Author's Note:
Greetings everyone. Here is chapter two which is more of a filler chapter as it looks at Jim feelings on what happened. No Pavel but I'll be focusing on what he is going through next chapter so stay tuned.
I own nothing and I never will.
Pursuit
Jim had said nothing since the frantic activity after the other ship escaped.
As soon as he got back aboard he charged to the bridge and began firing off orders to begin pursuit of the other vessel. Scotty had also begun to whip Engineering into a frenzy of activity to try and get as much from the warp core as possible. With the knowledge that their youngest was taken, the crew needed little encouragement to double and even triple their efforts in order to try and catch up with the kidnappers. After the short burst of activity everything quietened down as they found a warp trail and began to follow. Until they analysed the scans of the other ship there was little Jim could do to help and leaving Nyota to alert Starfleet of what happened he sought privacy in his quarters. He was meaning to make some sort of plan based on what little he knew but found himself unable to due to his own guilt. The logical part of his mind was telling him that blaming himself was entirely wrong and pointless, that no-one could have guessed what would happen and that the entire event it was out of his control. However the less rational part of his mind was considerably more vocal and he still felt that if he hadn't taken Pavel down to the planet the whole thing could have been avoided.
He found himself running over everything he and the kid had done in their time serving together. Pavel had always stood out with his brilliant mind and attitude; his constant sense of duty and eagerness to learn and prove himself had instantly made Jim see him as a valuable crewmember. Learning that he was only seventeen had only increased Jim's respect for him and he always tried to ensure that he didn't belittle or dismiss Pavel's ideas and theories. There were times when the kid needed to be just that, a kid and he did what he could to give the boy time to grow up. Jim remembered when, not long after Nero, he had found the boy sitting in one of the observation rooms alone staring at the stars. At the time he didn't know what caused to go and sit next to the kid and it was only later that he realised why he did. He could feel Pavel's loneliness. It was the conversation that followed that started their father/son relationship. It took several hours and many tears but it seemed that telling someone of his life of abuse, sadness and loneliness greatly lightened the kid's load and from then on if Pavel needed comfort he went to Jim, though it wasn't until the following Christmas that either of them vocalised their bond.
A knock on the door pulled Jim out of his thoughts.
"Enter."
The door opened to reveal Spock. "Captain, Admiral Archer has given us permission to continue pursuit of Ensign Chekov's abductor's. I request that you return to the bridge to review the scans we have of their ship."
"Thank you Mr Spock."
Expecting his First Officer to leave Jim was surprised when he spoke again.
"I apologise for failing to apprehend them Captain. I understand that Mr Chekov is important to you."
Still blaming himself Jim answered. "No need to apologise Spock, none of it would have happened if I hadn't taken him down there in the first place."
"You should not place blame upon yourself." Spock spoke firmly. "If you did not take Mr Chekov down it is highly likely that they could have taken any other member of the team, including Mr Scott."
"It's was Pavel they took Spock." The anger at himself was evident in Jim's voice. "The youngest on this damn ship, and we don't know what they could do to him."
"I have no doubt that if they had taken anyone on the ship instead of Mr Chekov; your reaction would have been the same. No-one on board the Enterprise is to blame but we must act if we are to retrieve him." The continuous calm of Spock's voice helped to quieten the less rational part of Jim's mind. Apparently seeing him calm down Spock finished. "I assure you Jim, both myself and the crew are fully prepared to do what we must to ensure Mr Chekov's safety. If we were to lose him, I am certain that all aboard would sorely miss him."
Though this was all said in the half-vulcan's usual monotone Jim could extract the honesty from his words from his use of his first name and he was grateful for glimpse of emotion there.
"Thank you Spock."
"I will wait for you on the bridge Captain."
With a short nod Spock left the room and, taking a minute to fully collect himself, Jim followed.
Arriving on the bridge, Jim instantly spoke to Scotty. "What have we got Mr Scott?" Scotty wasted no time answering.
"It's a wee vessel that is usually crewed by about twenty. As far as we can tell it's unarmed but we cannae be certain."
"What do you suggest?"
"When we catch up tae them we should use the tractor beam tae catch the bastards but there is a wee problem."
It was Spock who spoke next. "They have somehow boosted their shielding preventing us from beaming aboard their ship. We could use the Enterprise's phasers to try and disable them but that greatly increases the chance of harming Mr Chekov."
His mind working furiously, Jim came up with a ghost of an idea.
"Scotty, is there any way we can use the tractor beam to disable their shields without damaging their vessel?"
"I'm not sure Captain but I think I can come up with something."
"Work with Mr Spock and see if you can come up with a way between you."
"Aye sir."
"I will do what I can Captain."
As they both left the bridge Jim turned to Hikaru. "Do you know when we'll catch up with them?"
"It's uncertain Captain." The other man answered. "We have to catch them when they are not at warp. If we use the tractor beam at warp speed we'll tear the other ship apart."
"Try to catch up as fast as possible and be fully prepared to act at anytime. As soon as they drop out of warp, we have to grab them."
"Understood Captain."
Sitting in the Command Chair, Jim saw the determination on every face on the bridge. Feeling a small swell of pride in his crew, he stared at the veiwscreen as if he could see their prey.
He would do everything he could to make them pay for taking his son.
PS-I hope you enjoyed that and I put in a bit of supportive Spock for you. For those following Unofficial Rules, I'm not finished with it but I may not update it till this story is done but we'll see what happens.
