Fic: The Movie Never Ends (It Goes On and On and On and On) 5/6

[ken_ichijouji]

Title: The Movie Never Ends (It Goes On and On and On and On)
Series: Star Trek XI: waterpark 'verse
Rating: PG-13 for swearing and some fade to black hanky-panky
Total Word Count: Are you ready for this shit? 44,841. It's just...it's full of stars.
Summary: Welcome to the Enterprise's newest mission, a voyage to a little planet called Castro III. For once, obeying the Prime Directive is the least of their worries. It's hard to be in Starfleet when you have to deal with transporter malfunctions, video game sessions, rings, jail cells, matador costumes, bowling matches, miscommunications, spies, observation deck talks, champagne, disciplinary hearings, new nicknames, romantic dinners, and a pair of people who won't be talking when the dust settles.
Pairing Notes: Kirk/Bones, Spock/Uhura, Sulu/Chapel
Notes: This takes place a year and eight months into the five year mission, meaning Kirk and Bones have been dating for eight months. (LOL POSTING IN MY OWN UNIVERSE OUT OF ORDER.) If you haven't read everything else in the land of waterparks and roller rinks, certain things will be confusing to you.

In which the shit finally hits the fan, a bit harder for some people than for others.

So I have a playlist for this 'verse, and as appropriate I add or subtract songs depending on the mood of the story. I added three Amy Winehouse songs, including "Love is a Losing Game." BUT...I also added Alicia Keys' "Through it All."

Director's commentary: originally Kirk and Sulu were going to sing "Roses" by Outkast. I may still have them do it in the future, it's a great mental image.

I also really feel like I should have stuck with the original summary, which was simply "Love makes you crazy." I bet you can't guess what six people that referred to, albeit some more than the others.



Approximately twenty minutes ago

“Can't we talk about this,” Jim said with his arms above his head. The sheriff was busy frisking all of them and taking their communicators away.

Terrific, now they were cut off.

The crew of the Enterprise were being ushered unceremoniously out of the building and to the jail, the people of Lebowski still surrounding them with their weapons. Not for the first time, Jim kicked his own ass inside his head. They had seemed so friendly and so peaceful with the bowling. Clearly, Scotty was on to something earlier.

Although to be fair, the others were all thinking the same thing going by the looks on their faces.

“Afraid not,” the Dude said cheerfully. “Your Federation's got things that we need, like your fancy spaceships and transporters. I'm sorry but we have to take those things so we can get out of here and this seemed like the only way to get them immediately..”

“I do not understand,” Spock said in a tone that Jim knew meant he was pissed. “This hostility is completely unwarranted and illogical. By being a part of the Federation, in due time you would...”

“In due time isn't acceptable. We've been trying to get off this rock for decades. Every single attempt we make fails, so we're stuck.” The sheriff shrugged. “Lebowski's in the only viable terrain, we know, we've explored it. It's not a life for us, it's a death sentence. We're already running low on our resources. Our people deserve something better and we aim to have it. Nothing personal.”

“It never is,” Jim heard Bones grumble from behind him.

“But again, we'd be able to help you with terraforming,” Jim said. “I mean, everything you want you'd...wait a minute. You did this on purpose.” He stopped walking. “You counted on us being so distracted by the bowling that you'd be able to overtake us.”

“Classic misdirection,” the Dude answered with a smile. “Never had any plans for joining the Federation, but I have plenty of plans for your ship and its transporters.” He thought for a moment. “By the way, have any trouble with those since you got here?”

Jim felt himself go pale. “You set that up? How could you have, you didn't even know about them!”

“No we didn't set it up, but all of the crashed ships in have caused considerable amounts of radiation to be in that debris. Kind of a messed up 'atmospheric condition,' wouldn't you say Captain?” The Dude smiled, a cold humorless smile. “Figure those fancy walkie-talkies of yours are how you tell them to come get you. Once I take those, you've got no way out.”

There was a long silence as the Starfleet officers all considered the implications of his words.

“What do you want,” Jim finally said.

“Pretty simple. We want your ship to get us out of here.” He shrugged. “Let us have the Enterprise and I'll let y'all live to fight another day.”

“You'll never get her,” Jim said with a snarl. “My crew is the best in Starfleet and they know the rules. The Federation does not negotiate with terrorists.”

“Really, I think they'll be singing a different tune when I have one of you shot in the head while they can hear it.” The Dude's smile was a little too wide. “Maybe the funny little one, I'll start with him since he's the lowest rank.”

“You are bluffing,” Chekov said between clenched teeth.

“This one's on, sir,” the librarian stated. “Do you want to use it to call the ship?”

“No, let's use it to send a little message.” The Dude took it out of her hand and threw it on the ground. He then cocked his gun and shot it with perfect accuracy, making it explode into small pieces. “Still think I'm kidding about killing you?”

Chekov simply stared back at him defiantly as Sulu moved slightly in between him and the Dude.

“You won't take any of us out, we're too important,” Kirk said flatly.

“Do you really want to test me? Go on, Captain, call my bluff.” They had stopped walking and were in front of a cell. “Get in.”

The six of them slowly made their way in without another protest or word. Everyone sat down on the two benches lining the walls except for Jim as the cell door banged closed. He watched the Dude and his army walk away.

“So. This went well.”

-----

Scotty paced across the bridge like an angry tiger trapped in a cage.

Given that the crew of the Enterprise found themselves in hostage situations far more frequently than any other Federation vessel, Spock had taken to leaving his communication line open any time he was in an away team. This way, the crew would be immediately notified to anything going wrong with their missions.

Spock's communicator just became silent after a hideously loud bang, presumably because it was destroyed.

He tried to hear what exactly was going down after the bowling match ended as well, although most of it had been garbled. Nevertheless, he had been here enough times before to know something shady was happening when he saw it..

The protocol, with which they well familiarized with at this point, was to take no action until either the landing party was four hours overdue for checking in or any hostile party contacted the Enterprise to make any demands known. Neither had occurred yet, and thus Scotty was pacing.

