You and Bones laid on the couch, legs stacked on top of one another groaning.
"Oh come on Bones, Y/N" it can't be that bad Jim stated as he looked at the two of you. You lifted your head and glared at Jim.
"Not that bad? You don't have half the crew up in the bridge puking on you and all over everything else, not to mention more than half the staff have it too! It's a miracle that Bones and I aren't sick as well". You counter.
"I chalk it up at all that clean living we do" Bones quipped.
"Oh yeah, I'm sure it's all that bourbon" Jim said as he rolled his eyes. "Just sanitizes you from the inside out".
"Hey, whatever works kid.." Bones trailed off as he laid his head back against the couch.
"Oh give us a break Jim, we're tired" you replied as you copied Bones and laid your head against your end of the couch.
"Hey, as your big brother, it's my duty to give you hell" Jim said matter of fact.
"Well in that case, it's my duty as your little sister to tell you to get fucked... captain" putting emphasis on "captain".
Jim feigned shock. "If I didn't know any better Y/N, but that sounds a lot like insubordination. I should lock you in the brig." Jim stated.
"Yeah right, I wish you would. I might actually be able to catch up on some sleep down there. But I'm pretty sure Bones would murder you if we were another nurse short. Besides, I'm the only one keeping his rage from spilling over to you now as it is". You laughed softly.
"They would never find your body, Jim". Bones said apathetically, never lifting his head from the couch. You and Jim had a good laugh.
"I'm serious, Jim... never" Bones reiterated. Jim looked slightly nervous and quickly changed the subject.
"Well it's a good thing we have shore leave next week then" Jim said.
"Oh yeah" you exclaimed "I almost forgot". You smacked Bones' leg with the back of your hand. "Is Joanna still coming to visit you" you ask unsure.
"As far as I know. I haven't heard any different". Bones said quietly, but you didn't mistake the hint of anxiety in his tone.
"It'll be good to see her, it's been way too long" Jim stated before you could question Bones further.
"Yeah, its hard to believe she's already 10 this year" you reply.
"10" Bones groaned loudly "double digits! Next she'll be married"!
"Oh it's not that bad Bones, lighten up" Jim laughed.
"I can't wait to see her, 3 years is a really long time. I hope she hasn't forgotten about us" you said.
"Tell me about it Y/N" Bones started, shaking his head lightly "and believe me, she hasn't. She asks about you quite often Y/N"
"Hey! What about me" Jim whines.
"Usually she just asks if you've grown up yet and gotten over your fear of hypos" Bones snorts.
"Come on now, it's a legit phobia" Jim protested trying to act insulted.
"Sure, whatever Jim. They aren't that bad" you object "as Bones so eloquently puts it, don't be such an infant".
You and Bones bust up laughing while Jim sulks towards the kitchen and fills three tumblers full of amber liquid and brings them back over to the couch. Jim passes out the tumblers and you all hold up your glasses "to family and to the Enterprise" you all say as you clink your glasses together.
The rest of the week passed by quickly and uneventful. The crew were finally getting better and beginning to vacate your medbay, much to your and Bones delight. You couldn't be happier to go back to treating the simple things like burns and sprains.
"Thank god" you breath out as you flop on the chair inside of Bones office. "I couldn't handle the rest if this week being like the last. I was about ready to put myself into an induced coma".
"Oh, like hell you would, kid. I'd bring your ass back and make you work triples" Bones promised. You raise your hands to your chest in mock horror.
"You wouldn't dare" you grinned slightly.
"Try me, darlin'" Bones said through slitted eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, pursing his lips. You laugh and hoist yourself up from the chair.
"Oh, wipe that look off your face, Bones. I've become immune to it over the years. You're going to have to try harder" you tease as you lightly slap his back. "Come on, lets go. Jim is waiting at the cantina and I'm starving". Bones rolls his eyes, but you don't miss the smile playing on his lips. He follows you silently out of his office.
