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

[done_in_3]

Three years, nearly four, of wedded bliss. Jim was calmer, more focused and honestly a better captain. He had his wife, his beloved Aqua to thank for that, she was his light, his heart, his whole world. She kept him grounded and morally upright and he honestly took fewer stupid risks with his life thanks to her. The crew ran better, the Enterprise had better records, life was good.

Jim had bought them a house for when he was on Shore Leave on Earth, it barely got used but when Enterprise was docked, well they needed to crash somewhere. It was a nice place in San Francisco, in the heart of downtown and worth every penny of the millions it was worth.The property values were sky high but Jim was a veteran captain and got paid accordingly. He used his money on very little else besides charity so he was happy to spoil his wife with a comfortable home. Besides, if and when they had kids... well if their house just happened to be in an ideal school district he wouldn't call it an accident.

Everything was perfect, which begged for it all to come crashing down soon enough. Jim wouldn't remember the crash or the drunk kids in a truck behind him and Aqua on the road, he wouldn't remember that he shouldn't be alive, his wayfinder had saved him....but he doesn't know what this anymore. All he knows is he's laying in bed, he feels numb.. and he's waking up in what sounds and smells like a hospital.

"Mmm... mm." he was so tired and yet his mind was racing with questions. 'Where am I? What happened? Where's my ship?'

Comments

[watersacrificed]

After Jim was done drinking the water, Aqua pulled the cup back and set it aside. It stunned her to hear he didn't know what happened. Not understanding how much time passed, she could understand, but...the accident? She gave him a puzzled look.

"You were in an accident. Both of us were and...you've been here for the past three days. You still need to stay here, just to make sure everything's healing properly." She looked him over, trying hard to not be afraid or scared.

"Jim...do you know who I am?"

[done_in_3]

"Accident..." he thought back, getting nothing but a blankness "okay... wait both of us? Why were you there? Aren't you a nur-- oh did you. Did Bones make a bunch of nurses come get me? I don't remember getting into a bar fight." but then again he drinks enough to erase even the best memories. It means very little that he can't recall the last night he was conscious.

"So... was I in an ambulance and you were there and we got hit? Are you okay?" he smiled charmingly. "I'd hate to see a nice nurse like you get cut up trying to save little old me."

[watersacrificed]

The way Jim continued to prattle on, it was becoming clearer and clearer that his memory...it was gone. Everything about their life, about her was gone as though it never happened. She had to keep it together. She couldn't cry or lash out that he was hitting on a person he didn't know. Granted it was her, but he wasn't in the right frame of mind.

"No..it's more complicated than that." Plus Bones didn't know.

"I'm not a nurse, Jim. I'm..." Did she dare break the news to him? If she took him home how else would she explain herself?

"..I'm Aqua. I'm your wife."

[done_in_3]

He just blinked at her, as if her words didn't sink in. After almost a minute he furrowed his eyesbrows and called her on what had to be lies.

"...Bullshit."

Him married? Had to be crap.

[watersacrificed]

"Haven't heard you say that in a while." The words were murmured under her breath as she pulled away from him. No, she couldn't take it personally. It wasn't him.

"You're awake so..I'll go call your doctor. But it's not BS, Jim." And call in Bones too.

[done_in_3]

"Wha-- wait, don't go." he felt bad for saying that to her but he was confused, defensive, and really in need of some clarity. He still wasn't solid on what happened. Sure he was in a crash but how did the crash happen? How had he been hurt beyond an assumed brain injury? Was she okay??

"I.... okay. I'll be here." the doctor would come in shortly and perform some basic exams on Jim to confirm his short term memory was still functional. Anterograde amnesia was a far bigger problem, if his ability to create new memories was damaged as well this could be a whole extra level of difficulty.

Fortunately he passed with flying colors. He could put shapes together, so basic math, organize various pictures into order telling a four-comic-panel story, he could give definitions of basic and complex words, and his visual/spatial skills seemed to be sharp as a tack. The only thing wrong was.... he had no idea how he got here or where he was before that.

"What do you remember, Mr. Kirk? The most recent thing you remember."

"...Bones. Bones and I were in his office after alpha shift having a drink."

