I'm BAAACCKKK! Hello all! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Years. As promised (and highly requested) I have decided on a sequel! You can all squeal in delight now. C'mon, you can do better than that. . . . . . . Better . . . .
Now, a few words:
Firstly: If you haven't read my other story Cor Unum, Via Una I highly recommend you do so, otherwise much of this story will be a bit confusing
Secondly: As like last time, I will try to post regularly, but because of different reasons, expect a post every other week. Sorry people, that's life for me right now.
Thirdly: I'm marking this as T, but M themes will be featured throughout; I will mark them accordingly
Finally: Also like last time, I'm keeping A/Ns down to minimum, although I might make an appearance or two to beg for reviews. They make me happy
Now that all that is out of the way, here you are! Welcome to De Sanguine Regis!
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Star Trek as it is owned by Paramount and CBS Studios. Any reference outside of that canon that is familiar is purely coincidental. I only own Charlie Noland, and any elements unrelated to Star Trek and beyond. Please ask permission before using the character. Thanks!
Chapter One: Here I am
The gentle hum of the ship's engines echoed a soothing lullaby around the halls of the United Federation of Planet's flagship the USS Enterprise as gamma shift kept their silent watch over the slumbering crew. Although most slept soundly in their beds, a nice shift to peaceful times since the battle with Klingons a month prior, one person laid tossing and turning, unable to find peaceful rest. Her brow furrowed as the nightmare grew worse, soft whimpers of distress escaping her lips and with a gasp, Charlotte Noland bolted up from the bed in shock, her breathing labored as she wildly searched the darkness for the green eyes that haunted her dreams. Her own dark gaze scrutinized every nook and cranny of the room, searching for a shadow out of place or the whispered breath of evil laughter that set the hair on the back of her neck to rise.
As the nightmare faded, and the eyes did not reappear, Charlie let her face fall into her hands as she breathed a deep sigh, slowing her heart rate back down to normal tempo. Slowly the tension eased from her shoulders and she glanced to her right, scrutinizing the slumbering man next to her, praying she had not woken him. Noticing the even movement as Jim Kirk, Captain of the Enterprise slept, sprawled out and shirtless on his stomach while drooling slightly onto her pillow, Charlie couldn't help but smile. After the adventure they both went through when she was kidnapped by the man who brought her from 2013 Bristol, England to 2258 and into the hands of the Enterprise's captain, the ability to just lay next to the man who unwittingly stole her heart was treasure she almost lost. Just thinking about the moment where she about returned to the 21st century sent a shiver of anxiety down her spine, driving the images of the nightmare to reappear in her imagination.
Realizing she probably was not going to go back to sleep anytime soon, Charlie carefully pulled her legs out from the covers, trying not to disturb Jim, and threw on her robe as she silently crept into the living room. She spent most nights in the Captain's quarters now, enjoying the time she was able to spend with Jim outside of the watchful eyes of the crew. Although she made sure she still had her own rooms in case she (or Jim) needed their space, Charlie found little reason to sleep in her own bed when she had grown use to the warm body pressed against her back and the strong arms that held her secure. Short of the man entering her dreams, Charlie was the happiest she had been in a very long time.
Plopping down onto the couch with a sigh, Charlie picked up the PADD Jim had given her along with her 'ancient' notebook and set to reread the book on Starfleet history Commander Spock had provided her. Since deciding to remain in the 23rd century, Charlie was beginning her crash course in two hundred years' worth of history, science and math to prepare her for life in her new universe. The entire Bridge Crew had graciously opted to help her acclimate to the 23rd century and teach her everything she needed to know before trying her hands at the Academy. Jim wasn't yet aware that Charlie was seriously considering joining Starfleet, but it felt like the right course and it would mean that she could live and work on the Enterprise. She would be able to remain with those where fast becoming her new family, and leave her mark in a way she never imagined.
So to assist, Spock had taken on the challenge of being her main tutor, instructing her on advanced calculus, physics, history, and Federation protocol, while the others supplemented where they could. Scotty was giving her an introduction to engineering as well as enhancing her physics course with practical applications. Chekov was teaching her weapons controls and different techniques of space combat. McCoy was her chemistry and research teacher, having her work on some of his less complicated experiments in Sickbay in her free time. Uhura was her cultural and language coach, educating her on all the different alien species she could meet in the future as well as offering to teach her a language of her choice. The communications officer, knowing of Charlie's recent history, was surprised when she chose to have Uhura teach her Klingon, not wanting to be placed in a similar situation she had found herself a few weeks before.
