ken_ichijouji (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ken_ichijouji) wrote2010-12-27 04:31 pm
ken_ichijouji) wrote2010-12-27 04:31 pm
Entry tags:
Fic: To the End (La Comédie) 1/7
Title: To the End (La Comédie)
Series: Star Trek XI (as if I write for anything else these days)
Rating: PG-13/R for some violence, swearing, and fade-to-black sexy stuff
Summary: You are cordially invited to the Starfleet social function of the year. That is, assuming these terrorists and the Enterprise Crew's own issues don't get in the way.
Disclaimer: I own nothing that has to do with the characters featured in Star Trek or the Stark Trek movie from 2009. No harm was meant, so put the lawyers away, man.
Notes: So this is it. The final multi-part story in the water park 'verse. It is bigger, longer, and crazier than any of the others. There are weddings and terrorists and candy and sex and illness and memos and Pike and spies and, most of all, adventure.
The title is from the Blur featuring Françoise Hardy song. “We've been drinking far too much, and neither of us quite mean what we say.” I think that sums up some permutation of every conceivable pairing in this fandom. Search your feelings, you know this to be true.
This story begins on Kirk and Bones one-year mark, which is three months give or take since “Jackie Wilson Said.” The usual pairing suspects are all present, with the one new addition.
The formatting for Kirk's memo comes from this website. My friend who is actually in the Navy (![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
faoi_cheilt ;_;) assures me that it's accurate. Thanks go as always to her, inugrlrayn, and cryogenia for their support, betaing, general hand-holding, and necessary criticism.
Chapel being six courses short of her M.D. comes from the TOS movies where she is not only Dr. Christine Chapel, but a CMO in her own right. It's hard to finish school when you get recruited into being a spy, don't'cha know?
The song that Jim uses is “Ball and Biscuit” by The White Stripes. This is one of the hottest songs ever, so there.
Yes, I am using Lieutenant Marla McGivers. According to Memory Alpha, she is a control systems specialist in addition to being ship's historian. (Which explains why the red and not blue, because that always frankly bugged me. Librarians get blue, why not historians?) And no, there is no Khan Noonien Singh in this fic. Because I don't like him. (I'm probably going to get booed for that. But seriously, all the villains they had and he gets the sequel movie? He was boring.) Anyways for the purposes of this story, imagine her as being played by Emma Stone.
Yes, Dr. Sylvester's first name is Sue. Could you imagine having her be your doctor? I mean, people think McCoy's bad. “YOU THINK THAT’S HARD? TRY LIVING WITH HEPATITIS, THAT’S HARD.” “...Hepatitis is what I came in here for. :C” “Shut up! ::hyposprays::”
The part of Julien de Maupassant will be played by Vincent Cassel. The man had me at Le Pacte des Lupes/Brotherhood of the Wolf, dude. Hot. Even hotter? He and Chris Pine arguing passionately with each other while separated only by the thin forcefieldy-wall of the brig cells. Yes, you can all thank me for that mental image. I am awesome. Related: go see Black Swan. Because it is a beautifully shot, wonderfully acted film, and Vincent Cassel is wonderful in it.
I may have also given Jim Chris Pine's hatred of the paparazzi. Oops?
This fanfic is dedicated toloreamara and her recently deceased cat, Julien, for whom Julien de Maupssant was named. I know it doesn't bring him back, sweetheart, but it's the only thing I can do. <3
2260.238
MEMORANDUM
From: Captain, USS Enterprise
To: All Hands
Subject: Reminders
1. We will be arriving back on Earth for system upgrades in three days. If you notice any pieces of equipment that are in special need of repair, please pass the information along to Chief Engineer Scott so we can ensure it gets handled.
2. There will be two weeks of shore leave while the Enterprise is docked. As always, I remind you all that you are representing Starfleet with your actions in and out of uniform. We do have an ethical standard as well as a professional one and I don't want to hear about any incidents when we get back. (And I will hear about them.)
3. We still need to be cautious regarding the possibility of attack from the Aehallh. I realize we're close to home but that doesn't mean we can drop our guard. If you notice any unmarked vessels getting too close to us, notify security to sound the yellow alert immediately.
4. Commander Spock will have the conn and Dr. M'Benga will be on duty in medical starting at 18:00 this evening. Under absolutely no circumstances are myself or Dr. McCoy to be disturbed tonight. I mean it. Don't test me.
5. Have a great Sunday!
J.T. KIRK
-----
Montgomery Scott made a noise that was somewhere between a chuckle and a snort as he finished the memo. He placed the PADD on the counter next to him and began to go back over the control panel, making notes of where the shorts were located with Keenser.
“What is so funny,” Pavel Chekov asked from where he sat across the room. His duty shift ended an hour before and, as was his current habit, he went down to engineering to be with Scotty.
Without looking at him, Scotty grabbed the PADD again and passed it over his shoulder. Pavel hopped up from his seat and skipped over, taking it delicately out of his hand. He read silently for a moment before making a loud gagging noise.
“Understand it is their anniversary,” he groused as he handed it back. “It is not that I am not happy for them. Must they flaunt it so?” Keenser nodded his agreement.
Scotty shrugged. “I don't know, I think it's nice. Not that the abuse of authority isn't somewhat worrying, because it is, but they're happy. They don't mean to flaunt it, they just can't hide it.”
Chekov clucked his tongue twice. “I suppose I cannot blame them. Subtlety, after all, was a Russian invention.” He stood up on his tiptoes to peer over his shoulder. “Almost finished?”
“Just about,” he said, his focus still on the console. “Just one more to check and...there we are.” He pat the side of the machine fondly. “All set, love.” He grabbed one side of the cover. “Lend a hand, Pavel?”
Chekov smiled. “Of course.” He quickly grabbed the other side of it and helped Scotty slowly place it back over the console where it belonged. It took them a moment to line it up right and they gently slid it down. Scotty grabbed his sonic screwdriver and began to refasten it into position as Chekov watched him with a smile, Keenser doing the same on his end.
“There we are.” He put the screwdriver down and as he wiped his brow his stomach growled. Scotty grinned sheepishly.
Chekov raised an eyebrow. “Once more, you forget to eat lunch?”
The engineer kept grinning, although he did flush a bit as he ran his hand through his hair.
The navigator smirked. “You are lucky that I am clever.” He then turned and gestured at a picnic basket and large thermos with two cups sitting on the floor. There was a gold and red plaid blanket spread out beneath them along with two cushions to sit on.
Scotty blinked. “Oh. You know, I was wondering what that was.”
The expression on Chekov's face changed into a sweet smile. “All of your favorites, grilled cheddar and ham, chips...”
Scotty went over to the basket and peered inside. “A jam trifle?” He looked back up at his friend. “Pavel this...you shouldn't have.”
Pavel shrugged. “Always you forget to eat.” He smiled again. “I wanted to do this for you, also.”
Scotty's face became a combination of touched and embarrassed. He couldn't remember a time where anyone had thought to do something so thoughtful for him, not since the last time he and his older sister went camping. It made him feel incredibly warm, light, and not a little flustered.
“You are my favorite.”
Chekov's eyes widened for a moment before he became incredibly pleased. “That works then, as you are my favorite as well.” He sat on one of the cushions as Scotty blushed a second time. Quickly joining him, he reached into the basket to pull out a sandwich and the chips. Pavel poured them both drinks, a whisky punch that Scotty loved.
Keenser watched the pair before rolling his eyes. Without so much as a word, the small green man decided to make himself scarce.
Honestly, they thought the captain and the doctor were nauseating?
-----
“Chris! Hey Chris!” Hikaru Sulu called as he raced down the corridor to try and catch up to his girlfriend. “Chris!”
Christine Chapel stopped where she stood and turned to face him with a smile. “Hey you,” she said in a chipper tone. “What's up?”
He stopped running just in front of her. “Not much, just wanted to see what you were up to tonight.”
There was a pause before she answered. “Oh. Well, I have charts to go over. We're studying the affects of those Klabnian anti-bodies on auto-immune disorders. So far it looks good, but Leonard asked me to keep reviewing them for him as he'll be...indisposed tonight.” Christine made a face.
Sulu, however, was a little confused by what she said. “I don't...you're a nurse though. No offense or anything, but shouldn't M'Benga or Sylvester do that?”
“It's...good practice.” She shrugged. “I'm just six credits short of my M.D., so he figured I could use the experience.”
The pilot blinked. “I never knew that. Why didn't I know that?”
She shrugged. “Because I never told you?”
“Fair enough.” He smirked and put an arm around her shoulders. She effortlessly leaned into him and slid an arm around his waist.
“So I'm sorry, but it won't be until late that I'm free.”
“Gotcha.” They walked together for a moment, heading toward a turbo lift. “So what else are you hiding from me, Christine Chapel?”
For some reason, this made her stiffen. It passed and as she grinned up at him he forgot about it. “The four other men in my life, the fact that I'm actually French, and my ability to hit a target perfectly with a phaser rifle from five hundred meters.”
“Only four?”
“Just four.”
He smirked again. “I'm okay with all of these things. Especially the second one, oh-la-la.” She rolled her eyes but the grin never left her face. “No seriously, it's fine. I'll see if Riley's off duty or something. But give me a ring when you're done, okay?”
“Of course,” she said as she kissed him on the cheek. “As soon as I'm finished I'll message you.” Having reached their destination, Hikaru let go of her shoulders and she stepped into the lift. They smiled at each other for a moment before she leaned forward and kissed him once. “See you later, Hikaru.”
Hikaru waved back to her as the lift door shut.
-----
The bridge was more quiet than usual as Commander Spock sat in the captain's chair, reviewing several reports from the recent mission to Deneb V. They would still need Kirk's final approval, but as they were not urgent it could wait until the following day.
He stared for a moment at the PADD in his hands.
Spock did not commonly get headaches, but he felt one coming on just behind his eyes. Absently, he pinched the bridge of his nose before moving on to the next report. It took him a moment to focus properly on the words and he pinched the bridge of his nose a second time.
Perhaps he was in need of meditation. His recent schedule had not allowed for much of that.
He moved his hand from the bridge of his nose to the back of his neck, as the headache began to spread its dull pain to that location. He continued to read for a moment, squinting a bit before raising the font size to be more manageable.
