This is a Christmas story but give it two chapters before the tree goes up. I wanted to show the family relationship between Kirk, Lauren, and Kate. Hope you like it. I promise it will be filled fun, fluffiness, and love. There will be some drama so don't expect a tooth ache.
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CH1 Blast from the past
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ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
Jim drinks his coffee and stares out at the field of stars in front of him. It has been almost four weeks of calm in space and on the ship. The new "house rules" established at the start this mission one month ago, has created an unprecedented peace in his home. Kate is excelling at school. She has thrown herself into the "after school job with an insatiable desire to learn everything and anything about the Enterprise. Her behavior has gone from unruly to respectful. The most noted change has been in the use of profanity. Initially Kate doubted his earnestness in managing this behavior; however a swift and unexpected swat each time she cursed demonstrated Kirk's resolve on eliminating this behavior. Within a week damn it had turned to darn it, shit to shoot, and the f-bomb became nonexistent. Kate has settled into the role of daughter accepting Jim as her father and adults as authority figures to be respected and obeyed. The crew has noted the difference in Kate also. Kate is flourishing under the "imposed prison rules" as she calls them but she is quicker to smile, laugh, and join in with crew activities. On weekends and after school, Kate spends her time hanging with the others kids or with him. It is a happy, stable, solid life for them. Jim can't ever imagine going back to the life where she did not exist. For the first time in years, he is looking forward to the holidays. He picks up his PADD making sure everything is ready for the shift change and today. He has specifically run scan after scan to ensure the Enterprise is safely tucked away into a quiet section of the galaxy. Today is Thanksgiving and Jim is instituting a radical new idea: Dinner on the Bridge. The concept started as a joke at breakfast a week ago as Jack, Sulu, and Bones reminisced about being assigned to the kids table for years. The "kids table" stewed around in Jim's mind until a crazy idea formed. Jim could barely contain his excitement as he suggested the Alpha team be relegated to the "kids table" on the bridge. His theory behind this radical move was that they could all be together and man their stations at the same time. It did not take long for everyone to agree except for Spock who eventually came around.
"Excuse me Sir you want the table where?" A petty officer says looking at the size of the table and the space it is required to fit in.
"Under the viewport," Jim says hopping out of his chair excitedly. He walks down and sees the Petty Officer's dismay. Jim grabs a section of the table helping the petty officer set it up. As they unfold it, Jim finds it doesn't fit. After several minutes though, Kirk has it under the viewport with himself wedged against the wall and the table. "Perfect fit," he says as he struggles to get out.
"Sir as I have previously mentioned, I do not mind monitoring the bridge during your Earth holiday. Since I do not celebrate this holiday nor eat meat, it is illogical for me to attend," Spock says watching his Captain try to suck in enough to extricate himself from being pinned between the table and wall.
"No way Spock," Jim grunts. "This is going to be great and YOU are not missing it." Jim finally wiggles out and stands next to Spock staring at the inordinately large table in the middle of his bridge.
"And where are you planning to place the chairs Sir?" Spock inquires trying to visually arrange where all the fifteen people are going to sit.
"Well that end is out but seven on each side and one up here," Jim gestures with his hands.
"That arrangement would work Captain if the table was not almost completely against the viewport," Spock points out causing Jim to frown. He never even paid attention to the fact that one end and one side were almost touching the walls.
Jim crosses his arms over his chest in thought. "The kids can just crawl under the table to get to their seats. They're small. They don't need that much room." After looking at the table Jim pats Spock on the back like the deal is done. "It's gonna be fine," he says sitting back in his chair watching the petty officers arrange the chairs and place settings where he indicated. Spock turns back to Jim cocking one eyebrow. "Oh come on we have had less comfortable dinners before. At least this time we are with people we WANT to eat with," Jim cajoles. Spock does not look like he believes Jim but as everyone begins to arrive, Jim sees Spock warming up to the idea of a family Thanksgiving.