You woke the following morning fairly late, not having any duties to attend today. You drag yourself out of bed, yawning and rubbing your face with your hands. You make your way to the bathroom to take a shower. Thanking Jim in your head for allowing you to have real showers once in awhile, instead of those awful sonic ones. Finishing quickly so you don't use up all your water allotment, you step out of the shower and dry off, using the towel to muss your hair. You get dressed in your civilian clothes and proceed to finish drying your hair. You exit the shower and wander over to your closet to grab your shoes. You sit down on the edge of your bed and slip them on. You lift off from the bed and make your way out your front door in a hurry. You were so eager to get off this damned ship and onto some solid ground.
You headed to the bridge to look for Jim. Walking through the doors, you wave and greet everyone in the room when you find Jim in his chair.
"What time are we docking Jim" you ask as you strolled up behind him.
"We should be there and docked by 1100" Jim replied as he was going over some last minute paperwork that needed to be approved.
"Oh good, right around lunch... with real food" you said wistfully. Jim just smiled and laughed at the dreamy look on your face.
"Anyway, I need to go down to medical and make sure everything is squared away before we leave. I'll catch you later" you tell him as you kissed the top of his head. Jim doesn't look up from his paperwork but replies "love you Y/N" quietly. "love you too, Jim" you return.
You left the bridge, waving your goodbyes, and made your way down to medical. You make your way for Bones' office to see if he has any last assignments that need to be finished. You're fixing to walk through the door as soon as it swished open, only to be met with Bones' chest.
"Oooomph" you complain "Jesus, Bones in a hurry"?
"Sorry Y/N, guess I wasn't paying attention" Bones replied sheepishly. Immediately noticing his apology and lack of his usual witty banter, you bite.
"Whats up with you Bones" you ask, hoping he won't blow you off as usual. He lets out a long sigh and places his hand on the back of his neck and starts squeezing gently. You grab his other hand and gently guide him back into his office and let the doors slide quietly behind you.
"I guess I'm just worried about seeing Joanna. It's been 3 years Y/N" Bones started, staring at the ceiling. "What if she resents me now" Bones said the last part ever so softly as he looks down at you, the pain evident in his eyes from the thought.
"Oh, Bones" you breathe out "you know she doesn't. She loves you very much. She absolutely adores you and knows that you're doing the best that you can. You can't help that Jocelyn is a bitch most of the time" you said matter of fact.
Bones let out a breath of air. "I know Y/N, I just really don't want to mess this up and want to make the most of my time with her while I can. I want to make all of this mess up to her. I just don't even know where to start"
"You won't Bones, it'll be fine! Jo is going to be so happy to see you, just you wait. As far as making it up to her, don't worry about that. Just enjoy her and cherish the time you do have" you said giving Bones a small hug "now come on and quit sulking and lets go get your daughter" You glance up at Bones in time to see the last fading bits of a smile pass over his lips.
You and Bones head out of his office to the transporter room to meet up with Jim. You practically dance over to your portion of the pad. Before you knew it the all too familiar warmness of the beam was enveloping you in its light.
As the three of you materialized, you loudly exclaim "Sun! Fresh air! Oh my god, grass! I could cry"! you wipe a pretend tear from the corner of your eye.
"Oh, stop being so dramatic Y/N. Space isn't that bad" Jim snorts.
"Sorry brother, but not all of us have the same feelings about the cold, vast, emptiness of space as you do" you retort.
"I gotta agree with Y/N on this one Jim" Bones agreed.
"You two always conspire against me, so I'm not surprised Bones" Jim stated. You stuck your tongue out at your brother. Jim just rolls his eyes "juvenile". You hear a faint snort coming from Bones direction.
"Come on you two idiots, Jo will be here soon" you tell them as you wrap both your arms in one of theirs and dragged them along.
"Stop looking so worried Bones. It'll be fine, you'll see" you say trying to get him to cheer up. Bones doesn't reply and just keeps staring in the direction that the new arrivals are streaming out of.