Finally, Sulu and Charlie would spar with each other twice a week, both having a background in competitive fencing. Although Sulu's style was definitely different from the more formal version Charlie had learned, she was catching on quickly and the bouts were fast becoming ship wide events to watch. At the moment, Sulu was two bouts up on her, but Charlie had been researching some new techniques and going over her old exercises, finding a few 'out dated' maneuvers she knew would throw off the helmsman.
Last but not least, Jim and she would spend their evenings and weekends playing chess, going over different battle strategies, and trying to best one another any way they could. As usual, Jim would cheat using his charm and charisma that appeared to be inherent in him, but Charlie didn't mind. She was able to win enough to sate her competitive nature, and Jim made sure to make it up to her in other ways when he did cheat.
A blush stained Charlie's cheeks as she thought about their growing emotional and physical relationship. While she wasn't a novice to men's attentions before she became involved with the captain; his attentions, skills, and the deep attachment the pair had for each other created a passion Charlie had only ever read about. Just thinking about the beginning of the night spread warmth across her belly and a silly smile to pull unconsciously at her lips.
"What are you doing up?" a groggy voice asked.
Charlie jumped startled, and glanced over her shoulder to see Jim leaning against the frame of the doorway to the bedroom, his hair mussed and his own robe hanging open. A yawn escaped as he reached a hand up to cover his mouth and Charlie guilty noticed he bags under his eyes.
"I couldn't sleep," she shrugged, turning back around to reread the same line she already read four times in the last five minutes. "Go back to bed, I'll be in later. I just need to review a few things before Spock's test tomorrow."
"Mmmm," Jim mumbled, shuffling further into the room and throwing himself face down on the couch, burrowing his head onto her lap.
"Jim," Charlie giggled. "I didn't mean on me."
"But you're comfy."
"Are you calling me fat?" she teased, glancing down into the glaring, blue eyes of the captain.
"That's not what I meant, and you know it," he grumbled.
"I know," she smiled, brushing the hair away from his forehead and smoothing down his wild hair. "But it was just too easy."
"Don't make me say what I'm thinking," he added with a smirk. Charlie lightly smacked his shoulder, glaring down at him. Slowly he sat up with a chuckle, rubbing his eyes and becoming more awake. "Come back to bed," he said huskily, leaning forward to run his lips down her neck and causing goosebumps to rise on her flesh. "You've already read, reread, and then reread that for Spock's test. Now it's time for sleep, or we could find another way to waste these hours before alpha shift."
Charlie tried to scoot away, goosebumps rising on her flesh. "But there's still so much I don't know! I haven't even begun covering 22nd century history, and –"
"You're not going to learn it all in one night," Jim interrupted, placing both of his hands on either side of her face to gain her attention. Only in doing so did he notice the black circles under her eyes, and the tight lines of tension in her face. A lingering fear was hiding under her visage, and only because of the lateness of the night coupled with the lack of sleep that it final showed through for him to see. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly, his gaze searching for the answer in her eyes.
"Wrong?" she questioned back innocently. "Why would anything be wrong?"
"Well other than the fact it's," he reached over and checked the chronometer on the shelf, "04:11 in the morning and you're out here studying for something I know you have covered."
"Just a bit of light reading—" she tried.
"It's the nightmares again, isn't it?"
Charlie snapped her mouth closed, and glanced away, knowing the look in her eye would give away the answer to Jim's penetrating stare. "I'm fine, Jim," she muttered, pulling her notebook back onto her lap.
"Uh huh, because that's convincing."
"Well it should be because it's the truth," she snapped, glaring at the captain above her research before turning her attention back to her PADD.
"Charlie," Jim groaned exasperated. Reaching forward, he plucked both the PADD and her notebook out of her hands and set them on the table behind him, leaving Charlie no choice but to reach through him if she wanted her work back. "When are you going to admit you need help? This is the third time this week you've woken up because of those dreams."
More like fifth, she thought to herself, but didn't dare mutter the truth aloud. "Jim, they're just dreams. They can't hurt me and they'll go away on their own."
"It still might be smart to just talk to Bones—"
"I'm not talking to anyone because there's nothing to talk about!" she barked, standing up. She tried to reach around the stubborn man for her work when suddenly his arms reached out to snake around her body, pulling her onto his lap with an annoyed gasp. "Jim!"