Spock read in silence for several minutes before he sensed that he was being watched. He looked around him on the bridge until he made eye contact with Nyota. The concern was visible on her face as she silently asked if he was all right. Spock nodded once and she nodded herself in return.
Just that small gesture made him feel much better and as the ring on her finger caught the light, his heart filled with affection for her.
She really was extraordinary.
The night they became engaged they discussed their plans for the future. Both of them agreed that a long engagement was the best option for what they wanted. The plan was to be wed during the break after the five year exploratory mission was complete, thus enabling them the freedom to begin their family immediately. As much as they enjoyed their time on the Enterprise, a starship was not really a place to raise a child.
Her skills as a xenolinguist would be invaluable for diplomacy and perhaps he would move on to become an ambassador like his father.
As they turned away from each other, the pain began to flow more freely. He made a note to himself to go down to medical should it still be persisting by the next morning.
After all, it was a simple headache. It was illogical to see a doctor for something so trivial.
-----
Jim leaned his head back against Bones' shoulder with a smile on his face, his arms wrapping around him in response.
They were laying on the couch together, Jim's back to Bones' front, as they relaxed after their anniversary dinner. The pair elected to keep it somewhat simple and low-key, just baked salmon in their quarters with some champagne and music in the background.
Jim held his hands in his own and sighed a little.
It was hard to believe that it already had been a year since they got together, and yet so much had changed. But here they were, stronger and happier than either of them could recall being ever before.
To call it wonderful would be an understatement of epic proportions.
“I still say we should've done this four days ago,” Bones said in a low voice. Jim snorted as he turned his head to face him.
“Not after the way you reacted that night.”
Bones had a surprised look on his face. “I wasn't that bad.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “Bones, you pulled out a bulleted list about why I should back the hell off because you thought I was fucking with you.”
The doctor winced. “Okay, yeah, I did do that.”
“And that's not even touching the part where I failed all over you,” Jim said as he clucked his tongue.
“I wouldn't...fail is a strong word.” Bones was visibly straining from the effort of trying this tact thing he kept hearing about. “Although in retrospect it really wasn't such a bad thing. You were trying.”
“Too hard,” Jim supplied. “Like...way too hard. Like if you looked up overdoing it in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of me doing the wink-and-gun pose.”
“You don't do anything halfway, no.” Bones smiled. “But it's part of your charm.”
Jim turned himself over so that they were facing each other. “Did you just admit that I'm charming?”
“I'm going to deny it if you ever tell anyone.”
“Doesn't matter, what matters is that you just said it. I've gotten all of these other adjectives from you, but never charming. I should mark the calendar. Well, wait, it's already marked because of what today is. I'll have to add a footnote, I guess. Do calendars have footnotes? I mean I don't see why they...”
“Jim.”
“Right.” He grinned. “The point is, I'm charming!”
Bones mumbled something about keeping his mouth shut the next time. Jim frowned.
“Keep that shit up and you're not getting your present.”
“Present?” Bones looked interested. “I thought we agreed: no gifts.”
“Oh I didn't buy you anything,” he replied in a mysterious tone. “It still counts as a gift, though I think it'll be as much for me as for you.” With that, Jim climbed off the couch. Bones watched him curiously.
“What're you...”
“Just sit up.” He held out his hands and helped pull Bones into sitting straight up with his back against the cushions. “Trust me, I got this.”
“That's what concerns me,” Bones said as he allowed himself to be moved around. Once he was satisfied, Jim let go of his hands with a smile.
“It's just something I've been meaning to do again for you.” For some reason, Jim was pulling off his socks.
Again? “I don't follow.”
“Oh you'll get it in a sec. Computer, play media file Elephant, track six,” Jim called as he balanced precariously on one foot. Having finished with his socks, he threw them across the room without looking or caring where they landed. Bones raised an eyebrow. Every time he did something like that Jim would make a face, pick up the clothes, and put them in the laundry. This was...unusual, to say the least.
“Did you really just...”
That was when the music started.
A guitar riff sounded over the speakers, heavy and sultry. Jim took position a couple of feet away from Bones on the couch. With a smirk, he began to roll his hips in a figure-eight pattern to the music.
Both of Bones' eyebrows raised with interest. He tilted his head to one side and leaned back against the cushions. Jim reached his hands up and began undoing the buttons of his shirt one at a time.
Well hell.
Happy anniversary, Bones.
Finished with the buttons, Jim's shirt hung open and exposed some of his chest and stomach. Bones shifted so that he was sitting closer to the edge of the cushion as he rested his hands on his knees. Turning so that his back was to him, Jim raised his hands to his shoulders and pushed the plaid fabric off of them. The shirt slid down his arms bit by bit until it landed on the floor.
Bones swallowed.
Jim turned so that he was facing him once more and began to dance his way closer. He rested both of his hands on the back of the couch for leverage as he continued moving to the music. Bones closed his eyes; he was close enough that he could feel the heat radiating off him and inhale the scent of his skin. Jim shimmied downwards and he opened his eyes again to watch his movements.
Just when it occurred to him that he could touch him, Jim backed away to where he was standing before. Bones cursed quietly as he slid his hands down his stomach to the waistband of his jeans. Very deliberately, Jim unbuttoned the button, then pulled the zipper down one tooth at a time. He continued to dance in front of Bones, gradually moving closer once more.
This time when Bones swallowed, he also pulled on his collar.
Hooking his thumbs into his jeans, Jim wriggled his hips a few times and began to shimmy them off. Much like his shirt, the denim slowly made its way down his thighs onto the floor. Jim casually stepped out of them as he made his way to the couch, clad in nothing but his boxer-briefs.
Bones angled his head to look up at him as Jim sat on his lap, placing his knees on either side of his hips to cage him in. The captain smiled down at him.
“Enjoying the show, sir?”
Bones hmed for a moment. He took a chance and placed his hands on Jim's thighs as he decided to play along. “I'd like it a lot better if I could take you home.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “You're pretty forward, but I've seen you around here before. Which means you know that's not really encouraged.”
“Never was good at following the rules.” He moved his hands to the small of Jim's back, pulling him a bit closer. “I'll make it worth your while.”
“You can't afford me.”
“We'll see about that.”
Jim leaned down so that his mouth was by Bones' ear as he whispered, “Fifteen hundred.” He moved back to watch Bones' reaction.
He smirked. “Done.”
“Well, then,” Jim said. “I suppose I'm all yours.”
Bones closed the distance between their faces somewhat. “I reckon so.” He kissed him, long and leisurely. Jim placed his hands on his face and deepened it. The kissing rapidly progressed into a fevered make out session and Bones pulled Jim flush against his body. He had just slid one of his hands down to Jim's ass when it happened.
Alert Condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations. Repeat, Alert Condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations.
The kiss broke and they stared up at the speakers as if personally betrayed.
“I swear to fucking God...” Jim began at the same moment Bones grumbled an “It figures.” The pair looked at each other, Bones with an expression of resignation and Jim with one of fury.
“We should probably change back into uniform and head out.”
Jim didn't answer at first; indeed, he was far too pissed. “I fucking said no interruptions and if this is for anything less than at least ten Birds of Prey I'm going to court-martial the entirety of the bridge crew that's on duty right now. All of them. Even the Yeomen.”
Bones sighed. “Come on, Jim.”
Almost shaking with anger, Jim got off his lap. He quickly spun on his heels and stalked into their bedroom to change. Bones wiped his hand down his face before sighing.
“Same ship, different day,” he said darkly as he followed his lover's example.
-----
Lieutenant Marla McGivers, control systems specialist and ship historian, sighed as she performed a routine check on the console in front of her.
This was not what she had in mind when she enlisted in Starfleet.
She supposed that being in space was exciting. Traveling here, meeting new races there. If you were into that type of thing, space travel could certainly be a rewarding career.
The fact was, she'd much rather be in her room painting or going through all the historical information in the ship's library than doing her actual job. Ops work was dull as dishwater and she didn't understand why she couldn't just be the historian full time. Sure, sometimes she broke up the monotony by picking at the various backdoors in the Starfleet mainframe, but it wasn’t at all what she wanted to be doing with her life. In a perfect world she’d be giving her master’s thesis defense.
She sighed again, more loudly this time.
It didn't help that all the people on this ship were also as dull as dishwater. Everyone was so concerned with doing the right thing all the time and following all the rules. No one ever so much as paused to question if the rules were actually right, like the way everyone reacted to the ordered destruction of that ship, the Botany Bay.
Finishing her diagnostics, she powered down the console. She took a look around the room.
There just had to be something more than this. There had to be someone more than this.
Alert condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations. Repeat, Alert Condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations.
Those thoughts would have to wait.
-----
Jim stepped off the turbo lift onto the bridge, heading straight for his chair without so much as a glance to anyone else. He vaguely heard Hannity call out her usual “Captain on the bridge” as he sat. The usual suspects were all in place, some looking less pleased than others. Spock nodded to him in greeting as he went to take a seat at his station. He looked out the window and saw the silhouette of a ship, although the magnification was not up and he could not quite make out what it was.
“Status,” he snapped.
“A ship appeared in our travel path a few moments ago,” Spock began. “The vessel has yet to identify itself: from what little information we have gathered, it does not appear to be from the Federation.”
Fantastic. “Any word from them?”
Uhura adjusted her ear piece. “They've continually ignored all attempts at hailing.”
“Hostile?”
“We can't rule it out. No weapons have been fired, but they're just...sitting there.”
Jim furrowed his brows. “Can we get a better look at them?”
“One moment.”
The screen flickered for a moment and the magnified view of the ship came up. Jim stood from his chair and walked a little towards the screen. He tilted his head to one side and squinted at the symbol on the ship's hull.
Wait a minute. He remembered that marking, it was in reports that Pike sent him a few months ago. The reports were about a group of anti-Federation terrorists that attacked ships without provocation.
Fuck.
“Weapons online, go to red alert!” Jim barked without turning around.
“Sir?” The bridge was eerily silent as everyone turned to stare at him.
“That's an order!” He went back to his chair. “Sulu, the second you get a clear shot you take it, is that understood?”
Sulu turned to face him. “They haven't...” He trailed off at the look on Jim's face. “Aye, sir.”
Before anyone had a chance to follow his orders, the ship opened fire on the Enterprise. As the shields were in the process of being fully raised, their torpedoes scored several indirect hits to the starship. Everyone on the bridge held on as it rocked from the impact.
