Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Anything Star Trek! I only own any original characters I create. First and foremost though, Star Trek is my inspiration and all credit goes to Gene Rodenberry and whoever else owns the franchise now. But really, thank God for Gene Rodenberry.
*Author's Note: Thanks for reading! Reviews are always welcomed, as is honesty. I am a Trekkie and love everything Science Fiction so, I hope that reflects in my work. Let me know if you see any grammatical errors! I look over everything at least once, but I'm usually pretty tired and I'm not an English major or anything.*
Chapter 1: It All Falls Together
"Wait, there seems to be another child to be birthed," the nurse with large eyes spoke.
Winona Kirk had nothing left in her to respond. She was clutching to her newborn son with tears streaming down her face. He body was numb and her heart was beating frantically, but without hope. The nurses were speaking soothing words to her at first. Then they had discovered that the now widow had another child inside of her to deliver. She was now being instructed to push, again.
A small, barely breathing, girl was the last part of George Kirk's legacy to be had. Winona held tightly to her daughter in one hand and her son in the other as she wept. Her mind rifled through her memory to come up with a suitable name. She was alone in deciding and it just seemed so much harder. George has heard his son's cries but not his daughters. He would never know of the second beautiful thing laying in his wife's arms.
"Samantha," Winona whispered looking at her daughter. "I want her to be called Samantha George Kirk. I don't give a damn if she turns out a tomboy."
With a final resounding blast the shuttles were free to break away from the enemy ship. They were now two citizens more. James Tiberius Kirk and Samantha George Kirk, born in the wake of their father's demise, were only free and innocent in the moments that followed. There in the shuttle craft their mother held them tightly and mourned the loss of her husband while simultaneously celebrating the survival of her two, new, beautiful children. All that could be heard as the shuttled fled the horrific seen was the beeping of medical instruments and the soft cries of, not one, but two new additions to the Kirk family tree.
Jim Kirk had never been one to follow the rules set forth by his less than pleasant Step-Father. All he wanted to do was have fun and live life. His mother and sister were off planet seeing some kind of special doctor about headaches Sam had been having. Jim was not only concerned for his sister but, he was angry at his mother for leaving him at home. It wasn't so much that he was left to fend for himself against his putrid father figure; no, he wanted to accompany them to look after Sam.
The Kirk twins were similar in many ways. They were both short, but strong and fast. They had intense blue eyes that saw things they shouldn't and held on to them indefinitely. While Jim had completely blonde hair, his sister had a sort of strawberry blonde mess atop her head. Growing up the only way to tell the difference between the two was the slight pinkish red tint Sam's hair had.
Jim had stolen his Step-Father's car and been caught driving it off a cliff. He was currently locked in his room until his mother returned to attend to him and his rebellious ways. He had thought he would be allowed bathroom runs and some form of rations, but it had been 16 hours now without contact with anyone. He was starving to start with. He had also relieved himself by opening his window and using the air as toilet. He knew he would get hell for that eventually.
Finally he heard the front door creak open and light footsteps pound up the stairs. No doubt Sam had jumped from the car before it stopped and was rushing to check on him. Their Step-Father was not known for his resounding mercy and she had to be sure her brother would be alright. Upon finding the door locked she began banging against it with her shoulder. She then resorted to kicking it near the lock which proved successful in knocking it off its hinges.
She ran to Jim and began inspecting him for any injuries. He had several scrapes and cuts on his face from jumping from the car but, other than those he was fine. He had been shown mercy in the form of silence. Samantha lead him into her room and locked the door from the inside so that they would have privacy. She looked into her brother's eyes with sad wide pupils.
"Jimmy, I don't know why you always have to mess things up when I leave you," she sighed exasperated.
"I was only doing what I normally do Sammy!" he defended.
"But you aren't supposed to do it without me," she scowled.
"Next time I'll wait till you get home to drive a car off a cliff, I'm sure you'd love it," he teased. "So what'd the doc have to say about your head?"
"There's nothing wrong that he can find. He said I'm having hallucinations because of psychological stuff prob'ly," she muttered ashamed.
"Hey, I don't think you're crazy. Everyone else is just too stupid to figure out what's wrong with you," he declared.