A few quiet moments pass before you hear Jim say "there they are, guys".
You watch as you see Jo walking beside her mother and immediately notice that she wasn't so little anymore. Your heart pained slightly. Three years really was a lot longer than you had initially thought. In that moment, you agreed with what Bones was saying that night when you three were together. She was not allowed to grow up.
Bones stood stiff as a board beside you, you were almost wondering if he was fixing to go into shock. He looked pale and had a slight sheen of sweat on his face.
"Get a move on, Bones" you order as you elbow him softly in the ribs. Bones gulps quietly while wiping his face and makes his way toward them. You and Jim hang back giving them some space. You watch as Bones yells for Jo, you could see her eyes light up from where you stood. You hear her squeal "DADDY" and runs towards Bones, leaping into his outstretched arms.
"Hey there pumpkin" you hear him reply, as his gives her a soft kiss on the cheek "I missed you so much, Jo" Bones said hoarsely as he squeezes her tightly.
"I missed you too, daddy" Jo replied as she buries her head in Bones shoulder.
You watch their interaction for a few more moments before your attention wandered over to Jocelyn. She was standing a few steps behind Bones and Jo, looking particularly stony.
You nudged Jim slightly "this isn't going to be good" you murmur. Jim just nods his head in agreement, knowing that look as well as you did. Bones seems to have sensed it as well because he looked down at Jo and said something while nodding his head in your direction. Jo, who hadn't even noticed you and Jim yet, follows Bones head nod. You see her eyes light up yet again.
"Aunt Y/N! Uncle Jim!" she exclaims while racing over to you and attaches herself to your hip.
"Hey Jo" you laughed as you ruffled her hair, thoroughly enjoying her enthusiastic greeting. "How have you been? It's been way too long".
"I've been good" Jo replied as she peeled herself away from you to give Jim an equally enthusiastic hug.
"What have you been up to JoJo? No good I hope" Jim asked.
"Of course, uncle Jim. You taught me everything you know, remember" Jo replied giggling, and it was like music to your ears and you couldn't help but smile.
"Atta girl, JoJo" Jim squeezed her tightly, heart swelling with pride.
Jim and Jo continued to talk and you listened to their playful banter for a while just soaking it all in. It was like Jo and Jim hadn't been separated for the past three years as their conversation flowed effortlessly. You took your eyes off the two of them for a moment and glanced over in Bones' direction and noticed his stiff posture, arms crossed over his chest. Jim and Jos conversation began to fade to the background as you strained to hear the exchange between Bones and Jocelyn.
"I mean it Leonard. I'm trusting you with her" Jocelyn said with a bite to her tone.
"I know Joce, I'm not an idiot" Bones replied frigidly.
"The jury is still out on that one Leonard" Jocelyn snapped
"Goodbye Joce" Bones said curtly as he quickly turned his back to her and began walking back towards where you all stood.
"You ok" you mouthed at Bones so Jim and Jo wouldn't hear, since they were oblivious to the exchange that just happened between Bones and Joce. Bones just nods his head once in response, lips still in a tight line. You give him a sympathetic look and give his shoulder a small reassuring squeeze.
"Come on daddy! Lets go eat, I'm starving" Jo said as she grabbed your hand in one of hers and one of Bones in the other. "Jo, you're a woman after my own heart" you tell her approvingly. Jo just giggled in reply. "Come on uncle Jim. Sorry I don't have another hand" Jo said said as she began to drag you and Bones down the street. Jim laughed "thats ok Jo" as he started to jog to catch up with Jos pace.
You made your way down the street passing all kinds of restaurants and stores until finally agreeing on one to eat at. You make your way inside and sit down at a table. The waitress brings everyone some menus and glasses of water.
"So hows school been Jo" Bones asked after everyone got comfortable.
"Its good, but its boring" Jo replied while browsing the menu. "I think they want to put me in AP classes. Something about me not being "challenged" enough" she sat down her menu to add air quotes.
