Bones walked outside thinking he might just go have a drink since he was alone now. He could never get Jim to have a drink with him anymore…not since he was tortured by those Klingons in Rura Penthe. Jim had not touched another drop.
As Bones was walking along the walkway, another was watching him. Since he had been on the Enterprise, he knew who was closest to Jim Kirk. He had seen what all Leonard McCoy had done for Jim after they got him on Solan's ship. He and Spock were true friends. He did not think he would have so much luck grabbing the Vulcan, but McCoy was a different story.
Bones walked on into the bar he chose to go to. He thought he would just sit in there and listen to some music and might even play a game of poker. He liked simple things other than things that were so technologically advanced. Technology was good but so were things that had no technology associated with them at all. Things that challenged one's brain and skills, such as that golf game they had played. He sat down at a table where a game was about to start after he had gotten himself a drink. He could not say that he was an expert at poker, nor that he had won very often, but he had fun anyway.
Mac walked into the bar where McCoy had gone. He did not believe McCoy would recognize him because he did not look like he did when he was with them. He sat at a table and watched the doctor play poker. He had not had much interaction with McCoy. The doctor had been more concerned with his friend than with the ones who had rescued them. He thought the doctor might be his easiest target since Carol would know him if she saw him…maybe.
Mac sat and watched McCoy play his poker game while he sipped his drink. He watched as McCoy drank several drinks, and he knew he had to be getting tipsy and that would make it even easier for him to capture him. He figured he would be in this bar until darkness was falling. He hoped that was how it would turn out, and he knew how poker games went on this world. They could go on for hours.
Bones got tired of poker…or maybe he was just tired of sitting in that chair. He went to the bathroom and then left the bar. It was starting to get dark outside. He could not remember the last time he actually sat and played or did something until he was absolutely bored. He was always interrupted with something when he was on the ship. He thought he had gotten all the poker playing out of his system and maybe he would just take in a movie. There was all sorts of entertainment on this planet. He could even go watch a show, or play some other games besides poker.
Mac followed Bones down the street and saw him go into an entertainment center. He went inside to see where he was going, and he had gone into a theater…
"Leonard McCoy! What are you doing here?" someone said.
Bones looked around at the woman behind the refreshments counter. "Lucy?"
"Yeah. None other."
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"
"I'm just working. Haven't seen you since the Academy. I heard you're the doctor on the Enterprise though."
"I am."
"Wow. That must be great working on such a famous ship with that famous captain of yours."
"Jim? I don't know that he's famous."
"Honey, everybody knows about him." Lucy leaned on the counter. "You know there are bounty hunters after him, don't you?" she whispered.
"Yes," Bones replied. "We're watching after him."
"Twenty-five thousand is a lot of money."
Bones did not think he liked this conversation. "Well, I don't want to be late for the show," he said. "Nice seeing you again."
"Hey, Leo, maybe we can have a drink after I get off work here."
"I don't know. Maybe."
Bones walked on and realized he was looking around him at all the people he did not know. Solan had been worried that some bounty hunter would capture someone close to Jim to get him because they knew he would come after them. Bones knew that was true but most of the bounty hunters they had encountered had been directly after Jim. They had left most of them stunned in a hangar as they retreated. One had actually stunned Jim and they had to carry him out while keeping the bounty hunter back. And there were others who were not so fortunate as to live through it. It had been an eventful three months.
After the movie, Bones went back out into the lobby where Lucy was just getting off work. "Hey, you still wanta go for that drink?" he asked.
"Sure," Lucy replied. "Just let me check out."
"I'll be waiting."
Bones stood at the front doors waiting. Mac stood in the shadows waiting to see what he would do, and then he saw Lucy come out and leave with McCoy. He followed them outside and realized they were going to get a drink. He thought he would have to wait till another time. He did not want anyone else involved in this. Too many people left too many witnesses and he did not intend to kill anyone. He would just have to find another way…or wait for another opportunity to get Doctor McCoy.
The next morning, Jim and Carol went to breakfast together. Solan was not far from them, although he could not hear anything they were saying. Jim did not like him following them around like that, but Solan simply stood and listened to him when he reprimanded him about it. He considered himself his own personal bodyguard, but now, Jim wished he would just go and have some fun. They were supposed to be enjoying themselves right now, not working. Solan took his job in security as seriously as Spock did, and Spock had even bragged on him to Jim. Jim thought if he could get the approval of Spock, he was something.