"Doesn't matter anymore," she said softly.
"Why not?" he questioned confused.
"They said they would leave me alone now and make my headaches better. That one day when I was older and really needed to I would know how to do what I'm supposed to," she explained.
"I don't understand what any of that means but I know I won't be letting you out of my sight till you're old and grey!" Jim told her comfortingly.
"Thanks Jimmy. You know I love you most days, like today."
"You know, I love you too Sammy."
Jim and Sam Kirk were sitting in a local bar laughing, drinking, and enjoying each other's company. They had just turned twenty-one and were excited to celebrate together. For Sam it meant finally fessing up to a rather big decision she had made without telling her brother. For Jim it meant eyeing up what women he could score later that night.
"Jimmy, I gotta tell you something," Sam said gasping as she stopped laughing at Jim's previous joke.
"What is it Sammy?" he asked playfully, thinking she was leading into another joke.
"I'm joining Starfleet," she said quietly.
Jim roared with laughter and order another round of drinks. When he took another good look at his sister he realized that she was not joking at all. This made him very nervous, and very angry.
"The hell you are," he all but growled.
"I applied and they were happy to take me. My aptitude tests were off the charts just like yours. I signed up for tactical planning and advanced weaponry," she told him calmly.
"Samantha, you must be out of your mind if you think I would ever let you run off to Starfleet alone," he told her.
"James, you must be out of your mind to think I need your permission!"
The conversation was getting heated and both siblings were clutching their drinks tighter as they spoke. Jim was dead set against Sam leaving him. Sam couldn't understand why he cared if he wouldn't even consider joining himself. He wanted nothing more out of life than what he had. That wasn't good enough for Sam, not at all.
"Sammy, please don't leave me," he pleaded in a softer tone once their staring contest became too much.
"Jim, I'll visit all the time and still talk to you. You could come with me you know," she suggested.
"Never in a million years," he smirked.
Sam Kirk was excelling in all of her classes even though she was taking six a semester. Her teachers all looked at her like she was gift wrapped especially for them. She truly was the perfect student. She had an insatiable passion for learning and a keen capacity for doing so quickly. She asked questions and listened carefully as though the words the teachers said were sacred. They couldn't help but feel idolized by her.
Sam had made several great friends at the Academy already. Nyota Uhura was her roommate for the first semester until Sam was placed in a specialized dorm for her program. The two kept close though and were always going out together. Sam had also found a friend in one her rather unconventional professors. Spock, the half human half Vulcan, found Sam Kirk to be impressively fascinating. She craved knowledge and had a very fast rate of learning. The Commander took it upon himself to tutor her privately in areas her allotted course work did not cover.
Through this friendship with the Commander she developed a sort of quasi relationship. Oddly enough he had made the first move. After a mind meld he performed due to his curiosity as to how her mind functioned he became more intrigued by her. They spent more time than ever together and Spock could not resist his human urges to lay claim to her against all the other many suitors Sam had. The two proceeded in secrecy with Uhura as their only confidant.
It was Sam's second year as a cadet and she was already being considered for promotion and special program insertion. She journeyed with the a select few cadets to go on a recruitment trip before school started back up. Their last stop was Iowa, in Sam's home town. Off the shuttle all the cadets and new recruits went straight for the local bar. Uhura assumed Sam would be going to her home but found her sauntering along with the crowd instead.
"Aren't you going to check in with your family?" she questioned.
"My mom will be asleep by now and my lovely brother is no doubt occupying a stool in the bar," she replied with a fond smile.
As the approached the bar Sam caught sight of an old friend and stopped to say hi and catch up. She told Uhura she would meet her inside and to order drinks for their group. So Uhura proceeded inside and walked to the bar with a determined swish of her hips. While ordering her drinks she was interrupted by a voice to her left.
"That's a lot of drinks for one woman," said a drunk, but handsome, looking blonde guy with blue eyes just like Sam's.
"And a shot of Jack straight up," Uhura ordered as an afterthought.
"Make that two, her shots on me," the blonde guy said smoothly.
"Her shots on her. Thanks but no thanks," she regarded him with a sweet but knowing smile.
"Don't you at least wanna know my name before you completely reject me?" he asked.