"Do you remember the date?"

"It's... 2260.22"

The doctor breathed a bit heavier. "You've lost some significant time, Mr. Kirk."

"Why, what's the date now?"

"It is 2265."

[watersacrificed]

Aqua stayed in Jim's room as the doctor performed his tests. She hoped and prayed there would be something that could jog his memory about her. When he said out loud what year he thought it was, her heart nearly broke. He didn't recall anything. That was months, possibly a year before they even met. Though she put on a brave, calm front, Aqua was barely holding herself together.

You can get through to him. His memory will come around eventually.

"I can call Doctor McCoy, please give me a moment." she forced a small smile on her lips as she left the room, leaving Jim with his doctor. He probably wouldn't believe a word the medical examiner said, but if he talked to Bones that would be a different story.

She called him, explained the situation and in minutes he was down there. He examined Jim's charts himself and looked him over again. The conclusion was the same, but McCoy at least had that nice touch of knowing what to do with Jim.

"Would it be better if he stayed with me or--"

"Better with you. The more he's around familiar things, the sooner his memory could come back." Bones told her, making her sigh a little.

This wasn't going to be easy, was it?

[done_in_3]

Jim was shocked of course, enough so that he was quiet and cooperative with the doctor and even with Aqua. It wasn't until Bones arrived that light returned to his face and he was animated once more. They had a private whispered talk, Aqua could eavesdrop if she was so inclined.

"It's been five years?"

"No, Jim. It's been about a month. I just got back from visiting in Georgia. Yes, that's the right year, yes you're part of the over 30 club now."

"And... her."

"She's the best thing that's ever happened to you and you worship the ground she walks on. You be nice to her. Honestly I never thought you could reel in someone of her calibur." he chastised.

"Ignoring that. I wasn't... I wasn't mean to her was I?"

"Not horribly so but she's as traumatized as you. She just lost her husband. Imagine how she feels."

"I... it's just a lot, Bones."

"I know. You'll come around. I'm sure she can win you over again even if you don't remember."

"How did we even meet? I don't..."

"She was an accidental stowaway on the Enterprise. You were tough on her at first but she saved you, you saved her. Rest is history I suppose. I always said it was like a damn action flick. Considering you if figures I guess."

"...Right."

"Hey don't worry about it. I want you here for a little while longer, I'll patch your flesh wounds. Once that's done... I'm releasing you to go home."

"With her."

"With your wife who swore in front of me and the entire crew and a priest to take care of you no matter what happened. She's the honest goods, Jim.... You loved her."

"I'm not saying I don't like her. I'm just confused, this is all happening so fast."

"It'll be ok, kid. Going home might jog your memory a little. If not, my number hasn't changed. And Aqua will take good care of you. Just... be gentle. The crash scared the hell out of her, you should have died. This is a kick when she's already down, you know?"

"Yeah..." Jim looked somber, almost guilty.

[watersacrificed]

Aqua tried to give Bones and Jim some privacy, but here and there she caught a few string of words. At least Bones had convinced Jim what year it was. At least he managed to tell her husband the gist of what happened. She shook her head, forcing herself to deal with paperwork, signing and initialing on every line.

She didn't come back into the room until Jim was done being patched up and all the paperwork was completed. There was a thin, forced smile on her lips. She was grateful to McCoy for coming, but that meant she'd have to call Spock and the other members of the crew about what happened. Maybe if they came around it would help jog Jim's memory. Or it could overwhelm him. She would have to walk a very fine line.

"Everything's ready...should I go and grab the car?" It felt awkward to even be in the room right now.

[done_in_3]

Bones stopped her on his way out.

"Don't worry about telling the crew. I'll handle it. Anything happens, you call me. Day or night."

Then he left them alone. Jim was dressed and looking almost sheepish.

"Hey... sorry about before. Can we... start over?" he understands she hasa lot of power over him right now. Anything she says he'll believe. She could do anything to him.

" Can I come too? What kind of car do we have? Ours got destroyed in the crash right? We've got a rental then..."

[watersacrificed]

"Thank you," Aqua murmured to McCoy, grateful he was going to take some weight off of her shoulders.