Bones stares at the table as he enters the bridge noticing the tight accommodations. "Who's going to be stuck on the kid's side," Bones whispers in Jim's ear counting the seats.
Jack, Sulu and Scotty answer him simultaneously with "Chekov."
"I do not mind," the young navigational officer smiles happily. "In Russia we often had to sit close for warmth. The banquet table is a Russian invention," he begins as everyone takes their seats.
"And so was the belly crawl to get to it," Jack adds indicating how the kids are supposed to take their seats in such tight quarters. "I hope you all went to the bathroom before you got here because you are not leaving until after dessert."
"How is this any different than any other dinner?" Kate protests as she crawls under the table and into her seat. "I mean I know what Dr. Jackson told us but there isn't even a United States any more so how come we are celebrating this?" Kate pulls the napkin off her plate and into her lap.
"Ah lassie, it is a tradition that shouldna be forgotten. Thanksgiving is nigh about presents or baskets or scary costumes but family and TURKEY," Scotty exclaims as the food is brought in and set around the table. "Dunna tell me you didna have feasts in Skyriver," Scotty asks with almost a panic in his eye.
"No we had plenty of them." Kate lists off several of the big feasts she attended yearly. "To be honest most of our celebrations revolved around food."
"Was any of the food like this?" Uhura asks. "You know the things we call comfort food."
"Yeah," Kate says passing dishes as she talks. "Each feast had their own specialty but typically there was always Barnaban Mist-pudding, Correllian air cake, vine beans, breads, Plavonian starfish and Mon Calamarian seafoods," Kate's voice stops suddenly. "Oh and by the way THAT is why I don't eat your calamari here. We have a sentient species call the Mon Calamari that," Kate wrinkles her nose in thought, "looks a lot like your squid." She shudders involuntarily at the thought of eating Admiral Ackbar. "So no calamari ever ok."
Jim laughs and shakes his head. There are so many times he can't figure out if she is serious or joking. "Do you have sentient species that look like jello?" Jim jokes passing a bowl of Samantha O'Neills favorite blue dessert.
"No but slime molds are the most prolific life in the galaxy after bacteria so maybe we do," Kate says slurping a bite. "Skyriver is so big maybe we just haven't found them yet."
"But you would'nt have a problem eating dem," Chekov laughs seeing Kate devour the blue food.
"If it doesn't build a star ship, speak, or have to be eaten alive I am good," she giggles. Kate is not fussy about food. Having traveled across one galaxy and now another, she has learned you can't be too fussy about what there is to eat or you might go hungry.
"Well nothing beats stuffing and there are no sentient stuffing species in the galaxy," Cameron firmly states filling his plate with the fluffy cubes. The rest of the meal is filled with jokes, laughter, and funny family stories. For as talkative as Kate normally is, Jim notices story sharing time is a topic she tends to avoid. He and the crew have been more inquisitive into her past life but Kate always appears to struggle with sharing Skyriver with them. Kate still treats the Milky Way as a backwater galaxy on the ass end of the universe. Jim does not push it, but hopes that as the years roll on, she will eventually have stories to reminisce about with them. As the pie is being sliced and past around Uhura's communication begins to beep.
"I got it. It is probably a data dump form Star Fleet. Nothing we can't deal with later," she predicts walking to her terminal with a glass of wine in her hand. She sits down at her console activating the transmission. Her face becomes concerned as she reads the incoming information. "Uh Jim, we have a problem." Her face drops and she sets her wine under the terminal close to the wall out of sight. "We have a comm transmission from Admiral Archer at Star Fleet requesting immediate confirmation of receipt."
"Admiral Archer?" Jim says wiping his mouth crossing the bridge to her terminal. He props one arm on her console and looks over her shoulder in disbelief. "Bring it up," he says taking his customary seat in the Captain's chair.
"Uh Sir, are you sure you want to do that," Sulu asks indicating the table loaded with food and drink.