"I'm fine without it," she said with a laugh. This had to be the infamous brother Sam had told her about.
"You are fine without it," he replied cockily. "It's Jim, Jim Kirk." Her suspicions were instantly confirmed.
"If you don't tell me your name I'm gonna have to make one up," he continued relentlessly.
"It's Uhura," she replied tiredly hoping Sam would walk in soon.
"Uhura, No way! That's the name I was gonna make up for you. Uhura what?" he pressed.
"Just Uhura," she smiled amused by his antics.
"They don't have last names on your world?" he asked.
"Uhura is my last name," she replied evenly.
"They don't have first names on your world?" he questioned a bit confused. He took a breath then stood up and walked over to where she was waiting for her drinks.
"So you're a cadet, you're study, what's your focus?" he asked to keep the conversation going.
"Xenolinguistics, you have no idea what that is," she replied in a snarky tone.
"Study of alien languages; morphology, phonology, syntax," he declared. "Means you've got a talent of tongue."
"I'm impressed. For a moment there I thought you were just a dumb hick who only had sex with farm animals," she told him.
"Well, not only," he joked. She laughed in response as another, much larger, cadet walked up to her and Jim.
"This townie isn't bothering you right?" the large bald man asked sheepishly.
"Oh, beyond belief. But it's nothing I can't handle," Uhura replied.
"You could handle me, that's an invitation," Jim told her seriously in his seductive voice.
"Hey you better mind your manners," the big man ordered.
"Oh relax cupcake it was a joke," Jim clarified patting him on the shoulder.
"Hey!" he said jerking Jim to face him, "Farm boy, maybe you can't count but there are four of us and one of you."
"So get some more guys and then it'll be an even fight," Jim smirked slapping his new friend cupcake gently a few times.
Jim turned back around just as Sam walked into the bar to see cupcake rear his fist back and punch her brother square in the jaw. He turned dripping blood for a moment then faced his attacker. Cupcake went in for another punch but Jim lifted his foot and kicked him with trained force, knocking him back several feet. After this occurred the other three cadets happily joined in attempting to beat Jim to a pulp.
Sam also joined the fight but didn't last long since two more cadets who knew her grabbed and restrained her as the other four continued ganging up on her brother. Uhura continually yelled for them to stop even after Jim accidently groped her. Sam knocked one of her captors completely unconscious and began fighting off the other and one of Jim's attackers. Finally Sam was held at bay and Jim was forced on top of a table and repeatedly punched leaving blood to spew everywhere.
"If you don't stop hurting him right now I will kill you all when we get to headquarters!" she shouted furiously.
Uhura could only watch in horror and fear as she had no combat training. Suddenly the doors opened and the recruiting leader, Captain Pike, stepped through. He whistled louder than a horn and the cadets all ceased their actions.
"Outside, all of you, now!" he ordered.
Sam rushed to her brother as Uhura gave her a fleeting apologetic look which she accepted and returned. Sam checked over Jim's injuries and tried to get him to sit up.
"Are you okay son?" Pike asked.
"You can whistle really loud, did you know that?" he responded drunkenly.
Sam shook her head and smiled halfway at Captain Pike. He walked over to settle things with the bar manager while Sam picker her brother up and began cleaning him off. She scolded him for picking unnecessary fights, then hugged him because she had missed him. Pike returned and politely ordered Sam to leave so he could speak with Jim alone. Sam acquiesced hoping Pike could talk some sense into him.
"When I saw Sam with you it dawned on me who you must be," Pike commented casually.
"Who am I Captain Pike?" Jim asked indignantly while napkins hung out of his nose pooling the blood.
"Your father's son," he responded evenly.
"Can I get another one?" Jim shouted towards the bartender.
"You know for my dissertation I was assigned the USS Kelvin. There's something I always admired about your Dad, he didn't believe in no-win scenarios," Pike told him.
"Sure learned his lesson," Jim chuckled darkly.
"Well it depends on how you define winning, you're here aren't you?" he responded.
"Thanks" Jim said to the bartender as he was supplied another drink. He gestured sarcastically to Pike as an answer.
"You know that instinct to leap without looking was in his nature too. And in my opinion it's something that Starfleet's lost," Pike observed.