Oh yes, Scotty knew the rules and in any other circumstance of his being in command he would have gladly followed them. This time, though, the situation involved six out of the seven most senior officers on the ship, including the first and chief medical officers. He needed to do something.

He knew he couldn't just go in guns blazing without evidence, especially not against a people who were far behind them developmentally. He'd be liable to cause a galactic incident. Scotty also knew he couldn't allow them to keep the captain and the others in captivity (or worse) either.

Scotty cracked the knuckles on his left hand, then the right.

There had to be something.

The turbo lift opened, and Nurse Chapel stepped onto the bridge. “Got a minute, Scotty?”

Scotty stared at her. She must have been joking. “I hardly think this is the time for a chat, lass.”

“Then it's a good thing I'm not asking for one.” Her expression was stony. “I wouldn't be here if it wasn't urgent.”

Scotty gave her a confused look.

“There's not much time to explain, but I've got something you want.” She gestured with her thumb to the turbo lift door. “If you'll just come with me to the ready room...”

Scotty stared at her incredulously. “Nurse, I really don't have...”

“The time, I know. Which is why I am asking you to come with me.” Christine had obviously run out of patience. “I can't explain here, but I will be more than happy to go over everything with you in the ready room.”

On the one hand, he was really curious as to what the head nurse was going on about. On the other hand, he was kind of pissed that she was trying to order him around during an emergency. Still, if she was right and she had anything of use, he needed it.

Badly.

“Two minutes,” he finally said. He turned to Riley. “You have the conn, Lieutenant.”

Scotty gestured for her to go first and they stepped into the turbo lift together. They were silent during the short ride and even as they walked into the room. He thought for a brief moment, then pushed the locking code so they wouldn't be interrupted. She stood opposite from him on the other side of the conference table.

“This is for your ears only,” Chris began after a moment. “I'd start at the beginning, but I think it's pretty clear at this point that the people of Lebowski are not only a type of cargo cult, but aggressive. They've kidnapped Captain Kirk and the others to auction them off in exchange for the ship and the transporter technology. They've already achieved a basic form of warp drive on their own, but haven't been able to get their ships past the debris surrounding their planet.” Scotty's jaw fell open. “Their leader never planned on entering the Federation through any sort of treaty or agreement.”

“So a hostage exchange for the ship?” Scotty placed his hands on the back of a chair. “Damn, we fell right into it.” Something occurred to him then. “Wait a moment, if you knew this why didn't you say anything?”

“I didn't realize it myself until a few minutes ago, and immediately made my way to the bridge once I put two and two together. I see now going by the tension that I was a few minutes too late.” She shrugged. “We don't have a lot of time before they give their demands so we need to get in there and retrieve the others as quickly as possible. They're assuming we can't beam in and out, so they think Kirk and the others are trapped.”

“They're assuming...the transporter malfunction.” Scotty slapped his hand to his forehead. “Someone must have let it slip that they weren't working right but didn't tell them how. But Richards and Keenser fixed it this morning, we have no problems with beaming anymore.”

She nodded. “Good. I'm thinking two security officers with the two of us should be plenty, their security other than a few people with guns is surprisingly sparse. If we go in armed with phasers then...”

“Hold it, I don't understand,” Scotty held up his hands. “Why are you volunteering for this? And exactly how did you come across all of this information in the first place?”

Christine hesitated before answering. “I probably shouldn't, I feel like I've said too much as it is.”

“In for a penny, out for a pound, lass.” The engineer pointed at her. “I'm not authorizing any rescue until you give me your answer.”

“All right then,” she finally said. “Ever hear of Starfleet Black Ops?”

Scotty blinked. “I've heard talk, but I always chalked it up to being a myth. I mean, I've been in Starfleet for a while now and I've never run into any of their supposed agents.”

Christine nodded. “Until now.”

Scotty blinked again. “I can honestly say I did not expect that.”

“I'll take that as a compliment,” she said with a grin. “Computer, pull up encrypted file Lebowski seven-delta-six-three authorization Sistene password november-oscar-oscar-november-echo.”

“Sistene?”

“My code name.”

“I gathered. I meant, as in the Sistene Chap...oh, that's just unfortunate.”

“Tell me about it.” The files came up on the view screen. It was a map of the city, with certain areas highlighted in red. “Given what I saw while gathering my intel, they're most likely being held here,” she said as she pointed to a highlighted building. “However, the people have obviously taken away their communicators. The Lebowskians aren't stupid, just behind us a little. We're going to have to improvise a little in order to get everyone back. I'd say we have about ten minutes at most to get in there before the Dude starts shooting them up.”

Scotty nodded. They would have to time it precisely, that wasn't a big window at all. “If you have a closer set of schematics for that building, I should be able to roughly figure out their coordinates and get us beamed if not exactly by their cell, fairly close to.”

She nodded. “Not a problem. Computer, enhance grid coordinates charlie-three by delta-four.”

The computer did as instructed, and a larger, more clear view of the building instantly took up the entire view screen. Scotty moved and stood right in front of it, doing the math in his head.

“I think I got it,” he finally said. He turned to look at her. “Now you go ahead to the armory and get us some phasers. I'll meet you in the transporter room in five minutes with two of Cupcake's men. I think it best we keep this as quiet as possible.” He shrugged. “Do they know our protocol for away missions or for hostage negotiations?”

“As far as I can gather, they don't. Most likely, they're assuming none of us have any idea what is going on and that we won't attempt a rescue with the captain at risk.” Chris's expression turned to one of disgust. “I imagine they'll try coercing Kirk himself using the others as bargaining chips before moving on to straight ransom.”

It made a certain amount of sense, as awful as it was. Scotty nodded. “Right then. Let's just stick to what we've said. I'll see you in the transporter room in...” He checked the chronometer. “Four minutes.” Something occurred to him because of her mention of the phasers and he had to ask. “So have you ever...I mean...you know...”

Having obviously expected this, Christine sighed. “Yes I've killed people, Scotty, but only when strictly necessary.”

“Right then.” Mental note: do not cross Christine Chapel. “With that said, I need to run down to security.”

