CH. 2 Kirk - What kind of parent are you. Continued
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STAFF MEETING READY ROOM ENTERPRISE
"So let's talk me growing up." Kirk reads the first sentence and shifts in his seat. Of course, the questions would get harder but he does not think his policies on dating, sex, or drinking should be brought up in an e-mail. He opens a window to write a response and sees her actual question. "I think I want to broach the topic of make-up. How do you feel about this?"
"Relieved," Jim mutters looking at his choices.
Your twelve-year-old wants to wear makeup. How do you feel about this?"
A. Absolutely not! Too young!
B. Sure! They can play with your stash of makeup.
C. I'm not crazy about it, but I'll let the child learn this lesson on their own.
D. I won't allow it! It'll make the child look trashy!
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CLASSROOM ENTERPRISE
"When you are ready we can talk about this and that is not anytime soon. You don't need makeup young lady. You're beautiful as you are." Kate reads Jim's response several times. It is so damn close to something Han would say that it is scary.
"God this man is insane," Kate huffs to John. "He is using the whole girls are naturally pretty line. He's an idiot," she shakes her head.
"Well you," John says without making eye contact.
"Yeah but I seriously doubt he is cozying up to a ponytailed soccer mom at the bars and you don't count. You are 12 do you even look at girls." Kate can't believe John is taking Jim's side. Jaina, Leia, and her mom never wore heavy makeup, but Jaina always said it didn't hurt to accent what you got.
"I look at you," John smirks staring at her profile. To him, Kate looks pretty whether she is in regular clothes or sweatpants. He likes her hair in a ponytail but he loves it when she leaves is down and it bounces when she walks.
Feeling John staring at her, Kate crosses her eyes and sticks her tongue out. John gives her a lop-sided grin. "You sure this is pretty," she holds her silly face. "Your view is usually the back of my head because you can't keep up with me."
"Your days of trying to usurp my authority as leader of the pack are over Sparkles," John taunts her. "There can only be one Highlander," John deepens his voice imitating the villain from the movie with the same name.
"Yes, but like any power structure control the man at the top and you control everything. I am not saying that women can't be powerful but why do all the work when you can just silently steal it," Kate shares her ideology in how to start a coup. "Let's face it. I have one advantage you will never have."
This right here is why Kate fascinates John. Colleen and the other girls he used to flirt with never liked video games, senselessly violent movies, or anything to do with the military. Kate would probably rock on a paintball team. "Oh do tell," John completely tunes out the droning of the teacher taking in everything Kate is saying.
"I am a girl and most societies view us as the weaker sex. Can you believe that," she says sarcastically with a grin?
"Yeah guys are just suckers," John concedes. "I am only 12, but I know this. Weaker you are not. Stronger you are not. But prettier…yes, you are."
Kate laughs shaking her head. John is so much like her brother Anakin. If they ever met, they would be best friends. She doesn't allow the twinge of homesickness thinking about her family to grow deep in her heart but focuses back on the quiz. The next question makes Kate stop and think. Is a sixteen-year-old too young for an unsupervised date? Sixteen is four years off, but Kate can't narrow down Jim's responses. She types the question and waits for the reply.
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STAFF MEETING READY ROOM ENTERPRISE
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Is a sixteen-year-old too young for an unsupervised date?
A. A child that age cannot be trusted.
B. It depends on the maturity of the child.
C. It depends on the gender of the child.
D. Yes, way too early!
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"Wow, this quiz jumped fast," Jim thinks taking a sip of his coffee. He toys with the idea of ordering a second one. Spock is ramping up with his presentation and Kate's questions are getting harder. He may need the caffeine to get through the morning. After placing his order with Rand for more coffee, Jim settles back typing his response to Kate.
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CLASSROOM ENTERPRISE
"Kate dating is a huge topic and one not easily answered by an A-D choice. Your actions and behavior will determine whether I trust you enough to leave for hours at a time unsupervised. Maturity plays a huge role as does one's character. I don't believe the brazen bravado you project is your true nature. For all your poor decisions of late, I think you are too mature for 12-years-old experiencing things that you should never have alone. That being said, there are a thousand more experiences that are in store for you. My job as a parent is to help you navigate these experiences with as little complaining from you and hair loss for me as possible. Therefore, when I say you are not mature enough right now to date it is not to be mean or cruel. It is that simply that in my 34 years in this universe, I have probably experienced what you are going through and want it to make it as easy as possible for you. Now the gender of the child plays a huge role. Would I look at this differently if you were my son? Absolutely. For the obvious reasons, and I assume you don't want to have THAT talk right now, girls are faced with far different challenges than boys. The type of boy you also wish to date will influence my judgment. Bring home a thug and most of your dating will occur within our quarters. Bring home a guy who is not scared, well maybe just a little wouldn't hurt, to look me in the eye and your options will expand past our living room. Either way at 12, (D) Yes, way too early can be my only response at this time. Check back in four years. Now back to learning. Kirk out." Kate reads Jim's response. It was nothing like what she had expected. There was no flat out refusal or I don't give a shit type answer. Jim reserved the right to make an informed choice. Kate has to respect him for that. In the future, it might piss her off but today it really doesn't apply anyway.