"It's alright." But they would have to start over and Aqua wasn't even sure where to begin. Did she go over how they met? What they were doing before the accident? It was all a jumbled mess in her mind, but she'd have to take it one step at time. At least her husband was still with her...at least Jim was still alive. As long as he breathed, there was hope.

"Ahh, I'm never good with cars, so whatever the rental company sent over is what we have. But, you can come. I have to take you home after all. Unless you like being in the hospital's nightgown." An attempt at a tease, an attempt to make him laugh and show some of her personality that he fell in love with.

[done_in_3]

"Well. Maybe I love it. It breaths nice." he joked right back with her, glad to be in familiar territory. He smirked and tossed said hospital gown away. He was dressed in some regular clothes now. He didn't recognise then but they fit like a glove. Aqua must have brought them...

" Thanks for the clothes...I assume the hospital didn't have my size in stock and you brought this, right?"

he'll walk with her curiously looking around as they left the hospital. " Did they renovate the hospital here? This room is way nicer than I remember... and I can still drive. We'll be fine."

[watersacrificed]

"Yes it does, but I don't think you'd like how drafty it can be back there."

It was easy, maybe too easy, for the two of them to easily slip back into their old ways. Whether Jim knew it or not. It was still a small comfort to still make jokes or tease her husband. Hopefully it would be enough to bring him back.

"Yes, I brought them from home. It's nothing.." Any wife would take care of her husband. At least Aqua did the right thing and brought clothes that were easy to get out of and wouldn't strain his body.

"Mmhmm, they did it about two years ago. Added several new wings, new technologies and more people. She shook her head to his offer to drive.

"We will be fine, but I'm taking the reigns on this. It's not your ship, Jim." She'd put her foot down there. If he wanted to make a fuss she would revert to calling him 'Kirk' or 'Captain'. It wouldn't take either of them too long to get to the car and head back to their spacious house. Their home was clean, minus the dirty dishes they left in the sink from a few days ago, but it was filled with love from the pictures on the walls to the ones they had on some of the end tables.

"Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

[done_in_3]

Well Jim could get used to being funny and silly with someone, that was his default. He was appreciative of having that samey sort of comfort zone between them.

"Well thanks anyway. I think the nurses would have swooned if I walked out in this." he chuckled to himself and admired the new building. He's just wandering like a little kid, no clue where they were headed. This hospital was no longer familiar and the car park was packed with vehicles, any one of them could have been theirs. They drove home, he just talked aloud.

"So, you know about Enterprise. You've been on board. Do you live on board? Are you part of Starfleet? Bones said we met kind of by accident... hey is that.... is this where we live?" he blinked at the house. It was swanky but damn, this wasn't anything he'd see himself being able to afford.

He whistled.

"This... I live here? WE live here??" he's too eager to wander around inside. Once in there he found himself almost shopping for the house as if it were not his own; judging the rooms and colors as if thinking about what he 'might' do on his own property. And surprisingly he liked the place. The furniture was appealing, the lights were soft and bright in the right places, the colors were nice... the accessories he marveled at, almost having the jolt of 'oh man I want to buy that' only to catch himself. It was already his item.

Then he got to looking at the photos. At first it was just a collection of them, cute and happy. That wasn't his fake smile, that was his real one... but those pictures were all over the house. There were more with the crew in them and some with just Aqua. Some were clearly staged and some looked candid... Jim figured he had to take them himself. And given the number of them he had to have been dedicated to this woman. Like she was his muse...

He totally missed her offer for a refreshment, he was so caught up in wondering about a photo where Aqua was staring out of a window oblivious to herself being photographed. The wind was blowing her hair just so and her face was serene, the light caught her eyes.... she was breathtaking. He just stared...

[watersacrificed]

It was expected that Jim have as many questions as he did. He was essentially starting from scratch with her. So during he car ride, she did her best to answer his questions without confusion him. No, she wasn't part of Starfleet. Yes, she did live on board after they got engaged, but never prior to that. Yes, he was a hard ass when she first met him and yes, that huge home was theirs.