She nodded once. “I'll be out of here in a moment, I just need to take down these files and clear the memory.”

“Of course. See you in the transporter room, Lieutenant.” It wasn't fitting to call her a Nurse, not at that moment anyways. Scotty made his way out of the ready room, and as the door closed behind him he couldn't help but laugh darkly.

Starfleet Black Ops.

Would wonders never cease.

-----

“Why do all of our missions end with us in a cell,” Sulu wondered out loud.

Uhura looked hopeful. “I don't suppose Scotty and the rest of the crew know what went down?”

“The Dude said they're getting their demands together, so they'll figure it out shortly. Him shooting Spock's communicator probably has Scotty in a fit right now.” Jim leaned back against the bars. “I believe him when he says they'll start with Chekov and work their way up to me.” Everyone looked up at him. “Well, come on. You don't open with the biggest prize.”

No one could argue with that.

“If they do not issue demands in a timely manner, Mister Scott will have to wait until four hours past the time we agreed to check in,” Spock pointed out. “He will then have no choice but to follow standard protocol, assuming of course that there is anyone left to rescue.”

Bones groaned. “What a cheery thought. And who made up that rule anyways? It's almost like Starfleet wants all of this unnecessary drama all of the time.”

“You don't get to drop things just because they're inconvenient for you,” Jim found himself snapping. “I realize that's a new concept and all, but it is what it is. Get over it.”

Uhura looked up at him with obvious concern. Chekov and Spock were staring at him curiously, while Sulu made a face.

“Okay, I've had enough.” Bones, on the other hand, was pissed. He slowly stood and turned to face Jim with his jaw set. “You've been snapping at me or glaring at me over everything I've done all day. The hell is your problem?”

The captain snorted. “Nothing. Forget it.”

“No, I'm not going to forget it. I've tried asking you, but you won't talk to me. You can't run away while we're in here, so what the hell is going on?”

Jim's expression was carefully neutral. “You really want to do this?”

“I don't, I'd really...” Sulu called from where he sat.

“You obviously do, otherwise you wouldn't have made that bullshit comment just now,” Bones spat.

“...Rather you...didn't.” Sulu sighed again. He was not alone, as Nyota joined him this time. Chekov's eyes were wide and Spock had an eyebrow raised.

“Oh, so now I'm just spouting bullshit.” Jim crossed his arms. “If I'm just spouting bullshit then I don't know why you're even talking to me. Since I obviously have nothing worthwhile to say.”

“What are you talking about?” Bones had his hands on his hips. “You're not making sense, you just keep talking in circles and I've got no idea what this even is all about!”

“Of course you don't, but then that's just the problem with you isn't it?”

Bones threw up his hands. “And here we go again with the riddles. I swear, Jim, talking to you right now is making me want to napalm a God damn bridge.”

“Burning bridges, Bones? That's a little on the nose, even for you.” Jim put his hands in his pockets. “The fact that I have to spell this out for you is completely insane. If you can't figure out my problem, my incredibly obvious problem, then I don't think I have anything to say to you.”

“Oh no you don't,” Bones had walked towards him and got so close he was almost in his face. “I said you don't get to run away this time. You are going to tell me what your problem is and we are going to work this out!”

“I said I don't have anything to say to you.” Jim got in his face right back. “And besides, there's nothing to work out. Nothing's going to go away or change, so why even fucking bother?”

The anger drained out of Bones and he took a step backwards. “Nothing to work out? So...that's just it?”

“Oh don't give me that, don't act like you care,” Jim snapped. “We both know that's bullshit so just...save it.”

Realization dawned on Bones' face and he looked a little shocked. “You think I don't care about our relationship? No...you think I don't care about you, is that it? Jim, if this is about yesterday, I'm sorry, I told you how sorry I am.”

He laughed. “Whatever, this is so much bigger than you getting lost in your work. This is about the fact that for three months you've been letting me live a complete fucking lie!”

Jim had never seen Bones look quite as small as he did right then. “What?”

“Seriously, why'd you ever let me fucking say it? Why didn't you just play it straight with me? I mean, this whole thing is obviously just a game to you, so why would you lead me on? Why would you let me think this was real?” Jim was aware of the fact that he was shouting, he just didn't care at all. “Why would you trick me into thinking that you loved me?”

His voice echoed off the cell walls as a long silence stretched over the group.

Jim had been prepared for guilt, shame, anger...any number and combination of emotions to cross Bones' face with that statement.

He had not been prepared at all for the other man to just look...so completely shattered by his words. Bones looked broken, as if Jim had just ripped his heart out and stepped on it. A lot of his frustration left him at that and Jim found himself wondering if maybe he had been too quick to judge the situation.

When Bones finally spoke, his voice was timid. “You...you think...you really believe I'd do that you? You think I'd ever be able to hurt you like that?”

Shit. “Bones...”

“Don't.” Bones closed his eyes for a moment, before looking away from him completely. “Just don't.” Very quietly, he walked away from Jim in order to sit back down.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. “No, Bones wait...”

Finally deeming it safe to interrupt, Spock cleared his throat. “Captain, for the sake of propriety may I advise you to continue this conversation when the two of you are alone?”

Uhura snorted.

“I am assuming that I inadvertently made a joke of some sort as I am wont to do.” Spock looked somewhat confused. “I still do not understand the complexities of Terran humor.”

“You don't understand much, that's for sure,” Uhura snapped.

Sulu buried his face in his hands. “And here we go.”

“Nyota...as the captain and the doctor have demonstrated, I do not feel that this is the time or place for this discussion.”

“Well excuse me, but I'm not sure I should care what you feel right now. You obviously haven't spared a thought about how I'm feeling for the past few days.” The look on her face was one of barely controlled anger. “I mean really Spock, if you want to end it with me just come out and say so.”

Chekov and Jim looked at Spock with matching expressions of shock. Bones had even glanced up at the Vulcan at that. Spock blinked exactly four times.

“I...do not know where you got that idea.”