"Well if you don't want to talk you can just listen then," he said as she tried to wiggle out of his embrace. With a defeated sigh, she relaxed her muscles, but continued to glare at the man who held her. "I'm worried about you. You're not sleeping, you're pushing yourself to learn everything as fast as possible, and you aren't dealing with what happened with Sagan. And I'm not the only one who's noticed."
"Really?" she muttered sarcastically.
"Yes, really. Everyone's concerned about you, Bones especially. You somehow weaseled your way into my crew's hearts, just as you weaseled into mine." Charlie's gaze relented as she saw the sincerity of Jim's concern. "I love you, Charlie. It's my job to make sure you're safe."
"But how can you protect me from my own mind?" she whispered.
"I don't know," he admitted, pulling her down so their foreheads touched. "But you have to let me in so we can figure it out together. You're not the only one to go through a traumatic event before, and you won't be the last."
"I'm supposed to be stronger than this," she admitted.
"Charlie, if you were any stronger a photon torpedo couldn't blast you apart."
She sighed deeply, knowing that Jim was right that she should speak to McCoy about the events on the Boradis Station and what transpired on the Klingon vessel where she was held prisoner, but that would mean admitting her weakness. She wasn't able to defend herself, and the powerlessness she experienced was not something she ever wanted to remember. However, each time her dreams brought her back to the station, and the shadow with the green eyes those feelings returned.
"Maybe you're right," she agreed slowly.
"Of course I'm right, I'm the captain. I'm always right," Jim joked, pleased to watch a smile spread across Charlie's face as she rolled her eyes.
"Your ego is already suffocating me, don't kill everyone else on this tin can."
"Oh ha ha ha," Jim growled, his hands beginning to roam under Charlie's robe, causing her eyes to widen slightly as her breath caught. "I don't remember hearing you complain earlier," he whispered leaning forward to kiss just under her ear, her hands on his shoulders clenching into fists as they pulled at his navy blue robe. "Or yesterday," he added, switching to the other side as she moved her head to give him better access. "Or even—"
"Okay, okay I got it," she breathlessly cried. "Sheesh, you're gonna be a handful, aren't you?"
"And you're not?" Jim raised a brow.
"Never said I wasn't," Charlie grinned, leaning forward to capture Jim's lips with her own, running her tongue lightly across the bottom lip as she caught it between her teeth, a move she had quickly learned drove Jim wild. "Now are you gonna take me to bed, or do I have to do everything myself?"
"No ma'am," Jim growled, standing up with Charlie still him his arms. "Your wish is my command." As Jim carried her back into his bedroom, one lingering thought escaped his thoughts, one that even the arrogant captain didn't want to jinx. Could life get any better?
"So what's on the agenda for today, Mister Spock?" Kirk jovially shouted as he entered the Bridge, addressing a few other members of the crew before taking a seat in the captain's chair. Spinning around, Jim turned his attention to his First Officer who was occupying the back science station.
"We have been ordered to complete a routine investigation of the Tellar System, and survey the planets there for a possible Cordian colony."
Jim began lightly swinging his chair as he listened to the details of the dull assignment. "Uh huh and how long you estimate the completion of this project?"
"I believe it should take us no more than 1.57 Terran weeks to finish all of the proper scans and procedures, Captain," Spock answered.
"Great," Jim sighed, reaching up to rub his tired eyes. "Alright, assemble the necessary teams together. Approximately how long until we reach the Tellar System, Mister Sulu?" he questioned as he swung the chair back around.
"Six hours and twenty-three minutes at warp three, Sir," the helmsman answered.
"Bump it to warp factor four and get us there in five, Lieutenant."
"Aye, Captain," he answered as he adjusted the parameters on his console.
"Well, if you need anything else, Commander," Jim grumbled, standing up with a stretch. "I'll be in my Ready Room."
"Aye, Captain," the Vulcan acknowledged with a nod as Jim headed off the bridge. He was really beginning to tire of the survey and reconnaissance missions HQ was throwing at him. Jim would have thought they would appear far more grateful after he was able to sabotage a Klingon plot to destroy the Federation using the very woman who now occupied much of Jim's attention and heart. Granted, since Charlie came onboard the Enterprise life has rarely been calm, but with her now studying every waking moment and the growing list of traditional missions from Starfleet, Jim was beginning to feel restless.
"Good morning, Captain," Janice Rand, Jim's Yeoman announced as he sauntered into his office. Noticing the mountain of PADDs on his desk, Jim was barely able to suppress a groan of annoyance. The paper work and minute responsibilities of being a captain were definitely not explained in the recruitment speeches when he signed up.