"Why are you talking to me man?" Jim asked.
"Because I looked up your file when I first met your sister. Your aptitude levels are off the charts, just like hers, so what is it? Do you like being the only genius level repeat offender in the Midwest?" Pike questioned.
"Maybe I love it," Jim shrugged.
"Look, so your Dad dies, you can settle for a less than ordinary life. But do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special. Your sister does," Pike threw back at him. "Enlist in Starfleet."
"Enlist?" Kirk asked laughing. "You guys must be way down on your recruiting quota for the month."
"Well, If you're half the man your father was Jim, Starfleet could use you. You can be an officer in four years, you can have your own ship in eight. You understand what the federation is don't you? It's important. It's a peacekeeping and humanitarian armada," Pike was cut off suddenly by Jim.
"We done?" he asked.
"I'm done," he said standing up. "Riverside shipyard, shuttle for new recruits leaves tomorrow 0800. Your father was Captain of a starship for 12 minutes, he saved 800 lives. Including your mother's, your sister's, and yours. I dare you to do better."
With that Captain Pike left Jim sitting alone in the bar to think. He walked outside to find Sam waiting eagerly for the outcome of their talk. He looked her in the eyes and gestured towards his car for her to get in. She hesitated for a moment before following him.
"He's an asshole," she stated simply.
"He's your brother," Pike responded smiling lightly.
"He's selfish," she said.
"He's scared," Pike replied thoughtfully.
"Of what?" she asked skeptically.
"Lots of things," he began. "Losing you for starters. Not being good enough for you or your dad's memory."
"Then he's a stubborn, emotional, fool," Sam said.
"He's a young man with nowhere to go. Get some sleep and let him think. If you don't see him before we leave tomorrow I'll let you stay for a week leave," Pike offered.
"Deal," Sam said and hopped out of the car and walked towards her hotel room.
The next day Sam was surprised to see Jim ride up on his motorcycle, give it away and walk up to Pike saying, "Three years, I'll do it in four."
He continued into the shuttle craft while Sam stared at Pike in disbelief before she followed him in. She saw him smirk in Uhura's direction so instead of sitting in the empty seat beside her brother, Sam sat next to Uhura diagonally across from Jim.
"I don't need a doctor, dammit I am a doctor!" they all heard a southern accented voice shout.
"You need to get back to your seat," a flight officer ordered a disgruntled looking man with disheveled brown hair.
"I had one. In the bathroom with no windows," he replied.
"You need to get back in your seat, now!" she order again louder.
"I suffer from aviophobia, it means fear of dying in something that flies!" the man exclaimed angrily.
"Sir, for your own safety, sit down or else I'll make you sit down!" she tried one last time.
The man nodded and walked towards where Jim was sitting and began to buckle up. He still looked angry and a little bit drunk maybe. Sam gazed at him curiously as he leaned over to Jim.
"I may throw up on yah," he admitted.
"I think these things are pretty safe," Jim tried.
"Don't pander to me, kid. One tiny crack in the hull and our blood boils in thirteen seconds. Solar flare might crop up, cook us in our seats. And wait'll you're sitting pretty with a case of Andorian shingles, see if you're still so relaxed when your eyeballs are bleeding. Space is disease and danger wrapped in darkness and silence," he rushed out.
"Well, I hate to break this to you, but Starfleet operates in Space," Jim told the man.
"Yeah. Well, I got nowhere else to go. The ex-wife took the whole damn planet in the divorce. All I got left is my bones," he replied bitterly while unscrewing the cap to a flask. He took a sip and offered Jim some which he took.
"Jim Kirk."
"McCoy, Leonard McCoy," the man said.
"Nice to meet you that blonde over there is my twin sister Sammy," Jim pointed.
"Do not ever call me Sammy," I instructed. "But it's nice to meet you all the same.
With that last sentiment and a nod of his head the shuttle took off. They were on their way back to San Francisco, Starfleet Headquarters. Sam was ready to jump back into school and, she was more than a little excited that Jim was coming as well. She couldn't wait to tell Spock and the rest of her professors who she hoped would be impressed with the work her brother would do.
3 years later...