She let him have his fun, looking around their home with excitement and combing over every detail. It was funny to see him so full of life and not realized he owned the items in his home. Which made Aqua start to wonder how they would handle sleeping arrangements. They had a guest room and if he wasn't comfortable enough to sleep in their bed, she supposed they could sleep there. But then they came to the photos which captivated all of his attention.

Especially the photo he was staring at.

"...You took that when I wasn't looking. You said you hated staged photos, and wanted something natural. I didn't realize you'd taken it until weeks later." Along with some of the other photos he had of her. She gently placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to draw him back to the present. Funny enough, Aqua didn't look like she changed much.

"Do you want something to eat or drink?"

[done_in_3]

Wait she isn't part of starfleet? How does she live on Enterprise? What did he do to allow her on? Ooooh did he keep it secret? He didn't put that past himself. So he must really love her a lot then...even Bones had emphasized that.

"I like taking photos. I have for years...guess I got into taking them of you. Figures, I suppose. You're beautiful."

He smiled at her. "Yeah, I'm famished. I can cook something. I cook here don't I?" he wandered into the honestly impressive kitchen and looked around. His tools were where he'd logically place them, he found himself at home in the room in minutes.

"Uhm, what do you want? What's your favorite?"

[watersacrificed]

Every complement he gave her made her blush. From the day they met till now. Pink colored her cheeks, forcing herself to briefly look away. No, no he didn't have to see that now.

"...Thank you." She cleared her throat, following him over to the kitchen. He seemed right at home there. No need to explain where the dishes were kept or the ingredients.

"Yes, you do cook. You cook the most out of the two of us. I usually handle the desserts." Making ice cream or little cakes for them to eat on special occasions.

"I'm fine with anything you'd like to make."

[done_in_3]

Oh but he did see it. He leaned in to see more of it and smiled. She was breathtaking... he can see why he was so interested in her.

"Do you blush a lot? It's just me..." he sifted through the fridge and pantry and decided he wanted to make some artichokes... and potatoes... actually there was a recipe he used to make all the time as a kid. He happened to have all the ingredients or it, which said something since goat cheese and artichokes weren't exactly in everyone's pantries. He must make this failry often. Well it was comfort food and it was delicious. Artichoke hearts, goat and jack cheese, onions, and potatoes all layered into a stacked casserole that was all white.

"There's this thing I used to eat all the time as a kid... actually you probably already know what this is..." he gets to cooking. Soon the kitchen smells delicious and he's waiting for the oven to finish cooking their dinner. He sits at the table with some water.

"What were we doing before the accident? Where were we going?"

[watersacrificed]

"I only blush whenever you tease me, or bring it my attention that I'm pretty..." Aqua really hoped she didn't sound vain there. It was the truth, even now she didn't care much about her looks or what others thought of her. But every time he told her she looked pretty, breath taking or anything of the like, she started to blush. In some ways it was endearing. In others, it was a little bit annoying.

"Mmhmm, it's quite tasty, but you had to convince me the first time you made it.." she watched him cook, letting him fall into his normal routine whenever he made dinner. She stood by the sink, washing chopping boards and knives once he was done. The scent of food was in the air bringing back nostalgic memories. Memories...that she hoped would come back to him.

"You were taking a vacation and we were going back to the house when the accident happened. We were thinking of traveling, or staying close by....we didn't decide yet."

[done_in_3]

"Well you are pretty... do you think you aren't? I can't imagine I let that one slide." she was captivating actually. Shockingly strange at first. Who has blue hair? He wants to know if it's dyed and if so did she die... it all? He didn't know how to ask that without being weird so he didn't.

"Yeah? Bones didn't want to touch it at first either but he eats it all the time, so does Spock actually. They didn't believe a farm boy could cook. Who'd have thought?" he's pleased by the smell but the only memories it brings back are childhood ones.

"Hmm, sounds fun. We're on shore leave I assume. So... do you still want to go somewhere? I mean, it might help you. And I'm in a new place here anyway, so as long as it's all new to me we might as well be somewhere fun right?"

[watersacrificed]

"Hm? Oh, I know I am, but I don't think about it too much. You on the other hand, loved to point it out whenever you could..." she trailed on, remembering how many times in one day Jim made her blush. It was embarrassing, but fun nonetheless. Especially when she got to hear him laugh and see him smile.