"It's Thanksgiving. He'll deal," Jim says sitting straighter waiting for the transmission to begin. Uhura shakes her head and places the comm through. "Admiral Archer...Happy Thanksgiving. What can I do for you today?" Jim says in a not quite formal tone.
"What the hell is going on there Kirk," Archer says clearly seeing the back of the kid's heads and the table lined with food.
"Dinner sir. We were just finishing up," Jim says like it is the most natural thing in the world. "Wanna stop by for coffee and pie?" Spock looks like he about faint but to everyone's surprise Archer actually laughs.
"Are you enjoying your dinner?" Archer asks no one in particular.
His question hangs in the air for several seconds until Bones responds with his soft southern drawl, "Very much so and you sir?" Jack is beginning to like the doctor more and more whereas Sulu and Spock think Bones is out of his mind for speaking.
"Yes it was nice," Archer responds pleasantly. Secretly Jim thinks the man must be drunk. He is being entirely too accommodating for the scene presented before him. The fact that the kids are present may also be tempering his characteristic fiery behavior and language.
" We appreciate the holiday sentiment sir, but I don't' think Star Fleet is paying for every ship to receive well wishes from the Federation today," Jim says trying to figure out the reason for the subspace comm.
Archer clears his throat before speaking. "No son. We have received a report that someone is attempting to buy red matter on the black market from the location we are sending you." Archer nods to someone off screen before continuing. "We are sending the coordinates now but you are being ordered to check it out and report back. Jim you need to be careful on this one. We can't have some lunatic buying red matter nor can we have some idiot selling it." Jim looks to Uhura to confirm she has the coordinates. A quick nod from the lieutenant lets Jim proceed.
"We will set course now and report as soon as we know something. Do you wish us to contain the buyers and sellers?" Jim asks for specifics.
"No just confirm the players and we will handle the rest," Archer orders. "The USS Kongo is on route but is about eight hour behind you at your present location. We need to make sure we get the entire ring and not some two bit player that Runo Saturn is willing to use if the deal goes wrong. I am counting on you Captain. Don't let me down." Jim nods and prepares to end the transmission. In an uncharacteristic display of grandfatherly love Archer addresses the kids before singing off. "And give those kids some damn ice cream with that apple pie. Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and not diet monitoring McCoy. Kids keep your parents in line for me out there. Archer out." The adults don't react for several minutes after the transmission has ended.
"So much for peace and quiet in the unknown regions," Sulu remarks getting up from the table. The other members of Alpha crew follow him to their stations. They begin processing the data packet sent by Star Fleet still holding dessert and coffee.
"So dinner's over," Kate asks not sure if this is how Thanksgiving typically ends. Each of the kids had told different stories about what they did after the dinner. Most involved playing football or shopping. Kate is finding the holidays here have less rules or ceremonies that back home. The Milky Way holidays seem to be a free for all.
"Yeah looks that way kiddo," Jim apologizes reading his orders from Star Fleet. "Why don't you go find something to do for a few hours. I'll be home later."
"Come lets go watch a movie," Joanna suggests happily. All the adults will be busy and their movie selection will not be hindered by parental approval. The kids all crawl out from their seats heading for the turbo shaft.
Kate lingers a moment by Jim's seat. "You know if you need any Jedi help I am here for ya dad." She is smiling from ear to ear as he looks up. Kate means it as a joke. She hopes her dad finds it funny. Kate can have a hard time figuring out where to draw the line with jokes. He seems so stressed reading his orders.
"Yep and you will be the last person I call for the away team so don't pack your bags," Jim jokes with a wink. "Go. Watch your movie and I will be home as soon as I can." Kate kisses him on the cheek and leaves the bridge. "Mr. Sulu please lay in coordinate 4.6239."
"Aye sir," Sulu confirms and the ship launches into warp.