In the short three years since Jim had joined his sister at Starfleet academy and both siblings had made rather specific names for themselves. While both excelled exponentially in their studies, one took things more seriously than the other. Sam had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander due to her training and her performance on a rather tough mission she was assigned in her junior year. Jim excelled in his studies, even though they were broad based, but he had a tenancy to get in little bouts of trouble.
The usual bar scuffles and domestics disturbances were a normal occurrence for Jim. Thanks to his roommate and best friend, Leonard McCoy, he always came out of things relatively unscathed or completely healed. Sam appreciated Leo's unwavering dedication and considered him one of her closest friends as well. She often spent her time in their room or in common areas with them laughing and attempting to study.
Jim had made quite a name for himself among the females of Starfleet and the surrounding area. His lust was insatiable. McCoy spent many nights either in the hallway outside of their dorm or in Sam's room. Since she was in a special program she didn't have a roommate. Some nights when she was there Leo slept on the floor beside her bed and other times she was elsewhere and he claimed her bed for himself.
It was the afternoon and Jim and Jim had a spring in his step that was pleasant but unusual. Sam and McCoy were walking with him through the courtyard as he chatted up and smiled at everything in a skirt.
"What's go you so happy?" McCoy asked.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jim said unconvincingly.
"I don't suppose you do," Leo continued.
"I'm taking the test again," he said to them.
"You got to be kidding me," McCoy rolled his eyes.
"Jimmy c'mon," Sam tried.
"Yeah, tomorrow morning and I want you both there," he said distractedly.
"You know, I've got better things to do than watch you embarrass yourself for a third time. I'm a doctor, Jim, I'm busy," McCoy said.
"Bones," Jim began, using his nickname for McCoy, "Doesn't it bother you that no one's ever passed the test?"
"Jim, it's the Kobyashi Maru. No one passes that test, and no one goes back for seconds, let alone thirds," McCoy tried.
"Plus you aren't getting the point of it," Sam added.
"I got to study," he said kissing his sister's forehead and bolting towards the dorms.
"Study my ass," Leo said.
"Who is he seeing lately?" Sam asked not really caring.
"Some green chick," Leo said chuckling.
"Ha!" Sam laughed, "That's Uhura's roommate I'll bet. He just loves to do anything to irritate her. You should be safely alone tonight then," Sam told him.
"Yeah, I guess. Wanna grab a drink?" he offered.
"Sure," Sam replied.
The two friends proceeded to a dive bar just off campus and sat down at a table in the corner. They were still in uniform so they didn't want to make a spectacle like they normally would if Jim were there. The bartender tensed for a moment until he realized that Jim was not accompanying them. They both ordered their drinks and settled into an easy conversation.
A few drinks, drinking games, and drinking dares later both Sam and Leo were completely toasted. Leo could handle his alcohol much better than Sam though. As they settled up with the bar tender and walked out of the door Sam began to struggle with walking. Leo decided he would help her back to her room like the gentlemen he was.
"You know Leo, your hair is really soft," Sam slurred as she petted his head roughly.
Leonard McCoy had been divorced and heart broken right before he entered Starfleet. He was able to quickly get past this though, due to a certain strawberry blonde who wormed her way into his heart. She was always smiling and supportive of Jim and Leo. She had taken both of them under her wing at the academy. This was expected of her to do for her brother but not for Leo. He was entranced by her eerily dark blue eyes and silky long hair. In his drunken state he knew mistakes could made and excused in the morning.
McCoy half dragged, half carried Sam back to her dorm and led her inside. He had long ago obtained her door code for nights when he was locked out of his own by her brother. He set her down on the bed and walked into the bathroom to relive himself. When he came back out she had stripped down to her underwear and bra and was standing in front of him innocently.
"Don't stare Lenny," she teased putting her hands on her hips and making herself that much more attractive.
"Well don't strut around like somethin' to stare at then darlin'," he drawled in a husky voice.
Her eyes contemplated his words for a moment and she let her guard down. Leo walked forwards and pinned her down against the bed and began kissing her roughly. She took a moment in her drunken state to register what was happening. When she did, she pushed him off of her hard. He flew off the bed and half way across the room, banging his head on her desk.
"Ow," he complained rubbing the back of his head, "Damn woman, that's a little rough. Even for me."