“The way you've been behaving? The stalled attempts at talking to me about something serious that you never follow through with? The jerking away from me and trying to argue with me?” Nyota crossed her arms and had both eyebrows raised. “Sweetheart, I get the message. Just tell me it's over instead of being a coward.”

“You misunderstand,” he said and he actually sounded somewhat desperate. “I only wished to...”

“What, Spock? You're supposed to be able to talk to me about anything. What is it that you suddenly can't say?” She shook her head.

“I cannot...discuss the specifics here,” he said with a slight edge to his voice. “Please understand I do not wish to terminate our relationship.”

“I asked you point-blank if you were unhappy. I asked you, Spock, and you couldn't be bothered to be honest with me. What am I supposed to believe right now?” Nyota's eyes filled with angry tears. “I can handle it, just tell me the truth. That's all I'm asking for.”

“I...cannot.” He shook his head. “Not in this manner.”

“I just told you I can handle it,” she yelled. “I swear, I could just shake you right now, you're so...”

“Enough!” Sulu shouted over top of her.

Everyone stared at him.

“Seriously. You're four grown adults and we are still technically in the middle of a mission. Can you please act like it? Right now we all have bigger concerns than your insecurities,” he gestured to Kirk and Uhura, “and your inability to communicate properly.” He gestured to Spock and Bones. “So just please. Not now.”

“Hikaru is right,” Pavel added. “He has his own relationship troubles and he is not yelling. Chapel even got locked away from him in medical and he does not complain.” There was a long silence as the four people in question were properly shamed by their friends.

Sulu, on the other hand, looked at Pavel curiously. “Wait a minute. How did you know that?”

Everyone turned to stare at the navigator, who suddenly looked more than a little nervous.

“I...you told me, Hikaru.”

“No, Pavel, I didn't. I told you she couldn't make it last night. I never told you why.“ Hikaru was staring at Pavel very intensely and it made the younger boy shrink back a little.

“I...ship's gossip...” Chekov's voice faltered and he was suddenly unable to meet Sulu's gaze.

The pilot had a sudden epiphany and it was enough to make him go completely cold. “You did it. You hacked the system and triggered the lockdown. You're responsible for locking up everyone in sick bay.”

“What,” the doctor and the captain said in unison. At the sound of each other's voice, their eyes met only for Bones to quickly avert his gaze. Jim looked at the floor for a moment before turning his attention back to Chekov.

Sulu was furious. “Did you do it to her schedule, too? Did you hack the duty roster and change her shifts?”

Chekov's silence was all the answer any of them needed.

“I don't believe this.”

“Hikaru, you don't understand.” Chekov looked scared.

Sulu snorted. “Oh go on, try and make me understand. Please.”

“You made me do it, you and Chapel.”

In spite of everything, Hikaru found himself laughing. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“She...she took you away from me!”

“I didn't ask for excuses, I asked for you to make me understand this.” This really couldn't be happening.

Pavel either didn't hear him or didn't care, he just kept right on frantically speaking. “I didn't like having to do it, but you never spend time with me! You always spend time with her! When you do spend time with me all you talk about is her! What am I supposed to do?”

“Talk to me!” Sulu shouted, having finally lost his temper. “Act like an adult instead of a spoiled five year old! Anything but sabotage my relationship!”

Uhura and Spock winced as Jim and Bones continued to stare at Chekov in utter disbelief.

Several moments passed and suddenly transporter lights began to whirl in front of the cell door. They all barely glanced up as Scotty, Chapel, Garrovick, and Ricky appeared in front of them.

“Okey dokey then,” Scotty grinned. “Just let us shoot out the lock and you'll all be free to go, my little jailbirds.”

It was then that he and Chapel noticed the scene in front of them. Three people were glaring at Chekov, who looked like he just had his heart broken. Two other people studiously avoiding each other's gaze.

Awkward.

“Wow,” he said loudly. Everyone finally looked at him then. “Interesting vibe.” Ricky took out his phaser and shot open the door. Jim pushed it open and they all slowly walked out. Scotty sighed.

At that moment, the town sheriff came around the corner. It was time to call the Enterprise, so he was here to grab the boy. He saw Scotty and the others and pulled out his gun.

Garrovick saw the movement out of the corner of his eye. “Watch it,” he shouted as he shot the gun out of the man's hand with his phaser. “We need to go.”

Scotty opened his communicator. “Richards, Keenser. Ten to beam up.”

“Stand by,” came Keenser's voice from over the link.

The lights overtook them and they all quickly found themselves in the transporter room.

Richards and Keenser took one look at the situation and both of them sighed. It never was a good sign when the people being rescued looked pissed off about it. Richards cocked her head towards the pad with a raised eyebrow and Keenser nodded at her. They quietly powered down the transporter and snuck out the back.

Whatever it was that was going to go down, they definitely didn't need to be present for it.

Kirk looked at Scotty. “Thanks, man. How'd you even know about it, they took all of our communicators.” He saw Scotty and Christine exchange a look. “Wait, why are you here?”

“Well,” she began. “I mean...they abducted my boyfriend. What was I supposed to do, just sit around and cry?”

Jim found himself nodding, because in spite of everything he knew he would do the same for Bones without hesitation. “Right, but that still doesn't explain how you knew about it.”

Scotty shrugged. “The...mission parameters were giving me a bad feeling the whole time, which is why I asked you about having security with you this morning. I just...we heard it over Spock's communicator before it was silenced.” He looked oddly flustered for a moment. “I also assumed with the...transporter malfunction that they'd think we couldn't get you out. It was short work to organize the rescue once it happened.”

Kirk looked at them both carefully and for a moment Scotty thought they were busted. Eventually, the captain gave them both a shaky smile. “Well, I'm glad you did. Thanks you two.” He looked at Ricky and Garrovick. “You guys too, thanks.”

The redshirts nodded and made their way out of the transporter room and back to their posts.

“Hikaru,” Christine said with concern in her voice. “Are you all right?”

Sulu was still glaring at Chekov. “Not by half.”

Pavel finally met his gaze again and his eyes were full of tears. “Hikaru, I...”

“No.” Sulu shook his head. “Not now. Just...you need to stay away from me.”

