Intoxication

Prologue

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek or any of the characters/their plots. I do own only my characters/plot and nothing else

Within the hallways of the U.S.S Enterprise's sickbay, sat a high-strung James Tiberius Kirk. With his arm plastered in a cast and half his head covered with layers of bandages, he anxiously waited for the news of the medical intern's state. His golden brown locks were stained with dried blood; as well as his sooty face. His steel blue eyes, which were once filled with exuberance, were exchanged for ones full of lifelessness.

"Are you all right Captain?" A tender voice called, bringing his attention to the ebony skin woman approaching him with graceful steps. "I heard she was brought to the intensive care unit after the mission with you and Ensign Chekov." Hearing about the young intern resulted with the young captain looking away as the woman took a seat parallel to him. "How is she? Have you visited her yet?"

"Bones hasn't come out yet, so I have no clue," Kirk spoke, his gaze glued to the glazed white floor. "He's been occupied with her for a couple of days; the suspense is killing me." With his good hand, he brought his palm to his forehead and leaned over in his seat. "It's all my fault she's in this situation-my own goddamn fault!"

"You shouldn't blame yourself. The cliff collapsed under her feet and you had nothing to do with it. It was unpredictable and you need to get past that," The woman spoke, bringing her elegant hands to Kirk's sleeve, clenching the goldenrod fabric. "It was not like you hesitated to rescue her." Understanding the situation, she released her grip and crossed her arms across her stomach.

It was silent for the next half hour. Nyota Uhura began to patiently tap her fingers on her knees as Kirk remained in his motionless posture. Endless sighs escaped from her mouth and Kirk chose to carry on being silent. A nurse passed them and Uhura stopped her and inquired about the young novice. She was informed that she would have to wait for Dr. McCoy to finish his examinations before they could visit the patient. Uhura returned defeated and before the young woman could utter a word to her companion as she sat, Kirk interrupted her.

"Uhura," Kirk spoke through his clenched teeth and the communications officer turned her head to him, "I was standing right before her. I could've saved her from the comatose state she's in!" Uhura noticed he bit his lower lip in shame. "She's been like this for almost how many days and it's all my fault" He shook his head. "Her life was entrusted into my hands the minute she stepped foot on this starship and I failed to carry out my duties as captain-to make sure the welfare of my crew comes before me."

Uhura sighed at her superior's blind feelings. It felt like she was reaching out and getting through to Spock all over again. "Kirk, it's obvious you care for her," she said with a smile.

"Of course I care for her!" Kirk uttered, "she's part of my crew, and it's my responsibility to watch for the safety of my unit!" He shook his head and immediately sat upright, resting his head against the wall. "I'm still unexperienced as a captain with these matters! I've had this position for only two months!"

Uhura playfully shook her head. "No, that's not what I meant Kirk." The captain turned his head and his steel blue eyes locked with Uhura's. "I meant, you care for her more than that." She smiled and Kirk scoffed loudly.

"What are you saying? I like her?" Uhura slowly nodded and Kirk shook his head in disbelief. "It's strictly a business relationship between Jackie and I." He scoffed again. "What makes you think I like that little minx like that?" Uhura cleared her throat and Kirk motioned her to continue with a head gesture.

"The way you look at her as she's being lectured by McCoy, how jealous you appear whenever she speaks to any other man than you, when she has very amusing conversations with Scotty-" Uhura slapped her hands at her sides, "just about everything she does, you have a look on your face that primarily speaks for itself." She couldn't believe how dense the great James Tiberius Kirk was when it really came to women.

"Then tell me Uhura," Kirk cocked his head to the side and one eyebrow rose, "how do you think I honestly feel about her?"

Uhura was speechless for a moment. "I can't answer that for you. You just care for her, can't you get it? This isn't upon business grounds anymore Kirk." Uhura stood up and bent down to Kirk's eye level. "You care for her as a man, not as a superior."

Kirk eyes widened for he was in utter disbelief. He quickly lowered his head and contemplated over what Uhura pressed upon. "That's impossible."

"You can deny it yourself Kirk, but you will realize it eventually." Before she turned to leave, she snapped her fingers and whirled around. "Spock sends his regards for a speedy recovery." Kirk tried to laugh, but it came off as another scoff. "Kirk, please don't put yourself under more stress. The Enterprise would like her captain to return to his post with his mind still intact." With that, she turned around and left Kirk to this thoughts.

He bent over and placed his head in his good hand. He rubbed his temple and clamped his eyes shut, still deliberating over this matter. What felt like a grueling hour passed and the sound of the automatic doors whistled open. To Kirk, that hour felt like days. He looked up and small smile tug on the corner of his lips as his mouth partly opened.

Steel blue immediately met pale green.

"Hey, you doing okay?" The young girl before him tenderly nodded and limped her way to him, ascribed to her leg cast. Her entire head was bandaged, except for a few strands of her chocolate-colored hair protruding out. Kirk watched as she hobbled to him, ready to catch her if she fell. How he admired her strong spirit. He felt it truly suited her personality; spiteful with a dash of kind good nature.

Upon reaching him, Kirk's free arm wrapped around her and held her tight at the waist. She brought her arms around his neck and hugged him tenderly.

Was what Uhura debated upon correct? Was he, James Tiberius Kirk, fond of the ship's new medical student, Jacqueline Chandler? Was he, a notorious womanizer, finally understanding the idea of loving someone, not for physical satisfaction but, for a more intimate level? He closed his eyes and gripped on Jackie's medical gown, quietly ruminating.

To him, she was like a drug. The more time he had with her, the more he became addicted. The more addicting her presence became, the more he wanted her.

However, she was just a drug.

He could probably get over this usual addiction, like he did with the other girls, but she was different. There was something that kept his hold on her firmly tight. Some force that couldn't let go, even if his life depended on it.

What was it?

Author's Notes:I swear, this story has been sitting in my computer for how long and I keep procrastinating in restarting it again. Oh the perfectionist in me; a curse I must live with!

Anyway, thank you for clicking and reading this story, leaving a review, faving, and or following it. I really appreciate the time you are taking for giving it a little try!