"Thats awesome Jo! I always said you were too smart for your own good" you joke.
"You got that right" Jim agreed.
"Well im going to have to be if I want to be a doctor like my daddy" Jo added nonchalantly, never looking up from her menu, oblivious to the impact of her words. Everyone at the table falls into silence. You quickly look towards Bones and immediately gather by his shocked expression, that Jo had never given him any indication that she wants to follow in his footsteps.
"You really want to be a doctor, Jo?" Jim was first to break the silence.
"Yeah" said Jo, finally looking up from her menu "I want to be able to save people's lives and make them feel better just like daddy and aunt Y/N" you hear Bones swallow loudly at her statement and could almost see a faint glisten in his eyes.
"Thats great Jo, I'm so proud of you. You'd be a fantastic doctor, probably smarter than your daddy" you say quickly, trying to make light of the situation while trying not to focus on the tears threatening to spill from your own eyes. Jo beams up at you and you give her an equally big smile in return.
You glance back over to Bones who still looks like a deer in headlights, your jab at his intelligence completely unheard. You were about to get his attention when Jim cut in first.
"So what are you getting to eat, Bones" Jim asked, snapping Bones out of his thoughts.
"And no, bourbon is not considered a main course" you rib at him.
"Haha, very funny" Bones finally speaks while leaning down to give Joanna a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm so very proud of you"
"Thanks daddy. I'll make you proud" Jo replied, wrapping her arms around Bones, squeezing him tightly.
"I know you will pumpkin. Whatever you choose to do, I'll always be proud of you" Bones said thickly
Now you know for a fact that you saw tears in Bones' eyes. You look over and offer him a small smile when he looks over at you, and he returns it with one of his own.
Everyone was about done with lunch when Jim's comm went off.
"Kirk here... Admiral Pike" Jim said, straightening in his seat slightly. "Yes sir... understood sir, well be right there" as he closes the comm and sighs while putting his face in his hands.
"What did Pike want" you ask genuinely curious. It wasn't like Pike to call for a polite chat.
"He needs Bones and me to come down to his office and debrief him on the little tribble incident". Bones just groans in reply. You, on the other hand, bust out laughing.
"Oh man, that's hilarious. I do not envy the two of you right now. Oh man, there were so many tribbles..." you trail off reminiscing "So if Pike murders the both of you, does that mean I get to be CMO" you question while wiggling your eyebrows at Bones.
"You will have to pry my medbay out of my cold dead hands" Bones stated.
It was quiet for a few moments before Jo asks innocently "what's a tribble"? All three of you begin to laugh.
"I'll show you one later when we get back to the ship" you tell her. "You promise"? Jo asked excitedly. "I promise" you reply.
Bones lets out a sigh from across the table. "Y/N do you mind..." he trailed off, inclining his head towards Jo. "Not at all" you state.
"Hey Jo, what do you say to hanging out with aunt Y/N for a couple hours while Jim and I go and talk to Admiral Pike" Bones asked, looking down at Jo.
"YAY" Jo exclaims as everyone laughed.
"I think that's a yes" Jim smiled.
"I think I saw an ice cream truck down the street across from the academy park. What do you say Jo"? You ask looking down at Jo.
"What are we waiting for"? Jo asks excitedly as she hops up from the table giving Jim and Bones a quick hug "love you daddy, love you uncle Jim" and turns practically running outside.
"Wait up Jo" you call after her, shaking your head at her excitement.
"Going to have your work cut out for you today Y/N" Jim jokes.
"Very funny, Jim. But I would take a fleet of active 10 year olds over giving the briefing you're going to have to give, but nice try" you said smugly as you lean down to give him a kiss on the top of his head.
"Thanks for watching her, Y/N" Bones says. "No need to thank me Bones. I love that little scamp, even if she's a mess" waving him off with your hand. You give Bones a side hug, which he returns. "Catch you guys later, love you guys, good luck" and with that you turn to maneuver yourself outside.