The navigator's shoulders slumped. “Hikaru.”

“I said get away from me, Pavel.” He turned on his heel and stormed out of the transporter room, not even sparing a glance back to his girlfriend.

Needless to say, she and Scotty both were gaping in shock.

“You know what? That's a really good idea,” Bones said to no one in particular. “I think I'll steal it.” He quickly followed suit. As he stepped down off the pad, he bumped into Chekov. The young navigator looked up at him with a frightened expression. “You I just can't even deal with,” Bones snapped at him. He continued to storm out of the room and Jim's face fell as a result.

“Captain,” Spock whispered. “I know this is probably not the time, but Mister Chekov's behavior...”

“I know, Spock.” Jim sighed. He looked for a moment at his navigator, who was staring at the floor. “I'm honestly kinda freaked out by it.”

“According to regulations, I am required to issue a disciplinary...”

Kirk shook his head. “No, Spock, I'll handle it this time. I have to say punishing him...frankly, it seems redundant.”

Spock nodded; there was some truth in that. He glanced over at Nyota and felt his face flush from shame. “I...too shall follow Mister Sulu's example. There is much I wish to consider.”

With that, he left the transporter room. Chekov quietly followed suit after giving Jim an apologetic look.

“I'm gonna go too,” Scotty announced. The other three looked at him. “I have to...finish my personal account of the day's events.” He sighed. “As far away from here as possible,” he added under his breath. Chapel nodded.

“I really should go check on Hikaru.”

Scotty was already out the door when Christine began to follow. Uhura sighed loudly and started to walk away.

Jim lightly grabbed her by the arm. She looked up at him.

“So you were right, I jinxed myself,” he said with a crooked smile. “Although, I didn't mean to jinx you guys too.”

“You didn't, we did this to ourselves,” she remarked. It was the truth, after all. “All we can do now is try to pick up the pieces.”

“Yeah, about that. He's not dumping you,” he said. “The opposite, actually. He wants to propose.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“Yeah. It's probably not my place, but he told Sulu and I when we were on that horrible mission to Atlus. He wants to marry you. Vulcans just...you know them, it's like they make a business contract and I'm assuming he doesn't want that for you. It sounds like he's been going about it the wrong way, and he probably freaked out that you'd catch on before he could ask.” Jim smiled crookedly at her. “He's scared shitless, I guess of you saying no, so just...I don't know.” The smile faded. “I shouldn't be giving anyone advice right now.”

Uhura looked at him with sympathy. She let what he said sink in for a moment, and a plan began to form. She quickly pushed it aside, because she was standing with a hurting friend and that was more urgent. “May I return the favor?”

Jim shrugged.

“He loves you,” she said succinctly. “He does. I don't know what he's been doing or hasn't been doing to make you feel like he doesn't, but I do know...that when you think no one is looking, he always is. Without fail, it's there in his eyes.” It was her turn to smile reassuringly. “You're his world.”

Jim looked down at the floor. “I...thanks. I guess I'm just a dumbass.”

“No argument there.” He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and she shrugged. “Right now, so am I. I do think that there's still time for us to fix things, if you're up for it.”

He didn't smile, he couldn't do that yet, but he did nod a few times. She was right, there was still time and he intended to make very good use of it.

They walked out of the transporter room and together made their way up to the bridge.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the hall Christine was jogging in an attempt to catch up to the Chief Engineer. “Scotty!”

Scotty stopped where he stood and turned around. “What?”

She continued to run, stopping only once she was right in front of him. Grabbing his arm lightly, she carefully steered him into an alcove away from prying eyes. Once she was satisfied that no one was in the vicinity, she whispered “About your log...”

Oh that. “Don't worry, I won't spill your secret. I won't even mention you...as far as Starfleet will be concerned, I figured it all out myself.”

Chris nodded. Good. “I'm glad we're on the same page, but there is another reason why I'm talking to you.”

Scotty narrowed his eyes. This didn't sound good. “Do tell.”

“It's just that...no one can know about me.”

The engineer rolled his eyes. “I know. Which is why I'm keeping it out of the incident report.”

“No, I don't think you understand me,” she said sternly. “No. One. Can. Know.”

Scotty was this close to losing his patience with her when it suddenly occurred to him what she meant. “You mean the Captain, don't you?”

“Not just him, I mean not Spock, or Leonard...” Her face became sad for a moment. “Hikaru...no one else on this ship.” Chris quickly went back to being all business. “Black Ops code 46-237A states in extreme emergencies I am permitted to reveal myself to the captain or, in a case like today, the acting commanding officer. Now that things are normal again however, it's back to hiding in plain sight.” She paused for a moment before finally continuing. “With your help, I mean.”

Scotty's eyebrows raised into his hairline. “It's one thing for me to omit certain information, it's another thing for you to ask a superior officer to lie for you.”

“I think you'll do it.”

“I'm pretty sure that I won't.”

“The information I have regarding a certain incident that happened shortly before you got shipped to Delta Vega says otherwise.”

Scotty crossed his arms and barked out a laugh. “Everyone knows what I was doing to get me shipped there. You don't have anything on me.”

“Not the thing with Archer's dog. I'm talking about the incident involving Barnett's passwords. The Starfleet mainframe. You know the one.”

The smile ran away from Scotty's face. “How did you find out about that?”

Chris smirked. “I am very good at what I do.” She turned serious once again. “You don't want Kirk to find out about that. His hands will be tied, no matter how much he likes you or how good you are at your job.”

“Bollocks,” Scotty mumbled as he scrubbed his face with his right hand. “What do you want?”

“Just a little assistance maintaining my cover,” she smiled. “The computer can't track me when I run down to a planet's surface and I need that to stop. You take care of that, and I'll delete the information I have on you. I'll even forget I ever saw it.”

All things considered, that wasn't too bad. “Quid pro quo?”

She nodded. “Quid pro quo.”

He thought for another moment or two, before taking a look around the hall himself. Still clear. “Fine, you've got yourself a deal.” Chris smiled again and they shook on it. She stepped sideways out of the alcove and took a glance around.