"You know that doesn't mean we can't hang in private or be a secret," John reads Kirk's answer over her shoulder eliciting a soft grin from Kate.
"I don't like secrets," she flirts back. Suddenly the boy sitting next to her is far more appealing. The thought of a secret boyfriend makes the idea sound fun.
"Bullshit. You're full of secrets. I bet your secrets have secrets," John calls her out.
"Yes, they do," Kate comes clean. "But not all are bad. Some are good. Want a teaser?"
"Sure tease away." If John had one wish now it would be for them to be alone in Smuggler's Run. Just hanging out and having fun.
"Erika likes Ronin," Kate states.
"Old news," John shoots back quickly.
"Joanna likes Cameron," Kate tries again.
"Yesterday's headline along with Spunky blonde chick takes Enterprise by storm in a failed coup attempt. Weather at 11," John gets the edgy tone of a reporter. He holds his stylus up to his PADD as if ready to scratch down notes that will break the next story of the century. "And who likes me?" John fights to keep the cool confident exterior.
"Me dumb ass," Kate thinks but goes with a less direct response. "You? Everyone on the crew likes you. You are the pride and joy of this ship."
"Not the answer I was looking for," John thinks setting down his PADD and going back to take notes. Kate is so insanely frustrating. She will blast you with her opinion whether you want it or not, but won't admit one way or another she likes him.
Kate knows this was not the answer John wanted or the answer she wanted to give. "Everyone trusts you. Looks up to you," Kate compliments him hoping she didn't screw anything up.
"Or down if they are taller." Kate bursts out laughing at his comment drawing the teacher's attention. "I was looking for a more specific answer Ms. Kirk," John does his best Spock imitation.
"Am I not a part of this crew," Kate smiles shyly.
"Yes you are," he whispers. As he stretches his foot, he accidently hits Kate's. Before he can apologize, Kate presses the side of her foot against his. She brushes a loose lock of hair behind her ear and pretends to be looking intently at the teacher.
"Mr. O'Neill do you need a gag or new seat," Lt. Brooks barely controls the frustration in her voice. Until Kirk's kid showed up this was an easy hour of her life. Now she actually has to act like a teacher.
"No ma'am," John sits straighter.
"I have never seen you so chatty until the arrival of Miss Kirk. Do you need a new seat?"
"I'm just explaining things her. You know because she is new and all," John covers for Kate. Kate wraps her foot around his as if saying where you go I go. This makes John feel light headed. She has to like him.
"Then explain to her what detention is because she and yourself will be participating in this arcane tradition if you don't zip it," Lt. Brook's hisses turning back to the wall PADD. Ronin snickers outright at his brother getting into trouble. Before Kate, he wasn't sure the teachers even knew if John was alive in their class. He was always the perfect student and only spoke when called on.
"Yes, ma'am," John nods at his last warning. "Troublemaker," he teases as soon as Lt. Brooks turns her back.
The next question isn't so heavy and, at least, Kate can screw with Jim. She will lay it on heavy and see how he reacts.
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STAFF MEETING READY ROOM ENTERPRISE
The triple trill lets Jim know Kate is back. Anxiously he opens the message. His stance on dating is what it is. Her response won't change anything, but Jim is curious to read her perspective. At first, he thought this was just a stupid way for Kate to blow off class. After the third question, he discovered it has given him a glimpse into who his daughter really is. Maybe he can let the Classical Literature slide for today. Jim settles back ready to read the tirade of 'you can't do this' and 'not fairs' that are undoubtedly in her response. To his surprise, Kate didn't even comment on his reply but simply started a new one. "Okay I know you all dress conservatively because you are in the Navy, but how open are you to personal fashion choices. When we first met, I was pretty well buttoned up but that is my traveling Jedi outfit. Typically we dress like Zala does." Jim lets his mind drift back to the sensual, barely clad blue-skinned alien. Kate has to be pulling his leg to see his reaction. Even the most liberal parents would not send their kids out looking like a streetwalker at Kate's age. Albeit he zoned out when Samantha took her shopping on Star Base 11, but there was nothing resembling Zala Tsu's clothes in the girls' junior department. Kirk keeps reading although his answer to the eighth question is clear. If they don't have his response he will make up a choice (E). "In Sky River, we don't make judgments on a person's character based on their clothing. Now I know we just went shopping but, I need to know how you feel about tighter clothes or ones that show say bellybuttons." Jim stifles a laugh. Kate's constant claim that "in Sky River they do it like this" is about to come to an abrupt end. He reads the questions and options for his answer.
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What would be something you'd never let your kids out of the house wearing?
A. Clothing that reveals too much skin.
B. Tattered clothes that make them look poor.
C. Anything's fine. I don't want to be overbearing.
D. Baggy clothing - don't want people to think they're in a gang!
Jim types his response and takes a drink of his coffee. It is a welcomed surprise that Rand has replaced the cooled cup with a fresh hot one. He hits send and waits.