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LUNAR COLONY
"Ok so we are just here to observe for the moment. If you find something of interest the code word is table zero. Keep it cool guys," Jim says adjusting his ear piece. "I know we can deal with this but let's not get involved in any Star Fleet business that will have us in back in known space for too long." Jim surveys the interior of the Moisi Bar on the Heyangi Spaceport on Alcor III. The bar is a typical seedy establishment for back door dealings: dark, dirty, smoky and isolated. Tables and booths are scattered against the walls with a few situated in the middle. Strange gambling tables involving wheels and darts line the right hand wall. Holes of various sizes in the wall indicate fights involving bodies and phasers are not uncommon. Most of the tables have various card games being played on them. Loud alien melodies cover the conversations at each table unless you are a part of them. Kirk gives a slight nod acknowledging Jack and Dawson's position at the other end of the bar. Jack and Dawson slide into seats at a table near the exit. A waitress takes their order as they sit. Kirk and Spock stand surveying their end of the bar for an appropriate seat to see the entire bar.
GAMBLING TABLE ZERO
Lauren surveys her surroundings looking for her mark from a table in the corner. She has played poker long enough with these guys. She is ready to get out of here with the red matter the New Republic so desperately needs. An average sized man comes through the door behind a group of six guards. He is dressed in black pants with a white t-shirt and hat. A magenta sports jacket with gold chains around his neck and sunglasses rounds out his outfit. Lauren can't believe this is Runo Saturn, the head of the Orion Crime syndicate. This has to be an example of nepotism at its best. No other way was this man not beaten to death on the playground over his clothing choices at a kid. "Hey baby," she purrs, "if I win this hand we listen to my music for a change." Lauren rests the tip of her tongue on her upper lip and raises her eyebrows at the Andorian across from her.
"You gonna put on a show," another player grins. Her dress doesn't leave too much to the imagination but skin is always better. He undresses her mentally as she shrugs playing her winning hand.
A chorus of fuck's and sonabitches erupt for the table as Lauren makes her move. Runo is surveying the bar for a women and she needs to be it. For the past month Lauren has been chasing Runo all over this backwater galaxy trying to procure the weapon. With currency not being equal she just needs to take the red matter. Besides stealing is more fun than paying for it. Lauren hits her music and begins the show. The music begins to pour loudly from her table. She sings along to the song swiping the pot giving everyone ample views of her breasts.
"You a good girl or a hood girl?" an Andorian repeats the song lyric imagining her in various sexual positions with him later.
"Baby I am the straight masterpiece," she says sensuously sitting back in her seat. All eyes at the table are glued to either her pot of winnings or her breasts. Men are so predictable even here she thinks. "I got to kiss myself I'm so pretty," she purrs sucking the last drip of tequila from her glass off her index finger. "I'm too hot… hot damn…Say my name…you know who I am… I'm too hot…hot damn," Lauren sings while standing and signaling the waitress for another round making sure to establish contact with Runo. She bites her lip, raises her eyebrows, looks him over and turns away. It shouldn't be too hard to attract him. The few women here are the entertainment or waitresses. The others probably have no interest in getting laid. This job has been cake from the start. It has also been more fun than her previous assignments. As if on cue Lauren feels the group approach her from behind. "And this is for you honey," Lauren turns to stuff a thousand credit mark in the waitresses blouse. She giggles the high pitched laugh of a brain dead blonde. "Thought you were my server." Lauren draws the credit marker seductively across her breasts.
"You could serve me," he responds coolly. His voice is deep and pleasantly surprising to Lauren. It does not go with his attire. Maybe he isn't gay or a freak into really kinky things.
Lauren reaches behind him and tips the waitress bringing the drinks. "Men serve me honey," she says lascivious passing out the drinks. She offers Runo a shot from the tray and downs the contents of her glass.