“See you, Scotty. And thanks.” With a jovial wave, she was off to look for her boyfriend.

Scotty waited for a moment before he stepped out of the alcove himself.

Bugger.

-----

“Sir,” the sheriff shouted as he ran into his office. The Dude looked up at him warily from where he sat behind the desk, the five remaining communicators assembled in front of him.

“Yeah?”

“The prisoners have escaped!”

The Dude slapped his desk. “What did you just say?”

The sheriff took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. “The prisoners escaped. Their crew mates must have caught on from when we shot their phone thing and four of them appeared from out of nowhere. They were armed and they took out my gun.”

“Well why didn't you grab them?” This is unacceptable!”

“I couldn't sir, they just disappeared into thin air. Their teleporters must not have been broken after all.” The sheriff was breathing heavily. “I tried but they were gone before I could grab any of them.”

The Dude looked thoughtful for a moment. He then picked up one of the communicators and played with it a bit in his hands. “Think we can reverse engineer these?”

The sheriff looked it over. “I don't see why not.”

“Good.” The Dude stood and looked out the office window. “Those Federation saps got away and beat us at bowling.” He grabbed the windowsill tightly. “It may take some time, but they'll see that both of those things were a mistake.”

The sheriff nodded.

“Yes, they'll see that soon enough,” The Dude added quietly. “And Daniel?”

“Sir?”

“I just decided to have a special election for sheriff next week.” He glared at the other man, who swallowed loudly. “You better hope you don't win.”

-----

After stopping by the bridge to make sure that they were getting as far the hell away from Castro as possible, Jim gave Bones thirty minutes to himself. He contemplated using the ship's computer to locate him, but it wasn't really necessary. There were only two places he could be and given the state he was in, Jim highly doubted he had gone to his office.

That left the observation deck.

Sure enough, when he got there the door had been locked with a medical override. It was a quick matter for him to use the same code to unlock and then re-lock the door behind him. The room was empty, except for one person sitting in a spot on the floor up front.

For some reason whenever he lost a patient, missed Jo too much, or just generally had a shit day, Bones had gotten into a habit of going there to think. When he would be able, Jim would come sit with him in silence until the doctor would say he was ready to go. Inevitably, Jim would apologize for not doing more but he was always assured that just being there was enough.

The thought of those comments made Jim feel a bit ashamed as he quietly made his way over to his partner. At the sound of his footsteps, Bones glanced up briefly. His shoulders sagged a little and he immediately began to stare out the window once more.

Jim knelt down so that he was facing Bones. They sat in silence for a time, neither of them quite knowing where to begin.

“Why...” he spoke at last. “I mean. Do you love me?”

Bones closed his eyes. “How can you even ask me that?”

“Please just give me a yes or a no,” Jim earnestly replied.

His face turned towards him and Jim took a deep breath at what he saw. Uhura had been right, it really was in his eyes. “Of course I do.”

He felt like he wanted to smile, like he wanted to just throw his arms around the other man and never let him go. Unfortunately there was a lot more to talk about, so he couldn't do that just yet. “Then I don't understand. Why won't you tell me?”

There was a long pause, and he thought about repeating the question just in case Bones hadn't heard it. It proved to be unnecessary, as Bones began to speak. “The last year of my marriage, at least the last year before we decided to end it, I told Jocelyn I loved her every single day.” He thought for a moment before continuing. “And you know, I don't think I meant it even one of those times.” He sighed. “When it was all over, I told myself that when - if - I ever found someone else, that I wouldn't rely on empty words. That I'd do things to prove it and back them up.” Bones shook his head. “Seems I can't even do that right.”

“But you don't...you've never said it at all. To back them up, I mean.”

“I realize that now.” His expression turned somewhat bitter. “Obviously, I've gone too far in the opposite direction because you honestly had no idea how I feel.”

Jim lost himself in thought for a moment before certain things started to click in his memory. “Is that why you started doing things like taking your coffee black? Because I always grab yours by mistake and I hate sugar in my coffee?”

Bones nodded.

“And that's why you always come here when you're upset. Because...we started dating here?”

Bones nodded again. “Good memories to counter-act the blues.”

“And you call our quarters home...”

Bones shrugged this time. “Home is wherever you'll be.”

Jim was incredibly moved by that. “And it's why no matter how tired you are...you always, always see to how I'm doing. You...never put yourself ahead of me.” He was also struck by the fact that he was an insensitive asshole. “I'm such an insensitive asshole.”

“No, you're not.” Bones fully turned his body so they were facing one another. “You had no idea about my issues. It's not right of me to just expect you to know this. And it's definitely not fair for me to assume that you'll understand.”

“I still should have noticed.” He felt awful. “I should've just asked...”

“That I won't argue with.”

“...But I was scared.” Jim looked down at his hands for a moment. “I mean, you...you weren't saying it and the only reason I could come up with was that you didn't and...God it just hurt so much.”

“I can imagine,” Bones remarked somewhat dryly.

Jim picked at the denim on one of his knees. “I didn't want to ask, because I didn't want the answer. ” He bit his lip. “It just, it felt like you had one foot out the door and I had no idea what I was supposed to do.” He looked down at his hands again. “I mean, I know I said once that I'd be okay if things didn't work out because they just didn't, but Bones...it's not true. I won't be. You're a lot to lose.” He thought for a moment. “And I'm an idiot.”

“You're not, not really. Not about this.” Bones sighed. “I can't blame you for feeling the way you have been, but Jim? We're never going to make it if we don't talk to each other.”

“No, I know, you're right,” Jim said. “I should've come to you about this, instead of jumping to conclusions. You've never let me down before, and I have no idea why I was so quick to assume you had this time. I should've just asked you, and I'm sorry I didn't. I'm also sorry for all of those horrible things I said. There's not...I didn't mean it. When I said we had nothing to discuss. I didn't mean that I didn't want to try. I was just really upset.” He smiled, albeit a tentative one. “I know that doesn't make it okay, but I am sorry.”

