Sometimes
Summary: J/P, slightly angsty. A short story. Kathryn thinks of the times she and Tom shared together. G
Disclaimer: These are Paramount’s toys. I’m just playing with them.
By Daffnie
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Sometimes I think of you, Tom. I remember back to when we first met. Your
father introduced you to me. I smiled like the good child I was, politely shook your hand,
and said I was glad to meet you. Then you forced a smile and returned the greeting to
please your father. You wanted to be a good boy, and I remember how one time you told
me that you were jealous of me. You wished you could be so perfect. I laughed and said
no one was perfect. I still believe that.
Sometimes I think of how stupid I thought you were, Tom. I was twenty, and you
were still a little runt. You would hang around me and ask me irrelevant questions. I told
you to go away, said you were bothering me. I had work to do, and you were in fact
being a pest. But I admit that I admired your flare for life. You were always the outgoing
one between the two of us. One time I said that you were all right, and your face lit up
with an ear to ear grin. I’ll never forget that day. It was unseasonably cold, but I didn’t
notice the cold when you were around. Of course, I would have never told you that. I
still wouldn’t.
Sometimes I think of when you would ask me out on a date, Tom. I laughed and
told you that you were too young for me. But you insisted, and so I gave in and said you
could buy me a drink. It turned out to be several drinks. We went to your place
afterwards, and we stayed up all night talking. I don’t remember what was said because I
was too drunk at the time. I remember that you were too much of a gentleman to take
advantage of me that night. I fell asleep leaning against you on the couch early that
morning. You were polite enough not to tell me to go home, and we suffered through the
hangover once I woke up. That was the only time I ever missed a day at the Academy.
But I never regretted it. I still don’t.
Sometimes I think of when I went to the penal colony in New Zealand where you
were at, Tom. You were still a little immature then, and you never seemed to grow out of
it. But you were still the same gentleman I knew from years past. I remember how you
told me you couldn’t believe that I’d want a convict to fly the ship. I said that you’re the
best pilot I ever knew. It was the truth, but I know you thought poorly of yourself
anyway. You didn’t have faith in your abilities. You said that your father never really
liked you, but how you worked so hard to please him. You told me that you pleased him
one; that was when we first met. I assured you that you were a nice young man and that
those abilities of yours would not go to waste. It was your time to shine. I actually said
that, and you smiled but asked if I really meant it. I said that I did. I told you that you
would be important to me. I still think you are.
Sometimes I think back to the times that I put a friendly hand on your shoulder as
you sat at the helm, Tom. You seemed uncomfortable about it at first, but I think you
became grateful that someone believed in you. Then you would glance at me when I went
into my ready room when you thought no one would notice. I did. I always knew when
you were looking at me. And whenever my eyes were on you, you acted that you didn’t
notice, but I knew you did. We always noticed each others’ staring, but neither one of us
ever said anything about it. I suppose that we didn’t need to. We both knew that we
were attracted to each other. I still treasure those moments.
Sometimes I think to when you would come visit me in my quarters, Tom. I knew
that there was always another reason to going there than to bring me status reports or data
padds. You wanted to see me. I didn’t mind. I was lonely, too, and I suppose most
people were. We all missed our families and friends back in the Alpha Quadrant, but you
told me that you didn’t want to go back. You said all you had there was your father who
was never proud of you and too many bad memories. I asked if you missed your sisters.
you said no because they were just like your father. I asked about your old girlfriends,
about Sandrine in France. You laughed and told me that they never really mattered to
you. Then you told me all you ever needed was on this ship, in this room. I was stunned
when you said that. Maybe I shouldn’t have been because I guess I always knew, but it
was just so unexpected. You told me that you loved me. I didn’t say anything. I suppose
it’s because I still had feelings for Mark, even though he had married. You got up and
left, and I was sad. I still am.
Sometimes I remember back to that next day and how I wrote you a letter, Tom. I
said I was sorry for not saying anything. I said I loved you, too. I hoped that was
enough. You wrote me a message back, saying that it wasn’t enough. I was heartbroken
until I read on and understood what you meant by that. You told me to prove it, and I
knew exactly how to do so. That night when you were sleeping, I left a holographic
picture in your quarters, on the table next to your bed. It was a picture of us that you
took when we got drunk together. I kept it all this time. You contacted me the next day
over the comm and told me to come to your quarters. I didn’t, and that was where we
shared our first kiss. I can still remember the feel of your lips on mine.
Sometimes I think of how unfair it was for you to die, Tom. How I wanted to die
with you. I remained weak for a long time. I missed you terribly. I still do.
Fini