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[ The feed clicks on to show Jim in a garage leaning against the open hood of a car, a dark-haired woman wrapped in his arms. Chinning her shoulder, he leans over to press fond, familiar kisses over her jaw and cheek, wherever he can reach. The good humor of his chuckles is echoed as the screen wobbles. ]

Is this thing on? [ The nuzzle to her neck is playful, as punishments go, for distracting him. Hi, City. ] Hey, this is Saya. We're, uh ... We're together. Bones, Spock, I want you to meet her tonight at dinner.

[She tips her head, every time he goes for a kiss, to try and catch his mouth, but the truth is she's not trying hard, because she's enjoying the attention. Anyone who knows her, who's seen with, and even who's slept with her knows that this isn't typical behavior.

But then she turns her attention on the camera, because Jim said something and it actually did cut through the haze of the honeymoon.]

It won't take long, I don't think. If that's a concern.

It's not a concern, don't worry! They're nice guys. [ Jim, too, appears a little more smitten than he's been with anyone or anything since he was commissioned for his ship. He squeezes his arms around her waist. ] You can stay as long as you want.

[There's a pause, and the corners of her lips curl up in a smile that is more real than her usual one.]

So dinner - and we'll see how it goes from there.

[She takes a moment, and finally catches Jim's mouth, and there's a kiss, as she reaches over and turns the feed off.]

(OOC: Lovestruck curse! Replies will be coming from both Jim and Saya, who got hit by Stupid Cupid.)

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[ Hold on, he needs to eye Saya. ]

You're already dating him?

Yes.

That's Robert.

[She seems unbothered.]

Oh, that's just Robert. [ !!! ] Well, do you love him too, or ... ?

Yes.

Do they cancel each other out?

No, but. [ Erk, stepping back. He needs his hands to himself right now. ] He obviously cares about you. If I was him, I'd be pissed right now.

You're right. He might be.

Saya, I'm ... Why didn't you mention him?

[ He has the feeling he knows exactly why. The same sweeping, uplifting sensation of falling in love that Bones has told Jim is making him irrational. ]

Because I'm in love with you.

[There's a look, a confused one, for a moment]

It makes it hard to think.

[ Frowning, he falls silent for a long moment, swallowing the lump in his throat. In a level voice, he decides on what to do. ]

I really think you should go home to Robert tonight. We'll take a raincheck on that dinner.

[ It's not fair that his heart's aching, breaking. ]

[She reaches for him, because-

Because-

She's not sure. Because humans crave contact, don't they?]

Please.

[ But he shakes his head. Jim isn't any great stranger to wanting something so badly he feels his very bones pining, but he's also a captain. There are standards he holds himself to, on and off duty, whether the choices are easy or excruciatingly painful. ]

I'm sorry, but no. I should go.

[ Turning on his heel to leave. ]

[This isn't-

This isn't a good feeling. No wonder humans are so caught up with their hearts, if this is the kind of pain it causes. Like being ripped in two.

She can't handle it, she's not designed to handle it, and she cries out like it's really her heart being ripped out of her body, and not just Jim walking away.]

[ Sorry, darling. Even if it's the fairy tale forever after kind, love can't beat honor in this captain.

And so, that's how Jim eventually leaves the garage, cutting off the feed absent-mindedly as he does so. ]

[Love shouldn't feel like this?

In Chase's experience, love means accepting that feeling like this is inevitable. He's just hopeless when it comes to avoiding taking that risk.

And he'll go to her. Of course he will. Because Saya's the only person he knows for who that really might be true. Love shouldn't feel like this. Nothing should feel like this. Nothing should feel.

It's going to crawl under her skin for days the way it will crawl under his (he'll try and keep that part quiet).

Of course he'll go.]

[By the time he gets there, she's sitting inside of a car, her fingers fidgeting with the steering column, but not actually doing anything. All her eyes - all six of them - are open, but that's the only indication that something's wrong.

But it's one hell of an indication.]

[He lets himself into the garage...]

Edited 2013-08-20 22:42 (UTC)

She didn't mention it?

No, man. I had no idea. Y'know what, I'm just gonna trust my friends on this and take their advice, I don't want to mess whatever it is between you guys up, no matter how I feel.

[ Contrary to popular belief, Jim Kirk is not an asshole. ]

You're not going to mess anything up. [Trust him. He's been through worse, they can take a curse. Not that it's meant to be a supportive comment but hey, he was expecting a little more argument - curses have a tight grip - no complaints, though, when it fails to come.]

What was your friend's advice?

I'm in love with your girlfriend, not stupid.

[ He says it sharply, like he'd very much prefer not to be heartbroken at all. (They're taking the Enterprise away from you, Jim.) He hates this feeling, like he's lost his everything.

But he hasn't, has he? Bones said ... ]

Forget it, Chase. Take her home. Please.

You're cursed. Not stupid. Hasn't anybody mentioned the curse thing, yet? [Chase has spent half his life heartbroken over something, Jim, he recognises the sentiment. At least get what - 12 hours of it this time? He's sympathetic... but you've just been making out with his girlfriend. So not that sympathetic.] Look at the network. You're not the only ones with the urge to make a declaration today.

I've talked to her. I'm not dragging her away. [That's not how they work.]

I don't care if it's a curse, I don't care if it hurts not to be with her. She's your girlfriend. What the hell is wrong with you? Just because we might be messed up doesn't mean it's okay to give me permission to ...

[ To do a host of things to another man's partner. The idea of it is offensive enough. ]

I'm heading home, Chase. You do what you want, but I'd rather have a broken heart than maim someone else's. I suggest you get down here, she's. She'll need you.

[Woah woah woah.]

I'm not giving you permission. [Far from it. He'd have been gearing up for a fight, but Jim backed out at the first offensive and Chase isn't going to pick one for the hell of it. He's been here long enough not to lay the blame for a curse at the victim's door.

Or at least to try.

And Saya's already told him exactly what she won't be sharing with Jim Kirk today. There's no question of any of the host of things Chase can't deny ran through his head at first actually happening.] I'm giving you the facts. If the curse is letting you have any kind of choice in the matter then you're lucky. Some of them are harder to override.

[He understands that. He tries.

He nods.] I appreciate the effort.

Great. She's in the garage, I'm heading out.

[ Away, anywhere. Back to Bones who'll understand even if he tells Jim he's an idiot over and over. The person he wants to be around right now isn't the woman he's cursed to love, but his oldest friend. He knows without a shadow of a doubt that that is real. ]

Love shouldn't feel like this.

[ He cuts the connection, refusing to deal with the pain in his chest in front of anyone. ]

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