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ENTERPISRE CLASSROOM
"Oh hell no my answer is (E) none of the above. As long as I am buying the clothes, you will be dressed as I see fit. I will concede however to allowing an occasional third party such as Uhura, Rand or Samantha to have a say on a single article or two if a dispute arises. Just know that even if they find it appropriate I still have the final say. I'm your dad. I'm entitled to be overbearing. This is just the law in the People's Republic of Kirk." Kate reads Jim's reply and her mouth drops open.
Her reaction intrigues John so much he turns the PADD to read it for himself. "People's Republic of Kirk," he points to the last line. "He so stole that from my Dad."
Kate gives John a WTF look and types back annoyed," Kirk play right and pick a damn answer."
Several seconds later, she receives from Jim the simple response "I did (E). Move on."
God, he is making her nuts. Erika and Jo have gotten their results ten minutes ago without all the lengthy explanations. Since there is no (E) option Kate has to pick one. "Fine I will put you down for (A) Clothing that reveals too much skin as your final answer." Kate hits send heaving a heavy sigh. "God you would think he is the one that can't read," she mumbles next to John. "There is no (E) none of the above." Kate shows John the available options. "See that is what I am talking about John. He thinks it is his way or the hyper lanes." John stifles a grin. "And he tried to be all diplomatic with the third party reference. Don't you hate it when they try to be cool."
"Yes and my Dad does it all the time," John concurs.
"I should hack the systems and cut his ability to use them. Wanna help?"
John is more than a bit surprised by Kate's sudden revenge scheme. It is clothes after all and she hasn't' shown the least interest in wearing anything other than sweat pants or jeans except for the day she was in the blue sundress. Secretly he wishes she wore dresses or skirts more. John sees Kate notice he is daydreaming. There is no way he is confessing to wishing she would show off her legs more. "Can you cover your tracks," he responds like hacking the computer systems of the Enterprise is even possible.
"Who do you think I am? An amateur," she whispers.
"I am interested in knowing if you know who Hamlet's mother is and how did she die Miss Kirk," Lt. Brooks asks. Kate looks to John for help. He angles his PADD so Kate can read his notes.
"Gertrude and pose son ing," Kate says getting a snort from Ronin. Kate side glances at John for help.
"Poisoning," he corrects her in a cough.
"Poisoning," Kate repeats her answer. Lt. Brooks glares at John before turning back to the wall PADD. "So why is the /o/ pronounced /i/ then," she asks John circling the vowel combination.
In truth, John has no idea why. "The English language is just that way," John grunts as he lobs a paper wad at Ronin as hard as he can pegging his brother in the back of the head. "Full of crazy ass phonetic rules." When Ronin turns around John gives him the finger. Erika also whacks Ronin in the shoulder before leveling an angry gaze at her boyfriend.
Kate knows Ronin was not making fun of her, but the sudden defense from John and Erika makes her beam inside. She can fight her own battle, but it is nice for someone to have your back. "Thanks," she utters putting her hand on his.
"Anytime Sparkles." John doesn't move a muscle hoping Kate leaves her hand there. When she doesn't he opens his fingers so that hers falls between his. Her hand is soft and warm like his Mom's. John could hold it all day.
As Kate read the ninth question, she pulls her hand from John's to type. John frowns briefly before focusing back on Lt. Brook's lecture.
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Which of the following careers would you be least comfortable with letting your kid pursue?
A. Law enforcement
B. Performing arts
C. The banking industry
D. I'll support them no matter what they choose.
A hushed giggle escapes Kate's lips reading the possible answers. With all her years of stealing and running scams, there is no way Kirk would ever want her in the banking industry. Still she never thought of banking as a possible career path before now. Kate hastily copies the question and waits for Kirk's reasoning for choosing (B) performing arts. He is far too conservative to choose anything else.
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STAFF MEETING READY ROOM ENTERPRISE
Jim takes less than a second to make his choice. Of all the questions, Kate has asked him this has been the easiest. There is only one answer.
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ENTERPRISE CLASSROOM
"(D) I'll support you unconditionally in all endeavors you because you are my kid and I believe in you." Kate reads his response once, twice, then a third time. It gives her an involuntary shiver. She never thought he would choose (D). Kirk continues to proclaim he will there for her and if Kate is honest with herself, he has been since the second they met. The first night he pulled her from the transporter pad thinking the Jedi meant her harm. Then he marched into the brig standing up to the Jedi. He was there at the hospital when Komack was about to hurt her. He was there to get her off the Jedi ship when she was ready to give up. He was at her side during the battle with the Intrepid. He has held her each night when the terrors of the Vong surface causing her awake screaming. Each time she has needed him, even when she didn't know it, he was there. The more he keeps saying he will be there for her, the more Kate believes this is the truth. Of all the things Kirk has done for her, standing at her side has terrified her the most. Kate is no longer scared that Kirk doesn't want her in his life. Kate is scared that she is beginning to want him to be in hers.