“Shit,” Jim muttered. The red alert came up automatically, the alarm sounding over the speakers. “Damage reports!”
“Decks eight and nine are starting to report in with damages, nothing too severe and no word on any casualties yet.”
“Engineering is also reporting damage, sir, again no word on any casualties.”
At his console, Chekov went white. He turned to ask after the crew members when the ship was hit yet again. Their shields were up this time, although the ship again rocked from the impact.
Jim was grabbing the arms of his chair so hard his knuckles were white. Not like he wasn't pissed before this happened, now he was downright furious.
“Shields are holding, sir, at eighty-eight percent power.” Chekov watched the readings on his console. “Almost as if warning shots and not an actual attempt to out take us.”
“Take us out,” Sulu corrected absently as he powered up the phaser banks.
“Is what I said,” Chekov snapped. “They are not trying to destroy. Only get attention.”
“I'd hate to see if they were,” Sulu snapped back.
“It is most confounding that they have yet to...”
Uhura raised her head. “Captain, we're being hailed.” Spock almost made a face as if to say well, never mind.
“Put it on the screen,” Jim barked. The screen changed and before him sat a handsome man with piercing blue eyes. The man smiled with an air of superiority, his posture perfectly straight and his clothing neat and pressed. There was a small, ingratiating smile on his face.
Jim stood from his chair, glare still firmly in place. “This is Captain James T...”
“I know who you are.” His smile widened. “Although, I daresay I thought you were taller. You look taller on film.”
His hands clenching into fists, Jim took a step forward. “Well, since you don't care for things like introductions, de Maupassant, I'll cut to the chase. You've engaged in unauthorized warfare in Federation territory with a Starfleet vessel. Disengage and surrender immediately or there will be repercussions.”
Spock stood from his console and moved next to Jim. “De Maupassant? The leader of the Aehallh?”
“The very same,” Julien said. Jim and Spock stared at him. “Oh come now, it's not as if you lowered your voices,” he rebuked. “Although, while we are on the subject, Mr. Spock you seem shorter in the holos. Curious.” He leaned forward in his chair, his hands folded primly in his lap. Spock blinked at him for a moment, before looking down at himself. Jim rolled his eyes. “I have a proposition for you, James...may I call you James? I find formal titles to be...stifling, at best.”
“You must have me mistaken for one of your flunkies. I'm not at all interested in anything you have to offer. I repeat, disengage and surrender, de Maupassant.”
De Maupassant shook his head and made a tsking sound. “Such manners. One would get the impression that you are ordering me around, like one of your ensigns.”
“You expect me to play nice,” Jim spat. “You attacked my ship without cause. You've similarly attacked over a dozen vessels. You're a terrorist. The Federation, more importantly, I will not negotiate with terrorists. Give up or face retaliation.”
The smile finally left Julien's face, albeit only for a moment. “You would really rather we be enemies. Very well.” He nodded once. “I respectfully decline your offer gentlemen. Bonne chance.” With that, the connection terminated.
“Arm photon torpedoes. Sulu, previous orders stand. You see a shot, you take it, am I clear?” Jim marched back to the captain's chair without so much as a glance towards his pilot.
“Yes, sir.”
“Captain, we were ordered to take de Maupassant and his men alive by Admiral Pike,” Spock turned to face the captain's figure. “Firing without prejudice is counterintuitive to that goal.”
Jim glared up at him. “I didn't say blow him out of the sky, Spock, I said take the shot. We can't exactly capture him while engaging in a firefight.”
Spock nodded; there was some logic to that. Without another word, he took his place back at his station.
A light came up on Sulu's console signaling that the torpedoes were armed and loaded. He glanced across the station to Chekov, who gave a nod. He reached his hand out and pressed the button, firing two torpedoes at the Aehallh ship.
They were able to dodge one of the torpedoes but the other scored a fairly direct hit in the main body of the ship's hull. They began to fire back with their phaser canons, which merely glanced off the Enterprise's shields. The ship trembled with the impact and Sulu fired a second time, scoring two hits in the belly of their ship. The hull looked like it would breach at any moment.
“Hold your fire. Hail them, Lieutenant,” Kirk called to Uhura. She immediately did as she was told, and de Maupassant's face filled the screen again. He looked slightly less calm this go around, and Jim fought to keep the smirk off his face. “You know we have you outgunned. Still determined to fight this out?”
“I am afraid that we do not surrender to dogs of war, James,” Julien said. “We are all prepared to go down with the ship.”
“Really? You're prepared to sacrifice everything you've worked for?” Jim raised an eyebrow. “The funny thing about followers is that they need a leader. Tell me, if you go down who will continue in your stead?”
The other man gave Jim a long searching look. He finally began to laugh. “You are better than even rumor would say. You also present a valid argument...very well. Your way it is. I shall prepare my crew for our surrender.”
The image reverted back to a view of outside space, the other ship floating in front of it. Jim narrowed his eyes. “This feels a little too easy, doesn't it?”
“He did appear to change his mind rather quickly, for one so convicted,” Spock agreed.
“Call Cupcake and have him send a team down to the transporter room, at least two dozen, to arrest and retrieve de Maupassant and his men.”
Uhura was ahead of him, opening a comm line to security. “Aye, sir.”
Jim looked back at Spock. “Something doesn't smell right. Make sure they're armed and careful. Also make sure they understand that de Maupassant is to go into a cell by himself. I don't want any of his followers having any means of communication with him.” Uhura and some of the Bridge Bunnies looked at him curiously. “I don't trust him as far as I can throw him. Which, believe me, isn't far.”
“Got it. Bridge to Security, Lieutenant Uhura here...”
Jim stood from his chair. “Get me updated damage reports. I want to know what we're looking at in terms of repairs and casualties.”
“Yes, sir.”
-----
As always in the aftermath of a red alert, the medical wing was teeming with activity. This time the injured and dead were minimal, but it was still over three dozen officers.
Bones was running a dermal regenerator over Ensign Richards' right arm as Scotty hovered by her biobed. He himself was sporting the remnants of a black eye and his left hand was bandaged.
“This'd be a lot easier if you'd stop mother-henning long enough for me to do my job,” Bones groused as he positioned himself somewhat awkwardly to fix her burns. Richards winced a little as it passed over a particularly painful spot.
“You performed beautifully, lass,” Scotty said as he completely ignored McCoy, who rolled his eyes in response. “You didn't run from your station, you kept doing your job. That engine would have blown if not for your quick thinking.”
Richards shrugged as best as she could. “It's part of the job.”
“And a fine job it was! I'll make sure you get a promotion for this; I'll go to the captain first thing with it!”
“Go to the captain with what now?”
Scotty jumped and Bones snorted from where he was still working on her arm. “Hi, Jim.”
Jim looked at Richards with interest for a moment. “Come here often, ensign?”
Richards shook her head no, too tired to play along.
“I was just praising her for performing so admirably under duress,” Scotty explained. “And that I'd like to recommend her for a promotion.”
Jim looked at Scotty. “Sounds reasonable. Pretty sure the brass'll agree with me too. That is, if it's okay with Lieutenant Richards...”
Richards smiled. “I'm down.”
“All right. We'll do the paperwork tomorrow.” Jim smiled as Bones paused for a second to get the angle better to finish repairing her burns. “How many more of your men are down, Scotty?”
The engineer turned somber. “Seven with burns like Richards, two didn't make it.”
Kirk nodded with an unhappy expression. “Make sure you get me their names so I can take care of it.” He always wrote personally to the family when one of his crew died, as well as giving them commendations. Jim figured it was the least he could do, given the circumstances.
“Scotty!” The three men and Richards looked up to see a slightly panicked Chekov running towards them. “Heard engineering was hit! Are you all right?”
“Right as rain, although I won't be doing any heavy lifting.” Scotty ran his good hand through his hair.
Pavel smiled, relief and joy plain on his face. “I am so happy.”
The two men gazed at each other for a time with smiles on their faces, neither of them speaking.
Jim bit back a smile as he nudged Bones carefully with his elbow. Bones raised an eyebrow at him for a moment before looking at the two men standing in front of them. In spite of his current task, he found himself smiling at the pair. Jim stopped biting it back and grinned outwardly. Richards, much like Keenser, considered this behavior old and simply rolled her eyes.
“Right well...”
“I should...”
Scotty blushed and ducked his head as Chekov laughed a little. “I should go back to the bridge. I will see you for breakfast?”
“Sounds great,” Scotty said as he smiled. “See you in the morning.”
With that, Pavel waved. As if he just realized they were present, he nodded at the others before taking off back to his station. Scotty watched him go for a while before turning his attention back to his friends.
That was when he noticed the looks he was getting.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” Jim said in an innocent tone. “Just your giant crush on Chekov.” McCoy coughed loudly to cover up his snickering. Richards looked up at the captain in amazement.
“I've been wanting to say that for the last five weeks.”
Jim shrugged, still grinning.
Scotty, meanwhile, was completely shell-shocked. “What,” he repeated.
The other three blinked for a moment.
“No way,” Richards whispered.
“You can't be serious,” McCoy added.
“I honestly have no idea what you're going on about.”
“Oh my god,” Jim exclaimed. “Yes! Yes this is what it felt like for you guys, right? When you all knew before I did? Yes! Oh this is just beautiful.” He began to do a little dance.
“Me and Pavel? Pavel and I?” Scotty shook his head. “No, that's preposterous, we're only friends.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well, we are fairly close, but many people are close friends on this ship without any romance involved. We spend all of our free time together, but that doesn't mean anything, friends always spend time together. And sure I get protective of him, but he's my friend. And I have feelings for him, but that doesn't mean that...oh.” There were looks of stark realization and then there was the look Scotty had on his face. “Oh hell.”
Richards rolled her eyes again and lay back more comfortably on the bed. Bones simply shrugged with an expression on his face that could only be described by the phrase it's about time. However, Jim wore a maniacal grin that threatened to split his face in half.
“Oh God damn this feels good,” he said with a sigh.
“Don't gloat Jim, you're better than that,” the doctor chided with some mild amusement as he went back to fixing Richards' arm. She gave McCoy a grateful look as he worked on the last burned section.
Scotty continued to stand with a deer in headlights look on his face. He opened his mouth for a moment, then closed it again. “I have to...build...something...” With that, he scuttled out of the medical wing and didn't look back.
