felt at being called the name by the silverette.

Cali gave Spock one last smile before he headed off to his shuttle, brushing fingers with Spock on the way past him, which didn't help the Vulcan's growing blush but did help to settle his rising nerves.

~~*~~

Translations:

Amatus means beloved or darling.

While Jim and Cali refer to each other using English nicknames (Love and Angel), I really like the idea of Cali and Spock referring to each other as nicknames from their own languages (Amatus and Ashayam).

What do you think?