"And, in case you're wondering. My hair is natural. It's all natural." Because he had the same thoughts when she first met him. Might as well satisfy his curiosity now.

"Oh, I had a feeling you could cook. The question was if you could clean up after yourself. I grew up with two boys--friends, but I treated them like brothers and being the only girl, I got to nag them to cleaning their rooms." And doing the dishes...and laundry...and everything else.

The idea to continue on with their vacation was met with a shake of her head. no, they couldn't really go out now. Not with Jim only having half of his memories. He needed to relax and let his body heal. Granted, she could try to heal on her own, but she didn't want to freak him like that. Later tonight, when he's asleep she could comb through her old spell books to see if she could find anything useful.

"No, it's alright. We haven't had the chance to enjoy our home in a very long time. I think it's best if we stay here and enjoy what we have. Unless you'd like to go out?"

Right, I'm gonna be up early... that totally happened >>

[done_in_3]

"I'm not surprised. I'd tell a woman like you every day." he's being honest. Normally he'd be coy or facetious right now but he's honest because she is his wife and he's not sure if he did anything wrong before that she's recently forgiven... being a jerk or forgetting some chore... and he blushed bright red when she spoke again. How did she... oh god she knew what he was thinking. She's good.

"Oh? Right... guess I asked that before." but since she's his wife, he supposes he learned for himself too... wait, how long had they been married? So may awkward questions...

"Yeah? Do you still see them? What were they like?" he wants to get to know her but he is also a bit aware how cutting his ignorance must be to her. He doesn't know anything about Ven or Terra, not that he knew them that intimately before. "Uhm, did you want to go see them? It might bake you feel better. I promise I won't die here on my own." certainly she had to have her own people outside Enterprise. And if she lived with him then she didn't get to see them often, she should jump on this opportunity.

"Eh? Enjoy what we have? Heh....I gave you a really bad scare, huh? I...." he looked and sounded sincere "I'm sorry. That I'm gone."

hahah its okay, I don't blame you

[watersacrificed]

"I'm not able to see them as often and they're busy these days." Which would mean that no, she wouldn't go see them while they were on shore leave. Aqua would never leave her husband when he wasn't in the best of shape.

"Ven is the youngest, goofy and always curious and always wants to make friends. Then there's Terra, the serious one out of the two of us. He has a kind heart though and always willing to help out." Though at ties Terra was a bit dense, but no need to bring that up.

She reached out to Jim, placing her hand on top of his, not daring to try and hold it or thread her fingers with his. She didn't want to push boundaries and make him feel more awkward than he probably was. She already did that with the question about her hair.

"It's not your fault. I'm not upset. I'm happy that you're alive, that's what matters most to me."

I was so tired DX plus I got to bed late

[done_in_3]

"Oh. Okay then... they sound nice." he smiled softly. "How did you end up growing up with them? Did they take you in or the other way around? Do you have family?" he's eager to learn more though, he never thought he'd have a wife, a stable family... he likely went through a lot to snag this woman. He didn't want to fuck it up. As much as he liked to say he was a cavalier and couldn't be tied down, he desperately wanted to be.

"I'll get it... soon enough at least." he looked at their hands and smiled gently. She's really nice... his wife was a good woman. "You seem better than someone I deserve... that's just a first impression." she's patient and kind and she seems honest and loyal.

Oh that was me last night xD

[watersacrificed]

While he's eager to learn more about her, she didn't want to give him all the details to confuse him or make him feel bad for asking the question. She had parents before Master Eraqus, but she couldn't remember them. In some ways she a orphan, but best not to tell him that right away. She wasn't lying to him, only feeding him little bits of information at a time.

"When I was younger I came to live with a man who treated me like his daughter. His name was Eraqus and he adopted myself and Terra at a young age, so we grew up together then when were in our teenaged years, Ven came along. The three of us were together ever since then."

She gave him a puzzled look, trying to piece together what he meant only to shake her head.

"We deserve each other. We made a promise to come back each other and though I told you to not wait for me...you still did. We went through a lot of things, Jim, but we always stuck it out--together."