"Leo. I'm married," she said.
"What?" he yelled eye bulging out of his head.
"Well not exactly married, but in a very serious relationship," she explained. "I mean to say, it's a secret but it's also the only relationship I'll ever have. I love him completely."
"Well, I'm sure he's a bastard whoever he is," McCoy said standing up and walking towards the door.
"Lenny," she pleaded but he had already walked through the door.
That night Sam cried herself to sleep thinking of how much it was her fault that Leo thought of her like that. She loved Spock. She would never have feelings for someone else. She didn't want to hurt her best friend like that though. Leo stomped angrily into his and Jim's shared room glaring at Jim's sleeping body before passing out.
In the morning all three got ready for Jim's test in silence. Jim was comfortably ready, even a little smug. Leo was nervous and still a little angry at Sam for not telling him and Jim about her secret boyfriend. Sam was completely mortified and definitely still a little bit drunk. On her way to the test she was spotted by Spock. He pulled her to the side of the crowd, into a dark corner where no one could see or hear them.
"You look troubled," he evaluated.
"Spock," she whispered caressing his face.
He leaned into the very human gesture, closing his eyes. This was his future. He could see all good things in Samantha Kirk. He wanted to keep her by his side for the rest of his life. He was desperate to hold on to her. He felt things, things he had never considered to feel before. She made him feel vulnerable and, human.
"I," she began hesitantly looking down as a tear fell from her eye. "I love you."
"Despite my attempts to quell the growing emotions within me I believe I love you as well," he told her.
Sam looked up at him, her eyes shining with a new found purpose, and allowed the silent tears to flow freely. She loved a half Vulcan and he returned her affections. This was something for the books surely. Sam decided to wait to tell Spock about her indiscretions the night before. She had not been at fault and had rebuffed Leo's advances completely but, she still felt bad.
Instead she stood on her toes to passionately kiss her boyfriend. He returned the kiss, immediately taking control and back her farther into their dark corner. Spock placed one hand on her hip and the other on her face in a gentle caress. Their kisses became urgent and his grip tightened. He moved the hand on her face to the small of her back so he could position her body how he wanted it. His movements were lust induced and frenzied. With their newly declared love anything was possible.
Sam felt Spock's grip on her hip bone tighten until it became painful. She knew he couldn't gauge his actions while in this hazy state. Still, she attempted to pull away only to be held in place. She let out a small whimper to let him know he was hurting her and he instantly released her and stepped back. Both Sam and Spock were breathing heavily and staring at each other with questions in their eyes.
"I did not intend to exert unnecessary force upon you. My mind was focused elsewhere," he admitted.
"You didn't hurt me Spock," Sam said stepping forwards and linking her hand with his. "I'm fine, but I have to get to the test to make sure my brother is doing alright."
"I am sure that you will both perform admirably in the simulation. Perhaps this time your brother will infer the purpose of the test and we can be finished with his many agonizing attempts," Spock told her.
"He won't ever learn his lesson," Sam said smiling. "I'll meet you after the test in your quarters?" she asked.
"That will be sufficient," Spock answered blushing slightly.
The two shared a simple sweet kiss before heading in opposite directions. Spock continued to ponder the revelation of his love for Sam. He was oddly undisturbed by this emotion. He knew he felt it for his mother, it seemed only natural to feel it for the woman he had been seeing in a romantic capacity. Sam was trying to think of ways to tell Spock about Leo and, Jim and Leo about Spock. She would wait until the test was over before she said anything.
Just before she walked into the testing area she spotted Leo. He was waiting by the door in a crumpled uniform. He looked hung over and miserable. She hoped her less than gracious rejection had nothing to do with it. She walked up to him with a cautious smile on her face. He instantly noticed her and stood straighter as she approached.
"You look interesting," she commented carefully.
"Yeah, well I didn't sleep much. Walked around campus for a bit then changed and came here," he said.
"You never slept?" Sam asked incredulously.
"I had a lot to think about," he said gruffly.
"Leo," she said sadly.
"Listen, dammit, I don't care if you're dating the President of the Federation he's not good enough," McCoy said through clenched teeth.
"And you are?" Sam countered.