“Well, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you what was going on; as good as we are at reading each other, I shouldn't be assuming you can always tell what I'm thinking. And I'm sorry I pushed you into that fight, but I got a little scared myself. You're a lot to lose, too, you know.”

The two gazed at each other with open emotions on their faces for a long time, neither quite ready to break the spell.

“I have to say,” Bones finally began. “I was wondering when this would happen.”

The smile on Jim's face became a bit confused. “When what would?”

“Our first fight. I mean, it was inevitable.”

“We bitch at each other constantly, though,” Jim pointed out.

“No, the Chief Medical Officer and the Captain bitch at each other constantly.” Bones raised one eyebrow. “Jim and Bones...don't.”

This was very true. “Well...okay. Then yes, this was our first one. Never let it be said we do anything halfway.”

“I'd hope not,” Bones said as he stood. He then reached a hand down and helped Jim up. “We haven't quite finished making up yet.”

“We haven't?” Jim tilted his head to one side. “I mean, do we shake on it or...” He stopped talking when he saw the look on Bones' face and his smile turned coy. “Oh.”

Not letting go of his hand, Bones began to lead him back to their quarters because really...what more could he say to that?

-----

Pavel walked from the engineering decks all the way up to the bridge and back slowly, before he finally decided that it was time to stop putting off the inevitable and head back to his and Sulu's quarters.

He entered the code and hesitated for a moment before entering the opened doors.

The rooms were dark.

Obviously, Sulu hadn't come back yet.

Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding, he slowly made his way over to their couch and sat.

And waited.

Nearing the one hour mark, the door finally opened and Sulu stepped inside the room. Swallowing nervously, Chekov stood. At the movement, Sulu glanced over to the sofa. “Computer, lights.”

After sitting in the dark for so long, Pavel blinked for a moment in the sudden brightness. Once his eyes adjusted, he looked at Sulu and he deflated a bit at the expression he saw on the pilot's face. Not knowing what else to do, he raised his hand in a wave.

Sulu didn't return it; instead he turned and made his way towards their bathroom.

Still mad, then.

Pavel followed him. “Hikaru, I understand. You are...very upset. I forgive you yelling.”

Sulu froze. He slowly turned around in the doorway of their bathroom and his face was scarily blank. “You forgive me?” He looked down at the floor for a moment and his hands clenched into fists. “That's hilarious. You forgive me for doing something that I had every right to.”

That wasn't how this was supposed to go. “No, I mean...”

“Let me break this down for you.” Hikaru finally met his gaze and it was cold. “I'm not mad at you for being upset with me about Christine. You're right, I have been absorbed in my relationship. I have been ignoring our friendship for her. I have talked about her incessantly. It was not on purpose, but I did it and I take full responsibility for that. I am also genuinely sorry for it. But Pavel...you sabotaged me.”

“Hikaru...”

“You deliberately sabotaged me, more than once. The worst part is that it looks like it was easy for you.”

Pavel shook his head furiously. “No, was not easy! Was never easy!”

“And when I caught on to it, instead of coming clean you lied to me! You lied right to my face without even hesitating. You didn't even have the decency to say you were sorry!”

“But I am sorry!” Pavel had tears in his eyes again, but he didn't really care. “I should never have done it! I am sorry!”

“I mean, do you really even grasp what you did?” Hikaru didn't really hear him as he continued his speech. “What if an emergency happened and people needed to get into the medical wing? Pavel, people could have died because of you. And I don't think that ever occurred to you at all.”

Pavel's eyes widened. Hikaru was right, he was so caught up in himself it had never even crossed his mind that he could hurt someone. No wonder Doctor McCoy had been so angry with him in the transporter room. Oh God, he could lose his commission for this. “I did not...I meant no...”

“It doesn't matter what you meant, Pavel, what matters is what you did.” Sulu shook his head. “I shouldn't be that surprised, really. I've seen you be dishonest with people hundreds of times over little things like video games. You've even done it to me, and I let you get away with it every single time, treating it like a joke, because I thought that one day you were going to grow up and figure it out on your own. I thought you'd finally realize that your actions have consequences and that just because you can do something, it doesn't mean you should.” Sulu scrubbed his face with his hand. “It's as much my fault as yours. So there's only one thing I can do here.”

The blood drained out of Pavel's face. “No, please...”

“All I've been doing is enabling you. I can't be your conscience anymore, I can't tell you it'll be okay. You're obviously not learning anything so this is it.” To his credit, Hikaru looked somewhat sad himself. “You don't have to move out...”

“Hikaru,” Pavel bit his lip.

“...And we can work together on the bridge...” He looked at the wall for a moment. “But we're not friends anymore, Pavel. We can't be.”

“Remember what we said? We are best friends and to never forget that!” Pavel was begging but he didn't care. “Hikaru please!”

“No, Pavel.” Sulu shook his head. “I said I'm done.”

Shocked, the ensign took a step backwards. “Forever?”

“I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not.” Thinking better of going into the bathroom, he gently pushed past Pavel and began to make his way out of their quarters.

“No Hikaru, please...” Pavel started to try and follow him. Sulu stepped out into the hall and he ran down it towards the turbo lift. Pavel stood in the door way and yelled after him “Please Hikaru, please! Please do not...” The turbo lift door closed. “...Go.”

Pavel stepped backwards from the door and, as it slid closed, he finally let himself cry.

-----

Spock had spent the better part of the evening doing non-essential and menial tasks in the xeno-bontany laboratory.

He was, as Nyota often said, hiding in his work.

After several hours of such diversion, he ran out of things to do and realized that he could either continue to delay the inevitable or he could face everything that had been going on the past few days. As illogical as it was, the first option seemed to be the preferable one.

No, there had been enough of that. Letting his fears, as irrational as they were, control him was what had caused this unfortunate situation in the first place. He needed to just do what was necessary.

He gathered his thoughts as he made his way up the turbo lift and to his and Nyota's quarters. Briefly he wondered if Jim and Chekov were faring well with their somewhat similar problems, although he was still illogically dismayed at Chekov's behavior. He walked down the corridor and found himself in front of their door soon enough.