“Well, that's going to make things awkward,” Bones mumbled.
“Nah, they'll be fine,” Jim said with a shrug. “Maybe now they'll finally do something about it instead of dancing around each other.” Richards looked up to the ceiling and mumbled a thank God. Bones snorted.
“What're you here for, Jim? Just your usual casualty check?”
At his questions, Jim became immediately serious. “That too, but there's something else. Can I borrow you for a moment?”
Bones had his brow furrowed. “Just let me finish...here. All set.” He looked up into Richards' face. “Now don't take this as license that you should get yourself lit on fire regularly. I mean it, I don't want to see you in here for this reason again.”
Richards smiled. “Yes, doctor.”
Bones grunted once. “I don't believe you, none of you down in that department have any sense at all.” He shut the regen off and set it on the tray by the bed. “Call if it feels like it's pulling or if you have any discomfort. Jim, I'm all yours.” With that, they made their way to Bones' office, where he promptly shut the door.
“Cupcake's men are escorting the Aehallh members to the brig as we speak.”
Bones looked moderately surprised before crossing his arms. “Well, that's one question answered. I was wondering who hit us.”
“Yeah, it was them.” Jim shrugged. “Here's the thing. They went down a little easy for my liking. Can you spare a couple of people to do some scans on them?”
“I've got a few extra nurses now that most of the injuries are taken care of. What are they looking for?”
“Biological warfare. Bombs. Anything. If one of them so much as has strep throat I want to hear about it. Your people should probably go in with biohazard gear just to play it safe. I don't like these assholes and I sure as hell don't trust them.”
“Probably wise.” The doctor nodded. “What are you going to do with them?”
Jim looked off to the side through the glass wall, observing the goings on for a moment. “We'll be on Earth in a few days, I'll just hand them over to the Starfleet police. They can stand trial for what they've done.”
Bones nodded a second time. He followed Jim's gaze out into sickbay briefly, before turning his attention back to the captain. “It's going to be a while before I'm out of here. You probably shouldn't wait up for me.”
Jim turned his attention back to him with a soft expression. “I kinda figured. Sorry that this happened tonight.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, it's not like you asked them to attack on our anniversary. We can finish celebrating tomorrow; doesn't matter when we do it, long as it gets done.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jim shrugged. He looked at him again with that same softness on his features. “Will you...”
Bridge to Captain Kirk.
Bones snorted and Jim made a face. He went over to the intercom by the door. “Kirk here.”
Admiral Pike is on the line for you, sir. He says it's urgent.”
Jim sighed. “All right, I'll call when I'm in the ready room. Kirk out.” He looked at Bones with a rueful expression. “Same ship, different day.”
Bones chuckled. “I'll see you when I get in.”
Jim smiled at him. “Sure Bones.”
With that, the captain made his way out of the medical wing.
-----
Spock went over the reports from security as they came in with the Aelhallh members. Per Kirk's request, de Maupassant was in a cell by himself while his followers were divided among the others. Several security guards were to stand watch over them at all times.
A message from Doctor McCoy popped up on his console briefly mentioning the captain's request for the prisoners to be scanned by the medical staff. Spock nodded once before flagging it as acknowledged. That was a wise decision on the captain's part.
He grabbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. In all the commotion from the attack, his headache was momentarily forgotten. It had since returned with a vengeance. He squeezed his eyes closed for a moment and concentrated on breathing quietly. Spock did this for several minutes until he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He opened his eyes and looked up into Nyota's concerned face.
“Are you all right?”
He glanced at her hand. It made his pulse quicken a little and he felt as if he was flushing. Strange, her proximity on the bridge did not usually cause such a reaction. “I am fine.”
She removed her hand from his person, placing it on her hip. Nyota raised an eyebrow. “You've been squinting and pinching your nose as if you're in pain all evening.”
“It is...a simple headache.” Now that she had stopped touching him, he found he was able to breathe more easily. “I am certain it will cease with meditation.”
The concern on her features deepened. “I don't understand. Why don't you go see Leonard, I'm sure he can give you something for the pain.”
“It is really not severe. I am still able to perform my duties.”
“But you're obviously uncomfortable. You're squinting at me right now.”
So he was. He forced his eyes open to a normal width and looked her in the eye. It stung a little and made his head throb. He was unable to hide this fact as he placed a hand at his temple.
“Spock. Go see Leonard.”
“Doctor McCoy has more pressing matters than my discomfort.”
“More pressing than the health and well-being of the first officer? I don't believe so.”
The thing that he loved about her, moreover the thing that frustrated him, was how logical she could be.
“I am certain this is a result of a lack of meditation. I will make time to do so before attempting sleep this evening.”
Uhura looked mostly unconvinced. She folded her arms across her chest. Spock raised an eyebrow in response.
“I am being honest, Nyota. It is of little significance.”
“And I don't believe you, you're as bad as Kirk when you are injured or sick.” She shook her head. “Spock, just go see him. It'll take fifteen minutes of your time and will make me feel better.” The expression on her face softened. “Please?”
He could deny her nothing. “Very well. I will finish this report and then I shall go to sick bay.”
Nyota half-smiled. “Thank you, Spock, that's all I ask.” She touched his face briefly, causing his pulse to quicken once more, before walking back to her station. True to his word, Spock turned and finished his report. Pausing to ask Sulu to take the conn, he made his way to the turbo lift.
He did not, however, head to medical.
-----
Jim made his way into his ready room, stopping only to engage the door locks behind him. He walked over to his intercom and pushed the line to Uhura's station.
“Kirk to Lieutenant Uhura, you can patch him through.”
Yes, sir. Stand by to receive transmission.
The viewscreen came to life and there was Pike in his office. It was night time in San Francisco, and through the fog little lights could be made out in the distance if he squinted at them. “Jim.”
“Admiral. To what do I owe this call? You can't have already heard about the Aehallh.”
Pike raised an eyebrow. “What about them?”
The captain found himself smiling. “Captured.”
“Really?” Christopher was blinking furiously. “When?”
“About an hour ago. They attacked us, we won, they surrendered. I have de Maupassant and twenty of his followers in my custody. We're bringing them to Earth for trial.”
In spite of himself, the admiral was clearly impressed. “Well, that's a relief to hear. Good work, Jim.”
“Thanks.” Jim smiled back. “So why'd you call?”
Growing serious once more, Pike cleared his throat. “You may want to sit down. This...well. Bad news is the only way to put it.”
A feeling of foreboding passed over Jim for a moment, and his face went blank. “I'll stand.”
“Fair enough,” Pike said with a shrug. “Jim, as you know part of my role in Starfleet is to handle its publicity and public relations. There are some...concerns about you being the captain of this exploratory mission.”
“Concerns,” Jim said flatly. “Because of the few hostile races we've encountered? Is this because of that mess with The Other Planet We...I mean, Castro?”
“No Jim, this actually is about you and your reputation.” Pike sighed. “There are concerns about your history of...philandering. Several of the races in the Federation frown heavily upon infidelity and...”
“Wait, whoa, stop.” Jim held up his hand. “What the hell are you talking about? I haven't even so much as looked at another person, let alone slept with anyone besides Bones.”
“That's good to hear, but Jim do you remember what I said last time we spoke, about how I thought the two of you were romantically linked back during your days at the academy?” He waited for his nod before continuing. “Well, I'm not the only person who had that misconception. Several members of the brass, along with some Federation ambassadors, also believe that and well...”
“And because they all think Bones and I were together then, it looks like all I did was sleep around on him.” Jim rubbed his face down his hand. “Shit.”
“That'd be where I'm at, yeah. You're set to do more exploration and diplomatic missions in the beta quadrant after the two weeks off. There's not many first contact missions ahead, but there are some with a few planets that are iffy about the Federation to begin with. The concern is if we send you in to deal with them, with your reputation being what it is, they'll walk.” Pike sighed a second time. “I'd say we could just send Number One or someone else in your stead, but the reality is we're still trying to get our numbers back from the Nerada incident. We don't really...have anybody else for the job.”
His lips pursed, Jim shook his head repeatedly. “With all due respect, this is bullshit. I haven't been that person in a year and a half. Even if I was still that person, I don't see why my personal life should matter a damn bit to those people. It has no bearing on how I do my job.”
“And I agree with you, Jim. Do you really think I'd be calling you about this if I hadn't already tried – and failed – to go to bat for you? This whole situation is ridiculous, but it is what it is. They're not budging. Something has to be done to clean up your image.”
The captain looked down at the floor for a second before snapping his head back up. “What are my options?”
Pike sat back in his chair. “Well, we could do a press release or conference while you're on Earth, put the rumors to rest straight from the horse's mouth.”
“I don't think that'll work,” Jim replied. “I mean if they don't even believe you that I wasn't cheating on Bones, they won't believe me or him. To them we'd have every reason to lie and none to be honest.”
“I considered that, which is why there's option two.”
“Let's hear it.”
“You're going on holiday with McCoy and his daughter, right?”
Jim stiffened; he already did not like where this was going. “The second week, yeah.”
“Well, we could just...happen to tip off the press while you're all out getting ice cream or whatever. If the paparazzi get a few shots of the happy family together, it'll go a long way to clearing your image and...”
“Absolutely not.”
“Jim...”
“No. There is no way I am doing that to Bones while he's spending time with Jo. I am not ruining the one week he'll get with her for the foreseeable future by having us get sniped by the paps. Ignoring the part where he would never forgive me when he found out, which he totally would by the way, there's the part where I would never forgive myself. Besides, you know I hate those dicks.”
Indeed, Jim's hatred of those photographers was almost legendary. On more than one occasion, Bones had to restrain him from beating them senseless in the days immediately following Nero's attack.
The two men were for silent for a while, each considering what could be done. Eventually, Jim's shoulders sagged a little.
“I honestly don't understand this. I do a great job captaining this ship. I've done nothing but right by Bones since we got together. It just feels like I'm being punished for that.”
“I'm not happy about it either, Jim. I mean, after everything you've done that these bureaucrats would get so caught up in a detail like your personal life...” Pike bit off his words angrily. “It just seems ungrateful.”
He nodded his agreement. “Yeah.” He sighed again. “But I don't know what else to do here.”
