Snippet 2b

"Oh," Chelsea said, looking at him blankly. She clearly didn't know how to react. "So...it was just...awkward then, or what? I mean - you don't still have feelings for him, do you?"

Sam's face returned to its uncomfortably apologetic look. "I...kinda do, yeah. I wouldn't be telling you this Chels, but it took me a lot of years to get this guy out of my head, and now that he's back I can't think about anything else. It's really not fair to you - you deserve a lot better."

"Wait a second," Chelsea held up a long-nailed finger, staring at him. "Are you BREAKING up with me?"

Sam gave her an incredulous look. "I told you I like a guy and you still want to be with me?"

"Sam, really," Chelsea half-closed her eyes. "I've told you about my fantasy of you going all over another guy. And doing it with a Vulcan would be just about the hottest thing ever. In fact, I might be tempted to let you off the hook easy...if you let me watch you guys do it sometime." Her face immediately turned very hopeful. "Oooh, that's a great idea! Can I?!"

Sam stared at her for a long moment. After a while he shook his head in shock, looking away with a half-laugh. "You are ridiculous." he decided, looking over at her again with an almost amused look before shaking his head again and standing up. "We're done, Chels. Take it easy."

"Wait! You can't just walk out like that!" Chelsea yelped, standing up and pointing an accusing finger at him. "You owe me SOMETHING after how much I've given you! What if you just tape it and then give me the tape? That would work, right? Sam, you can't just walk out on me!!"

Sam left that restaurant without a second glance behind him.

*

"Oh my god."

Jim thunked his head down on the table the moment he sat next to Spock, letting out a moan. "Spock, my life is shot."

"I do believe you will live." Spock replied as he kept his eyes on his PADD.

"No, seriously," Jim whimpered, tilting his head up slightly and fixing bleary, bloodshot eyes on Spock. "...I think God's finally given me my punishment for drinking. And it's not just this freaking hangover. I woke up this morning, and - " he took in a deep, doomed breath. "...I don't even want to know what he was thinking when he woke up."

Spock looked up at this, raising an eyebrow. "He?"

Jim squeezed his eyes shut, thunking his head back down. "...I'm pretty sure Bones and I fucked last night."

Spock raised an eyebrow further. "McCoy? I was not aware that you were...interested in each other."

"Technically, we're not," Jim muttered. "I mean, I kind of - but not really...I mean, we just had one-too-many last night, and I guess...I guess we kinda' got carried away." He rocked his forehead on the table, letting out an utterly miserable sound. "He's never gonna talk to me again."

Spock looked back to his PADD. "That would not be surprising."

Jim glanced up at him, his eyes narrowed. "Thanks a lot," he mumbled, before finally forcing himself to sit up and running a hand down his face and back through his messy hair. He stopped, however, when he spotted someone across the cafeteria. He squinted, then quickly waved across the room. "Hey, Sam! Sam, over here!"

Spock looked up just as Sam turned, raising a hand to his little brother before slowly making his way over.

"Hey you two," Sam said, giving them both a smile that still had the tired signs, but Jim could tell he was a little more relaxed. "How are classes going?"

"Meh," Jim mumbled, flopping his hand at him. "Don't really care at the moment." He squinted slightly, glancing over his brother's slightly changed appearance. "...feelin' better?"

"Broke up with Chelsea." Sam said, a tipped smile now on his face. "She didn't take it well, but hey - gotta start somewhere."

Spock nodded, observing him. "Will you speak to Sybok, then?"

Sam looked over at him, his smile taking on a hint of nervousness. "Is he still mad?"

"Stubborn, I believe would be a more appropriate term." Spock replied, putting down his PADD. "I do believe he will listen to you, however."

Sam nodded, turning his gaze to the table as he thought. "Do you know where he'll be tonight?"

Spock shook his head. "He has been reluctant to inform me of late."

"I'd put ten bucks on the library or the observatory," Jim said, waggling a finger. "Just a thought."

"Observatory." Sam and Spock said together. The two exchanged glances before Sam smiled and looked at Jim. "I guess that settles it then."

"Go stalk him, bro," Jim said, punching a fist lightly in the air with a bleary smile. "He'll never be able to resist you."

"Be cautious." Spock warned. "He may not yet be ready."

Sam nodded, pursing his lips for a moment as he glanced behind him. "Will do, Spock. Thanks guys." he said, patting the table as he turned to go. "See you later."

"Bye, bro," Jim said, waving again to him as he walked away. When he was out of sight, he turned back to Spock, frowning. "...d'you think Sybok'll listen to him?"