done_in_3 | The Vow au bc I love this plot twist and Aqua/Jim are adorable

He carried the painting with him back to the car and gently laid it in the trunk

"Nah, I'm good. Let's go look at books. I love books." he was having a fine time, a smile on his face. "You seem huge into libraries, is that right? And gowns? Oh like for Starfleet balls, I bet I asked you to be my date. Hey if I asked you to go with me right now would you?" he's joking.

Jim really was a pup, jumping from one thing to the next. Honestly, she couldn't blame him. He could never sit still for long. He'd always been that way on the Enterprise, why would she expect anything less than when he was ashore?

"Mhmm, I practically grew up in a library. That is, I did and still do have a love of books." The written word always captivated her, aiding her in learning spells or taking her mind to far off places.

"Ahh, you never asked me to go until we were engaged. I went to a ball once, as an unexpected visitor, so I didn't know much. The first time we went, I had you go over every single detail with me just to make sure I didn't embarrass either of us."

Jim was a perpetual puppy, jumping from one thing to the next. Always adhd, always in need of attention, and always happy to see you. And cute. Very cute.

"Yeah? What was it like? That sounds awesome actually. I read all the time when I was a kid but my town's library was sad." he remembered the sparse number of shelves and even smaller variety in titles. Ugh, horrible.

"Those balls, the first one I went to I was so excited but it turned out to be kind of... boring." he went home with two different women. Awesome three way anyone?

"But they're glitzy, I'll say that. You? Embarrass us? I can't believe you'd do anything like that."

No one would argue with how cute Jim was. Though it wasn't the first thing that drew her to him. His personality and puppy like nature did that. His looks were an added plus.

"It was like heaven. Every book that I could ever think of was right there. I made of goal of trying to read every book before I left home. I didn't manage to make much of a dent." So many books, so little time.

"Mm, I didn't want to do anything that could reflect poorly on you." And she didn't need to know the details of the first ball he went to.

"Now, where is that bookstore? I can drive us there in no time."

Aww he'd be flattered, sort of. Maybe...

"Sounds like it. Maybe I can see it sometime?" he had no idea she was from... far away. In a world that sort of no longer existed. At least not as it did before.

"I don't think you would, you're more tactful than I am. I bet you kept me in line. And don't worry about it, the upper admiralty usually make asses of themselves at some point. It's not a party until someone gets called out on the news for something out of line.... ah... about two miles... that way." he read off his phone.

"Ahhh, maybe...." Aqua didn't have the heart to tell him it would be near impossible to do so. The library from her childhood was gone, along with her old home. There were some remains of it, but it was still a work in process.

"The question is when don't I keep you in line?" she teased, hopping back into the car. Following Jim's directions they drove down the road to the book store-cafe.

"When don't you? Ouch, man. Very ouch." he chuckled. "I assume you work as a nanny as well as a wife then? How much do I pay you?"

He bounded out of the car once they were at the cafe and slid right into the book section, digging around the historical novels and biographies.

"No, not your nanny. I'm part wife and...." Aqua had to think for a moment. Yes, they were best friends and lovers, but what else could she add to their playful banter?

"Lifesaver. I try and keep you from making an ass out of yourself, or make sure you're not hanging by a thread." Whatever Jim did, she was there. They were always there for each other and she certainly hoped some of that was coming back.

In the bookstore she let him go out on his way, slowly trailing behind him. The smell of old books was exciting, thrilling even. Nostalgia filled her then, recalling the many nights and days she spent in her old library. Staying quiet, she looked over several books before picking up one to gloss through.

He smiled "But hanging by a thread is the fun part. You should try it, it's a great adrenaline rush. Bones thinks I have a problem with thrills, I say nae." except he did, totally and absolutely did. But when Aqua happened, he calmed down, started being more responsible. With his amnesia, he lost that personality change along with his memory.

He wandered the books only returning to her with an old recipe book and several historical novels about the creation of starships, various wars, as well as the history of other planets and folk stories from them.

He doesn't speak to her at first. He finds a perch and sits, reading his first book.

Aqua had plenty of adrenaline rushing through her body when she was younger, trying to save the worlds from darkness and her friends. She didn't much of it in her life these days, save for the surprises Jim gave her. When they first started to date he gave her plenty of near heart attacks, but as they grew older he calmed down. Right now she missed that side of him. Then again, she missed him in general.

She placed the book back on the shelf, surprised to see him back with more books than before. Not wanting to disturb him she wandered away from the historical section and into the fantasy section. She lost herself there, wandering from one book to another. If Jim went out to look for her, he'd find her in one of the aisles talking to the one of the other customers. Though by the way the male customer was talking to Aqua, it could pass for flirting on his end.

Even married, Aqua didn't realize when other people were flirting with her.

Jim did spy for her once he looked up. He'd noticed she walked away but this was a rather... interesting passage in his book. It wasn't paid for but he'd already bought it in his head. When he found her again he felt a twinge defensive of her. Already he was marching over and clearing his throat behind her.