"At least he doesn't stare at us," Carol said as they were eating. "He's eating too. You should be flattered that you have a friend who cares enough about you to stay on duty like this rather than go off enjoying himself."
"That's just the thing, Carol," Jim replied. "He's supposed to be enjoying himself. He's obsessed with his job. He's addicted."
"Well, I don't think you have much to say about that."
"I'm here, aren't I? I'm not in space right now."
"Yes. I'll give you that."
"He is a good friend, but I want him to enjoy himself too."
"What are we doing today?"
"I haven't actually thought much about it. What do you want to do?"
"Sometimes I think I don't know how to be free to have fun anymore. We're on the ship so much and we don't see places like this."
"Yeah, but we're here now, so let's forget about the ship for a while and do something fun."
"I'm with you."
Solan stayed close around Jim and Carol all day, not getting too close to them. Mac had seen Solan, and he had definitely stayed out of his sight because he would surely recognize him. He thought he was most likely going to have to capture someone as bait to lure Jim in. He wanted to capture only him, but with Solan around, it was looking more impossible all the time.
That evening, Jim and Carol had dinner by candlelight in a restaurant that was rather far from the hotel. Solan sat at the entrance and looked everyone over who came into the restaurant. He tried not to let Jim and Carol see him watching them but he had to be in view of them.
Spock and Uhura came in. "Good evening, Solan," Spock said. "I trust that the captain is doing well?"
"Yes," Solan replied. "He's right over there."
Spock looked toward Jim and Carol. "Have you had any concerns today?"
"Just a funny feeling I've been getting today…like someone is watching us."
"Have you noticed anyone?"
"No. I haven't seen anything strange."
"Perhaps you are only having anxiety because of your role in this situation."
"I don't know, Spock. Sometimes you just get those intuitions. I want him to be able to enjoy himself without worrying. I'm worrying for him."
"I will take your place tomorrow while you do something else. It is not logical for you to share the whole burden of guarding the captain."
"I'm alright with it, but you can take tomorrow if you want."
"I will be on duty in the morning then."
Solan nodded. He wanted Spock to take that duty so that he could do more serious investigating. He just had a feeling that something was going on that he did not know about. He supposed it could have something to do with all the anxiety they had faced in the last three months, but he was going to be sure.
Spock and Uhura greeted Jim and Carol before they sat down. "We should have dinners like this on the Enterprise," Jim said.
"We can always have them in your quarters or mine," Carol replied.
"That's true, but it wouldn't give much occasion to dress up, would it?"
"Perhaps not."
Jim was silent a moment and then he looked at Carol. "Marry me," he said.
Carol was rather surprised at that. "I thought we had already talked about that and agreed," she replied.
"No. I mean now."
"Now?"
"We're gonna be together. Marry me."
"While we're here?"
"Why not? I just like the thought of you being my wife…not just my girlfriend."
"Well, I guess the word 'husband' does have a nice ring to it."
"Ring. Is that a hint?"
Carol smiled. "Not really but since you brought it up…"
"Don't worry, we'll have rings."
"Jim, isn't this sudden?"
"I don't think so. We've been talking about it all this time."
"You're going to tell your friends, right?"
"Sure. I suppose they would want to see us get married."
"I really wanted to plan this and have my mother at the wedding."
Jim nodded. "Okay."
"You're disappointed."
"I'll admit, I am a little but I understand."
"Good."
The next morning, Spock took over surveillance of Jim's whereabouts. "You're gonna be following me around all day?" Jim asked.
"If that is what you choose to call it, Captain," Spock said.
"I'm going to a meeting this morning. Just one of those Captain things you have to do."
Spock nodded. "I will accompany you."
"Suit yourself. I've given up on arguing with you and Solan."
Spock followed Jim outside. "I am confused as to why you would argue with us as we try to protect you. You know that there have been several attempts to kidnap you by bounty hunters."
"Yeah, but here?"
"It would be logical for a bounty hunter to try and grab you when they think you are the most relaxed and are not anticipating trouble."
"Well, I've tried not to think about it and enjoy myself while I'm here."
"As you should, Captain. That is why we will watch for you so that you may enjoy yourself."
They got a transport to their destination which was the government offices. "Why do I always have to get stuck in these meetings even when I'm on vacation?" Jim asked.
