Kirk studies him a moment, mentally reviews the last bit of the conversation in his head. They'd been joking about kidnappers, so that wasn't it. The guy had suggested the knight metaphor himself.
But something set him off. Kirk rubs at the palm of his right hand, wary, feeling a little like a jackass for something he's not even sure he actually did wrong.
It's obvious that this guy's got issues. Jim's well acquainted with the concept. But the differences in his mood are leaving him feeling off balance. He's no psychologist, but this? This feels a little like-- like everything. How he felt after Nero. Or standing in front of the Admirality board and having to listen to Spock saying, you of all people should know, Cadet Kirk, a captain cannot cheat death.
He exhales. This guy's a timebomb.
But so was Jim in another life. And maybe it's Pike's hand in his that keeps him from just getting up and walking away. He didn't learn much out of Starfleet textbooks, but he knows he doesn't have it in him to leave a man behind, whether he's fighting his own demons or a hoard of, you know, tribbles or something.]
Listen, I think we're getting off on the wrong foot. Fist. Whatever. Let's try this one more time. Jim 'Princess' Kirk, Captain of the USS Enterprise. When was the last time you had anything to eat?
no subject
That is quite the reaction.
Kirk studies him a moment, mentally reviews the last bit of the conversation in his head. They'd been joking about kidnappers, so that wasn't it. The guy had suggested the knight metaphor himself.
But something set him off. Kirk rubs at the palm of his right hand, wary, feeling a little like a jackass for something he's not even sure he actually did wrong.
It's obvious that this guy's got issues. Jim's well acquainted with the concept. But the differences in his mood are leaving him feeling off balance. He's no psychologist, but this? This feels a little like-- like everything. How he felt after Nero. Or standing in front of the Admirality board and having to listen to Spock saying, you of all people should know, Cadet Kirk, a captain cannot cheat death.
He exhales. This guy's a timebomb.
But so was Jim in another life. And maybe it's Pike's hand in his that keeps him from just getting up and walking away. He didn't learn much out of Starfleet textbooks, but he knows he doesn't have it in him to leave a man behind, whether he's fighting his own demons or a hoard of, you know, tribbles or something.]
Listen, I think we're getting off on the wrong foot. Fist. Whatever. Let's try this one more time. Jim 'Princess' Kirk, Captain of the USS Enterprise. When was the last time you had anything to eat?