Pike grabbed his chin with one hand. The two men remained silent for a time, both of them considering various ideas. Slowly, the older man came to a realization.
“Well,” he began and Jim gave him a wary look. “There is a third option.”
Chapter Two
Series: Star Trek XI (as if I write for anything else these days)
Rating: PG-13/R for some violence, swearing, and fade-to-black sexy stuff
Summary: You are cordially invited to the Starfleet social function of the year. That is, assuming these terrorists and the Enterprise Crew's own issues don't get in the way.
Disclaimer: I own nothing that has to do with the characters featured in Star Trek or the Stark Trek movie from 2009. No harm was meant, so put the lawyers away, man.
Notes: So this is it. The final multi-part story in the water park 'verse. It is bigger, longer, and crazier than any of the others. There are weddings and terrorists and candy and sex and illness and memos and Pike and spies and, most of all, adventure.
The title is from the Blur featuring Françoise Hardy song. “We've been drinking far too much, and neither of us quite mean what we say.” I think that sums up some permutation of every conceivable pairing in this fandom. Search your feelings, you know this to be true.
This story begins on Kirk and Bones one-year mark, which is three months give or take since “Jackie Wilson Said.” The usual pairing suspects are all present, with the one new addition.
The formatting for Kirk's memo comes from this website. My friend who is actually in the Navy (
faoi_cheilt ;_;) assures me that it's accurate. Thanks go as always to her, inugrlrayn, and cryogenia for their support, betaing, general hand-holding, and necessary criticism.Chapel being six courses short of her M.D. comes from the TOS movies where she is not only Dr. Christine Chapel, but a CMO in her own right. It's hard to finish school when you get recruited into being a spy, don't'cha know?
The song that Jim uses is “Ball and Biscuit” by The White Stripes. This is one of the hottest songs ever, so there.
Yes, I am using Lieutenant Marla McGivers. According to Memory Alpha, she is a control systems specialist in addition to being ship's historian. (Which explains why the red and not blue, because that always frankly bugged me. Librarians get blue, why not historians?) And no, there is no Khan Noonien Singh in this fic. Because I don't like him. (I'm probably going to get booed for that. But seriously, all the villains they had and he gets the sequel movie? He was boring.) Anyways for the purposes of this story, imagine her as being played by Emma Stone.
Yes, Dr. Sylvester's first name is Sue. Could you imagine having her be your doctor? I mean, people think McCoy's bad. “YOU THINK THAT’S HARD? TRY LIVING WITH HEPATITIS, THAT’S HARD.” “...Hepatitis is what I came in here for. :C” “Shut up! ::hyposprays::”
The part of Julien de Maupassant will be played by Vincent Cassel. The man had me at Le Pacte des Lupes/Brotherhood of the Wolf, dude. Hot. Even hotter? He and Chris Pine arguing passionately with each other while separated only by the thin forcefieldy-wall of the brig cells. Yes, you can all thank me for that mental image. I am awesome. Related: go see Black Swan. Because it is a beautifully shot, wonderfully acted film, and Vincent Cassel is wonderful in it.
I may have also given Jim Chris Pine's hatred of the paparazzi. Oops?
This fanfic is dedicated to
loreamara and her recently deceased cat, Julien, for whom Julien de Maupssant was named. I know it doesn't bring him back, sweetheart, but it's the only thing I can do. <3MEMORANDUM
From: Captain, USS Enterprise
To: All Hands
Subject: Reminders
1. We will be arriving back on Earth for system upgrades in three days. If you notice any pieces of equipment that are in special need of repair, please pass the information along to Chief Engineer Scott so we can ensure it gets handled.
2. There will be two weeks of shore leave while the Enterprise is docked. As always, I remind you all that you are representing Starfleet with your actions in and out of uniform. We do have an ethical standard as well as a professional one and I don't want to hear about any incidents when we get back. (And I will hear about them.)
3. We still need to be cautious regarding the possibility of attack from the Aehallh. I realize we're close to home but that doesn't mean we can drop our guard. If you notice any unmarked vessels getting too close to us, notify security to sound the yellow alert immediately.
4. Commander Spock will have the conn and Dr. M'Benga will be on duty in medical starting at 18:00 this evening. Under absolutely no circumstances are myself or Dr. McCoy to be disturbed tonight. I mean it. Don't test me.
5. Have a great Sunday!
J.T. KIRK
Montgomery Scott made a noise that was somewhere between a chuckle and a snort as he finished the memo. He placed the PADD on the counter next to him and began to go back over the control panel, making notes of where the shorts were located with Keenser.
“What is so funny,” Pavel Chekov asked from where he sat across the room. His duty shift ended an hour before and, as was his current habit, he went down to engineering to be with Scotty.
Without looking at him, Scotty grabbed the PADD again and passed it over his shoulder. Pavel hopped up from his seat and skipped over, taking it delicately out of his hand. He read silently for a moment before making a loud gagging noise.
“Understand it is their anniversary,” he groused as he handed it back. “It is not that I am not happy for them. Must they flaunt it so?” Keenser nodded his agreement.
Scotty shrugged. “I don't know, I think it's nice. Not that the abuse of authority isn't somewhat worrying, because it is, but they're happy. They don't mean to flaunt it, they just can't hide it.”
Chekov clucked his tongue twice. “I suppose I cannot blame them. Subtlety, after all, was a Russian invention.” He stood up on his tiptoes to peer over his shoulder. “Almost finished?”
“Just about,” he said, his focus still on the console. “Just one more to check and...there we are.” He pat the side of the machine fondly. “All set, love.” He grabbed one side of the cover. “Lend a hand, Pavel?”
Chekov smiled. “Of course.” He quickly grabbed the other side of it and helped Scotty slowly place it back over the console where it belonged. It took them a moment to line it up right and they gently slid it down. Scotty grabbed his sonic screwdriver and began to refasten it into position as Chekov watched him with a smile, Keenser doing the same on his end.
“There we are.” He put the screwdriver down and as he wiped his brow his stomach growled. Scotty grinned sheepishly.
Chekov raised an eyebrow. “Once more, you forget to eat lunch?”
The engineer kept grinning, although he did flush a bit as he ran his hand through his hair.
The navigator smirked. “You are lucky that I am clever.” He then turned and gestured at a picnic basket and large thermos with two cups sitting on the floor. There was a gold and red plaid blanket spread out beneath them along with two cushions to sit on.
Scotty blinked. “Oh. You know, I was wondering what that was.”
The expression on Chekov's face changed into a sweet smile. “All of your favorites, grilled cheddar and ham, chips...”
Scotty went over to the basket and peered inside. “A jam trifle?” He looked back up at his friend. “Pavel this...you shouldn't have.”
Pavel shrugged. “Always you forget to eat.” He smiled again. “I wanted to do this for you, also.”
Scotty's face became a combination of touched and embarrassed. He couldn't remember a time where anyone had thought to do something so thoughtful for him, not since the last time he and his older sister went camping. It made him feel incredibly warm, light, and not a little flustered.
“You are my favorite.”
Chekov's eyes widened for a moment before he became incredibly pleased. “That works then, as you are my favorite as well.” He sat on one of the cushions as Scotty blushed a second time. Quickly joining him, he reached into the basket to pull out a sandwich and the chips. Pavel poured them both drinks, a whisky punch that Scotty loved.
Keenser watched the pair before rolling his eyes. Without so much as a word, the small green man decided to make himself scarce.
Honestly, they thought the captain and the doctor were nauseating?
“Chris! Hey Chris!” Hikaru Sulu called as he raced down the corridor to try and catch up to his girlfriend. “Chris!”
Christine Chapel stopped where she stood and turned to face him with a smile. “Hey you,” she said in a chipper tone. “What's up?”
He stopped running just in front of her. “Not much, just wanted to see what you were up to tonight.”
There was a pause before she answered. “Oh. Well, I have charts to go over. We're studying the affects of those Klabnian anti-bodies on auto-immune disorders. So far it looks good, but Leonard asked me to keep reviewing them for him as he'll be...indisposed tonight.” Christine made a face.
Sulu, however, was a little confused by what she said. “I don't...you're a nurse though. No offense or anything, but shouldn't M'Benga or Sylvester do that?”
“It's...good practice.” She shrugged. “I'm just six credits short of my M.D., so he figured I could use the experience.”
The pilot blinked. “I never knew that. Why didn't I know that?”
She shrugged. “Because I never told you?”
“Fair enough.” He smirked and put an arm around her shoulders. She effortlessly leaned into him and slid an arm around his waist.
“So I'm sorry, but it won't be until late that I'm free.”
“Gotcha.” They walked together for a moment, heading toward a turbo lift. “So what else are you hiding from me, Christine Chapel?”
For some reason, this made her stiffen. It passed and as she grinned up at him he forgot about it. “The four other men in my life, the fact that I'm actually French, and my ability to hit a target perfectly with a phaser rifle from five hundred meters.”
“Only four?”
“Just four.”
He smirked again. “I'm okay with all of these things. Especially the second one, oh-la-la.” She rolled her eyes but the grin never left her face. “No seriously, it's fine. I'll see if Riley's off duty or something. But give me a ring when you're done, okay?”
“Of course,” she said as she kissed him on the cheek. “As soon as I'm finished I'll message you.” Having reached their destination, Hikaru let go of her shoulders and she stepped into the lift. They smiled at each other for a moment before she leaned forward and kissed him once. “See you later, Hikaru.”
Hikaru waved back to her as the lift door shut.
The bridge was more quiet than usual as Commander Spock sat in the captain's chair, reviewing several reports from the recent mission to Deneb V. They would still need Kirk's final approval, but as they were not urgent it could wait until the following day.
He stared for a moment at the PADD in his hands.
Spock did not commonly get headaches, but he felt one coming on just behind his eyes. Absently, he pinched the bridge of his nose before moving on to the next report. It took him a moment to focus properly on the words and he pinched the bridge of his nose a second time.
Perhaps he was in need of meditation. His recent schedule had not allowed for much of that.
He moved his hand from the bridge of his nose to the back of his neck, as the headache began to spread its dull pain to that location. He continued to read for a moment, squinting a bit before raising the font size to be more manageable.
Spock read in silence for several minutes before he sensed that he was being watched. He looked around him on the bridge until he made eye contact with Nyota. The concern was visible on her face as she silently asked if he was all right. Spock nodded once and she nodded herself in return.
