"Grandpa Scottie, what are we doing here?" The young boy asked, looking over to the elderly man holding his hands.
"Visiting some old friends." Scottie smiled as they passed the front gates.
A decade or so earlier the military base had built an addition akin to a nursing home for retired crews who had no other place to go after their life long service. Scottie had been fortunate to have a family away from base, but not all of his previous crew had the same luck. He stepped down the long hallway to the nursing center with a pace that matched his age. His youngest grandson, Greyson, showed no sign of impatience while they made their way along. Indeed he seemed to have a quiet since of acceptance beyond his eleven years of life.
The center was as nice as any part of the base, but more relaxed. People milling about in their comfort. Scottie greeted the faces he knew, winding the familiar path. At the far end of the east hallway there was a room with large windows facing a carefully tended garden. Inside the room were two tenants that Scottie knew very well indeed. He paused outside the door and looked in at them sitting caddy corner to each other, looking out the windows.
"Who are they, Grandpa?" Greyson asked.
"The one on the left is Captain James Tiberius Kirk, the greatest captain that ever walked on the U.S.S. Enterprise. I served him for many decades, and proudly." Scottie smiled. "And beside him is an equally great man and Vulcan representative. His name is Spock."
"Really? The actual Captain Kirk and Spock?" Greyson asked, a tremble of excitement in his posture.
"Aye, lad. Still serving side by side." Scottie nodded.
"Am I going to get to meet them?" Greyson asked.
"Of course. They're expecting us." Scottie said affirmitively, pushing the door open.
"We seem to have visitors." Spock reached over and touched Kirk's shoulder, breaking the other man from his stupor.
"Do we?" He turned in his chair and smiled. "Ah, Scottie, prompt as usual."
"My captain demands it of me." Scottie chuckled.
"I relieved you of those duties years ago." Kirk laughed, standing up to shake his hand.
"And I remain blissfully unaware of that." Scottie smiled.
"It is a pleasure to see you, old friend." Kirk patted his arm.
"And you, sir." Scottie gestured to Greyson. "My oldest daughter's youngest lad."
"Ah, Greyson." Spock stood. "Your grandfather has spoken highly of you."
Greyson glanced to his grandfather and then back to Spock, a slight awe in his face.
"Nice to meet you." Kirk reached out his hand, Greyson taking it tentatively.
"He's a wee bit starstruck." Scottie chuckled.
"For good reason." Spock smirked, glancing at Kirk who shook his head.
"Who knew you could be so self-centered." Kirk teased.
"As always, an impasse of opinion leads us to call a truce." Spock shrugged.
"When I grow up, I want to be a captain, like you." Greyson admitted.
"Oh no." Kirk shook his head, leaning down to be more level with the younger boy. "You should want to be the captain I wish I had always been. Open-minded but confident, gentle but firm, and patient but not always. Does that make sense?"
Greyson gave a short nod.
"Good." Kirk stood straight. "Well Scottie, I think he'll make a fine captain indeed."
"Your approval is better than any graduation test results." Scottie patted Greyson on the back.
"Do you think so?" Kirk asked Greyson, who nodded.
"It seems for once, your vote is outnumbered." Spock spoke up.
"Your vote has always outnumbered mine." Kirk touched his arm.
"I know." Spock smiled.