"Hey there's a cool display over here, you want to see?" he tried to make it clear he was with her. As clear as he could make it... though he had no real motivation as to why other than the subtle annoyance that this man dared flirt with a woman wearing a wedding ring.

Well, considering all Aqua was wedding was her wedding band. If she was wearing the complete set then it might ward off other men from looking at her. To them it was just a ring a woman wore. She was smiling at him, not taking anything personal while he was talking to her. Their conversation was cut short hearing someone clear their throat.

While the other patron didn't look too pleased to have Aqua's attention snatched from him, she turned her head to look at Jim.

"What display?" she asked, trying to peer behind him.

"I thought you were enjoying your books."

He may have thrown a threatening glare to the other patron as he walked away, putting his arm around her shoulders for good measure.

"Just a little something I thought was cool. I read it when I was younger." it was a display of vintage books about wayward kids and orphans who all had magical powers.

Aqua blinked feeling his arm come around her shoulder. Was he getting his memories back? Or was he falling into a familiar posture with her? It was hard to tell without actually asking...

She'd bring it up later, after looking at the cool display.

"Hmm, magic? I never thought you'd be into that sort of thing." she leaned in a little, keeping her voice low so just the two of them could hear.

"What was that about? I think you threw a glare at the guy I was talking to."

"What? I thought magic was awesome as a kid. I wished I had powers. I mean I am pretty awesome now but what kid doesn't get into flying and fighting bad guys? I mean I know it's not real but it's fun to think about. Shooting fire from your hands or something. That'd be so awesome, don't you think?" he flipped through one of the books.

"They have the whole set here, this is hard to find. I must have read it ten times when I was a kid. And you do think that, because I did. Because he was flirting with you."

"Yeah...having magic would be pretty amazing.." Oh if only he knew the truth, but that might freak him out a little bit. When he regained more of his memories then she'd tell him.

"We could buy it. Take it home with us..." she paused, trying to wrap her head around what he said.

"He wasn't flirting with me. What made you think he was flirting with me?"

"Meh, it's more of a kid's series. It's not something I would really read again. Someone age appropriate should have it." he looked over at her surprised.

"Uh, the fact that he was? Did you not notice any of that? He was totally coming on to you." seriously, was she playing dumb? It wasn't a sin to let a guy flirt with you but he wonders if this isn't just a one time thing.

"but it would still be fun to have. It's from your childhood. We could keep it in case you change your mind. Like you said, it's rare to find a complete series."

Now it was her turn to be surprised. Seriously, she had no idea what people were flirting with her.

"No he wasn't. He was being nice. He was asking questions and trying to make conversation--wait. Were you getting jealous?" Oh if he was, she'd so tease him for it.

"No He was totally coming on to you, he was about to ask for your number or something, I know that look and you're my wif--- You what that's a great idea. The book set is nice. I'm getting it, gonna go pay now. You getting those? Awesome."

He made a quick getaway once he realized she was about to tease him and he'd shown emotional vulnerability around her.

Oh no, the great and powerful Captain Kirk was not going to slip through her fingers just like that. It was fun seeing him get all riled up. Besides, it might help with his memories. Maybe if she pushed him a little more, he'd return to his normal self. She grabbed his arm, moving herself in front of him, effectively blocking his path.

"You know that look? What sort of look is that? Huh? besides, why would he come onto me? I'm not that interesting, am I?"

He tries to sidestep her to keep walking, but he's tethered to her by the arm. He listens and wonders if he should engage. But that's short lived because he's already talking.

"Oh don't play like that. You're adorable and you know it. You think I'd have let you go one day without knowing that? Please."

No Jim, you weren't getting away. Aqua had a good grip on his arm. She wanted to keep engaging him. In a way it was fun, hankering back to their early days. Back when they were teasing and mildly arguing with each other. Their version of flirting.

"Adorable? Me? I don't know about that. I mean, I suppose I'm pretty. But.." she shrugged then, continuing to play innocent with him.

"How would you know? I was glancing around in the aisle, minding my own business. Why? Would you have done the same thing?"

"Yes, stop faking it. And-- you know what maybe I would have." he could play this game. He looked over at her eagerly "That guy had no style though, it was just sad to see. Here's how you do it... Oh hey I was just noticing... I have those EXACT shoes!" he smiled charmingly, knowing she had on a woman-only pair.

"Maybe? So I'm maybe the type of girl you'd flirt with?" She began to pout then, trying to guilt him into giving her another compliment. When he began to flirt with her, she grinned.

"Really? That's the best you got?" she looked down at her shoes and shrugged. They ere basic ballet flats.

"I thought Captain Kirk had better pick up lines than that."

"Maybe, maybe not." he wasn't going to put out with the compliments. She had to earn those.

"Oh ouch, you're a tough one to crack. Hmmm... alright. This one made me laugh, I heard it back at the academy. Hey. I just wanted to let you know that they might ask you to leave soon.....you're making the other women here look bad." it was horrible but in a funny way. The kid he saw use it was being totally serious with it which made it that much better to watch.

nighty night

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omg this is so cute

Indeed. :D

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