With a sigh of resignation, Jim plopped into the chair behind his desk. "Morning, Janice. What is all this? I thought we got all of the requisition forms done last week."
"That was for A&A and the biology departments, Sir," Janice answered, as she added another stack to the growing pile. "These are the botanists, and stellar cartography."
Jim really did groan then, his head falling into his hands before he sat up with a flourish. "Okay, here's the deal. I want all requisition forms due at the beginning of the month, and if they aren't in, they don't get what they want. And I want inventories done at the end of the month. This is starting to get ridiculous. I'm pretty sure the botanists already had a delivery of these Andorian snapping amaryllis last time forms came up."
"And I think you denied it then too, Sir," Janice pointed out.
Jim sent Rand a quick glare, before he turned back to the forms. After a few hours of dedicated work, Uhura's voice echoed around the office.
"Bridge to Captain Kirk, you have an incoming message from Starfleet. It's marked classified."
"Thanks, Lieutenant. Patch through to my Ready Room."
"Aye, Sir."
"I'll see you in a bit then, Captain," Rand said as she stood, taking a few PADDs with her. Once the Yeoman was through the door, Jim initiated the feed, surprised when Admiral Pike's image materialized.
"Good morning, Captain," greeted the admiral.
"Admiral Pike, I didn't expect to hear from you," Jim said, dipping his head. "What with your new responsibilities and all, I figured the Enterprise was down on your list of contacts."
"Nice try, Kirk," Pike said, a twinkle sparkling in his eyes. "So how are things?"
"Fine, Admiral," Jim answered, slouching back in his chair. "Same old, same old."
"Uh huh," Pike said, unimpressed. "Well, I read your reports on the Klingon attack of the Boradis system a couple weeks ago. Interesting stuff coming out of that."
"Nothing we couldn't handle, Sir," Kirk brushed off.
"Oh, handling it was never doubted on my end, Son. But the individuals Dr. Sagan used to get the Klingon's to join his crusade. They were from the early 2000s?"
"As I'm sure you read in the report, that is correct, Admiral," Kirk said, his instincts beginning to pick up something. "And that is where we were able to return them, although it cost the last of the Red Matter Ambassador Spock brought with him in the Nero incident."
"But not all of them returned, did they?" Pike pressed.
A muscle twitched in Jim's jaw, his irritation and worry beginning to manifest. Sitting forward he said, "As you could see in the reports, Admiral Pike, there was a malfunction of the transporter—"
"Jim, it's alright," Pike interrupted with a soothing smile. "I'm not calling to bust you on the fact that Miss Noland remained in the 23rd century."
"How did you—"
"You aren't the only one who submits reports at the end of a mission, Jim. Several other members of your crew also gave their de-briefs, as they would with larger incidents like this last Klingon encounter."
Jim sat back again, his muscles relaxing as his brain began to work overtime. "Why now?"
"Pardon?" Pike queried.
"Uhura said this channel is secured for classified information. Since you're questioning me on something that happened over a month ago, it must mean Starfleet needs something else from us. So, why now? What changed?"
Pike stared at Jim for a moment before he smiled. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you to get the point. The Enterprise has been ordered back to Earth for a more detailed debriefing, per Admiral Marcus's request."
"Sir?" Jim said confused.
"That's all I know, Jim. Apparently there's something Marcus is interested in finding out about the Sagan Incident."
Jim paused for a moment, trying to figure out why Marcus would recall his ship. "What could that be, Sir? I was very detailed in my report to Headquarters."
"I haven't been briefed myself, Captain. But I wouldn't be too worried. The Enterprise is scheduled for some upgrades anyway, so you can kill two birds with one stone."
"When are we to return, Admiral?"
"As soon as you are able."
Jim nodded, partially relieved not to have to deal with another boring cartography mission, but also concerned that the Enterprise was being recalled. "Then I'll have my helmsman turn her around then."
"Excellent," Pike smiled. "I look forward to seeing you when you're back on terra firma, and I am especially interested in meeting Miss Noland. From what I understand she's been good for you."
For the first time since the conversation started, Jim returned Pike's expression, his gaze softening as he thought of Charlie. "Yes, she has, Admiral Pike. We've been good for each other."
"I'm glad to hear it, Son. I'll see you when you're back on Earth. Pike out."
Jim turned off his console, and while he appeared calm to the casual observer, his mind was running a million miles a minute. There was something not right about being recalled to Earth, but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out why.
"I guess I'll just have to wait till we get there," he said aloud before ordering Sulu to make a direct course to home.
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