"Love you too Y/N, thanks" Jim and Bones call after you. Come on Bones" Jim sighs "let's get this over with"
"God help me... let's go" Bones grumbles
"Jo! Slow down" you half yell, half laugh.
"But ice cream aunt Y/N" Jo replied, practically pulling you along behind her.
"A girl after my own heart, I'm telling you" you reiterate. Jo just giggles her approval. "You act like you don't ever get any ice cream Jo" you observe.
"It's been a while..." Jo trails off. "Oh"? you prod gently hoping to get her to open up.
"Yeah" replies Jo as she slows down significantly still clinging to your wrist "Ever since momma got a new boyfriend, we haven't done a whole lot together like we used to" Jo says suddenly finding the ground super interesting. You swallow a lump that's threatening to form in your throat.
"Aw Jo, that's terrible, but your mom does still loves you, you know. Your daddy too, he loves you so much, Jo. Don't you ever forget that. Grown ups can be really dumb sometimes.."
"Even you, aunt Y/N"? Jo interrupts
"Nah kid, everyone 'cept me" you reply, earning a faint smile from Jo. You continue with your advice "It's not your fault or anything you did, ok Jo? You are an amazing little girl who is beginning to grow up into an amazing woman"
"Ok..." Jo said quietly as she kicked a rock down the sidewalk. "I wish I could live with my daddy" Jo adds so quietly that you almost didn't hear as she continued to stare at the pavement, wiping her face with the back of her sleeve.
"Oh, Jo..." you breathe out, unsure of how to even begin to tackle that statement. Luckily for you, you're saved by finally arriving at the ice cream truck. Jo seemed to perk up significantly as she peruses the ice cream flavors.
"You have excellent taste, Jo" you say in approval as you watch Jo eat her mint chocolate chip ice cream. Jo takes a long lick of ice cream in reply, her earlier mood completely forgotten in a cloud of mint and chocolate chips.
Both of you walk over to the nearly deserted park next to the academy to wait for Jim and Bones to get done with their briefing.
"Come on aunt Y/N" let's go sit on the swings" Jo said excitedly. You only grin as Jo once again takes you by the wrist and tugs you along. You both plop down on the swings and slowly finish up your ice cream, enjoying the sun of the late afternoon.
"Oh look aunt Y/N, a soccer ball" Jo said as she hopped up from the swing and ran toward it. "Come play with me" Jo demanded. You feel a grin tugging up at the corners of your mouth. "Get ready to lose, kid" you reply as you get up and do a little stretching.
Jo laughs loudly "you have to catch me first"
"Challenge accepted, Jo" you yell as you take off jogging towards Jo and the goal post.
You two must have been running around for over an hour by now. Wondering what in the world Jim, Bones and Admiral Pike could possibly still be discussing. You decide not to think on it too much, sincerely grateful you weren't dragged into that mess.
"Tired yet aunt Y/N? Ready to give up" Jo teased
"Not on your life Jo" you reply as you went to kick the ball back to her. You catch the ball just right, and are a little too overzealous with your punt. You send the ball sailing over Jos head and towards the edge of the trees lining the park.
"Aw, dang, I'm sorry Jo" you said as you watch it fly.
"It's ok Y/N, I got it" Jo replied as she's already taking off to go retrieve it. You stand there and watch her as you catch your breath for a moment.
As Jo gets closer to the ball, you notice movement in the trees. Three figures start to form, all watching Jo carefully. There's just something about their movements, something about their aura that instantly makes you uneasy.
"JO" you cry out, slightly frightened
"Don't worry aunt Y/N, I got it" Jo replied.
Before Jo could grab the ball, one of the men put his foot on top of it.
"Jo, come back" you yell, panic laced in your voice as you start to sprint towards Jo.
"Excuse me mister. Can I have my ball back please" Jo asks while looking up at them, completely ignoring your plea. The only reply Jo receives is the middle man inclining his head down to her. You finally make it over to Jo and you immediately put yourself in between her and whoever these men are.