Just that small gesture made him feel much better and as the ring on her finger caught the light, his heart filled with affection for her.
She really was extraordinary.
The night they became engaged they discussed their plans for the future. Both of them agreed that a long engagement was the best option for what they wanted. The plan was to be wed during the break after the five year exploratory mission was complete, thus enabling them the freedom to begin their family immediately. As much as they enjoyed their time on the Enterprise, a starship was not really a place to raise a child.
Her skills as a xenolinguist would be invaluable for diplomacy and perhaps he would move on to become an ambassador like his father.
As they turned away from each other, the pain began to flow more freely. He made a note to himself to go down to medical should it still be persisting by the next morning.
After all, it was a simple headache. It was illogical to see a doctor for something so trivial.
Jim leaned his head back against Bones' shoulder with a smile on his face, his arms wrapping around him in response.
They were laying on the couch together, Jim's back to Bones' front, as they relaxed after their anniversary dinner. The pair elected to keep it somewhat simple and low-key, just baked salmon in their quarters with some champagne and music in the background.
Jim held his hands in his own and sighed a little.
It was hard to believe that it already had been a year since they got together, and yet so much had changed. But here they were, stronger and happier than either of them could recall being ever before.
To call it wonderful would be an understatement of epic proportions.
“I still say we should've done this four days ago,” Bones said in a low voice. Jim snorted as he turned his head to face him.
“Not after the way you reacted that night.”
Bones had a surprised look on his face. “I wasn't that bad.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “Bones, you pulled out a bulleted list about why I should back the hell off because you thought I was fucking with you.”
The doctor winced. “Okay, yeah, I did do that.”
“And that's not even touching the part where I failed all over you,” Jim said as he clucked his tongue.
“I wouldn't...fail is a strong word.” Bones was visibly straining from the effort of trying this tact thing he kept hearing about. “Although in retrospect it really wasn't such a bad thing. You were trying.”
“Too hard,” Jim supplied. “Like...way too hard. Like if you looked up overdoing it in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of me doing the wink-and-gun pose.”
“You don't do anything halfway, no.” Bones smiled. “But it's part of your charm.”
Jim turned himself over so that they were facing each other. “Did you just admit that I'm charming?”
“I'm going to deny it if you ever tell anyone.”
“Doesn't matter, what matters is that you just said it. I've gotten all of these other adjectives from you, but never charming. I should mark the calendar. Well, wait, it's already marked because of what today is. I'll have to add a footnote, I guess. Do calendars have footnotes? I mean I don't see why they...”
“Jim.”
“Right.” He grinned. “The point is, I'm charming!”
Bones mumbled something about keeping his mouth shut the next time. Jim frowned.
“Keep that shit up and you're not getting your present.”
“Present?” Bones looked interested. “I thought we agreed: no gifts.”
“Oh I didn't buy you anything,” he replied in a mysterious tone. “It still counts as a gift, though I think it'll be as much for me as for you.” With that, Jim climbed off the couch. Bones watched him curiously.
“What're you...”
“Just sit up.” He held out his hands and helped pull Bones into sitting straight up with his back against the cushions. “Trust me, I got this.”
“That's what concerns me,” Bones said as he allowed himself to be moved around. Once he was satisfied, Jim let go of his hands with a smile.
“It's just something I've been meaning to do again for you.” For some reason, Jim was pulling off his socks.
Again? “I don't follow.”
“Oh you'll get it in a sec. Computer, play media file Elephant, track six,” Jim called as he balanced precariously on one foot. Having finished with his socks, he threw them across the room without looking or caring where they landed. Bones raised an eyebrow. Every time he did something like that Jim would make a face, pick up the clothes, and put them in the laundry. This was...unusual, to say the least.
“Did you really just...”
That was when the music started.
A guitar riff sounded over the speakers, heavy and sultry. Jim took position a couple of feet away from Bones on the couch. With a smirk, he began to roll his hips in a figure-eight pattern to the music.
Both of Bones' eyebrows raised with interest. He tilted his head to one side and leaned back against the cushions. Jim reached his hands up and began undoing the buttons of his shirt one at a time.
Well hell.
Happy anniversary, Bones.
Finished with the buttons, Jim's shirt hung open and exposed some of his chest and stomach. Bones shifted so that he was sitting closer to the edge of the cushion as he rested his hands on his knees. Turning so that his back was to him, Jim raised his hands to his shoulders and pushed the plaid fabric off of them. The shirt slid down his arms bit by bit until it landed on the floor.
Bones swallowed.
Jim turned so that he was facing him once more and began to dance his way closer. He rested both of his hands on the back of the couch for leverage as he continued moving to the music. Bones closed his eyes; he was close enough that he could feel the heat radiating off him and inhale the scent of his skin. Jim shimmied downwards and he opened his eyes again to watch his movements.
Just when it occurred to him that he could touch him, Jim backed away to where he was standing before. Bones cursed quietly as he slid his hands down his stomach to the waistband of his jeans. Very deliberately, Jim unbuttoned the button, then pulled the zipper down one tooth at a time. He continued to dance in front of Bones, gradually moving closer once more.
This time when Bones swallowed, he also pulled on his collar.
Hooking his thumbs into his jeans, Jim wriggled his hips a few times and began to shimmy them off. Much like his shirt, the denim slowly made its way down his thighs onto the floor. Jim casually stepped out of them as he made his way to the couch, clad in nothing but his boxer-briefs.
Bones angled his head to look up at him as Jim sat on his lap, placing his knees on either side of his hips to cage him in. The captain smiled down at him.
“Enjoying the show, sir?”
Bones hmed for a moment. He took a chance and placed his hands on Jim's thighs as he decided to play along. “I'd like it a lot better if I could take you home.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “You're pretty forward, but I've seen you around here before. Which means you know that's not really encouraged.”
“Never was good at following the rules.” He moved his hands to the small of Jim's back, pulling him a bit closer. “I'll make it worth your while.”
“You can't afford me.”
“We'll see about that.”
Jim leaned down so that his mouth was by Bones' ear as he whispered, “Fifteen hundred.” He moved back to watch Bones' reaction.
He smirked. “Done.”
“Well, then,” Jim said. “I suppose I'm all yours.”
Bones closed the distance between their faces somewhat. “I reckon so.” He kissed him, long and leisurely. Jim placed his hands on his face and deepened it. The kissing rapidly progressed into a fevered make out session and Bones pulled Jim flush against his body. He had just slid one of his hands down to Jim's ass when it happened.
Alert Condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations. Repeat, Alert Condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations.
The kiss broke and they stared up at the speakers as if personally betrayed.
“I swear to fucking God...” Jim began at the same moment Bones grumbled an “It figures.” The pair looked at each other, Bones with an expression of resignation and Jim with one of fury.
“We should probably change back into uniform and head out.”
Jim didn't answer at first; indeed, he was far too pissed. “I fucking said no interruptions and if this is for anything less than at least ten Birds of Prey I'm going to court-martial the entirety of the bridge crew that's on duty right now. All of them. Even the Yeomen.”
Bones sighed. “Come on, Jim.”
Almost shaking with anger, Jim got off his lap. He quickly spun on his heels and stalked into their bedroom to change. Bones wiped his hand down his face before sighing.
“Same ship, different day,” he said darkly as he followed his lover's example.
Lieutenant Marla McGivers, control systems specialist and ship historian, sighed as she performed a routine check on the console in front of her.
This was not what she had in mind when she enlisted in Starfleet.
She supposed that being in space was exciting. Traveling here, meeting new races there. If you were into that type of thing, space travel could certainly be a rewarding career.
The fact was, she'd much rather be in her room painting or going through all the historical information in the ship's library than doing her actual job. Ops work was dull as dishwater and she didn't understand why she couldn't just be the historian full time. Sure, sometimes she broke up the monotony by picking at the various backdoors in the Starfleet mainframe, but it wasn’t at all what she wanted to be doing with her life. In a perfect world she’d be giving her master’s thesis defense.
She sighed again, more loudly this time.
It didn't help that all the people on this ship were also as dull as dishwater. Everyone was so concerned with doing the right thing all the time and following all the rules. No one ever so much as paused to question if the rules were actually right, like the way everyone reacted to the ordered destruction of that ship, the Botany Bay.
Finishing her diagnostics, she powered down the console. She took a look around the room.
There just had to be something more than this. There had to be someone more than this.
Alert condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations. Repeat, Alert Condition: Yellow. All hands, report to stations.
Those thoughts would have to wait.
Jim stepped off the turbo lift onto the bridge, heading straight for his chair without so much as a glance to anyone else. He vaguely heard Hannity call out her usual “Captain on the bridge” as he sat. The usual suspects were all in place, some looking less pleased than others. Spock nodded to him in greeting as he went to take a seat at his station. He looked out the window and saw the silhouette of a ship, although the magnification was not up and he could not quite make out what it was.
“Status,” he snapped.
“A ship appeared in our travel path a few moments ago,” Spock began. “The vessel has yet to identify itself: from what little information we have gathered, it does not appear to be from the Federation.”
Fantastic. “Any word from them?”
Uhura adjusted her ear piece. “They've continually ignored all attempts at hailing.”
“Hostile?”
“We can't rule it out. No weapons have been fired, but they're just...sitting there.”
Jim furrowed his brows. “Can we get a better look at them?”
“One moment.”
The screen flickered for a moment and the magnified view of the ship came up. Jim stood from his chair and walked a little towards the screen. He tilted his head to one side and squinted at the symbol on the ship's hull.
Wait a minute. He remembered that marking, it was in reports that Pike sent him a few months ago. The reports were about a group of anti-Federation terrorists that attacked ships without provocation.
Fuck.
“Weapons online, go to red alert!” Jim barked without turning around.
“Sir?” The bridge was eerily silent as everyone turned to stare at him.
“That's an order!” He went back to his chair. “Sulu, the second you get a clear shot you take it, is that understood?”
Sulu turned to face him. “They haven't...” He trailed off at the look on Jim's face. “Aye, sir.”
Before anyone had a chance to follow his orders, the ship opened fire on the Enterprise. As the shields were in the process of being fully raised, their torpedoes scored several indirect hits to the starship. Everyone on the bridge held on as it rocked from the impact.
“Shit,” Jim muttered. The red alert came up automatically, the alarm sounding over the speakers. “Damage reports!”