Hesitating slightly, he gently entered the access code and stepped inside.

The lights were dim, and there appeared to be a dinner set for two on their table.

Fascinating.

“I was beginning to get worried,” a voice called from across the room. Nyota was standing in a black dress that he was particularly fond of and a smile on her face. “Welcome home.” She began to make her way to him from across the room.

Spock blinked at her. When they parted, she had been angry. This change in temperament did not make sense. “I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage.”

“I'm supposed to,” she said warmly. “That's what happens with surprises.” She stood before him, raising her head to meet his gaze. “I am sorry for what I said earlier. I had no right to make assumptions about your behavior and I'm sorry that I was so hurtful.”

“I understand,” Spock said. He actually did. “My behavior has been uncharacteristically erratic of late. Your conclusions, while based primarily in emotion, were somewhat logical. I apologize for giving you the wrong impression.”

“Apology accepted,” she answered with a smile. “Although, there is one more thing before we move on.”

She then did something rather extraordinary.

She got down onto her left knee.

“S'chn T'gai Spock,” she began as she took his hands in hers. “We have known each other and grown together as one since my days as a student. You are more than my partner, more than my lover...you are my th'y'la.” Rather uncharacteristically, her voice was shaking. “Will you do me the honor of being my husband?”

Spock stared at her for a long moment and his eyes, for the first time, were full of undisguised affection. Full of love. “I...accept.”

The smile on Nyota's face was luminous. He helped her to her feet and then embraced her. They held one another for a short while, before he finally remembered the object that he had been keeping on him since their stop on Bajor. Spock pulled apart from her to reach into his pocket, where he pulled out the small black box.

“I believe that it is customary for me to give you such an item,” he said as he opened it and she gasped.

The ring was deceptively simple looking at a glance, but was made of a platinum like material. An ornate pattern made of tiny clear crystals decorated the band down the middle that showed only when the light caught it a certain way. It was perfect.

Nyota held out her left hand and he delicately slid it onto her ring finger. Her smile grew even brighter and she leaned in to kiss him softly.

They stayed that way for quite a while and then she broke it. “I had Muriel make your favorites, I hope you don't mind.”

“It...would be illogical,” he managed as she led him to the table. “Nyota...” He held her chair out for her and she sat elegantly.

“Yes?”

“Am I to assume that we are proceeding as if the last few days have not occurred?”

She looked up at him thoughtfully for a moment. “I wouldn't say exactly that.” She turned a bit more serious. “Spock, please don't ever think that I want you as anything other than yourself. I want you, only you, just the way you are.”

Spock leaned down and kissed her a second time. “I shall...endeavor to remember that going forward.” Something occurred to him then as he sat next to her. “There is something else.”

“Oh?” A napkin was elegantly placed in her lap. “You're not going to play music again are you?”

“No.” He thought for a moment before proceeding. “I have bought you a gift. When we arrive at Starbase Fourteen in two weeks, it will be ready.”

“Spock, you shouldn't have,” she said with a touched look on her face. “Really, that was too much.”

Almost imperceptibly, he shrugged. “It seemed appropriate in light of my recent behavior.”

Nyota looked intrigued. “Well, can I know what it is? Two weeks is a long time.”

“I do not see why not. It is an item that I have been assured is exceedingly popular among Terrans. It is also practical, has many uses, and does not take up much room.”

“Really?” Admittedly, her mind went to a somewhat inappropriate place with what he had described. She blamed the lack of sleep and spending a night exchanging dirty limericks in Klingon with Kirk.

“Yes. It is called a Cuisinart.”

Nyota stopped smiling, and she made a strange face. Her lips began to twitch upwards repeatedly. “A Cuisinart.”

“I thought it was appropriately romantic,” Spock said with a raised eyebrow. He suddenly had the same foreboding feeling he did whenever Doctor McCoy would compliment him. “It is not to your taste.”

While he had been speaking, Nyota had cast her eyes downward. Her shoulders had begun to shake rather violently and her hands had clenched into fists.

“Nyota?”

She couldn't take it any longer and burst out into hysterical laughter. She laughed for a long interval, pausing only to take deep shuddering breaths before laughing again.

Spock found he was somewhat irritated by this. “I must admit I do not understand your reaction.”

“Oh, oh no,” she gasped. “I'm not laughing at you! I just...well, I said I wanted you to be yourself with me. This just...you couldn't have done anything more like you. It's the timing, is all.” Finally having stopped laughing, she took his hand. “It's very thoughtful, Spock, thank you.”

Satisfied, he relaxed somewhat and put his own napkin into his lap. “You are welcome.”

Nyota caressed his face once. “Now, let's eat before it gets cold.”

-----

“Okay um,” Jim said as Bones kissed him repeatedly. “We're going to have to fight all the time if this is what happens afterwards.”

Bones started laughing into a kiss. “Your priorities are terrible.”

“Terribly awesome,” Jim muttered. “I mean, just...wow.”

They shifted so that Jim was laying on his back with Bones laying next to him on his side. There was an incredibly warm and soft expression on the doctor's face and it caused Jim's heart to thump a little in his chest. Eventually, the attention made him a bit embarrassed and he felt himself slightly blushing.

“What?”

“I love you.”

The blond blinked rapidly before sitting up and saying, “Oh no, I don't want you doing that just because...”

“I'm not.” Bones sat up as well so that they were eye-to-eye. “I'm doing it because it's true and I should've been doing it all along.”

Jim relaxed his shoulders.

“So shut the hell up...” Bones couldn't help but smile as Jim raised an eyebrow at him. “And accept it.”

Jim grinned. “And my priorities are the ones in question? You're the one telling me off while trying to be romantic.”

“You wouldn't have me any other way,” Bones pointed out.

“No, I guess not,” Jim conceded. He leaned in and they kissed. “Oh and Bones,” he said as he moved to lay back down.

“Yeah?” Bones quickly joined him, and he placed his head on the doctor's shoulder.

“I know.”

He couldn't see the smile on his face, but he knew there was one as Bones snorted above him.

Chapter Four | Epilogue