"Terribly sorry to have bothered you" you say as you move your arm around Jo protectively, pushing her further behind your back. You hope that this is all just a misunderstanding and can talk your way out of this. Deep down, your gut is telling you otherwise. Alarm bells are starting to sound the more you squint at them, trying to get a better look at them in the fast disappearing light. You swear they look familiar from what you can manage to see. Jo is completely frozen behind you, taking in your stiff body language.
"Kirk" the man in the middle says simply.
"What?... Who.." you trail off, taken completely off guard at his abrupt simplicity.
"Y/N Kirk" he expanded "We've been searching a long time for you" as he stepped out further from the trees. Your eyes widen and the alarms in your head are blaring full blast now.
"Romulan" you think to yourself. Your mouth instantly turns into a desert and you feel your pulse begin to race once more.
Trying not to completely freak out, you say as calmly as you can "time to go Jo" but before you could turn around to usher her away, the other two Romulans surround you on either side and you feel a cold prick against your neck and the last thing you hear is Jo scream and muffled shouts in the distance as the world around you fades to black.
Jim and Bones had exited the academy and started heading down the steps. Jim sweeps the campus and park looking for you and Jo.
"I'm never getting wrapped up in your stupid ideas ever again Jim" Bones grumps sourly.
"Stop acting like you don't love my ideas Bones, they're awesome" Jim laughs. Bones just glared at the back of Jim's head for a few moments before something catches his eye. He makes out something fuzzy just past Jim's ear. He focuses on the dots in the distance and freezes where he stood. Jim noticing that his footsteps are the only ones he can hear, stops and turns around to stare at Bones, trying to figure out why he stopped all of a sudden.
"Bones, what.." He trailed off, noticing Bones' hawk like gaze and slowly turned to follow it. Before Jim could completely process what he was seeing, a figure stepped out from behind the trees. Jims eyes went wide as he realized that it was you standing there, and those guys were not cadets.
"What the hell.."? Jim breathed frozen in place. Before he could finish his sentence, Bones sprinted full speed from behind him. That seemed to jar Jim loose as he turned and sprinted after him. Jim watched as the Romulans began to circle you and Jo. "Y/N! NO!" Jim screams as he watches you crumble in a heap at their feet.
Jim can barely hear Bones yelling "JO! Y/N! SHIT" the blood in his ears is pulsing too loud. You both hear Jo scream and Bones once again yells "JO". They both race through the grass, their feet pounding as they go. They were a little over halfway there now, when the second Romulan grabs you and tosses you over his shoulder while the other grabs Jo and puts his hand over her mouth to silence her screams. They all began to shimmer faintly.
"We're not going to make it" Jim thought helplessly, pushing himself as hard as he could, almost catching up with Bones.
Bones made it there first, just as the last shimmers disappear from the tree line. Bones falls to his knees skidding over the place you and Jo had been just seconds before.
"JO" Bones cries grabbing the sides of his head in desperation.
"Y/N" Jim screams in horror at the same time as Bones. Both of them staring at the spot where you and Jo had been. Jim couldn't bring himself to breathe, his body screaming that it needed oxygen but he just couldn't get his diaphragm to cooperate and expand to let in the air. He starts to get dizzy and places a hand on Bones shoulder for support. Bones makes no movement, makes no acknowledgement that Jim is even there. He just continues to stare, breathing heavily, fear etched in every feature of his face.
Jim finally gets his lungs to work and takes a few jagged gulps of air. He looks down at his best friend, his brother, seeing the complete devastation written all over him and he gets angry. If he doesn't get angry, he would break down into an inconsolable mess.
He walks over to a tree and punches it, pain flares through his hand. Anger and pain. Anger and pain to keep him focused. He had to be strong, strong enough for both of them if they were going to find you and Jo as soon as possible and in one piece. No one messes with his family and gets away with it. Those Romulans will pay, and they will pay dearly or his name wasn't James Tiberius Kirk.
