Walk Away
by Starsinger
I honestly can't think of a better title for this. It's the Sequel to "Vulcan Science Academy" where Jim, T'Nara, Bones et al try to survive Finney's Captaincy. Don't own them.
Jim sighed as T'Nara leaned back into the biobed. The average Vulcan pregnancy was eleven months. Though, like human women, Vulcan women weren't made to carry more than one baby to term. Most multiple pregnancies delivered early. T'Nara was proving to be the rule, unfortunately. McCoy ran the scanner over her distended belly. She was only twenty-eight weeks along.
McCoy sighed. He'd joined their bond two weeks after meeting them at a stop-over at New Vulcan. He was still adjusting to knowing what they felt. "Okay, here's the problem, you're carrying twins. I'm putting you on bed rest. Fortunately, we have a Vulcan specialist here named Geoffrey M'benga," he said with a chuckle. Jim and T'Nara knew very well who Geoff was.
Jim sighed. "We're civilians, Bones. You know very well that Starfleet will want her off this ship when they learn about this."
"I know, Jim. Send her to T's. Tesla would love to have her there," Bones said. He smiled. The day he brought Jo up to meet Tesla had been interesting. Jo had tried hiding behind Dan. She could comprehend a Great Dane, Tesla was a different story. Jo had hung on to that dog with all her might until Tesla rubbed her head up against the little girl's side. Now, they were almost inseparable with Jo calling T every night to say good night to Tesla.
"It'll be a couple of weeks before we return to Earth, Jim," T'Nara told him soothingly. "They can't object to us waiting that long." Jim shook his head. His instincts screamed that Admiral Marcus was a Xenophobe and would do everything he could to do just that.
Bones smiled. "The good news is the babies are healthy and growing well. Earth will have better facilities if they decide to come early too. The artificial wombs are top notch," Bones said. Bones and Jim helped T'Nara to her feet. She was going straight from Sickbay to their quarters. Bones still found it a bit strange sharing a bed with two other people, well, four if you counted the twins.
Jim and T'Nara walked down the corridors of the Enterprise in Vulcan robes. The crew had become accustomed to their appearance. A large Diplomatic Corps badge was visible on the left breasts of the clothes identifying their purpose. Then, they both heard it.
"You cannot be serious, Ambassador!" a strident voice could be heard. "Those people cannot be reasoned with. They're aliens!"
"By your definition, so am I!" another voice roared to life. Jim and T'Nara looked at each other. It sounded like Captain Finney was at it again with another Ambassador. They'd agreed to pick up a few for Council's opening sessions while on their way back to Earth.
"Sounds like Ambassador Doleis," Jim murmured. Sure enough, Finney was toe-to-toe with the Andorian Ambassador as Jim and T'Nara rounded the corner. Jim stepped between them. "Gentlemen, please, what are we debating today?"
"Talks with the Romulans," Finney responded. "Why are we even talking to them? They destroyed Vulcan," he added belatedly.
Jim held up a hand to Doleis. "Because they didn't destroy Vulcan. A Romulan did. They also know the future of their planet lies in what we know and how we can prevent it," Jim continued.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Doleis replied. "Good day, Jim," came the sentence as the Ambassador turned and headed for his quarters.
"Jimmy, how do you know what to say?" Finney asked sarcastically.
"Training. You'll excuse us," Jim said as he and T'Nara walked off without even looking back.
"He's a dangerous man, Jim," T'Nara told him as she settled into bed. Jim removed her shoes and rubbed her feet. Everyone knew Finney resented Jim's presence on the Enterprise. Many felt that Jim should be Captain, not Finney.
"I know. I promise, once this business is done with the Enterprise, I'll walk away and we can settle wherever we want. Betazed, Earth, New Vulcan, the possibilities are endless," he said as he reached out a hand and caressed her belly. They were both worried. Nothing seemed to be going as planned, and they only had a few more months to prepare for the twins. If only he and Spock could get Finney to calm down into the position. He was very capable of it, he just lacked stability. Next year, Jim promised himself, he, T'Nara and the twins would be waiting for Bones to finish his tour of duty and return home. Yet, that seemingly simple goal felt like an impossible dream as a cold shudder ran down Jim's back.