"I may not be as perfect as a circle but I sure as hell know how to treat a woman. Dammit I know you Sam. I know what you like and how you think. Who the hell else could possibly have gotten past the Great Wall of Sam?"
"None of your damn business," she said fuming.
She nudged past him into the testing room where she spotted Jim speaking with Uhura. He was trying to convince her, yet again, to go out on a date with him. Nyota was much too smart though. She took her seat shaking her head with a smile and waved slightly to Sam. All students were present and the simulation began.
"We're receiving a distress signal from the USS Kobayashi Maru. The ship has lost power and is stranded. Starfleet Command has ordered us to rescue them," Uhura said tiredly.
"Starfleet Command has ordered us to rescue them, Captain," Jim said slowly.
"Two Klingon vessels have entered the neutral zone and are locking weapons on us," McCoy informed Jim.
"That's okay," Jim replied.
"That's okay?" McCoy asked.
"Yeah, don't worry about it," Jim said pulling out an apple and taking a bite.
"Did he say don't worry about it?" an Instructor asked in the observation room.
" Is he not taking the simulation seriously?" another Instructor ventured to guess.
"Three more Klingon warbirds decloaking and targeting our ship. I don't suppose this is a problem either?" McCoy asked sarcastically.
"They're firing, Captain," Sam informed him punching away at buttons at her security station.
"Alert medical bay to prepare to receive all crew members from the damaged ship," Jim directed Uhura.
"And how do you expect us to rescue them when we're surrounded by Klingons, Captain?" Uhura asked now slightly peeved, crossing her arms.
"Alert medical," Jim said slowly facing her with his signature smirk on his face.
"Our ship is being hit. Shields at sixty percent," McCoy said.
" I understand," Jim said.
"Well should we, I don't know, fire back?" McCoy suggested throwing his arms about in an annoyed fashion.
"No," Jim replied taking a bite of apple.
"Of course not," McCoy muttered.
As Sam, Uhura, and McCoy grew more annoyed and filled with disbelief the power suddenly turned out. Sam slightly panicked. She had always been afraid of the dark, to an almost comically ridiculous degree. Jim grimaced knowing his plan would affect his sister negatively. McCoy started to stand to walk over to Sam and Uhura looked around wildly for the source of the problem. In the observation room the instructors began asking questions.
"What is this? What's going on?" one Professor asked.
"Hmm," Jim mused for a moment. "Arm photons, prepare to fire on the Klingon warbirds," he directed Sam.
"Jim, their shields are still up," she replied.
"Are they?" he asked looking to McCoy.
"No. They're not," he answered in disbelief.
"Fire on all enemy ships. One photon each should do it, so don't waste ammunition," he ordered Sam with a smirk.
"Target locked and acquired on all warbirds. Firing," Sam spoke. "All ships destroyed," she informed him.
"Begin rescue of the stranded crew. So, we've managed to eliminate all enemy ships, no one onboard was injured, and the successful rescue of the Kobayashi Maru crew is underway," he said cockily taking another bite of his apple and looking towards the observation room with an indignant smirk.
"How the hell did that kid beat your test?" a Professor asked.
"I do not know," Spock replied, puzzlement lighting his face.
The other cadets happily cheered Jim all the way to the bar after they were let out of the simulation. Uhura simply rolled her eyes and walked away. McCoy grabbed Sam's arm in an attempt to stop her from leaving, but Sam pulled away roughly and he lost sight of her in the crowd. She headed straight for Spock's quarters. She knew he would want to see her immediately. Something had gone gravely wrong with that test.
Before she stepped close enough to the door to set off the chime Spock walked up behind her, punched the door code in, and lead her inside. He stood facing her with an accusatory glare. She could understand his suspicions of her brother, but of her?
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked.
"I am simply attempting to dissect your character," he told her.
"You think I helped him cheat," she said bluntly.
"No," he said slowly. "I am, worried, that you will attempt to assist him in covering up his techniques."
"Spock," she said reaching out for him. "I would never condone Jim cheating. Court Marshal him and throw him out of school, he's being a bastard," she told him.
"I did not wish to place you in a position where you would be forced to choose between your brother and myself. I care for your emotional well being very much," he admitted pulling her into a tight hug.