"Chairs," Runo orders taking Lauren's seat and offering her a knee. Lauren notices two of his lackeys have taken up seats at the table by the door. She glances down as if uninterested but takes a seat balancing so that Runo has to wrap an arm around her for support. He whispers a sexual innuendo in her ears and she feigns laughter. Lauren has to speed up this process or it is going to be a long night. Poker was more fun that flirting with Runo.
Kirk watches the scene speechless from his end of the bar. Runo has definitely walked in but the woman currently the object of his attention looks like Lauren. Jim rises slightly from his seat for a better look. It can't be his wife perched on the knee of some twenty year old kid. Lauren is home doing Jedi things and not pretending to be a high priced call girl in the low rent district. The longer he watches the scene play out the more he knows it is her. A headache begins to form at his temple.
"Get a load of the red light district poster girl," Dawson jokes in the comm savoring every angle. Kirk resists the urge to knock him out. "Damn I bet you pay for the night with her and not the hour."
"Dawson get your head in the game. Stand down and wait for my command. No one moves until I give the order. Understood?" Kirk says testily walking over to Lauren's table. Anger, jealousy, and confusion fight for equal recognition on Jim's face. He approaches on her outside her peripheral vision coming up directly behind her. Her first indication something is wrong is the group of men stiffening slightly. Her second is Jim's hand closing around hers. "Royal flush boys," he says turning her hand for everyone to see. "I just saved you all a shit ton of money." Kirk's stare settles on the back of Lauren's head. "Hey baby good to see you."
She tries to hide her shock at seeing Jim appear out of nowhere. Lauren turns her head smiling towards Kirk. "Long time no see handsome but I'm rather busy right now so run along back to the ship. I'll comm you when I am done here. Our business takes a backseat to Mr. Saturn." Runo nuzzles her neck as she speaks. She knows Kirk is going to overreact if she does not do something quickly. Lauren tries to implant a Force suggestion for Kirk to run along but his mind is too strong for that. She turns her attention back to Runo. "Can't get decent help these days," she laughs planting a small kiss on Runo's lips stalling for a plan.
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JACKS POV OF TABLE ZERO
"Understoo..." Jacks comm to Kirk gets turned off before he can finish his response. Kirk deactivates his comm for some privacy in his next conversation with Lauren. So far Spock is the only other person in the room who knows Kirk's estranged wife is the buyer they are seeking. It won't be possible but Kikr would like to keep it that way. Visuals should be enough for his team to figure out what is going down. Jack is shocked until he sees Dawson's face fall.
"Damn never point out a hot woman when Kirk is around," he says dejectedly. Jack gives him a WTF look. No matter what the Captain is doing they are on a stake out, hot woman or not. He looks over to Spock and notices Kirk is gone.
"Ears! Where's the party?" Jack asks seeing Kirk striding across the room. He is praying the woman in the red dress is not his commanding officers target. She doesn't look like a threat but Jack has seen enough women in the field to know they can be even deadlier then men.
"I hope it is that one in the red dress," Dawson says excitedly like Kirk could be bringing her back to the table for drinks with them. "Man I could do her all night."
"Or she could kill you and take your money," Jack reprimands Dawson. He can see the kid is not paying attention to him at all. At least the kid is looking at the right woman at the right table. "Just keep looking at Hooker Holly," he says before comming Spock. ""Hey Spock got your ears on? WTF?" Jack waits for a response but the Vulcan does not comm him back. Jack sees Kirk talking to the woman and her child pimp date. Jim seems agitated. A glance at Spock shows the Vulcan looks none-too-pleased with the Captain breaking the 'keep it cool' strategy. "Care to share with the class why the Captain is trying to pick up Hooker Holly?" Jack doesn't typically go out of his way to insult the XO like Bones but when the situation calls for it he doesn't have a problem. Spock not responding is such a problem. "How can you not hear me with ears that big?" Jack gives Spock a three count and announces the change in plan. Kirk appears to be instigating a fight with at least the blonde and her date at this point. Jack doesn't want the others at the table to become involved. "Ears, I am going in. Cover me."