“Decks eight and nine are starting to report in with damages, nothing too severe and no word on any casualties yet.”
“Engineering is also reporting damage, sir, again no word on any casualties.”
At his console, Chekov went white. He turned to ask after the crew members when the ship was hit yet again. Their shields were up this time, although the ship again rocked from the impact.
Jim was grabbing the arms of his chair so hard his knuckles were white. Not like he wasn't pissed before this happened, now he was downright furious.
“Shields are holding, sir, at eighty-eight percent power.” Chekov watched the readings on his console. “Almost as if warning shots and not an actual attempt to out take us.”
“Take us out,” Sulu corrected absently as he powered up the phaser banks.
“Is what I said,” Chekov snapped. “They are not trying to destroy. Only get attention.”
“I'd hate to see if they were,” Sulu snapped back.
“It is most confounding that they have yet to...”
Uhura raised her head. “Captain, we're being hailed.” Spock almost made a face as if to say well, never mind.
“Put it on the screen,” Jim barked. The screen changed and before him sat a handsome man with piercing blue eyes. The man smiled with an air of superiority, his posture perfectly straight and his clothing neat and pressed. There was a small, ingratiating smile on his face.
Jim stood from his chair, glare still firmly in place. “This is Captain James T...”
“I know who you are.” His smile widened. “Although, I daresay I thought you were taller. You look taller on film.”
His hands clenching into fists, Jim took a step forward. “Well, since you don't care for things like introductions, de Maupassant, I'll cut to the chase. You've engaged in unauthorized warfare in Federation territory with a Starfleet vessel. Disengage and surrender immediately or there will be repercussions.”
Spock stood from his console and moved next to Jim. “De Maupassant? The leader of the Aehallh?”
“The very same,” Julien said. Jim and Spock stared at him. “Oh come now, it's not as if you lowered your voices,” he rebuked. “Although, while we are on the subject, Mr. Spock you seem shorter in the holos. Curious.” He leaned forward in his chair, his hands folded primly in his lap. Spock blinked at him for a moment, before looking down at himself. Jim rolled his eyes. “I have a proposition for you, James...may I call you James? I find formal titles to be...stifling, at best.”
“You must have me mistaken for one of your flunkies. I'm not at all interested in anything you have to offer. I repeat, disengage and surrender, de Maupassant.”
De Maupassant shook his head and made a tsking sound. “Such manners. One would get the impression that you are ordering me around, like one of your ensigns.”
“You expect me to play nice,” Jim spat. “You attacked my ship without cause. You've similarly attacked over a dozen vessels. You're a terrorist. The Federation, more importantly, I will not negotiate with terrorists. Give up or face retaliation.”
The smile finally left Julien's face, albeit only for a moment. “You would really rather we be enemies. Very well.” He nodded once. “I respectfully decline your offer gentlemen. Bonne chance.” With that, the connection terminated.
“Arm photon torpedoes. Sulu, previous orders stand. You see a shot, you take it, am I clear?” Jim marched back to the captain's chair without so much as a glance towards his pilot.
“Yes, sir.”
“Captain, we were ordered to take de Maupassant and his men alive by Admiral Pike,” Spock turned to face the captain's figure. “Firing without prejudice is counterintuitive to that goal.”
Jim glared up at him. “I didn't say blow him out of the sky, Spock, I said take the shot. We can't exactly capture him while engaging in a firefight.”
Spock nodded; there was some logic to that. Without another word, he took his place back at his station.
A light came up on Sulu's console signaling that the torpedoes were armed and loaded. He glanced across the station to Chekov, who gave a nod. He reached his hand out and pressed the button, firing two torpedoes at the Aehallh ship.
They were able to dodge one of the torpedoes but the other scored a fairly direct hit in the main body of the ship's hull. They began to fire back with their phaser canons, which merely glanced off the Enterprise's shields. The ship trembled with the impact and Sulu fired a second time, scoring two hits in the belly of their ship. The hull looked like it would breach at any moment.
“Hold your fire. Hail them, Lieutenant,” Kirk called to Uhura. She immediately did as she was told, and de Maupassant's face filled the screen again. He looked slightly less calm this go around, and Jim fought to keep the smirk off his face. “You know we have you outgunned. Still determined to fight this out?”
“I am afraid that we do not surrender to dogs of war, James,” Julien said. “We are all prepared to go down with the ship.”
“Really? You're prepared to sacrifice everything you've worked for?” Jim raised an eyebrow. “The funny thing about followers is that they need a leader. Tell me, if you go down who will continue in your stead?”
The other man gave Jim a long searching look. He finally began to laugh. “You are better than even rumor would say. You also present a valid argument...very well. Your way it is. I shall prepare my crew for our surrender.”
The image reverted back to a view of outside space, the other ship floating in front of it. Jim narrowed his eyes. “This feels a little too easy, doesn't it?”
“He did appear to change his mind rather quickly, for one so convicted,” Spock agreed.
“Call Cupcake and have him send a team down to the transporter room, at least two dozen, to arrest and retrieve de Maupassant and his men.”
Uhura was ahead of him, opening a comm line to security. “Aye, sir.”
Jim looked back at Spock. “Something doesn't smell right. Make sure they're armed and careful. Also make sure they understand that de Maupassant is to go into a cell by himself. I don't want any of his followers having any means of communication with him.” Uhura and some of the Bridge Bunnies looked at him curiously. “I don't trust him as far as I can throw him. Which, believe me, isn't far.”
“Got it. Bridge to Security, Lieutenant Uhura here...”
Jim stood from his chair. “Get me updated damage reports. I want to know what we're looking at in terms of repairs and casualties.”
“Yes, sir.”
As always in the aftermath of a red alert, the medical wing was teeming with activity. This time the injured and dead were minimal, but it was still over three dozen officers.
Bones was running a dermal regenerator over Ensign Richards' right arm as Scotty hovered by her biobed. He himself was sporting the remnants of a black eye and his left hand was bandaged.
“This'd be a lot easier if you'd stop mother-henning long enough for me to do my job,” Bones groused as he positioned himself somewhat awkwardly to fix her burns. Richards winced a little as it passed over a particularly painful spot.
“You performed beautifully, lass,” Scotty said as he completely ignored McCoy, who rolled his eyes in response. “You didn't run from your station, you kept doing your job. That engine would have blown if not for your quick thinking.”
Richards shrugged as best as she could. “It's part of the job.”
“And a fine job it was! I'll make sure you get a promotion for this; I'll go to the captain first thing with it!”
“Go to the captain with what now?”
Scotty jumped and Bones snorted from where he was still working on her arm. “Hi, Jim.”
Jim looked at Richards with interest for a moment. “Come here often, ensign?”
Richards shook her head no, too tired to play along.
“I was just praising her for performing so admirably under duress,” Scotty explained. “And that I'd like to recommend her for a promotion.”
Jim looked at Scotty. “Sounds reasonable. Pretty sure the brass'll agree with me too. That is, if it's okay with Lieutenant Richards...”
Richards smiled. “I'm down.”
“All right. We'll do the paperwork tomorrow.” Jim smiled as Bones paused for a second to get the angle better to finish repairing her burns. “How many more of your men are down, Scotty?”
The engineer turned somber. “Seven with burns like Richards, two didn't make it.”
Kirk nodded with an unhappy expression. “Make sure you get me their names so I can take care of it.” He always wrote personally to the family when one of his crew died, as well as giving them commendations. Jim figured it was the least he could do, given the circumstances.
“Scotty!” The three men and Richards looked up to see a slightly panicked Chekov running towards them. “Heard engineering was hit! Are you all right?”
“Right as rain, although I won't be doing any heavy lifting.” Scotty ran his good hand through his hair.
Pavel smiled, relief and joy plain on his face. “I am so happy.”
The two men gazed at each other for a time with smiles on their faces, neither of them speaking.
Jim bit back a smile as he nudged Bones carefully with his elbow. Bones raised an eyebrow at him for a moment before looking at the two men standing in front of them. In spite of his current task, he found himself smiling at the pair. Jim stopped biting it back and grinned outwardly. Richards, much like Keenser, considered this behavior old and simply rolled her eyes.
“Right well...”
“I should...”
Scotty blushed and ducked his head as Chekov laughed a little. “I should go back to the bridge. I will see you for breakfast?”
“Sounds great,” Scotty said as he smiled. “See you in the morning.”
With that, Pavel waved. As if he just realized they were present, he nodded at the others before taking off back to his station. Scotty watched him go for a while before turning his attention back to his friends.
That was when he noticed the looks he was getting.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” Jim said in an innocent tone. “Just your giant crush on Chekov.” McCoy coughed loudly to cover up his snickering. Richards looked up at the captain in amazement.
“I've been wanting to say that for the last five weeks.”
Jim shrugged, still grinning.
Scotty, meanwhile, was completely shell-shocked. “What,” he repeated.
The other three blinked for a moment.
“No way,” Richards whispered.
“You can't be serious,” McCoy added.
“I honestly have no idea what you're going on about.”
“Oh my god,” Jim exclaimed. “Yes! Yes this is what it felt like for you guys, right? When you all knew before I did? Yes! Oh this is just beautiful.” He began to do a little dance.
“Me and Pavel? Pavel and I?” Scotty shook his head. “No, that's preposterous, we're only friends.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Well, we are fairly close, but many people are close friends on this ship without any romance involved. We spend all of our free time together, but that doesn't mean anything, friends always spend time together. And sure I get protective of him, but he's my friend. And I have feelings for him, but that doesn't mean that...oh.” There were looks of stark realization and then there was the look Scotty had on his face. “Oh hell.”
Richards rolled her eyes again and lay back more comfortably on the bed. Bones simply shrugged with an expression on his face that could only be described by the phrase it's about time. However, Jim wore a maniacal grin that threatened to split his face in half.
“Oh God damn this feels good,” he said with a sigh.
“Don't gloat Jim, you're better than that,” the doctor chided with some mild amusement as he went back to fixing Richards' arm. She gave McCoy a grateful look as he worked on the last burned section.
Scotty continued to stand with a deer in headlights look on his face. He opened his mouth for a moment, then closed it again. “I have to...build...something...” With that, he scuttled out of the medical wing and didn't look back.
“Well, that's going to make things awkward,” Bones mumbled.