"I would never have to choose. I know that my brother is a good person. I don't understand why he cheated this time. What I mean to say is I can't see a time when you'll both be right and I'll have to choose. I will always pick what's morally right," she explained clutching to Spock like a lifeboat.
"I am relieved to hear your explanation. I would not want to become a source of unrest in your life," he sighed.
"You could only ever be an escape, a sweet blissful non reality that whisks me away from all of my troubles," Sam told him.
"I am unsure of the meaning behind your words but, the sentiment seems lovely all the same," he allowed.
They held each other for several hours before Sam snuck back to her room in the dark. She was disgruntled with her brother for possibly cheating but, she was so very content with her relationship. She slept soundly feeling as though she were floating on a cloud. Her spirits lifted by the knowledge of Spock's love.
The next morning all cadets and personnel were called to the auditorium for a special meeting. McCoy and Jim arrived together and took seats near the front as they always did for these things. Uhura and Sam sat together towards the middle so as not to draw attention to themselves, for they could guess about the nature of the meeting.
"This session has been called to resolve a troubling matter. James T. Kirk, step forward. Cadet Kirk, evidence has been submitted to this council, suggesting that you violated the ethical code of conduct pursuant to Regulation One-Seven point three of the Starfleet Code. Is there anything you care to say before we begin, sir?" Admiral Barnett announced.
"Yes, I believe I have the right to face my accuser directly," Jim said once he had arrived at the podium.
Spock stood from the audience and began walking towards the front. Sam tingled with fear for her brother but, she knew he needed to be held accountable for his actions. McCoy was watching with a halfway amused expression until he turned and saw Sam's worried gaze. Uhura was indifferent, only hoping Jim would finally get some sense forced into him.
"Step forward, please," Barnett began. "This is Commander Spock. He's one of our most distinguished graduates. He's programmed the Kobayashi Maru exam for the last four years. Commander?"
"Cadet Kirk, you somehow managed to install and activate a subroutine to the programming code, thereby changing the conditions of the test," Spock said matter-o-factly.
"Your point being?" Jim asked cheekily.
"In academic vernacular, you cheated," Barnett accused.
"Let me ask you something, I think we all know the answer to. The test itself is a cheat, isn't it? You programmed it to be unwinnable," Jim reasoned.
"Your argument precludes the possibility of a no-win scenario," Spock said.
"I don't believe in no-win scenarios," Jim replied with confidence.
"Then, not only did you violate the rules, you also failed to understand the principle lesson,"
"Please, enlighten me," Jim said.
"You of all people should know, Cadet Kirk. A Captain cannot cheat death," Spock replied.
Sam sucked in a shaky breath of air. Spock had gone too far. Their father's death was a cared untouchable matter. He should have known that bringing him into the argument would negatively affect Sam.
"I of all people," Jim said flatly.
"Your father, Lieutenant George Kirk, assumed command of his vessel before being killed in action, did he not?" Spock pressed.
"I don't think you like the fact that I beat your test?" Jim diverted.
"Furthermore, you have failed to divine the purpose of the test," Spock told him.
"Enlighten me again," Jim said.
"The purpose is to experience fear. Fear in the face of certain death. To accept that fear, and maintain control of oneself and one's crew. This is a quality expected in every Starfleet captain," Spock informed him as though he was telling someone the sky was blue.
Just then an aide approached the Admiral and handed him a readout. The Admiral read for a moment before deciding something and turning back to the audience. There was a sort of calm fear in his eyes that waivered slightly under the lights.
"We've received a distress call from Vulcan. With our primary fleet engaged in the Laurentian system, I hereby order all cadets to report to Hangar One immediately. Dismissed," Admiral Barnett ordered.
"Who was that pointy-eared bastard?" Jim asked as McCoy approached him while the other cadets filed out of the auditorium.
"I don't know, but I like him," Bones told him slapping his back.
Jim rolled his eyes at his friend and left for the hanger with Bones following. Neither man was worried about possible repercussions, knowing that Jim would smile his way to an award somehow instead. Uhura and Sam had already arrived in Hanger One. Uhura waited in line for her posting while Sam reported directly to Captain Pike who had been over seeing her placement as Security Chief of the newly sanctioned USS Enterprise.