"I would not suggest that Colonel O'Neill. The Captain is currently in a conversation with his wife and I do not think he would like to be interrupted." Spock's response is as neutral as if ordering dinner.
"His wife? Oh hell no! Where was the memo on that one?" Jack could not be more surprised than if his wife suddenly told him she was pregnant.
"Yes. That is indeed Lt. Lauren Kirk; however, she has changed some since leaving the Academy." Spock might be Vulcan but the sight of his former cadet does bring back fond memories. She was one of the few students who seemed to embrace aliens with an ease that human's did not typically posses. She and Spock were close. They spent many night debating politics, religion, and diplomacy until she married Jim. Spock remembers her unique perspective on topics other cadets never grasped.
"His wife? Why didn't I get the memo on that?" Jack repeats staring at the Captain and Lauren. Jack fixes his stare on Dawson. "Did you get the memo on that?"
"Is your comm malfunctioning Colonel O'Neill?" Spock ask and Jack can't tell if it at his expense or a genuine concern. A quick glance at Spock's face shows it is the former.
"No, I just didn't realize our backup was his dead WIFE," Jack emphasizes the last word. He turns to Dawson who sits looking amused with the entire situation. It isn't often that Jack is ever this far out of the loop. "I don't get a lot of memos." Jack defends himself to a smiling Dawson. "Remind me I need to clean my office. Maybe I'll find the memo on Unexpected Members of the Captain's Family Showing Up at 3 am on Saturdays. So far I have missed two."
"Do not feel neglected Colonel O'Neill. The Captain is not particularly forthcoming with details of his wife especially since leaving Deneva. He is private in his martial concerns."
"Deneva?" Jack exclaims with a slight shake of his head. This Lauren chick is showing up everywhere and everywhere she shows up there has been trouble. Jack wonders if that was the reason Kirk left Kate with him and Sam that night.
Spock continues as if Jack has not spoken. "And I am not sure a memo would have been in order to explain how his M.I.A. wife of 12 years is now on a moon in the unknown regions engaging in clandestine poker tournaments."
"No kidding." Jack knows his sarcasm is wasted on Spock.
"I too admit some surprise at the recent developments." Spock is becoming concerned as Kirk and Lauren have moved to the bar. Jack is probably within ear shot of the two. Spock suppresses the urge to be annoyed of Jack's preferential location.
"Well that's a surprise, you showing emotions," Jack does not take his eyes off his CO. He generally likes Kirk but completely dislikes his brash, jump in with both feet command style.
Jack can't hear as well as Spock assumes but the body language between Kirk and his wife is all he needs to know the conversation isn't friendly. "What do you suggest ears? Should we walk up to the unhappy couple or let them…"
"I'd advise watching to see who attempts to kill the other first. Then we can decide on whose behalf we should intervene," Spock says with uncharacteristic humor. His attempt at levity stuns Jack. Is no one taking this away mission seriously?
"Oh hell no. I am not going to explain why I let the Captain get killed on my watch," Jack bitches back into the comm.
"Anyone that knows of his relationship with his wife would not be surprised. They have had a tumultuous relationship to say the least; however I find it much like any other human couple." Spock takes a verbal dig at Jack remembering the human adage 'payback is a bitch.' "I know you and your wife have experienced similar issues in the past." Spock has to work hard to suppress his smile. He and Jack have a fully professional relationship. It is not that either man hates each other but more that if they did not work together they would never speak to each other.
"You green blooded hobgoblin that's none of your business." Jack can't stop himself from being baited into this verbal banter with Spock. "AND for the record, Sam never left for 12 years with the boys. How about we talk about you and Uhura? How's that going for you?"
"Uh Sir," Dawson breaks the spirited conversation between his commanding officers to point out Kirk and Lauren are about to start a bar fight.
"For crying out loud," Jack downs his shot, grabs his gun, and flies to get either Kirk or Kirk and his wife out of the bar safely.