“Nah, they'll be fine,” Jim said with a shrug. “Maybe now they'll finally do something about it instead of dancing around each other.” Richards looked up to the ceiling and mumbled a thank God. Bones snorted.
“What're you here for, Jim? Just your usual casualty check?”
At his questions, Jim became immediately serious. “That too, but there's something else. Can I borrow you for a moment?”
Bones had his brow furrowed. “Just let me finish...here. All set.” He looked up into Richards' face. “Now don't take this as license that you should get yourself lit on fire regularly. I mean it, I don't want to see you in here for this reason again.”
Richards smiled. “Yes, doctor.”
Bones grunted once. “I don't believe you, none of you down in that department have any sense at all.” He shut the regen off and set it on the tray by the bed. “Call if it feels like it's pulling or if you have any discomfort. Jim, I'm all yours.” With that, they made their way to Bones' office, where he promptly shut the door.
“Cupcake's men are escorting the Aehallh members to the brig as we speak.”
Bones looked moderately surprised before crossing his arms. “Well, that's one question answered. I was wondering who hit us.”
“Yeah, it was them.” Jim shrugged. “Here's the thing. They went down a little easy for my liking. Can you spare a couple of people to do some scans on them?”
“I've got a few extra nurses now that most of the injuries are taken care of. What are they looking for?”
“Biological warfare. Bombs. Anything. If one of them so much as has strep throat I want to hear about it. Your people should probably go in with biohazard gear just to play it safe. I don't like these assholes and I sure as hell don't trust them.”
“Probably wise.” The doctor nodded. “What are you going to do with them?”
Jim looked off to the side through the glass wall, observing the goings on for a moment. “We'll be on Earth in a few days, I'll just hand them over to the Starfleet police. They can stand trial for what they've done.”
Bones nodded a second time. He followed Jim's gaze out into sickbay briefly, before turning his attention back to the captain. “It's going to be a while before I'm out of here. You probably shouldn't wait up for me.”
Jim turned his attention back to him with a soft expression. “I kinda figured. Sorry that this happened tonight.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, it's not like you asked them to attack on our anniversary. We can finish celebrating tomorrow; doesn't matter when we do it, long as it gets done.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Jim shrugged. He looked at him again with that same softness on his features. “Will you...”
Bridge to Captain Kirk.
Bones snorted and Jim made a face. He went over to the intercom by the door. “Kirk here.”
Admiral Pike is on the line for you, sir. He says it's urgent.”
Jim sighed. “All right, I'll call when I'm in the ready room. Kirk out.” He looked at Bones with a rueful expression. “Same ship, different day.”
Bones chuckled. “I'll see you when I get in.”
Jim smiled at him. “Sure Bones.”
With that, the captain made his way out of the medical wing.
Spock went over the reports from security as they came in with the Aelhallh members. Per Kirk's request, de Maupassant was in a cell by himself while his followers were divided among the others. Several security guards were to stand watch over them at all times.
A message from Doctor McCoy popped up on his console briefly mentioning the captain's request for the prisoners to be scanned by the medical staff. Spock nodded once before flagging it as acknowledged. That was a wise decision on the captain's part.
He grabbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. In all the commotion from the attack, his headache was momentarily forgotten. It had since returned with a vengeance. He squeezed his eyes closed for a moment and concentrated on breathing quietly. Spock did this for several minutes until he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He opened his eyes and looked up into Nyota's concerned face.
“Are you all right?”
He glanced at her hand. It made his pulse quicken a little and he felt as if he was flushing. Strange, her proximity on the bridge did not usually cause such a reaction. “I am fine.”
She removed her hand from his person, placing it on her hip. Nyota raised an eyebrow. “You've been squinting and pinching your nose as if you're in pain all evening.”
“It is...a simple headache.” Now that she had stopped touching him, he found he was able to breathe more easily. “I am certain it will cease with meditation.”
The concern on her features deepened. “I don't understand. Why don't you go see Leonard, I'm sure he can give you something for the pain.”
“It is really not severe. I am still able to perform my duties.”
“But you're obviously uncomfortable. You're squinting at me right now.”
So he was. He forced his eyes open to a normal width and looked her in the eye. It stung a little and made his head throb. He was unable to hide this fact as he placed a hand at his temple.
“Spock. Go see Leonard.”
“Doctor McCoy has more pressing matters than my discomfort.”
“More pressing than the health and well-being of the first officer? I don't believe so.”
The thing that he loved about her, moreover the thing that frustrated him, was how logical she could be.
“I am certain this is a result of a lack of meditation. I will make time to do so before attempting sleep this evening.”
Uhura looked mostly unconvinced. She folded her arms across her chest. Spock raised an eyebrow in response.
“I am being honest, Nyota. It is of little significance.”
“And I don't believe you, you're as bad as Kirk when you are injured or sick.” She shook her head. “Spock, just go see him. It'll take fifteen minutes of your time and will make me feel better.” The expression on her face softened. “Please?”
He could deny her nothing. “Very well. I will finish this report and then I shall go to sick bay.”
Nyota half-smiled. “Thank you, Spock, that's all I ask.” She touched his face briefly, causing his pulse to quicken once more, before walking back to her station. True to his word, Spock turned and finished his report. Pausing to ask Sulu to take the conn, he made his way to the turbo lift.
He did not, however, head to medical.
Jim made his way into his ready room, stopping only to engage the door locks behind him. He walked over to his intercom and pushed the line to Uhura's station.
“Kirk to Lieutenant Uhura, you can patch him through.”
Yes, sir. Stand by to receive transmission.
The viewscreen came to life and there was Pike in his office. It was night time in San Francisco, and through the fog little lights could be made out in the distance if he squinted at them. “Jim.”
“Admiral. To what do I owe this call? You can't have already heard about the Aehallh.”
Pike raised an eyebrow. “What about them?”
The captain found himself smiling. “Captured.”
“Really?” Christopher was blinking furiously. “When?”
“About an hour ago. They attacked us, we won, they surrendered. I have de Maupassant and twenty of his followers in my custody. We're bringing them to Earth for trial.”
In spite of himself, the admiral was clearly impressed. “Well, that's a relief to hear. Good work, Jim.”
“Thanks.” Jim smiled back. “So why'd you call?”
Growing serious once more, Pike cleared his throat. “You may want to sit down. This...well. Bad news is the only way to put it.”
A feeling of foreboding passed over Jim for a moment, and his face went blank. “I'll stand.”
“Fair enough,” Pike said with a shrug. “Jim, as you know part of my role in Starfleet is to handle its publicity and public relations. There are some...concerns about you being the captain of this exploratory mission.”
“Concerns,” Jim said flatly. “Because of the few hostile races we've encountered? Is this because of that mess with The Other Planet We...I mean, Castro?”
“No Jim, this actually is about you and your reputation.” Pike sighed. “There are concerns about your history of...philandering. Several of the races in the Federation frown heavily upon infidelity and...”
“Wait, whoa, stop.” Jim held up his hand. “What the hell are you talking about? I haven't even so much as looked at another person, let alone slept with anyone besides Bones.”
“That's good to hear, but Jim do you remember what I said last time we spoke, about how I thought the two of you were romantically linked back during your days at the academy?” He waited for his nod before continuing. “Well, I'm not the only person who had that misconception. Several members of the brass, along with some Federation ambassadors, also believe that and well...”
“And because they all think Bones and I were together then, it looks like all I did was sleep around on him.” Jim rubbed his face down his hand. “Shit.”
“That'd be where I'm at, yeah. You're set to do more exploration and diplomatic missions in the beta quadrant after the two weeks off. There's not many first contact missions ahead, but there are some with a few planets that are iffy about the Federation to begin with. The concern is if we send you in to deal with them, with your reputation being what it is, they'll walk.” Pike sighed a second time. “I'd say we could just send Number One or someone else in your stead, but the reality is we're still trying to get our numbers back from the Nerada incident. We don't really...have anybody else for the job.”
His lips pursed, Jim shook his head repeatedly. “With all due respect, this is bullshit. I haven't been that person in a year and a half. Even if I was still that person, I don't see why my personal life should matter a damn bit to those people. It has no bearing on how I do my job.”
“And I agree with you, Jim. Do you really think I'd be calling you about this if I hadn't already tried – and failed – to go to bat for you? This whole situation is ridiculous, but it is what it is. They're not budging. Something has to be done to clean up your image.”
The captain looked down at the floor for a second before snapping his head back up. “What are my options?”
Pike sat back in his chair. “Well, we could do a press release or conference while you're on Earth, put the rumors to rest straight from the horse's mouth.”
“I don't think that'll work,” Jim replied. “I mean if they don't even believe you that I wasn't cheating on Bones, they won't believe me or him. To them we'd have every reason to lie and none to be honest.”
“I considered that, which is why there's option two.”
“Let's hear it.”
“You're going on holiday with McCoy and his daughter, right?”
Jim stiffened; he already did not like where this was going. “The second week, yeah.”
“Well, we could just...happen to tip off the press while you're all out getting ice cream or whatever. If the paparazzi get a few shots of the happy family together, it'll go a long way to clearing your image and...”
“Absolutely not.”
“Jim...”
“No. There is no way I am doing that to Bones while he's spending time with Jo. I am not ruining the one week he'll get with her for the foreseeable future by having us get sniped by the paps. Ignoring the part where he would never forgive me when he found out, which he totally would by the way, there's the part where I would never forgive myself. Besides, you know I hate those dicks.”
Indeed, Jim's hatred of those photographers was almost legendary. On more than one occasion, Bones had to restrain him from beating them senseless in the days immediately following Nero's attack.
The two men were for silent for a while, each considering what could be done. Eventually, Jim's shoulders sagged a little.
“I honestly don't understand this. I do a great job captaining this ship. I've done nothing but right by Bones since we got together. It just feels like I'm being punished for that.”
“I'm not happy about it either, Jim. I mean, after everything you've done that these bureaucrats would get so caught up in a detail like your personal life...” Pike bit off his words angrily. “It just seems ungrateful.”
He nodded his agreement. “Yeah.” He sighed again. “But I don't know what else to do here.”
Pike grabbed his chin with one hand. The two men remained silent for a time, both of them considering various ideas. Slowly, the older man came to a realization.
“Well,” he began and Jim gave him a wary look. “There is a third option.”
Chapter Two