"As you said, it is one of those Captain things you must do."
"Yeah."
Mac saw Jim and Spock get into the transport. He figured he could not grab the captain with Spock around. He would have to keep his eyes open for Solan as well. He knew Solan would still be watching and he might spot him. If he did, his plans here would be ruined…unless he could do something about him. He had no desire to tangle with Solan. He had even tried to dig up something on him, but Solan was clean, and had covered his trail well…if he had one. As far as anyone knew, Solan was completely honest, and now he had become Captain James Kirk's personal bodyguard.
As Mac stood on the street watching Captain Kirk and Spock, he noticed Doctor McCoy leaving the hotel as well. However, he lost track of him as he saw Carol Marcus also walk out of the hotel lobby. He had seen her and Kirk together, and he knew Kirk would be raging mad if someone threatened that woman he loved so much.
Carol walked down to a shopping center that had just about everything she could want to do in a day, including a pool, and she intended to take that in as well. Jim had also asked her to go to the beach the next day. She enjoyed the water and he did too. She just hoped they could enjoy some time without Spock or Solan watching them the whole time. She did not think they were guarding her right now, or at least she did not see anyone.
Mac watched Carol go into the shopping center. He thought it would be the perfect place for him to follow her. He would be concealed in all the other people in there. The planet was crowded with vacationers as well as people who lived on it.
Carol met up with some other friends of hers while she was in the mall. Mac frowned as he figured she would be with them the rest of the day. She was one of those people who liked to be with someone else rather than being alone, and he could see that they were very happy to be together as they were laughing and talking as they walked.
Mac walked back outside. He thought he might have to look for another way to get to Jim Kirk. He had so many people around him all the time, it was impossible to get close to him…and it was impossible to get close to one of his friends. He decided he would just follow McCoy and find a way to get him. He seemed to be the easiest target. He was the only one who went off alone.
The day wore on, and Jim got through his meetings with Spock staying close to him all day. He thought having Spock along was better than having to go through the meetings alone. When the last one was over, they went to get something to eat.
"I'm glad that's over," Jim said. "I'm taking Carol to the beach tomorrow. I would like for us to have time without you or Solan staring at us."
"Captain, Solan and I do not mean to make you feel as though we are staring at you. We are simply…"
"I know what you're doing, and I really appreciate it, Spock. You guys are the best friends I've ever had, along with Bones, but I'm starting to feel like I can't breathe without one of you hearing it."
"I am sorry about that, Jim."
"Don't worry about it, but we need a little breathing room."
"I will talk to Solan about this. However, I do believe it is wise for one of us to accompany you."
"I know."
"We will stay back as far as possible."
"Thank you."
Mac was not the only bounty hunter who was wanting to get his clutches on Jim Kirk. There was another and he had noticed Mac on the planet. He knew Mac would eventually make his move, and he had heard all about Mac's reputation. He was one of those that one avoided if possible. Jermaine had no such cares. He would simply make his own move, and if Mac got in the way, he would take Kirk from him. He had seen Mac following Leonard McCoy, which was known to be a close friend of Jim Kirk's. Jermaine could figure out what Mac's intentions were. He thought it would probably be a good idea. He had even thought of trying to kidnap Carol Marcus to get to Kirk, but he thought that might be too risky and draw a lot of attention. He did not intend to let Mac get away with someone worth 25,000 credits.
Bones had been roaming around the city all day, and he had met people he knew even. He had played sports and everything he could fit into one day, and then he ended the day with another movie. He headed back to the hotel, wondering what Jim had been doing all day. He had certainly not seen him. He thought he must have been in meetings all day…or he was just doing something different than what he chose to do.
On his way back to the hotel, Bones met up with Scotty. Mac saw the meeting, and stopped. He cursed under his breath as his attempt was again interrupted. He would have to spend another day the next day trying to find an opportunity to grab that doctor.
"I finally meet up with someone from the Enterprise," Scotty said as he and Bones were walking. "I was beginning to think I got left."
"I saw a few from the Enterprise, but I haven't seen Jim," Bones replied.
"I haven't seen hide nor hair of the captain since we arrived here. You think maybe he's avoiding us?"
"I wouldn't be surprised. It took us a while the first day to get him to loosen up. All this crap about bounty hunters is starting to get to him. I guess it would be getting to me too."
"I know it would me. I hear Solan and Spock are keeping an eye on him."
"Yeah. They follow him around all the time. I tell you, I think that would give me the creeps."
"Better than the alternative."
"You're right there."
Bones and Scotty walked into the hotel lobby, where they met Jim, Spock, and Solan. "Well, is this the meeting place?" Bones asked.
"Looks like it," Jim replied.
"I was beginning to think I got left," Scotty said. "Haven't seen anyone from the ship."
"No, Mister Scott. I guarantee you we won't be leaving without you."
"Good to know, Captain."
"So, what have you been doing all day?" Bones asked. "Meetings?"
"Not all day," Jim answered as he sat down on a sofa in the lounge.
"I've been all over this city. I even played racquet ball."
"That's nothing, Laddy," Scotty said. "I played hand ball."
"You think that's better?" Bones asked.
"Why don't we have a match?"
"You're on. We'll do it tomorrow."
"I'm taking Carol to the beach tomorrow," Jim said.
"You ever built a sand castle?"
"I've tried. I can't say I succeeded."
"That would be a great challenge to build an Enterprise in the sand," Scotty declared. "A small model, of course."
"A challenge," Solan said.
"Are you kidding? No one knows the Enterprise better than me."
"I beg to differ."
"You guys can always manage to turn a discussion into an argument," Jim said. "Anyone seen anything weird going on today?"
"Not a thing," Bones replied.
Solan did not say anything for a moment. "I saw a bounty hunter today," he said. He figured he might as well say it. "His name is Jermaine. I recognize him from a few years back."
"Where was this bounty hunter?" Spock asked.
"Nowhere near the captain."
"Perhaps he is after some other person then."
"I guess he was…maybe, but I saw him around a few places that the good doctor there was in."
Bones sat up. "What?" he asked, and they could all see the alarm on his face.
"I don't know that he was after you," Solan said. "He seemed to be following some other guy. I didn't recognize him. He had long hair and a beard. I wouldn't have noticed him except that I can spot a bounty hunter just by their way of looking like they're blending in."
"Who do you think it was?" Jim asked.
"I don't know, but I'll find out. I intend to find Jermaine and see if he knows. I think he's following the other one to get an opportunity to steal his quarry."
"You think the other one was following Bones?"
"Could have been. If he was, he intends to use him as bait."
Bones was truly alarmed at this suggestion. "Then you were watching me too?" he asked.
"I wasn't until I noticed all that going on," Solan said.
"I didn't know you were anywhere around."
"I didn't intend for you to know…nor them."
"Well, at least I got to have one day of fun."
"Why don't we all go to the beach tomorrow?" Jim asked. "We'll all be there together and can watch out for each other. We can just have fun there."
"You planned that for you and Carol," Bones said. "I don't want to go along and mess up your date."
"None of us do," Scotty agreed.
"You won't be messing it up. We'll be better off if we're there close together."
"Captain, don't you think it would be a good idea if we found out who has this bounty on you and why?"
"I have been looking into that, Mister Scott," Spock said. "I have found no information about the subject. Whoever it is has kept their identity secret even from those who would collect the bounty."
"Then how do they know who to get the money from?"
"I suspect, as we have all along, that they would simply announce that they have the captain and wait for a reply."
Solan thought about that a moment. "You know, that might not be a bad idea," he said.
They all looked at him. "What?" Jim and Bones said at the same time.
"If I pretended to have you in custody and get the word out."
"Everyone knows you're part of the crew now," Jim said. "That wouldn't work."
"Yeah, but I could betray for all that money, as I hear it being called."
"That could backfire on you. I would rather not try that."
"He is correct," Spock agreed. "Deception has a way of working in the opposite direction than it was intended."
"Yeah. What he said," Jim said. "Let's just forget about this now and get some sleep. We'll go out there together tomorrow and…whatever."
"If that's what you want," Bones said.
"It is if some bounty hunter is going to be after my friends to get to me."
Just then, Carol walked into the hotel. Jim stood up. "Have you been out alone?" he asked.
"No," Carol said. "I was with friends. Why?"
"Solan says there are bounty hunters on the planet, and they were tracking Bones. If they'll track him, they'll track you."
"Is this never going to end?"
Jim frowned. He wished it could end, but he did not have the answers he needed to end it. "No one even knows who has the bounty out on me," he said. "But we're all going to the beach tomorrow and we're gonna have fun."
"I'm looking forward to it."
